Now it's a sultan

So what's the score in the GMA-FVR affair? Oops, that was not meant to sound like that. We are just asking about the reports that have been coming out since the two, who sometimes look like the best of friends, and sometimes like enemies, held that meeting recently. From the photographs the Malacañang Press Office has been dishing out, it seems there had been a grand reconciliation, and that former President Fidel V. Ramos has once again reverted to his role as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's champion.

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But things are apparently not really what they seem. After the "dialog, GMA still appears bent on going through with the term she believes she is entitled to, while FVR continues to look like an exasperated father who cannot make a recalcitrant daughter listen. They say that a good picture is worth more than ten thousand words, and those photos of GMA and FVR, with the Malacañang boys trying to put on their best smiles certainly tell the Filipino people a lot.

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Christians, Muslims, Pinoys, half-breeds, and even foreigners - no one is safe from the assassins stalking the country these days. The latest victim is the Sultan of Maguindanao, Amir Baraguir, 46, who was gunned down right in front of his house. Now, this sultan had been installed only a few weeks ago, and from reports about him, was a well-liked and popular man, who was respected by his constituents. I noted one interesting item in the report on his murder. Sultan Baraguir was also a prolific writer, in fact, he was a columnist for the prestigious Mindanao Cross.

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Will his murder be classed under the heading: Media killings? As a columnist, and a regular one, he qualifies to be a journalist, too. There may have been political motives, but I think the international media and the groups working against the decimation of journalists will have something to say about this death. By the way, one other thing I noted in the report on the sultan's death and about his being a writer, is that he was not described - like almost all the other victims - as a "hard-hitting" one. It was even mentioned that he was more of a crusader, a teacher. Shall we be hearing from the international Committee to Protect Journalists?

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On the subject of killings by suspected hired guns, it is sad to note that the ubiquitous and very useful two-wheeled vehicle called the motorcycle seems to have become the vehicle of death in the country. Note that most, of the cold-blooded killings that have taken place all over the country have been perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men. Snatching cases are also attributed to thieves, usually riding in tandem on motorcycles. It's a pity that such a versatile conveyance, now becoming more popular than ever because of the high cost of fuel, should get such a reputation.

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Speaking of journalists, the local milieu has been stirred violently by the alleged firing of Vice President Noli de Castro by giant ABS-CBN. The network has announced that it will no longer continue the popular TV program "Magandang Gabi Bayan" hosted by de Castro. Ah, all sorts of stories have been going around, like the "Kabayan" - de Castro's TV name - had refused management's order, or hint, that he should criticize President Arroyo. Of course the network has denied this - shall we say - vehemently. Kabayan is still to be heard from, but I think he has reached the point where the road forks. Is he a journalist, or a public official?

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Anyway, even if ABS-CBN has rejected him, Noli still has the love and support of his president. Probably to ease his misery, Malacañang sent out statements that GMA is sure that he will win in the electoral protest filed against him by his opponent for the post, Loren Legarda. Of course Malacañang will support de Castro to the hilt. What if Loren comes out the winner? She will have to be installed, vice de Castro, and with her as VP, things may not be too comfortable for GMA.*

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