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Jetsetting bachelor Noy EDITORIAL 09/04/2011

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Jetsetting bachelor Noy

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
09/04/2011
Hey, Noy, wait a minute, what happened to that pledge to take only the most urgently needed trips abroad to save on scarce government funds?

Even before the China state visit where a heavy delegation of 200 of the biggest business personalities of the land accompanied Noy was completed, trips to the United States and Japan were already lined up, presumably before the end of the year. And it seems that the travel bug would not let go of Noy as the two trips won’t be the last for the year since his Palace mouthpiece said several other invitations are being considered.

It may be good that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa is keeping tabs of the travel expenses for the public, for the China trip for instance he said the government is shelling out P25 million and that no freebies were given the members of the huge delegation. But such expenses had ceased to be the crux of criticisms on the frequent foreign trips of the President even during the past administration....MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com1.html

Useless plunder complaint FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 09/04/2011

Useless plunder complaint

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
09/04/2011
Unless politics rejects getting into the picture, that plunder complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against Mike Arroyo and 16 others over the alleged anomalous sale of the two used helicopters passed on as brand new, won’t flourish.

For one, while the CIDG says there was an investigation, Mike and the rest of his co-respondents, such as former DILG chief Ronnie Puno and former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa, along with some others who have retired from service, were never told that they were being investigated, never informed, and never asked to give their side of the complaint. For another, the CIDG apparently never really went into a genuine probe, as it admitted that most of the “evidence” comes from the Senate hearings on the helicopter issue, which incidentally, have not even been finished.

There is such a thing as an accused being given due process of law. Those who have been named in the plunder complaint were all denied due process and that alone is a big technicality that can get the complaint dismissed — that is, if the Ombudsman, who is known to be anti-Arroyo, follows the law and does not engage in politics...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com2.html

From heaven to hell: Refugees flee Zanzibar for Mogadishu FEATURE 09/04/2011

From heaven to hell: Refugees flee Zanzibar for Mogadishu

FEATURE

09/04/2011
MOGADISHU — It seems an unlikely choice: fleeing the palm-fringed beaches of tourist paradise Zanzibar for the bombed-out buildings of war-torn capital Mogadishu, one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

And yet opposition supporters from the Tanzanian archipelago did just that when they fled post-election violence in 2000; they recount their epic journey into a violent city most people are desperate to leave.

“We feared prison and violence, being arrested if we stayed home,” said Hamis Mohammed, one of about a hundred Zanzibaris living in Mogadishu, where gunmen cruise the ruined city in heavily armed pickup trucks.
“First we ran to Kenya, but we did not feel safe there and could not make a living, so after many years, we are now here living in Mogadishu,” Mohammed added, a supporter of Zanzibar’s Civic United Front (CUF) party...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com3.html

Giving false hopes to the MILF N.O . N.O.N.S.E.N.S.E Jacinto 09/04/2011

Giving false hopes to the MILF

N.O . N.O.N.S.E.N.S.E
Jacinto
09/04/2011
It seems the much ballyhood meeting of President Aquino and Al Haj Murad of MILF in Japan turned out to bring more harm than good. First it created false hopes to the MILF, the latter expecting that when their leader shook hands with P-Noy, they will be getting their much awaited substate dream. Second, it stirred the hornet’s nest such that the group of Umbra Kato took advantage of the situation by making itself important by creating violence when in fact, prior to the meeting of P-Noy and Murad, Kato’s group was in hibernation. Thirdly, it opened the eyes of other Muslim groups, including the MNLF, to demand their own version of peace agreement with the Philippine government, saying that if the MILF can attain what they wish for, there is no reason for the other Muslim group like the MNLF not have its own substate model side by side with the MILF.

