Noynoy’s LP new GMA Lakas party—Villar By Angie M. Rosales 04/15/2010

Aquino brags more Lakas defections to LP Noynoy’s LP new GMA Lakas party—Villar By Angie M. Rosales 04/15/2010 The Liberal Party (LP) of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Manuel “Mar” Roxas should now be known as the New Lakas-Kampi-CMD, what with Aquino bragging that it is not just Albay Gov. Joey Salceda who is defecting to the LP and supporting his campaign, but also a slew of the many personalities who will join his party. Aquino bragged that there are still so many jumping on the LP ship, that the oathtaking of new LP members may well be the LP’s “regular Monday feature.” Aquino said anyone was welcomed to join his group as long as they adhere to their principle and platforms.  But the Nacionalista Party (NP) said this development is “hypocrisy at its grandest” as the camp of Noynoy Aquino is proving to be the biggest sanctuary of allies of President Arroyo. NP standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and his allies said Salceda’s entry into LP as its latest recruit is a vindication of the “Villarroyo” charges, which LP charges of their alleged secret alliance with the administration. “Today, the Liberals are nothing more than a reunion of the failed GMA-Liberal Party regime of 2001-2005, minus GMA (Arroyo),” said NP spokesman and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100415hed1.html

HEADLINES Noynoy’s LP new GMA Lakas party—Villar Hostilities erupt anew; Basilan under lockdown Nograles to rally Lakas discontent, regroup Embattled Comelec threatens critics with jail Going straight to people, best source of votes — Erap Noynoy is Gloria trapped in a man’s body — group

Hostilities erupt anew; Basilan under lockdown By Mario J. Mallari and Gina P. Elorde 04/15/2010

Hostilities erupt anew; Basilan under lockdown

By Mario J. Mallari and Gina P. Elorde 04/15/2010 Government forces yesterday clashed anew with Abu Sayyaf bandits in Basilan province, a day after a stunning assault by the insurgents left 15 persons dead. The skirmishes occurred as soldiers tried unsuccessfully to track down the fleeing members of the militant group tagged as responsible for last Tuesday’s bomb attacks on the forested outskirts of Isabela, the capital city of Basilan. A getaway vehicle was also recovered in the clearing operations, inside of which were more improvised bombs. “There was fighting this morning (Wednesday), and the tension remains very high,” Mayor Cherry Akbar told reporters shortly after meeting with security officials as the city of 150,000 grappled with the aftermath of Tuesday’s bloodbath. “We are chasing after them and we are doing everything we can to secure and protect the people of Isabela.” Akbar and military officials said there had been no reports of casualties from the gunbattle, but neither had there been any militants captured.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100415hed2.html

HEADLINES Noynoy’s LP new GMA Lakas party—Villar Hostilities erupt anew; Basilan under lockdown Nograles to rally Lakas discontent, regroup Embattled Comelec threatens critics with jail Going straight to people, best source of votes — Erap Noynoy is Gloria trapped in a man’s body — group

Going straight to people, best source of votes — Erap 04/15/2010

Going straight to people, best source of votes — Erap

04/15/2010 TACLOBAN — Despite the lack of campaign funds, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday expressed confidence that he can get at least 10 million votes on May 10, citing the overwhelming reception he and his party get during their campaign sorties. “Well everywhere I go, the reception is overwhelming, some people are even emotional,” the standard-bearer of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) said. Estrada added that his campaign strategy of going direct to the people could bring him back to Malacañang. “Every day I don’t have enough rest, I’m reaching out to the people, going direct to the people…because we don’t buy local officials,” he said referring to alleged alliances entered into by “well-funded” candidates with local officials. According to Estrada, only Sen. Manuel Villar can spend so much for his campaign..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100415hed5.html

HEADLINES Noynoy’s LP new GMA Lakas party—Villar Hostilities erupt anew; Basilan under lockdown Nograles to rally Lakas discontent, regroup Embattled Comelec threatens critics with jail Going straight to people, best source of votes — Erap Noynoy is Gloria trapped in a man’s body — group

Spotty journalism EDITORIAL 04/15/2010

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No shock, no awe FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/15/2010

