• 6 AUGUST - *1907 - Gen. Macario Sakay, one of the Filipino military leaders who had continued fighting the imperialist United States invaders eight years into the Ph...
    11 years ago

......................................................................................

The Daily Tribune

(Without Fear or Favor)

Specials:

Bulatlat.com

World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Philippines

The Philippines Matrix Project

Social safety valve EDITORIAL 09/06/2011

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Social safety valve

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
09/06/2011
United States diplomats stationed in the country offered an interesting insight into how Gloria managed to cling to power despite the many allegations of abuse and corruption during her term and that her endurance was mostly the result of the labor export policy then, and which Noynoy is pursuing now.

In an analysis of the masa phenomenon contained in a Wikileaks cable, US officials saw Gloria’s promotion of massive export of labor as not only providing the needed economic benefits of some $1 billion that enters the country every month consistently but also depriving forces arrayed against her during the period when practically the whole nation was calling for her to step down with the critical mass in terms of bodies on the street that led to the toppling of previous administrations.

The some 10 million Filipinos working overseas not only meant 10 million potential protestors neutralized but also 10 million less Filipinos to provide employment in the almost stagnant domestic economy under her.

The much-hyped 7.4 percent growth in 2007 and Gloria’s claim that the economy never contracted during her term was all the result of mostly private spending..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com1.html

For the funds of it FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 09/06/2011

For the funds of it

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
09/06/2011
Controlling the lump sum budgets of the different but co-equal branches of government by Malacañang, through Noynoy’s Budget and Management chief, Butch Abad, certainly is a throwback to the Marcos martial law years, when only the Office of the President controlled everything.

Malacañang, as Abad wishes, wants full control of the judiciary, congressional and all constitutional offices to the extent of ensuring that all their heads would have to come begging to Malacañang for funds which are really due them.

The sinister agenda of Noynoy and Butch Abad clearly is to take full control of their budget allocations, in order to ensure the judiciary and the legislature’s subservience to the executive power, which also makes Abad very, very powerful.

Simply stated, if they don’t give in to the whims and caprices of Noynoy and Abad, they won’t get the funds that are allocated to them..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com2.html

To remember what we forget NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 09/06/2011

To remember what we forget

NO HOLDS BARRED
Armida Siguion-Reyna
09/06/2011
Last Friday I set out to vocalize and practice my songs for the September episode of “Aawitan Kita sa Makati,” and then went around my room wondering what it was I had set to do. And then during dinner, I saw someone whose name I could not recall, I only knew I liked her and respected her. It was a good thing that by the time she dropped by our table to greet us, I recognized the feisty Emily Abrera, chairman of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Forgetting doesn’t happen every day, but remembering is becoming harder and harder, what with the new and yet newer things we’re being made to use in this modern age. My mother, I think, had it easier, in her time. I mean, how long was the typewriter the typewriter?

The brain needs to be comfortable, to learn how to operate machines and utilities, and having learned to operate it, use it long enough. Like, as I said, the typewriter. I learned to use it in Grade VI, to all the way in high school, college, as a young housewife, and as a film and TV producer..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com4.html

Competitive Constitution? AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 09/06/2011

Competitive Constitution?

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW
Ken Fuller
09/06/2011
Last week, this column noted the prediction by Charter change (Cha-cha) advocates that foreign direct investments would increase threefold if the constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership were removed. As reported in the Philippine Star on Aug. 16, in 2007 Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam were way ahead of the Philippines in this regard.

It occurred to this outsider that if it could be shown that the constitutions of some of the named countries were just as protective as that of the Philippines, this particular argument might be sent spiraling earthward. (On Aug. 19, Herman Tiu Laurel’s column performed the same public service by looking at investment laws.)

