Asia’s baby shortage sets demographic timebomb ticking focus 12/24/2010

Asia’s baby shortage sets demographic timebomb ticking

focus

12/24/2010
TOKYO — East Asia’s booming economies have for years been the envy of the world, but a shortfall in one crucial area — babies — threatens to render yesterday’s tigers toothless.
Some of the world’s lowest birth rates look set to slash labor forces in Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, where fewer workers will support more retirees and their ballooning health care and pension costs.

Shuffling along in the vanguard of ageing Asia is Japan, whose population started slowly shrinking three years ago, and where almost a quarter of people are over 65 while children make up just 13 percent.

On current trends, Japan’s population of 127 million will by 2055 shrivel to 90 million, its level when it kicked off its post-war boom in 1955, warns the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Asian population giant China may still be near its prime, with armies of young rural workers flocking to its factories. But, thanks to the 30-year-old one-child policy, its demographic timebomb is also ticking..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101224com7.html

DoJ bans Garcia travel with HDO By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/24/2010

DoJ bans Garcia travel with HDO

By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/24/2010

Retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia, at the center of the controversial plea bargain agreement that has been denounced by President Arroyo and his Justice Secretary who insists that the plea bargain is illegal, has been placed on Immigration’s Hold Departure Order (HDO) by the Department of Justice.

The reason behind the HDO, according to the Justice chief, Leila de Lima, is that Garcia is still facing a tax evasion case and cannot leave the country despite a decision by the Ombudsman to allow a plea bargain in the plunder case pending against him at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court.

De Lima issued yesterday the HDO against the former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller to prevent him from leaving the country, citing the pending tax evasion case at the DoJ..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101224hed1.html

AFP chief orders Garcia plunder case review By Mario J. Mallari 12/24/2010

AFP chief orders Garcia plunder case review

By Mario J. Mallari 12/24/2010

The Philippine military is once again treading on political grounds, despite claims that it is now an “apolitical” and “professional” armed force, as its top chief joined in on the controversial plea bargain agreement forged between the Special Prosecutor and the former military comptroller who has been charged with plunder.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. said he is not in favor of the plea bargain agreement entered into by the government with former military comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was accused of amassing more than P300 million in unexplained wealth during his incumbency.

The plea bargain calls for lesser charges of direct bribery and money laundering, all of which are bailable offenses.

Garcia had already admitted guilt on these two lesser charges before the anti-graft court, after the agreement was forged.

During a chance interview, David stressed that the military wants the cases filed against Garcia to proceed in the courts..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101224hed2.html

Court junks anew Ping review plea By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/24/2010

Court junks anew Ping review plea

By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/24/2010

A Manila court turned down another motion of fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson to compel the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reinvestigate the criminal charges filed against him in connection with the double-murder case involving publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

In an order dated Dec. 21, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 acting presiding Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina said Lacson’s lawyers failed to present new arguments or issues that would warrant a reversal of the court’s order last July 23 that initially junked the petition.

“After considering all the allegations and arguments contained in the said motions as well as the comments or opposition thereto by the prosecution and accused Cesar Mancao II, this Court finds no compelling reason to deviate from its previous findings in its said order,” the court ruled.

The Manila court also explained that any disposition on the part of the DoJ with regard to the reinvestigation will ultimately still be subject to the court’s appreciation..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101224hed3.html

Reconsider ruling on truth body, Palace asks SC By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/24/2010

Reconsider ruling on truth body, Palace asks SC

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/24/2010

President Aquino has decided to just file a motion for reconsideration (MR) after giving it much thought with all the options that his legal team was trying to feed him concerning the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling that nullified his Executive Order 1 (EO1) which created the Philippine Truth Commission last Dec. 7.

In a press statement released by the office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. yesterday, Malacañang argued in its MR that the truth body does not violate the equal protection clause which was cited by the petitioners against EO1.

Filed by Solicitor General Anselmo Cadiz, the MR pointed out some reasons explaining why the EO 1 should not be rendered unconstitutional because “the language of executive order shows that there is no intent to unfairly discriminate against the previous administration.”

He insisted that “the Truth Commission does not single out specific individuals but refers to questionable trans-actions in the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” and that “there is no invidious classification of the of the transactions during the previous administration since
this is based on substantial distinctions that make for real differences.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101224hed4.html

Binay focuses priority to protect OFWs’ welfare, housing sector 12/24/2010

Binay focuses priority to protect OFWs’ welfare, housing sector

12/24/2010
As “housing czar” and presidential adviser for OFW concerns, Vice President Jejomar Binay is seeking significant changes in the two fields next year.

“There is much work to be done in the coming years but we have already taken the important first step in reforming the housing sector and ensuring government assistance for our overseas Filipino workers,” Binay, in a statement, yesterday said.

Binay was designated presidential adviser for OFW concerns by President Aquino.

In November, the Vice President led government officials in bringing home 162 distressed OFWs from Lebanon, the first mass repatriation undertaken by the new administration.

He also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify the drive against illegal recruitment, following the arrest of British citizens victimizing Filipinos..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101224hed5.html

RP, Switzerland agree to exchange professional nurses 12/24/2010

RP, Switzerland agree to exchange professional nurses

12/24/2010
The Philippines and Switzerland have agreed to draw a comprehensive plan for promoting and strengthening the full potential of the two countries’ agreement on the exchange of professional trainees, particularly health workers.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Embassy in Berne said the plan will give particular attention to prospective hospital employers of Filipino nurses, whose entry into Switzerland as professional trainees is covered by the existing Philippine-Swiss trainee exchange agreement.

“Upon the full implementation of the agreement, new windows of opportunity will be opened,” an embassy report said.

These include the expansion of the quota on the number of trainees and the increased flexibility in the categories of skills of trainees to be qualified under the agreement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101224nat3.html

CPP brands AFP’s ‘Bayanihan’ as patterned after US program 12/24/2010

CPP brands AFP’s ‘Bayanihan’ as patterned after US program

12/24/2010
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has branded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s internal peace and security plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” as “the same dog with a different collar,” stressing the new plan is patterned after the United States militarist counterinsurgency guide.

In a statement, the CPP said that “Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan is not at all new except in name and heavy cosmetizing,” comparing it to the previous Operation Plan Bantay Laya under the Arroyo administration which was blamed for various human rights violations.

“The ‘new’ plan hews to the fancy rhetoric of the latest edition of the US Counterinsurgency Guide. It contains the same, brutal, militarist doctrine and prescriptions of all previous US-designed co-in (counter-insurgency) plans. It pretends only to be different from Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya by harping on new rhetoric that are neither grounded in practice nor in will,” said the CPP.

