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Moral-less DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 05/18/2012

Friday, May 18, 2012

Moral-less

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
05/18/2012
The fundamental impediment to the credibility of the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona has been the violation of the Rule of Law from the very start.
Committed by the most rabid of instigators, including but not limited to the prosecution, the campaign was recently amped up in a most blatant manner by the BS Aquino-appointed Ombudsman.

As questioned by several interrogators, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales did not obtain the consent of the alleged Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) account holder or any of the courts as required by law, nor were there specified predicate crimes that would have allowed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)’s purported information to be released and publicized.

Despite the “spotless” Ombudsman’s protestations of not acting as “a tool for personal vendetta” on the pretext that she is not about to “jeopardize (her) 40 years of government service,” in the eyes of many people, she actually did just that. Considering the way she treated the law so cavalierly while showing manifest partiality for the position of BS Aquino III, the conclusion of texters such as Ferdie P. is that Carpio-Morales is simply “Carping and Moral-less.”

If the anti-Corona galleries are harping about the questionable circumstances of Corona’s ascendance to his post, similar questions are being raised about Carpio-Morales. Esteemed constitutionalist, lawyer Alan Paguia, whom I consider a practicing martyr for the Rule of Law, recalls that the current Ombudsman’s appointment smacked of conspiratorial intent and nepotism.

BS Aquino III’s immoral deal absolving former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from the allegations of graft and corruption in exchange for her quiet resignation was meant to ensure that the already retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Carpio-Morales could be appointed with inevitable gratitude to the appointing power — especially since she was chosen over hundreds of equally, if not more, capable, younger and incontrovertibly independent legal luminaries of proven integrity. So now, unlike other retired SC magistrates, Carpio-Morales continues to enjoy all the perks and power of a high office, and the limelight to boot.

The recent Senate testimony of BSA III’s Ombudsman seemed to establish the “82 dollar accounts” of the CJ as beyond doubt. But, as it was later corrected to be just five alleged accounts, the whole drama has become as confusing as the earlier allegations involving alleged 45 Corona properties that were whittled down to five.

There is clearly this pattern of using “shock and awe” to produce massively high impact, derogatory headlines to leave the lingering impression on the impressionable public that the hyperbole is a fact, when it is nothing but a lie.

We don’t know how much of the allegations are true; thus, we have to await Corona’s testimony if we are to ensure that no one is taken for a ride.

Already, some major newspaper opinion writers have been jumping to conclusions, with large print column titles that say “The boxing game is over for Corona,” implying that the Carpio-Morales testimony dealt a death blow, despite the Corona camp carrying on the fight to the last round.

Most people, pundits and serious analysts among them, believe the Senate will convict Corona even if no proof of guilt is shown. The reactions range from “It’s all partisan and the ruling party will have the votes,” to “It’s the money that talks,” with rumored amounts in cash of “pork barrel” or whatever deals Malacañang can offer.

It is all “moral-less,” believe me; and the more I watch these senators trying to convict Corona, the sillier the effort by these pots to picture the kettle black become.

Still, even if guilt is established at all, it would not be a surprise either because the system that prevails today is completely “moral-less” and success in life is determined not by the old values of integrity, honesty, and industry but by “abilidad” or wile and guile to outrank the good.

Doubtlessly, most of these accusing congressmen, senators, “evil society” and big business people, like the Makati Business Club rooting for Aquino III, cannot be outdone in their mastery of the “moral-less” system — especially not by the CJ.

That is why in the midst of increasing misery, the system even gifts big business oligarchs with continuously escalating profits and consolidating corporate powers.

Last May 8, it was headlined that “Philippine hunger incidence hit a record high in March as more Filipino families reported… (experiencing) hunger in the past three months,” (with the SWS) “nationwide poll conducted from March 10 to 13… (disclosing) that 23.8 percent of respondents or an equivalent of around 5 million Filipino families reported that they did not have anything to eat at least once” in the said period.
Contrast that to this news, “Power distributor Manila Electric Co. recorded profits for the first quarter of 2012 rose 58.2 percent from the year before,” and this, “conglomerates post higher profits,” which cited among others that Lopez Holdings Corp. “reported a 192-percent increase in first quarter net income to P2.63 billion from P902 million registered in the same period last year” and you’ll get the picture.

Evidently, like what’s going on in the halls of the Senate, the Lower House, Malacañang, and all other institutions of society, it’s a “moral-less” conduct of affairs everyday; and it will persist unless some radical change comes over the nation.

