---------------[ I Report Features )------

PERSPECTIVE
Executive Privilege Versus Public Interest
by Nepomuceno Malaluan

WHEN former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief
Romulo Neri testified at the Senate last September regarding the
controversial national broadband network (NBN) project, many people
expected him to help them figure out just how much the president knew
about the alleged anomalies that were being connected with it, and
what she may have done about these. Neri, however, declined to reply
to queries that were leading to that direction, invoking executive
privilege.

To say that people were left disappointed is putting it lightly.
Indeed, even though the executive order that created it has now been
revoked, "executive privilege" remains a topic of debates and
discussions across the country, and has become a bogey of sorts for
those who want to scrutinize government projects and programs.

In an i Report Perspective piece, lawyer Nepomuceno Malaluan of the
Action for Economic Reforms takes us through the short but sorry saga
of the executive privilege and examines from a legal point of view the
arguments for and against invoking it. The article also looks at the
issue in the context of the NBN deal, and tries to see whose interests
were being served when the privilege was invoked.

Read on at http://pcij.org
Post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2229

HIMIG PINOY
Soundtrack of a Nation
by Jaileen F. Jimeno

SO we're just a couple of weeks away from Holy Week, and music might
not exactly be the regular topic of choice during Lent. Then again, we
do have the tradition of the pasyon during cuaresma -- which just goes
to show that even a week without some kind of music would be hard for
Pinoys, and even if not all of us are gifted with enough talent to
carry a tune or play an instrument. Of course, many of us are
contented just to listen, but the urge to belt out along with the
professionals is simply too much for some to resist (alas).

Music is among those things that take us from cradle to grave, from
the uyayi (lullaby) that helps send us to sleep as babies to the
punebre (funeral march) that accompanies us to our final resting
place. We remember significant moments in our lives with the help of a
particular song, which is why there are curious scenes like people
bursting out in tears upon hearing "Bikining Itim (Black Bikini)" ("I
flunked the bar even though I had on my lucky underpants") or suddenly
looking gleeful when "Saan Ako Nagkamali?" is played ("I have an
announcement to make: I'm having a sex change!"). We listen to a song,
and we identify with it. Sometimes we even start thinking it was
written just for us, even though the songwriter is a total stranger
living thousands of miles away.

This is not a completely Pinoy phenomenon. But there is something
about the combination of words and melody that captivates Filipinos
so, stirring emotions as rich and as thick as tsokolate eh. And we
express ourselves through music as well; it is part of this nation's
being, and has become so identified with its people that it is almost
illegal -- almost unnatural -- for a Pinoy not to be able to sing.

Thus as the strains of "Bayan Ko" are again heard on the streets, i
Report turns an ear toward Himig Pinoy, which will run throughout
March. We begin with the musings of singer/songwriter Noel Cabangon on
contemporary Philippine music, and his views on Pinoy pop songs
through the years.

Cabangon, who used to be with Buklod before going solo, says the
essence of music is to "make people see things differently, to create
images, see the world from a new perspective." And while he says there
are some types of music today that fail in this aspect, he believes
the present political turmoil may yet result in a body of musical
efforts that will encourage reflection and some soul-searching even
long after the songs have been sung.

Read on at http://pcij.org
Post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2220