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Cyberbullies EDITORIAL 03/29/2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Cyberbullies

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
03/29/2012
Social media that local TV and radio rely on and crow about, even making it part of the news have led less in people keeping in touch with friends and acquaintances, but give dangerous rise to cyberbullying in this country, not to mention the rise of irresponsibility of social media users, as well as the TV and radio networks’ journalism, as abusive tweets and Facebook messages are quickly read out during their programs and newscasts or posted in their online news Web site as part of the news.

As defined in Wikipedia, cyberbullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated and hostile manner.

Another definition of cyberbullying is “when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120329com1.html

Tension builds up in Hacienda Luisita; 7 arrested

Tension builds up in Hacienda Luisita; 7 arrested

“The Cojuangco-Aquino clan is the mastermind of this brutality as they see the camp-out at barangay Balete as symbol of the farmworkers’ unity in struggling for their rights to the land.” – AMGL
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA –For three consecutive days, security guards hired by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) have been attempting to put up fences at the 184-hectare land at Balete village in Hacienda Luisita.
The RCBC “acquired” the land on November 24, 2004 as payment for the loan obligations of Luisita Industrial Park Corporation (Lipco).

Since July last year, the farm workers led by the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala or Alliance of Farmworkers of Hacienda Luisita), have occupied the land and cultivated it for their survival.

For three days, farm workers have been defending their camp, preventing RCBC security guards from putting up fences. At around 3 p.m. today, seven farm workers have been arrested by the local police.

Farm workers of Hacienda Luisita and their supporters march toward the Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) bridge, March 27, condemning the latest incidents of harassment against farm workers (Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea/ bulatlat.com)
Among those arrested are two village officials of barangay Balete – Winky Esteban and Jay Martinez–Dionisio Mandigma, Manuel Mandigma and Robert Mendoza, according to Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL), the regional federation of farmers groups where Ambala belongs. They have been charged with malicious mischief and are now detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Tarlac City.

Also arrested were Alfred Martinez, 17 and Meric Trinidad, 16 and were eventually released at around 4 p.m.
AMGL also reported that during the arrest, two policemen pointed their M-16 rifles at farm worker Becky Canlas while two other policemen manhandled Florida Sibayan, leader of the women of Ambala.

“We condemn this latest attack against Hacienda Luisita farmworkers. The Cojuangco-Aquino clan is the mastermind of this brutality as they see the camp-out at barangay Balete as the symbol of the farmworkers’ unity to struggle for their rights to the land,” said Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairman.

Pending petition

Leonor Saroza, Ambala secretary general, told Bulatlat.com that the land being claimed by the RCBC should be part of the thousands of hectares of land to be distributed to them.
On November 23, 2011, the Supreme Court issued a decision ordering the distribution of 4,916 hectares of land to farmworker beneficiaries. In the same decision, however, the high court excluded the land being claimed by the RCBC, stating that the bank was a “buyer in good faith.”

Ambala filed a petition before the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) seeking to revoke the conversion order the agency issued for the 500 hectares of land, including portions being claimed by the RCBC. In their petition, the farmworkers said the HLI did not comply with its obligations mandated under the conversion order. Specifically, it did not pursue the proposed development plan that was contained in the application for conversion and instead disposed of the 500 hectares to other Cojuango-owned companies and to RCBC..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/03/27/tension-builds-up-in-hacienda-luisita-7-arrested/

‘Russia is Public Enemy No. 1’ – Mitt Romney



‘Russia is Public Enemy No. 1’ – Mitt Romney


US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has branded Russia as America’s number one geopolitical enemy. He slammed President Obama’s comments to Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev over flexibility concerning US missile defense as alarming and worrying.

"This is without question our number one geopolitical foe; they fight for every cause for the world's worst actors. The idea that he has more flexibility in mind for Russia is very, very troubling indeed," he said

The presidential hopeful cited this case, along with the new START treaty and the decision to reduce missile defense sites in Poland and Alaska, as “unfortunate developments.”.... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/romney-russia-enemy-obama-532/

Explosions near Arab Summit venue in Baghdad - reports

Explosions near Arab Summit venue in Baghdad - reports

Several explosions have been reported at the edge of the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, where an Arab League summit with ten heads of state is taking place. The location apparently was hit by mortar shells of rockets.

