• 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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Placing RP on war footing with China’s FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares Ninez Cacho-Olivares 01/31/2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Placing RP on war footing with China’s


FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
Ninez Cacho-Olivares 01/31/2012
Noynoy is really endangering the country not only be risking economic sanctions from China that may even lead to war with the Philippines in the middle of it all, but also virtually giving the country away — and for a song — to the no longer great god America by considering (probably a done deal by this time) to make this country an American base for spy planes or drones, which could kill many innocent Filipinos, just as these drones have done in Pakistan and Iraq and other some such places where the American military is still around.

Already, that report that emanated from the Washington Post and confirmed by Malacañang, albeit claiming Noynoy is still “mulling” over the expanded military presence, has raised the hackles of China, as gleaned from the Communist Party paper, Global Times, although Chinese diplomatese tempered the Chinese government’s reaction to the offer from the Philippines to the US, calling for greater efforts toward “peace and stability” in the region, after the Philippines offered to allow more American troops on its territory..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120131com2.html

Russia opposes 'Libyan scenario' in Syria and will block resolution

Russia opposes 'Libyan scenario' in Syria and will block resolution


Russia will not bargain with the West over the fresh draft resolution on Syria, says Russia’s deputy foreign minister. The draft in its current form ignores the Russian position and therefore, has no chance of being accepted, Gennady Gatilov said.

­"It is not part of our political practice to trade our principles," Gatilov said on Monday as cited by Interfax. "We don't bargain, but seek consideration for our positions and our vision, which are based on our knowledge of regional realities and our historical experience.”

"Russia can only support the resolution if it fixes Russia's principled approaches, which I have mentioned and which are shared by many other countries," he added..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/russia-assad-talks-opposition-083/

Indefinite detention and torture: US already enforcing NDAA

Indefinite detention and torture: US already enforcing NDAA


Not even a month after President Barack Obama signed his name to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, the US government is already using the legislation to justify its ongoing detainment of a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay.

Musa'ab al-Madhwani had barely entered adulthood when he first arrived at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2002. But in the months between his capture in Pakistan and transfer to Gitmo, the Yemeni national experienced more than most would see in a lifetime. Before he turned 23, he says he was beaten and kicked, threatened with death and suspended by his hands in an underground torture chamber..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/us-ndaa-al-madhwani-gitmo-089/

Impeachment trial VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 01/31/2012

Impeachment trial

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 01/31/2012
It does not require much brainwork to know and conclude that the now ongoing impeachment trial costs money — money that certainly does not come from any of those directly and indirectly invoked therein. Instead, they are nonchalantly and conveniently taken from the direct and/or indirect taxes of every baby, child, teenager and adult in the Philippines. Never mind if they have barely enough money to buy their food, to pay for their clothes and shelter.

Never mind if their fathers and/or mothers cannot even find work, cannot in fact afford sending them to school, cannot buy the medicines they need and do not even find any relief in the ever rising prices of prime commodities — their little energy/fuel consumption included.

In other words, never mind if the impeachment case is undertaken more by way of vindictiveness than the honest-to-goodness search for truth and the due application of justice...... MORE
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120131com6.html

Palparan’s ‘lawyer’ claims missing UP students alive


Palparan’s ‘lawyer’ claims missing UP students alive


“If it is false, it’s an insensitive and irresponsible claim designed to confuse and raise false hopes. It could be a cheap shot to incorrectly undermine the charges. But if true, which is good, it raises even more questions though.” – Edre Olalia, private prosecutor

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – After five years and a half of searching for her daughter, Erlinda Cadapan would have been overjoyed after being told that her dearest Sherlyn and companion Karen Empeño, the two missing University of the Philippines (UP) students, are still alive.

But the news came from one of the purported lawyers of retired Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., the main suspect in the abduction of the two UP students.

In the January 30 hearing at the Bulacan Regional Trial Court branch 14, lawyer Jesus Santos said, “Last night, I was informed that the alleged victims are alive. If [petition for] preliminary investigation is allowed, [we will prove that] the alleged victims are alive, then what is the crime committed?”

Judge Teodora Gonzales said Santos’s statement is mere information not supported by facts. Santos replied, “If this information would be right, it’s the end [of the case].”

Surprised, one of the private prosecutors Edre Olalia stood up and said, “If the bare allegation is true, charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention still hold…Assuming it is true, it would not in any way affect the case.”

Judge Gonzales told Santos, “Unless the victims are produced, the statement would not hold water.”

Immediately after the hearing, Mrs. Cadapan approached Santos and said, “You’re already old. Do not lie anymore.”

“It is difficult to take their words. What I want is the truth. If they know where Sherlyn is, why did they not surface her earlier? I have been searching for more than five years. They have been lying to us for so long. If it is true, why did they not bring my daughter and Karen to court?” Mrs. Cadapan said in an interview after the hearing.

