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No more hope EDITORIAL 11/19/2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

No more hope

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
11/19/2011
With the Supreme Court (SC) issuing the temporary restraining order on the watch list order (WLO) from the Department of Justice (DoJ) against the Arroyo couple, the usual puppets in Congress, as well as the yellow allies of Noynoy, again started threatening the Supreme Court justices with impeachment — and for issuing the TRO without first hearing the Aquino administration’s side.

The Speaker, Feliciano Belmonte, said nothing about this impeachment threats from the Noynoy allies.

Then came the minority stating it would be studying plans to impeach Noynoy for his refusal to uphold the rule of law by disobeying the high court’s decision to allow the Arroyo couple to travel abroad..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111119com1.html

Creating deliberate chaos FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 11/19/2011

Creating deliberate chaos

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
11/19/2011
The administration’s motion for reconsideration (MR) to have the high court issued temporary restraining order (TRO) against Malacañang’s ban of the Arroyo couple’s departure has been denied with the same vote.

Despite the denial, Noynoy, through his spokesman, again interpreted the denial as saying that it is not immediately executory since certain requirements have not been met and stressed too that until Malacañang gets a copy of that TRO and until the requirements are met, the Supreme Court’s ruling does not have to be acted upon.

There is still more: The Palace also claimed that there have already been cases filed yesterday of electoral sabotage against Gloria Arroyo and yet another case where government had asked the court for a hold departure order (HDO) on Gloria. A case was filed, and in just a few hours after filing, the judge issued arrest warrants against Gloria. Just like that..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111119com2.html

(w/ Video) Censored: #occupywallstreet




Censored: #occupywallstreet

Has Twitter acted to silence Occupy Wall Street? As a new generation of protesters relies on social media to get their message across, doubts are beginning to surface that the latest tool for popular revolution is firmly in corporate hands.

As OWS protestors gathered at intersections around Wall Street Thursday, their plans to stop traders from ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange was quickly thwarted by a heavy-handed police response.

With an estimated 400 arrested and demonstrators complaining of police brutality, the coordinated nationwide clampdown by local authorities is in full effect..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/twitter-ows-protest-censorship-653/

(w/ Video) Debt and buried: US students slaves to their loans


 

Debt and buried: US students slaves to their loans

The calm after the storm – just a handful of “occupiers” gathered in New York's Zuccotti Park, after police moved in to clear the site Thursday. Those remaining hope to draw attention to the plight of groups like college students, crippled with debt.

­Removing the camp had triggered a so-called day of action from the demonstrators, which spiraled into clashes with officers and led to hundreds of arrests. Authorities are hoping the two-month campaign has run out of steam, but defiant protesters say it is far from over.

The movement is attracting young people who are having trouble paying back their student loans, while struggling to make ends meet..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/debt-student-loan-gray-737/

Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

 Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

By MARYA SALAMAT

Bulatlat.com
MANILA – There is freedom of expression according to the Philippine Constitution, but according to the marchers who protested the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the country, the Aquino government is “giving more priority to Clinton’s stature rather than the Filipinos’ rights.” The protesters who came from various progressive organizations were twice barred by the police from marching nearer toward the US Embassy Tuesday, hours before Clinton’s scheduled arrival. The protesters were thus forced to hold their program, which included burning a US flag, along Kalaw Avenue.

Warning the Filipinos to “beware of the US government’s make-believe friendship,” the progressive groups said Hillary Clinton’s visit is “more for strengthening the lopsided US-Philippine relationship, enhancing the means with which the US can further take advantage of the Philippines, and attacking our sovereignty.” The protesters held their program inches away from columns of shield and baton-wielding members of the police.

Broken promises

After 60 years of Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and “broken promises” about helping to develop the Philippines, particularly its armed forces, Renato Reyes Jr. of Bayan said, Filipinos have “no more illusions” that it can ever be of real help. In fact, after decades of this “myth of cooperation and reciprocity,” he pointed to the Philippines being “shamefully the most backward in the region” as proof of MDTs’ utter uselessness for the country.


Protesters show their sentiments.(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)
The MDT was forged when the US government used the Cold War as justification for dragging the Philippines into wars, Reyes said.

“The MDT which made the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) possible, and which Benigno Aquino III had promised to review while campaigning for the presidency because of its many problematic provisions, is still not reviewed up to now– over a year since he became president,” said Reyes.

In a statement, Bayan has previously said, “Mutuality and reciprocity are the biggest myths fostered by the MDT and the VFA. These instruments are in place primarily to secure support for US hegemonic interests in the region and not for anything else.” They also urged the Philippine government to “wake up from the pipe-dream that we are treated as equals and with respect by the US.”