Last Tuesday, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. formally presented IPSP Bayanihan to the Commander in Chief President Aquino during the AFP’s 75th founding anniversary. Aquino gave his full support to the new counterinsurgency program..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101224nat2.html

Magdalo supported defeated top candidates Villar, Roxas By Angie M. Rosales 12/24/2010

Magdalo supported defeated top candidates Villar, Roxas

By Angie M. Rosales 12/24/2010
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who now consider himself a political ally of President Aquino, said it was a collective decision of his Magdalo group, not his, to back up during the last elections the candidacies of defeated candidates Senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Manuel Roxas II.

Villar, president of the Nacionalista Party (NP), ran for the presidency while Roxas, president of the Liberal Party (LP), was gunning for the vice presidency.

Sometime late February, Magdalo announced that Villar and Roxas have gotten their support, promising to deliver at least 250,000 votes.

“There were certain dynamics that the group observed before we arrived with that decision,” said Trillanes, explaining for the first time of the issue.

“In fact, I didn’t vote myself but I was bound by the decision of the group. And I made that decision on my own. That was as far as the campaign is concerned. The people have now spoken and we have to move on. We cannot go against the will of the people,” he said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101224nat5.html

Destroying a nation EDITORIAL 12/23/2010

Destroying a nation

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

12/23/2010
Noynoy Aquino and his aides are probably the most meddlesome and the most quarrelsome Filipinos have ever had in the history of Malacañang and its previous tenants.

They have quarreled with the high court and its justices; quarreled with the Ombudsman and even interfered in its decisions and to this day, they continue to do so from day one of the presidency.

Why can’t this Aquino administration, six months in power and position, even learn that there is a separation of powers among the three branches of government, as well as non-interference in constitutional offices independent of the executive branch that has to be strictly honored?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com1.html

Fear of uncovering the truth FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 12/23/2010

Fear of uncovering the truth

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

12/23/2010
Why is the Aquino administration so fearful of having his officials, along with some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), testifying before the Hong Kong coroner in its probe of the botched Aug. 23 hostage rescue operations that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, with others injured and traumatized?

Hong Kong wants some 116 Filipinos who were part of the hostage rescue operations to testify before a Hong Kong body, but there is clearly a rejection from the Palace to heed the HK summons, as Noynoy Aquino’s aides have been raising even the issue of sovereignty and the demand of a virtual grant of immunity from HK for the Filipinos summoned to consider testifying in that coroner’s probe?

Justice Chief Leila de Lima was quoted as saying that she would bring up the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR) to shield from prosecution 13 witnesses summoned by HK authorities in its investigation of the botched rescue.

One wonders just who the 13 witnesses summoned by HK authorities are, whom Noynoy, through his Justice chief, wants to be completely protected. Would that be his close pal, target shooting buddy Rico Puno, then the de facto DILG secretary in charge of the PNP as well as some of his Liberal Party allies?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com2.html

Asia gets into the Christmas spirit FEATURE 12/23/2010

Asia gets into the Christmas spirit

FEATURE

12/23/2010
BANGKOK — The decorations are up, the carols are playing and Santa has been seen scuba diving in Japan, delivering presents on a motorbike in Seoul and being thrown out of Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Christianity may not be Asia’s main religion, but Christmas cheer is in evidence around much of the region, even if eating and shopping are often the main attractions.

The shop tills are ringing in Buddhist Bangkok and Muslim Kuala Lumpur, where stores are festooned with tinsel and fairy lights.

More than 100 children in Santa suits recently joined a Christmas carnival at a major mall in the Thai capital.
In Japan, Santa has made a splash in Tokyo aquariums, feeding marine life and performing with dolphins..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com3.html

A tale of two rapes BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 12/23/2010

A tale of two rapes

BLURBAL THRUSTS

Louie Logarta

12/23/2010
Justice remains elusive for a Pampanga lass whose alleged rapist, a former English professor in the Holy Angel University in Angeles City, remains at arm’s length in a Jeddah, Saudi Arabia detention facility after his repatriation to the Philippines to face charges in court was delayed by bureaucratic red tape.

Sources informed us that suspect Arnel Ocampo was supposed to have arrived in the country last week but somehow his deportation papers were left unsigned by the concerned government official, thus preventing his being shipped back to the Philippines.

Ocampo had been slapped with 32 counts of rape by his alleged victim, a student of his who was 16 years old at the time the sexual abuse started, before the sala of Judge Angelica Paras-Quiambao of the Angeles City Regional Trial Court dating back to last year.

He managed to avoid prosecution in court when he fled the country through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the aid of certain unnamed officials of the Bureau of Immigration (the BI-NAIA unit was then under Ferdinand Sampol) despite the issuance of a hold departure order and two warrants of arrest by the court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com4.html

Big brother. Sibling. Bastard. VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 12/23/2010

Big brother. Sibling. Bastard.

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

12/23/2010
Without the least intention of offending anybody, much less of insulting anyone, and without losing sight of the days of songs and joy during this time of the year, it nevertheless remains in order to call attention to the status of gambling in the country — as a reality call. Yes. It was already proliferating before during the previous administration. But surprise, surprise: Gambling in the Philippines has developed far and wide during the incumbency of the present national leadership supposed to be held by someone whose value system is repeatedly claimed and loudly proclaimed as unconditionally sterling and absolutely honorable.

The fact, however, says something else — if not exactly the opposite. It can be said without doubt or fear that the vice of gambling in this country has moved much forward to the extent that the following domestic simile can be now used to give a better and bigger picture of how really notorious and vicious is the status of gambling in the Philippines: Pagcor is the big brother. PCSO is a sibling. Jueteng is a bastard..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com5.html

Clarification LETTER 12/23/2010 Dear Editor:

Clarification

LETTER

12/23/2010
Dear Editor:
This is in reference to Mr. Jonathan dela Cruz’s Dec. 15, 2010 column in The Daily Tribune. Your column raised a number of issues regarding our Putatan Water Treatment Plant, which we would like to clarify in the interest of accuracy and fairness.

First, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) was not conned in a P1-billion contract by Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad).

Under a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) and MWSS, the former granted the latter usufrutuary right over the property in Putatan, Muntinlupa.

Subsequently, MWSS and Maynilad signed a separate MoA assigning to the latter, gratuitous and exclusive right to occupy and use the property for the remaining period of the Concession Agreement and any extension or renewal thereof..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com6.html

Doing the right thing COMMENT By Ronald Roy 12/23/2010

Doing the right thing

COMMENT

By Ronald Roy 12/23/2010
I rubbed my eyes three, four times, and a major daily’s big bold front-page words remained constant — “SC: Webb et al. not vindicated; decision didn’t rule on their innocence..” These were the words as ascribed to Supreme Court (SC) spokesman Midas Marquez. The statement, vague if not erroneous to lawyers, makes one wonder if Marquez was speaking for the court or himself. Either way he will probably get a reprimand even if after a subsequent interview with reporters he clarified the matter before his superiors.