Thailand may be one of the few countries in the world whose constitution is blatantly framed on behalf of the private sector. Section 84 (1) obliges the state to pursue economic policies by “encouraging a free and fair economic system through market mechanism, ensuring the development of economics in sustainable fashion by repealing and refraining from the enactment of laws, rules and regulations controlling business which do not correspond with the economic necessity, and refraining from the engagement in an enterprise in competition with the private sector unless it is necessary for the purpose of maintaining the security of State, preserving common interests, or providing public utilities…”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com5.html

Applying the golden rule INSIDE CONGRESS Charlie Manalo 09/06/2011

Applying the golden rule

INSIDE CONGRESS
Charlie Manalo
09/06/2011
Last week, the executive and the judiciary figured in a clash over the issue of the hiring budget for additional personnel. While the executive, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), wants the latter’s hiring budget be placed under its control, the judiciary insists it does have fiscal autonomy as enshrined in the Constitution.

In its argument, the DBM contends that the hiring budget for additional personnel had been the subject of abuse by almost all government agencies, a classic case is the conversion issue on the part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which, after failing to fill up its vacancies, reverted its unused hiring budget to savings, converting it later for other expenses including hefty remunerations for AFP officials.

So, for the sake of “transparency,” the DBM demands that it should control the hiring budget not only of the judiciary, but of the other government branches as well, including Congress.

But while it is clear that controlling portions of the budget of other government branches and constitutional bodies that happen to enjoy their fiscal autonomy is a violation of the 1987 Constitution, the executive must have another compelling reason to impose such demand. And Sen. Joker Arroyo was right when he said that whoever thought of the said scheme must have a very devious mind because the control of the government depends upon the budget..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com6.html

‘Mr. Casino Filipino’ VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 09/06/2011

‘Mr. Casino Filipino’

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
09/06/2011
Considering that gambling — be this legal or illegal —can be anything but noble and ennobling, it is sad that Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) would now even go to the extent of exploiting the innocence and enthusiasm of young people in order to promote its long since questionable management as well as dubious operations.

Lately, it is trying hard to launder its much tarnished name and covetous agenda by loud and sustained publicity about its concern and generosity in the education of children. Now, it is going to the extent of staging a “Ms. Casino Filipino” contest allegedly to promote this or that salutary program.

With malice toward none, with good toward all, it could be both relevant and significant to bring to mind even but the following “minor” matters — all in conjunction with Pagcor:

Where is Bentain? What happened to him? How come there is still great silence about him as if he disappeared into thin air? If he were still alive and allowed to talk, what would he say?.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110906com7.html

Vatican silenced CBCP amid Gloria quit calls By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 09/06/2011

POPE’S ENVOY CALLS SIN A ‘MAJOR OBSTACLE’ TO THE HOLY SEE'S INFLUENCE OVER BISHOPS

Vatican silenced CBCP amid Gloria quit calls

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 09/06/2011

This was reported by the Tribune in 2000, but then Jaime Cardinal Sin, along with former President Corazon Aquino, rejected the call of the Vatican not to meddle in the political affairs of a country nor lead and join street protests against Estrada.

At that time, even the papal nuncio joined the anti-Estrada protesters and the elite civil society, along with the coup plotters, to oust Estrada. The papal nuncio was on the Edsa stage, together with the Sin and the Supreme Court justices, all hailing Gloria Arroyo.

Apparently, the bishops then led by Sin defied the Vatican and the papal wishes, and went on to oust Estrada.

It was then that the bishops alienated themselves from the Filipino masses, as another protest, this time staged by the masses, was rejected by the bishops, priests and religious, turning against the masses, and calling them “unworthy to be in sacred holy ground,” apart from calling them the “smelly” and the “unwashed.”..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110906hed1.html

US should improve Intel, says Noy after ‘diffident, unassertive’ picture 09/06/2011

US should improve Intel, says Noy after ‘diffident, unassertive’ picture

09/06/2011
Irked at how a leaked United States Embassy Philippines cable painted an unflattering picture of him, President Aquino yesterday said the US needs to get better sources of information after the leaked US secret cable described him as “diffident and unassertive.”

