De Lima has it?

De Lima has it?

• Written by  Tribune Editorial
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

Noynoy has made it clear, more or less, that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima would be his choice for the next chief justice as he was even reported to have talked to her to convince her to accept the nomination as candidate for the top post at the Supreme Court (SC).

Much earlier of course, Noynoy and his rah-rah boys in Malacañang also made it clear that De Lima was well-qualified for the top judicial post.
All indications at this time, point to De Lima getting the anointing oil from Noynoy, who appeared inclined to get an SC outsider to replace ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The yellow papers followed up the reported dialog between Noynoy and De Lima and her acceptance of the nomination to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlist with a story that she had the most nominations among the record number of nominees to the shortlist. It makes a difference to have the most number of nominees now in a nominee’s chance of getting the top post? Any fool can nominate after all..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/editorial/item/1013-de-lima-has-it?

Washington's road to Iran goes through Syria (Op-Ed)

Washington's road to Iran goes through Syria (Op-Ed)

The results of the Geneva talks on Syria depend on whom you ask.

­
­US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insists that the principle of “mutual consent” on which a “transitional government” in Syria would be based, means President Assad has to go. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on the contrary, insists the formation of a “transitional government” will be made on inclusive basis.

Before discussing what it means, let’s stop for a second to grasp the sheer fact: five foreign powers gathered to decide the fate of a country, in the absence of its leader and its people, who never asked them to do anything of the kind, let alone gave any mandate. This is an outrageous breach of international law. And what is even more outrageous is that nobody is concerned or even talking about it.

Now, the wording of the final communiqué, at Russian insistence, does not explicitly call for Assad's ousting but instead says the new government "shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent." Russia and China understand this formula to mean, according to the countries’ officials, that President Assad is part of the process..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/politics/annan-syria-geneva-libya-178/

Iraqi women face court-ordered virginity tests

Iraqi women face court-ordered virginity tests

• Written by  AFP
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

BAGHDAD — Iraqi women face court-ordered virginity tests that often show they were virgins until marriage but shame them nonetheless, doctors at an institute that carries out the tests and a lawyer told AFP.

Remaining a virgin until marriage can be an issue of life or death for women in the Middle East, where those who are seen as having dishonored the family by having premarital sex are sometimes killed by male relatives.

An average of several virginity tests are performed per day at the Medical Legal Institute (MLI) in Baghdad, in a small windowless room with blue-tiled walls and a black table with leg stirrups at one end.
Other equipment includes a white scope on a wheeled stand and a bright white light, also on wheels, near the end of the table..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1011-iraqi-women-face-court-ordered-virginity-tests

False dawn for labor?

False dawn for labor?

• Written by  Ken Fuller
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

In March this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) claimed that it had been reinvigorated by the addition of several new affiliates, some of which had previously been ideologically opposed to it. The following month came the news that some 40 unions and federations, including a new center named Sentro, had formed an alliance called Nagkaisa (United).

The sober reality is that these new developments, while encouraging at first glance, rest upon a new split in the labor movement — in the TUCP, in fact — and even the unity moves contain elements of division. For example, one labor federation split as a result of the decision of the majority to leave the National Confederation of Labor and join the TUCP’s Herrera wing.

Last year, Democrito Mendoza, 89, tendered his resignation as TUCP president, a position he had occupied for 37 years. The TUCP constitution apparently provides that in such an event the general secretary, a position held for decades by Ernesto Herrera, 69, will succeed to the presidency for the remainder of the term. Herrera duly had himself sworn in. Mendoza, however, says that he was pressed by “other leaders” to withdraw his resignation — an afterthought aimed at providing leadership openings for his sons, according to some accounts. Nevertheless, the first rounds went to the Mendoza wing, as it took possession of the TUCP headquarters and “expelled” Herrera and threatened to charge him with criminal misuse of funds..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1010-false-dawn-for-labor?

