UP Professor and Group asks Comelec to Probe PCOS Cards

From inquirer.net

Pablo Manalastas, a professor at the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, said no less than Comelec Chair Jose Melo and a Comelec presentation aired by a television network showed some 270-vote discrepancies in some precincts.

Melo earlier stated that the difference in the count of votes done by the ongoing random manual audit (RMA) teams and the PCOS machines was only 0.0007 percent in most precincts.

However, Melo also said that in a number of clustered precincts where the RMA was done, the differences in the counts of the RMA teams and the PCOS counts were two to three digits.

From: http://ping.fm/sWsNG

UP College of Law Dean Questions Midnight Reappointments to PAGCOR

From ABS CBN News

Prof. Marvic Leonen, dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, said the re-appointment was completely unconstitutional.

The appointments made by GMA to the board members of Pagcor and the chair of Pagcor is unconstitutional and may be challenged by the incoming president, he said.

Bautista said the re-appointment is just for one year, after which the new president can choose a new chairman and board of directors.

From: http://ping.fm/YymXQ

UP Los Banos Professor - "Mt. Makiling has more tree species than US"

From Business Mirror

Dr. Edwino Fernando, professor at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources in the University of the Philippines Los Banos, said biodiversity encompasses almost everything.

In its strictest sense, he said biodiversity refers to the quality, range or extent of difference between the biological entities in a given set.

Viewing a broad term, such as biodiversity, Fernando elaborated on the different perspectives in which people can better understand its importance.

The economic perspective of biodiversity highlights the economy of small communities and the world in the use of species in industries, such as agriculture, forestry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and ecotourism, Fernando said at the Asean Center for Biodiversity media forum last week.

From: http://ping.fm/V3xpx

UP Ikot Served as Michelle Yeoh E-Chariot

From ABS CBN News

The "ikot" jeep refers to the jeepney that goes around the UP Diliman campus. "Ikot" in Filipino means to go around. The jeeps that ply the reverse route are called "toki" jeeps, a play on the word "ikot" spelled backwards.

The "ikot" e-jeep that Yeoh rode is a project of the UP-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS). It is the environment-friendly version of the iconic "ikot" jeep which has been serving the UP Diliman community since the 1970s.

Yeoh went to the state university to attend the ceremonial launch of the campus as a future Road Safety Park.

From: http://ping.fm/LqqJC

Department of Anthropology Professor - "Church hinders growth of public intellectuals"

From ABS CBN News

Mary Racelis, professor from the University of the Philippines Department of Anthropology, agreed with Anderson. She said that the Catholic Church continues to shun forms of modern family planning, such as the use of condoms and birth control pills. Talking about abortion is also a big no-no. You cannot discuss it, she said. This is always a struggle.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has campaigned against the passage of the Reproductive Health Care bill, which would mandate the government to fund and promote the use of contraceptives. After 14 years, the bill reached the plenary in Congress in 2008, but intense lobbying from the Catholic Church and pro-life advocates stalled its enactment into law.

From: http://ping.fm/jfTkK

University of the Philippines Develops Healthy Fruit-Vegetable Juices

From Manila Bulletin

Refreshments are the rage these days due to the extreme heat, and just in time for the warm weather, researchers from the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, have developed five blends of fruit and vegetable juices that are natural, nutritious and safe and should pass the quality standards for juices using aseptic processing and packaging technology.

Through the years, people have become more and more health conscious.

This is what pushed the group to produce a variety of healthy drinks.

The new blend of ready-to-drink tropical fruit and vegetable juice drinks developed by researchers from UP Diliman, with the support of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (DoST-PCIERD) come in five flavors.

These are mango-guapple, pineapple-dalandan, carrot-calamansi, papaya-calamansi and strawberry-banana.

From: http://ping.fm/osL77

UP Campus: Maid Found Dead

From Manila Bulletin

A maid was found dead Tuesday afternoon inside her employer's home inside the University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Quezon City where she was believed to have been killed as the suspect took away a welding machine from the residence.

Investigator PO2 Loreto Tigno identified the victim as Merlinda Kan, 35, who was found dead inside the home of her employer, Dr. Amparo Umali III, at No. 65 Agoncillo St., Barangay UP Campus. Umali is also a professor at UP.

