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Only for the KKKs EDITORIAL 08/03/2011

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Only for the KKKs

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
08/03/2011
First off, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with congressmen having their allocation of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or congressional earmarks, more commonly known as pork barrel.

For Malacañang to deny them the congressional pork is in reality, denying their districts and constituents that which is due them, and denying too, the districts of whatever project, small or big, needed.

Congressmen need it for the benefit of their constituents and their districts who should have a share of the national improvements, whether they be concrete roads or scholarships for deserving students, health centers and even farm implements.

What is wrong with the pork barrel is its abuse, and there have been abuses in the past and even in the present, with abuses being committed by both Malacañang and Congress..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com1.html

Biased probe FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/03/2011

Biased probe

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
08/03/2011
Reports are out that the Justice Department and the Commission on Electionswill be forming a joint investigation into alleged massive election fraud committed in the 2004 and 2007. The joint probe will be headed by the DoJ, which is headed by Leila de Lima, while the Comelec is headed by Sixto Brillantes.

As reported, the probe body created is tasked to conduct a fact-finding and preliminary investigation into the alleged poll fraud, with the aim of being able to prosecute those responsible for the electoral fraud.

“It would be a combination of fact-finding and preliminary investigation. So it’s a go that if there are probable respondents, we are going to summon them and at the end of the proceedings, should there be probable cause, we will immediately file the charges,” De Lima was quoted as saying.

The panel will be composed of three DoJ officials and two from the poll body, open to the public save for instances where an executive session is warranted, which will be on a case-to-case basis, she said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com2.html

Obama diminished by debt debacle? Analysts think so ANALYSIS 08/03/2011

Obama diminished by debt debacle? Analysts think so

ANALYSIS

08/03/2011
WASHINGTON — A bruised President Barack Obama pulled the US economy back from the brink of disaster with a last-gasp debt deals, but at the cost of enraging his base by capitulating to foes ahead of his 2012 reelection bid, analysts said.

“He and the Democrats got rolled,” political science professor Dante Scala at the University of New Hampshire told AFP, offering his blunt assessment of Obama’s efforts to secure a deal that meets fiscal and moral muster with his Democrats.

“In the short term, he has (taken a hit),” Scala said. Even with a deal crafted that would avert a calamitous first-ever US default, “he’s certainly lost this particular battle.”

Obama faces fury from liberals who tarred him as a spineless compromiser for dropping his demand for tax revenues from the wealthy to balance out spending cuts, even though he managed to raise the debt ceiling through the end of 2012, after the election, and keep entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare untouched..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com3.html

Yale program a melting pot of elites FEATURE 08/03/2011 NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe. Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York. Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences. Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado.

Yale program a melting pot of elites

FEATURE

08/03/2011
NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com5.html

Yale program a melting pot of elites FEATURE 08/03/2011

Yale program a melting pot of elites

FEATURE

08/03/2011
NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com5.html

Camsur. Camfalse? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/03/2011

Camsur. Camfalse?

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S
Jonathan De la Cruz
08/03/2011
CamSun.CamSand.CamSur is the catchy appellation which Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and his marketing team have come out with in a bid to cement the province’s standing as the country’s prime tourist destination. They have apparently succeeded with this sales pitch. The province continues to attract loads of tourists and is now on track to secure even more as it bids to move up the “tourism totem pole “eyeing events including such top notch activities as the Iron Man contest and, yes, the much coveted AD Congress.

Which is why I am saddened by their latest antic denigrating the processes which brought House Bill 4728 proposing the division of the province with the creation of a new one, Nueva Camarines, which incorporates the towns in the province’s 4th and 5th districts. They have gone to town claiming that the bill was railroaded through the House of Representatives purportedly on the prodding of its principal author, Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, who has apparently a running feud with the governor over a number of issues relative to the province’s operations..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com4.html

Prescription hurdle faces 2004 poll fraud body By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/03/2011

Prescription hurdle faces 2004 poll fraud body

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/03/2011

The government has formed a panel of prosecutors which Justice Secretary Leila de Lima or a senior state prosecutor would likely head to probe into widespread allegations of fraud in elections held during the term of President Arroyo, particularly in the 2004 presidential polls but a five-year prescription rule may turn all these efforts for naught.