Congratulations

Congratulations

• Written by  Armida Siguion- Reyna
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

My granddaughter Cris Villonco was born with a hole in her heart, on Oct. 17, 1983, and that worried her Mama so. Her heart healed naturally, but when she was growing up sweet and at times too timid, it was my turn to worry. She was unlike her older sister whom we called The Feisty One, and certainly very much unlike me, the lola of super-taray reputation. As a young girl, she hardly broke any rule and was forever smiling, forever eager to please. When I heard she wanted to be in show business, my first reaction was: “Oh, my God! How will she survive?”

It turns out I worried for nothing.

After a triumphant long-run as one of the two Marias in the recently concluded Sound of Music at the Resorts World, she’s come up with another win, from the fourth Philstage Gawad Buhay awards, a most credible body, as one can tell from its nominees and winners. First, here’s the complete list of winners that prove how very much theater is alive and kicking here in the country.

For Outstanding Play, William (PETA); Outstanding Musical Production, Care Divas (PETA); Outstanding Classical Dance Production, Swan Lake (Ballet Manila); and Outstanding Modern Dance Production,
Encantada (Ballet Philippines)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1009-congratulations

Globalization

Globalization

• Written by  Archbishop Oscar V.Cruz
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

“Globalization” has become an “in” word in these times and age. It is by and large considered as a term used by the wise and the updated in modern history, the knowledgeable and intelligent in socio-political science — or whatever. Such perception is not really altogether ridiculous — much less false. That being the case, perhaps — just perhaps — it would not be altogether wrong nor superfluous to have a closer look into the meaning and implications of the terminology even if only to have but a basic understanding of the word.

One humanity, one world, one people. This can be said as the fundamental features if not essential elements of “globalization.” One humanity that should not be undermined by greed and insensitivity — but enhanced by altruism and concern. One world that ought to be kept intact by the observance of justice and the enjoyment of peace. One people who must acknowledge that they are all equal in human dignity and human rights. This can be said as the rather sublime understanding and profound appreciation of “globalization.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1007-globalization

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

• Written by  Charlie V. Manalo
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

Quezon might be just another dot in the face of the earth. But last Saturday, Quezonians, led by the Suarezes showed the world how they can effect change, particularly in combating climate change.

At exactly eight o’clock in the morning of that day, Gov. David “Jay-jay” Suarez led almost 50,000 volunteers from the Quezon Province, exceeding the 22,000 volunteers who had earlier registered for the event, in the simultaneous planting of 2.3 million mangrove propagules in 167 barangays of the 34 municipalities of the province covering an area of 221 hectares dotting the province’s 1,066-km coastline. And they did it all in one day.

Jay-jay led around 4,000 volunteers in planting mangroves in the muddy coastal area of Barangay Caraway, in the town of Real, while his father, Rep. Danilo “Danny” Suarez led another thousand volunteers in planting their own mangrove seedlings some hundreds of kilometers away in the town of Gumaza..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1008-fighting-climate-change

Noy runs to US for spy planes in maritime dispute

Noy runs to US for spy planes in maritime dispute

• Written by  Fernan J. Angeles and Mario J. Mallari
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

President Aquino yesterday ran to the United States for spy planes, evidently against the reported  Chinese patrol boats and the combat-ready aircraft in the disputed islands.

Aquino wants  the deployment of US spy planes in the South China Sea to help bolster his government’s weak monitoring of foreign ships in the disputed waters, a move that may further increase the ongoing tension with China, which accused Washington of interfering in the internal affairs of claimant-countries.

In an interview, Aquino yesterday said his government might be requesting P3C Orion spy planes overflights on the disputed area so the Philippines can better patrol its extensive coastlines.

“We don’t have aircraft with those capabilities,” Aquino was quoted as saying.

A patrol team consisting of four China Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships also yesterday conducted a formation practice near Yongshu (Kagitingan) Reef in the South China Sea.