Aquino said the unflattering description, published by anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, would not affect the country’s relations with the US, a close ally, but remarked that the US should improve its intelligence.

In the cable, dated Jan. 22, 2010, then US ambassador Kristie Kenney described Aquino — a senator at the time — as “a diffident, unassertive man” carrying on his family’s political tradition in his quest to become president.

“Maybe they should assess their (US) capabilities to assess and gather the necessary information so they will get the right information on which to base their decisions,” Aquino told reporters..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110906hed6.html

Aquino now admits September trips to US, Japan By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 09/06/2011

Aquino now admits September trips to US, Japan

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 09/06/2011

Despite an earlier denial, President Aquino admitted yesterday that he is set to travel to the United States and Japan this month right after his five-day State Visit to the Peoples’ Republic of China where he tagged along around 200 businessmen and around 70 cabinet members and secretariat staff.

Before his China visit, the President has visited Vietnam, United States, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand although he is just a little over a year in office.

Aquino’s admission came only a few days after deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte retracted her pronouncement that the President is also set to go to the US and to Japan and claimed that the President has pending invitations for the two countries but has not given his green light on any of them.

But it now appears that Valte’s retraction was a mere attempt to downplay observations that Aquino has been bitten by travel bug as Aquino himself confirmed after administering the oath of newly appointed government officials that he will be going to the US to attend the formal launching of the new international anti-corruption group called the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and after which, he is also set to go to Japan for an official visit..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110906nat4.html

International groups behind RH thrust — Sotto By Angie M. Rosales 09/06/2011

International groups behind RH thrust — Sotto

By Angie M. Rosales 09/06/2011

The enactment of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill is an alleged “condition” being imposed to the government by some international organizations, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

Sotto, however, was quick to add that this is still a raw information but he is now in the process of verifying this particular report.

“I will expose it when I have more details,” he said, adding that he is also awaiting the submission of the list of supposed lobby groups pushing the Senate’s approval of the measure, believed to have set aside huge amount of lobby funds or purported to be some pharmaceutical companies.

As this developed, a move has been taken by proponents of the measure in the upper chamber to expedite the floor debates and ensure its inclusion in the daily order of business of the Senate.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110906nat2.html

PCGG lauds high court ruling nullifying Pasig City gov’t claim on 18.5-ha lot By Jason Faustino 09/06/2011

Reports on involvement of FG, GMA to syndicates not new — San Juan solon

By Gerry Baldo 09/06/2011
The reports about the involvement of former President Gloria Arroyo and her husband former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in illegal transactions and syndicates are not new.

According to San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito, the reports released by Wikileaks are not new only that the people during her administration were reluctant to talk about the illegal activities and file charges against them.

“We have been saying these all along — but because they (Arroyos) were in power, nobody dared go against them. Maraming pipi at bingi during their time,” Ejercito said yesterday.

Ejercito stressed that now is the time for the Arroyos to face the charges against them..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110906met2.html

Fr. Reyes slams judge for issuing TRO vs smoking ban in public places By Pat C. Santos 09/06/2011

Fr. Reyes slams judge for issuing TRO vs smoking ban in public places

By Pat C. Santos 09/06/2011
Controversial running priest called the action of a Mandaluyong judge who issued temporary restraining order (TRO) as highly irregular citing that it is hard to understand for a judge to issue such an order stopping the noble intention of promoting healthy living for the inhabitants of Metro Manila.

This was the statement made by Fr. Robert Reyes during the press briefing held at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) ground yesterday after they held the organized protest run together by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and other known personalities as expression in support to the MMDA for campaigning on smoking ban in public places.

“It is highly irregular and people must rally behind this good intention, especially the youth,” Fr. Reyes said.
Yesterday protest run started at Makati City Hall at 7:30 a.m., then went to N. Garcia Elementary School, Makati, then to J. Magsaysay Elementary School also in Makati, and finished at the MMDA Orense, where they were welcomed by MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino followed by press conference at 11 a.m..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110906met1.html

Blog Archive