No shock, no awe

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/15/2010 Noynoy Aquino bragged on Tuesday that the nation will be “shocked” and “awed” by the move of a Gloria Arroyo supporter to join his campaign. News report said that Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, economic adviser to Arroyo, is bolting Lakas and is joining Aquino’s campaign. So is the nation shocked and awed by the transfer of Salceda to camp of Noynoy as the Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer claimed? Nobody seems to be surprised, much less shocked or awed by the Salceda announcement.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail FEATURE 04/15/2010

A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail

FEATURE 04/15/2010 MANILA — Jerry Ballento entered the brutal Philippine prison system when he was just 17 after being accused of robbery and homicide. Eight years later, he is wasting away at the infamous Manila City Jail, as his seemingly endless trial continues. “It does not matter anymore. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and I am paying for it,” Ballento said as he fought for space to take an afternoon nap on the grimy floor of cell block number five. “I have long given up hope of ever walking free.” Ballento said that counting against him is the fact that he cannot afford a full-time lawyer and that his family appears to have deserted him — including an uncle who is a police general.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

The new Lakas SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 04/15/2010

The new Lakas

SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 04/15/2010 Boyet Gonzales? Old news. The newest butterfly is... guess who? Joey Salceda? Not news. Why not consult the book? “Basahin mo” as Isko Salvador’s Brod Pete would say. Ok. Here goes: “Now it can be told. By the way the First Couple’s loyal supporters are shifting their support for Villar, it has become crystal clear that Villar is the secret candidate of the Arroyo administration.” Famous last words of the captain of the Liberal Party senatorial ticket, Franklin Drilon. Help yourself to the nearest marker or correction fluid. Cross out the name Villar in the above statement. Replace with the name Aquino. Voila! There you have it. The newest butterfly, turncoat, opportunist is the Liberal Party. Liberal is the new Lakas.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/15/2010

Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/15/2010 It is only unfortunate and dismaying but also sinister and menacing that for some time now, the above mind disturbing and heartbeat suspending phrases have been making the rounds — not only in coffee shops but also in major broadsheets in the country. Contrary to those either numbered among the faithful Malacañang allies or wallowing in the bliss of ignorance, such talks — futile forthcoming elections, military adventurism, people’s strike, popular revolt — cannot be altogether devoid of credibility — on the ground composite basis. Would that they were but merely sound bites. But this would be plain wishful thinking. But are they, really?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

New life for Broadcast City BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 04/15/2010

New life for Broadcast City

BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 04/15/2010 Under the specter of bankruptcy and their valuable four-hectare real estate property in Diliman Q.C., where sits the once-glamorous Broadcast City complex that was built by the late Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto during the early martial law years, on the verge of being gobbled up by several creditor banks over unpaid debts amounting to some P650 million, top officials of the sequestered RPN 9 and IBC 13 television franchises have opted to enter into an ambitious joint venture agreement (JVA) with some moneyed investors in a bid to arrest the downward trajectory of their floundering companies. It was really a no brainer, according to executives who had sought us out to elaborate on the JVA which is now being criticized as a “midnight deal” of the benighted Arroyo administration meant to generate funds for the campaign expenses of selected candidates of the Lakas-Kampi party.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets focus 04/15/2010

Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

focus 04/15/2010 GAZA CITY — The Hamas rulers of Gaza — the site of a deadly gunbattle on Tuesday — fear an escalation of violence could bring a crushing Israeli response but do not want to be seen by hardline rivals as having given up the armed struggle, observers say. In recent months Hamas has claimed to have reached an agreement with other militants to halt rocket attacks on southern Israel, but 77 rockets and mortar shells were fired in the first three months of the year alone, according to Israeli figures. And on Tuesday, four Palestinians were killed and two wounded in a firefight in central Gaza between Israeli troops and fighters of the Islamic Jihad, a smaller and more radical Islamist group than Hamas.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100415com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Spotty journalism FRONTLINE No shock, no awe FEATURE A never-ending wait for justice in Philippine jail SILVER LINING The new Lakas VIEWPOINTS Election failure, military junta, welgang bayan, people power BLURBAL THRUSTS New life for Broadcast City focus Hamas faces growing backlash as it tries to rein in rockets

Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal By Aytch S. de la Cruz 04/14/2010

FIRM’S CONTROL ON MAY 10 POLLS EXPANDED Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal By Aytch S. de la Cruz 04/14/2010 Automated polls supplier Smartmatic Corp. is one extremely lucky firm, as it has also become the delivery handler of official ballots for the May 10 elections after it cornered a half-a-billion-peso contract from the poll body last March 24 aside from the P11.3-billion deal for the supply of the computerized elections equipment. The Bids and Awards Committee of the Comelec in Resolution No. 95-2010 last March 24 named Smartmatic as the winner of the contract and the awarding was approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc on the same day. With the contract, Smartmatic practically has full control of the conduct of the elections a month from now where fears of a new form of automated cheating are currently being raised.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100414hed1.html

HEADLINES Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal Islamic attacks leave 15 dead in Basilan Noynoy brags: Lakas ally joining LP to ‘shock and awe’ voters Ex-CIDG chief: Duterte aids NPAs with P25M doleout Nograles declares war on Gibo, eyes reclaiming Lakas from merged party Erap bares bombshell to struck Leyte crowd

Noynoy brags: Lakas ally joining LP to ‘shock and awe’ voters By Angie M. Rosales 04/14/2010

Noynoy brags: Lakas ally joining LP to ‘shock and awe’ voters

By Angie M. Rosales 04/14/2010 Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino yesterday bragged to reporters in Cebu where he was campaigning that by next week, there will be an announcement from a big-time staunch ally of President Arroyo that will be politically “earth-shaking” so much so that this announcement will shock and surprise the Filipino people. The announcement will be earth-shaking because this yet to be identified politcal ally and long-time supporter of Arroyo will focus on joining the LP-Noynoy team, said Aquino. Aquino’s boast came amid reports that Speaker Prospero Nograles would leave the administration party and support another presidential candidate. Aquino was quoted as saying, “Next week, you will all be in shock and awe (over an announcement). One of the stalwarts of the current administration is joining our campaign,” during a press conference held in Cebu. Speculation rose that the “Arroyo stalwart” Aquino is referring to is none other than former President Fidel Ramos, given the clues offered by Aquino himself.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100414hed1.html

HEADLINES Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal Islamic attacks leave 15 dead in Basilan Noynoy brags: Lakas ally joining LP to ‘shock and awe’ voters Ex-CIDG chief: Duterte aids NPAs with P25M doleout Nograles declares war on Gibo, eyes reclaiming Lakas from merged party Erap bares bombshell to struck Leyte crowd

Erap bares bombshell to struck Leyte crowd By Gerry Baldo 04/14/2010

Erap bares bombshell to struck Leyte crowd

By Gerry Baldo 04/14/2010 Former President Joseph Estrada, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer, could have pulled the biggest surprise for a crowd in Leyte this election season after the Leyteños caught a glimpse of his underwear as a result of a torn in his pants. Estrada made light of the accident, saying it gave him the chance to bare his good side to the public.  “My pants tore when I boarded the helicopter, somebody told me about it, it happens. It’s okay, at least the people saw that I don’t hide anything,” Estrada jokinly told reporters covering the PMP campaign.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100414hed6.html

HEADLINES Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal Islamic attacks leave 15 dead in Basilan Noynoy brags: Lakas ally joining LP to ‘shock and awe’ voters Ex-CIDG chief: Duterte aids NPAs with P25M doleout Nograles declares war on Gibo, eyes reclaiming Lakas from merged party Erap bares bombshell to struck Leyte crowd

Who’s afraid of a psych test? EDITORIAL 04/14/2010

Who’s afraid of a psych test?

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 04/14/2010 Noynoy Aquino, that’s who. Even if that psychological report on the Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer, aired over the yellow media — ABS-CBN, is bogus, the fact remains that the mental and emotional health of a presidential candidate is a valid issue, especially in Aquino’s case, since there have been too many whispers about his being autistic, suffering from a polar disorder and suffering too, from a serious case of being obsessive-compulsive. All these may not be true, but the fact is that all these have been — and continues to be talk on the mental state of Aquino, despite the LPs insistence of this being black propaganda.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party?