(Tune in to 1098AM, dwAD, Sulo ng Pilipino/Radyo OpinYon, Monday to Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.; watch Destiny Cable GNN’s HTL edition of Talk News TV, Saturdays, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11:15 p.m.; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives)
(Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel)

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120518com3.html

Ring of fire: Rare eclipse sparks craze

Ring of fire: Rare eclipse sparks craze

Witnessing a total solar eclipse is considered one of the planet’s most spectacular sights, but many who’ve seen both say that a ring-of-fire eclipse is just as dramatic. Hundreds of millions across the world will get a chance to see one on May 20.

­Both types of eclipses happen when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, blocking out sunlight. A total eclipse occurs when the Moon is close enough to our planet to totally obscure the Sun. Meanwhile a ring-of-fire, or annular eclipse, appears when the Moon is further away and does not prevent all sunlight from getting through.

During an annular eclipse, as the Moon aligns with the Sun, it appears as if there is a black hole in the middle of a burning disc – its name comes from annulus, which means “ring” in Latin..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/ring-of-fire-eclipse-497/

We can’t win media war with West but it’s not battle that counts - Assad



We can’t win media war with West but it’s not battle that counts - Assad

The media war with the West was lost the day the Syrian uprising began, President Assad told a Russian broadcaster. The authorities appear ready to start another round by showing to the world the foreign mercenaries captured in Syria.

A number of key questions have arisen since Assad gave his last interview over half a year ago. Assad answered them all in a new interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel.

'West outplayed Syria on media battlefield .... MORE


SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/syria-media-battle-assad-429/

Kaya natin*&^%!+ CROSSROADS Jonathan De la Cruz 05/18/2012

Kaya natin*&^%!+

CROSSROADS
Jonathan De la Cruz
05/18/2012
Kaya Natin (literally, We can), the “good governance” NGO headquartered at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Politics and Government (?) and headed by Harvey Keh, should probably recast itself and rethink its catchy name after that tongue lashing Keh got from the senator-judges in last Wednesday’s hearing at the Senate impeachment court. Changing the name is critical at this point, especially after Keh’s obvious prevarications and discombubulations, since it has acquired altogether different and, yes, decidedly degrading meanings. Some catchy examples have gone viral such as:
Kaya natin... magsinungaling
Kaya natin... manloko
Kaya natin... mambaboy
Kaya natin... magkunwari.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120518com2.html/

Senate probers scold DFA on Panamanian rape case 05/18/2012 The government was helpless in keeping in detention the Panamanian rape suspect after he was found to be a holder of a diplomatic passport, Senate investigators were told yesterday. But the lead prober, foreign relations committee chairman Sen. Loren Legarda, found this claim unacceptable, saying the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could have sat on the issuance of a certificate affirming his status, having diplomatic immunity from criminal acts, rather than having acted with haste, thus allowing Erick Bairnals Schck to depart freely last week. Legarda said the DFA was wrong in certifying that the suspect is covered by diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Senate probers scold DFA on Panamanian rape case

05/18/2012
The government was helpless in keeping in detention the Panamanian rape suspect after he was found to be a holder of a diplomatic passport, Senate investigators were told yesterday.

But the lead prober, foreign relations committee chairman Sen. Loren Legarda, found this claim unacceptable, saying the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) could have sat on the issuance of a certificate affirming his status, having diplomatic immunity from criminal acts, rather than having acted with haste, thus allowing Erick Bairnals Schck to depart freely last week.

Legarda said the DFA was wrong in certifying that the suspect is covered by diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120518hea4.html

Morales’ 82 accounts, $10M full of holes—defense By Benjamin B. Pulta and Angie M. Rosales 05/18/2012

2ND IMPEACH RAPS VS CJ LAUGHABLE

Morales’ 82 accounts, $10M full of holes—defense

By Benjamin B. Pulta and Angie M. Rosales 05/18/2012

With the wheels of the propaganda machine being churned by the prosecutors to downplay the setback they had in last Wednesday’s impeachment trial, and with the dramatic turn of events having the Chief Justice testifying next Tuesday, with not only the prosecution witnesses admitting that they had neither personal knowledge of the complaints they lodged before the Ombudsman nor present evidence to substantiate their allegations — save for inadmissible evidence taken from the Internet and newssclippings, Chief Justice Renato Corona’s lawyers said the witnesses presented in the Senate impeachment court this week underscored their claim that the case against the head magistrate is insubstantial and meant to harass Corona..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120518hea1.html

Texters Losing P200M Daily? By CHITO A. CHAVEZ and BEN R. ROSARIO

Texters Losing P200M Daily?

By CHITO A. CHAVEZ and BEN R. ROSARIO

MANILA, Philippines — A petition for mandamus and injunction compelling the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to implement its memorandum ordering the country’s major telecommunication companies to lower their interconnection fees for short messaging system (SMS or Text) by 20 centavos has been filed before a Quezon City court.