I believe that an official SC spokesman, when making a public statement, should always do so in behalf of the body he represents, and not in any other capacity making a personal opinion. He should in fact refrain from making dubious interpretations of the SC’s pronouncements, most especially its final judgments. I’d rather think though Mr. Marquez was misquoted or taken out of context..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101223com7.html

Sandiganbayan on Garcia case: ‘Shut up’ 12/23/2010

‘GARCIA COULD NOT HAVE ACTED ALONE’ — SOLON

Sandiganbayan on Garcia case: ‘Shut up’

12/23/2010
The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan issued yesterday a “gag order” restraining the parties in the plunder charges against former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia.

The court ordered this amid the backlash caused by a recent action of entering into a plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman and its special prosecutors on the plunder raps filed against the retired military official.

“It appears that various unfounded comments have been made that only confuse issues and do not in any way serve the ends of justice. The parties, lawyers and representatives are hereby ordered to refrain from issuing press releases, granting press interviews, and making any comments, pending the promulgation (of the decision),” the order from the Sandiganbayan 2nd Division stated.

The gag order was read by Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micaelduring a press conference at the Office of the Ombudsman..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed1.html

Black travel ban vs RP stays — China, HK By Michaela P. del Callar 12/23/2010

Black travel ban vs RP stays — China, HK

By Michaela P. del Callar 12/23/2010

All is still not well between the Philippine and Chinese governments despite the visit of President Aquino’s tourism secretary, Alberto Lim, to Hong Kong with a meeting between him and Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang.

The travel ban issued against the Philippines by Hong Kong following the bloody Aug. 23 hostage tragedy that killed eight of its tourists will not be lifted immediately, China’s top envoy to the Philippines said yesterday.

Ambassador Liu Jianchao revealed that Hong Kong authorities have no plans at the moment to lift the black travel alert which prohibits Hong Kong residents from visiting the Philippines. The Philippines is the only country that was given a black travel alert status by Hong Kong.

“During the visit by Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim (to Hong Kong) last week, the Hong Kong authorities announced that they will consider the easing of the travel warning to the Philippines in due course after examining the measures that have been taken or to be taken (by the Philippine government),” Liu
told reporters in a roundtable forum..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed2.html

WikiLeaks: US mission to UN found RP ambassador ‘naïve’ By Michaela P. del Callar 12/23/2010

WikiLeaks: US mission to UN found RP ambassador ‘naïve’

By Michaela P. del Callar 12/23/2010

The United States has called the Philippines’ top diplomat to the United Nations “naïve,” but perceived him as a “determined” leader of an anti-nuclear weapons body, according to a classified cable released by whistle-blower WikiLeaks.

A confidential diplomatic communication by the US Mission to the UN revealed discussions of Rose Gottemoeller, US Assistant Secretary for Verification, Compliance and Implementation, with key diplomats, including Philippine Permanent Representative Libran Cabactulan, on May 5 and 7, 2009 on the margins of the Non-proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) in New York.

Cabactulan was elected president of the 2010 NPT Review Conference (RevCon)that was held from May 3 to 28 this year at the UN headquarters where he also sat as the country’s chief negotiator.

“Cabactulan, though perhaps somewhat nave (sic) about the particular issues likely to confront him in his role as the President of the NPT Review Conference, clearly was pleased with his appointment and determined to make the RevCon a success,” WikiLeaks cable dated May 13, 2009 said.

“He appeared particularly receptive to consultations with the United States throughout the course of preparations for the RevCon,” it added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed3.html

RP seeks exploratory talks with MILF 12/23/2010

RP seeks exploratory talks with MILF

12/23/2010
The Philippine government yesterday said it hopes to start exploratory talks next month with Muslim rebels waging a decades-old rebellion in Mindanao.

Formal invitations have been sent to Mohagher Iqbal, the chief negotiator of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF), and Malaysia is a possible venue, said Iqbal’s counterpart on the government panel, Marvic Leonen.

The earliest, we hope, will be in January next year. We are open to holding the sessions anywhere, but it could be in Kuala Lumpur, Leonen said in a statement issued by the office of President Aquino’s peace adviser.

But Leonen hopes that facilitation issues will be resolved soon to pave the way for the conduct of informal sessions and resumption of formal peace talks.

“It is very clear that the Philippine government wanted the best chance for a full settlement to gain acceptance from the public. So we have to settle the facilitation issues,” he said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed4.html

Nobel boycott shows Noynoy double-deals with US, China ANALYSIS 12/23/2010

Nobel boycott shows Noynoy double-deals with US, China

ANALYSIS

12/23/2010
The recent decision of President Aquino to boycott the Nobel Peace Price award ceremony in Norway was proof that his administration is double-dealing with Beijing and Washington with the government hoping to exploit the ties with China for economic benefits, a global risk consultancy firm said.

“The Philippine decision to boycott the Nobel Peace Price award cermony in Norway is the latest testa-ment to the developing ties between Beijing and Manila,” according to the Pacific Strategies and Assess-ments’ (PSA) Philippines Weekly Report.

It noted that while the majority of the other 17 countries which chose to boycott were known China allies with little to lose such as North Korea and Pakistan, many were surprised that the Philippines, a recognized US ally and so-called democracy advocate in the Asian region, skipped the ceremony in support of China..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed5.html

2 kidnapped Malaysians freed in Tawi-Tawi after 10 months 12/23/2010

2 kidnapped Malaysians freed in Tawi-Tawi after 10 months

12/23/2010
Two Malaysian laborers seized from a seaweed farm in Sabah in February by Malaysian bandits who have links with the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group have been freed unharmed across the sea in Tawi-Tawi province, police yesterday said.

Troops from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force found Chen Yui Chung, 48, and Lai Wong Chun, 46, in Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi, late Tuesday, PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo told reporters.

“I am pleased to announce the successful rescue of two Malaysian kidnap victims in Tawi-Tawi Dec. 21,” he said in a statement.

Police picked up the two on the Bongao coast after days of surveillance during which they monitored the movement of the kidnappers, Bacalzo added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101223hed6.html

AFP reports CPP’s first violation of Christmas truce By Mario J. Mallari 12/23/2010

AFP reports CPP’s first violation of Christmas truce

By Mario J. Mallari 12/23/2010

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recorded the first violation of the Christmas truce committed by the communist New people’s Army (NPA) rebels who ambushed a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Negros Oriental province last Monday.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the militiaman, identified as Larry Bustamante who is assigned to the 12th Infantry Battalion (IB), managed to return fire against the 12-man NPA band which ambushed him along Barangay Humay-Humay in Guihulngan town around 7:45 p.m.

“There is violation of the ceasefire…there is military spot report,” said Mabanta, referring to the ambush against Bustamante who escaped unharmed after the shooting incident.

