MY 2002 10 PERSONS OF THE YEAR

Following the traditions of Time Magazine and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, I am making my own Person of the Year. But I since I want more, I making it to 10 Persons of the Year.

Like Time and the PDI, the persons who made it on the this list do not necessarily mean that they have done exemplary deeds (Time once named Adolf Hitler as Man of the Year), they were just controversial or their names hugged the headlines for a period of time.

10. Vice President Teofisto Guingona



Why him? He was Malacañang's headache. He objected to the Balikatan 02-01, made Malacañang to recant its statements, twice, regarding him accepting positions offered by President Arroyo and his resignation as Concurrent Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs caused quite a stir.

9. Kumander Robot
Malacañang and the US government confirmed that he is already dead yet they cannot show his body. Many people remain skeptical if this Abu Sayaff leader really died.

8-6 Martin and Gracia Burnham and Ediborah Yap






This is a triple tie for the 8th, 7th and 6th place. They were courage exemplified. Held hostage by the Abu Sayaff for more than a year, these three persons were in our prayers. Martin and Ediborah died, Gracia survived to tell her story (she wrote a book about her ordeals with the bandit group). Many people considered the three as modern day heroes.

5. Philip Medel
Once the self-confessed killer of Nida Blanca who implicated Nida's husband Rod Strunk, he later recanted alleging that he was tortured by the officers of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police. He was freed and once again arrested. Who can't forget the drama he created at the Department of Justice with his arms raised and squirming as if he is a preacher gone mad? And yes! Who can't forget his yucky exchanges of sweet nothings with his wife on a national TV?

4. Rico Yan



Everybody's Lenten vacation were suddenly disturbed when text messages of his death started to spread during this year's Good Friday. Even devout Catholics who were joining the Station of the Cross could no longer concentrate on their prayers. His funeral was covered by television as if he was a head of state who died. His death even overshadowed the death of Britain's Queen Mother. Weeks after his death, the rumors and intrigues regarding the true story of her relationship with ex-girlfriend Claudine Baretto still haunt the press.

3-2. Assunta de Rossi and Congressman Jules Ledesma






"When love comes so strong, there is no right or wrong" so goes the lyrics in one of the songs of the West Side Story. This might as well be the song of lovers Assunta de Rossi and Negros Occidental First District Representative Jules Ledesma. They got married in a Civil Wedding last December 14, 2002 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Prior to their wedding, the Filipiono people witness Assunta's quarrel with her sister Allesandra and her mom. Allegation of Jules using his money to woo Assunta and the Congressman, who is a father of two children by his late wife, is only using the 19 year old sexy actress for her Senatorial ambition surfaced plus all the other bad things about the lovers. And then came Assunta suing his former talent manager allegedly upon Jules' prodding.

At the end, almost everybody hated Assunta, but nothing compares to how most of the TV viewers despise Jules Ledesma. Every time the lovers appear on TV, people can't help but noticed what an unlikely pair they are. But "love conquers all" (that's what they think!). We just hope now that all these are not just mere publicity stint.

1. Congressman Mark "MJ" Jimenez



Controversies never stop to haunt this person. Hailed by deposed President Joseph Estrada as a "corporate genius" (lately Erap is singing a different tune), this guy is wanted by the United States Government for the alleged illegal contribution to the campaign kitty of the President Bill Clinton. When the Supreme Court decided that he couldn't post bail while his extradition case is being heard, a constitutional crisis was on the making when the House of Representatives reacted badly to the SC resolution. Then came the stories of him giving thousands of pesos (if not millions) to his fellow congressman. Last month he delivered a privilege speech where he accused Secretary of Justice Nani Perez of extorting two million dollars from him. Those who are close to the Perez alleged it was Jimenez desperate attempt to evade extradition.

Then just this week, he called a news program of a TV Network where he accused First Gentleman Mike Arroyo of receiving eight million pesos from him. Yesterday, the Supreme Court came out with resolution which would now lead to his eventual arrest. Jimenez suddenly decided to submit himself to US authorities where he will be tried and said he will be leaving for the US before Christmas making the extradition useless.