If not for the premature appearance of P-Noy in Japan and the massive media exposure, none of these complications would have happened. There was still a long way to go in order to reach a mutual agreement between the GRP panel and the MILF and yet Deles and Leonen brought P-Noy to Japan to meet one who is not even his equal in terms of political position and made it appear to the Filipino people that the peace agreement was almost a done deal when in fact it wasn’t, as shown by the different views both parties had when they met in Kuala Lumpur last Aug. 22, 2011. According to Murad, the proposal of the GRP panel presented in the Kuala Lumpur meeting had no connection with the previous agreements and consensus reached between the MILF and the GRP during the past 14 years of the peace process...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com5.html

‘Pilipinas, saan banda?’ TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 09/04/2011

‘Pilipinas, saan banda?’

TABLETS OF STONE
Larry Faraon, OP
09/04/2011
If newly appointed Tourism Secretary Mr. Ramon Jimenez compares Philippine tourism to something like marketing or promoting “Chicken Joy” of Jollibee, then we may be having a problem of perspective — a little myopic for such a broad national reality or concern. In fact, President P-Noy’s tickler on his love life as “Coke Zero” would have been better a comparison, meaning closer to his personal realities.

Mr. Jimenez could be starting on the right foot but not necessarily waking up on the right side of the bed or from the wrong bed itself. He is obviously a marketing-advertising man. But is tourism just all about marketing or selling? If that were so, then so many other butts can fit into the DoT secretary’s chair. Obviously, there is much more in tourism than just selling our country’s creative and aesthetic bounty to the global market.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Jimenez embarked on the help of the Filipino people by being “tourism-conscious.” If what he means by this is to promote and intensify local tourism, namely, that the Filipino should be the first tourist in his own country, then that too is being myopic...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com6.html

When does life begin? VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 09/04/2011

When does life begin?

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
09/04/2011
There is no question about when life ends. Neither is there any debate on how life ends or can be ended. Rather, the issue is this: When does life begin? But before answering the said key question, it might be both realistic and practical to previously ask not only who can make life begin and why does life begin. Thus stand the three inquiry words “Who?,” “Why?” and “When?”
First: Who makes life begin?
It can be readily granted that men and women can make life begin. It is evident that neither all men nor all women can make life have its beginning. This is even something definite and defined from the known narration of the Good Book: Those brought to living existence is neither “Adam and Adam” nor “Eve and Eve” — but Adam and Eve. In fact, it was only after the living reality of the said pairing of a man and a woman that they were told to “increase and multiply.”
Second: Why does life begin?..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110904com7.html

US tags Duterte in Davao killings in 2005 cable 09/04/2011

US tags Duterte in Davao killings in 2005 cable

09/04/2011
Even the United States has been worried about the series of summary killings in Davao City that in 2005, the US Embassy in Manila dispatched a cable expressing its deep concern over the murders which they blamed on former Davao City Mayor and now Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

This was contained in an another cable leakage released by whistle-blower group Wikileaks.

Most of the killings were not solved by authorities, according to cable titled “More Vigilante-style Killings Reported in Davao” that was sent on Jan. 20, 2005.

The Dutertes seemed untouchables in their own turf because of their alliance with President Aquino.

Only several weeks ago, Duterte’s daughter, Sara, who is now the incumbent Davao mayor, publicly manhandled a court sheriff in full media coverage but the Aquino administration is finding every excuse to spare her from any liability...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110904hed6.html

Libya gave Ramos P5 million for ’92 bid — US cable 09/04/2011

PEACE ADVISER CALLS DE VENECIA ‘ERRAND BOY’

Libya gave Ramos P5 million for ’92 bid — US cable

09/04/2011
The Libyan government of now exiled leader Moammar Kadhafi contributed P5 million to the campaign of former President Fidel V. Ramos after former Speaker Jose de Venecia, an ally of Ramos, met with the Libyan strongman regarding efforts to negotiate peace in Mindanao, an intercepted US Embassy cable by online whistle-blower Wikileaks showed.

Former Deputy Chief of Mission Raymond Burghardt wrote in the cable that at a meeting, retired De La Salle University Professor Joel de los Santos, who was then a consultant of Ramos on the peace process, claimed that “Libya had directed funds to President Ramos’ 1992 campaign.”

