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‘Corona impeachment, part of struggle to hold Arroyo liable’ – groups

Thursday, December 15, 2011

‘Corona impeachment, part of struggle to hold Arroyo liable’ – groups
“We need to hold him accountable for the long list of anti-people rulings he supported to favor his patron Macapagal-Arroyo… But with this move we hope that the next Chief Justice would be truly independent and decide cases for the genuine interest of the people. We do not want an Arroyo court to be replaced by an Aquino court.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO and RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Progressive groups have expressed support for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, saying “it is part of the struggle to hold former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo liable for her crimes against the people.”

Nathaniel Santiago, secretary general of Bayan Muna, said the SC, under the leadership of Corona, gave Mrs. Arroyo an opportunity to escape prosecution when it issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s watch list order against the former president and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo.

In the impeachment complaint signed by 188 lawmakers at the House of Representatives, this was cited as “the biggest and most sensational charge against Corona. “The SC under Corona immediately acted upon the Macapagal-Arroyo’s petition and granted the TRO despite the fact that there are clear inconsistencies in the petition,” they said in the impeachment complaint.”

Although party-list representatives of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan Party-List and ACT Teachers Party-List signed the impeachment against Corona, they also warned against the creation of an “Aquino court.”

According to the impeachment complaint, 78 percent of Corona’s decision favored Arroyo.
Corona served Arroyo as her chief of staff, spokesman when she was vice president, presidential chief-of-staff, presidential spokesman, and acting executive secretary..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/15/impeach-corona-part-of-struggle-to-hold-arroyo-liable-groups/

Obama to approve indefinite detention and torture of Americans

Obama to approve indefinite detention and torture of Americans


Less than a month after he threatened to veto terrifying legislation that would cease constitutional rights as we know it, Obama has revoked his warning and plans to authorize a bill allowing indefinite detention and torture of Americans.

After passing in the House of Representatives earlier this year, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 went before the US Senate last week, where it was met with overwhelming approval. In the days before, the Obama administration issued a policy statement on November 17 saying explicitly that the president would veto the bill, as it would challenge “the president’s critical authorities to collect intelligence incapacitate dangerous terrorists and protect the nation.”

Opposition from the White House seemed all but rampant until RT revealed earlier this week that Senator Carl Levin told lawmakers that the legislation was altered because “the administration asked us to remove the language which says that US citizens and lawful residents would not be subject to this section.”.... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/obama-detention-veto-defense-853/

Nuclear Iran vs Terrorist USA?

Nuclear Iran vs Terrorist USA?

Iran has made computer models of a nuclear warhead, says IAEA report on Tehran’s suspected nuclear activities, due to be published next week. Meanwhile, Iran is set to unveil documents accusing the US of links with terror groups.

The UN nuclear agency is planning to reveal previously undisclosed intelligence on Iran’s suspected nuclear arms program next week.

The report may reveal the International Atomic Energy Agency possesses intelligence information alleging Tehran of making computer models of nuclear warheads, diplomats have told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The agency also plans to show satellite imagery of what it believes is a large steel container used for nuclear-arms related high explosives tests..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/nuclear-iran-terrorist-usa-627/

Iranian Newspeak an old Western tale

As Iran has become the target of a series of bombings and assassinations, the much maligned “rogue state” is merely the latest victim to fall prey to the world’s real axis of evil, Adrian Salbuchi writes.

­Since the failed Israeli invasion attempt into Southern Lebanon in mid-2006 when they were routed by the well-trained and disciplined forces of Hezbollah, the Zionist Regime has been licking its wounds. Once again, Israel is seeking an opportunity to “Secure the Realm” – as Bush Pentagon Planners (and Council on Foreign Relations members) Richard Perle, Dougles Feith and David & Meyrav Wurmser recommended to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu – in the face of growing anti-Zionist sentiment and resistance in the region and worldwide..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/iran-west-terrorism-salbuchi-801/

Power VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 12/15/2011

Power

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
12/15/2011
Force, might or strength, authority, command or rule, dominion, supremacy or sovereignty — this is power in so many words, in so many expressions, meanings and implications.

It is not only the capacity and the competency to have something done, but also the vigor and effect of the thing done. In the hand of someone upright and prudent, power is an attribution in favor of those covered and served by the same. Otherwise, powers become not only dangerous but also damaging to all those covered by the power concerned.

It is said that in a sovereign and republican state — like the Philippines — that has three co-equal branches of government, therein are also three “powers” supposed to be serving the people by attending to their public welfare..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111215com6.html

Cases of state violence against women mount

 Cases of state violence against women mount

Already there are 356 political detainees in the country, with 78 of them having been arrested on the orders of the Aquino administration’s armed and judicial forces. Almost half or 35 of them are women. Also 153 women have already fallen victim to extrajudicial killings since 2001, with six of them killed under the watch of the Benigno Aquino III administration.

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
The Center for Women’s Research has once more taken up the cudgels for women political detainees and women victims of political repression and other forms of human rights violations.

According to the institution, 153 women have already fallen victim to extrajudicial killings since 2001, with six of them killed under the watch of the Benigno Aquino III administration.

Already there are 356 political detainees in the country, with 78 of them having been arrested on the orders of the Aquino administration’s armed and judicial forces. Almost half or 35 of them are women.

According to the CWR, women political prisoners suffer twice the violence experienced by their male counterparts.

“Women prisoners are more vulnerable to intimidation, sexual harassment and abuse, as well as torture. Former political prisoner Angie Ipong and the women members of the Morong 43 can attest to this,” it said.