Mabanta reminded the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF), the political arm of the NPA, to respect the suspension of offensive military operations (Somo)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101223nat1.html

Magdalo leader to make courtesy call to Noynoy By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/23/2010

Magdalo leader to make courtesy call to Noynoy

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/23/2010

Malacañang is working out on a possible courtesy call of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with President Aquino before the end of the year after the former’s petition for a temporary liberty was granted by the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) last Monday.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP) Secretary Ricky Carandang relayed to reporters yesterday that there were indeed plans being cooked for a possible meeting between Aquino and Trillanes soon but that hasn’t been scheduled yet.

This developed as Trillanes reportedly announced that he will be meeting with Aquino after paying courtesy call with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who, incidentally, was among the 17 senators that lobbied for his amnesty.

“As far as I understand, there has been no conversation between the President and Trillanes at this point. I spoke to some of the colleagues of Trillanes and they would like to see the President before the end of the year to make a courtesy call but that has not been set up yet,” Carandang said in a phone patch interview..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101223nat7.html

Disunited administration EDITORIAL 12/22/2010

Disunited administration

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

12/22/2010
ne of the most startling statements made by Noynoy Aquino during the presidential campaign, and in a press conference yet, was that he and his vice presidential bet, former Sen. Mar Roxas, have agreed to share the workload of the presidency, with Noynoy stating that it would be as high as an 80-20 percent workload share, with Roxas taking on the 80 percent.

That Noynoy statement was met with incredulity by the public as it was pointed out to Noynoy that the presidency cannot be shared, as not even a vice president is clothed with presidential power and authority.

Still, this statement was never retracted by Noynoy and in any case, Roxas lost his vice presidential bid as then Makati Mayor Jojo Binay won the polls, and was proclaimed Vice President by the Congress.

It is evident that Noynoy has not shared the presidential workload with Binay, but from all indications, he appears to have kept his word that he would be sharing the presidential work with Roxas..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com1.html

Junking holiday economics FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 12/22/2010

Junking holiday economics

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

12/22/2010
Personally, I am against holiday economics, as it is not only highly unproductive, but also serves to drain the pocket of business with all the holiday work it has to pay workers — especially under dire economic conditions.

Quite frankly, this country has too many holidays, some of which should not even be holidays, such as the February Edsa Revolt which is really quite meaningless, and even the Ninoy Aquino assassination on Aug. 21. If Ninoy’s assassination is to be a holiday, then heck, we may as well declare the three Filipino martyrs — Gomburza day a special holiday, among other Filipino martyrs and heroes who died.

But that is hardly the point of the matter.

The point is: Can a president amend a law through a presidential proclamation?Apparently, Malacañang seems to think it can. And should..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com2.html

Australians buy cows and sheep with a mouse FEATURE 12/22/2010

Australians buy cows and sheep with a mouse

FEATURE

12/22/2010
SYDNEY — Buying sheep and cattle in Australia used to be a tough business — drovers would herd livestock thousands of kilometers across the hot and remote Outback for auction. Now ranchers can buy a herd with just a few clicks of a mouse from the comfort of a tractor cab.

Some farmers faced a three to five day trip to buy sheep — “now they do it in the hour,” said Gary Dick, general manager of livestock sale site AuctionsPlus.

With just a few clicks, buyers around Australia, even farmers working in their fields, can bid on animals and have them transported across the vast country thanks to online trading.

“You can buy stock from your office desk over your computer, which gives you another dimension in your supply,” long-time user Steve Sinclair, head of Sinclair Meats, told AFP..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com3.html

Three cheers for the Azkals C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 12/22/2010

Three cheers for the Azkals

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S

Jonathan De la Cruz

12/22/2010
Whoever thought of the name “Azkals” for the heroic Philippine football team which got as far as the semifinals in the prestigious Asian Suzuki Challenge Cup should report immediately to Tourism Secretary Bertie Lim. The guy has certainly a talent for marketing, specifically branding, and that is what the Philippines needs to become a major tourist destination in the world. The real “Azkal” — short for Asong Kalye (street dog, for some stray dog) in Pilipino — just about describes the phenomenon that is now the 2010 Philippine football team. It is a gritty, disciplined and very focused team which defied all the odds to reach the semifinals. That it gave the defending champion Indonesian team a run for its money is no exaggeration. No less than the winning team’s head coach, Alfred Riedl, readily admitted after their 1-0 win over the Azkals last Sunday that the game “was probably their most difficult match” in the tournament because of how physically strong the Filipinos are.” Riedl added that for him the Azkals were like a European team not a Southeast Asian team. Well, they are, in more ways than one not only because they are children of mixed marriages, mainly Fil-European, but because of their talent and determination as a team to win for themselves and for their parents’ native land.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com4.html

Asians in festive shopping spree as West sulks FEATURE 12/22/2010

Asians in festive shopping spree as West sulks

FEATURE

12/22/2010
SINGAPORE — Strong currencies and a travel boom are fuelling a festive shopping spree in Asia’s retail capitals even though consumers remain wary of a new downturn, economists and retailers say.

With US and European consumers stuck in uncertainty, global brands are pinning their hopes on Asia, where the buying binge usually stretches from Christmas to the Lunar New Year which will take place in early February.

Singapore’s fashionable Orchard Road is teeming with foreign shoppers, many of them from Southeast Asian countries whose currencies have appreciated sharply against the US dollar this year.

Don Triangga, a 26-year-old Indonesian tourist, said he spent 1,500 Singapore dollars ($1,150) on a Louis Vuitton belt and a Burberry shirt, and he wasn’t done yet.

“The Burberry polo shirt is a gift, but the belt I use,” he told AFP while sitting next to a gigantic Christmas tree in front of the swank Ion Orchard shopping mall..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com5.html

Merry Christmas HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 12/22/2010

Merry Christmas

HE SAYS

Aldrin Cardon

12/22/2010
here seems to be a thousand blue lights waiting for Sen. Antonio Trillanes when he reports to his office anytime soon.

The former Navy captain had his first taste of freedom Monday night. He went straight to his in-laws’ house — where his wife and two kids are staying, and had six hours of sleep, before he gave his first media interview to the pair of Gerry Baja and Anthony Taberna on Tuesday morning.

He would be surprised with the extra effort his Senate staff poured in anticipation of his freedom, the door to his office looks like a passageway to a theme park. But it was all worth it, Trillanes will spend his first Christmas as a free man since he voiced the military’s desire for changes which Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts denied them and the nation.

Trillanes vowed to be a changed man without forgetting the ideals that fired up his desire to serve his people, first as in the military and now, in the Senate.

