There should be 20, not just 10

The Vatican has issued what it calls the Ten Commandments for Driving. They were not issued from a burning bush, but they are also practical and logical. The commandments were drawn up, I understand, with Italian drivers largely in mind, but, with the extensive publicity given them by the international wire services, they should be accepted worldwide. Perhaps they will put the fear of God into the hearts of drivers, and they should be thankful they do not threaten punishments like burning in hell forever.

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When you apply those rules to the Philippines, perhaps motorists here will say that there should be twenty, not ten only. The Vatican version does not mention drivers who stop in the middle of the street to pick up passengers, those who drive alongside each other and chat while others fume behind them, those who turn right when the light is red, and swing back to the same street to beat the others. It does not also mention drivers of taxis, for instance, who rob their passengers, or work in cahoots with holduppers. Maybe those are not mentioned because they do not have such violations there.

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Now Canada has joined the others by also issuing travel advisories to its nationals who are in the country, or planning to come here. Just like the United States, the United Kingdom and, I think, Australia, Canada is also worried about the incidents of kidnappings, especially with the recent abduction of an Italian priest in Mindanao. Strangely, there doesn't seem to be an advisory from Italy. Perhaps they think priests, especially missionaries, ask for it.

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The reaction from our own officials are amusing, to say the least. Executive Secretary to the President Eduardo Ermita and her National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales are placating the officials of the European Union that the abductions are not taking place everywhere, only in Mindanao where there are all kinds of bandits. I suppose they meant that kidnapping is localized, it's the killing that is countrywide. But if they read the news, they would know that, since not a day passes without two or three killings taking place.

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Who's talking about "political amnesty" and what does it mean? The term was mentioned in an item hinting that Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon already sounds conciliatory towards the two rebels who got themselves elected to the Senate, no less. Gringo Honasan, whose name has almost become synonymous with coup attempts, and Navy captain Antonio Trillanes, who continues to talk about impeaching the President even while in detention, both got elected comfortably in the recent polls. I understand even Palace functionaries are also talking about "reconciliation, good governance and national progress" in relation to the two new lawmakers. Hmm …

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It is only the feisty, fiery and intractable Ilongga senator who is unrelenting in her view of the two renegades. Miriam Defensor Santiago, is quite unreserved in her views about the two, especially Trillanes, who is not entitled to bail. She believes that having Trillanes leave his cell even to attend sessions would give him privileges not allowed to other detainees. Somebody should warn Trillanes to be careful about Miriam. She's a bad enemy to have in the chamber. It would be easier for him to attack La Gloria, she doesn't have a tongue as cutting as La Miriam's.

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Manny Pacquiao is going to college. An item from General Santos City said that the boxing icon has taken the entrance examination at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and will pursue a college degree if he is accepted. He has to be admired for being bent on a college education. Anyway he has already taken and passed a qualifying test for high school, which just shows that the poor guy wants to expand his educational horizon beyond the ring. Go for it, Manny! But what will you do when the call of the ring comes and you have to go abroad to train? Will NNDU allow you to make up? We hope so. The report said he may pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or Business degree. Why not Physical Education? With that he can train athletes and maybe open a school of his own.*

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