Small lady at LTO strikes again

Small lady at LTO strikes again

• Written by  Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

The BS Aquino administration seems so fond of small ladies, whether fictitious or real. One such small lady was mentioned during the impeachment trial where a congressman alleged that some documents were handed to him by a small lady.

Another is a mysterious small lady who left some documents at the gate of another congressman in his Loyola Heights home. Now another small lady that figured out in a very high profile controversy is the small lady of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and mind you, this small lady is not fictitious, she is for real and she’s got big plans but most have gained notoriety in our current day to day life. She’s none other than the best friend and shooting buddy of his Excellency BS Aquino, Ms. Virginia Torres.

Charlie Manalo of the Tribune called her, the most controversial official. If we recall, Ms Torres got involved in illegall and forcible takeover the facilities of Stradcom, a company owned by Mr. Cesar Quiambao. Torres tried to help the Sumbilla group, a group claiming ownership of Stradcom to forcibly open the offices of Quiambao’s Stradcom and  entered its premises aided by LTO security forces. For this notorious act, Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima recommended the filing of both administrative and criminal cases and dismissal of Torres from government service..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary?start=18

One dead as Chinese ship sinks RP boat near shoal

One dead as Chinese ship sinks RP boat near shoal

• Written by  Mario J. Mallari
• Monday, 25 June 2012

FISHING CRAFT’S CAPTAIN SAYS ATTACK INTENTIONAL

The first physical encounter between Chinese and Philippine vessels amid a tense naval standoff over conflicting territorial claims of both countries happened last June 18, or a day after President Aquino ordered the pullout of Philippine ships from the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in an incident where a Chinese vessel rammed a local fishing boat near the shoal, killing one and leaving four others missing.

Office of Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos described the ramming as accidental but Posio Balmores, captain of the motorized fishing boat AXL John, said their seacraft was intentionally bumped.

Ramos, nevertheless, admitted that the suspected Chinese vessel did not stop to help the Filipino fishermen as seafaring protocol calls, raising suspicion that the incident was not accidental.

“It (foreign vessel) did not (stop) that’s why we are doubtful if it was accidental then they should have helped them (Filipino fishermen). They were recovered two days after by fellow Filipino fishermen,” Ramos said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/700-one-dead-as-chinese-ship-sinks-rp-boat-near-shoal

Carpio accuser produces witness to SC cover-up in Urban Bank case

Carpio accuser produces witness to SC cover-up in Urban Bank case

• Written by  Benjamin B. Pulta
• Monday, 25 June 2012

A lawyer, who was disbarred after accusing Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of improprieties in handling a case involving the now defunct Urban Bank, has produced a key witness to back up his claim that there had been a cover-up.

The witness, former SC stenographer Fe Malou Castelo, who took notes of important proceedings in the high court for nine years lashed out at justices of the tribunal who, according to
her, erred in ordering the disbarment of the lawyer on “inadequate and insufficient” grounds.

In an affidavit dated May 25, 2012, Castelo, who was SC stenographer from 1997 to 2006, also backed claims by Magdaleno Peña that there was a “cover-up” in the complaints he filed against some justices and that the documents he submitted pertaining to an allegedly forged resolution issued in November 2002 by then First Division member Associate Justice Antonio Carpio were authentic.

“Throughout my tenure as a stenographer with the SC, I have never experienced an instance wherein any justice or division, or the en banc for that matter, changed the actions taken and agreed upon during the deliberations, without having the particular case called again,” Castelo said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/695-carpio-accuser-produces-witness-to-sc-cover-up-in-urban-bank-case

POEA blacklists 2 US recruitment firms

POEA blacklists 2 US recruitment firms

• Written by  Mina Diaz
• Monday, 25 June 2012

Two US-based employment agencies were blacklisted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) for deceiving 24 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were promised jobs in hotels in Florida but were forced to work as farmers in Mississippi.

The POEA cancelled the recruitment license of US Opportunities and Royal Hospitality Services and the ZDrive Inc., both US-based employment services companies, for their failure to provide Filipino workers the jobs specified in their contracts.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac also ordered the exclusion of two US-based companies from participating in the government’s overseas employment program for contractual violation under the POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based Overseas Workers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/691-poea-blacklists-2-us-recruitment-firms

RP ranked 6th by WB in gender equality

RP ranked 6th by WB in gender equality

• Written by  Fernan J. Angeles
• Monday, 25 June 2012

President Aquino appears bent on naming more women to key positions in the Executive Department or the Judiciary where a selection process for the position of Chief Justice is in progress.

