Opening with closures TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 07/18/2010

Opening with closures

TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 07/18/2010 This “Davide Truth Commission” is useless without the necessary judicial powers that should go along with it, nor without the funds to be allocated by Congress. But most importantly, the credibility and authenticity of its findings and recommendations for prosecution and eventual sending off the culprits to jail would suffer, since Davide himself cannot be considered untainted and unblemished. In short, moral ascendancy problems. It may well be practical for President Noynoy Aquino to abrogate the creation of this commission. Besides, the celebrated cases listed in its menu, mostly from the Arroyo political and fund scams would be just that, i.e. “celebrated,” creating more witnesses, whistle-blowers, self-proclaimed political martyrs who would run for political positions in the next elections, owing to the celebrity status they reap in grueling yet entertaining hearings of these investigative bodies that are broadcast live on radio and television. At the stretch of the day, a report would come up, replete with recommendations of prosecution by the Department of Justice or by the Sandiganbayan, while the people are scratching their tired eyes hoping to see some “celebrities” escorted to jail. Unfortunately, accused celebrities who land in prison in total humiliation are those who are unjustly condemned, not by a legitimate process in court, but by an extra-judicial modality, like that infamous people power at Edsa ll, sponsored by the wealthy and the elite few. We will never forget this miscarriage of justice committed against President Joseph Estrada, because this would forever be etched in the pages of our history as one of the most embarrassing episodes ever.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100718com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Leadership only for a leader FRONTLINE Bum advice ENQUIRY SP FPP? BLURBAL THRUSTS Koko’s unreachable dream TABLETS OF STONE Opening with closures VIEWPOINTS Pork barrel? Pork chop? Pork? focus Frustrated Palestinians expected to reject direct talks

Pork barrel? Pork chop? Pork? VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 07/18/2010

Pork barrel? Pork chop? Pork?

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 07/18/2010 This is but a simple and candid question. This is merely a plain and timely query. The government is not only flat broke but also in dire need because the public coffer is not merely empty of cash but also full of debts — courtesy of the previous administration. There are too many government officials and much more government employees to pay salaries to and give reasonable perks too. The annual income and budget, especially in the past six years, are too depressing to know how they have been “balanced” in terms of local and foreign borrowings, real huge debits and supposedly consoling reality in the form of big “deferred payments” The needed funding for education is much less than actually needed. Hence, more children no longer good to school. The requirements of developing agriculture are beyond reasonable response. Wherefore, the matter of importing rice has become not only mandatory but are the salaries relatively low, but many do not even find any employment. Direct and indirect taxes are already too much. Yet public welfare has become less and less..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100718com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Leadership only for a leader FRONTLINE Bum advice ENQUIRY SP FPP? BLURBAL THRUSTS Koko’s unreachable dream TABLETS OF STONE Opening with closures VIEWPOINTS Pork barrel? Pork chop? Pork? focus Frustrated Palestinians expected to reject direct talks

Frustrated Palestinians expected to reject direct talks focus 07/18/2010

Frustrated Palestinians expected to reject direct talks

focus 07/18/2010 RAMALLAH — Frustrated by the sluggish pace of proximity talks with Israel, the Palestinians will likely reject a visiting US envoy’s calls for direct negotiations, officials and analysts say. In recent weeks Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has largely backed away from conditioning direct talks on a full settlement freeze, instead insisting on “progress” on the issue of borders and security in the US-brokered talks launched in May. But Israel has thus far refused to completely halt the construction of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land and, according to the Palestinians, has yet to respond to their proposals on the two thorny issues. On Thursday, Abbas’s secular Fatah movement issued a statement warning that the “lack of credibility and confidence resulting from the Israeli rejection of the indirect talks, which have achieved no progress, will become entrenched... if there is a transition to direct talks. “That is something the Palestinian leadership has not and will not accept.” .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100718com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Leadership only for a leader FRONTLINE Bum advice ENQUIRY SP FPP? BLURBAL THRUSTS Koko’s unreachable dream TABLETS OF STONE Opening with closures VIEWPOINTS Pork barrel? Pork chop? Pork? focus Frustrated Palestinians expected to reject direct talks

Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA 07/18/2010

DISPUTE ON P270M CLAIMS UNRESOLVED UNTIL NOW Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA 07/18/2010 The centennial of the nation’s independence came and went more than 12 years ago but the government until now is spending for the Philippine Centenial Expo ’98 Corp. (Expocorp), the company formed in 1996 by then President Fidel V. Ramos for the centennial celebration, Commission on Audit (CoA) documents showed. CoA records show an unreconciled balance of P269.607 million in accounts receivable Expocorp is claiming from the First Centennial Clark Corp. (FCCC), a joint venture between private firms and government agencies that undertook the development and operation of the Philippine Centennial International Exposition 1998 (Expo ’98) complex at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga, the construction of which was provided under Executive Order 128 of Ramos. The construction of Expo ’98 or Expo Filipino cost a total of P3.5 billion. Ramos directed three government financial institutions, the Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Land Bank of the Philippines to release a total of P1.4 billion in loans to the developer of the project. The project was criticized for the excessive amounts of money that went to its construction such as a Freedom Ring costing more than P1.2 billion; a parking lot worth P111 million; an entry zone costing P118 million; display villages worth P290 million; an artificial river built at a cost of P76 million, and bridges on the river that cost P32 million to build. A dispute between FCCC and Expocorp on the actual amount of the project had delayed the liquidation of the Expocorp. The phrase “amount actually paid by Expocorp solely for the for the construction of said properties” was not clearly defined resulting in different interpretations. Consequently, there is a variance of the receivable as per (Expocorp’s) records of P269,607,624 and that acknowledged by FCCC of P53,162,163, according to CoA.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed1.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel 07/18/2010

MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel

07/18/2010 While Malacañang said yesterday definitive steps were being taken to hasten the resumption of peace negotiations with both the Muslim and communist rebels, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is backing a former peace adviser’s proposal for the new government panel to answer five questions first before sitting at the negotiating table with the secessionist group. In a radio interview, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles said she expects the peace talks to begin “within the next quarter.” Lawyer Lanang Ali, a senior member of the MILF peace panel, said the rebel group is supporting the proposal of Camilo Montesa, former assistant secretary at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in forwarding the so-called five basic questions (5BQ) to members of the government panel which are: Can the MILF be trusted?; Is there a Moro Problem?; What is the Moro Problem?; What are the roots of the Moro Problem?; How should we solve the Moro Problem? “He is one of the few members of the government peace panel who enjoyed high regard from the MILF. He is very objective and is not one of a close mind when it comes to searching for the ‘new formulas’ in addressing the Moro Question in Mindanao,”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed2.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/18/2010

Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/18/2010 Malacañang yesterday tried to set the record straight relevant to the statement reportedly aired by President Aquino asking Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to review the coup d’état charges filed against Magdalo stalwart Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as some have viewed such move as tantamount to encroaching on the independence of the court which is already taking care of the matter. Presidential Communications Group official Herminio “Sonny” Coloma told reporters that such order from Aquino to De Lima is still in line with her mandate as chief of the Department of Justice which is tasked to enforce the rule of law and promote justice equally to the people. Coloma clarified that Aquino has no intentions to cross the borderline that separates his department to that of the judiciary and he is only after the fulfillment of his pledge to avoid so-called “miscarriage of justice” to the wrongfully accused under his presidency. “I think our Executive department, especially our President, has no intention to cross the line and disrespect the rights or (duties) covered by the judiciary. What he did is just to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice. If you’re going to take a look at the oath of office of the President, it is stated therein that one of his duties is to do justice to every man — make sure that justice is being implemented to every Filipino and because of which we have our Department of Justice,” Coloma explained in an interview over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed3.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy 07/18/2010 By Charlie V. Manalo

