As you are reading this column, we now have a brand new-Philippine President, Benigno Simeon Aquino or more popularly know as Noynoy, the only son of martyred senator Benigno Aquino and the late democracy Icon
Mrs. Corazon Aquino, the first post-Marcos era-president via the historic
EDSA Revolution 1 of 1986.
Already, he is being addressed as President Noy or simply P. Noy by many and they said the moniker is “:Pinoy na Pinoy ang dating ! “ , “maka-masa
and very down to earth.
Expectations of changes for the better are high after nine (9)years of Gloria Arroyo alleged scandal-ridden and corrupt rule.
And so, the biggest challenge facing P. Noy is minimizing if not eradicating corruption in government and of course the nagging problem of poverty among 27 million of the country’s 90 million population.
Traditionally, an incoming administration has 100 days “:honeymoon period “ among the members of the media after which he will be scrutinized with a fine tooth comb or a microscope.
But in Noynoy’s case, days before he was to be proclaimed, he has done what some said was very “unpresidentiable “
First he announced that he would not take his traditional oath of office before the Chief Justice of the land, Renato Corona who was a last minute appointee of outgoing President Arroyo.
His rift with Corona ,many feared could have resulted in a constitutional crisis.
Secondly, he humiliated Armed Forces Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit when he declared that he is not keen on retaining him or having him as chief of staff.
Many believed that instead of publicly announcing his non-acceptance of Bangit, he could have talked to him in private and in very diplomatic terms
told him he had other people in mind for the position.
These two controversial moves could be a very “costly presidential mis-steps “, and could be misconstrued as vindictive, the same accusations
hurled during the first few months of her mother’s presidential term where people associated with the then Marcos era were axed without regard to their
qualifications and potentials.
But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. We have six years ahead of us.
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JUANA TEJADA PART II: Marcia Bandales, 53 year old Filipina caregiver is dying of cancer. Like the late Juana Tejada, she was required to take a second medical test.. This was in November 2007 when the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) said she fulfilled all the requirements of the LCP. In the following year April 2008, she passed her second medical exams which entitled her to apply for permanent residence for her and family, husband Benjamin and three minor children.
In 2009, Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told she had only three months to live.
But in July 2009, the CIC required her to re-take another medical exam as her previous test results had already expired.
Because of her condition, she received as letter from the CIC informing her that her application for permanent residence could be “refused because she was medically inadmissible and that her condition could be expected to cause an excessive demand on Canada’s health or social services “, the same excuse Juana Tejada was refused in her application. She was told to “ provide further submissions before a final decision is made on her case
Lawyer Rafael Fabregas, who also lawyered for Juana Tejada contended that there was no need for further submissions and that Marcia’s request be granted without further delay and that Marcia’s family be granted permanent
residence to let them be with her in her last days on earth.
Fabregas invoked the new Juana Tejada law which exempts all live-in caregivers from taking a second medical exam when they apply for permanent residence and that this also applies to Marcia Bandales.
As of press time,. There is still no response from the CIC and in the meantime, time is running out for Bandales and her family.
Her husband and children may not see her at all in her final days.
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BERNADETTE ZARAGOZA, COMMUNITY LEADER, 62:
It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of
Bernadette “Bern “ Zaragoza, community leader, last June 25 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bern pioneered together with Cecille Mojica the establishment of the Cavite Association of Canada some years back. She was its president at the time of her demise.
Her remains lay in state at the Highlands funeral homes along Warden Avenue in Scarborough. Viewing is scheduled on June 30 and July 1 from 6:00pm-9:00pm.
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LADY ELVIS: Congratulations to our friend and entertainer par excellence Zena Zagala, more popularly known as Toronto’s Lady Elvis on her successful concert June 27 at the Rookies social house along Dufferin St.
Zena has been a fixture in many concerts featuring popular and world class artists .