Kan, who was discovered lying in the kitchen at around 1:50 p.m., sustained severe head injuries and lacerations in her neck.

Police found on the kitchen floor a kitchen knife and a hammer. A bottle of water and a glass were found left in the kitchen.

The neice of Umali, Erica Umali, also told police that the welding machine at the back of the house was missing.

From: http://ping.fm/6AwcQ

School of Economics Advocates of UP, hopeful of RH Bill OK in next Congress

From inquirer.net

Pending in Congress for about a decade now, RH bill reached the period of debate in the lower chamber but was sidelined due to pressures from the Catholic Church. It proposes to promote both artificial and natural means of family planning as part of moves to curb the ballooning population and to promote maternal and child health.

Dr. Ernesto Pernia of the University of the Philippines School of Economic and trustee of the The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., underscored the need for the country to have a population management policy.

He said family planning should not be left solely in the hands of the couple, but that government intervention is needed, especially on the supply side.

I'm not happy with the statement that it should be left to the couple's choice. On the demand side, it's okay, leave it to the couples, but the problem is if there's no supply in terms of contraceptives and other commodities to practice family planning, wala rin mangyayari [nothing will happen], he said.

From: http://ping.fm/sk16H

Open Letter to Noynoy Aquino - F Sionil Jose

Dear Noynoy,
You are now swamped with suggestions and advice, but just the same, I hope you’ll have time to read what this octogenarian has to say.
You were not my choice in the last election but since our people have spoken, we must now support you and pray that you prevail. But first, I must remind you of the stern reality that your drumbeaters ignore: you have no noble legacy from your forbears. It is now your arduous job to create one yourself in the six years that you will be the single most powerful Filipino. Six years is too short a time — the experience in our part of the world is that it takes at least one generation — 25 years — for a sick nation to recover and prosper. But you can begin that happy process of healing.
Bear in mind that the past weighs heavily on all of us because of the many contradictions in it that we have not resolved, whose resolutions would strengthen us as a nation. This past is now your burden, too. Let us start with the fact that your grandfather collaborated with the Japanese. Your father was deeply aware of this, its stigma, its possibilities. He did not leave any legacy because he did not become president. He was a brilliant and courageous politician. He was an enterprising journalist; he had friends in journalism who can attest to his effulgent vision, who did not profit from his friendship, among them Nestor Mata, Gregorio Brillantes — you may consult them. I cannot say I did not profit — he bought many books from my shop and when he was in Marcos’s prison, your mother brought books from my shop to him.
Forgive me for giving you this unsolicited advice. First, beware of hubris; you are surrounded by panderers who will tell you what is nice to hear. You need to be humble always and heed your conscience. When Caesar was paraded in ancient Rome before the cheering multitudes, there was always a man chanting behind him: “Remember, you are mortal.”
I say to you, remember, the poor — some of them in your own hacienda — will be your ultimate judge.
From your comfortable and privileged cocoon, you know so little of our country and people. Seek the help of the best — and the best do not normally want to work in government and neither will they approach you. You have to seek them.
Be the revolutionary your father wanted to be and don’t be scared or wary of the word “revolution.” It need not be always bloody. EDSA I was not. Your father wanted to destroy the most formidable obstacle to our progress — the Oligarchy to which you and your family belong. To succeed, you have to betray your class. If you cannot smash the oligarchy, at least strive to have their wealth develop this country, that they bring back the billions they stashed abroad. You cannot do this in six years, but you can begin.
Prosecute the crooks. It is difficult, thankless and even dangerous to do this. Your mother did not do it — she did not jail Imelda who was the partner in that conjugal dictatorship that plundered this nation. Watch her children — they were much too young to have participated in that looting but they are heirs to the billions which their parents stashed abroad. Now the Marcoses are on the high road to power, gloating, snickering at our credulity and despicable amnesia.
You know the biggest crooks in and out of government, those powerful smugglers, thieves, tax cheats — all you really need is guts to clobber them. Your father had lots of it — I hope he passed on to you most of it.
And most of all, now that you have the muscle to do it, go after your father’s killers. Blood and duty compel you to do so. Cory was only his wife — you are the anointed and only son. Your regime will be measured by how you resolve this most blatant crime that robbed us of a true leader.
And, finally, your mother. We loved her — she united us in ousting an abominable dictator. But she, too, did not leave a shining legacy for her presidency was a disaster. She announced a revolutionary government but did nothing revolutionary. She promised land reform but did not do it. And most grievous of all — she transformed the EDSA I revolution into a restoration of the oligarchy.
She became president only because her husband was murdered and you became president elect only because your mother died. Still, you are your father’s son and may you now — for the good of this country and people — scale the heights he and your mother never reached.
I am 85 and how I despair over how three generations of our leaders failed! Before I go, please let me see this unhappy country begin to be a much better place than the garbage dump our leaders and people have made it. You can be this long awaited messiah but only if you are brave enough and wise enough to redeem your father’s aborted promise.
Hopefully yours,
F. Sionil Jose