Mrs. Cadapan noted that Santos did not provide the source of information and any details regarding the whereabouts of Karen and Sherlyn. ..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/01/31/palparan%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98lawyer%e2%80%99-claims-missing-up-students-alive/

The BPO backlash AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller Ken Fuller 01/31/2012

The BPO backlash

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW
Ken Fuller
Ken Fuller 01/31/2012
Last week, this column argued that many Philippine commentators on economic affairs fail to think “outside the box.” Due to ideological commitment, some voluntarily submit to the narrow horizons of the current, dysfunctional “export-oriented” economic model, imposed by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund decades ago. Others have simply abandoned hope that the Philippines will embark upon the path of genuine development.

Take, for example, the concern regarding the Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Bill currently before the US Congress.

In 2011, business process outsourcing (BPO) revenue in the Philippines was $9 billion, no less than 4.5 percent of gross domestic product. Some 900 BPO firms employ 1.1 million Filipinos, around 60 percent of whom are call center agents. This country, being the world’s third largest provider, has 15 percent of the market share...... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120131com5.html

SC justice files libel case vs journalist 01/31/2012

SC justice files libel case vs journalist

01/31/2012
A libel complaint was filed yesterday before a Manila court by Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. against journalist Marites Vitug.

The complaint arose after Vitug, in her book, claimed, among others, that over his years in the judiciary, lawyers and judges gave Velasco the monicker “practicing justice,” referring to his frequent visits to his former law firm when he was a Court of Appeals (CA) justice.

In a two-page information, Assistant City Prosecutor Jose Nelson Todas found probable cause to indict Vitug, citing as evidence her own book, “Shadow of Doubt,” launched two years ago..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120131hed6.html

Presence of US troops in RP not aimed against China — AFP By Mario J. Mallari and Fernan J. Angeles 01/31/2012

Presence of US troops in RP not aimed against China — AFP

By Mario J. Mallari and Fernan J. Angeles 01/31/2012

The Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday doused fears that the planned increased military presence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Region, particularly in the Philippines through more military exercises, was aimed against China which has expressed concerns over the plan.

At a press briefing, DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said the Philippines is pushing for stability and peace in the Asia Pacific region as he stressed that the planned increased US military presence coupled with the ongoing capability upgrade and modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are not directed against any nation.

“Of course, we are after peace and stability in the region. That is our priority,” Galvez said. “…The increased US presence is really for the exercises, along with the equipment we are buying, we need to know more, we need to train how to use these things properly. There are new concepts of operations, there are some techniques that we don’t know yet, that is the primary reason.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120131nat2.html

Solon slams China media’s threat to ‘sanction’ Philippines By Charlie V. Manalo 01/31/2012

Solon slams China media’s threat to ‘sanction’ Philippines

By Charlie V. Manalo 01/31/2012

Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay yesterday slammed an editorial by the China Global Times pushing the Chinese government to sanction the Philippines over its increased ties with the United States in terms of improving the country’s defense capabilities, saying China has no right to impose punishment on the Philippines since we are an independent country and not under their control.

“China has no right to impose sanctions on the Philippines because we are not under their control. We are an independent nation and thus, do not serve for their pleasure,” Magsaysay said.

However, the solon urged the government to rethink its decision to undergo more joint exercises in the country as well as allowing American soldiers to rotate around the country and expressed alarm that this might jeopardize the safety and security of the Philippines and make it a target by enemies of the United States..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120131nat3.html

Tupas snubs JBC meeting By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/31/2012

Tupas snubs JBC meeting

By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/31/2012

A meeting between members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) proceeded smoothly despite the different sides that members of the collegial body are standing on the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Two JBC members are firmly lodged on the prosecution’s side, namely Iloilo Rep. and Justice Committee Chairman Niel Tupas Jr. and possible prosecution witness Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said “Everything was normal they had the agenda so they just went through the agenda. It was business as usual for the JBC.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120131nat1.html

Immigration bars 980 aliens from entering RP By Conrado Ching 01/31/2012

Immigration bars 980 aliens from entering RP

By Conrado Ching 01/31/2012

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) barred more than 900 foreigners from entering the country in 2011 in the different ports of entry nationwide.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David said that a total of 980 foreigners were refused entry last year, compared to the 640 who were excluded in 2010.

David attributed the rise in the number of excluded aliens to the increased vigilance of immigration officers who screen arriving foreigners in the various airports and seaports..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120131met3.html

90-day suspension slapped on five Navotas jail execs By Gina Peralta Elorde 01/31/2012

90-day suspension slapped on five Navotas jail execs

By Gina Peralta Elorde 01/31/2012

Five jail officers of the Navotas City Jail were ordered a 90-day suspension after the escape of five inmates from their custody on Jan. 23, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo identified the suspended jail officers as Senior Insp. Manuel Serquina; Senior Jail Officer 3 Sencino Abrazaldo; Senior Jail Officer 1 Adan de Loza; JailOfficer 1 Loreto Edosor and Jail Officer 1 Enrico Velasquez.

The DILG chief approved the suspension order based on the recommendation of Jail Director Rosendo Dial, chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120131met6.html

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