• 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...
    11 years ago

......................................................................................

The Daily Tribune

(Without Fear or Favor)

Specials:

Bulatlat.com

World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Philippines

The Philippines Matrix Project

Aquino’s unwavering commitment to the neoliberal dogma

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Aquino’s unwavering commitment to the neoliberal dogma
By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat.com
Rarely does one see Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to be so unequivocal and firm about policy issues. But recently, he did exhibit political will and decisiveness. Unfortunately for the working people, he demonstrated his resolve in rejecting two important issues confronting the Filipino worker: the call for a P125 increase in the daily minimum wage nationwide, and a proposed law prohibiting contractualization of labor. For this, he was branded as “anti-worker” by progressive labor groups.

However, there is more to President Aquino than just being anti-worker. Sure, he has shown nothing but disdain for the Filipino masses by making it difficult for the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita to obtain the land that is truly theirs and with no accomplishment to boast of, not even a single showcase, in agrarian reform. He has also repeatedly rejected any form of relief for the suffering Filipino worker who is being deprived of the right to a decent wage, secure employment, and right to unionize. Even his promotion of the conditional cash transfer program, which encourages patronage politics and mendicancy, demonstrates how he views the Filipino working masses..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/05/03/aquino%E2%80%99s-unwavering-commitment-to-the-neoliberal-dogma/

Army manual for re-education camps applies to US citizens



After reporting this week on a Pentagon-created plan for interning activists at re-education camps, questions were asked about the US Army manual that allegedly outlines the resettling of US citizens. Can Americans be sent to propaganda prisons?

Now as more and more news organizations are investigating the recently unearthed military manual, FM 3-39.40 Internment and Resettlement Operations, verification is coming in that the callous plans to populate military camps in the US and abroad are not only authentic, but indeed establishes blueprints for putting the country’s own citizens into guarded Army detainment centers..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/army-manual-camps-citizens-593/

‘Supermoon’ to dominate night sky

‘Supermoon’ to dominate night sky


Stargazers will be treated to a rare glimpse of a “Supermoon” this weekend when our celestial neighbor strays closest to Earth. During the annual display, the moon appears to swell larger in size and wax in brightness.

Scientists say that the moon will look 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter than all the other full moons of 2012 and will be visible at its peak from 03:00 GMT on Sunday for approximately 35 minutes.

“Every year there are 13 new moons and 13 full moons, occasionally producing some exceptional spectacles. A Supermoon happens when the moon’s elliptical orbit swings it closest to the Earth,” said senior scientist from the Russian Pulkovo observatory, Sergey Smirnov..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/moon-super-biggest-closest-636/

Facebook Backdoor Interception: FBI wants P2P and social media wiretap-friendly

Facebook Backdoor Interception: FBI wants P2P and social media wiretap-friendly


The US is preparing to face FBI-drafted legislation enabling it to monitor any personal communication activities in the web. It aims to use preset backdoors in social networks, online messaging, internet telephony and even Xbox gaming servers.

­Tech media website Cnet.com has obtained information that the FBI is already in talks with internet giants on an unprecedented surveillance program, having the legislation approved by the Department of Justice.

The FBI intends surreptitiously to rush a law obliging companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo to install government surveillance options into their software on default..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/fbi-legislation-surveillance-internet-648/

Luisita farmworkers say ‘no’ to DSWD dole-outs

Luisita farmworkers say ‘no’ to DSWD dole-outs


What farmworkers need is land; they legally own Hacienda Luisita and the recent SC decision affirmed that. They should be given all the help they need to make the land fully productive again.” – UMA
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
 
MANILA – The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura and the Alyansa ng Mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita declared their opposition to the recent announcement of the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) that it will implement its dole-out program in the hacienda. They said the Benigno Aquino III administration’s recent tack to enter the farmworkers in the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K], the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Social Pension for senior citizens and the Cash for Work Program all under the DSWD was aimed at further delaying the transfer of ownership of the hacienda to the farmworkers.

In a recent statement, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said she has ordered the DSWD field office in Central Luzon to organize an inter-agency meeting to assess its short-term plans. She said the agency should also address “the pressing needs brought about by new developments in Hacienda Luisita.”
Soliman said the DSWD will look further into “other appropriate social service interventions needed by the farmers to ensure that they will not go hungry and further bear the brunt of poverty while waiting for their land titles.”.... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/05/04/luisita-farmworkers-say-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-to-dswd-dole-outs/

No budget ‘fun(d)’ for DoT; Sotto demands advert pullout

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER LINKS P63-M ADS TO RH BILL

No budget ‘fun(d)’ for DoT; Sotto demands advert pullout

By Angie M. Rosales 05/05/2012
It’s not fun in the Philippines.