The blasts happened minutes after the opening of the summit took place.

Sources say the explosions happened near the Iranian embassy, which is one of the many governmental and diplomatic facilities located in the highly-fortified Green Zone..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/explosion-baghdad-arab-league-summit-756/

Labor rage: Arrests as General Strike locks Spain (PHOTOS, VIDEO)



Labor rage: Arrests as General Strike locks Spain (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

At least 58 people have been arrested and nine injured in Spain, as thousands take part in a general strike and rally against recent labor reforms. Flag-waving protesters fear the decree will undo employers’ hands and thus rob them of their rights.

The 24-hour general strike began before dawn, as well as pickets and sporadic clashes with police. Most of those arrested were detained in the early hours after trying to stop night shift workers getting to their jobs on public transport, in  factories and wholesale markets..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/spain-labor-strike-protest-720/

Liberia journalist in hiding after genital mutilation expose FOCUS 03/29/2012

Liberia journalist in hiding after genital mutilation expose

FOCUS

03/29/2012
MONROVIA A Liberian journalist says she has been forced into hiding after lifting the lid on initiation rituals, including genital mutilation, by a secretive womens society.

Mae Azango, a reporter with Liberian daily Front Page Africa, published a story on March 8 in which a woman recounted how when she was a child she was held down and had her clitoris sliced off by members of the Sande Society.

The society is an initiation school where women and girls are sent to be circumcised and groomed to be prepared for marriage, as culture and tradition demand in the west African state, Azango wrote.
Azangos story was illustrated with pictures of initiated teenage girls emerging from the bush..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120329com5.html

So far, so bad VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 03/29/2012

So far, so bad

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
03/29/2012
This is all contrary to the many news items published and regular statistics taken about the sentiments of Filipinos and the plight of their country. This is entirely the contradiction of the loud and repeated claims of the administration and some of its avid and loyal followers. This is exactly the opposite of the often and insistently alleged progressive socio-economic development of the Philippines plus the fast emerging prosperity of the people. This is in the spirit of the dictum “truth knows no party.”

This definitely is the ground reality of where the Philippines is in terms of its financial situation, where the people are in the matter of their temporal welfare, where Philippine society is in its quest for order, justice and peace.
This is specifically in conjunction with the realistic worth and basic competence of the present administration. This is categorically in conjunction what the Chief Executive has done after more than two years of regime. The common and realistic verdict is “So far, so bad.” Why?... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120329com7.html

Gov’t loses 25-yr-old case vs Bongbong, Imelda, JPE, et. al By Benjamin B. Pulta 03/29/2012

Gov’t loses 25-yr-old case vs Bongbong, Imelda, JPE, et. al

By Benjamin B. Pulta 03/29/2012

A ruling by the Supreme Court (SC) has turned down the government’s appeal in a civil case against an ill-gotten wealth case of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and persons close to him.

The case started on July 22, 1987 when the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) filed a complaint against Jose L. Africa, Manuel H. Nieto Jr., Ferdinand E. Marcos, Imelda R. Marcos, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile and Potenciano Ilusorio for reconveyance, reversion, accounting, restitution, and damages before the Sandiganbayan involving shares in Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (ETPI).

In a two-page Resolution dated March 13, 2012 and signed by en banc Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, the court maintained its split 7-7 decision and denied the government’s appeal for lack of merit..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120329hea2.html

Unrest in Luisita brews anew; five arrested 03/29/2012

Unrest in Luisita brews anew; five arrested

03/29/2012
Tension is mounting again in Hacienda Luisita, a sprawling agricultural estate owned by the Cojuangco-Aquino family in Tarlac, following the arrest of five farmworkers for refusing to vacate their camp inside the disputed parcel of land.

According to the Hacienda Luisita Peasants’ Supporters Network (HL PeasNet) secretariat, the arrests are in connection with the case of grave coercion and illegal occupation of property filed before a Tarlac court by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) last February.

