Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice

 Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Two progressive lawmakers and leaders of various peoples organizations said the blame over the attempts of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country should be laid at the doors of two institutions: Malacañang and the Supreme Court.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño’s said the High Court’s decision to grant Macapagal-Arroyo a temporary restraining order against the hold departure order of the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not serve the interest of justice for three reasons.

“First, it ignores the fact that Macapagal-Arroyo is facing several investigations for serious crimes and it is in her interest not to return to face these charges. In other words, it ignores the reality that she is a serious flight risk. Second, it ignores the fact that there is no urgency for the ex-president to go abroad for medical reasons as attested to by her doctors. If there is any urgency, it is to flee the very serious charges against her.
Third, the decision renders moot and academic the deliberations on the case set for next week, as she would have already left the country as she is desperately trying to do now. In other words, even if the Court eventually rules that the government is within its right to restrict Macapagal-Arroyo’s travel, it can’t be implemented anymore,” he said.

Casiño said the government should exhaust all legal and administrative remedies to prevent Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving provided that it is within the bounds of due process and human rights.
“The most important thing at this point is for government to do everything it can to make the former executive accountable for her crimes,” he said.

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan for her part said it is not enough for DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima to file a motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court decision.

“It is high time for President Benigno Aquino III to show political will and immediately direct the DOJ to initiate the filing of charges against the Arroyos. Otherwise, this legal fiasco provides an opportunity for one of Philippine history’s biggest plunderer to escape accountability, and no less than the Aquino administration will be held liable for this injustice,” she said.

Ilagan also expressed her doubts on the Arroyos’ intent to return and face charges once they have been allowed to leave the country.

“They can always say they will return, but we all know they have lied so many times,” she said.

The rhetoric and blame game 

A human rights lawyer also criticized the president for “twiddling his fingers” over Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempts to leave the country. Edre Olalia, secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said Macapagal-Arroyo was attempting to escape justice and frustrate efforts to prosecute her..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/17/malacanang-sc-blamed-for-arroyo%E2%80%99s-attempts-to-flee-justice/

Comelec adopted ‘en toto’ body’s poll raps vs GMA 11/19/2011

Comelec adopted ‘en toto’ body’s poll raps vs GMA

11/19/2011
Voting 5-2, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc adopted “en toto” the recommendation of the joint Department of Justice-Comelec investigating panel to file electoral sabotage charges against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and several others bolstering arguments that the charges against her were railroaded to counter a Supreme Court (SC) decision earlier in the day to throw out a government motion to reconsider the temporary restraining order (TRO) on a travel ban imposed on Mrs. Arroyo.

The electoral sabotage case is in connection with the alleged manipulation of the election results during the 2007 senatorial polls.

Others recommended charged with electoral sabotage included former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., former Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, former Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Alberto Agra, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., former Maguindanao provincial administrator Norie Unas, former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol, former election supervisors Lilian Radham and Yogie Martirizar and several others.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111119hed3.html

‘Bullet train’ arrest order after SC rebuff 11/19/2011

ARROYO, OTHERS CHARGED FOR 2007 POLL RIGGING

‘Bullet train’ arrest order after SC rebuff

11/19/2011
A warrant of arrest was served against former President Arroyo at her St. Luke’s hospital suite at 6:30 pm yesterday to cap a grueling day for the scale of justice as it swung twice between the contending camps of Mrs. Arroyo and the Aquino administration.

The day started with the Supreme Court issuing a decision dismissing a government appeal against the temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Arroyo travel ban and ended with the Pasay court issuing an arrest order on Mrs. Arroyo over charges of electoral sabotage which is an unbailable offense.

The Arroyo camp protested the arrest order on Arroyo as railroaded and described it as a “bullet train” court decision, referring to the haste at which the decision was issued..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111119hed1.html

CPP slams Mutual Defense Treaty between RP and US By Mario J. Mallari 11/19/2011

CPP slams Mutual Defense Treaty between RP and US

By Mario J. Mallari 11/19/2011

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) yesterday slammed the supposed military alliance between the Philippines and the United States, through the 60-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), stressing that the US only uses the Philippines as its pawn in its wars of aggression in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a statement, the CPP said that the supposed alliance between the Philippines and the US is nothing but a “big myth.”

“The reality is that for the past 60 years of semi-colonial rule, US imperialism has only used the Philippines as a pawn in its military interventionism, wars of aggression and power projection in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”

Early this week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed Manila Declaration commemorating the 60th anniversary of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111119nat9.html

Binay: Gov’t eyes universal health care 11/19/2011

Binay: Gov’t eyes universal health care

11/19/2011
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday said the Department of Health (DoH) is gearing toward the development of universal health care program.

Speaking during the 62nd Annual Convention of the International College of Surgeons, Binay said that Kalusugan sa Pangkalahatan, a program initiated by DoH, seeks to provide universal PhilHealth coverage for all Filipinos and in the process, reduce their financial risks.

“This will benefit people from all economic strata, but the poor, most especially, shall find better lives because of it,” Binay said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111119nat3.html

Jinggoy raises concerns of RPN-9 workers against unfair labor practice 11/19/2011

Jinggoy raises concerns of RPN-9 workers against unfair labor practice

11/19/2011
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday raised the concerns of the employees of RPN-9 during the period of interpellation of the budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office which oversaw the gradual privatization of the Radio Philippines Network as well as Intercontinental Broadcast Corp. (IBC-13).

In a letter sent to Estrada, RPN-9 Directors and Supervisors Union president Raymon Tomale Jr. and RPN-9 Employees Union president Freddie Muoz relayed their long-standing desire to privatize RPN-9 so as to avoid further financial derail of the broadcast network which triggered outstanding money claims on unpaid benefits.

The employees union estimates that P100 million of accumulated benefits from their Collective Bargaining Agreement remains unpaid to the current RPN-9 employees since 2001. The amount is on top of P300 million of unpaid separation and retirement payments to the retired and resigned employees..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111119met2.html

QC to put up own museum showcasing its rich history 11/19/2011

QC to put up own museum showcasing its rich history

11/19/2011
A museum will soon be established right at the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QMC) to enable local residents as well as visitors and tourists to have glimpses of the city’s rich history, the local government revealed yesterday.

In fact, Mayor Herbert Bautista said a ground-breaking ceremony for the purpose has already been scheduled before a full-blast construction is made.

“The ground-breaking ceremony will be immediately followed by the construction process that is expected to end in six months’ time,” the city chief executive said.