From the Philippine Star

Shot in Batangas, UPLB employee

From ABS CBN News

BATANGAS – A 58-year-old employee of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna, was shot dead by an unidentified suspect in Batangas province Monday morning, police said.

Superintendent Raul Tacaca, Sto Tomas police chief identified the victim as Anacleto Mercado, who worked at the UPLB's Forestry Deparment and a resident of Barangay San Isidro Sur, Sto. Tomas, Batangas,

Tacaca said Mercado was was waiting for a ride for work along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Pedro around 6:30 a.m. Monday, when the gunman approached and shot him from behind.

From: http://ping.fm/PYkoX

New Engine Simulator: University of the Philippines

From Malaya

Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, Inc. (TMPF) recently donated 7K gas and 2C diesel engine training simulators to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman to provide the students with functional equipment that will support their study of automotive engineering.

In photo during the turnover of the simulators at the UP Vehicle Research and Testing Laboratory (VRTL) are faculty and staff from the UP Department of Mechanical Engineering and officers from TMPF and Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. led by (from sixth right) VRTL faculty-in-charge Dr. Edwin Quiros, UP Department of Mechanical Engineering chair Prof. Geraldo Jo Denoga, UP College of Engineering dean Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevarra, TMPF president Dr. David Go, TMPF coordinating officer and Education Sector head Ronald Gaspar, and UP Department of Mechanical Engineering faculty Prof. Joseph Reyes.

From: http://ping.fm/Xs4qC

UP College of Mass Communication "Noynoy a winning brand"

From Manila Bulletin

In the same lecture, Velasco cited the validity of the survey findings of the country’s two respected research companies – Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia. He also took to task “those who hail these research firms when they are ahead and curse them when they are behind in survey findings.”

A “good sampling method – which SWS and Pulse Asia have consistently used – assures any survey’s predictive capability,” said Velasco, who was senior lecturer at the College of Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines. He recalled that a survey on Presidential polls in the US rightly predicted the victory of former American President Bill Clinton with only 2,000 respondents due to scientific sampling methods.

From: http://ping.fm/ezTRk

New Cid: University of the Philippines

 From Inquirer.net

Baguio’s Katherine Khay Santos joined Unso and Ferreira on the roster of double winners by winning the women’s triple jump with an 11.32m leap. She ruled the long jump Friday.

Joy Verlie Cabanilla triumphed in the boys 10,000m walk in 1:01:08.02, while Vanesa Membrado captured the girls’ gold in 1:02:12.0.

Also victorious were Cebu City’s Irin Baluran in the girls’ triple jump (11.67m), University of the Philippines’ Precious de Leon in the girls’ shot put (9.46m), Rosie Villarito in the women’s shot put (11.08m) and Blessie Mae Sanchez in the girls’ 400m (1:00.88).

From: http://ping.fm/OEieI

UP Diliman Motorcade Awaits RP freedom of information

From ABS CBN News

At noon today, over 130 groups under the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition will hold a motorcade from the University of the Philippines in Diliman to the House of Representatives to press lawmakers to ratify the Congress’s bicameral conference committee report on the FOI Act.

