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Some statements by Malacañang would give the impression of wide military involvement. But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it was not a comprehensive report because there was no participation from militant groups and that the commission relied heavily on testimonies from the military and the PNP’s Task Force Usig which also looked into the killings.

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"At the proper time, this report can be made public. But for the moment, it’s very difficult to let it get out because there could be perceptions that can be developed from this initial report…Sometimes, naisip nga naming baka naman kaya ayaw mag-participate nila in order not to really give too much credibility to the commission. The other way of putting it is to discredit the work of the commission kaya ayaw nilang mag-participate. Sana naman in the name of truth and justice I wish that they would really come out and cooperate," he said.

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From media reports, we are made aware that the Melo Commission report had recommended that retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and other commanders be held responsible for the extrajudicial killings on the basis of command responsibility. This was followed by the report that President Arroyo has directed the commission to continue with its inquiry which could mean the commission has done a good job and must carry on to substantiate its findings. And head of the commission retired Justice Jose Melo, must be happy since the President promised to ask the European Union to assist the commissioner’s work.

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Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago criticized the Melo Commission report saying that its recommendation to hold Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan responsible for extrajudicial killings was questionable. In a domestic armed conflict, she says, the principle of command cannot be applied if there’s no knowledge, consent and conspiracy. Food for thought.

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Justice Melo clarified that the commission does not want to tag the whole military establishment, only elements of the military who did their thing without supervision from higher officers. In the end, the Melo Commission report is what it is: a report to the nation which has the prerogative to judge the commission report’s worth.

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From the looks of it, the UNO senatorial lineup for the May polls is the slate to beat with Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, John Osmeña, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, and Aquilino "Kiko" Pimentel III. Expected to fill the four vacant slots are Senate reelectionists Senate President Manuel Villar, Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Joker Arroyo and Ralph Recto. There now seems to be little room for a Third Force. UNO or The Force.

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The unity of the American people is both enviable and intoxicating. Look at US President George W. Bush. Although he is being severely criticized by the majority Democrats in the US Congress, the senators and congressmen gave him a standing ovation in his recent State of the Nation Address.

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The "Freedom of Information" act is pending in Congress. Press freedom advocates are urging Congress to pass the bill but it’s not as easy as that because the bill is in conflict with the right of the government to withhold information pertaining to state security.

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The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) describes the government response to the killing of militants as most "unsatisfactory". The CBCP has good reasons. It seems that after every statement of the President, more killings occur.

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Email from (asianbarbecue@-bellsouth.net): "All these non-sense talk about who will field a true opposition senatorial bet in the coming election is not only absurd…it is completely insane. There is only one true opposition ticket in the senatorial race of 2007 and it belongs to the ticket of Joseph Estrada. Yes…all you have to do is take a look at the line-up of the candidates of Erap and you will agree that they are indeed the true opposition.

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"Here is the list: Manny Villar, Joker Arroyo, Allan Peter Cayetano and Ralph Recto. Yes…they were the true opposition...even when they were just congressmen in November 13, 2000…the time they impeach their beloved patron who will hopefully finance their candidacy for the Senate. Without even calling for a roll call… Manny Villar who was the speaker then…showed his true opposition to Joseph Estrada by announcing once and for all that Erap was impeached in accordance to the provision of the Constitution regarding signatures endorsing the impeachment.

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"Therefore…it is safe to say that the true opposition is in the ticket of Joseph Estrada. Those who openly opposed him when he was still Jose Velarde and what about the crying senator…Loren Legarda? She already joined Erap a long time ago when she ran for vice president with FPJ. Now…with Erap bankrolling the candidacy of these senatorial wannabes…he certainly has a true opposition in this line-up."

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The Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) will host a cocktail party on Friday at the Taipan Room, Tower Club in Makati City to welcome its new officers and governors for 2007. There is a soft spot in my heart for MOPC. I was president of the club (1992-1993). I have attended almost all affairs of MOPC except when I’m out of town.