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All up to the high court EDITORIAL 04/13/2011

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

All up to the high court

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
04/13/2011
With the case of the fired deputy Ombudsman now elevated to the high court, whatever decision is made by the Supreme Court (SC) will be constitutionally interesting, mainly because the decision will now have to marry the law creating the Office of the Ombudsman that grants the President of the Republic the right to dismiss deputy Ombudsmen and prosecutors, even as the Constitution clearly states that the Ombudsman has the sole power to discipline any all government officials, officers and employees, save for the impeachable officers.

The reason these two contrary provisions were never ruled on before by the SC is that the Ombudsman Law was never challenged before the high court — except today, with deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III filing a case before the high court, asking it to quash a Malacañang decision citing him for gross neglect of duty and gross misconduct in delaying the decision on the hostage taker, discharged police officer Rolando Mendoza, in the Manila hostage crisis last August. At the same time, Gonzalez asked the court to declare Section 8, Paragraph 2 of the Ombudsman’s Act unconstitutional. This is the section and paragraph in the law that states the president can remove the deputy Ombudsmen and prosecutors on grounds provided for their removal..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com1.html

Rice and oil FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/13/2011

Rice and oil

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/13/2011
Two products have always had a negative political impact on any administration when crises occur: Rice and oil, either over their shortage, or their rising prices.

The spy agency of Noynoy has reportedly warned him of the rising costs of basic commodities and services in the country and a shrinking rice supply that have become a national security concern.

By national security concern from the presidential spy agency is usually meant the security of tenure of the president, as such crises may bring about political turbulence which may not be quelled that easily by the armed forces of Malacañang.

The report was said to have pointed to the supply and prices of rice worldwide as a possible flash point..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com2.html

Ouattara faces new battle rebuilding his country — analysts ANALYSIS 04/13/2011

Ouattara faces new battle rebuilding his country — analysts

ANALYSIS

04/13/2011
ABIDJAN — Rid of his rival Laurent Gbagbo, captured on Monday, Alassane Ouattara faces a new battle to restore law and order and forge national unity after a bloody war in which he enjoyed foreign backing.

More than four months after the start of a post-election conflict that saw hundreds killed and a million displaced, Ouattara can finally take up his designated place as leader of the former West African Eldorado.

But the nation, plunged into the worst crisis of its history as fighting devastated infrastructure and left Abidjan in the hold of armed youngsters pillaging and sowing terror, may have a hard time reconciling, analysts say.

This was especially true as Ouattara, his election victory last November recognized by the international community, finally had to resort to force to claim his crown, assisted by French and UN forces who launched strikes against Gbagbo strongholds..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com3.html

Here’s one for Heidi C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 04/13/2011

Here’s one for Heidi

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S
Jonathan De la Cruz
04/13/2011
It’s 2-0 against newly appointed 0Commission on Audit (CoA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza. After the United Nations denied having given the military $5 million some years back which Mendoza alleged was “missing” during her “shock and woe” testimony in the Senate, we just learned that the Sandiganbayan also issued a decision discrediting the prosecution’s evidence against former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay which was based principally on the findings of a team led by Mendoza herself.That really comes as a shock to us mortals after we somehow elevated Mendoza to near stardom after that riveting performance in the congressional inquiry on alleged corruption in the AFP.

In dismissing the graft case filed in 2001 against former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Binay, and her co-accused, Nicanor Santiago Jr. and Ernesto Aspillaga over alleged over pricing of office equipment purchased from 2000 to 2001, the Sandiganbayan exclaimed “it remains in disbelief that the prosecution came to court with such shoddy evidence,” noting that the prosecution “relied merely on the testimonies of the auditors which were insufficient to establish guilt.” It then scored the manner by which the audit findings were arrived at advising that “without a doubt, there are fundamental issues of arbitrariness in the audit procedures adopted.”.... MORE
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com4.html

British cartoonists draw inspiration from royal wedding FEATURE 04/13/2011

British cartoonists draw inspiration from royal wedding

FEATURE

04/13/2011
LONDON — Britain’s satirical cartoonists are sharpening their pencils for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, but are likely to keep their cruellest portrayals in check.

Partly reflecting the British obsession with class and status, the butt of most cartoonists’ jokes are usually those occupying high office and the monarchy, so a royal wedding is fertile hunting ground for mischievous illustrators.

Prince William’s cartoon depiction is usually defined by a thinning hairline, rosy cheeks and lantern jaw, but the young royal’s unremarkable ears and nose mean he escapes much of the ridicule heaped on his father, Prince Charles.

Newspaper illustrators have mostly shunned characterisations of Kate Middleton, but the 29-year-old will come into range after she joins the country’s most famous family..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com5.html

Of prayers and helplessness HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 04/13/2011

Of prayers and helplessness

HE SAYS
Aldrin Cardon
04/13/2011
Taking things lightly, Filipinos laughed at an online poster taken directly from a recent Japanese precautionary campaign in the event of another strong earthquake to follow the March 11 tsunami that devastated that Land of the Rising Sun.

The poster took a dig at President Aquino’s ready answer, actually a propensity, to encourage the nation to pray in events such as major disasters, mishaps and misfortunes — just as his mother did when she was president. And so, in a bright, red backdrop it said: “In case of an earthquake, just pray.”