The motorcade participants will then join up with other FOI advocates who will assemble across the Old Batasan building starting 1 p.m., to await the arrival of House members for a session called by Speaker Prospero Nograles.

About FOI advocacy groups and 22 FOI advocates and scholars and members of parliament from Asia, Africa, America, Europe, and the Pacific Islands sent a stirring message: the world awaits the ratification of the Philippines’ FOI Act.

From: http://ping.fm/8qoV5

University of the Philippines Barrio Doctor Revives Stillborn Baby

From inquirer.net

during these times when we’re caught in a “culture of hatred,” it makes us realize that good things can still happen. An example is when Dr. Anthony Cu miraculously revived a stillborn baby in Dapa, Surigao del Norte. Dr. Cu, a doctor-scholar of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo from the University of the Philippines, conducted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR on the baby who had no heartbeat and was no longer breathing.

The miracle took place on March 24, when a 38-year-old impoverished woman from one of Dapa’s island barangays checked in at the Dapa Regional Health Unit (RHU) after suffering labor pains for 10 hours. Dr. Cu told Juris Umali-Soliman, president of the First Gentleman Foundation Inc., that he had no choice but to attend to her despite their lack of adequate equipment for neonatal resuscitation. With a midwife and two of his medical staff to assist him, Dr. Cu attended to the woman.

From: http://ping.fm/p9RXD

UP Los Banos: Borer-free GM eggplant in RP by Q4 2011

From Business Mirror

The FSBR eggplant will be the “first public-sector GM/biotech crop product in the country” and the “first GM/biotech food crop to be cultivated in the country,” Dr. Desiree Hautea, research professor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños and FSBR eggplant project leader, noted its significance in the workshop and study tour for media practitioners in Bicol held in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili, Camarines Sur. The workshop had the theme “Creating Awareness, Knowledge and Understanding of Biotech Crops.”

At the same time, she said that since the crop will be borer-free, it would increase the income of the farmers by 200 percent, or P50,000 additional income per hectare of production, thus reducing poverty among farmers.

“If there is no problem in the schedule, if there is no major disaster or typhoon, we hope we can submit the data from multilocation [testing] in Luzon by January or February 2011. If it is approved by the regulators by the middle of 2011, we will produce the seeds and the earliest [they] will be available [in the market] is in October 2011,” Dr. Hautea said.

From: http://ping.fm/KOLbh

UP Law Center Building Bridges for Peace

From inquirer.net

The peace initiative was established by the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) and jointly managed by Akbayan, PCICC and the University of the Philippines Law Center’s Institute of Human Rights.

It began with multisectoral discussions in chosen communities in the provinces of Quezon, a hotbed of insurgency; Misamis Oriental, where locals continue to fight for ancestral domain; and Negros Occidental, where sugar farmers struggle against their landlords.

From: http://ping.fm/TbhF4

UP Visayas: Warns of over-fishing

From Business Mirror

“Marine reserves provide more fishes and increased income for local communities. Not just fish, even coral reefs are declining rapidly due to dynamite fishing, overfishing, ocean acidification, pollution and so on,” he added.

As for corals, the Philippines has reefs considered among the most diverse, providing home to more than 900 fish species and more than 400 coral species, including many that are endemic to the area. The system is part of the Coral Triangle that encompasses, in addition to the Philippines, the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands covering 1 billion hectares and containing 75 percent of the world’s coral species. Eighty percent of the region’s coral reefs are at risk.

Rodelio Subade, a researcher at the University of the Philippines Visayas, said these reefs are seriously threatened with extinction. He said that, for example, in Northern Panay, the dynamite-fishing practice is a big threat to the coral reefs.

“The threat of losing our biodiversity is really serious,” Subade told the BusinessMirror. “People have a high level of awareness of the importance of endangered-species conservation but when compared with other environmental concerns, it was perceived as of less priority.”

From: http://ping.fm/jbptp

A University of the Philippinies Alumni Fuel for Life

From Manila Bulletin

His dream of becoming a doctor was shelved, maybe because his business acumen had been awakened or he just found it too fastidious.