Before he does his job, however, let him enjoy the holidays and let us wish him a peaceful Christmas and a merry new year..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com6.html

Happy holidays SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 12/22/2010

Happy holidays

SHE SAYS

Dinah S. Ventura

12/22/2010
he season is reaching its peak — you only have to brave the traffic and witness the shopping frenzy in the malls, the tiangge havens and even the sidewalks to feel the mounting excitement in the air.

So what else is new, right? The difference is that this year, it feels like the season came too soon, leaving many of us unprepared. It seemed as if we were too caught up in our problems to feel the usual thrill whenever the “ber” months came.

The difference, too, is that many of us are finally learning to appreciate the real reason for the season — it is, after all, a time for hope, peace, joy and gratitude.

For instance, hope came late this year for Hubert Webb, whose Christmas will be the happiest in a very long time. Free at last, he was seen shopping soon after he was released from prison over what some see as a “failure of justice.” Fifteen years ago, he was a young man who probably thought nothing of spending his time and money on clothes, but now, his appreciation for the experience was so palpable, you could almost see the effort he put into controlling his emotions. He was shown on television looking through the pile and jokingly admitting that it was the first time he was wearing jeans again as he was always in a pair of shorts in prison..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101222com7.html

Aquino in no position to overturn Garcia bid move 12/22/2010

AFTER GRANTING AMNESTY TO MUTINEERS AFTER GRANTING TO MUTINEERS

Aquino in no position to overturn Garcia bid move

12/22/2010
President Aquino has a weak hand in his effort to overturn a plea bargain that resulted in the release on bail of indicted retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia after granting amnesty to a group of military mutineers, an international risk consultancy firm said.

The Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) in its Philippines Weekly Report said many believe that Aquino has little legitimacy to confront the Garcia issue after granting amnesty to a group of military mutineers, including Sen. Antonio Trillanes, “and he simply lacks the capacity and wherewithal to reevaluate the proceedings and decision.”

Garcia was released last week after entering a plea of guilty to the lesser offense of indirect bribery from plunder. He was ordered to pay a bail bond of P60,000.

Garcia was originally charged with plunder for allegedly acquiring more than P300 million in unexplained wealth when he was Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller in 2004. His wife, Clarita, and children Ian Carl, Juan Paulo and Timothy Clark, who all had fled to the United States, were also included in the charge..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed1.html

DoJ eyes RP-HK MLAT as shield for Noy’s pals, allies in HK probe By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/22/2010

DoJ eyes RP-HK MLAT as shield for Noy’s pals, allies in HK probe

By Benjamin B. Pulta 12/22/2010

It is still a matter of President Aquino’s continued protection of his pals and allies from prosecution, here and in Hong Kong, which tends to indicate that this was the safety measure being sought by Malacañang from Hong Kong authorities in its evident resistance to have its officials testify before the Hong Kong panel that will be probing the Aug. 23 Manila botched hostage rescue operations that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, along with the hostage taker, a dismissed policeman, Rolando Mendoza.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday said that the Philippine government will invoke its Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR) to shield from prosecution 13 witnesses summoned by Hong Kong authorities in its investigation of the botched rescue.
Speaking with reporters, De Lima expressed misgivings that the investigation being conducted by Hong Kong authorities which she said might lead to theprosecution of the Filipino witnesses..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed2.html

De Lima to probe Webb, et al. despite SC acquittal 12/22/2010

De Lima to probe Webb, et al. despite SC acquittal

12/22/2010
Three teams have been ordered formed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to go after three sets of suspects in the Vizconde massacre that occurred in June 1991.

One of the teams, however, will still be held as suspects Hubert Jeffrey Webb, et. al., all of whom have already been ac-quitted by the Supreme Court on grounds that the prose-cution failed to prove its case against Webb, et al.

De Lima acknowledged that if Webb comes off as the guilty party by the special probe teams composed of investigators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), there can be no case filed against Webb and his group since he has been acquitted and charging them would violate the double jeopardy principle.

The PNP and the NBI are attached agencies of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the DoJ, respectively. They were tasked by Malacañang to spearhead the inter-agency panel that will conduct the reinvestigation.

President Aquino had ordered the reinvestigation of the Vizconde murder case,
saying he sympathizes with Lauro Vizconde..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed3.html

US troops bar local journalists from TV coverage; Embassy downplays ‘order’ By Michaela P. del Callar 12/22/2010

US troops bar local journalists from TV coverage; Embassy downplays ‘order’

By Michaela P. del Callar 12/22/2010

The US Embassy on Tuesday downplayed reports that American soldiers ordered local reporters in Zamboanga City to stop taking footage of the visit of Visiting Forces Agreement Executive Director Edilberto Adan inside a Philippine military camp last Monday.

Wossie Mazengia, acting embassy spokesman, said the soldiers merely “requested verification” on the status of the members of the media.

Reports said the reporters were shabbily treated by six American military personnel guarding the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) office inside the West Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Mazengia also said journalists were not barred from covering the event. She said they were allowed access inside the camp and even spoke with Adan and JSOTF-P head Robert Gusentine..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed4.html

Cusi quits, cites political pressure By Conrado Ching and Aytch S, de la Cruz 12/22/2010

Cusi quits, cites political pressure

By Conrado Ching and Aytch S, de la Cruz 12/22/2010

The chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Director General Alfonso Cusi, has succumbed to mounting pressure from Malacañang and has tendered his resignation with the Office of the Pre-sident last Monday evening.

Cusi’s resignation comes at a time when the country is in the middle of scrutiny by international bodies to validate the improvements the CAAP has done on the country’s civil aviation system and ultimately decide if Philippines deserves to get its Category 1 or “Safe” rating back.

“I hereby tender my irrevocable resignation as Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines effective Dec. 31, 2010,” Cusi said in his letter to President Aquino.

“The circumstances of my appointment have been politicized by certain quarters and, consequently,
have cast doubts on my integrity and management competence,” Cusi added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed5.html

Combat pay hike or a mirage? ask soldiers By Aytch de la Cruz 12/22/2010

Combat pay hike or a mirage? ask soldiers

By Aytch de la Cruz 12/22/2010

Was it or was it not an increase in combat pay under Executive Order 15, confused soldiers were asking yesterday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) heralded what appears to be a 100 percent increase in the soldier’s combat pay as announced by Aquino during the AFP’s 75th anniversary ceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, citing the EO’s provision granting a fixed P500 per month combat pay to soldiers that was previously P240 for each soldier sent to a war zone.

The EO, however, removed a P150 daily allowance to soldiers as hazard pay under former President Arroyo’s EO 658 which EO 15 repealed.

The repealed combat allowance comes out higher if a tour of duty lasts for more than two days since it is computed daily.

The additional P260 to the existing P240 monthly combat pay will be given starting Jan.1 based on the EO..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101222hed6.html

Trillanes not allowed to travel abroad — Enrile By Angie M. Rosales 12/22/2010

Trillanes not allowed to travel abroad — Enrile

By Angie M. Rosales 12/22/2010

Unlike the rest of his colleagues in the Senate who can attend to their so-called official missions abroad, neophyte Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is not allowed to travel outside of the country, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday.