Tribune was told the proposed QC Museum, which will be a 1,000-square-meter landmark, is designed by popular architect Jun Palafox. It will rise near the Peace Bell Shrine at the QMC, according to city officials..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111119met3.html

Philippine bid sputters as SEAG nears close 11/19/2011

‘WE MISSED A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES’

Philippine bid sputters as SEAG nears close

11/19/2011
PALEMBANG, Sumatra — Comparable to the mid-day gloom here was the Philippines’ search for gold medals that now counts on the late afternoon and night events for recovery in the 26th Southeast Asian Games also being played in Jakarta and West Java.

Four bronze medals delivered by the men’s sabre fencing team of Walbert Mendoza, gold medalist in the singles, Giancarlo Nocom, Eric Brando II, wakeboard squad of Samantha Bermudez, Carlo de la Torre and Mark Griffith, and Efren “Bata” Reyes and Reynaldo Grandea in 3 cushion carom of billiards, were all the Filipinos had to show in the early afternoon of Friday.

With 12 sports done with, the Filipinos have still live bets in 27 others, possessing sterling chances in eight of them, but the odds of at least matching their 2009 fifth place finish in Laos two years ago do not appear kosher..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20111119spo1.html

HDO: An Aquinorroyo PR bonanza DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 11/18/2011

HDO: An Aquinorroyo PR bonanza

DIE HARD III

Herman Tiu Laurel

11/18/2011
How long has this Department of Justice (DoJ)-Malacaang hold departure order (HDO) issue been dragging? Two weeks? All the while, everybody knows its illegal and unconstitutional. Even Malacaang and the DoJ, with their battery of lawyers, would have had enough sense to know the same. As many sensible watchers of PeNoy and Justice chief Leila de Limas HDO drama have pointed out, the easy way to avoid the controversy is to just file one of the numerous complaints that already have ample evidence to ensure a prima facie case. The Hello Garci caper alone would have sufficed as the tapes and the witness testimonies are already there.

Many have also surmised that both PeNoy and De Lima (a former Gloria Arroyo appointee) dont really want to keep the supposedly ailing Pampanga solon in the country. So they had to set things in motion in such a way that the Supreme Court (SC) would have to decide on the issue to get them off the hook all, while enjoying the PR bonanza from appearing anti-Gloria.

In turn, both GMA and her husband also get to reap tons of sympathy from pro-Arroyo dumbos and not-so-dumbos alike, including those whom she reportedly calls by cellphone to give the invariable parting words, Just bill me. That goes for radio and other media too, and its a real gold rush for many in this sector which is actually one way of redistributing the couples alleged plunder.

In fact, it may be a good reason for keeping the pressure on them much longer so that the economic burden on the shoulders of many Filipinos may somewhat be relieved. A trickle-down effect from this would be more certain than if we were to allow them to stay in foreign lands like Portugal or the Dominican Republic where these countries people would be enjoying the alleged purloined wealth instead.

If GMA and FG were to leave the country, even many in the military will be sad as prospects of getting some share of this loot would disappear, as with all hopes of a new coup.

But then, the husband-and-wife tandems payback from the HDO imbroglio goes farther than just PR bonanzas. The two also get a treasure trove of anti-GMA and FG government tirades and threatening official pronouncements published in the newspapers and broadcast in media, which can then be used as justification for a political asylum plea.

Given the incendiary statements coming from the Justice Secretary and Palace spokesmen, especially from BS Aquino III himself, any foreign government will find easy cause to justify the grant of safe haven to the poor and oppressed couple. Throw in that picture of GMA with the Frankenstein contraption around her neck, and what foreign government wouldnt sympathize?

Of course, these foreigners dont know how GMA looked so much younger and perkier after the last election; that is, until the avalanche of cases rushed in like a tsunami wave which seemed to have tossed her hair about and weighed her eyes and cheeks in scowl.

Aquino III doesnt want to really hold GMA back from leaving the country and neither does De Lima, which is why no formal charges have yet been filed. But the SC has no choice given the constitutional provisions, as well as the opinion of highly respected legal luminaries like Alan Paguia and less luminous ones like the Jesuit Joaquin Bernas to allow the couples unrestricted travel unless government files a case, despite the vain attempts by certain quarters to link the prohibition to so-called national security.

Gloria and Mike know that they ultimately will be able to travel, but only if they get the SC decision before any case is filed by this government. They know that they have little to fear from the officialdom, be it BS Aquino III or De Lima or the SC. Still, the proverbial Murphys Law that says what can go wrong will go wrong prompts them, despite their tacit Aquinorroyo modus operandi, to want to get the SCs blessings fast.

Somebody texted us, E + E = A or Elite plus Elite equals Accommodation. And this is what was always in the cards. Ever since the designed-to-fail Truth Commission was put forth, people were already provided a glimpse into the real plans of the current dispensation from the very beginning. The fact that, after 18 months, the Aquino government has not filed a single case against GMA in court behooves even the doubters to comprehend the basis for the theorized Aquinorroyo or Arroyoquino alliance: That they are coddling each other as the ruling class, including their patron, uncle Thomas of the US Embassy, is coddling them.

However, accommodation can go only as far as the ruling powers need the central circus attraction the lion, chimpanzee, hyena, or dwarf. If greater roars from the mindless spectators were to become much more pressing, then the center attraction would have to be caged, even temporarily, to regale the crowds no end.

Those who refuse to see this are but hopeless cases that are better left alone. They and their dead brains can only impede the rest of us who will have to carry on with the impending revolt against the entire system.
(Tune in to Sulo ng Pilipino/Radyo OpinYon, Monday to Friday, 5 to 6 p.m. on 1098AM; Talk News TV with HTL, Saturday, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 p.m., on GNN, Destiny Cable Channel 8; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives)

(Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel)

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111118com6.html

A clear show of dictatorship EDITORIAL 11/18/2011

A clear show of dictatorship

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

11/18/2011
Whatever reasoning the Palace throws on its defying the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) on the travel ban against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, falls right back in its face and cannot erase the fact that it is Malacaang violating the law, the constitutional right of a Filipino citizen, even if the fact is disregarded that Mrs. Arroyo is a former head of state, and more significantly disregarding the highest court of the land.

