• 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...
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YEARENDER: Measuring the presidency

Monday, January 2, 2012

YEARENDER: Measuring the presidency


By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat.com

If the first six months of the presidency should give the people an idea of its policy directions, the following year should define the shape of the administration.

In his recent New Year’s message, President Benigno Aquino III claimed that his administration has successfully created change in the government and the country.

“Sa mahigit isa’t kalahating taon nang pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas, nakikita na natin ang pagbangon ng bansa, mula sa malubhang katiwalian at kahirapan. Unti-unti na po tayong nagtatagumpay laban sa mga problemang ating dinatnan. Ikumpara po natin ang kasalukuyan sa mga panahong lumipas.”

“Gaano man po katindi ang pagpipilit na magtanim ng agam-agam sa ating isipan, wala naman po sigurong makakapag-dudang nagbago na talaga ang Pilipinas.”

“Ngayon po, ibinabalik na natin ang piring ng katarungan. Ang kaunlaran ay natatamasa hindi lamang ng mayaman at makapangyarihan, ramdam na rin ng mas nakakarami nating kababayan.

“Nakikita naman po natin ang bunga ng ating ipinunlang mga reporma: may maalab na sigla at pag-asa, mataas na kumpiyansa, at malawak at mas maraming mga oportunidad sa bansa.”

President Aquino outlined his administration’s major accomplishments as: rising up from conditions of rampant corruption and poverty, restoration of justice, hope and confidence, and creation of more opportunities.

So is this true?

As far as addressing the problem of corruption is concerned, the administration was able to finally file a case against and arrest former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos for electoral sabotage; it was able to force Arroyo ally and former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to resign; and it was able to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/01/02/measuring-the-presidency/

Nuclear benchmark: A rod for nuclear Iran (w/ Video)



Nuclear benchmark: A rod for nuclear Iran

Iran says its engineers have managed to produce a nuclear fuel rod, marking a benchmark achievement for the country’s nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile the US issued new round of sanctions against Tehran in a bid to stop its atomic exploits.

­Nuclear fuel rods are devices used at power plants. They contain small pellets of fuel, usually low-enriched uranium, patterned in a way allowing them to give out heat produced by nuclear reaction without melting down. Building one is a technological challenge, which Iran was thought incapable of..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/iran-nuclear-fuel-rod-091/

Arab Parliament calls for withdrawal of observers from Syria

Arab Parliament calls for withdrawal of observers from Syria


The Arab Parliament, an Arab advisory body, has urged the Arab League to terminate the monitors’ mission in Syria, saying the mission has failed to end the bloodshed in the country.

­"The mission of the Arab League team has missed its aim of stopping the killing of children and ensuring the withdrawal of troops from the Syrian streets, giving the Syrian regime a cover to commit inhumane acts under the noses of the Arab League observers," said Ali Salem al-Deqbasi, the Kuwaiti head of the 88-member Arab body, in a statement..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/parliament-syrian-observers-withdrawn-099/

Obama’s change: From kidnapping and torture to assassination (w/ Video)



Obama’s change: From kidnapping and torture to assassination

The promise to scrap his predecessor’s hardliner war-on-terror policies, which helped Barack Obama win presidential election, is apparently off the table. The political reality is that the current administration is doing quite the opposite thing.

Long before he became US president or the winner of a Noble Peace Prize, Barack Obama was a constitutional law professor. During his election campaign he vowed to reverse the abuses and policies of his predecessor George W. Bush..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/obama-torture-change-killing-103/

Euro woes: No joy for 10-year-old currency (w/ Video)



Euro woes: No joy for 10-year-old currency


2012 marks 10 years since Europeans first held euro notes and coins in their hands. But prospects are grim for Europe's single currency in the New Year, as the region's leaders warn of tough sacrifices in this "most severe test in decades".

­With recession looming, the sense of optimism that greeted the united currency at its inception seems to have evaporated..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/euro-currency-anniversary-crisis-101/

After 42 years, Tandang Sora remains set for QC transfer By CHITO A. CHAVEZ

After 42 years, Tandang Sora remains set for QC transfer

By CHITO A. CHAVEZ
January 2, 2012, 4:31pm
MANILA, Philippines — The remains of the “Grand Old Lady of the Katipunan” Melchora Aquino will finally be transferred to the Tandang Sora Shrine on Banlat Road, Quezon City, on Thursday, Jan. 5 after 42 years of being buried at the Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park.

Popularly known as “Tandang Sora,” the heroine will celebrate her bicentennial year on Friday, Jan. 6..... MORE

SourceMB.com

URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/346779/after-42-years-tandang-sora-remains-set-qc-transfer

Ban logs from Rizal Park Wala Lang By DR. JAIME C. LAYA

Ban logs from Rizal Park

Wala Lang
By DR. JAIME C. LAYA


MANILA, Philippines — Coffins and corpses row on row; splinters that once were homes; mud everywhere; survivors lining up for water, food, clothes; officialdom appealing to Manila, the Red Cross, anyone, for help—familiar sights.  Photo captions now read Cagayan de Oro; not long ago, they read Ormoc, Quezon, Aurora, Leyte, Gingoog.

 President Aquino releases millions; relief agencies mobilize; the media appeal for donations; people send old clothes and canned goods; international organizations respond; the Navy dispatches ships; soldiers and locals do “retrieval and rescue” work (of bodies, and survivors, respectively)..... MORE

SourceMB.com

URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/346725/ban-logs-rizal-park

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