At a radio press briefing, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said the Aquino administration remained committed to the promotion of equality between men and women even as the Palace aide welcomed results of a World Bank (WB) study showing the Philippines ranking sixth out of 129 countries in gender equality..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/692-rp-ranked-6th-by-wb-in-gender-equality

Alcala urges Finance chief to discipline Customs boss

Alcala urges Finance chief to discipline Customs boss

• Written by  Benjamin B. Pulta
• Monday, 25 June 2012

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is calling on Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to ask Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon to make good on measures needed to curb smuggling of imported meats that erode the local industries of pork, poultry and other agricultural crops.

In a letter to Purisima dated June 13, Alcala followed up on the series of letter-requests he had made since April 10, asking among other things that the Bureau of Customs (BoC) provide the Department of Agriculture quarantine personnel with the Inward Foreign Manifest (IFM) “unfiltered on a real time basis.”

Alcala also asked Purisima on the status of BoC’s implementation on reference prices that he wanted imposed on imports starting May 11, 2012..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/677-alcala-urges-finance-chief-to-discipline-customs-boss

Pasig PNP plan to release reporter’s assailant foiled

Pasig PNP plan to release reporter’s assailant foiled

• Written by  Tribune
• Monday, 25 June 2012

Plans of the Pasig City police to release “at cost” an arrested suspect believed to be one of the three assailants behind the slay try on The Daily Tribune reporter Fernan Angeles last March, was foiled when the journalist himself showed up at the Pasig PNP station to verify a text message saying the local drug ring’s designated hitman had just been picked up.

Angeles, who sustained permanent physical disabilities resulting from an ambush that saw him peppered with six bullets, assailed the anti-drug operatives of the Pasig PNP.

Angeles, who has resumed covering Malacañang Palace for The Tribune, recounted having seen how the Pasig PNP’s anti-drug operatives even accorded privilege to the suspect, one alias Junior Praning, who was allowed to use the mobile phone of an anti-drug police officer so he could contact anybody who could “bail him out instantly.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/676-pasig-pnp-plan-to-release-reporter%E2%80%99s-assailant-foiled

Same unconstitutional problem?

Same unconstitutional problem?

• Written by  Ninez Cacho-Olivares
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

So who says the rule of law and upholding the Constitution are being adhered to in the country under Noynoy Aquino?

The Constitution is constantly being raped by government officials and yet they speak as though they are all law abiding citizens who moreover claim to be walking the “straight path.”

Far from it — as corruption can still be found everywhere in a government that claims to be taking the straight path.

In the case of the Constitution being raped, what can be easily seen is the fact that the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has been convened unconstitutionally, owing to the fact that there is no Chief Justice to call for its convening.

It is not the acting chief justice or a retired Supreme Court justice now a member of the JBC that is mandated by the Constitution to convene the JBC and open its selection process. That is already a violation of the Constitution — and the ones violating it are the very ones who are in both the high court and the members of a constitutional body known as the JBC..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/627-same-unconstitutional-problem?

Donor country

Donor country

• Written by  Tribune Editorial
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

 

 

By virtue of the $1 billion lent by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to the $450-billion global stability fund of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Philippines is now, as what the Palace definitely loves the sound of, a creditor nation.

With around $80 billion in foreign reserves, the country definitely does have the resources to be a contributor to the IMF which will be in the form of a loan that will earn interest.

More significant would be Noynoy’s bragging rights of the country infusing the same amount of contribution to the IMF fund as that of Malaysia and Thailand, both of which are way ahead of the country in terms of economic development..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/editorial/item/628-donor-country

Sky-high and abyss-deep: China’s double record-breaker

Sky-high and abyss-deep: China’s double record-breaker

China has reached two technological milestones spanning great depths and heights. In the earth’s orbit, the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft manually docked a space module while under the Pacific, a Jiaolong sub dived to the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

The symbolism behind the scheduling of the two historical events was far from coincidental. The three oceanographers manning the submersible during the 7,000 dive sent greetings to their three fellow “taikonauts” piloting the space capsule, wishing them luck in their mission.

