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It is not enough to disclaim the figures and pay lip service to the natural planning method. Natural planning depends much on abstinence versus human nature to procreate. But when nature takes its course, then we have trouble in terms of population growth. This only shows that many women are using artificial methods of birth control.

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If the still-to-unite opposition fails to create a credible line-up, the administration political machinery may indeed eat up opposition bets. Thus far, the names proposed for the opposition ticket spell families and close friends of former President Estrada. The line-up has the mark of political dynasties and cronyism (a mother and three sons in the Senate), a brother and sister, son of an opposition senator, former senators who lost face during the Estrada impeachment trial). The opposition will thus be giving the people a choice between past evil and a present evil. The people may very well vote selectively, not unless there is a third choice.

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Unless the opposition clears the way for former Estrada critics in the UNO line-up, then there will be the need for a third choice or a third force. These can be formed by populist lawmakers in the like of Senators Joker Arroyo, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan, also new faces like Ms. Sonia Roco. Why not El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde and JIL founder Eddie Villanueva in the third force? The people deserve the proven-good candidates in the Senate.

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Presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol revealed that there are not many takers of the administration Senate slots. He explained that one difficulty is the needed campaign kitty which comes to at least P150 million for each senatorial candidate. Without the needed funds, not even the administration’s political machinery will serve as an advantage, he said. Apostol’s view is bolstered by the reports that two Cabinet members, namely Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap have announced that they are not interested in running for the Senate.

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A more plausible reason could be the fact that survey shows only one pro-GMA ally is among the 20 early favorites for the senatorial race. Unless new surveys show that this popular trend is changing, it would be futile for any pro-administration politician to aspire for a senatorial post. A P150 million expense for nothing, assuming Apostol’s estimate of needed campaign money is accurate.

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A contrary view comes from presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio who said that the administration bets will be chosen from those who made a strong showing in mock polls conducted by the Palace. Coupled with the administration’s political machinery, the majority coalition party candidates will crush the opposition in the senatorial race, he claimed. Claudio must be thinking of the congressional race coupled with the assumption that party candidates in the district levels can carry pro-administration senators in the ballots of their local supporters. That’s the gamble takers in the pro-administration ticket can take.

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The action by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to press graft and extortion charges against former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez vindicates her office and revives the perception that government protects its citizens who need redness from grievances. Ombudsman Gutierrez was a justice undersecretary at the time Perez held the justice portfolio. An Ombudsman acting on charges against her previous boss is a first in the history of our justice system.

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A money trail established a $2 million bribe that apparently benefited Perez and his co-accused. But former Bulacan Rep. Willie Villarama had said the $2 million was only part of the $14 million bribe for the approval of the Impsa hydro-electric plant contract. Apart from the $2 million, the rest of the alleged P14 billion bribe money is too big not to leave a money trail.

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The resignation of Warsaw Catholic archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus got worldwide attention, and played up by TV global network CNN and BBC. It was treated as a crisis similar to that created last year by Pope Benedict XVI’s derogatory statement about Islam. It may be asked why much attention was given to the resignation of an archbishop, prior to his actual installation in office.

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The struggle by the Polish people against Communism dates back to postwar period when the USSR used its guarantor roles over Poland as an advantage to install a Communist regime. Through its communist party affiliate the USSR controlled politics, nationalized heavy industries, collectivized agriculture and instituted the rule of the secret police in Poland. The student demonstrations for freedom came only in 1968 followed by major strikes and labor riots that resulted in bloody suppression. The local Catholic Church also found a champion in the person of Cardinal Stefan Myzynski who was arrested and imprisoned in 1953.

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The election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, archbishop of Krakow, as Pope in 1978 spurred increased national, patriotic and ethnic aspirations. In time, the labor strike by the 10-million strong Solidarity Union led by Leah Walesa led to the fall of the Communist Party, but victory would be short-lived as anarchy will raise its ugly head under the rule of Jeruzelshi. Martial law was declared in 1981 leading to the imprisonment of Walesa and the murder by state agents of popular priest Jerzy Popieolurzko. Happily, the advent of Mikhail Gorbachev and his policies of reform would lead to negotiations and revive a Solidarity-led state. Soviet-led Poland will end with the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1989.

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Given the long-drawn post-war history of Poland and its struggle for freedom, allegations raised last Dec. 20 that Vatican-appointed Archbishop Wielgus had been involved with the secret police comes as a big scandal to the Catholic Church. And the case expanded into a crisis when a Church historical commission said it found evidence that Wielgus had cooperated with the Communist Party security force. Humbly, Wielgus admitted he did sign an agreement with the state secret police as a bishop in 1978.

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Some sectors claim that the Vatican acceptance of Wielgus’ resignation was a "victory for conscience" that saved both Poland and the Church. The Pope is expected to comment on the scandal come his State of the World Address, a traditional New Year Speech to diplomats accredited to the Vatican. We foresee that he won’t question the judgment against Wielgus, as the good bishop has already admitted his lack of courage and loyalty. But the Pope may still express sympathy for the prelate who lived amidst tumultuous times. All is well that ends well.