Clinton will announce new support for the Philippines in her latest visit, based on an Agence France-Presse report. Officials accompanying Clinton on her trip to “key allies” in the Pacific were quoted as saying she would hold talks with President Benigno Aquino III and tour a warship..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/16/progressive-organizations-protest-against-un-mutual-treaties-during-clinton-visit/

Hillary Clinton visit paves way for more US-RP partnership and the US-TransPacific agenda

 Hillary Clinton visit paves way for more US-RP partnership and the US-TransPacific agenda

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Amid jeers that his government is engaged in “hardcore US puppetry,” President Benigno Aquino III sat at an extended bilateral meeting in Manila held by visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last Wednesday, after which he witnessed the signing in Malacañang of the Partnership for Growth (PFG) agreement between the Philippines and the United States. He then conferred on Clinton the Order of Lakandula with rank of Bayani.

The latter is a merit award in memory of Lakandula, an indigenous leader. It is usually conferred upon a Filipino or foreign citizen who has demonstrated in life and deeds a dedication to the welfare of society, and who lives a life deemed worthy of emulation by Filipinos. The Bayani (Hero) rank given to Clinton is usually given to individuals who have devoted their lives to peaceful resolution of conflict.

But outside Malacañang, the situation is hardly peaceful as groups protested the “interventionist” agenda of “the second most powerful US government official who paid our country a special visit.”

Members of patriotic youth and student organizations led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS) threw paintballs at the passing convoy of President Aquino’s “special guest,” US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as she headed to hold court at a forum in the National Museum Wednesday afternoon.

Aside from hurling paintballs, the youth protesters burned a US flag in front of the National Museum while Clinton was meeting with Filipino students. Aki Merced, spokesperson of LFS, explained that the flag-burning “is to express rage over the continuing unequal relations of the Philippines and the United States.” On Thursday the youth group also conducted a simultaneous US flag-burning program to denounce US intervention in Philippine affairs in various campuses.

“This is to send out the message that the Filipino youths are enraged and cannot bear the unequal relations between the Philippines and the United States anymore. These relations are concretely seen in the 60th anniversary of the onerous Mutual Defense Treaty,” said Merced.

Clinton “pretty much used” to anti-US protests 

When Clinton’s convoy passed by the protesting students last Wednesday, she had not only just signed and launched in Malacañang the Partnership for Growth (PFG) agreement, an Obama government economic initiative. She had also just signed a Manila Declaration together with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, pertaining to the 60th anniversary of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), on board the USS Fitzgerald in Manila Bay.

“Hillary Clinton is here to further solidify the US government’s hold and control of our land, through its obedient puppet, Noynoy Aquino,” said the LFS..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/18/hillary-clinton-visit-paves-way-for-more-us-rp-partnership-and-the-us-transpacific-agenda/

Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice

 Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Two progressive lawmakers and leaders of various peoples organizations said the blame over the attempts of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country should be laid at the doors of two institutions: Malacañang and the Supreme Court.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño’s said the High Court’s decision to grant Macapagal-Arroyo a temporary restraining order against the hold departure order of the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not serve the interest of justice for three reasons.

“First, it ignores the fact that Macapagal-Arroyo is facing several investigations for serious crimes and it is in her interest not to return to face these charges. In other words, it ignores the reality that she is a serious flight risk. Second, it ignores the fact that there is no urgency for the ex-president to go abroad for medical reasons as attested to by her doctors. If there is any urgency, it is to flee the very serious charges against her.
Third, the decision renders moot and academic the deliberations on the case set for next week, as she would have already left the country as she is desperately trying to do now. In other words, even if the Court eventually rules that the government is within its right to restrict Macapagal-Arroyo’s travel, it can’t be implemented anymore,” he said.

Casiño said the government should exhaust all legal and administrative remedies to prevent Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving provided that it is within the bounds of due process and human rights.
“The most important thing at this point is for government to do everything it can to make the former executive accountable for her crimes,” he said.

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan for her part said it is not enough for DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima to file a motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court decision.

“It is high time for President Benigno Aquino III to show political will and immediately direct the DOJ to initiate the filing of charges against the Arroyos. Otherwise, this legal fiasco provides an opportunity for one of Philippine history’s biggest plunderer to escape accountability, and no less than the Aquino administration will be held liable for this injustice,” she said.

Ilagan also expressed her doubts on the Arroyos’ intent to return and face charges once they have been allowed to leave the country.

“They can always say they will return, but we all know they have lied so many times,” she said.

The rhetoric and blame game 

A human rights lawyer also criticized the president for “twiddling his fingers” over Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempts to leave the country. Edre Olalia, secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said Macapagal-Arroyo was attempting to escape justice and frustrate efforts to prosecute her..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/17/malacanang-sc-blamed-for-arroyo%E2%80%99s-attempts-to-flee-justice/

Comelec adopted ‘en toto’ body’s poll raps vs GMA 11/19/2011

Comelec adopted ‘en toto’ body’s poll raps vs GMA

11/19/2011
Voting 5-2, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc adopted “en toto” the recommendation of the joint Department of Justice-Comelec investigating panel to file electoral sabotage charges against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and several others bolstering arguments that the charges against her were railroaded to counter a Supreme Court (SC) decision earlier in the day to throw out a government motion to reconsider the temporary restraining order (TRO) on a travel ban imposed on Mrs. Arroyo.

The electoral sabotage case is in connection with the alleged manipulation of the election results during the 2007 senatorial polls.