The body will have two representatives each from the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, De Lima said the joint DoJ-Comelec body will immediately conduct a preliminary investigation into possible charges.
“I will be closely supervising the committee,” De Lima said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110803hed5.html

Mike A behind PNP choppers sale By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2011

FORMER FIRST GENTLEMAN THREATENS TO FILE PERJURY VS ‘WHISTLE-BLOWERS’

Mike A behind PNP choppers sale

By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2011
Two businessmen, under oath before the Senate blue ribbon committee, affirmed yesterday reports that former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo was the person behind the sale of the alleged highly-overpriced helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

One of them directly identified the former presidential spouse as the actual owner of the two choppers, even stating that he delivered personally the payment amounting to $700,000 in cold cash or P31.5 million at the Arroyo-owned LTA building in Perea St., Makati City, where Arroyo holds office, sometime April 2010.

Mike Arroyo’s new lawyer, Toto Ferrer also yesterday said in a TV interview that the former presidential spouse will file criminal charges against Archibald Po for perjury after his testimony in a Senate probe on the claimed questionable sale to the PNP..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110803hed1.html

Arnaiz slams LRay Villafuerte 08/03/2011

Arnaiz slams LRay Villafuerte

08/03/2011
Camarines Sur First District Rep. Rolando Andaya in a historic move has officially affixed his signature as co-author of House Bill (HB)4728 proposing the creation of the new province of Nueva CamarineAQQs from municipalities in the fourth and fifth districts of Camarines Sur.

Andaya joins principal author, Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella and two co-authors, Reps. Luis Villafuerte and Diosdaso “Dato” Arroyo, in pushing the passage of the bill.

With Andaya, a former Budget Secretary under the previous administration, fully supporting HB 4728, four of five Camsur congressmen are behind the bill.

Only one CamSur congressman, Salvio Fortuno, is opposed to the creation of Nueva Camarines..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110803nat2.html

Two killed, 10 wounded in Cotabato City blast By Mario J. Mallari and Gina Peralta-Elorde 08/03/2011

Two killed, 10 wounded in Cotabato City blast

By Mario J. Mallari and Gina Peralta-Elorde 08/03/2011

At least two civilians were killed while 10 others were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in front of a commercial establishment in Cotabato City yesterday afternoon, the military said
Military Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman Col. Leopoldo Galon said that the explosion occurred around 2 p.m. in front of CWAT Gunstore along Quezon Avenue in Cotabato City.

Quoting initial investigation, Galon said that the IED was placed inside a motorcycle which was apparently parked in front of the commercial establishment.

“As of the moment, 10 were wounded and two killed, all civilians,” Galon said.

“The explosion damaged the entrance and window glasses of nearby residence and establishment. Four vehicles and motorcycles were also damaged,” Galon said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110803nat1.html

DepEd orders suspension of classes in Metro Manila 08/03/2011

DepEd orders suspension of classes in Metro Manila

08/03/2011
Heavy down pour since Monday night forced the suspension yesterday of classes at all levels in private and public schools in Metro Manila.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) had forecasted that heavy rains would be poured down early yesterday.

“Para makasiguro sa kaligtasan ng estudyante at mag-aaral, suspendido ang klase sa Metro Manila (sa) kinder, elementary at high school levels in both public and private schools,” DepEd NCR assistant director Rizalino Rosales said in an interview on dzBB radio before 4 a.m..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110803met4.html

Solon calls for quick approval of Lemon Bill By Charlie V. Manalo 08/03/2011

Solon calls for quick approval of Lemon Bill

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/03/2011

A party-list lawmaker yesterday asked the House leadership to immediately commence with the plenary debates for the proposed Lemon Law that seeks to protect buyers of brand-new vehicles with factory defects.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy disclosed that the House committee on trade and industry has strongly endorsed the swift approval of House Bill 4841 entitled “An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand-New Motor Vehicles” or the Lemon Law of 2011.

Herrera-Dy is one of the principal authors of the measure that provides consumers relief against manufacturers of defective and unsafe vehicles.

She said the measure gives buyers of a brand-new vehicle that is substandard or found to suffer from factory defects the right to demand for replacement with a “similar or comparable motor vehicle.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110803met1.html

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