Enrile, whom the Makati Regional Trial Court entrusted or placed Trillanes under custody, maintained that the latter can do freely whatever he wants when he gets his “amnesty.”

As “custodian” the upper chamber chief said he stands to be responsible of Trillanes.

“I’m a lawyer. I practiced law. I know the norms under which we lawyers comfort ourselves with respect to our dealings with the courts and in obedience to their orders. And so given the fact that I was given the custody of Trillanes and given the fact that he has not yet been amnestied, that is to come later, and so therefore, given the fact that he is still subject to the jurisdiction of the regional trial court before whom this case is pending, I have to go through the process of considering him still as a person under judicial custody entrusted to me. And so therefore, I have to put a symbol of authority to establish that status. And that is why we have to assign to him two members of OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms),” Enrile told reporters in an interview.

Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel issued an order last Monday afternoon “partially” granting the Trillanes’ motion for a provisional liberty on recognizance following the issuance of Proclamation No. 75 by President Aquino which grants amnesty to so-called mutineers of the Arroyo administration..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101222nat1.html

Noynoy in Blunderland 12/21/2010

Noynoy in Blunderland

12/21/2010
Malacañang is a virtual Blunderland with Noynoy Aquino and his equally inept, clueless and incompetent aides at its helm.

Doesn’t the Malacañang tenant, along with his miscommunicators, who really are turning out to be Lord and Lady Gagas, first think before shooting their moronic mouths off on virtually any and all issues?

Former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, charged with the crime of plunder, entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecutors, where he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of direct bribery along with money laundering. The plea bargain agreement is to be ruled upon by the Sandiganbayan that in the meantime, granted him bail on P60,000. Garcia is now enjoying temporary liberty until the plea bargain issue is settled by the court, which plea will likely be granted, given that the deal was between the prosecutors and Garcia.

Noynoy quickly reacted, telling his favorite Yellow newspaper that he will intervene and have the plea bargain deal rejected, as the evidence against Garcia was strong..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101221com1.html

Profit-sharing and transfer pricing AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 12/21/2010

Profit-sharing and transfer pricing

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW

Ken Fuller

12/21/2010
Two weeks ago, this column noted how, despite an economic crisis, US corporations are raking in higher profits than ever. Today, we’ll take a look at how some US-based transnational corporations (TNCs) make a killing by setting up subsidiaries in overseas tax havens. This may, as we’ll see, have implications for the Philippines.

Most of the following information is taken from an article entitled “Ireland top location for US Multinational Profits” on the Irish business site www.finfacts.com. Based partly on two studies conducted by Martin Sullivan (previously a US Treasury Department economist) in the US journal Tax Notes in 2004, this reveals that US subsidiaries in Ireland (pop. 4.5 million) doubled their profits, from $13.4 billion to $26.8 billion, from 1999 to 2002. In Bermuda (pop. 66,000) over the same period, such profits tripled, rising from $8.5 billion to $25.2 billion, making them the two most profitable locations for US business. Believe it or not, the 2002 profit-figure for Bermuda was achieved on the back of income of just $34.3 billion.

Given the size of these two countries, such huge profits obviously do not all arise from productive activity. In fact, the article claims that the boost in profits was not related to increased economic activity. How, then, can this phenomenon be explained?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101221com2.html

Iraqi cinema makes a comeback at Greek film festival FEATURE 12/21/2010

Iraqi cinema makes a comeback at Greek film festival

FEATURE

12/21/2010
THESSALONIKI — Iraqi cinema scored a notable first at this month’s Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece, with one film up for an award and a retrospective of the young director Mohamed al-Daradji.

But although Ebrahim Saeedi’s Mandoo (Tired) did not win, both he and Daradji showed that independent Iraqi cinema — whose history dates back more than a century yet for years was a propaganda tool of Saddam Hussein’s regime — has made a comeback.

“From 2005 to 2008, no films at all were produced in Iraq because of sectarian violence but things are changing,” Daradji, whose film Son of Babylon was shot in Iraq and produced in Europe and the Middle East, told AFP.

The critically acclaimed movie follows an old Kurdish peasant woman and her unruly 12-year-old grandson Ahmed in the south of the country three weeks after the fall of Saddam.

The pair are searching for Ahmed’s father, who was a soldier in the Iraqi army during the first Gulf War in 1991 and never came home..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101221com3.html

Mano Mano: Manila’s Young Masters of Drawing at Blanc Compound

Mano Mano: Manila’s Young Masters of Drawing at Blanc Compound

By TERENCE KRISHNA V. LOPEZ
Bulatlat.com
It features two men who use powerful hands to come up with knock-out results but, it is not a fist fight.
Opened last Tuesday, November 16 and will run until the end of this month, Mano mano is a two-man exhibit that brings together two of Manila’s exciting contemporary visual artists, Raoul Ignacio “Iggy” Rodriguez and Michael Alvin “Mike” R. Adrao.

Rodriguez was one of the recipients of the Thirteen Artists Awards in 2009, an award given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines to young and emerging artists based on their bodies of work. On the other hand, Adrao finished residencies at NEAR Dangsang in Seoul, Korea in 2009 and Project Space Pilipinas in 2008.
The show at the Blanc Compound in Mandaluyong features 20 drawings from Rodriguez and Adrao, both popular in this particular field in the visual arts.

Form and Substance
Like in every artwork, form and substance must come together as one, not one after the other. And that is one certain thing that Rodriguez and Adrao accomplished in Mano Mano. Definitely, it is not an exaggeration to say that these two are masters of drawing.

Delusions of Grandeur. The status quo is maintained by those who ride in toy rocking horses.(Photo by Terence Krishna V. Lopez / bulatlat.com)

For those who follow the works of Rodriguez, it is without question that his are always done with high taste and are well thought-off, with hues and strokes and texture and details always falling in proper places.

But beyond his works’ form is the substance one always gets from them.

Rodriguez once again presents here his own critique of the status quo with his seven-piece acrylic and pen and ink on arches, with coming of age in the center- a tableau with a queen with three dog-monster-pets and a boy carrying a flag who is easily, current President Benigno S. Aquino III. The image is carnivalesque and right away you are transported in that place, well, in the carnival.
.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2010/11/20/mano-mano-manila%E2%80%99s-young-masters-of-drawing-at-blanc-compound/

Makibaka: Music Inspired by the Struggle for Change

Makibaka: Music Inspired by the Struggle for Change

In ‘Makibaka The Album,’ Karl Ramirez offers an hour of progressive music that will appeal to a young, mainstream audience as much it does to an older generation of Filipino activists.
By AYI S. MUALLAM
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Progressive music will forever leave its mark in the history of “original Pilipino music” (OPM).
Who could miss the musical contributions of legendary folk musicians Heber Bartolome, Susan Fernandez, Buklod, and Asin? Or punk bands like The Jerks, Betrayed and Urban Bandits during the ‘80s who, loudly and proudly, criticized the ruling order?

