That buss from Bush

WOW! That sure was an interesting photo showing U.S. President George Bush giving our president what looked like a real buss. Not your usual beso-beso, mind you, he really puckered up for it. No wonder GMA reportedly never mentioned the case of the Pinay raped by the U.S. Marines in Subic. People here might press her to file sexual harassment charges against George, too.

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What was the reaction of the first gentleman to that picture, by the way? Was that the reason why he looked so glum in their photograph that was taken in Hongkong as they visited the new Disneyland there? But he should be used to such affectionate greetings already, even if his wife had declared angrily before that she can't be kissed just by anybody. That picture before of her bussing then beleaguered Justice Secretary Nani Perez was different - there she was the one who did the kissing, so there was no "chancing".

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But what a killjoy this former journalist and Senator Kit Tatad is turning out to be. To the reports from the APEC in Busan, South Korea, that the President was praised for her work against terrorism, Tatad claims that nowhere in the records of the meeting does it say that anybody praised GMA or the Philippines for her speech on terrorism steps in RP. Tatad says the group just clapped politely, and the Palace spinmasters reported that as high praise already.

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Just as bad a boy as Tatad is this Congressman from Iloilo Rex Suplico. When it was reported, to the great embarrassment of the Central Bank, that the new P100 bill had the President's name spelled wrongly, Suplico and his pals, who were shown on TV laughing hilariously, claimed that the misspelled name "Arrovo" was a Spanish word which means "robber". Malicious guys, aren't they? But Malacañang should get to the heart of the matter and deal with those responsible for the wrong spelling. Many people don't believe it was just a typographical error, like the ones we editors often have to cope with, you see.

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By the way, are Rep. Robert "Dudut" Jaworski and his father-in-law not talking to each other? Of course it's well known that Dudut is married to Philippine Olympic Commission president and former Congressman Peping Cojuangco's daughter, SEAG equestrian champion Mikey. But yesterday's news carried a report that Dudut wants the head of the Vietnam delegation declared persona non grata in the Philippines because of his alleged claim that the games will be rigged in favor of RP. In Bacolod Saturday night, Cojuangco was very firm in explaining to us - STAR columnists Ivy Visitacion, and Buddai Piccio, my sister Perla and myself - that the Vietnam official had denied the report and explained how some trick had been played on him on the web. How come Dudut J is still posturing like that?

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The President is said to have approved the release of P2.5 Billion to be used in fighting Bird Flu. Is this a decision after the fact? Reports have also said she was praised in Busan for the way the country handles the Bird Flu threat. Anyway, let us hope the funds really go to the campaign against Bird Flu, and not to the purchase of bird seed. Remember the fertilizer fund that reportedly went to various "foundations" and non-government organizations, and eventually to various recipients? And how some of them did buy fertilizers, but at unbelievable overprices?

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Malacañang will not insist on custody of the U.S. Marines charged for the rape of the girl from Zamboanga. The statement was attributed to Malacañang spokesman Ignacio Bunye. It was also noted that the U.S. Embassy has not responded up to now to the note verbale from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. It was also said that it is not so much custody of the accused as jurisdiction over the case that matters. As you were saying, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez?

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Again? The Department of Transportation and Communication is said to be launching another drive against arrogant and inconsiderate taxi drivers, for which Manila is notorious. The current drive is called "Oplan Isnabero" and its objects are cab drivers who choose and discriminate among those who hail them, or who do not use their meters during the trip. How many kinds of similar campaigns have we heard about, and how have they fared? I'm afraid nobody believes the DOTC in campaigns like this, and many even suspect the office of other motives.*

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