Others recommended charged with electoral sabotage included former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., former Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Alberto Agra, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., former Maguindanao provincial administrator Norie Unas, former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol, former election supervisors Lilian Radham and Yogie Martirizar and several others.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111119hed3.html

‘Bullet train’ arrest order after SC rebuff 11/19/2011

ARROYO, OTHERS CHARGED FOR 2007 POLL RIGGING

‘Bullet train’ arrest order after SC rebuff

11/19/2011
A warrant of arrest was served against former President Arroyo at her St. Luke’s hospital suite at 6:30 pm yesterday to cap a grueling day for the scale of justice as it swung twice between the contending camps of Mrs. Arroyo and the Aquino administration.

The day started with the Supreme Court issuing a decision dismissing a government appeal against the temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Arroyo travel ban and ended with the Pasay court issuing an arrest order on Mrs. Arroyo over charges of electoral sabotage which is an unbailable offense.

The Arroyo camp protested the arrest order on Arroyo as railroaded and described it as a “bullet train” court decision, referring to the haste at which the decision was issued..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111119hed1.html

CPP slams Mutual Defense Treaty between RP and US By Mario J. Mallari 11/19/2011

CPP slams Mutual Defense Treaty between RP and US

By Mario J. Mallari 11/19/2011

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday slammed the supposed military alliance between the Philippines and the United States, through the 60-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), stressing that the US only uses the Philippines as its pawn in its wars of aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a statement, the CPP said that the supposed alliance between the Philippines and the US is nothing but a “big myth.”

“The reality is that for the past 60 years of semi-colonial rule, US imperialism has only used the Philippines as a pawn in its military interventionism, wars of aggression and power projection in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”

Early this week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed Manila Declaration commemorating the 60th anniversary of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111119nat9.html

Binay: Gov’t eyes universal health care 11/19/2011

Binay: Gov’t eyes universal health care

11/19/2011
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday said the Department of Health (DoH) is gearing toward the development of universal health care program.

Speaking during the 62nd Annual Convention of the International College of Surgeons, Binay said that Kalusugan sa Pangkalahatan, a program initiated by DoH, seeks to provide universal PhilHealth coverage for all Filipinos and in the process, reduce their financial risks.

“This will benefit people from all economic strata, but the poor, most especially, shall find better lives because of it,” Binay said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111119nat3.html

Jinggoy raises concerns of RPN-9 workers against unfair labor practice 11/19/2011

Jinggoy raises concerns of RPN-9 workers against unfair labor practice

11/19/2011
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday raised the concerns of the employees of RPN-9 during the period of interpellation of the budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office which oversaw the gradual privatization of the Radio Philippines Network as well as Intercontinental Broadcast Corp. (IBC-13).

In a letter sent to Estrada, RPN-9 Directors and Supervisors Union president Raymon Tomale Jr. and RPN-9 Employees Union president Freddie Muoz relayed their long-standing desire to privatize RPN-9 so as to avoid further financial derail of the broadcast network which triggered outstanding money claims on unpaid benefits.

The employees union estimates that P100 million of accumulated benefits from their Collective Bargaining Agreement remains unpaid to the current RPN-9 employees since 2001. The amount is on top of P300 million of unpaid separation and retirement payments to the retired and resigned employees..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111119met2.html

QC to put up own museum showcasing its rich history 11/19/2011

QC to put up own museum showcasing its rich history

11/19/2011
A museum will soon be established right at the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QMC) to enable local residents as well as visitors and tourists to have glimpses of the city’s rich history, the local government revealed yesterday.

In fact, Mayor Herbert Bautista said a ground-breaking ceremony for the purpose has already been scheduled before a full-blast construction is made.

“The ground-breaking ceremony will be immediately followed by the construction process that is expected to end in six months’ time,” the city chief executive said.

Tribune was told the proposed QC Museum, which will be a 1,000-square-meter landmark, is designed by popular architect Jun Palafox. It will rise near the Peace Bell Shrine at the QMC, according to city officials..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111119met3.html

Philippine bid sputters as SEAG nears close 11/19/2011

‘WE MISSED A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES’

Philippine bid sputters as SEAG nears close

11/19/2011
PALEMBANG, Sumatra — Comparable to the mid-day gloom here was the Philippines’ search for gold medals that now counts on the late afternoon and night events for recovery in the 26th Southeast Asian Games also being played in Jakarta and West Java.

Four bronze medals delivered by the men’s sabre fencing team of Walbert Mendoza, gold medalist in the singles, Giancarlo Nocom, Eric Brando II, wakeboard squad of Samantha Bermudez, Carlo de la Torre and Mark Griffith, and Efren “Bata” Reyes and Reynaldo Grandea in 3 cushion carom of billiards, were all the Filipinos had to show in the early afternoon of Friday.

With 12 sports done with, the Filipinos have still live bets in 27 others, possessing sterling chances in eight of them, but the odds of at least matching their 2009 fifth place finish in Laos two years ago do not appear kosher..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20111119spo1.html

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