LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon By Angie M. Rosales 07/21/2010

LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon

By Angie M. Rosales 07/21/2010 Using the difficulty being experienced by the Liberal Party camp led by Sen. Francis Pangilinan to gather 13 votes from the senators and clinch the Senate presidency, Sen. Franklin Drilon, an LP official and ally of President Aquino, used this situation as proof that Malacañang has no control over the Senate. President Aquino and his allies do not have any control over the Senate, Drilon said yesterday, virtually admitting the difficulties that the LP bloc is going through as the Pangilinan led group is far from mustering the needed 13 votes in installing the LP bet as the Senate leader. “Nobody controls the Senate. If Malacañang controls the Senate, then the endorsement (of Aquino) should do everything (in securing the required number of votes). Yet, until now, there is still a deadlock,” he said in a phone-patched interview with reporters. He failed to comment, however, on the many moves of the Malacañang tenant to raid the ranks of the other blocs, including Sen. Lito Lapid, who was claimed by Pangilinan to have committed to vote for him. In exchange for Lapid’s vote, it was reported that his son, Mark Lapid, would be retained as head of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). This was however, denied by the staff of Senator Lapid, saying that he has not committed his vote to the LP bet. Lapid is said to belong to Sen. Edgardo Angara bloc, which supposedly counts for seven members.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed1.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies By Gerry Baldo 07/21/2010

Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies

By Gerry Baldo 07/21/2010 Following the issue of too many Abads in the Aquino government’s budgetary and appropriations posts, serious concerns are being raised on President Aquino’s appointee in the water sector and the impending round of water rate increases. Rep. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna stressed that the presence of big businessmen in government regulatory bodies, such as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, should be a cause of concern for the consuming public. “I am extremely worried that this time the Lopezes, Ayalas, Pangilinans and other oligarchs will use their closeness with the Aquino camp to push even bigger price hikes and other concessions,” Colmenares said yesterday as he underscored the need to strengthen Congress’ oversight functions. “In this light, it is doubly important to have independent regulators for such utilities. In the absence of such regulators, Congress will have to be more aggressive in exercising its oversight powers and will have to pass measures stopping or reversing the ongoing deregulation and privatization of the utilities sector. Colmenares added that it is important to have someone in the MWSS, the Department of Public Works and Manila Electric Company who are independent and not linked to big business interests.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed2.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars By Aytch de la Cruz 07/21/2010

2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars

By Aytch de la Cruz 07/21/2010 The economic team of President Aquino appears intimidated by the sorry fiscal numbers the new administration inherited from President Arroyo with the fiscal deficit breaching all known previous levels while only 38.6 percent is left of the P1.5-trillion budget earmarked for the whole year. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad told reporters after a meeting among economic officials in the Cabinet that “surprises” in expenses up to the end of June when former President Arroyo stepped down, including what he called “congressional initiatives,” resulted in the fiscal shortfall to reach nearly P200 billion in the first half. Abad did not quote an exact figure on the first half deficit but when asked if it was near the P178 billion original limit set, Abad said it would be higher. “There were still surprises in the expenses, expenditures made up to the last month, up to the end of June 30 like for example in congressional initiatives which was in the billions,” Abad said.  Abad said the Cabinet meeting held yesterday touched mostly on the tight fiscal situation that the government is in. He said that additional borrowings to plug the budget shortfall were also discussed. If the collection targets are not achieved, that (borrowings) is the most likely step that we have to take and I think (Finance) Secretary (Cesar) Purisima is looking at that, Abad added..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed3.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep By Marie Surbano 07/21/2010

2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep

By Marie Surbano 07/21/2010 The son of former President Arroyo has officially gained a seat in Congress as a party-list nominee but for two commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Ang Galing Pilipino (AGP) nominee Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo is not qualified to represent the marginalized. In their respective dissenting opinions in the consolidated resolution of Arroyo’s case, Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Gregorio Larrazabal said Arroyo does not belong to the group which he wanted to represent at the House of Representatives. AGP supposedly seeks to represent the sectors of security guards, unorganized groups of taxi, FX taxi, jeepney and bus drivers, vendors, small-scale businessmen and jobless individuals. Sarmiento cited the Supreme Court decision on the case of Ang Bagong Bayani which stated that “ it is not enough for the candidate to claim representation of the marginalized and underrepresented because representation is easy to claim and to feign. The party-list organi-zation or party must factually and truly represent the margin-alized and under-represented constituencies mentioned in Section 5. Concur-rently, the persons nominated by the party-list candidate-organization must be “Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties.” Likewise, he pointed out the SC’s decision on the Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (Banat) case..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed4.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces By Pat C. Santos 07/21/2010

Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces

By Pat C. Santos 07/21/2010 With a lawyer in tow, retired Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Antonio Mariano, who has been accused by a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officer of having tried to bribe him into getting a government witness in the Maguindanao massacre case, yesterday surfaced and faced the media to deny allegations of a P10-million bribe try. Mariano met newsmen to deny reports he was the bagman in the multimillion-peso bribery attempt on witnesses in the murder case filed against Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan. In 2003, Mariano said he held three positions in the ARMM during Zaldy’s term: as executive director for housing; as DoTC undersecretary and as deputy regional governor of DoLE – positions that he held until his courtesy resignation last January. Mariano also did not deny that he is a friend of former NBI Director Nestor Mantaring whom he visits once in a while. He said that he could not think of any reason or motivation on the part of NBI counter-terrorism unit chief Ricardo Diaz in implicating him in the bribery scandal when he has always been a frequent visitor at the NBI even though he has long retired from the bureau. Oscar Embido, chief of the NBI-Internal Affairs Division, earlier said they had contacted Mariano over the phone and that he vehemently denied all the allegations against him. Officials of the NBI have also already sent a subpoena for Mariano to formally appear before the NBI to answer allegations that he attempted to bribe witness Kenny Dalagdag, through Diaz, with P10 million, for his recantation. Both Mantaring and former Justice chief Alberto Agra denied that they were ever informed by Diaz of the alleged bribe try.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed5.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/21/2010

SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/21/2010 Oral arguments have been ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) on the land reform case of Hacienda Luisita, which is owned and managed by the Cojuangco-Aquino families, and where President Aquino is also a co-owner. Court Administrator and SC Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez informed newsmen yesterday that the Hacienda Luisita case has been transferred from the court’s First Division to the en banc and is scheduled for oral arguments on Aug. 3. “Considering the importance of the case and the parties involved, the justices thought it best that the entire court be involved to thresh out all the issues in that particular case,” Marquez told a press conference. Marquez added that the oral arguments will give the magistrates the chance to ask the parties “clarificatory questions which answers are not found in the pleadings.” He said the transfer of the case to the en banc as well as setting it for oral arguments was a “majority decision” among incumbent SC justices, based on an “informal survey” conducted by Chief Justice Renato Corona. Marquez said it was the Chief Justice who had scheduled the oral arguments for Aug. 3 “so that we can hear all the parties and all issues will be threshed out.” The court spokesman, however, clarified that this new development in the Hacienda Luisita case was not out of the ordinary. “This is not the first time it happens. We’ve had a few cases transferred to the en banc,” he pointed out. Marquez also denied pressure being applied from either of the parties in the case. “No pressure at all. It is one of those usual cases filed before the court.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100721hed6.html

HEADLINES LP bloc far from gaining top Senate post—Drilon Concerns raised vs big business links in gov’t regulatory bodies 2010 budget depleted to 38%; deficit soars 2 Comelec execs reject Mikey as party-list rep Retired colonel in bribe try surfaces SC orders oral arguments on Hacienda Luisita case

SM, NSO tie-up lies begin EDITORIAL 07/20/2010

SM, NSO tie-up lies begin

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/20/2010 If a Senate bet for the presidency can’t make it on his own, which is by gathering enough votes on his own to get him the top Senate slate, he has no business seeking that post, as obviously, he does not have what it takes to get enough numbers to see him through his fight. Even worse, by way of example of very poor and bad leadership, is for a Senate bet to get the Malacañang tenant to interfere, not only in Senate affairs, but even to the point of interfering in the judiciary, with President Aquino coming out with a strong message that detained Sen. Sonny Trillanes is a victim of injustice, and that the coup charges against him should never have been filed. If Sen. Francis Pangilinan does get the Senate presidency, to what lower depths will he bring the Senate, given the fact that he keeps running to the Palace occupant for help? As everyone knows, in the real and political world, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Besides, in the case of Pangilinan, his past record as a senator is more than sufficient proof that he has never shown a streak of independence and always toes the Palace line, when it is his ally that is seated in the highest political seat. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

No Solomonic solution FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/20/2010

