More mixed signals

At a Bombo Radyo interview, President Aquino again gave mixed signals on his plans for 2016.

At the start of the interview, he said he is looking forward to regaining his freedom (kalayaan) after he steps down in 2016. He is not keen on extending his six-year term and is actually looking forward to his last day in office.

However, in a later part of the program when asked about Charter change (Cha-cha) proposals for term extension, he again said he is consulting with his bosses (people). This is to affirm that he would continue to listen to whatever command the people will give him especially on how best to sustain the reforms initiated by his administration.

The President shared several instances when people have approached him and proposed another term to sustain his reforms.

But Aquino said he would explain to these people that he has a term limit and his job is to find someone who will continue his reform agenda.

Meanwhile, while in Lipa City, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles led a protest rally asking President Aquino to resign.

Gathered together under the wings of the Council, the leaders of the Catholic Church, the Evangelical churches, and the Islamic community all asked, with one voice, to give revolutionary but non-violent change a chance.

Aquino has lost the moral right to lead the nation, and has become a danger to the Philippine democratic and republican state and to the peace, freedom, security and moral and spiritual well-being of the Filipino people,” the Lipa Declaration said.

The Lipa Declaration also stressed that they have lost all their trust and confidence in the President.

Henry Sy richest Filipino

Mall magnate Henry Sy topped the Forbes list of “The Philippines 50 Richest List for 2014,” with $12.7 billion in assets. He held the top spot for the seventh straight year.

In the top five are tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, $6.1 billion; port and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., $5.2 billion; industrialist Andrew Tan, $5.1 billion; and self- made business magnate John Gokongwei, $4.9 billion.

In the top ten are David Consunji, $3.9 billion; George Ty, $3.7 billion; Aboitiz Family, $3.6 billion; Jaime Zobel de Ayala and family, $3.4 billion; and Tony Tan Caktiong, $2 billion.

In 11 to 15 are Robert Coyiuto Jr., $1.8 billion; Lucio & Susan Co, $1.7 billion; Yap family, $1.475 billion; Manuel Villar, $1.460 billion; Inigo & Mercedes Zobel, $1.2 billion.

Note that 9 of the top 15 are Chinese Filipinos.

Another police assassin

PO2 Edgar Angel of the Pasay City police bared everything in his 5-page extrajudicial confession to having killed international racing champ Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor.

Angel then revealed that businessman Domingo “Sandy” de Guzman was the mastermind, who paid him P100,000 for the hit. De Guzman told him about the target whom he said was abusive to his wife.

In a four-page supplemental affidavit, Angel also said that he was about to receive a “bonus” for the job from De Guzman before he was arrested.

Angel also implicated Dahlia Guerrero Pastor, the wife of the slain race car driver, as having participated in the planning of the killing of her husband.

What is sad about this crime is the fact that the killer is a policeman in the active service.

General Alan Purisima must conduct an in-depth investigation why a policeman has become a gun-for-hire assassin.

Miriam for president

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago announced Wednesday that she has licked her lung cancer and is now considering running for president in 2016.

Miriam reacted positively to Fr. Joaquin Bernas’ statement, in a TV interview, “that President Aquino should no longer seek a second term and give Miriam naman a chance.”

She said she will seek a coalition with either the Liberal Party (LP) or Nacionalista Party (NP).

Meanwhile, Vice President Jojo Binay stated that he is considering Manny Villar, NP president, as his running mate.

Binay earlier said he prefers a successful businessman as a running mate.

Binay said he is launching a new party by the first quarter of 2015.

Binay has named Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla as his spokesman.

Sereno declares independence

It is welcome that Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in a 3-hour press conference reaffirmed the independence of the Supreme Court.

It appears that President Aquino expected her four appointees would be subservient to him.

Justices are appointed to the High Court on the basis of their qualifications, experience and legal or judicial record.

By emphasizing the independence of the Supreme Court (SC), Chief Justice Sereno has quieted public fears that the SC will be controlled by the Executive.

It is also not right for the Executive and Legislative to allocate a measly sum of P19.5 billion for the judiciary, which at this time appears to be in retaliation for the decision declaring the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional.

The SC should now throw out the motion for reconsideration on the DAP decision.

Tidbits

The Ebola death toll is now 1,552.

Seventy-one percent of Makati Business Club members are against term extension for President Aquino.

Emmanuel Sillo Camacho, 39, a Filipino, was convicted of trafficking 3.4 kilograms (7.5 pounds) of cocaine from Brazil to Vietnam at a one-day trial. He was sentenced to death.

Five hundred undocumented Chinese nationals were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration at a power plant in Calaca, Batangas.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have gotten married in Provence, France.