Department of Tourism chief Ramon Jimenez may soon find out it’s not fun to place “It’s more fun in the Philippines” advertisements in Cable News Network (CNN) and it won’t be fun either for him and his department when a senator threatens to cut off his tourism budget to P1 when budget time comes around.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III is demanding the pullout of the reported P63-million advertisement placement in CNN spent by the government for its tourism campaign, shown in Asia, the United States and Europe.

The senator wants an explanation from the Department of Tourism (DoT) and has threatened to block the approval of the agency’s budget for next year, when it is taken up in Congress, if Jimenez fails to justify the funding for the television commercial that premiered in the international news channel..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120505hea1.html

Junk mutual defense treaty — CPP By Charlie V. Manalo 05/05/2012

Junk mutual defense treaty — CPP

By Charlie V. Manalo 05/05/2012
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday called for the scrapping of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) which it blamed for the increasing tension with China in the West Philippine Sea where the disputed Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) and the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal are located.

As this developed, a ranking leader of the House of Representatives, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, has expressed dismay at the US’ neutral position on the Panatag Shoal issue despite existing military treaties.

In a statement, the CPP said the 1951 RP-US MDT, which allows the continuing presence of American troops in the country despite the pullout of US bases in 1991, is one of the factors that prompt China to increased its alertness in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120505nat5.html

Koko urges SC to stop Ilocos, Pangasinan mining project 05/05/2012

Koko urges SC to stop Ilocos, Pangasinan mining project

05/05/2012
A large-scale magnetite-ore mining project in Ilocos and Pangasinan which won a deal with the government shortly after President Aquino assumed office is being opposed before the Supreme Court (SC).

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III yesterday led a group in asking the SC to issue a writ of kalikasan and a temporary environmental protection order against the project which had been signed by former executive secretary Leandro Mendoza, acting on behalf of ex-President Gloria Arroyo, and Altamina Exploration and Resources Inc. (Altamina) a day before President Aquino assumed the presidency on June 30, 2010.

Pimentel’s co-petitioners in the petition are Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino; Santa, Ilocos Sur Mayor Jose Jesus Bueno; and other concerned citizens from Ilocos Sur who claim that residents living along or near the coastline may suffer from massive residential displacement, saltwater flooding, soil erosion and landslides..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120505nat1.html

Lawmaker calls on Customs chief to stop smuggling of imported meat 05/05/2012

Lawmaker calls on Customs chief to stop smuggling of imported meat

05/05/2012
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casio yesterday called on Customs Chief Ruffy Biazon to take more aggressive steps against the smuggling and dumping of imported meat products, calling it an acid test of his leadership in the bureau.

Casio, chairman of the House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development, said the five-day pig holiday being called by hog raisers was justified given the governments failure to protect local producers.

Mukhang kailangang magdiet muna uli tayo sa baboy dahil sa makatwirang panawagan ng mga hog raisers. This is an acid test for Biazon. If he cant stop meat smuggling then what more other items both perishable and not? The next logical question of course is why does smuggling and dumping remain unabated? Bakit tila hindi mabuwag ng bagong liderato ang mga sindikato sa Customs? Kinasabwat na rin ba sila ng mga ito? the lawmaker said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120505met2.html

Pagasa announces hot weather to continue

Pagasa announces hot weather to continue

05/05/2012
Hot weather will continue to prevail over most parts of the country, but isolated rainshowers will bring relief in the afternoon or evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday.

Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said a ridge of high-pressure area which brings warm weather is extending across Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

He added the rainy season may come as early as the third week of May or the first week of June..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120505met4.html

Capiz town mayor shot dead By Gina Peralta-Elorde 05/05/2012

Capiz town mayor shot dead

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 05/05/2012

A special task force has been created to investigate the killing of the vice-mayor of Mambusao town in Capiz province early Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.

Vice Mayor Abel Martinez was shot six times and was declared dead on arrival at the town’s district hospital.
Initial reports disclosed that the killing took place at about 6 a.m. when the vice-mayor was standing in front of his house. The alleged gunman approached him and shot him at least six times..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120505nat6.html

Blog Archive