Misleading and derogatory statements of the media related to the workings of people in the government within a constitutional order, have become the best ground for inquiry into the limits of press freedom.

Journalist’s Code of Ethics commands the writer to interpret and report the news but not to suppress the essential facts that distort the truth by improper omission or emphasis. It is his duty to get and air the other side to correct errors.

This story deals with a lawyer-columnist who writes a regular column in a newspaper of general circulation. He values his law profession but claims it does not deprive him the right to exercise his occupation as a newspaperman

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BACOLOD CITY — From Brazil, Nene Rojas of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters texted me that with Nene Trebol of Confed, tagging along with President Arroyo, they are signing a program of exchange of technology for Philsurin and the Brazilian counterpart on ethanol and other things related to sugar.

And from China Toti Ramos who went there with Bob Cuenca and Lito Jison, all of Confed, texted me also that they passed through the first base in the negotiation for fertilizer purchase.

Toti sees their hurdling the second base, then the third base, and a home run for the sugar industry. They are coming home Thursday.

We will hear from Toti tomorrow.

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TWO remaining icons of the 1986 People Power Revolution have opened heavy fire on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in an attempt to stop her political machine from clearing the way for returning her to power after she serves out her term in 2010.

They carried out their attack within the space of eight days. Former president Fidel Ramos launched a blistering attack on Thursday, calling on Ms Arroyo to stop “titillating” the nation by declaring her political intentions beyond 2010.

Ailing former president Corazon Aquino lashed out on June 10 against Ms Arroyo in a political rally in Makati City against House Resolution No. 1109 convening a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to revise the Constitution without the participation of the Senate.

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THERE are two types of foreign investments that the Philippine economy receives which would be a good gauge of how confident investors are with respect to doing business in our country. These are foreign direct investment (FDI), which are long-term capital, and “hot money” or portfolio investments, which are largely short-term investments in the stock market plus securities.

From what I’ve seen, it looks like hot money precedes FDI, by as long as a year. We lost $3.7 billion in portfolio investments last year, but we’re seeing a surge in hot-money inflow this year.

On the other hand, FDI is projected to drop by 50 percent to $700 million this year, from about $1.5 billion last year. With the 12-month lag, we should be receiving more FDI in 2010 compared with this year.

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Quick-to-the-draw critics who have not even read my letter regarding the Marcos jewels to Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Camilo Sabio jumped into conclusion (or confusion), saying that I advocate the return of the jewelry to former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

This is farthest from truth. One of them is a certain Etta Rosales, who is so pathetic in her misguided accusations that I am tempted not to dignify her claims with a response.

However, for the sake of accuracy to set the records straight, and to place the issue in perspective based on constitutional provisions:

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This Sunday, June 21, is the first anniversary of one of the most unforgettable typhoons that hit the Western Visayas region, the typhoon Frank. Unforgettable because it caused so much devastation. Several areas in the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental were washed out by the deluge of floodwaters coming from the mountains. Lives and properties were lost during that fateful day. For sure, those who had close encounter with the flood can still vividly recall their experience.

A day before the tragedy, people had no inkling of what will happen although the weather was bad during the time. We in the Press Photographers of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter were even in Panitan, Capiz as we were supposed to take our oath before Pres. Arroyo who was scheduled to arrive there to launch the National Transmission Corporation’s interconnection. Because of the bad weather Pres. Arroyo canceled her trip so Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and Senator Mar Roxas inducted the officers of the PPP Iloilo and Aklan chapters.

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Bulang or cockfighting has always been a popular past-time of the Filipinos since early times. There are indications, in fact, that the said community activity is pre-colonial in origin although practitioners at that time were not using blades yet. They just engaged in the so-called “pa-uwak” where the outcome of the fight was determined by the flight of the losing combatant.

Starting with the Spanish occupation, exponents of cockfighting began to use blades and permanent arenas which practices have continued up to the present. The Spaniards themselves encouraged the practice and somehow promoted bulang because they earned revenues from it through the imposition of taxes.

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“STOP titillating the nation,” former president Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) told President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA). The statement of the former president accurately captures the current act PGMA is engaging the nation – political striptease.

Striptease dancers usually titillate their audience by baring little by little, heightening the desire and interest of the audience for every removal of a piece of clothes. The affair of course ends with the dancer revealing all at the last part of the number or the show, giving the audience the ultimate climax.

Something sinister is being cooked at the highest level of power and the political striptease of PGMA is the grand part of a gigantic evil plot – subvert the democratic process of the country for the President to stay in power for life.

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PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo embarked on Wednesday on a visit to Japan that will take her to Brazil in South America from June 22 to 25. This trip is the 21st foreign visit she has made during the past five years of her second presidency, from April 5, 2005, when she flew to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, a perfect excuse for travel for reasons of state.

During this period, she has made an average of five trips a year, visiting no less than 20 countries, in all continents except Africa. This coverage undisputedly makes her the most traveled Filipino president since the birth of the republic, accumulating air mileage credits (enough to provide her with a number of airline tickets after her retirement) unmatched by any other Filipino president.

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The greatest challenge one faces in life, especially in his senior years, is how to age gracefully.

This is what dominates my thoughts today. Am I aging gracefully? What I know is I am trying hard to. In my group, the Sunshine Boys, that is what we try very hard to do, make ourselves happy, enjoy the remaining years of our life, and make others happy too.

By showing them we are aging gracefully, it is our hope, they get infected and we contribute to making people happy. Spread cheer, hope and love. Have friends. Fill the world with love.

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