During the ‘90s, people who join rallies would listen to songs by Patatag and Tambisan sa Sining or watch Jess Santiago or Danny Fabella sing their compositions. Many have memorized a song or two from the Rosas ng Digma album.

Fast-forward to 2010 and now comes a new breed of people’s musicians featured in Makibaka (Struggle), a seven-track compilation album consisting of songs for and about the struggle for meaningful change.

(Photo courtesy of makibakathealbum.com / bulatlat.com)

Makibaka the album was first introduced to the public during the commemoration of President Benigno Aquino III’s 100th day in power last Oct. 8, where the song of the same title was performed during the protest action led by progressive groups at Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola) in Manila. The album was officially launched on Nov. 4 through its official website.
The album stayed true to its tagline “Rakenrol Tungong Pagbabago (Rock ‘n Roll Towards Change).” The songs veer away from the usual musical style of protest songs that have folk and marching beats, and instead will give its listeners half an hour of pulsating drums beats and powerful guitar riffs, a few ballad-like tunes, and the Rico Blanco-esque vocals of album producer and chief performer, Karl Ramirez. Makibaka is a rock ‘n roll album that will be greatly appreciated not only by the progressive circle but also by the mainstream audience..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2010/11/13/makibaka-music-inspired-by-the-struggle-for-change/

‘It’s Like Shooting Chickens In Abra’

‘It’s Like Shooting Chickens In Abra’

By ARTEMIO A. DUMLAO
Bulatlat.com
Bangued, Abra (December 10, 2010) – Like shooting chickens or hunting ducks, violence continues to happen in Abra.

Regaining its ugly tag as Cordillera’s “Killings Fields”, two more people were killed on Wednesday in Pidigan town, while gunmen exchanged shots with policemen in Bangued, Abra’s capital town on Thursday morning, killing one and wounding two others.

The latest victims of assassination, cousins Jonathan Palecpec, 26, and Froilan Ventura, 23, were last seen drinking with several men on a vacant lot owned by a barangay official in Pidigan. The drinking session broke up when the shooting occurred.

Palecpec sustained a gunshot wound in his upper nape while Ventura sustained gunshot wounds to his body.
Crime scene investigators found four spent shells and one deformed slug for caliber .45 firearm.

The day before the shooting, on Thursday morning, policemen from Task Force Abra and Abra police command were reportedly implementing a Warrant of Arrest against Fernando Baay, who is wanted for murder, when they were met with gunfire at Brgy Cosili East, Bangued..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2010/12/11/%E2%80%98it%E2%80%99s-like-shooting-chickens-in-abra%E2%80%99/

Video: Women of Morong 43 Recall Indignities They Suffered in Hands of Philippine Military

Video: Women of Morong 43 Recall Indignities They Suffered in Hands of Philippine Military

 In this interview with Bulatlat.com on Dec. 20, three members of the recently freed “Morong 43″ talk about their life in detention, the indignities they suffered in the hands of the military, and how their ordeal affected their lives and their loved ones..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2010/12/20/bulatlat-live-morong-43-face-the-press-today-dec-20/

For 2 ‘Morong 43’ Moms, a New Beginning

Mercy Castro and Judilyn Oliveros gave birth while in police custody and had been under “hospital arrest.” Their release on Friday signaled not just a new beginning but, most importantly, a continuation of their struggle and commitment to help the poor.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — While waiting for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology vehicle that would bring them to Camp Bagong Diwa, the two ‘Morong 43’ mothers, Mercy Castro and Judilyn Oliveros, could not help but be impatient as the primetime television news talked about the usual rush-hour traffic in Metro Manila.
Dr. Julie Caguiat, executive director of the Community Medicine Development Foundation, who was with the two mothers in their hospital room, pointed to a spot on the TV screen where the BJMP vehicle, she joked, must be caught in traffic. “They might arrive tomorrow,” Castro said in jest, while preparing to take a nap to kill time.

Then the BJMP guards knocked and told them to get ready. They were going to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan to join the other Morong 43. After that, after being imprisoned for more than 10 months, they could be home. 

Mercy Castro, the two ‘Morong 43′ babies and their respective grandmothers. (Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

“I have mixed feelings. Excited. It is hard to explain it,” Oliveros told Bulatlat.com when asked what she was feeling now that she was only hours away from freedom.

The Morong 43 are the health workers who were arrested on Feb. 6 while conducting a training in Morong, Rizal. They were accused of being members of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Oliveros and Castro were pregnant at that time; they gave birth while they were still in custody on July 22 and October 18, respectively. The police had wanted the two and their newborns to be brought back to jail but the mothers and their supporters protested. The government relented and placed the two under “hospital arrest” at the Philippine General Hospital.
.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2010/12/19/for-2-%E2%80%98morong-43%E2%80%99-moms-a-new-beginning/

Escudero confirms Palace infighting By Angie M. Rosales 12/21/2010

Escudero confirms Palace infighting

By Angie M. Rosales 12/21/2010

A key ally of President Aquino yesterday practically confirmed unending bickering among two major “factions” within Aquino’s inner circle in the Palace after reports the other day that former Sen. Manuel Roxas II, Aquino’s losing vice presidential running mate, had started moves to ease out Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to pave the way for his assumption of the post.

Sen. Francis Escudero called on the staff and supporters of Aquino to set aside personal and political differences as it is getting in the way of the administration’s effectivity.

Roxas was guaranteed by Aquino of a Cabinet post once the one-year ban on losing candidates to assume a government post ends on May next year.

Reports said that Roxas, also Liberal Party (LP) president, is bent on ousting Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa Jr. from his position as he is allegedly eyeing the said post and that Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang was allegedly behind the floating of the news on Ochoa’s removal from his post..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed1.html

Review, new raps Palace options on Garcia — solon By Angie M. Rosales 12/21/2010

Review, new raps Palace options on Garcia — solon

By Angie M. Rosales 12/21/2010
President Aquino’s order for a review of a plea bargain former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia was able to wangle with the Office of the Ombudsman could effect the filing of a new case against the latter, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.

Escudero also raised the possibility of Aquino directing the Office of the Special Prosecutor to review their decision allowing Garcia to plead guilty to lesser offenses in the two cases he is facing before the Sandiganbayan that, in turn, allowed him to post bail.

“We could interpret that move as the Palace’s message to the OSP that they could have erred in what they did and that they should put under review their decision,” he said.