House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy

07/18/2010 By Charlie V. Manalo Less than a month into office, the Aquino administration is fast earning criticisms from its allies, the latest resulting from a proposal of the Department of Finance (DoF) to scrap subsidies on rice prices and transfer the responsibility of ensuring the poor’s access to rice to the Social Welfare Department supposedly to stop the financial drain on the National Food Authority (NFA). “What (Finance) Secretary (Cesar) Purisima is, in effect, proposing is to leave something as vital as rice trade to the hands of traders and business. He wants government to save money by abandoning its commitment to help farmers get fair prices for their palay and assure consumers of access to affordable rice,” Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello in criticizing the Finance department’s proposal. While President Aquino has vowed to lick poverty, Purisima’s pronouncement only validates observations from some sectors the newly installed government is in disarray with so many power players, including the President’s sister power, Kamag-anak Inc., Hyatt 10 and some civil society groups, trying to jostle each other with regard to appointments and policy-making, he said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed4.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game 07/18/2010

Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game

07/18/2010 Former Socio-economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri’s refusal to cooperate with the yet-to-be-established Truth Commission whose objective is to provide closures to the scandals of the previous administration will not be a problem, a Malacañang official yesterday said. According to Presidential Communications Group official Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Neri has the right to freely express his opinions on the purpose for which the Truth Commission is being built since he is among the accused to one of the cases that it is planning to explore. “Former Secretary Neri has the right to express his opinions because he is one of the accused. Perhaps that is what he thinks he should do as one of the accused so let’s just respect his right in that aspect,” Coloma said. Neri, through his legal counsel Paul Lentejas, said he has no intentions to serve as state witness in the investigations to be undertaken by the Truth Commission once it has been launched by the Aquino administration through its chosen chief, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Lentejas even went as far as saying that “whatever the Truth Commission will do is irrelevant” since the cases that it wants to pursue are now being heard in courts, including the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal that the previous government unsuccessfully forged with the Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corp. (ZTE), on which his client was involved. Neri pleaded not guilty of the graft charges filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan the other day.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed5.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire 07/18/2010

Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire

07/18/2010 A Filipina worker was among at least 23 persons killed when a fire broke out in a hotel in northern Iraq Thursday night (Baghdad time), the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, the DFA said the Filipina was an employee of the Asiacell Mobile company based in Sulaimania, Kurdistan Region Governorate in Iraq. “The Filipina was at the Hotel SOMA in Sulaimania City when a fire occurred, which started at a nearby furniture shop. The DFA identified the Filipina as Maricar Cente,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Eduardo Malaya said. Two other Filipinos survived the fire, he added. They are Joshua Ermitanos, who is recuperating at a hospital from a broken leg, and Richie Salceda, who was discharged from the hospital Friday. The embassy, Malaya said, is being assisted by a Filipino volunteer based in nearby city of Erbil, and is coordinating with their employers for the repatriation of remains and entitlement to benefits.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed6.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA  MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to providde

Aquino to provide Aquino to provide 07/18/2010

Aquino to provide Aquino to provide

07/18/2010 President Aquino is getting ready for his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), which he will deliver to the 15th Congress when it opens on July 26. Herminio Coloma of the Palace’s Communication Group said yesterday Aquino has been holding meetings with various department secretaries since June 30, discussing the content of his Sona.  “What I know is that the President wants to find out from each Cabinet member what’s going on and what’s really happening around the country. Almost everybody have already submitted a report,” Coloma said over dzRB Radio ng Bayan.  He said he does know the specific itinerary of President Aquino a week before the Sona, but what he knew of was that the Chief Executive was very busy preparing for it. ... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100718hed7.html