No Solomonic solution

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/20/2010 Naming all four members of the communications group to the Cabinet, or at least of their having Cabinet status, may solve their ego problem, as they all believe themselves to be media “celebrities.” But that hardly solves a budgetary problem that Noynoy Aquino will be facing — unless he names a press secretary, who technically will have to be the “big boss” in the press or media office, as this is a line department, in which case, the budget will be bloated, with so many secretaries. The latest reported word of the Palace concerning Noynoy’s presidential “communications group” is that all four members of the group — Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Sonny Coloma, Ricky Carandang and Manolo Quezon — are to have Cabinet status, according to a yet to be released executive order. There was yet no word on whether there would be an overall press secretary, although earlier, the Noynoy administration had said that they would be doing away with a press secretary and instead establish a communications group. Obviously, if the press secretary’s office — which is a line agency, as already mentioned — is in effect abolished and replaced by four Cabinet secretaries, each with an “autonomous” role to play in the communications group, the budget is zero... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

Obama: Big wins, little credit focus 07/20/2010

Obama: Big wins, little credit

focus 07/20/2010 WASHINGTON — Not even President Barack Obama’s sworn political foes would dispute his claims to have forged sweeping political change — their cries for repeal of his historic new laws are proof of that. But Obama, despite adding a new one last week that reshaped regulation of the post-crisis finance industry, has garnered little political reward for fulfilling campaign promises like enacting health care reform. And the hope he whipped up among voters in the 2008 election has dissolved, as America’s trademark self-confidence stagnates as economic gloom takes its toll. Questions about Obama’s leadership are growing, amid crushing unemployment, a grinding war in Afghanistan, and as fallout lingers from the country’s worst environmental disaster sparked by BP’s gushing oil well. A flurry of polls in recent weeks have reignited fears among Democrats that their control of the House of Representatives and the Senate could be at risk in November’s mid-term polls. Historically, a party lumbered with a president who has approval ratings below 50 percent suffers badly in congressional polls.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

Good for both MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/20/2010

Good for both

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/20/2010 The decision of Vice President Jojo Binay to accept the HUDCC post is good for P-Noy and V-Nay. This assures the public that the two top elected leaders of the country are working together to improve their lives. With 20 years executive experience as city mayor of the premiere city of Makati and with a 77 percent trust rating, Vice President Binay can provide good inputs to P-Noy in crucial decisions, better than any unelected advisers. The acceptance of the Housing top job gives Vice President Binay a chance to do something on a constructive scale together with Gawad Kalinga and other NGOs. The housing problem is a huge one considering projections of population growth to 100 million Filipinos. VP Binay has to work double time to build 3 million housing units in six years or 500,000 a year. There’s no doubt in our minds that with P-Noy’s all-out support he can do the job. Low priority. P-Noy declared jueteng is not a priority. He even admonished DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo for making an announcement that stamping out jueteng and extra-judicial killings was his first marching orders. Jueteng is definitely the original sin of corruption of the police, mayors, governors and even Malacañang. After taking bribe money from jueteng, bribe money from drug dealing comes next easily. Now comes Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process, saying.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

No way NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 07/20/2010

No way

NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 07/20/2010 Sunday dinner in one of my children’s houses, talk shifted to the present travails of the euro and the seeming resurrection of the American dollar. “How are you doing here?” asked a young guest from Singapore, here in the Philippines for the first time. “Do you really have your last president to thank for, for your economic stability?” The question of course served to trigger the time bomb inside me that had long wanted to explode since the Inglorious left Malacañang buttressed to the left and right of her by a PR expert’s pack of lies. Gloria Arroyo is not to be thanked; whatever fiscal strength the country has, is there despite her. Gloria Arroyo should not be thanked; whatever fiscal strength she’s touted at the end of her term is likely invented or magnified by her cabal of cronies and henchmen for her her exit hurrahs.  The Ibon Foundation clarifies that Filipinos are “worse off today” than when Arroyo rode the crest of morality to become president, nine-and-a-half years ago. The report, dated June 17, 2010, clearly after the May 10 elections, belies the Arroyo administration’s “praise release” of achievements released to media shortly before she stepped down.  “Unemployment is at record sustained highs, household real income declined, poverty increased, inequality worsened, and Filipinos were forced abroad in unprecedented numbers. Prospects have been undermined by the steady erosion of domestic manufacturing and agriculture, a rapidly deepening fiscal crisis, and defeatist international trade and investment policies. In contrast, the profits of the country’s biggest corporations and the wealth of its richest families have continued to improve substantially.”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

The politics of Ilustrado AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 07/20/2010