Noynoys obsession to jail Mrs. Arroyo and her spouse Mike Arroyo has transcended the bounds of reason and decency and is turning into a bigger battle to uphold the supremacy of the SC in upholding the law, in turn creating a battle against a new style of dictatorship...... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111118com1.html

Dumbfounding FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 11/18/2011

Dumbfounding

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

11/18/2011
Leila de Lima’s logic is dumbfounding, rendering even laymen speechless.

In justifying her clear disobedience and displaying her defiance that without a doubt, Noynoy’s contempt of the high court in their insistence on barring the travel of the Arroyo couple despite a clear and not subject to any interpretation the issuance of the Supreme Court (SC)’s temporary restraining order (TRO).

The TRO has the legal and valid effect of voiding temporarily De Lima’s watch list order (WLO) and ensuring the right of Gloria Arroyo and her spouse to travel without restrictions.

De Lima says, echoing the Aquino-appointed Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, that the “state” (which Malacañang is not) is within its legal rights to be heard in court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111118com2.html

Itlog, anyone? NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 11/18/2011

Itlog, anyone?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Armida Siguion-Reyna

11/18/2011
I’m fully aware of where my newspaper stands on whether Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be allowed to go abroad, or not. “The woman’s rights are our rights,” says my Editor-in-Chief. I am not arguing with that.

My brother, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, has likewise aired his position, as have Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Franklin Drilon, and eminent legal expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ. They believe that preventing Mrs. Arroyo from leaving is “an impingement of her constitutional rights.” Not quarreling with that.

Nor with my good friend Ellen Tordesillas’ contention that Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is courting a “constitutional crisis to cover up for incompetence.” I’m not a lawyer so I get lost in a maze of legalese, especially as the lawyer on the other side of my bed has moved to the Great Courtroom in the Sky..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111118com4.html

400 handcuffs: OWS 2-month birthday gift

 

400 handcuffs: OWS 2-month birthday gift

Four hundred arrests – that is the tally for the last 24 hours, as police stage an intense crackdown on massive Occupy Wall Street protests erupting in America, with more than 30,000 protesters having shown up in New York City alone.

RT’s correspondent Lucy Kafanov reported of numerous protesters having taken to the streets near Wall Street on Thursday morning in an attempt to disrupt operations in this financial center. As she pointed out, they have succeeded in doing so. Hundreds of activists sat on different corners to get their message noticed. Others were holding hands to form human chains and block intersections.

The movement, however, is facing a synchronized clampdown by local governments and law enforcement agencies. RT witnessed extremely intense police response in New York City, including numerous instances of seemingly unprovoked cases of brutality by the police force. In many of these cases protesters were simply sitting or standing near the sidewalk, before they were slammed down to the ground, handcuffed and dragged away..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/protesters-police-arrests-anniversary-629/

Under Aquino, no justice for victims of Hacienda Luisita massacre

Under Aquino, no justice for victims of Hacienda Luisita massacre

 
"The Cojuangco-Aquinos used and abused all legal means to their advantage and interest of further controlling the lands.” – Rep. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

HACIENDA LUISITA, Tarlac City — Families and colleagues in the struggle of farmers and farm workers of Hacienda Luisita continue to yearn for justice, seven long years since the infamous Hacienda Luisita massacre that claimed the lives of seven farmers.
“We appreciate the support from our colleagues because it helps us to become stronger. Somehow, I feel that there is still hope that justice would be served,” Gabby Sanchez, 61, father of Juancho Sanchez, one of the slain farmers, told Bulatlat.com.

Pastor Gabby Sanchez yearns for justice for his son Juancho, one of the victims of the Hacienda Luisita massacre. (Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

Juancho, then a third year mechanical engineering student, was forced to stop going to school to support his family’s daily needs. He worked as a jeepney driver. His father, a pastor of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) who served an Aeta community, had meager allowance.

But on November 16, 2004, in the picketline of the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, Juancho was killed. He was only 20 years old. “He went there to provide water for the striking workers,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that his son Juancho is a good and helpful person. In fact, aside from his support to the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita, his son Juancho was also known to be generous to his high school classmates despite their living conditions. “He would share his snacks to his classmates when they do not have one. His classmates told me during his wake.”

Their family continues to demand for justice, even now under President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration, whom he deems would not look after for the welfare of peasants. “Those who were responsible to the massacre should be held liable. The victims sacrificed their lives for this cause,” he said.

Caravan 

A caravan of some 30 vehicles left Chino Roces Bridge, formerly known as Mendiola, on November 16 at around 10:30 a.m. for Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac City to commemorate the seventh year since the Hacienda Luisita massacre. Families, colleagues and friends of the seven victims of the killing still clamor for justice..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/18/under-aquino-no-justice-for-victims-of-hacienda-luisita-massacre/

Luisita workers reap seeds of decades-old struggle

 Luisita workers reap seeds of decades-old struggle

"We occupied the land because it belongs to us. We used the idle land for the benefit of our children,”
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
TARLAC CITY – “Now, we have something to eat,” Florida Sibayan, 55, a farm worker in Hacienda Luisita, said. “Life is better.”

She, along with hundreds of families inside the more than 6,000 hectare Hacienda Luisita, cultivated parcels of land for palay and vegetables, in defiance of the Cojuango-Aquino clan. Under the stock distribution option (SDO) scheme, farm workers were not allowed to plant palay and other crops, with the vast land devoted only to sugarcane.

The SDO was implemented in Hacienda Luisita, a non-land transfer scheme allowed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), shortly after President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino rose to power in 1986. Instead of land, stocks were distributed to the farm workers.

Seven years ago, Sibayan only knew hunger and hardships. As stockholders of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI), each of the farm worker was given one day a week to work at the sugar plantation. They earn P9.50 ($0.22) per week, or P38 ($0.88) per month.

This meant starvation for the family. It was this situation that compelled Halili and hundreds of other farm workers to stage a strike in November 2004. On November 16, barely a week since they set up the picketline, policemen and soldiers fired at the farm workers, killing seven and wounding hundreds.

Lioning Halili, 55, vows to continue struggling for the future of her grandchildren.(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)

After what is now known as the Hacienda Luisita massacre, Halili and the other farm workers joined the bungkalan (cultivation). In 2005, Halili and her family planted palay on a five-hectare land in Cutcut. Sibayan’s family, meanwhile, started cultivating two hectares in Balete subvillage in 2006.

One hectare yields 120 sacks of palay. Halili sells palay at P13 ( $0.30) per kilo and/or rice at P76 ($1.77) for every three kilos. “Life is so much better compared to those days of misery,” she said, referring to the years before 2004.

