Embarrassing

Just a while ago, a Malaysian friend called up to inquire as to how to be able to get the passport number of a Filipina.
My friend reported that this Filipina went to Malaysia as a tourist, and entered the labor sector there to earn Malaysian Ringgit.
What happened was that this Filipina allegedly stole jewelries worth hundreds of thousands of pesos from her employer, and is now nowhere to be found.
My friend believes though that the Filipina is still in Malaysia.
My friend said they have reported the matter to the Malaysian authorities and to the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
However, the Malaysian authorities were asking for the passport number of the Filipina so appropriate action can be taken against her, perhaps to blacklist or to arrest her in case she attempts to travel requiring the use of a passport.
Being familiar with the Philippines, my Maylasian friend I guess is open minded enough about compatriots committing an offense in a foreign land.
After all, every nation has its set of thieves, or 'bad eggs,' so to speak.
But I still feel embarrassed about being told that a fellow Filipino committed something wrong in another land.
So, as to the inquiry of my friend I gave reference to the Department of Foreign Affairs which is the agency of the government that issues passports, and certainly has the database of all Filipino passports.
I am one who strongly encourages my compatriots to go out to foreign lands if they wish, and search for their destiny, the greener pastures.
But this encourangement in no way includes condoning the commission of illegal acts because every Filipino always brings along the honor and dignity of their nation wherever they roam in this globe.
That is why I think there is a huge responsibility for every Filipino wanderer to be careful and always strive to do the right things whenever they are abroad.
It is not only their reputation that will be tarnished if they commit illicit acts.

New book released on corporate law

Jesus E.G. Martinez, commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission has authored and published a very informative and practical book on corporate law, entitled "Random Writings on Corporate Law."
I feel honored to be given a copy of this book.
I find the book very pratical because it explains the essentials of corporate law from the perspective of experience and practice, and not mainly on theoretical discussions.
In law school, corporate law was one of the heaviest and toughest subjects, and we read so many court decisions on this subject.
But reading Commissioner Martinez' book, we can be adequately guided in dealing with corporate matters.
It is very useful not only for law practitioners, but also for businessmen, and law students.
Commissioner Martinez is a Silliman law alumnus.
He has provided copies of his book to different law schools.
In the 1980's Jess Martinez was a much younger, visible and vibrant voice in the anti-Marcos activistism in Dumaguete.
I remember other local anti-Marcos fighters from Dumaguete like Meniong Teves (congressman), his son Gary (Finance Secretary), lawyers Saleto Erames, the late Dodong Beltran, Elpidio Unto of Valencia, Jose Ancheta. It was a different time.
Later Jess Martinez re-located in Manila and immersed himself in corporate law practice.
He was appointed in 2002 by President Gloria Arroyo as one of five comissioners of the SEC.
Commissioner Martinez lives with his family, with wife Che, in Paranaque.
They have three children, Mikki my batchmate since kindergarten who also serves as administrative assistant to her dad, Tweety, and Choo-choo, and grandchildren.
The book is now available at National Bookstore outlets.

Repollo Tolentino wedding

Imelda Repollo and Noel Tolentino were married in religious-military wedding January 7, 2007.

Imelda is a longtime friend, back to our high school days at Silliman, all through college at the business administration department.

She is the sister of batch-mate Cenon Voltaire Repollo. They are from Tanjay, children of the late Atty. Felimon Momong Repollo.

They tied the knot at the Saint Ignatius Church at Camp Aguinaldo. Reception followed at the AFP Officer Club nearby.

Imelda is a tax lawyer connected with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

Her husband is a captain in the Armed Forces, Noel Tolentino, an Ilocano graduate from the Philippine Military Academy.

He is now deployed in tension gripped Abra province, in prepration for the coming elections.

Abra, if you recall was the province of the late congressman Bersamin who was assasinated at the Mount Carmel Church in Quezon City.

Tagged as the principal suspect by the victim's heirs is the current governor.

Imelda and Noel were introduced a year ago by a common friend who was Imelda's high school classmate and Noel's classmate at the PMA.

10 Commandments for Responsible Voting

The national and local elections are just around the corner.
The country will once again be in festive mood as politicians will shower the electorate with their routine promises which will never be fulfilled.
As an incentive and in keeping with dirty tradition, many candidates will be distributing to the voters rice, canned goods pre-packed and placed in plastics bearing the candidates names.
Its going to be the usual funfare.
After all politics---after perhaps cockfighting---is the country's favorite pastime.
But there are other conscience-driven sectors which earnestly appeal to the voters to vote responsibly, and treat the elections seriously
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting has issued guidelines for our voters in choosing the right leaders.
The following are the Ten Commandments for Responsible Voting from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

1. Thou shalt vote according to the dictate of your conscience.
2. Thou shalt respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates.
3. Thou shalt seek to know the moral integrity, capabilities and other personal qualities of the candidates you will vote for.
4. Thou shalt strive to understand the issues, platform and programs of candidates and parties seeking your vote.
5. Thou shalt not sell your vote.
6. Thou shalt not vote for candidates using guns, goons and gold.
7. Thou shalt not vote for candidates with records of graft and corruption.
8. Thou shalt not vote for candidates just because of "utang na loob" (debt of gratitude) , popularity, or pakikisama (camaraderie).
9. Thou shalt not vote for candidates living an immoral life.
10. Thou shalt put the welfare of the country above all else in choosing the candidate you will vote for.

Recent birthday celebrants

I am reminded of two recent birthday celebrants. They are my younger brother Anton I. Dejaresco and first cousin Nina Kristine Dejaresco Araneta (Ating).
Ating is the second daughter of Tito Tony Araneta and Tita Charito, based in Mandaue, Cebu.
They have the same birthdays, January 23, although I am not sure whether they were born on the same year.
I was able to send them a birthday greeting through text message, as I was in Isabela province attending a hearing yesterday.
Anton is currently based in Dumaguete and is looking for a job, after he resigned from his work in Manila.
Ating likewise has signified her plan to resign from Petron Cebu in a month.
She plans to help in the family business in Tagbilaran City Bohol, while preparing for her plans to take up masters in business in Singapore.
We are, I think, tens years apart in age.
But we cousins remain close as we regularly get together at least once in a year in Bohol to spend the holidays with other cousins, uncles. aunts and our grandmother.