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Melissa Roxas Fil-Am Case Against AFP Takes New Turn

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The allegation of Filpino-American activist Melissa Roxas has prompted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to perform background investigation on the said victim. Roxas testifies that she was abducted, gagged and tortured for six long days by the AFP. During her capture, Roxas claims that she was constantly urged to own up to an association the New People’s Army (NPA).

Roxas only came back to the Philippines this month, July 20 in anticipation of her petition at the Court of Appeals due ten days later (July 30). She was met up by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Laila de Lima along with others. The thirty-one (31) year old activist then related her trials in the hands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The story started with her being forcibly taken from the safety of her home, hauled into a vehicle and dragged to an encampment. According to her, this happened during the month of May and continued for six days.

However, the AFP in their defense comments that Melissa Roxas is actually an active member of the New People’s Army. The evidence stacks up as photographs of Ms. Roxas receiving gun handling lessons were recovered and shown by Alliance for National Democracy (ANAD) and Bantay representatives; Pastor Alcover and Jovito Palparan.

Whether or not Ms. Roxas is a member of the NPA, her abduction remains in question. Theories stating that Roxas was abducted by her own group (NPA) surfaced, and other speculations that even brings the Presidents scheduled visit with United States President Barack Obama into the picture. AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. has put forward the premise that the half-American Ms. Roxas is being used by the NPA to “create an impression of bad Philippine governance”, especially with the upcoming meeting with the US president.

The President’s SONA 2009

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The President’s State of the Nation Address which lasted more or less an hour has tackled a wide variety of questions plaguing the country. The speech which was started with a prayer for the health of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino has elicited numerous applause from the audience. The clapping which seemed to start every few sentences the president uttered has grown into thunderous levels when Mrs. Arroyo has cited boxing champing Manny Pacquiao as an outstanding example of a Filipino.

Pacquiao was not the only person the president has drawn attention to as few more people where mentioned as proof of the Mrs. Arroyos accomplishment during her term.

During her speech, she has mentioned the results of her usually criticized trips abroad have resulted into more jobs for the Filipino people. She has also mentioned that in her visit, King Abdullah pardoned OFW”s detained in Saudi Arabia, Spain becoming the country’s largest European donor plus a few more accomplishments resulting from her excursions. Mrs. Arroyo once again praised the hardworking Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) who have greatly contributed to the Philippine economy. She has also given particular attention to teachers, adding an apology for her partiality with the teaching profession because she was once an educator herself.

Mrs. Arroyo has also answered the most asked question prior to her State of the Nation Address.

“I never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term”, she mentioned in response to the many allegations that she has no intention of coming down the presidential post. She even expressed her wish that the aspiring presidents would talk about “how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents” and advised:

“To those who want to be President, this advice: If you want something done, do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Just do it.”

SONA just “lies” According to Estrada

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Prior to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s much awaited State of the Nation Address (SONA), the event has sparked rallies and speculations relating to the president’s statement. Militant group Bayan conducts a rally at the same time of the SONA, proclaiming their protest in the rumored Cha-cha or Charter Change. It seems as though the amendment of constitution has become quite a big deal as lawmakers are thinking of boycotting the State of the Nation address in fear that it would turn out as an assembly for Chacha.

The Palace has denied these allegations, proclaiming that the reigning head of the country would be discussing interesting issues on her, hopefully, very last SONA. Reports say that Mrs. Arroyo has been practicing non-stop prior to her speech.  

Former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada has commented during a youth forum that Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA would be nothing but a “litany of lies”, adding that the youth should be aware and active with the recent happenings in the country.  

Estrada was ousted as president a few years back with the then vice president Mrs. Arroyo taking his vacated position. Convicted of jueteng and freed through presidential pardon, rumors now arise that the ousted president now seeks the position he was forced to vacate. During the rallies and trials concentrating on Estrada’s illegal activities, it has been revealed that the former president has opened a bank account containing a substantial amount of cash – under a different name.

Today, Monday, the State of the Nation Address is scheduled to be seen by the millions thorough televised coverage. The country will now see whether or not the allegations hurled upon the president prove true. However, Estrada’s comment remains true, the youth should pay close attention to the SONA, reviewing each statement bit by bit to better understand the situation of the country they will soon inherit.

Update on the Upcoming President Arroyo's SONA

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It is now only a matter of days before President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s annual State of the Nation Address commences. Her last SONA would clarify “interesting issues” as revealed by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Prior to the SONA however, militant group Bayan has announce their plan to come together at the Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City in protest of the said event.

The movement would be a call for people to register their “opposition to moves to keep her [Mrs. Arroyo] in power beyond 2010”. The group would also release their own very own SONA talking about the need for a new government. A review of the president’s last SONA would also be in order, citing agenda’s that were not fulfilled.

Added to this, some senators and congressmen are reluctant to attend the function because of the possibility that it could turn out as an assembly for the much talked about Charter Change or Cha-cha. Deputy Presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo has assured that the upcoming State of the Nation Address would not be about changes in the constitution. Instead, the SONA would tackle Mrs. Arroyo’s accomplishments throughout her reign and plans for the country during her last few months as the President of the Philippines. However, Fajardo claims that attend or not, the State of the Nation Address would continue as it is required by law.

A student when questioned whether she would hear the president’s SONA answered in the affirmative although she adds that class schedule would probably prohibit her from watching it live. However there’s always “YouTube” she adds.

Like all the previous SONA’s, the public is eagerly waiting for what the president has to say about the rising problems in the country. Even more so now that the May 2010 elections is just a few months away.