Sibayan said the same. “We never run out of rice,” she said. She and her family harvest 145 sacks of rice every cropping season. “We are now selling vegetables.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/18/luisita-workers-reap-seeds-of-decades-old-struggle/

Noy mouthpiece defends US military buildup in Asia By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 11/18/2011

Noy mouthpiece defends US military buildup in Asia

By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 11/18/2011

While the Senate is considering a review of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that the country has with the United States to determine if the local presence of US military forces still benefits the Philippines, a spokesman for President Aquino defended the American military buildup in the Asia Pacific as necessary to provide a “stabilizing force” against China’s expanding power and military strength in a region that has been transformed into a battleground where Beijing and Washington compete for influence.

Amid appre-hensions on the establishment of a US military base in the Australian city of Darwin, presidential spokesman Ricky Carandang said the renewed American presence is a “welcome” development for the region..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111118hed4.html

Erap appeals to high court: Choose justice over technicality 11/18/2011

Erap appeals to high court: Choose justice over technicality

11/18/2011
Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) to consider justice for the Filipino people over a debatable technicality in the motion anew of former President Arroyo to issue a cease and desist order against the government from stopping her from leaving for abroad.

“The Supreme Court must consider that the Filipino people are crying for justice because of the many crimes of the Arroyo Administration against the Filipino people: from electoral sabotage in 2004 and 2007, to graft and corruption, such as in the case of the Fertilizer Fund Scam, to plunder as in the case of the NBN-ZTE deal, among other scandals; and even treason for the illegal deal with the MILFthat culminated in the aborted Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111118hed3.html

House majority to dump impeachment vs Aquino By Gerry Baldo 11/18/2011

House majority to dump impeachment vs Aquino

By Gerry Baldo 11/18/2011

Allies of President Aquino are set to dump any impeachment complaint that could be filed by allies of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo in connection with the government’s refusal to allow her to travel.

According to House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II if the allies of Mrs. Arroyo are serious in filing an impeachment complaint against President Aquino, the majority bloc is also ready to dump the impeachment complaint.

“If they are seriously considering filing an impeachment case, then we are seriously opposing,” Gonzales said yesterday. Gonzales was reacting to a statement by House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman that they are studying the possibility of filing an impeachment complaint against President Aquino..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111118nat3.html

RP wants Asean to tackle accord on migrant workers By Michaela P. del Callar 11/18/2011

RP wants Asean to tackle accord on migrant workers

By Michaela P. del Callar 11/18/2011


BALI — The Philippines on Thursday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to sit down and finally tackle the adoption of a legally-binding agreement on the protection of migrant workers.

Communications and Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang, who was tasked to deliver the Philippine statements and positions on behalf of President Aquino at the plenary session of the summit, said it’s about time the regional bloc consider a rules-based accord that will commit all its members in ensuring that the rights of migrant workers are protected.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Carandang said, was the only one who backed the Philippine initiative. The Philippines and Indonesia, the largest contributors of the workers in the region, mainly in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, are the only two Asean states strongly advocating for the adoption of such agreement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111118nat2.html

Jeepney fare will remain at P8 till yearend, says LTFRB 11/18/2011

Jeepney fare will remain at P8 till yearend, says LTFRB

11/18/2011
Jeepney fare will stay put at P8 at least until the end of the year amid petitions for increase by transport groups in the country.

“We will invite the public and the transport sector for further consultations in the coming days,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) board member Manuel Iway said.

Iway added as much as possible, no fare hike will be enforced in the thick of the holiday rush where most Filipinos prepare for the Christmas season next month..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111118met3.html

Vietnam chips away at Indonesian medal lead 11/18/2011

Vietnam chips away at Indonesian medal lead

11/18/2011
JAKARTA — Vietnam kept up their pursuit of runaway Southeast Asian Games leaders Indonesia Thursday as the hosts prepared for a hotly anticipated grudge match against bitter rivals Malaysia.

Vietnam cut the deficit with Indonesia early Thursday, after four more golds in pencak silat — an Indonesian martial art — took them to 62 first places and stretched their lead over third placed Thailand.

The Thais, 2009 SEA Games table-toppers, have stalled after bouncing back from a disappointing start to the 26th edition of the Games with a strong showing in the headline athletics events and have 54 golds..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20111118spo3.html

Noy’s rule of force EDITORIAL 11/17/2011

Noy’s rule of force

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

11/17/2011
Sen. Joker Arroyo is wrong. It is no longer tendencies of a totalitarian administration of Noynoy Aquino, but a fact, as evidenced by his and his Justice secretary’s total defiance of the Supreme Court (SC)’s immediately executory order restraining the Aquino administration from enforcing its watch list order (WLO) against the Arroyo couple.

And as threatened by Malacañang prior to the ruling of the grant to the Arroyos’ temporary restraining order (TRO) by the high court, the former President and her husband were barred from leaving the country Tuesday night by the Bureau of Immigration officials under orders from Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima, no doubt also acting under Noynoy’s orders, as she had admitted having held a meeting with him prior to her media briefing held in Malacañang..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111117com1.html

A global embarrassment FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 11/17/2011

A global embarrassment

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

11/17/2011
Noynoy has turned himself into an international and local embarrassment by defying a legal and constitutional order lifting his administration’s ban on former President Gloria Arroyo and her spouse, Mike Arroyo, from the highest court in the land through its grant of a temporary restraining order against the executive branch of government.

International judicial bodies must be aghast at the manner with which the executive department of a government willfully ignores a high court order amid its insistence that the executive’s administration circular is superior to the country’s high court’s legal orders and that the executive department will keep on disregarding the judicial order until the high court rules on its motion for reconsideration and hear oral arguments as well as decide the case on its merits.

It is pure and open defiance of the executive on the high court’s order..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111117com2.html

First Cordillera community radio station launched in Sagada

 First Cordillera community radio station launched in Sagada

We felt the people’s desire and interest for a radio station they truly own long before this launch. Radyo Sagada is no longer a dream but a reality.”
By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA
Bulatlat.com
SAGADA, Mountain Province — Radio Sagada 104.7 FM was successfully launched last Friday as the first-ever community radio station in the Cordilleras.

After five months of test broadcasts, the people of Sagada converged at the town center to end almost a decade of hard work and anticipation.

Friends and supporters from Baguio, Manila and even abroad made the long trip to this famous tourist town to celebrate with the community and participate in the event.

