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Wag the dog ploys EDITORIAL 04/17/2012 Recent moves of

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Wag the dog ploys

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
04/17/2012
Recent moves of the administration have been noticed to be either overreactions or a complete disconnect to what is the actual situation on the ground, which makes many wonder if Noynoy is really in touch with reality or if his administration is playing a gambit similar to the tail wagging the dog.

Noted UP professor Roland Simbulan, for instance, raised questions about Noynoy’s preoccupation with the botched North Korean satellite saying the government warnings on the supposed risks due to the launch, such as falling debris, were “exaggerated.”

Debris from the rockets to be used for the launch would shatter into small pieces as it falls into the earth, he said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120417com1.html

N. Korea: We are no longer bound by nuclear test moratorium

N. Korea: We are no longer bound by nuclear test moratorium


Pyongyang says it is “no longer bound to” its deal with the US, which provided a nuclear and missile test moratorium in return for food aid. The move comes in retaliation to the UN’s criticism of North Korea's failed satellite launch.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) condemned North Korea for last Friday’s rocket launch, which was widely regarded as a cover up to test a long range nuclear missile. On Tuesday, Pyongyang shot back at the UNSC for violating the country’s right to put satellites into orbit.

"We resolutely and totally reject the unreasonable behavior of the UNSC to violate (our) legitimate right to launch satellites,"  Pyongyang said in a statement delivered by the official KCNA news agency..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/north-korea-halts-nuclear-moraturium-325/

Russia hints at AMD placement in Transdniester

Russia hints at AMD placement in Transdniester


A Russian missile defense radar could be placed in Transdniester in reply to US plans for a European AMD system, a newspaper reported as Russia's special envoy Dmitry Rogozin began his first trip to the region.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta quoted an unnamed source as saying that “Russia intends to maintain its military presence in Transdniester and, moreover, it plans to build the Voronezh-class radar station there.” 

Other Russian media picked up and spread the news even though Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported in the same article that the Defense Ministry officially denied such plans..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/politics/russia-amd-base-transdniestr-236/

Cuba decries US theft of govt funds

Cuba decries US theft of govt funds


Large chunks of Cuban funds held by the US as part of the blockade against the island nation have been stolen, reports Cuban newspaper Granma. Castro’s government accuses the US of siphoning millions to indemnify anti-Cuban activists.

The newspaper says it has evidence of repeated expropriations over the years that have been eating away at the “frozen” funds.

The Cuban National Treasury says that the US has a total of $245 million of the nation’s funds that could now be under threat..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/cuba-government-funding-stealing-238/

Sig NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 04/17/2012

Sig

NO HOLDS BARRED
Armida Siguion-Reyna
04/17/2012
He would have been 91, tomorrow. Here are bits and pieces about the man, some culled from past writing. Oh, how I still miss him so.

Two weeks before our wedding, I had sung at the FEU Auditorium, then a popular venue for musicals. On the way back home, I was seated in front of the car between my husband-to-be and the driver, while Papa, Mama and my sister Irma were at the passengers’ seat in the back. Mama said “O papa’no iyan, hijo, ‘di hindi mo na papayagan si Mida na lumabas ulit sa opera pag mag-asawa na kayo?”

Seggy, or Sig to friends, and Nardy to family, answered: “A, hindi naman ho… sa opera at concerts puwede, pero huwag naman sa mga Manila Opera house na kasama ng mga Pugo at Chichay.” I kept quiet, but as soon as we reached the house and got off the car, I took off my engagement ring and gave it back: “Wala nang wedding. You just told me that from hereon, you will dictate what I am to do — I cannot accept that.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120417com4.html

Serious history or psy-op? AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 04/17/2012

Serious history or psy-op?

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW
Ken Fuller
04/17/2012
American troops are greeted on foreign soil as saviors and then quickly despised as occupiers. The United States triumphantly declares a victorious end to the war, even as bitter fighting continues. Allegations of torture fill the newspapers, horrifying and transfixing the country.”

Iraq, right? Wrong. The quotation comes from a review by Candice Millard in the New York Times on Feb. 17, and the country in question is the Philippines, the book under review being Gregg Jones’ Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America’s Imperial Dream.