“The two-hour practice session was fulfilled smoothly but a helicopter scheduled to take part did not do so, due to adverse weather,” a report from the Chinese government web site said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1042-noy-runs-to-us-for-spy-planes-in-maritime-dispute

Noynoy anoints De Lima for job ‘to reclaim SC’

Noynoy anoints De Lima for job ‘to reclaim SC’

• Written by  Tribune
• Monday, 02 July 2012

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Palace gameplan for the reclaiming of the Supreme Court (SC) would have the person who coined the campaign as the one taking over its helm after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima accepted the nomination for the vacant Supreme Court chief justice post yesterday supposedly on the behest of President Aquino.

Aquino convinced De Lima at a meeting to accept being among the nominees in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlist from which Aquino will pick the next chief justice, according to a source in the Palace.

De Lima said she accepted the nomination after “a deeper reflection and further consultations with my family and close confidants, and amidst my initial hesitance and apprehensions.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/997-noynoy-anoints-de-lima-for-job-%E2%80%98to-reclaim-sc%E2%80%99

Dynasty-building seen in another Aquino entry in senatorial race

Dynasty-building seen in another Aquino entry in senatorial race

• Written by  Fernan J. Angeles and Angie M. Rosales
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

Dynasty-building appears to be in the mind of President Aquino, who is himself the son of a former President, the late Cory Aquino, with his cousin, Bam Aquino, now in the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) senatorial shortlist.

LP leaders welcomed the entry of the presidential cousin, but claimed that he would have to undergo the “process” even when it is fairly evident his inclusion in the LP Senate slate appears to be a done deal, with Aquino himself giving his cousin his blessings to run for a Senate seat and with Bam Aquino saying he is already in the shorlist.

Amid these reports, however, the presidential spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, in a Palace press briefing chose not to give a categorial comment on the administration party fielding Aquino’s namesake and look-alike of slain Sen. Ninoy Aquino.

Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, known as Bam is the son of the President’s uncle, Paul Aquino. He was a former chairman of the National Youth Commission before he went on an advocacy compelling Filipinos to become entrepreneurs..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1041-dynasty-building-seen-in-another-aquino-entry-in-senatorial-race

32 more OFW-friendly countries cited

32 more OFW-friendly countries cited

• Written by  Mina Diaz
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has listed 32 foreign countries as compliant to international requirements for the protection of foreign workers, thus assuring overseas Filipino workers of good work conditions and safety from possible abuses.

Baldoz said the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has approved a resolution putting the 32 countries on the list of countries compliant with the guarantees on the protection of the rights of foreign workers provided under Section 2 of Republic Act 10022.

The 32 countries bring to 184 the number of countries certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as labor compliant.

Thus, the POEA may continue to deploy OFWs to these countries and the DFA will continue to negotiate for better protection of household service workers even beyond April 12, she  said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/1036-32-more-ofw-friendly-countries-cited

Nayong Filipino donates land for NAIA 2 expansion

Nayong Filipino donates land for NAIA 2 expansion

• Written by  Conrado Ching
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

The Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) has turned over 22.3 hectares of land to the Manila International Airport Authority to pave way for the expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) Terminal 2.

The expansion will include the development of the New International Cargo Terminal Facility to support the operation of NAIA Terminal 3 and to accommodate growth in the passenger and aircraft traffic.
MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado said  the land given to the MIAA was now occupied by the idle Nayong Pilipino cultural  park.

He said the MIAA will clear the area and start the expansion plan as soon as possible..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1001-nayong-filipino-donates-land-for-naia-2-expansion

Blast hits NHA

Blast hits NHA

• Written by  Gina Peralta-Elorde
• Tuesday, 03 July 2012

 Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has ordered the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the blast that took place in the National Housing Authority (NHA) that damaged several vehicles parked inside its compound.

The explosion took place at around 5:30 a.m., Monday. No one was reported hurt in the blast..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1005-blast-hits-nha