Businessman Jose “Joey’’ de Venecia III filed the petition after noting that the NTC failed to enforce Memorandum Order 02-10-2011 it issued on October 24, 2011, directing Smart Communications and Globe Telecom to reduce their interconnection rates from P0.35 to P0.15.

After filing the petition, De Venecia told reporters that the public is losing P200 million daily in SMS expenses caused by NTC’s inability to enforce its own order. He did not explain how he came up with the P200 million figure..... MORE

SourceMB.com

URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/359827/texters-losing-p200m-daily

Military’s claim of zero rights abuses belied

Military's claim of zero claim abuses belied

Photos by JHUN DANTES
Text by RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Human rights advocates and environmentalists condemned the recent murder of two activists in a rally in front of Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), this morning.

On May 6, Frederick Trangria was gunned down by two unidentified riding in tandem at purok 2B Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. Three days later, on May 9, Margarito Cabal, 47, was shot inside his rented house in purok 4-B Barangay Palma, Kibawe, Bukidnon.

“The extrajudicial killings of environmental activists Fred Trangria and Margarito Cabal prove that AFP’s claim of zero human rights violations in the first four months of 2012 is one fat lie!” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan spokeswoman said. Col. Domingo Tutaan of AFP’s Human Rights Office announced that the AFP has zero human rights violation cases a few days after the killing of Cabal and Trangria..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/05/17/military%E2%80%99s-claim-of-zero-rights-abuses-belied/

The miracle of breast milk

The miracle of breast milk


By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
Many of my friends are amazed whenever they learn that I am breastfeeding my baby. Some friends who also have children but did not breastfed would say, “My baby doesn’t want to suck my nipple” or “She can’t get milk” or “There’s no milk coming out from my breasts.” All that I can just say is, “Really?”

Taking good care of your baby is not just about giving them the most expensive clothes, shoes and other accessories or making sure that she doesn’t bump her head. The most ultimate care that mothers can give their babies is breast milk that can protect them from a long list of illnesses. To quote an article about breastfeeding, “Breast milk fights disease. The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk.”

The article also said that some research shows that breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes, childhood leukemia and atopic dermatitis (a type of skin rash) in babies. Breastfeeding can also lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/05/05/the-miracle-of-breast-milk/

Rape case vs Capt. Lalin not a smear campaign — Gabriela

Rape case vs Capt. Lalin not a smear campaign — Gabriela


By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—Innabuyog-Gabriela condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for dismissing the rape case filed against Captain Danilo Lalin of the 86th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army as a mere smear campaign against the AFP as they continue to call for the perpetrator to come out and seek justice for the victim.

Earlier reports showed that Lalin was accused of raping two Mankayan minors after courting them and bringing them to the 86th IB detatchment in Tinoc, Ifugao.

“No one wants to make up this kind of a serious accusation. No one wants to use an innocent young lady who has suffered such heinous crime just to speak ill of the AFP. This is a real case. If only we could see the current state of this young girl…,” Innabuyog-Gabriela Secretary General Mila Singson reiterated..... MORE

SourceNorthern Dispatch Weekly

URL: http://www.nordis.net/?p=12480

‘Marine sanctuaries helped restore fish population’

‘Marine sanctuaries helped restore fish population’

By | Friday| May 18, 2012 |

MALIMONO, Surigao del Norte (MindaNews/17 May) — Fisher folk in three coastal villages in this town are seeing a ray of hope saying different species of fish have started to reappear in their municipal waters.

The locals attributed this to the establishment of marine sanctuaries last February to stem the destruction of the fishing grounds, which is mainly blamed on illegal fishing methods that also wrecked coral reefs.

“Thanks to the donors and development partners who gave us the necessary equipment and technical know-how on how to preserve and protect the marine sanctuaries,” Vicente Cabillo, a fish warden in Barangay Cantapoy said in the vernacular..... MORE

SourceMindaNews

URL: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/05/18/%E2%80%98marine-sanctuaries-helped-restore-fish-population%E2%80%99/

Ex-NPA gains freedom after 2O years

A rebel returnee was ordered released after serving time for more than two decades over a gun charge supported by flimsy evidence.

Godofredo Dandoy, a rebel returnee, was ordered freed by Judge George Omelio of Regional Trial Court Branch 14 due to insufficiency of evidence in a resolution dated May 14.

Omelio said that the prosecution had no direct witness who can point directly at the suspect as the one who killed Metro District Command chief Brig. Gen. Antonio Teves on Aug. 6, 1990..... MORE

SourceMindanao Times

URL: http://www.mindanaotimes.net/ex-npa-gains-freedom-after-2o-years/

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