HEADLINES Costly Centennial Expo remains a burden — CoA MILF forwards 5 queries to new gov’t peace panel Trillanes coup case review not encroaching on judiciary — Palace House ally hits Aquino plan to end rice subsidy Palace won’t push Neri to play Truth Commission game Pinay dies, two compatriots hurt in Iraq hotel fire Aquino to provide

Focusing on the small stuff EDITORIAL 07/17/2010

Focusing on the small stuff

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/17/2010 Administration executives are really something else. Instead of focusing on the important issues related to their respective tasks, they center their attention on really minute stuff, dig up their predecessors’ claimed anomalies or mistakes, merely to get media mileage. A case in point is the new Justice chief, Leila de Lima. There is hardly any question about De Lima’s legal experience and expertise. She certainly is qualified to head the Department of Justic (DoJ). But why does she waste her time running after former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra and former National Bureau of Investigation chief Nestor Mantaring as well as the chief of the NBI’s Counter Terrorism Unit, Ricardo Diaz, on the matter of their being questioned on the issue of their having failed to initiate an investigation into the claim of an NBI official that a retired Air Force official attempted to bribe a witness in the Maguindanao massacre case? Is there a need to probe them when she, who is now in position and authority within her realm of responsibility, can check on this matter herself, without necessarily making it appear that something sneaky went on and that her predecessor is guilty of not having this investigated?.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100717com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Focusing on the small stuff FRONTLINE Blatant interference ANALYSIS N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience

Blatant interference FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/17/2010

Blatant interference

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/17/2010 Noynoy Aquino really should know when to keep his trap shut, now that he is President of the Republic. But it seems he may never learn to do so. Just yesterday, Aquino was written up as saying that the coup charge against Sen. Antonio Trillanes for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny was “unjust.” If Noynoy was still a senator, there would be nothing wrong in airing his opinion on the coup charge against Trillanes. But as he is now president, Noynoy shouldn’t even come up with such a statement, because this would be tantamount to influencing the courts that are hearing his case, especially as Trillanes has just posted bail that would release him from one court, even as he still has another coup case before another court, not to mention the fact that there is still the military — or the police — detention, which means that this would be another permit of sorts to release him. But of course, this appears to be Noynoy’s intent, as he is in the thick of getting votes for his candidate for the Senate presidency. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, who certainly needs the vote of both Trillanes and Sen. Ping Lacson. But to get this vote of Trillanes, and possibly Lacson’s, if he surfaces at the Senate on voting day, Noynoy is directly influencing the courts to get Trillanes out of detention, which speaks badly of Noynoy.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100717com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Focusing on the small stuff FRONTLINE Blatant interference ANALYSIS N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience

Blatant interference FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/17/2010

Blatant interference

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/17/2010 Noynoy Aquino really should know when to keep his trap shut, now that he is President of the Republic. But it seems he may never learn to do so. Just yesterday, Aquino was written up as saying that the coup charge against Sen. Antonio Trillanes for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny was “unjust.” If Noynoy was still a senator, there would be nothing wrong in airing his opinion on the coup charge against Trillanes. But as he is now president, Noynoy shouldn’t even come up with such a statement, because this would be tantamount to influencing the courts that are hearing his case, especially as Trillanes has just posted bail that would release him from one court, even as he still has another coup case before another court, not to mention the fact that there is still the military — or the police — detention, which means that this would be another permit of sorts to release him. But of course, this appears to be Noynoy’s intent, as he is in the thick of getting votes for his candidate for the Senate presidency. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, who certainly needs the vote of both Trillanes and Sen. Ping Lacson..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100717com2.html

OMMENTARY EDITORIAL Focusing on the small stuff FRONTLINE Blatant interference ANALYSIS N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience

N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience ANALYSIS 07/17/2010

N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience

ANALYSIS 07/17/2010 WASHINGTON — With North Korea thumbing its nose at the response to the sinking of a warship, the United States is left wondering how long to keep up its policy of studied coolness toward the communist state. The UN Security Council last week condemned the sinking of South Korea’s Cheonan vessel, which killed 46 persons. But it stopped short of blaming North Korea, which claimed a diplomatic victory and demanded Thursday that the United States prove Pyongyang’s involvement in the March incident. The United States has responded to the Korean peninsula’s deadliest incident in decades by standing firmly behind South Korea. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates are expected next week in Seoul to announce joint naval exercises, despite objections by China. But the longer-term US policy toward the North is less clear. Before the Cheonan’s sinking, Clinton described a US stance of “strategic patience” — waiting for Pyongyang to come forward rather than hastily offering incentives. “How to move forward, and when, are all questions that lots of people are thinking about,” said Bonnie Glaser, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. “There’s a recognition that, based on past patterns and practice, the longer there is a lack of dialog and interaction, the greater the likelihood for North Korean brinkmanship and provocative action,” Glaser said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100717com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Focusing on the small stuff FRONTLINE Blatant interference ANALYSIS N. Korea tests US ‘strategic’ patience

Stranded OFWs in Dire Need of Assistance – Migrante Published on July 17, 2010

Stranded OFWs in Dire Need of Assistance – Migrante

Published on July 17, 2010By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO

 

Bulatlat.com

ANILA — The Khandera Bridge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has provided shelter to many stranded overseas Filipino workers. But since Saudi police barricaded it from migrant workers, OFWs have found a new home in the Philippine Consulate General in Saudi Arabia — but only outside its building.


John Leonard Monterona of Migrante Middle East described consular officials as “inhumane” and “heartless” for having the temerity to sit in their air-conditioned offices while stranded OFWs endure the hot temperature, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius, outside. He said these Filipinos are living like “squatters” beside the consulate building.

Members of the local chapter of Migrante in Jeddah intervened on behalf of the OFWs through a dialogue with consular officials on May 14, 2010. They were able to talk to Vice Consul Leo Ausan, who informed them that consular officials were still waiting for the approval of their budget request from the national government.

“We find it ridiculous since there must be a government budget allocated for that on a yearly basis,” Monterona said. In the interview, he cited the P13.6 billion ($293.4 million) funds from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, gathered through the collection of the $25 compulsory membership fee from OFWs.

OFWs endure a hot and humid day outside the PCG office (Photo courtesy of Migrante – KSA / bulatlat.com)

As of yesterday, Migrante reported that the 20 adults and four children residing outside the consulate building have been sent to the Hajj terminal, where they can temporarily stay.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/17/stranded-ofws-in-dire-need-of-assistance-migrante/

After its CBA Was Suspended for 11 Years, Philippine Airlines Employees Face Lay-offs, Contractualization Published on July 17, 2010

After its CBA Was Suspended for 11 Years, Philippine Airlines Employees Face Lay-offs, Contractualization

Published on July 17, 2010

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

About 3,000 employees of the flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) are in tenterhooks today over threats to their regular jobs and union. This week they expect to get a sample of what President Aquino said would be his “litmus test in labor relations.”

The workers’ fear of losing their regular jobs and union stems from PAL’s plan to “spin-off” three “non-core businesses.” It has been trying to implement it since May 31. The employees who stand to be affected comprise nearly half of the total 7,192 workforce including some foreign-based expat Filipino employees of PAL. It would also rout the membership of PALEA, the rank-and-file employees’ union which, after PAL’s early retirement drive in 2009, has been reduced to 3,732.

Up for “spin-off” are PAL’s airport services department with about 2,000 workers (covering ground handling, cargo terminal/handling and ramp handling), inflight catering services with about 1,000 employees and call center reservations which has 172 currently employed, said Gina Licayan, union board member. They have been working with PAL from seven to more than 30 years now.