“With this launching, Sagada proved once more its leadership in pushing for the people’s communication rights,” Kathleen Okubo, Radyo Sagada director said.

Okubo, Baguio-based Northern Dispatch Weekly editor in chief, recalled that Sagada published the first newsweeklies in the Cordilleras with a letterpress printing machine that also gave birth to the country’s oldest existing community newspaper, the Baguio Midland Courier.

Radyo Sagada station manager Mary Carling for her part urged Sagadans and all Cordillerans to claim the community radio station as theirs.

(Photo by Ray Villa / Bulatlat.com)

“We will welcome anyone who wish to broadcast programs on Radyo Sagada, because it is owned, managed and operated by the people,” she said.

Non-commercial and pro-people
Aside from having weaker signals, community radio stations differ with other types of radio stations in more ways than one.

Their primary mandate is to give voice to citizens usually ignored by commercial or government-owned radio stations that number around 600 all over the Philippines.

Community radio stations often give people and sectoral organizations, peasants, women, indigenous peoples, workers, youth, environmentalists and other marginalized sectors free airtime.

Community radio broadcasters also generally lack formal training and education on broadcasting but there are many non-government organizations that give them free training and assistance.

While community radio stations may air commercial advertisements, proceeds are exclusively used for operations. Advertisers are also not allowed to influence editorial policies if they run counter to the pro-people advocacies of the station.

For instance, these stations almost never air pesticide and fertilizer advertisements if their peasant listeners advocate organic farming..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/17/first-cordillera-community-radio-station-launched-in-sagada/

Journalists urge Aquino government to act now to end impunity

Journalists urge Aquino government to act now to end impunity

'Will we be holding the same forum discussing the same topic next year?”

By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat.com
The atmosphere was both cordial and charged as government officials and journalists set aside pleasantries and engaged in an honest dialogue on how to end the reign of impunity in the country and what the government is doing about it.

The occasion was a roundtable discussion on Impunity organized by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists last November 15, 2011 from 9:30 to 12 noon at the Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The discussion was part of a month-long campaign building up to the International Day to End Impunity on November 23, which would be marked by a march by journalists and human rights advocates.

The Philippines has earned the infamy of having the International Day to End Impunity coincide with the worst case of journalist killing in the country and the world, the Ampatuan massacre. The Ampatuan massacre, the CMFR said, is an emblematic case, meaning it reflects how impunity reigns in the country..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/17/journalists-urge-aquino-government-to-act-now-to-end-impunity/

Brutal arrests at OWS protest (VIDEO)

Brutal arrests at OWS protest (VIDEO)

The peaceful Occupy Wall Street protest has turned violent yet again. Over 50 people have been arrested in NYC and an RT producer attacked by police. Rallies throughout the United States are marking two months since the beginning of the movement.

RT producer Lucy Kafanov, who is on site in New York, is reporting arrests amid clashes between police and protesters.

“Mass arrests & violence on Broad and Beaver. Officer hit my arm with club. Another photog got shoved. Police beat protesters,” says Kafanov’s tweet. It seems not only the protesters that get beaten but members of the press too..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/ows-protest-violence-police-585/

Will the ICC Act? Indictment against NATO

 Will the ICC Act? Indictment against NATO

16.11.2011

Is the International Criminal Court at The Hague a real court which respects and uphold international law, or is it an insult to the precept that international law is applied fairly and is Mr. Moreno Ocampo in fact working against his profession, destroying the notion that the world community's so-called international forum is impartial? Let us see.

In addition to the case we presented in this column on November 5, 2011*, here is a seven-point indictment against NATO, which shall be delivered tomorrow at the ICC. We will charter its progress, we will charter the correspondence and we will examine very carefully the way in which it is received and acted upon..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/16-11-2011/119646-indictment_second-0/

Health VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 11/17/2011

Health

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

11/17/2011
“The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.” (Philippine Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11)

The mind is perplexed. The feeling is strange. Questions are understandable and in order. Is the above remarkable and impressive pronouncement really a provision of the Philippine Constitution written for and supposedly observed in this country? Is the same moving and defining statement actually a stipulation of the fundamental law of the Philippines? Or is it simply a misprint and wherefore merely a misplaced citation lifted from another constitution of another nation in another continent?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111117com7.html

Activists ‘ambush’ Clinton convoy 11/17/2011

Activists ‘ambush’ Clinton convoy

11/17/2011
Protesters clashed with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s security detail near Malacañang yesterday, forcing her convoy to detour.

Local security men and at least one American jumped out with automatic rifles drawn after about 50 left-wing youth activists kicked their vehicles and hurled red paint at the cars, but no shots were fired, a witness said.

US Embassy spokesman Bettina Malone and Manila police both declined to comment on the confrontation, which the Agence France Presse photographer said occurred after Clinton called on President Aquino in Malacañang.

The photographer said the incident occurred as police motorcycle outriders led out the Clinton convoy out of the Palace..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111117hed4.html

Arroyo cleared in Iloilo airport sale case Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:27 AM Jose Carlos L. Maningat

Arroyo cleared in Iloilo airport sale case

Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:27 AM Jose Carlos L. Maningat

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been cleared of plunder charges for the sale of land near the old Iloilo airport during her administration, reports the Philippine Star.

In a resolution forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the dismissal of the plunder case filed by Danilo Lihay-lihay against Arroyo over the sale of the P1-billion property to Megaworld Corp. in 2007.

“The investigating panel chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong said the complaint lacked probable cause to warrant the indictment of Arroyo for plunder,” the report said.

The report disclosed that the DOJ had come up with the resolution as early as last week, but refused to make it public as it will still be reviewed by the ombudsman..... MORE

Source:  POC.net

URL: http://thepoc.net/breaking-news/politics/14135-doj-clears-arroyo-in-plunder-case.html

Contempt raps, jail time face DoJ chief By Benjamin B. Pulta and Angie M. Rosales 11/17/2011

SC TO HOLD SPECIAL EN BANC FRIDAY ON DEFIANCE OF TRO

Contempt raps, jail time face DoJ chief

By Benjamin B. Pulta and Angie M. Rosales 11/17/2011

Who yields to whom? The power of the pen, or the power of the sword?

Court Administrator Justice Midas Marquez said the Supreme Court has called on the Department of Justice (DoJ) represented by its secretary to explain why it failed to act on its temporary restraining order (TRO) that allowed former President, Rep. Gloria Arroyo, to leave the country, since the TRO was deemed to be “immediately executory, with the result of the DoJ willfully disobeying the order of the high court.