I have nothing against praying. In fact, I pray myself..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com6.html

Pump up the volume SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 04/13/2011

Pump up the volume

SHE SAYS
Dinah S. Ventura
04/13/2011
I think we all know that change is coming — current events in the world, coming one after the other like a tidal wave of trials — have shown us that we can no longer rely on the old ways.

Natural calamities, such as those that continue to shake Japan, literally and figuratively, have been far too powerful and frequent to be taken lightly. In fact, the earthquakes that are still causing death and destruction to our Asian neighbor have put the fear of God in many of us.
Suddenly, everyone is taking note of his own preparedness for disaster; suddenly, everyone is musing about his mortality.

In times like this, people seem to rediscover their faith after pondering on the meaning of our existence. Thoughts whirl about the future, while our worries about the present dangle over us like constant threats. I admire those who are unflappable in their trust in God, and continue to regard today’s events with faith in miracles..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110413com7.html

Speaker offers Aquino specialc powers on a silver platter By Gerry Baldo 04/13/2011

Speaker offers Aquino specialc powers on a silver platter

By Gerry Baldo 04/13/2011

The House of Represent-atives is practically begging President Aquino to assume emergency powers to deal with the oil crisis after Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the chamber is open to the emergency powers proposal for Aquino to address the impending oil crisis.

Belmonte said that Congress will seriously consider the proposal in the wake of the political conflict in the oil-producing countries in the Middle East.

“We have to study the proposal if it is really needed,” Belmonte said yesterday.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan aired the proposal amid the continuing oil price increases..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110413hed4.html

Gov’t orders Pinoys’ evacuation from Fukushima By Michaela P. del Callar 04/13/2011

Gov’t orders Pinoys’ evacuation from Fukushima

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/13/2011

After Japan raised the nuclear crisis alarm over a tsunami-devastated nuclear plant in its northeast, the Philippine government yesterday ordered the mandatory repatriation of at least 1,144 Filipinos from the region which could be exposed to radiation leaks.

The first emergency flight out of the stricken Fukushima Prefecture, where the devastated Fukushima Dai-chi Nuclear Power Plant has been dangerously leaking radiation since being smothered by a massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami, has been scheduled on Sunday, according to acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Aside from Filipinos within the 50-kilometer radius of Dai-ichi power plant, Del Rosario also announced a voluntary repatriation for Filipinos staying within another 100 kilometers from Fukushima as the nuclear crisis, now at the same magnitude as the 1986 Chernobyl plant disaster, escalated in Japan..... MORE


SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110413hed2.html

House impeach prosecution team finalized By Charlie V. Manalo and Angie M. Rosales 04/13/2011

House impeach prosecution team finalized

By Charlie V. Manalo and Angie M. Rosales 04/13/2011

House committee on justice chairman, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas yesterday bared the final composition of the House prosecution team for the impeachment trial of Chief Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez at the Senate.

According to Tupas, 14 lawmakers will comprise the House prosecution team which includes aside from himself, Deputy Speakers Rodolfo “Rudy” Fariñas (Ilocos Norte), Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III (Quezon), Reps. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga (Cavite), Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna), Joseph Emilio Abaya (Cavite), Magtanggol “Magi” Gunigundo (Valen-zuela), Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao (Akbayan), Raul Daza (Northern Samar), Rey-naldo Umali (Mindoro Oriental), Miro Quimbo (Marikina), Daisy Avance-Fuentes (South Cotabato), Sherwin Tugna (Cibac) and Emmeline Aglipay (Diwa)..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110413hed5.html

Troops capture a local contact of Jemaah Islamiyah By Mario J. Mallari 04/13/2011

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AFP assures Basilan folk: No escalation of violence 04/13/2011

AFP assures Basilan folk: No escalation of violence

04/13/2011
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured there will be no escalation of violence in Basilan province even after the explosion at a commercial establishment in Lamitan City and the subsequent detonation of two more explosives over the weekend as it declared extortion as motive behind the blast.

Lt. Col. Gamal Hayudini, 4th Civil Relations Group (CRG) commander, assured civilians in Basilan that the military is doing everything to protect them from harm.

“The residents from the nearby towns and city (of Isabela) in Basilan can be assured that the AFP is doing everything to protect the civilians in the area from the lawless group,” Hayudini said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110413nat4.html

Senate to review existing laws to ensure child’s right protection By Angie M. Rosales 04/13/2011

Senate to review existing laws to ensure child’s right protection

By Angie M. Rosales 04/13/2011
Ample protection of children’s rights under the country’s existing laws will be up for review in the Senate, according to one of its members.

Triggered by the controversy on a six-year-old boy who was made to gyrate like a macho dancer in one of the segments of the television show Willing Willie on TV5 a month ago, the Senate committee on youth, women and family relations is poised to revisit laws on the rights of the child to determine if there are still some loopholes that will address such incident.

This is also to ensure that the rights of the child are observed and protected, Sen. Pia Cayetano, panel chairman said.

“There are specific laws that guarantee the rights of the child. These include landmark laws like RA 7610 and RA 9262. Still, Congress must make sure our laws are applicable to various circumstances and remain relevant to our times..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110413met2.html

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