L-R: Danilo Palomena, Rigmo Ondevilla and Gina Licayan have been working with PAL from 7 to more than 30 years now. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

The spin-off means a sale of the businesses and transfer to third-party providers of said services. According to PAL employees, the third party providers about to takeover these “non-core businesses” do not have employees of their own and expect only to get the current employees thrown into the bargain to keep working and avoid disrupting PAL’s services.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/17/after-its-cba-was-suspended-for-11-years-philippine-airlines-employees-face-lay-offs-contractualization/

Pascual Guevarra and the Struggle for Land Published on July 17, 2010

 Pascual Guevarra and the Struggle for Land

Published on July 17, 2010 

By RONALYN V. OLEA

 
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — The death of 78-year-old farmer Pascual Guevarra is not a result of a personal feud but of a long struggle for land.

Guevarra was shot dead inside his house by a lone gunman in barangay San Isidro, Laur, Nueva Ecija, around 4:30 p.m., July 9. The killer whisked away with a male companion on board a black motorcycle without a license plate. They headed north.

Guevarra was preparing the evening meal at the kitchen located at the back of the house when a man in his mid to late 30s, fair skinned, 5’5” in height, medium built, wearing a light blue shirt, denim pants and a hat quickly walked towards him and pulled a handgun tucked in his waist.

A photo of Pascual Guevarra (Photo courtesy of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas / bulatlat.com)

The shots were heard by Ronnel Villoria, the victim’s grandson who was tying their carabao in the yard. He immediately rushed inside the house and saw the assailant standing over his wounded grandfather. Ronnel grabbed the assailant from behind and tried to wrest away the gun. He continued to struggle with the gunman until the latter broke free and shot Ronnel in the shoulder. The gunman hurriedly ran outside..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/17/pascual-guevarra-and-the-struggle-for-land/

Guerra Patani by Bel Cunanan 8 July 2010

Bel Cunana

Two protest cases will be watched with great interest because of their far-reaching implications. One is the protest case filed in the Comelec by former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza against chief rival Alfredo Lim. The other protest case scheduled to be filed today, the last day for filing, by losing LP vice presidential bet Mar Roxas before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal is against Vice President Jejomar Binay. While the Atienza case is strictly local, it acquires a national significance because it involves the capital city. Atienza asserts that given the support of the Iglesia and El Shaddai, plus the popularity of former President Estrada under whose banner he ran, he would come out clearly the winner if the ballots of Manila were to be opened. The Comelec has approved his petition to this effect but Lim has filed a motion for reconsideration.


* * *

The case of Mar Roxas, which is being handled by lawyers of “The Firm,” has taken some time since the press conference a month ago, during which LP campaign manager Butch Abad and lawyer Joey Tenefrancia graphically detailed how all the “null votes” strangely got concentrated in Mar’s bailiwicks. In fact I thought Roxas wouldn’t file anymore and just sit out the one-year prescription period against an executive appointment, in the meantime continuing to act as de facto chief adviser of President Aquino until he could get back the Department of Trade post he held in the Estrada and Arroyo governments. ..... MORE

Source:  Political Tidbits

URL: http://polbits.blogspot.com/2010/07/protest-cases-to-be-watched.html

‘Basyang’ leaves RP; death toll now 39, 84 missing 07/17/2010

‘Basyang’ leaves RP; death toll now 39, 84 missing

07/17/2010 The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) yesterday lowered its alert level from code “red” to “blue” after Typhoon “Basyang” left the country’s area of responsibility after battering several regions, including Metro Manila on Tuesday, leaving 39 persons dead while 84 others remained missing. NDCC Executive Director and concurrent Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Benito Ramos said the lowering of the NDCC alert level was prompted by normalcy after two days of power outages in the capital region and other Luzon areas and the exit of Typhoon Basyang. Under the “blue” alert, only half of the NDCC and OCD personnel are required to monitor the situation while the other half can already rest. “The NDCC is now on blue alert…The situation is now normal,” Ramos said, although he admitted that electricity is not yet fully restored in some areas in Luzon. As of 1 p.m. Friday, Ramos said the number of deaths was at 39, mostly in Region 4-A, which recorded 21 deaths. Region 3 and Region 5 recorded 13 and five deaths, respectively. The number of missing rose to 84 following late reporting from the field, Ramos said.  Of the missing, 49 are from Region 5, 31 are from Region 4-A, three from Region 3 and one from Region 6. The number of injured is at 18 – 12 in Region 4-A, four in Region 5, and two in Region 3.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100717nat6.html

