Posts filed under 'For the Mind'
National ID System: For the Go or Forego
The case of Ople vs. Torres in 1998 paved the way to the feasibility of a National ID System. The case centers around the validity (constitutionality) of A.O. No. 308 (National Computerized Identification Reference System). It was found to be unconstitutional for posing a threat to the right to privacy. The court says that to be valid, it must be narrowly focused and a compelling interest must justify the law’s intrusion to individual rights. Moreover, intrusions into the right must be accompanied by proper safeguards and well-defined standards, which is lacking in the proposed system.
(Here is how a National ID System usually works)
Now, in a command conference in Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP has made a recommendation to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to revive the National ID System. AFP spokesperson, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said, “The recommendation for the revival of the national ID system is to accelerate accomplishing the [President’s] marching orders given to the AFP [to eradicate the communist insurgency by 2010].�
PGMA expressed her favor for using the National ID System to “provide services to our citizens”, particularly on government departments like Social Security System (SSS) or the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). The main point of its implementation would be on having a greater coordination between government agencies, with the end of overcoming the threat to our national security.
However, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said that it is not possible to implement it within the year because we are not prepared, at this moment, to use a consolidated singular ID. It would take some time to complete the system analysis of all ID schemes, but we are getting there. Hopefully, this recommendation will be approved and the law will be perfected in no time.
Add comment January 8th, 2008
ODB for today…
Last Christmas, while wrapping some gifts for family and friends, my mom gave me 3 Our Daily Bread booklets to wrap, for just-in-case gift giving. I wrapped it but at the end of the celebration, it remain there, lying under our Christmas tree. Well, my curiosity aroused me to open up one for myself and I began to read it each day starting Jan. 1, 2008. I read it every morning before I start my work and it feels nice good.
So I just want to share today’s topic. It is about waiting (patiently)…
“[Abraham] believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. — Genesis 15:6
Any mother can tell you that waiting to give birth is an experience that builds patience. But pity the poor mother elephant. It takes about 22 months for an unborn elephant to mature to birth! The shark known as the spiny dogfish has a pregnancy duration of 22-24 months. And at elevations above 4,600 feet, the Alpine salamander endures a gestational period of up to 38 months!
Abraham could have identified with these examples from nature. In his old age, the Lord made a promise to him: “I will make you a great nation� (Gen. 12:2). But as the years passed, Abraham questioned how the fulfillment of the promise was possible without even the basic building block of a son (15:2). So God assured him, “One who will come from your own body shall be your heir� (v. 4).
Despite his advanced age, Abraham believed God and was called righteous (v. 6). Yet he waited 25 years from the time of the initial promise for Isaac to be born (17:1,17).
Waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled is part of trusting Him. No matter how long the delay, we must wait for Him. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful� (Heb. 10:23). — Marvin Williams
Not so in haste, my heart!
Have faith in God, and wait;
Although He seems to linger long,
He never comes too late. — Torrey”
God always performs what He promises.
Add comment January 5th, 2008
How to recognize a STRoke
“Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.” It is caused by the lack of oxygen supplied to the brain, causing the brain tissues to die. It may be due to ischemia or the lack of blood supply caused by thrombosis or embolism, or due to a hemorrhage. When a severe blood clot, for example, blocks the passage way of the blood to the brain, it may cause stroke.
It is an emergency scenario and every second count in quickly and accurately detecting a stroke. In order to save a patient or a loved one’s life, we must know the early signs of stroke and immediately bring it to the knowledge of doctors.
To recognize a stroke, just remember the first three letters of the word and ask the individual to…
S * SMILE.
T * TALK and SPEAK A SAMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
R * RAISE BOTH ARMS.
A new way of detecting if a patient is suffering stroke is to ask him/her to stick out his/her tongue. If it is crooked or goes to one side or the other, then it is a sign of stroke. In cases of stroke, life is hanging by a thread so protect your family and friends by knowing ahead.
Add comment January 5th, 2008
DOJ website hacked: NBI is now on the hunt
A felon is a felon, whether it be against a private individual or the government!
YEZ! Last thursday, Jan. 3rd, some felons greeted DOJ with a big surprise for the New Year. For a few hours, visitors of the Department of Justice’s website saw Wizard of Enchanted Kingdom, instead of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.
