The first political mass murder of the election season was described as so gruesome and unparalleled in recent years that an aide of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said it required nothing less than the declaration of a state of emergency to avoid more bloodletting.
Following is an initial list of those abducted and feared killed as provided by Maguindanao gubernatorial aspirant, Vice Mayor Ishmael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Buluan town.
Finally, a denial from the pound-for-pound king. After weeks of speculation, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao categorically denied his alleged illicit affair with actress Krista Ranillo. He also apologized to Krista’s family for the intrigues caused by their purported non-romance.
Philippine press organizations demanded justice after reporters were among 21 people murdered Monday in what could probably the biggest group of journalists killed in one single incident.
The international acclaim achieved by Efren Peñaflorida, who was named CNN Hero of the Year for his “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines, is an indictment of the government’s failure to provide basic education to the poor, several lawmakers and a teacher’s group said Monday.
Strict with assignments but always soft-spoken, Efren Peñaflorida is an “excellent” pushcart classroom teacher who captures the attention of his students with his animated story-telling and use of visual aids.
Drawing more than 12 million viewers as of Saturday, a short film about hunger shot here by a Bicolano filmmaker has pricked the conscience of people around the world, who said it made them cry.