The Omnibus Elections Code restricts candidates from accepting funds from foreign donors.

De los Santos’ revelation was made in passing during discussions regarding the peace negotiations being made then with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari, the cable issued in July 19, 1994 stated...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110904hed1.html

Bishop asks gov’t for transparency on broadband project 09/04/2011

Bishop asks gov’t for transparency on broadband project

09/04/2011
As the Aquino administration revives the controversial broadband network to be set up by Chinese investor in the country, a Catholic bishop sees no problem with it provided that the project will be transparent of its implementation.

In a Web site of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said the Aquino administration should be transparent on terms and conditions of the proposed government broadband network (GBN) to the public.

“The government should also inform the public about it because the Philippines includes us, so there should be transparency,” said Iñiguez, chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of the CBCP.

The GBN could be likened to the aborted $329-million NBN deal with China’s ZTE Corp. during the time of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo for alleged irregularities...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110904nat6.html

Solon calls on nat’l, local gov’ts not to give in to pressure by Xstrata-SMI mining firm By Charlie V. Manalo 09/04/2011

Solon calls on nat’l, local gov’ts not to give in to pressure by Xstrata-SMI mining firm

By Charlie V. Manalo 09/04/2011

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño yesterday called on the national government and the local government units of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces to “play it safe and long-term by not giving in to pressure” with regard to the aggressive ramp-up of Xstrata-SMI activities in its drive to mine gold and copper deposits by 2016.

“There is nothing good with an uncertain future beyond the various statements of the Xstrata-SMI that the $5.9-billion direct investment into the Tampakan mine project will bring development and growth to the area. It is a question development and growth for whom? That project will not mean industries will be put up in the country since they will just extract the mineral wealth and sell it to the international market. This is a project that has caused divisions among families and tribes in the quadri-boundary project area,” Casiño said.

Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, exercises management supervision at the Tampakan project through its 62.5 percent controlling equity in Sagittarius Mines Inc., with Australian firm Indophil Resources NL as the junior partner...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110904nat2.htmlhttp://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110904nat2.html

VP Binay: Prudente a progressive intellectual 09/04/2011

VP Binay: Prudente a progressive intellectual

09/04/2011
Former Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) president Nemesio Prudente was a progressive intellectual whose brand of education challenged the youth to become involved in socio-political issues, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday during the launching of Prudente’s biography, “Doc Prudente: A Nationalist Educator,” at Powerbooks Greenbelt 1 in Makati.

Binay, who also wrote the foreword of the book published by Anvil Publishing Inc., said Prudente’s “nationalist and visionary influence seeped into the thinking and education of thousands of students who would later join professional life as well as the parliament of the streets.”

He said Prudente believed that education was a crucial tool for the poor to “complete their journey to dignity.”

“At a time when rural areas were plagued with uncertainty and violence, he opened the doors of the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) and later on, PUP to people fleeing turbulent locales to gain an education. It is doubtful that these youth would have earned a degree without the academic sanctuary that Dr. Prudente offered,” the Vice President said...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110904met2.html

Valenzuela upgrades its blood bank facility 09/04/2011

Valenzuela upgrades its blood bank facility

09/04/2011
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)- Valenzuela City Chapter has upgraded its blood bank facility located in it newly renovated headquarters in Barangay Marulas as it intensifies the campaign to increase the city’s blood supply as part of its dengue contingency plan of action.

Addressing the guests and PRC volunteers, Mayor Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian expressed gratitude for all the help and attention they give to the local Red Cross.

“The confidence and contributions in the work of the PRC-Valenzuela Chapter is proof that Valenzuela City is truly a ‘City of Volunteers’ and, as such, we should be proud and be supportive of its cause,” he said.

Being the PRC-Valenzuela chapter honorary chairman, Gatchalian together with local head Elizabeth Chongco led the receiving party during the turn-over ceremonies..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110904met3.html

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