The politics of Ilustrado

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 07/20/2010 The two major characters in Miguel Syjuco’s novel Ilustrado, the young “Miguel Syjuco” and the elderly Crispin Salvador, are, although separated by two generations, ilustrados, members of the educated elite. Each is filled with shame at the serial compromises and betrayals, past and present, of his class, and disappointed in his own failure to “make a difference.” The failings of the elite are exemplified by those of the two men’s families, although the similarities between those of character “Syjuco” and author Syjuco sometimes make the reader feel like an uncomfortable intruder in a private feud.  “Syjuco” has broken with the grandparents who raised him, just as Syjuco reportedly broke, temporarily, with his father. The grandfather of “Syjuco,” like the father of Syjuco (Iloilo’s Augusto Syjuco), is a traditional politician. When convenient, the grandmother of “Syjuco,” like the mother of Syjuco (Judy Syjuco), occupies her husband’s seat.  In The Enlightened, an early Salvador novel, as his grandfather Cristobal prepares to leave Spain for a Philippines where the revolution is imminent, his lover protests, “You belong here. Not there.” He replies, “I know.” Cristo fears for his wife and children should revolution come. Only upon hearing “her and the children’s breathing, do I find the bravery to shirk my ideas of independence.” Torn between reform and revolution, he turns to superstition: “Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, assist me.”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100720com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SM, NSO tie-up lies begin FRONTLINE No Solomonic solution focus Obama: Big wins, little credit MR. EXPOSE Good for both NO HOLDS BARRED No way AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The politics of Ilustrado

Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam By Angie M. Rosales 07/20/2010

Aquino denies interference, insists Trillanes raps flawed Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam By Angie M. Rosales 07/20/2010 Illegal and immoral are just two adjectives used by Sen. Miriam Santiago in describing President Aquino’s alleged efforts to effect the release of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, in time for Congress’ opening, and allowing him to participate in the scheduled Senate reorganization on Monday. Santiago joined the growing ranks of senators denouncing the President’s interference in the affairs of the two co-equal branches, the judiciary and the legislature, in the hope of exerting total control over Congress’ leadership, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. “It’s illegal because number one, my understanding is that no less than the Supreme Court has already upheld the trial court’s decision not to grant bail on the basis of the finding that Trillanes was a flight risk. If he’s a flight risk under the Arroyo (administration), why is he no longer a flight risk under (the administration of Aquino?) How can you possibly reverse a decision made by no less by the SC,” Santiago said in a phone-patched interview with Senate reporters. There have been numerous news reports insinuating that Trillanes has already committed his support to Sen. Francis Pangilinan, a close ally of Aquino and party mate at the Liberal Party (LP) for his top Senate bid. Both Santiago and Sen. Edgardo Angara also criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s pronouncements, defending Aquino for issuing his directive for a review, saying that it’s a prerogative of the Chief Executive to order a review of the case especially since the President vowed to deliver justice. But yesterday, de Lima said the fate of the jailed lawmaker may no longer be in the executive department’s hands but a review of the prosecution’s position is within the powers of the president. “I understand that the case will soon be deemed submitted for the court’s decision, upon the filing of the required memorandums by both the prosecution and the defense. At this stage, the options for the prosecution and the defense may be limited,” she said..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed1.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2010

Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’

By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2010 The presence of many Abads in the Aquino government is pure coincidence, family member Rep. Henedina Abad of Batanes said yesterday. Criticisms involving issues of “delicadeza” or propriety were raised against the appointments of several members of the Abad family in the Aquino government but Rep. Abad said their presence in areas involving appropriations and budgetary work, was purely coincidental. “What is delicadeza?” Abad asked House reporters doing the story on the presence of too many Abads in the Aquino government. Abad, taking the cudgels for her husband, daughter and son, all of whom are holding key positions in the Aquino government, said that there is no such thing as “delicadeza.” She said the issue of their presence in the Aquino government is being blown out of proportion. “I think sometimes the issue is being made bigger, my husband and my daughter, their credentials can speak for themselves. We have always advocated for good governance so they can look at how they perform. In the end their performance would also speak for themselves. Somebody may just be sowing intrigues but I don’t want to dignify such because we have too much work to do,” Abad said. Her husband, Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, is with the Department of Budget and Management, her daughter, Secretary Julia Abad, is the head of the Presidential Management Staff and her son Luis, is the chief-of-staff of the secretary of the Department of Finance.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed2.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/20/2010

Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/20/2010 Message of hope to complement the so-called “plethora of bad news” is what President Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) is expected to be like as he gave broad hints to reveal the supposed irregularities they have unearthed when they took over the helm of government from the Arroyo administration. In a chance interview with Palace reporters in Malacañang yesterday, Aquino mentioned three broad points that he would likely state before the public when he delivers the so-called “real state of the nation” at the Batasang Pambansa next week. The Chief Executive said these include the inventory that they are still finalizing to determine the genuine lay of the land based on the reports submitted to him by his Cabinet secretaries so that people may understand the major problems that the country is facing today. The President said he will be presenting the plans of his government to address such problems that he supposedly inherited from the previous administration which he, as well as other Malacañang officials, declined to disclose pending final evaluation whether those cases may indeed be classified as irregularities. The third point that Aquino is set to share with the nation is how the government will thresh out the many proposals that he is receiving in answer to the needs of the country particularly in infrastructure and other major ticket items and equipment for the advancement of his visions to the military. “It (Sona) would be a report of what we have so far found and what we will be doing in the future. What is important is (for us to express) what are our plans and programs for this country. It will focus on that,” explained Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. in gist.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed3.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom 07/20/2010

Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom

07/20/2010 Detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday denied allegations regarding Malacañang having a hand in expediting the resolution of his coup d’etat case, in exchange for his vote for Sen. Francis Pangilinan, in his bid to attain the Senate presidency. For former President Joseph Estrada, Trillanes’ detention, however, is just a “waste of taxpayers’ money.” Showing exasperation over the issue, he said it should not be too difficult to allow Trillanes a few hours of provisional liberty to participate in the Senate sessions. Estrada believes that the ground the Supreme Court had previously given in denying Trillanes his request to participate in Senate sessions, which was risk of flight, is no longer present in this case, noting that Trillanes needs only a few hours of the day to attend Senate sessions. “He can be brought to the Senate to attend session for a few hours and then brought back to where he is being detained. He can even be brought to the Senate under supervision or security.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed4.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino 07/20/2010

US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino

07/20/2010 A senior US State Department official will be in Manila for a two-day visit beginning today to meet with top officials of the Aquino administration. US Undersecretary for Political Affairs William Burns, who is on the final leg of his four-nation Southeast Asian swing that included Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, will arrive in the country today. Burns’ visit to these Southeast Asian partners, the State Department said, is an “important element” of the Obama administration’s commitment “to increased and deepened engagement with this dynamic region.” “On July 20 and 21, Undersecretary Burns will travel to the Philippines to consult with senior officials in the new Aquino admi-nistration and discuss ways to advance cooperation with this important ally,” the US State Department said in a statement.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed5.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac 07/20/2010

Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

07/20/2010 The Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday ordered the grounding of all AS-211 planes following the crash of one trainer craft in Tarlac province yesterday. Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena immediately formed and dispatched an investigation team to determine the cause of the accident. According to Okol, the incident took place while pilot Maj. Wilfredo Donato Santiago, Concepcion, around 11 a.m. He said the two pilots survived when they ejected just in time before their aircraft crashed in a sugarcane field in Capas town. Okol said the two pilots belong to the Air Force’s Air Division Wing’s 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Clark Air Force Base. A subsequent search operations were launched that located the ill-fated aircraft at around 11:45 a.m.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100720hed6.html

HEADLINES Noy’s meddling illegal, immoral—Miriam Abad asks critics: ‘What delicadeza?’ Noy hints at exposing GMA ‘deals’ in Sona Trillanes denies Noynoy’s hand in getting his freedom US State Dept. official to meet with Aquino Air Force grounds training planes after crash in Tarlac

Paalam, Joey Velasco, Isang Dakilang Pintor by Fernando Gagelonia July 20, 2010

Paalam, Joey Velasco, Isang Dakilang Pintor

JULY 20, 2010

tags: Joey Velasco, HAPAG NG PAG-ASA, HAPAG NG PAG-IBIG

by Fernando Gagelonia

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Rest in eternal peace, Joey.

Several hours ago, Jose ‘Boy’ Montelibano broke this sad news on Facebook: “A great GK hero, Joey Velasco, passed away. We hold him dear to our hearts as he held the poor, especially the street children, close to his heart. We send to his wife and young children our deepest sympathies. We reiterate our commitment to carry on the dream of Joey to build a gallery for his works so that his love and his story will live on to touch others.”

http://atmidfield.com/2008/07/24/last-supper-with-the-street-children-update-joey-velasco-taken-ill/

I had been praying, as many others were, that this great painter of our generation would hurdle this latest test.... MORE

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URL: http://atmidfield.com/2010/07/20/paalam-joey-velasco-isang-dakilang-pintor/