The DoJ website was hosted by PLDT, who has promised to investigate the event as well. As of now, the NBI is also conducting their own probing and hunt for who is liable for the hacking. Note that hacking is punishable under Republic Act No. 8792 or the E-commerce Law. As Sec. 33 of the said law provides:
“SEC. 33. Penalties. - The following Acts shall be penalized by fine and/or imprisonment, as follows:
(a) Hacking or cracking which refers to unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including the introduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption,destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic document shall be punished by a minimum fine of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to the damage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months to three (3) years;…”
Add comment January 4th, 2008
MACBOOK PRO STOLEN on CHRISTMAS! 40K REWARD
(I’m posting this to help the victim..to what’s the least that I can do)
STOLEN: Macbook Pro 2.4GHZ, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD - SERIAL # W8732099X92
WHEN: DEC.23,2007
WHERE: Tagaytay City
REWARD: P40,000 for recovery and information leading to recovery
CONTACT: MARK DE LOS REYES, 0917-893-2392
My sister’s Macbook Pro laptop was stolen last DEC. 23 from our home in Tagaytay. Someone had taken her laptop from a table inside our house while it was charging. Charger, and case were taken as well. My sister is supposed to graduate this coming year and all her work files were in that computer. (my christmas gift to her was an external hdd for her to back up her files, but unfortunately the laptop was stolen before she could use it.) Her thesis and a lot of her design work remains inside, so the laptop’s contents are more valuable to us than the actual laptop. The computer is passworded, so it is likely that the person who has it will bring it to a store or shop to have the hard disk reformatted.
Please spread the word among technicians and other apple stores so that this laptop may be found soon. My sister’s career depends on it.
Hopefully we can all still have a happy new year.
-Mark De los Reyes
0917-893-2392
timdlr@gmail.com
Add comment January 3rd, 2008
A Festive Christmas and New Year to Filipinos
Reports from the Business Inquirer proves that the present administration still has something good to offer, especially this Christmas season.
“Peso climbed to a 41.31 to the dollar, las Wednesday, defying a regional currency market downtrend caused by concerns on a smaller-than-expected interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.
The peso opened trading near the day’s low of 41.54 to the dollar but closed at the day’s peak of 41.31, supported by strong inflows of foreign exchange from overseas Filipinos, currency traders said.
Gaining further from Tuesday’s close of 41.40 to the greenback, the peso has risen nearly 19 percent against the dollar and is at its highest level since touching 41.28 on May 10, 2000. It has been Asia’s best-performing currency since the start of the year.”
Indeed, there are still some reason left for the Filipinos to have a festive celebration as we welcome year 2008. Thanks to the overseas workers! May God keep you safe always!
Add comment December 13th, 2007
Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
O Lord, our Lord,
how awesome is your name through all the earth!
You have set your majesty above the heavens!
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have drawn a defense against your foes,
to silence enemy and avenger.
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers
the moon and stars that you set in place –
What are humans that you are mindful of them,
mere mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them little less than a god,
crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them rule over the works of your hands,
put all things at their feet:
All sheep and oxen,
even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fist of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how awesome is your name
through all the earth!
- Psalm 8 : 1-10
Add comment December 12th, 2007
A Snow World in the Philippines
A real snow in the Philippines! At first glance, the picture seems to be taken from US or elsewhere, besides the Philippines, since we all know that there is no snow in the Philippines. But wait til you hear the good news… there is now a wonderful snow world in the Philippines. Yez, Star City is featuring the Snow World this Christmas season, together with two long stretches of real ice slice, just behind the Xmas tree at the picture.
It is really fun, especially when you share such moment with special people like family, friends, and loved ones. You’ll get a real ice experience plus the fun on other rides for only P375. Even just the snow world is worth the price…try it now!
Add comment December 11th, 2007
Media ‘processing’ - Rightful or a Violation of a Right?
The recent Trillanes coup (attempt) gave rise to but another controversy that the State is now faced with. Right after the surrender of Trillanes and his supporters, the police force proceeded in gathering all the media people involved, or were together with Trillanes’ team, inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel. The policemen explained that it was for a short inquiry or processing, to verify the media people’s identity and/or participation with the coup (attempt).
It must be noted that before the said processing, the media people were forewarned and asked to leave the premises for their safety and to easily facilitate the negotiation and/or arrest of the group of Trillanes. But the media people did not listen and chose to remain inside the Manila Peninsula, for some personal or competitive purposes. In that light, the media people became instruments to obstruct, or at least make it more difficult, for the police force to execute its plans in order to end the nuisance at once.
