Mosquito Press

TRIPOLI — Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived in Libya today, following her appointment by embattled leader Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi as the country’s Chief Democracy Czar.

Arroyo spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn said the Congresswoman accepted the position in order to “ensure a peaceful resolution” to violent protests in the country.

According to Horn, Arroyo will “do all she can” to convince Gaddafi to “cease using conspicuous force on dissidents, and instead hold on to power through discreet means of manipulation.”

“This appointment shows the high respect of the international community for President Arroyo, and cements her position as the poster-woman for peaceful government transitions,” said Horn. Mosquito Press

LAOAG CITY — A couple was arrested yesterday after police discovered their children locked in a bathroom, crying for help. Ferdinand Abcede, 28, and his wife Imelda Abcede, 26, had allegedly detained their five offspring, ages 12, 8, 7, 6, and 5, for nearly 3 years.

“It started because the children (were) not happy to eat only chicken feet while the parents (were) eating chicken legs,” said Senior Inspector Homobono Macaraeg of the Laoag City Police Station.

According to Macaraeg, when the children started crying, the parents “invited” them to the bathroom and locked the door. They would not be released for another 32 months.

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‘LAUGHABLE.’ Members of the Statistical Institute of Caloocan, led by Dr. Melvardo del Prado (center), present their findings.

A recent survey shows that 29% of Filipinos — or nearly one in three — believe that “People Power” is the title of a talent show that launched Kris Aquino into stardom.

The nationwide study was conducted by the Statistical Institute of Caloocan (SIC), and asked the question, “What does People Power mean to you?” Other responses were, “a pro-democracy uprising” (31%), “an extra-constitutional rebellion” (4%), “a Church-led vigil” (15%), “a US-backed coup” (8%), “a concert” (8%), and “the name of a K-pop ensemble” (2%). 3% of respondents said they did not know.

Meanwhile, a related study by SIC finds that 38% of Filipinos describe the Marcos dictatorship as “the time many roads were built,” followed by 26% who answered, “a period of massive corruption and human rights abuses.” On the other hand, 53% of the poll respondents believe the goal of People Power was to “avenge the death of Ninoy Aquino.” Only 13% answered “to regain our freedom and our right to basic human dignity.”

Dr. Melvardo del Prado, executive director of SIC, calls these results “laughable.” MP