PNoy hits Kabayan Noli

TV PATROL’S anchor Kabayan Noli de Castro was the target of presidential tongue lashing recently during the ABS-CBN's big party bash.

President Noynoy intentionally went ballistic and accused the TV network of negative reporting in the very party of the network where he was invited as guest of honor.

I must say it was a calculated move. Malacañang must have figured out that hitting ABS-CBN right there in its own turf will deliver effectively and pointedly the message.

Let's watch how ABS-CBN handles this. It can do either of two things: fires Noli from his job. Or ignores it. Noli can also either stop his "snide side comments" when delivering the news (which is trademark "Kabayan") or merrily continues his style of reporting unmindful of the presidential rebuke.

From what I heard, TV Patrol later in the evening commented on the incident by someone saying: "Wag pikon" (don't be short tempered). Evidently directed at the President.

No doubt, the president had the right to say what he had to say. Media also enjoyed the same freedom. So no big deal!

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PGMA. A few days ago, I was in the farm and out of reach when former President GMA was released from detention. I learned about it later in the evening as I watched the news on TV. I had mixed feelings. I felt glad and relieved watching her leave her detention area. Now, the wheels of justice are turning. But then, a rush of melancholy feeling swept through me as I watched the coverage. She is in an unenviable situation. Her legal ordeal is worsened by her health conditions. As one who had served the country as its highest official, she deserves to be treated with dignity as a former president of the republic, considering that at this stage, she still has every citizen's right to be presumed innocent. Like any other ordinary citizen, she also deserves a fair and impartial trial. What will happen next to her in her legal ordeal is left to the courts and the justice system to determine. As for her health and her future, I think she will opt to leave it all to God's own divine plan.

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GENSAN. I visited General Santos City last Tuesday. The downtown traffic was already bothering commuters. But it was a good sign. That meant the place was active and bubbling with activities. Newly built SM Gensan, a behemoth of a structure in the heart of downtown, is slated to open this month. It will become the biggest hub in this southwest corner of Mindanao.

I left Gensan heading for Davao about 7:00p.m. and by 8:00p.m. or about an hour later, I got word that an explosion took place somewhere near one of the main streets destroying a parked vehicle. Only a tricycle driver was injured as he was near the site of the explosion. It was intended to scare someone rather than terrorize people. As what I have consistently stressed, violent incidents like these should not deter us or slow us down. All the more that we should work together and not allow such events to disrupt normalcy. We should not allow the bad guys to think they are dominating our lives.

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BAD GUYS. We who have lived in Mindanao and have gone through rough times have learned that we should not allow the bad guys to win or control our lives. I recall President FVR always teaching us: "continue with the normal activities as you deal with those incidents. To allow violent incidents to strike fear in our hearts will mean victory for them." I applied this to several incidents in the past.

When armed men ambushed and killed about 20 mine workers in Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte many years ago as a pressure tactic to drive away the company, the first tendency was for the company to suspend operations. But no, to do so would give victory to those who wanted to terrorize people. The company stayed the course and over the years, the community turned around and realized that the company deserved support for the benefits it provided to them. To this day, the mining company enjoys the support of the IPs, the community and the locals.

When Siocon town itself was attacked again later by rebels killing some policemen and civilians at the height of its fiesta celebration, President GMA herself went to the town, rallied the people to stay the course. The action paid off.

In the end the bad guys don't win!

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COL MIRANDA. A straight-talking Army officer who has spent considerable time in the south is Col. Dobie Miranda, commanding officer of the 1002nd Philippine Army brigade based in the Sarangani province. I dropped by and visited him for a few updates at his brigade headquarters at Malandag along the Davao-Gensan highway a few days ago.

His officers and men are balancing the operational imperatives of dealing with security threats and the more sustainable peace and development framework through the PDOP (Peace and Development Outreach Program) that wins the hearts and minds of the community. The effort is gaining ground.

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PEACE EDUCATION. In Sarangani province, peace education will soon be integrated in the school curriculum under the leadership of Gov. Migs Dominguez. Some school principals are undergoing training for the purpose. There's no substitute to getting our young students oriented on peace building and the culture of peace. Multi -ethnic population needs social cohesion for sustainable peace.

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MILF AS VOTERS. In Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak towns in Maguindanao, some rebels were observed as having registered as voters. According to sources, this is a good indication that there is confidence among some MILF rebels that negotiated peace is soon to come. MILF institutionally as a rebel organization, by the way, does not participate in elections.

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LAWYER-TO-BE. I met former North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol at the airport. He told me he is now enrolled as first year law student at the Cor Jesu College in Digos City in the south. He explained: "Now I am 58 years old. I will be 62 years old four years from now. But if I take up law now, four years from now, I will still be 62 years old and a lawyer!" Never too old for that new career, Manny!

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MELTDOWN. Scientists said the melting of the ice sheets in Greenland is now faster than before due to global warming and climate change. If Greenland glaciers all melt, the sea level will rise by about seven meters or about 23 feet! Many places on earth will just disappear from the map! Let's all practice swimming!

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BOBOT SEBASTIAN. Our friend, Bobot Sebastian, was laid to rest on Sunday. He lived a full life. He served the country as former President FVR's agriculture secretary. In his private capacity, he also enhanced the agriculture landscape through his farms and pioneering business ventures. Although originally from Luzon, he was a true Mindanao leader. Our condolences to Melba and the family.