Aquino, meanwhile, said he was left scratching his head after Garcia, accused of stealing more than P300 million struck a deal to avoid a life sentence..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed2.html

Aquino orders Cagayan hotel blaze probe 12/21/2010

Aquino orders Cagayan hotel blaze probe

12/21/2010
The hotel fire in Cagayan province that left 16 persons dead last Sunday has infuriated President Aquino after learning that the pension house did not have a fire inspection permit.

According to him, he ordered the Departments of Interior and Local Government and Justice to get to the bottom of the Bed and Breakfast Pension House blaze.

“I will admit that I really got angry when I learned about the incident yesterday. Based on the initial report, there was no fire inspection, mayor’s permit. The building is just near the city hall,” Aquino was quoted sa saying in Filipino during an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The President said he issued his directives to Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima with explicit instructions to expedite the investigation and bring to justice those found guilty for the tragedy.

“How did this happen? You’d think the rules would be stricter after the Ozone tragedy. The inspections are supposed to be continuous. Now they’re pointing at electrical short circuit. Who approved the electrical plan? Bottomline there are those who did not perform their duties that would have prevented this tragedy. I have directed the secretary of Interior and Local Government to investigate the tragedy,” the President said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed3.html

Provide details before summoning witnesses, Palace tells HK gov’t 12/21/2010

Provide details before summoning witnesses, Palace tells HK gov’t

12/21/2010
Malacañang yesterday stood by its position with respect to the Hong Kong government’s bid to summon 116 Filipino witnesses for the public inquest it is planning to hold in connection with the August 23 Manila bus tragedy even as it angered one survivor from that incident.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda upheld the statement issued by his deputy, Abigail Valte, last Saturday that Hong Kong authorities have to apprise the Philippines with concrete details first before it can allow Filipinos to testify in their proceedings.

Lacierda explained that this position by the government does not necessarily imply that it is wavering on its previous promise to cooperate with its Hong Kong counterpart on its own quest for justice to be served on eight of its nationals who figured in the tragic incident.

“The summons was coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) — whether we are cooperating or not, of course, we are going to cooperate within the framework of international mutual legal assistance. How will that be? The concern is what are the details on this summons? There are certain details that we need to discuss. There are certain requirements that we’d like to also know. But when asked if we’re going to cooperate, certainly we will cooperate with the Hong Kong authorities. But, again, the devil is in the details — we have to carefully study the details on the summons and what do they want,” Lacierda explained..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed4.html

Aquino blames nitpicking for peso bill error findings By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/21/2010

Aquino blames nitpicking for peso bill error findings

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 12/21/2010

Mere nitpicking was how President Aquino saw allegations of error-filled newly minted bank notes that the Bangko Sentral ng Plipinas (BSP) recently launched.

While saying that he will let the BSP explain itself on the issue, Aquino did not hide his displeasure on the criticisms raised on the new peso bills especially with how the locations of the tourist attractions and featured animals were depicted by the artists.

The new peso notes were mocked by critics for featuring error-strewn maps of the country and apparently inventing a new species of parrot.

“If I want to find a particular area, I’d look at a map or (use a) GPS,” Aquino said in his first comments on the notes, which carry his signature.

Critics said the 20-, 50-, 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1,000-peso notes excluded an island group, misplaced some of the country’s top tourist draws, and portrayed a native parrot with the wrong beak color..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed5.html

WikiLeaks inspires sanitary pad ad in Pakistan 12/21/2010

WikiLeaks inspires sanitary pad ad in Pakistan

12/21/2010
Pakistani advertisers in the feminine hygiene business have harnessed the political notoriety of WikiLeaks to tell women that while the US State Department might leak, they don’t have to.

Advertising sanitary pads on selected billboards in Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi, the latest catchphrase is: “WikiLeaks... Butterfly doesn’t”..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed6.html

No more long weekends next year — Malacañang 12/21/2010

No more long weekends next year — Malacañang

12/21/2010
Filipino workers and students must brace for lesser long weekends and more work and school days by next year as President Aquino decided to scrap his predecessor’s “holiday economics principle” as stipulated in Proclamation 84 he just signed and was released by Malacañang last night.

Aquino has decided not to honor Republic Act 9492 that was enacted by the 13th Congress under the Arroyo administration which allowed the holidays to be moved at a certain date nearer the weekends if it falls on a particular weekday.

Under the Proclamation 84, regular holidays will be: Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day
(Saturday); April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan (Saturday); April 21 – Maundy Thursday; April 22 – Good Friday; May 1 – Labor Day (Sunday); June 12 – Independence Day (Sunday); August 29 – National Heroes Day (Monday); November 30 – Bonifacio Day (Wednesday); and December 30 – Rizal Day (Friday).

The special non-working holidays include: August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day (Sunday); November 1 – All Saints Day (Tuesday); December 31 – Last Day of the Year (Saturday); while February 25 – Edsa Revolution Anniversary (Friday) has been declared a special holiday for all schools..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101221hed7.html

Solon blasts telcos for alleged ‘cheating’ By Gerry Baldo 12/21/2010

Solon blasts telcos for alleged ‘cheating’

By Gerry Baldo 12/21/2010

A lawmaker from Easter Samar yesterday deplored the plan of giant telecommunications companies’ (telcos) to suspend “unlimited call and unlimited text” offers during the holidays.

According to Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, said that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should reject what he described as “shrewd, manipulative and greedy” telcos’ petition asking to allow them suspend or “freeze” unlimited call and unlimited text services.

Evardone is set to file a resolution asking Congress to rebuff and penalize telcos’ “unfair and abusive business practices.”

Globe Telecomm disclosed the network freezing will take effect on Dec. 24 to 25 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1.
Ernest Cu, Globe Telecomm president and chief executive officer, said network freezing is aimed at “avoiding heavy traffic of calls and text messages.”

Smart Communication is reportedly poised to petition NTC similarly for permission to freeze unlimited calls and texts on the same dates..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101221nat2.html

Gov. Ejercito calls for moderation in Slex toll rate hikes By Pat C. Santos 12/21/2010

Gov. Ejercito calls for moderation in Slex toll rate hikes

By Pat C. Santos 12/21/2010

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — Laguna Gov. Jeorge Ejercito Estregan called for the moderation of the impending 250% to 300% toll fee increase in the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) to minimize social and economic impact in Laguna province.

The call was made after the Supreme Court (SC) lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) last April 13 which was issued based on the petition to stop the implementation of the looming toll fee increase.

Ejercito said that such substantial increase in toll charges would result in higher transport costs, generating negative impact on the economic growth of the entire province. Cost of basic products may likewise be affected as a result of increased transport costs.

He said that while the operation of Slex has been helpful in bringing more tourists, business industries and other investors to reach their destination conveniently, the toll hike when it will be implemented on January 2011, it would be detrimental to the tourism sector and economic assets of the province..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101221nat9.html