The SC spokesman said the high court may also issue a “Show Cause and Comply” order to the DoJ, as he noted the TRO is immediately executory..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111117hed1.html

Leaders recommend Asean chairmanship of Myanmar in 2014 By Michaela P. del Callar 11/17/2011

Leaders recommend Asean chairmanship of Myanmar in 2014

By Michaela P. del Callar 11/17/2011

BALI — Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ministers yesterday recommended to the bloc’s leaders to approve Myanmar’s chairmanship of the Asean in 2014.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the positive developments that have been taking place in the country over the past few months earned unanimous support from the ministers.

“There is consensus on Myanmar’s chairmanship in the Asean in 2014,” Natalegawa said. “The sense is overwhelming recognition and welcoming of the changes, the positive developments in Myanmar.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111117nat3.html

Basilan debacle body members named 11/17/2011

Basilan debacle body members named

11/17/2011
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday finally announced the composition of the court of inquiry (CoI) which is tasked to dig deeper into the Oct. 18 debacle in Basilan and determine probable culpability of officers in the military blunder that led to the killing of 19 members of the Army’s elite Special Forces.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said that Navy Commodore Crispin Mercado, incumbent deputy inspector general of the AFP, was designated as president and presiding officer of the CoI.

The CoI has four members, namely, Lt. Col. Ismael Mandanas, of the office of the deputy chief of staff for operations (J3); Commander Floro Canaleja Jr., of the Office of Provost Marshal General; Captain Hercules Lim, from the General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command, and Maj. Vener Malabanan as law member..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111117nat4.html

PNP adopts measures to stop crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men By Gina Peralta-Elorde 11/17/2011

PNP adopts measures to stop crimes perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 11/17/2011
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already adopted some measures to stop the proliferation of crimes committed by motorcycle-riding criminals.

Earlier, Robredo, who is also chairman of the National Police Commission, had issued an order to the PNP to conduct operations amid reports of the increasing number of victims falling prey to riding in tandem crooks, especially in Metro Manila.

In his directive, Robredo asked PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome to submit an assessment report on the matter, including measures that the PNP intends to implement with specific operational requirements and logistical support..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111117met2.html

PUP professor accused of sexual harassment 11/17/2011

PUP professor accused of sexual harassment

11/17/2011
A college professor of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is facing charges of sexual harassment before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office after one of her female students lodged a complaint at the Manila Police District Station 8 Women’s and Children’s Concern Division (WCCD) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The complainant was identified as Jizelle 18, third year college student and a resident of 100-R Howard St., Cubao, Quezon City, and the suspect as Joseph Aranas, 40, a professor of General Statistics and a resident of Makati City.

Based on the victim’s complaint, the sexual harassment took place around 6 p.m. last November 12 on the 6th floor of the PUP main on Anona Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111117met5.html

Pinoys struggling in SEAG campaign 11/17/2011

ONLY ONE GOLD IN ROWING

Pinoys struggling in SEAG campaign

11/17/2011
PALEMBANG, Sumatra — The Philippine delegation was in tenterhooks late afternoon of Wednesday hoping to strike in various playing fields and boost Nestor Cordova’s rowing gold medal in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in three provinces of Indonesia.

Cordova, a petty officer of the Navy, ruled the M1X event with plenty to spare justifying the national team coach’s three-month-old decision to field him in instead of Benjie Tolentino, the three-time SEAG winner.

With 15 gold medals to go with 26 silver and 32 bronze on the fifth day of competitions in 44 sports, however, the Filipinos remained at sixth overall behind Indonesia (84-63-68), which is far from reach of anyone, Vietnam (52-53-59), which dislodged Thailand (51-40-59) from second on better silver harvest, Singapore (25-28-43) and Malaysia (25-23-42) that is breathing on the former’s neck in the race for fourth..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20111117spo1.html

For shame, for big shame! EDITORIAL 11/16/2011

For shame, for big shame!

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

11/16/2011
Noynoy and his Justice chief, Leila de Lima, have really thrown out the window not only due process, but justice itself as they clearly railroaded the joint panel probe investigating the 2007 electoral fraud — and all because Noynoy had imposed a deadline to charge Gloria and Mike Arroyo for electoral sabotage this month, and get them jailed before Christmas.

Every move made by De Lima, all done upon instructions of her vindictive boss, was geared toward getting the Arroyos quickly charged and jailed.

This was the reason De Lima placed Gloria and Mike under the unconstitutional watch list order despite the fact that there was no justifiable reason to do so, and the reason De Lima and Noynoy went through all the motions of seeking more and more requirements to allow her departure..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111116com1.html

Along political lines? FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 11/16/2011

Along political lines?

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

11/16/2011
Granting the temporary restraining order in favor of Gloria and Mike Arroyo by the majority of Supreme Court (SC) justices should end the issue on whether the Arroyos can travel abroad to seek Gloria’s medical treatment, although this TRO grant does not necessarily settle the issue of whether the Noynoy-De Lima watch list order-allow departure order (WLO-ADO) is to be junked, but the odds are that this would be deemed unconstitutional, given the fact that no law authorizes the Department of Justice to issue such an order that belongs to the judiciary through a hold departure order and its lifting on persons already under the jurisdiction of the courts, as well as the fact that the three constitutional exemptions — national security, public safety and public health — have not been invoked as Malacañang insists on the issue being grounded on national interest.

From reports, the grant of the TRO had the vote of eight justices as against five justices.

Those who voted for a TRO grant were Chief Justice Renato Corona, Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama and Jose Perez..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111116com2.html

(w/ VIDEO) WMD deja-vu: Iran replaces Iraq

 (VIDEO) WMD deja-vu: Iran replaces Iraq

America’s whipping up hysteria over the Iranian nuclear program, with the same figures that used to accuse Iraq of possessing chemical and nuclear weapons now repeating themselves with frenetic conviction.

­Iran has long been a hot topic in the West and anti-Iranian sentiments are at a high right now, so – with a little help of some dubious “expert” analysis – it could follow in Iraq's footsteps.

Many remember Senator John McCain giggling “Bomb Iran… bomb, bomb, bomb…”

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney also signed in, saying “The gravest threat that America and the world faces and faced is a nuclear Iran.”

