PCIJ WebAlert #11.2008

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W H A T ' S N E W @ www.pcij.org
25.March.2008


---------------[ i Report Features )------

HIMIG PINOY
Conquered by Videoke
by Prime Sarmiento

THE debate over who really invented the karaoke machine is still going
strong (Filipino businessman Roberto del Rosario or Japanese drummer
Daisuke Inoue?), but no one questions the strength of the spell
videoke -- the updated karaoke -- has cast on Filipinos. Indeed, the
videoke machine has become such a ubiquitous part of the Philippine
lifestyle that it is now a staple in practically all kinds of social
gatherings. Videoke joints big and small have also sprouted by the
thousands across the country, ensuring that anyone who is suddenly
seized by the desire to sing to an audience can do so with little
problem -- and often quite cheaply, too.

But what is it about videoke that it has become so popular in the
Philippines? And from the looks of it, this is hardly a fad with the
lifespan of a mayfly. It does help, of course, that Filipinos have a
natural love for music in general and singing in particular.

As part i Report's Himig Pinoy series, the piece, however, also argues
that the Pinoy videoke craze can be traced to other notable attributes
of what has become a national pastime. For one, videoke singing serves
as both a social lubricant and bonding mechanism. For another, it
gives the individual the chance to shine, however brief, in a society
that puts high value on conformism.

For sure, there is a downside to all that singing. Even migration
offers no escape from having to listen to those who are out of key;
balikbayans, after all, often leave this country with a Magic Sing
box. One can always opt for earplugs, of course. But wouldn't it be
more practical -- and more fun -- to give in to one's inner diva (or
divo) instead?

Read on at http://pcij.org
Post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2269



---------------[ The Daily PCIJ )------

Chief Justice dissents
by Alecks P. Pabico

SUPREME Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno disagreed with majority of
his colleagues when they voted yesterday to uphold Romulo Neri's claim
of executive privilege over three questions asked of him by senators
investigating the scandal-ridden national broadband network deal.

Puno wrote the minority's over a hundred-page dissenting ponencia,
which was concurred in by five other magistrates -- Justices Antonio
Carpio, Conchita Carpio Morales, Adolf Azcuna, and Alicia Austria-
Martinez, and Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago.

Read on and post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2276

'A terrible decision'
by Alecks P. Pabico

IT was a decision certainly most welcome to Malacañang, and in
particular, to Romulo Neri, the former director general of the
National Economic and Development Authority whose claim of executive
privilege the Supreme Court upheld by a vote of 9-6 yesterday.

To senators though, as well as to legal and political experts, and
advocates of good governance, transparency and public accountability,
the High Court's ruling is anything but acceptable.

Read on and post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2275

9 SC justices uphold executive privilege invoked by Neri
by Alecks P. Pabico

DID Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo follow up the national broadband network
(NBN) project with then socioeconomic planning secretary Romulo Neri?
Was Neri dictated to prioritize the Chinese firm ZTE Corporation? Did
Arroyo tell him to go ahead and approve the project despite being told
about the alleged bribe?

These questions may no longer be asked of Neri by senators
investigating the scandal-tainted $329-million NBN deal as the Supreme
Court, in a 9-6 vote this afternoon, upheld Neri's invocation of
executive privilege over them.

Read on and post your comments at http://pcij.org/blog/?p=2274