The descent to a depth of 7,015 meters broke the Chinese national diving record. It was the fourth such dive in the mission, which started on June 15. The dive was conducted in heavy rain, according to a Xinhua report..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/china-docking-dive-breakthroughs-595/

Venezuela's partnership with Russia: An emblematic step

Under President Chávez, Venezuela is enjoying good relations with Russia as one of its most important trade and military partners in Latin America. By strengthening Venezuelan-Russian ties, Hugo Chávez wants to help create a multi-polar world, "a world that permits the rights of peoples to liberty, self-determination and sovereignty".

Over the past years, while the Russian Federation has been led by Vladimir Putin either as Prime Minister or as President, the ties between Chávez and Putin have become stronger. Both leaders are ardent patriots, proud to serve their respective countries which they love with great intensity.

Both men share similar views on many topics, for example the role of the USA in global economics. Hugo Chávez agreed with Vladimir Putin's opinion that the USA is an "economic parasite" because of its "constant instability and high debts, living far beyond its means and transferring the burden of its problems to the entire world economy."  .... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/23-06-2012/121459-venezuela_russia-0/

Small lady at LTO strikes again

Small lady at LTO strikes again

• Written by  Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

The BS Aquino administration seems so fond of small ladies, whether fictitious or real. One such small lady was mentioned during the impeachment trial where a congressman alleged that some documents were handed to him by a small lady.

Another is a mysterious small lady who left some documents at the gate of another congressman in his Loyola Heights home. Now another small lady that figured out in a very high profile controversy is the small lady of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and mind you, this small lady is not fictitious, she is for real and she’s got big plans but most have gained notoriety in our current day to day life. She’s none other than the best friend and shooting buddy of his Excellency BS Aquino, Ms. Virginia Torres.

Charlie Manalo of the Tribune called her, the most controversial official. If we recall, Ms Torres got involved in illegall and forcible takeover the facilities of Stradcom, a company owned by Mr. Cesar Quiambao. Torres tried to help the Sumbilla group, a group claiming ownership of Stradcom to forcibly open the offices of Quiambao’s Stradcom and  entered its premises aided by LTO security forces. For this notorious act, Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima recommended the filing of both administrative and criminal cases and dismissal of Torres from government service..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/624-small-lady-at-lto-strikes-again

Hope for the future,despair of the present

Hope for the future,despair of the present

• Written by  Larry Faraon
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

“The youth is the hope of the future but the despair of the present”, so quipped my Jesuit friend, the late Fr. Guido Arguelles, S.J.

Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino for the youth may have retracted his proposed bill banning religious celebrations and symbolism in public offices with a “wow-mali” due to a wave of protesting howls even from his own colleagues in the Kabataan party-list, but there remains a disturbing swirl in my mind. It makes some quarters, especially conservatives, wary and worried about the state of our youth today.

From what inspiration or model in contemporary philosophy or sociology the youthful congressman is sourcing his queer thoughts on a “God-ban in all government offices” remains to be exposed. It could be a sociological paradigm of an overly democratic, all fair, all square approach to equality in practically every human activity including religion. The American pattern could easily lend an exemplary hand to the youthful mind as the American government banned all prayers in all public schools and public offices..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/623-hope-for-the-futuredespair-of-the-present

Outages imminent by July, says Malacañang

Outages imminent by July, says Malacañang

• Written by  Fernan J. Angeles
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

The government announced yesterday an imminent power supply shortage next month even as the private power grid operator, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) claims to have sufficient power to keep Luzon lighted. Malacañang admitted yesterday what appears to be an imminent power shortage that would start affecting Luzon in July.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said President Aquino had instructed the Department of Energy to meet with the NGCP and dominant electricity distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), to thresh out contingency measures aimed at preventing brownouts from affecting Luzon in the coming weeks.