A particularly harrowing case

Ipong’s case is particularly harrowing because those who arrested and detained her showed no compunction against violating her rights regardless of her sex and age. She was 60 years old when she was arrested without a warrant by armed men in Anastacia Mission Village, Lumbayao, Aloran, Misamis Occidental on March 2005 by Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) members..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/15/cases-of-state-violence-against-women-mount/

Impeachment court convenes but SC chief conviction difficult By Angie M. Rosales 12/15/2011

Impeachment court convenes but SC chief conviction difficult

By Angie M. Rosales 12/15/2011

The Senate impeachment court for Chief Justice Renato Corona effectively started rolling yesterday but this early senator jurors of the court conceded that meeting the votes to convict Corona would be extremely hard.

Summons for Corona is likely to be served today that would seek the Supreme Court chief’s response, not later than a day after Christmas or on Dec. 26., on the eight charges or articles of impeachment leveled against him.

The lesser the composition of the Senate, the better for Corona, as it would make it more difficult to meet the number of the two-thirds of the Senate vote, specified under the Constitution, needed to ensure his conviction. That means even with a vacant seat, 16 Senators will have to vote in favor of Corona’s conviction no matter how many senators are currently serving..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111215hed5.html

Noy blasts CJ for dictator tag, tells Corona to take a leave By Virgilio Bugaoisan 12/15/2011

Noy blasts CJ for dictator tag, tells Corona to take a leave

By Virgilio Bugaoisan 12/15/2011

Evidently unprepared and rattled by high court Chief Justice Renato Corona’s direct blasts at President Aquino yesterday and the popular support he has from the judges and justices nationwide, the Chief Executive, through his spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, said Corona had no right to call Aquino a looming dictator as he called for the chief justice to go on leave and order the members of the Judiciary to go back to work.

Lacierda, at a press briefing yesterday immediately after the CJ’s speech, called on him to take a leave of absence so as not to drag the whole Judiciary into the raging impeachment storm that is now threatening to end his tenure and give Aquino full discretion to install his own head magistrate.

Lacierda said it would be best if Corona takes a leave of absence for the duration of his impeachment trial in the Senate to free the Judiciary from any involvement in his case..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111215hed2.html

‘Robot’ captor, 3 other officers face court martial for Basilan debacle By Mario J. Mallari 12/15/2011

‘Robot’ captor, 3 other officers face court martial for Basilan debacle

By Mario J. Mallari 12/15/2011

A seasoned-combat officer, responsible in the 2003 arrest of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang alias “Commander Robot,” is among the four senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) now facing court martial proceedings for the bungled Basilan operation last October that led to the killing of 19 Army troops.

Reliable military sources said that Army Special Forces (SF) commander Col. Aminkandra Undug is among the four senior AFP officers recommended to face court martial proceedings by the Court of Inquiry (CoI)for the Oct. 18 debacle in Al Barka, Basilan.

Undug is credited for the Dec. 2003 capture of Andang, after a clash that resulted in the wounding of the Abu Sayyaf leader who subsequently lost his left leg due to the serious wounds he suffered. He was briefly confined at the AFP Medical Center until his transfer to the Metro Manila District Jail in Bicutan, Taguig City..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111215nat3.html

Smartmatic disqualification in 2013 polls bidding sought 12/15/2011

Smartmatic disqualification in 2013 polls bidding sought

12/15/2011
The Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch), a broad network of election watchdogs, major IT organizations and other citizens’ groups, yesterday reiterated its position to disqualify the 2010 election technology provider, Smartmatic, from participating in any bidding for the 2013 automated-synchronized elections.

The AES Watch made this call in the light of a week-long election vendors’ demo being held by the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) at the Quezon City offices of the Information Communications Technology Office (ICTO). ICTO director Napoleon Louis Casambre is the new CAC chairman and Smartmatic, a Dutch-Venezuelan company, participated in the vendors’ demo yesterday..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111215nat1.html

14 of 17 products with images of ‘Angry Birds’ found to be toxic By Jason Faustino 12/15/2011

14 of 17 products with images of ‘Angry Birds’ found to be toxic

By Jason Faustino 12/15/2011
Fourteen of 17 products marked with popular images of “Angry Birds,” or 82 percent of the samples, tested positive for toxic metals such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead above levels of concern.

The EcoWaste Coalition yesterday divulged its most recent discovery about “dirty” products as bargain hunters flock to tiangge markets to buy inexpensive Christmas giveaways during the yuletide season.

As part of its drive to urge consumers to be on the lookout for hazardous chemicals in products, the EcoWaste Coalition over the weekend bought 17 gift items in Quiapo and Santa Cruz, Manila and had them analyzed for toxic metals..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111215met2.html

RP’s newest warship deployed soon in West Philippine Sea By Mario J. Mallari 12/15/2011

RP’s newest warship deployed soon in West Philippine Sea

By Mario J. Mallari 12/15/2011

The Philippine Navy will deploy its newest warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which was officially commissioned yesterday along with a Philippine-made landing craft, in the disputed West Philippine Sea, before Christmas Day.

Capt. Alberto Cruz, who will take charge of the first ever Hamilton class cutter of the Navy, said they will steam to the West Philippine Sea where the disputed Kalayaan Islands Groups (KIGs) are situated, before Christmas Day.

Cruz will lead 11 other Navy officers and 88 enlisted personnel in manning the BRP Gregorio del Pilar which was acquired from the United States Coast Guard last August..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111215met1.html

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