The warrants of arrest were released by Judge Marvin Mangino, against 23 farmworkers of the hacienda, last Feb. 23..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120329hea4.html

House panel’s funds for CJ trial run out By Gerry Baldo and Benjamin B. Pulta 03/29/2012

HOUSE DID NOT EXPECT TRIAL WILL LAST LONG — SOLON

House panel’s funds for CJ trial run out

By Gerry Baldo and Benjamin B. Pulta 03/29/2012

The members of the House of Representatives did not expect the trial of impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona to take longer than expected, with An Waray Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel saying that the Lower House already has spent over P3.5 million for supplies and food expenses during the past 34 days of the trial.

Noel, chairman of the House committee on accounts, said P1.9 million was spent for the supplies while food expenses reached P1.565 million.

Noel added at least P500,000 is yet to be liquidated since the money was used for the operations of eight teams of prosecutors working on the eight articles of impeachment..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120329hea1.html

Court martial for AFP-SF senior officers in bungled Basilan ops By Mario J. Mallari 03/29/2012

Court martial for AFP-SF senior officers in bungled Basilan ops

By Mario J. Mallari 03/29/2012

General court martial proceedings were recommended against four senior officers of the Army’s elite Special Forces (SF) in connection with the bungled military operation in Basilan province last year that resulted in the killing of 19 soldiers, including four junior officers.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said that the pre-trial investigation (PTI), which was conducted at the Army level, has recommended court martial proceedings against four SF officials for approval of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa.

The recommendation in the PTI was court martial... the recommendation was to court martial for probable cause... it was not mentioned when, that depends on the approval of the chief of staff, said Bautista..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120329nat1.html

EcoWaste Coalition finds toxic metals in slippers sold in marts, stores By Jason Faustino 03/29/2012

EcoWaste Coalition finds toxic metals in slippers sold in marts, stores

By Jason Faustino 03/29/2012

A toxics watchdog has uncovered high amounts of heavy metals in what many consider as essential purchases, especially during the summer season: slippers.

Using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, the EcoWaste Coalition screened the slippers for toxic metals and detected lead, antimony, barium and cadmium above levels of concern in 11 out of the 20 samples.

Lead, in particular, is a known brain-damaging poison and kids are among the extremely susceptible because of their fast developing nervous systems.

Health experts have determined no safe level of lead exposure, notably for fetuses and children..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120329met4.html

Ecoshield’s septage treatment plant to clean up polluted rivers 03/29/2012

Ecoshield’s septage treatment plant to clean up polluted rivers

03/29/2012
Ecoshield Development Corp. (EDC) isn’t just putting up a modern sanitary landfill in Obando town, Bulacan, which has the distinction of being the first one to do it in all of Central Luzon.

The company earlier entered into a partnership with the national government agencies and local government units to set up a septage treatment plant in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

The septage treatment plant will greatly boost efforts to clean up the badly contaminated rivers of Bulacan, namely Marilao, Meycauayan and Obando rivers, which have been named as among the most polluted rivers in the world today..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120329nat3.html

Advertising group files criminal raps vs MMDA chief for abuse of authority By Pat C. Santos 03/29/2012

Advertising group files criminal raps vs MMDA chief for abuse of authority

By Pat C. Santos 03/29/2012
An advertising group has filed a criminal case against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino for grave abuse of authority in violation of an article in the Revised Penal Code.

The Outdoor Media Advocacy Group Inc. (Omag) headed by its executive director Wintrop Baez charged Tolentino violated Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code or usurpation of legislative powers when he entered into an agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) granting him authority to implement a provision under the National Building Code.

Included in the powers which the MMDA asserted was administering the construction, regulation and maintenance of billboards and other advertising signs where, according to Omag, the agency committed abuses..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120329met2.html

‘Motorcycle Lane’ on Edsa dangerous to riders – group By Pat C. Santos 03/29/2012

‘Motorcycle Lane’ on Edsa dangerous to riders – group

By Pat C. Santos 03/29/2012

A big motorcycle association yesterday asked Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino to stop implementing the “Motorcycle Lane” on Edsa, saying it poses danger to motorcycle riders.

Members of the association said Tolentino should conduct further study of the motorcycle lane along the 23.8-kilometer stretch of Edsa because of the dangers it posed to the riders.

In a letter dated Feb. 27, 2012 sent to Tolentino, Alfredo Lejano, president of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc. (MDPPA), said the group has been very supportive of the government’s programs for the safety and protection of the citizens as far as motorcycling is concerned..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120329met1.html

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