Valte explained that the government is actually instituting measures that would cushion the power shortage which will likely happen when power plants getting fuel supplies from the Malampaya natural gas facility and some other Luzon power plants are shut off for maintenance..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/654-outages-imminent-by-july-says-malaca%C3%B1ang

Comelec chief disputes star witness’ own testimony

Comelec chief disputes star witness’ own testimony

• Written by  Charlie V. Manalo
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

The main complainant in the electoral sabotage case against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo apparently is not aware of what his star witness is saying before the court hearing the complaint against the former leader.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes yesterday contradicted the testimony of former Maguindanao Provincial Administrator Norie Unas as he declared Arroyo had to testify before the court to refute Unas’ statement as the order she allegedly made to cheat in the 2007 elections was only heard by three persons — the former President, Unas and former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/653-comelec-chief-disputes-star-witness%E2%80%99-own-testimony

Burmese boy kidnapped in Biñan City

Burmese boy kidnapped in Biñan City

• Written by  Gina Peralta-Elorde
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

Laguna police operatives have been conducting search and rescue operations for an eight-year-old son of a Burmese national who was abducted by four armed men from his school service vehicle in Biñan City on Friday morning.

Snatched by the suspects was Reynald Chew, a Grade 2 pupil.

Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, disclosed that the boy was on a school service van with 14 other pupils and on their way to Montessori Children Woodside when it was blocked by the suspects at about 7:30 a.m., in Barangay San Francisco..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/648-burmese-burmese-boy-kidnapped-in-bi%C3%B1an-cityburmese-mese-boy-kidnapped-in-bi%C3%B1an-city

P40M goes up in flames in Sulu Written by Gina Peralta-Elorde Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

P40M goes up in flames in Sulu

• Written by  Gina Peralta-Elorde
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

At least P40 million worth of property was destroyed when a fire hit some 320 business establishments in Sulu on Thursday night.

This was disclosed by the National disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday.

The fire razes 320 business offices on General Arolas Street in Barangay Walled City, Jolo at about 8:45 p.m.

The local Office of the Civil Defense has coordinated with the local government to assist the victims..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/647-p40m-goes-up-in-flames-in-sulu

SC clarifies law on terms of reservists Written by Benjamin B. Pulta Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

SC clarifies law on terms of reservists

• Written by  Benjamin B. Pulta
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

A ruling by the Supreme Court (SC) says reservists  called into active service in the Armed Forces can hold commands in the regular armed forces for not more than  two years.

In a decision, the tribunal’s Third Division  through Associate Justice Roberto A. Abad dismissed the petition of Col. Jesus Cabarrus Jr., PAF (res.) which had sought a clarification on a provision of Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces Reservist Act.

Section 13(3) of RA 7077 provides that the retirement age for “the Retired Reserve” officers is 65.
However, if qualified and fit for duty, a member of “the Retired Reserve” may be ordered to active duty in times of local or national emergencies if he volunteers for active duty and when the Secretary of National Defense determines that there are not enough qualified citizen soldiers with his special skills and qualifications in the Ready Reserve or the Standby Reserve in his particular area of residence..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/642-sc-clarifies-law-on-terms-of-reservists

Ammonia leak from QC ice plant ‘downs’ 3 kids, 2 others

Ammonia leak from QC ice plant ‘downs’ 3 kids, 2 others

• Written by  Gina Peralta-Elorde
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

At least five people, three of them children, are now being treated in a hospital following an ammonia leak from an ice plant located along General Lim Street near Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning.

The local government  asked some 200 residents of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Roosevelt in Quezon City to vacate their respective houses temporarily until the ammonia leak is resolved.

According to Barangay Sta. Cruz Chairman Ernesto Baetiong Sr., several residents have complained of irritation in the eyes and noses. Firefighters, meanwhile, rushed to the ice plant and pumped water into it..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/640-ammonia-leak-from-qc-ice-plant-%E2%80%98downs%E2%80%99-3-kids-2-others

Bistek’ wants additional school buildings built to ease classroom shortage

Bistek’ wants additional school buildings built to ease classroom shortage

• Written by  Arlie O. Calalo
• Sunday, 24 June 2012 00:00

Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista has ordered a wider search for more new sites for school buildings to ease the classroom shortage in the city.

At a meeting with top QC Hall officials, the mayor disclosed that President  Aquino himself wants the local government to be ready by establishing more school sites to accommodate growing number of students.

Bautista said the President had given him instructions to look for more sites to build school buildings and facilities although the city recently completed the construction of 15 new school buildings in time for the opening of classes this June.

The mayor also said the President believes that access to free public education is the key to a better life for the urban poor..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/641-%E2%80%98bistek%E2%80%99-wants-additional-school-buildings-built-to-ease-classroom-shortage