The press plays a very important role in the society. It shows to the world what is truly happening in a micro and/or macro prospective. It influences the way people think and perceive things. It can even create a certain culture or belief, if it wishes. It can also serve as a cover up for protection by some accused. And the latter is exactly what the policemen wish to avoid in heeding for the media to move out of the premises.
To some people, the media’s act was heroic and shows true dedication in the service of nation in showing what is happening to the world. But to some it is pitiful, in sane, or worse, a conspiracy to protect the accused. As a dear Constitutional Law professor, Dean Andy Bautista, has mentioned, “It is just like in a burning house! We cannot absolutely deprive the owners of the house to go inside and save some belongings, but as a rule of duty, we must do so for their protection. Now if they insist in doing so, they may do so, but not without taking the risk for themselves.” The media people, in insisting to stay inside the Manila Peninisula during the coup (attempt), should bear the hassle of any processing, inquiry, or whatever procedure that the police enforcers may require them to undertake. That is not just for their own safety but more for the nation’s security, knowing that some Magdalo can very well be in a disguise as a media man, simply to effect an escape. I am sure that a true dedicated serviceman wouldn’t want someone (an accused) to use his/her name (service) as a means of escaping liability from the State.
So now we come to the famous question of whether the holding made against the media people constitutes an arbitrary detention or a violation of the freedom of the press and a deprivation of their right w/o due process of law. Due process of law, as well as the equal protection of the law, is provided for in Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:
Section 1: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws”
Due process, as contemplated by the law, can either be ‘Procedural due process’ or ‘Substantive due process’. Procedural due process requires a step-by-step procedure of how a law (or a thing) shall be implemented, and faithful execution according to the prescribed procedure is tantamount to compliance with due process. On the other hand, Substantive due process is the absence of arbitrary laws and questions the very essence or substance of the law itself, as whether it is just or not.
Without a doubt, the policemen has complied with the proper call of procedure in dealing with the media men. The processing is applied to ‘all’ members of the press, without distinction as to who is famous or not (shame to those who were even proud of being able to escape from this process). Now, the last question is whether there was an actual need for the said processing, it is ’substantial’ and just? I personally believe that the police enforcers had a reasonable ground to conduct the said processing. It is paramount to public interest that they assure that they are not setting free the people liable to the distress that just occurred. The main consideration for the act is the general welfare of the community, especially those within the surrounding vicinity. Hence, there is no violation of due process, whether procedural or substantive.
I would like to end this with a call on the press for a balanced judgment. It was obvious from the interviews with Trillanes how their group push and pursued on using the media as a means to get the sympathy of the people and/or as a cover (protection) from the armed forces. For a couple of times, they insisted on the fact that the present administration is willing to sacrifice the media people just to get what it want. By mid of their act, they were firm on their stand that they will not surrender, no matter what. And at the end of the day, they moved on to say that they will surrender since their conscience cannot take it, to put the media peoples’ lives at stake, as compared to what the administration was willing to sacrifice. On the other hand, many believe that the real reason behind the surrender was the fact that no one heeded their call. They received only a minimal support, if not none, that is not sufficient to actually bring their mission to success, and so they surrendered and gave the lame excuse of ‘for the sake of the press’, again to gain sympathy and the side of the press. Whereas, in the first place, they are the ones who put not just the press but the whole nation at stake. They put at stake the slowly growing and recuperating economy back to zero. Investors were threatened, tourists were frightened, citizens were sacrificed. How can one call for a positive change if he himself is the greatest contributor for a nuisance. Clearly, everyone must rethink things out.
Add comment December 2nd, 2007
Trillanes walks out to march along Makati..
Inquirer reports today…
MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other officers accused of leading the July 2003 rebellion walked out of their trial Thursday and marched through the streets of Makati calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The walkout began shortly after the trial resumed after a brief recess. Brigadier General Danilo Lim, who himself is detained and facing coup d’etat charges following an alleged failed coup attempt in February 2006, was pulled away by several soldiers from the witness stand.
Trillanes and Lim said they were calling on the Filipinos to withdraw support from the government because the President has corrupted its institutions.
“We are joining the people… because the President continues to violate the Constitution of the Philippines repeatedly,� Lim told DZMM’s Teleradyo program, adding they were “calling for the removal of an illegitimate President.�
Trillanes, Lim and the other accused soldiers were joined by civilians, including a group of militant farmers and opposition figures led by former vice preisdent Teofisto Guingona.
It was not clear if the prisoners’ guards had joined the protest, but they marched along with the accused.
Add comment November 29th, 2007
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