“It’s a very long career. You’re always continuously studying because medicine is a field that is always dealing with new medical discoveries. It’s a continuing field of evolution for treatment. I found it very long, but I’m still very close to the medical profession,” Willie shares.

So, he took up business administration, major in marketing and finance, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and graduated in 1963. After that, he tried his hand at logging and peddling car stereos, but with no success. He hit it big in 1972 when he established Electro-Systems with his brother Hawthorne. And as they say, the rest is history.

While his romance with Jaguar continues, his love for his wife just keeps on going. The relationship between them is twice as strong as his bond with the cars whose foundations are built on passion. Theirs is built on love and companionship which even time fails to extinguished.

From: http://ping.fm/kiP49

University of the Philippines Tops licensure exams for Teachers

From GMA news.tv

For secondary education, the University of the Philippines in Diliman posted a 100 percent passing rate, followed by the University of Santo Tomas with 89 percent.

Josephine Gail Porter of UP Diliman topped the elementary education exam with a score of 88.20 percent. Tied at second place were Rageene Vera Dueñas, also from UP Diliman, and Englevert Reyes of the University of San Jose Recoletos with 87.40 percent.

For secondary education, De La Salle University-Manila’s Clarence Gatchalian got the highest score 91.20, followed by Jerome Macapagal of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina with 89.80.

Tied at the third spot were Melane Manalo of UP Diliman and Ma. Adeinev Reyes of Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City with 89.60.

From: http://ping.fm/V21jH

Study Conducted by UP Los Banos: major areas vulnerable to sea level rise

From Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The world-famous sweet Guimaras mangoes might soon become an endangered variety as global warming could submerge Iloilo province, together with Cagayan and Palawan, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) warned yesterday.

The commission, chaired by President Arroyo, warned that many parts of the country, including the regions where the mangoes are grown, are “seen to go underwater due to climate change” due to the rise in sea level by at least a meter.

Citing a study of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, CCC vice chairman Secretary Heherson Alvarez said Iloilo ranks third among the provinces in the country that are most susceptible to the rise in sea level.

The study identified Cagayan province as the most vulnerable, followed by Palawan.

“We are extremely vulnerable because we are in the southwestern Pacific area where there is an occurrence of many depressions, (which) mature into storms, and violent storms sometimes enter the archipelago,” Alvarez said.

From: http://ping.fm/NJs59

College of Nursing Dean of the University of the Philippines: Filipino nurses to be trained by Kingdom and Philippines jointly

Filipino nursing graduates who undergo the training program will be assured of work at MOH hospitals and primary health care centers in Saudi Arabia.

"They will also be assured of higher salaries compared to the current rates of hospitals and primary health care centers in the Kingdom," said Pineda.

From Arab News

Pineda and the nursing college deans said that during their visit, they met other Filipinos who were in good posts such as head nurses and program directors of clinical nursing, among others.

"It is very inspiring to hear good words about Filipino nurses. In all the hospitals we visited, the Saudi administrators and doctors were all praising them. We heard only good words about them," said Josefina A. Tuazon, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Nursing.

She said, however, that hospital administrators and doctors have noted that Filipino nurses lack assertiveness while at work.

Pineda described the agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines as a “landmark.”

"It opens up more opportunities for Filipino nurses, many of whom have been going to other countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, although many still want to come and work in Saudi Arabia," she added.

From: http://ping.fm/8Bmio

Pacquiao: Crash Course at the University of the Philippines

From AFP

The 31-year-old fighter, who was elected last week to represent the impoverished southern province of Sarangani, said he would soon take a week-long course at the University of the Philippines.

"I will study for one week so I will understand the protocol in Congress," he said in an interview with ABS-CBN television aired on Thursday.

"I will enter the College of Public Administration and Governance so I can understand how Congress works."

He said he intended to take the course before he assumed his role of congressman on June 30.

Pacquiao dropped out of high school as a teenager due to poverty before boxing brought him a fortune and global fame.

He passed the government's high school equivalency exams in 2007, and since then expressed hopes of studying business management and law.

His boxing victories as well as his commercial endorsements made him the world's sixth highest paid athlete last year, with earnings of 40 million dollars, according to Forbes magazine.