But it has heated up since last week's report from the UN’s nuclear watchdog IAEA, sparking fears Iran was pursuing atomic weapons..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/iran-nuclear-programme-danilenko-441/

(W/ Video) Occupy Wall Street – A look back at the last two months

  

Occupy Wall Street – A look back at the last two months

 
You could say Occupy Wall Street started with a whisper - a call by Canadian activist group Adbusters that spread on Facebook to gather on September 17, 2011.

But before long that whisper turned into a roar, a collective anger at Wall Street corruption, at growing income inequality in America, and at a system in which government policy is often dictated by corporate greed.

Before long the crowds brought police, and police brought pepper spray. A September 26 video of officers spraying young women only brought on more protesters. On October 1, 700 of them were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Instead of scaring people away, scenes of police using batons outraged the masses, and before long occupy movements multiplied, from Los Angeles to Chicago to Boston, forcing the mainstream media to start covering the protest they had largely ignored..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/occupy-wall-street-last-435/

Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

Progressive organizations protest against ‘un-mutual treaties’ during Clinton visit

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – There is freedom of expression according to the Philippine Constitution, but according to the marchers who protested the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the country, the Aquino government is “giving more priority to Clinton’s stature rather than the Filipinos’ rights.” The protesters who came from various progressive organizations were twice barred by the police from marching nearer toward the US Embassy Tuesday, hours before Clinton’s scheduled arrival. The protesters were thus forced to hold their program, which included burning a US flag, along Kalaw Avenue.

Warning the Filipinos to “beware of the US government’s make-believe friendship,” the progressive groups said Hillary Clinton’s visit is “more for strengthening the lopsided US-Philippine relationship, enhancing the means with which the US can further take advantage of the Philippines, and attacking our sovereignty.” The protesters held their program inches away from columns of shield and baton-wielding members of the police.

Broken promises

After 60 years of Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and “broken promises” about helping to develop the Philippines, particularly its armed forces, Renato Reyes Jr. of Bayan said, Filipinos have “no more illusions” that it can ever be of real help. In fact, after decades of this “myth of cooperation and reciprocity,” he pointed to the Philippines being “shamefully the most backward in the region” as proof of MDTs’ utter uselessness for the country.

Protesters show their sentiments.(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

The MDT was forged when the US government used the Cold War as justification for dragging the Philippines into wars, Reyes said.

“The MDT which made the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) possible, and which Benigno Aquino III had promised to review while campaigning for the presidency because of its many problematic provisions, is still not reviewed up to now– over a year since he became president,” said Reyes.
In a statement, Bayan has previously said, “Mutuality and reciprocity are the biggest myths fostered by the MDT and the VFA. These instruments are in place primarily to secure support for US hegemonic interests in the region and not for anything else.” They also urged the Philippine government to “wake up from the pipe-dream that we are treated as equals and with respect by the US.”

Clinton will announce new support for the Philippines in her latest visit, based on an Agence France-Presse report. Officials accompanying Clinton on her trip to “key allies” in the Pacific were quoted as saying she would hold talks with President Benigno Aquino III and tour a warship.

The United States has provided the Philippines recently with a second-hand World War II-vintage destroyer, amid high tension between Manila and Beijing over the Spratlys. Officials accompanying Clinton also said she will discuss offering another one.

Progressive organizations in the Philippines are wary of Clinton’s visit. “January 2012 will mark 10 years of permanent presence of US troops in Mindanao. While US troops in Iraq are set to leave at the end of 2011, US troops in Mindanao appear to be staying indefinitely. There is no known timetable or duration for their presence. Secretary Clinton’s visit will likely reinforce this unequal and illegal arrangement,” Reyes of Bayan said in a statement.

Protesters suspect Clinton will discuss the Mindanao conflict with Aquino. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

It is precisely because of such military aid that the Philippine government “refuses to abrogate these two agreements (MDT and VFA), even at great cost to our sovereignty,” said Reyes.

Thanks but no

“If Mrs. Clinton came to our country only to fortify their intervention over Philippine military and economic affairs, then she should go home and take away with her all the non-mutual treaties between the US and the Philippines,” said the Anakpawis Partylist in a statement.

“There had been no mutual ties between the US and the Philippines. These treaties only benefited the US and its global hegemony,” Joel Maglunsod, Anakpawis Executive Vice President, said of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). He added that “the only tie that binds the Philippines and the US is the one that hangs the Filipino people by the neck.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/16/progressive-organizations-protest-against-un-mutual-treaties-during-clinton-visit/

One year and still no justice for the Kanangga 3

 One year and still no justice for the Kanangga 3

“Leonard’s family and the public continue to thirst for justice in the face of the turtle-pace investigation. It angers us that already a year has passed and still not a single word or action can be felt from the Aquino administration.” – Dr. Giovanni Tapang, convenor of the Justice for Leonard Co Movement.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL and INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO

Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Friends, colleagues and the family of slain botanist Leonard Co held a picket at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Nov. 15, Tuesday as they mark the first death anniversary of the renowned botanist and his two companions, Julius Borromeo, a farmer and Soforonio Cortez, a forest guard.

The 50-year old Cortez worked as a forest guard and a regular employee of the EDC for the past 26 years. He left behind his wife, Arsenia, and three children.

A farmer, Borromeo was the only breadwinner and the father of six. He was among the contractual guides hired for Co’s five-day fieldwork.

“Leonard’s family and the public continue to thirst for justice in the face of the turtle-pace investigation. It angers us that already a year has passed and still not a single word or action can be felt from the Aquino administration,” said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, convenor of the Justice for Leonard Co Movement.

“It is my son who got killed. What we want is justice,” said Lian Seng Co, father of Leonard Co.(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil / Bulatlat.com)

On Nov. 15, 2010, Co, Borromeo and Cortez were gunned down inside the compound of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Kananga, Leyte allegedly by elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) Philippine Army. Co’s group was working on a research for EDC when soldiers fired at his team. According to the military there was an encounter with the New People’s Army. But evidences and the statements of surviving witnesses Ronino Gibe and Policarpio Balute (part of Co’s team) reveal that there was no other armed group in the area aside from the soldiers of the 19th IB.
Co was cremated on November 23 in Quezon City; part of his ashes were scattered over a dita tree in UP and in Palanan, Isabela. Borromeo and Cortez were laid to rest by their families on November 25, in Leyte.

On January 26, 2011, Co’s family led by his widow Glenda filed murder charges at the DOJ against members of the 19th IB. The accused soldiers numbering 38 in all were all present during the massacre; among those named as respondents are a two junior officers, 1Lt. Ronald Odchimar and 2Lt. Cameron Perez.