NATION Abrogate mining law, junk GMA EOs on sector Police chief killed, 6 badly hurt in NPA ambush ‘Protests no indication May 10 polls were fraudulent’ NBI seeks former PAF colonel in massacre witness bribe try Radioman who survived slay try IDs suspect ‘Basyang’ leaves RP; death toll now 39, 84 missing Gov’t to bring home 25,000 who fled Muslim conflict Complaints, confusion mar P-Noy’s first visit to Isabela

Enrile probable Senate President By Angie M. Rosales 07/17/2010

Realignment of forces up JPE landing top Senate post Enrile probable Senate President By Angie M. Rosales 07/17/2010 He wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he may just be handed the Senate presidency on a silver platter again — without even fighting or even wishing for it. Again. There now appears to be an emerging consensus to keep Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in his post, as more senators seem to be leaning toward his continued leadership in the upper chamber. A major realignment of forces in the Senate has been taking place the past few days and the so-called “Angara bloc,” currently considered the biggest group in the Senate which is being seen to provide the swing vote, appeared to have lost its steam after one of its members appeared to have already defected and committed the vote to the Liberal Party (LP) and its bet, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Panglinan. “We have lost one (senator in our ranks) already,” Zubiri admitted to reporters in a press conference yesterday, pertaining to Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. The Angara bloc is led by Sen. Edgardo Angara and includes Zubiri, Senators Loren Legarda, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Lapid. But the chances of the LP’s bet for the Senate presidency grabbing the top post remain dim as those who have stayed on with the Angara bloc tend to favor a “compromise” candidate in the person of Enrile, who, even as he retains his post as Senate President, has not made a bid for it.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100717hed1.html

HEADLINES Enrile probable Senate President Migz decries Koko’s false charges Solons seek probe of DoJ charges vs AFP in new slays Neri pleads not guilty to NBN charges Rebel soldiers to file raps vs Garci generals More than 100 Pinoys face death penalty abroad — DFA

Migz decries Koko’s false charges By Angie M. Rosales 07/17/2010

Migz decries Koko’s false charges

By Angie M. Rosales 07/17/2010 Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri yesterday rapped defeated senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on what he termed as “falsities” and malicious charges following the accusations made by the latter who had claimed that Zubiri deceived the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) which had already come up with a resolution allowing the counter-suit filed by Zubiri.  Pimentel had charged that alleged staff members of Zubiri participated in and presented themselves as “representatives” of the three senators sitting as judges in a pending electoral case against their principal. “This is absolutely false. This is a pure canard,” Zubiri told the Tribune, in reaction to the charge made by Pimentel, adding that “it pains me that he (Pimentel) would engage in such malicious, dirty tricks.” Zubiri yesterday decried the malicious attempt by Pimentel to obstruct due process by trying to railroad the rules and processes of the SET. “How can Koko say the fight is over when my 25 percent counter protested area clearly shows that cheating took place in Metro Manila and Mega Manila especially when the SET revisors found tens of thousands of spurious or fake ballots in these areas?” Zubiri pointed out. At the same time, however, Zubiri said he was willing to forgo the recount the remaining 75 percent of the contested ballots in the May 14, 2007 senatorial polls pending before the SET.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100717hed2.html

HEADLINES Enrile probable Senate President Migz decries Koko’s false charges Solons seek probe of DoJ charges vs AFP in new slays Neri pleads not guilty to NBN charges Rebel soldiers to file raps vs Garci generals More than 100 Pinoys face death penalty abroad — DFA