“Eid’l Adha” Now a Special Non-Working Holiday

President Gloria Arroyo has signed into law, Republic Act 9849 or the Act Declaring the Tenth day of Zhul Hijja, the Twelfth Month of the Islamic Calendar, a National Holiday for the observance of “Eid’l Adha” or feast of Sacrifice. This means that beginning this year, the whole country will observe the holiday on November 27-28.

Last year, the president declared “Eid’l Adha” as a special non-working holiday limited only to the ARMM or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Eid’l Adha is one of Islam’s two major festivals celebrated by 1.6 billion Muslims around the world

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Erap Back in Malacañang

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, in what he calls “destiny” steps again in the confines of the Presidential Palace yesterday, after almost 9 years since his ouster, to attend a National Security Meeting upon an invitation from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  Among those present in the meeting were the seven-man team commissioned by PGMA to help the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police to dismantle private armies and ensure security of the coming automated elections.

Attendees in yesterday’s meeting included Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile,  Vice President Noli de Castro, Senators Aquilino Pimentel and Rodolfo Biazon.  Former President Fidel V. Ramos has been included in the advisory council but according to Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello, the invitation for Ramos came too late.

Photo courtesy of Reuters

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Malacañang to Appoint New SC Chief Justice

Malacañang confirmed that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will appoint the New Chief Jutice of the (SC) Supreme Court when Chief Justice Reynato Puno is set to retire on May 17, a month before the end of term of the President. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello, presidential adviser on political affairs Prospero Pitchay and election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal were one in this decision as they all agree that there cannot be an “Acting” Chief Justice especially at a crucial time when there is a national election to take place.

Macalintal added that the constitutional ban for appointments only covers Executive positions and it does not include the Judiciary. Bello in turn, pointed out that it is also not possible that the Supreme Court Justices will appoint the Chief Justice among themselves. With all these issues, the Supreme Court is expected to come up with their own position in order to to put clarity to this subject matter. President Arroyo also requested the (JBC) Judicial and Bar Council to make a recommendation and submit its shortlist of nominees for the post to be vacated by Puno.

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