WHILE offense is the best defense in war operations, the AFP need not have ordered its troops nationwide to resume full offensive military operations against the NPA and vigorously pursue objectives with military value. That could only be taken as a provocation, although the AFP may have been prodded

* * *

Just on "Rosebud" Ongs say-so, without written contract, to demand R3 million is not a small sum to be paid for her service as undercover informant. Her lawyer knows the law in advising her to claim that First Gentleman Arroyo had already given her R500,000 for it. But, it was not a partial payment. It was only to help her ill mother and her to-be-repossessed house. Without written contract, her claim is unenforceable under to the Statute of Frauds. If the R500,000 were payment, she can rightfully demand the balance, here and now.

* * *

The Nida Blanca murder case prosecutors should be thankful the Atlanta Center building, place of the crime, disallowed DoJ Sec. Gonzales, private prosecutor Demetriou, and NBI Director Wycoco to let new witness Andrada Dalanda reenact the murder in the building to show how she allegedly witnessed the crime. Without court order, and only the prosecution present on the building, witness Dalandas testimony during trial in court could be attacked as couched and scripted. That enactment would not have served any purpose.

* * *

Susan Roces may or may not wish to continue FPJs poll protest pending in the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. The volunteer group that backed FPJs presidential bid should leave her to her decision. The groups plan to launch a signature campaign to convince Susan to continue such protest is not necessary. As DoJ Sec. Gonzales warned, the groups signature drive could lead to a destabilization against the government. Anyway, the Tribunal may not terminate the protest so long as even one legitimate voter clamors for its continuance.