“On nearly every page,” says Millard, “there is a scene that feels as if it could have taken place during the Bush and Obama administrations rather than those of McKinley and Roosevelt.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120417com6.html

Noynoy to sell all gov’t power plants By Rocky G. Nazareno 04/17/2012

INCLUDING HIGHLY-PRIZED POLANGGI, AGOS HYDROPLANTS

Noynoy to sell all gov’t power plants

By Rocky G. Nazareno 04/17/2012

President Aquino confirmed yesterday that the goal of his administration is to sell off all the remaining power plants in the country, including hydroelectric plants, the sale of which were waived under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) but are highly-prized by investors due to the cheap cost to operate these.

Aboitiz Power Corp. of the Aboitizes, whose family members are said to be close business associates of Aquino, is currently engaged in a massive build-up of hydroelectric power plants in Mindanao.

Aquino said the government is considering the possible privatization of the existing power plants in the country to address the energy situation in Mindanao as he encouraged more private investments in the energy sector to provide electricity for the people at a lesser cost..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120417hea1.html

China ‘harassment’ sparks RP diplomatic protest By Michaela P. del Callar and Mario J. Mallari 04/17/2012

China ‘harassment’ sparks RP diplomatic protest

By Michaela P. del Callar and Mario J. Mallari 04/17/2012

The week-long naval standoff between the Philippines and China in the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea heats up anew after Manila yesterday filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing when its ships and an aircraft allegedly harassed a local boat conducting marine research in the area claimed by the Philippines as part of its territory.

Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing received the protest from Foreign Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio, the assigned Philippine negotiator while Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is on a week-long US trip.

“Such actions are in violation of the sovereign right and jurisdiction of the Philippines to conduct marine research in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” said Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez, referring to an international law stipulating that countries have the right to exercise jurisdiction over waters within its 200-nautical mile zone..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120417hea2.html

EcoWaste Coalition bares kuryentipid tips on saving fuel By Jason Faustino 04/17/2012

EcoWaste Coalition bares kuryentipid tips on saving fuel

By Jason Faustino 04/17/2012

As leaders from the public and private sectors scuttle for solutions to prevent the power shortage in Mindanao from worsening, environmentalists have come up with practical steps that will moderate consumer demand for electricity.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, has prepared 22 “hot” electricity conservation tips or kuryentipid tips to guide the public on how to bring down the usage and wastage of electricity, a basic consumer need.

Making the most of the natural air and light available, using a ceiling fan instead of an air-conditioner, unplugging lights, appliances and gadgets when not in use and organizing chores for more energy efficiency like washing with a full load are among these “hot” tips..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120417nat12.html

Enrile urges probe of ‘anomalous’ P1.3-B textbook procurement By Charlie V. Manalo 04/17/2012

Enrile urges probe of ‘anomalous’ P1.3-B textbook procurement

By Charlie V. Manalo 04/17/2012

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile yesterday called on the administration to come clean on its procurement of books worth P1.31 billion through direct contracting, which various civil society groups claim to have violated the law on government procurements.

Enrile said President Aquino should ask Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro to explain why he authorized the direct contract for the procurement of the books, as opposed to subjecting the contract to competitive bidding — a rule of thumb for government procurements as prescribed in Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The lawmaker said resorting to direct contracting — especially for contracts amounting to billions of pesos — defeats the government’s daang matuwid (straight path) mantra, and exposes to attack the administration’s sincerity and resolve in its promise of closing down avenues of corruption in government..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120417nat1.html

KBP eyed in DoJ crackdown on int’l human trafficking By Benjamin B. Pulta 04/17/2012

KBP eyed in DoJ crackdown on int’l human trafficking

By Benjamin B. Pulta 04/17/2012

Justice officials will be tapping the broadcast media in its crackdown on white slavery and human trafficking.

In a statement, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said it will be working closely with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to raise awareness of media professionals on relevant human trafficking issues, pertinent laws and issuances, confidentiality requirements, as well as gender-sensitive and child-appropriate approaches to reporting.

Officials of the KBP for their part said they shall observe the highest ethical and professional standards in reporting and covering cases of trafficking in persons. KBP also pledged to raise awareness of the public by having public affairs programs and commentaries on human trafficking..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120417met2.html

Rallyists deface US Embassy seal 04/17/2012

Rallyists deface US Embassy seal

04/17/2012
Some 100 youth activists defaced the US embassy seal as they held an early morning protest in front of the US embassy in Manila, Monday.

The flash rally kicked off the nationwide protests set today as a new round of US-RP Balikatan exercises begin. The activists were clad in “raunchy” jogging attire. Only three policemen and a couple of guards were there to try to stop the flash protest.

The youth protest led by League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan called for an end to US military intervention and condemned the “continuing history of US oppression and colonialism.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120417met5.html

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