From: http://ping.fm/qROkP

Pacquiao relents on pre-fight tests - Inquirer.net

Pacquiao, who will take a crash course on governance at the University of the Philippines, said he’s willing to be tested two weeks before fight night provided that the amount of blood to be taken would be minimal.

Projected to enrich both fighters by at least $40 million, the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight was almost sealed before a last-minute demand by the American for random testing derailed negotiations.

Known for his intense focus when in training, Pacquiao said he sees no conflict in his duties as a congressman and as a fighter.

From: http://ping.fm/elLAf

Junior Museum Guides at the University of the Philippines

From ABS CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – "Do not touch the back or front of a painting," instructed Susie Garcia, museum assistant at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Eight kids aged 8 to 14 years old then eagerly watched Garcia as she proceeded to demonstrate how to hold and carry a painting properly: use gloves, carry the painting with both hands, one hand beneath and one hand on the other side of the frame, or with one hand on either side, whichever seems more stable.

Then the kids took turns holding artworks, stacking them on padded blocks, and piling them face to face, back to back, with only the frames touching each other with the assistance of Garcia and museum assistant Ryan Reyes.

From: http://ping.fm/CFfnH

4 young Filipinos win in world science tilt - Manila Bulletin

This year’s Philippine delegation was made up of six students from secondary schools across the country who produced the top entries at the 13th Intel Philippine Science Fair, held at the University of the Philippines Diliman last February. Rounding out the Philippine delegation were Hanna Escobido and Brayl Ymbol, who competed in the Physical Sciences category.

The Philippines has been successful at the Intel ISEF in the past.

In 2009, two students from the Philippine Science High School were awarded a fourth place prize for their work on the cancer-inhibiting properties of bacteria found on a certain species of seaweed.

Since 1998, when the Philippines first participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the country has garnered a total of 18 Grand Awards and 10 Special Awards, including this year’s grand wards.

From: http://ping.fm/Fpi50

Bill Seeks to Protect BPO Employees - Bulatlat

A year ago, working student Laarni was earning P75.00 per hour and working eight hours per day as a call center agent in Libis, Quezon City. Her minimum take-home pay was P13, 500 (US$300) a month. Not bad for a starting salary, Laarni said, as she was also getting non-taxable food and transportation allowance and Philhealth benefits. But later, the company’s mandatory 3-hour overtime took its toll on her health.

A working student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Laarni has recently applied for the position of full time agent in an “elite” call center company near her university. She said it seems likely she would be hired.

“My dad is no longer alive; my eldest sister and I are the breadwinners. I do not have a choice but to work at night and study in the morning. Now, I am looking for a more competitive salary,” she explained.

From: http://ping.fm/toQKv

Doubts raised over automated vote-count in Philippines (News Feature) - Monsters and Critics.com

'It's easy to throw allegations, but they must present proof,' election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said. 'We are ready to answer all allegations point by point.'

Prospero De Vera, a professor at the University of the Philippines' National College of Public Administration and Governance, said an investigation into the process was vital to avoid the same errors in future.

'The intention is to correct flaws in existing laws and processes so that in (the midterm elections in) 2013, this will not happen anymore,' he said. 'Everyone's so happy because of the quick national results, but there are simply too many loose ends.'

From: http://ping.fm/IoyjK

University of the Philippines law professor disconcerted by Corona

From inquirer.net

Just three days in office, Corona kept up his media blitz by appearing live in two more shows Wednesday morning to defend his appointment against constitutional questions and to reach out to Aquino.

Corona’s string of TV and radio appearances in a span of two days has disconcerted members of the legal circle such as University of the Philippines law professor Theodore Te.

By Te’s reckoning, it is the first time in memory that a Chief Justice is engaging in sit-down interviews when judicial propriety demands that magistrates shun the limelight to avoid undue influence.

Te pointed out that not even then Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban—who was seen as the most media-accessible magistrate—took Corona’s route of appearing in talk shows and news programs.

This is because the high court is supposed to speak through its written decisions and opinions, “and not through its spokesperson or even its Chief Justice,” said Te, a human rights lawyer.

From: http://ping.fm/vqkyH