Earlier that same month, the DOJ and National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) own fact-finding team released its report, which cleared the 19th IB in the killing. On January 26, Co’s family protested against the DOJ report and filed formal criminal charges of murder against the 19th IB, seeking a formal preliminary investigation.

On February 22, 100 days after the killing, the Justice for Leonard Co Movement picketed the DOJ and called on DOJ Secretary De Lima to replace the head of its investigating panel, who was also part of the original DOJ-NBI team. Both the CHR and the DOJ have conducted more hearings since then, but neither agencies have released their conclusive reports to date.

Aquino’s inaction

(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil / Bulatlat.com)

The group criticized President Benigno S. Aquino III for his continuing silence on the killings of Co and his group.

“If it’s true that the President is taking the straight path, then the perpetrators should be in jail by now. But one year has passed and still he is silent on Co’s death,” Tapang said . He said Aquino’s inaction perpetrates the culture of impunity that reigned in the country since the past administrations. “It makes him no different from the regimes that preceded him,” Tapang added.

“If he can talk about Manny Pacquiao’s victory, how can he not talk about Leonard’s case?” Tapang said..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/16/one-year-and-still-no-justice-for-the-kanangga-3/

RP calls for meet on Spratlys, pits Asean vs China By Michaela P. del Callar 11/16/2011

RP calls for meet on Spratlys, pits Asean vs China

By Michaela P. del Callar 11/16/2011

BALI — The Philippines yesterday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to hold an unprecedented meeting of China and other rival Asian claimants to South China Sea territories in a last-ditch diplomatic effort before considering launching a legal battle in the United Nations.

Frustrated by Asean’s failure to endorse a Philippine proposal aimed at untangling the overlapping claims over the Spratly Islands, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario challenged the 10-member bloc to rise “at a critical junction” and play a vital role in resolving the disputes, which have sparked armed conflicts in the past.

“Asean must play a decisive role at this time if it desires to realize its aspirations for global leadership,” Del Rosario said in a statement delivered by the Philippine delegation at the Asean ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia. The statement was simultaneously released in Manila..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111116hed3.html

Basis for 2012 budget ‘overstated’ — Miriam By Angie M. Rosales 11/16/2011

Basis for 2012 budget ‘overstated’ — Miriam

By Angie M. Rosales 11/16/2011

The Senate debate on Malacañang’s proposed P1.816-trillion 2012 budget, dubbed by Palace’ supporter in the Senate results-focused, kicked off yesterday with a senator saying the estimates on the economic performance are bloated that is expected to throw off revenue targets.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said the Aquino administration’s 2012 economic growth forecast of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent was “grossly overstated.”

“It is not possible to hit that high, considering the debt crisis in Europe, budget crisis and economic weakness in the US, and the triple tragedy in Japan,” she said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111116hed4.html

Osmea insists $90-M govt loan to Ongpin firm behest By Angie M. Rosales 11/16/2011

Osmea insists $90-M govt loan to Ongpin firm behest

By Angie M. Rosales 11/16/2011

The recent denials of businessman Roberto V. Ongpin that the $90-million loan granted to one of his companies to buy Metro Rail Transit (MRT) securities in Dec. 2008 did not involve any undue influence from those in power during the previous administration defy logic and that unseen hands paved the way for the transactions to be realized, Sen. Sergio Osmea III  said yesterday.

For two government banks to do the same thing at the same time and break the same laws, there is only one explanation: there was an order from the top, said Osmea referring to the loan granted by the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to offshore firm Global Air Services (GAS) despite the absence of a loan application and an alleged GAS capitalization of only $2.

It is inconceivable to think that several people in high places would rather put public interest to extreme prejudice instead of protect it, as they are expected and duty-bound to do. Conspiracy has raised the legal stakes for those involved and the ongoing Senate inquiry will plumb the dark depths of this transaction, he added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111116hed6.html

Aquino gov’t gets flak for inaction on botanist’s murder 11/16/2011

Aquino gov’t gets flak for inaction on botanist’s murder

11/16/2011
The Aquino administration was severely criticized by friends and colleagues of scientist Leonard Co for what they called “the year of silence and inaction” by prosecutors on the botanist’s murder.

Co was killed along with his escorts Julius Borromeo and forest guard Sofronio Cortez by an Army unit in the area last year.

Supporters of the Justice for Leonard Co Movement went to the Department of Justice to reiterate calls to speed up the resolution of the case of the three who were murdered in Kananga, Leyte on Nov. 15, 2010.
“It angers us that already a year has passed and still not a single word or action can be felt from the Aquino administration,” said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, a convenor of the Leonard Co Movement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111116met5.html

Angry Mexicans almost lynched Filipino solons By Charlie V. Manalo 11/16/2011

Angry Mexicans almost lynched Filipino solons

By Charlie V. Manalo 11/16/2011

Members of the House of Representatives who watched the third fight between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez at the ringside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena yesterday revealed they were almost lynched by angry Mexicans whom they engaged in partisan cheering at the height of the fight.

Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said he nearly came to blows with a Mexican had it not for former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras who pacified him.

Evardone said Paras’ timely intervention saved them and other Filipinos from being lynched as Mexicans in the arena clearly outnumbered pro-Pacquiao audience at least 20 to 1.

According to Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, the former Negros Oriental lawmaker quickly intervened when he saw a burly Mexican trying to get something from the bag of a female companion..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111116met1.html

Win some, lose some as Pinoy bets charge on 11/16/2011

VETERAN ATHLETES LEAD WINNERS

Win some, lose some as Pinoy bets charge on

11/16/2011
PALEMBANG, Sumatra — Filipino athletes ignited a mini gold rush on Tuesday, collecting six precious mints in as many disciplines to mark a new beginning to their campaign in the 26th Southeast Asian Games.

Limited to just eight gold medals after three days, fencer Walbert Mendoza, bowler Frederick Ong, wrestler Jayson Balabal, 8-ball billiards\' emerging princess Iris Ranola and taekwondo jins Kirstie Elaine Alora and John Paul Lizardo injected new life to the country\'s bid that is now expected to speed up as favored sports are about to begin in the 11-day schedule.

Back to settle a score before finally closing a colorful stint in his sport, Mendoza reclaimed the title he lost to a Thai in the 2007 edition of the Games by beating Vietnam’s Than An, 15-14, at a West Java venue..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20111116spo1.html