Here comes Garci II FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/14/2010

Here comes Garci II

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/14/2010 We shouldn’t even have experimented with nationwide automated polls in the first place. Less than a month away from the scheduled elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), now realizing that more and more problems will be cropping up on election day is now singing partial auto polls. With the Smartmatic Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines going on the blink, with even the Smartmatic officials admitting that definitely, they expect the machines to malfunction on election day but stressed that this is not a glitch, as this is expected (hello? Duh, not a glitch?) the Comelec has finally announced that it is preparing for manual counting and tabulation of votes.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party?

Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin focus 04/14/2010

Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin

focus 04/14/2010 WARSAW — The death of Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski in a plane disaster will be particularly traumatic for his identical twin Jaroslaw because of the deep personal and political bonds between them, experts say. Jaroslaw Kaczynski has maintained a largely stoic face in public since Lech and 95 others were killed in an air crash Saturday. He must, however, bear the family burden as well as the pain of a nation. “The death of one twin is an enormous trauma for the surviving twin. The emotional shock is much greater than among non-twin siblings,” said Witold Malinowski, an expert on twins at Poland’s Pomeranian Academy of Medicine.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party?

Crazy season SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 04/14/2010

Crazy season

SILVER LINING Dean Ernest Maceda 04/14/2010 In the last US presidential elections, the propriety of the public disclosure of the candidates’ health records briefly took center stage as the Republican Party standard bearer, Sen. John McCain, was 72 years old, was a survivor of skin cancer surgery, had an enlarged prostate and was still dealing with wounds, physical and psychological, received during the Vietnam War. US federal law does not mandate the submission by candidates of their physical and psychological profiles. Neither does Federal Law prohibit it — this is a matter left to the states to deal with in accordance with each state’s peculiar sensitivities.  Here the situation is no different. As the lawyer of Gibo Teodoro points out, there is no psychiatric requirement in the Constitution for the presidency. Yet, just as in the US, it is conceded that a presidential candidate’s physical and mental health are legitimate election issues.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party

Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope FEATURE 04/14/2010

Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope

FEATURE 04/14/2010 VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on Monday stepped up efforts to show its resolve in fighting priestly pedophilia as victims in Malta demanded a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during a weekend visit. The 11 Maltese citizens who claim to have been sexually abused as children by Catholic priests demanded that the Pope apologize to them personally when he visits the island on Saturday and Sunday. If the Pope agrees, it will be his first meeting with victims of predator priests since 2008, when he met such groups in the United States and Australia..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party

Wanna buy starfruits? HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 04/14/2010

Wanna buy starfruits?

HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 04/14/2010 Like his uncle before him, not a few call Gibo Teodoro as the right man coming at the wrong time. He has what he claims he has, Galing at Talino, which give him ammo in any forum that not many of his challengers would win against Gibo on the platform in any debate. Bayani Fernando stubbornly discovered it when they faced the hangmen of Lakas-Kampi in an assembly. And most of Gibo’s opponents have found it hard to argue with the man they love to associate with Gloria Arroyo’s very corrupt regime, as he could stand on his own. But Gibo would find it hard to win the presidency. In fact, despite the obvious lift provided for by Malacañang, as this rubbernecker had witnessed in the many travels he did this summer, with Gibo’s green posters and tarpaulin reaching as far as the hinterlands where Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino’s presence are not felt, and with only Erap as his rival because of the people’s familiarity with the former president, Gibo’s only advantage is government’s machinery, but only if his principal would let it work for him.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party

Where’s the party? SHE SAID Malou E. Rosal 04/14/2010

Where’s the party?

SHE SAID Malou E. Rosal 04/14/2010 Party defections are so much fodder for coffee shop talks and dinner conversation, but it all points to the same thing: politics is like bowl of rotten star fruit. But who doesn’t already know that? These days, it’s hard to put a premium on what candidates say or do. Unfortunately for those who are sincere in their intentions, the system is just too overwhelming for anyone to emerge unscathed. Consider the presidential aspirants trailing far behind the biggies Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party, Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party and Gibo Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD). There’s John Carlos de los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran and Nicanor Perlas, an independent. These two do not have a huge, well-oiled political machinery to speak of, yet they go campaigning all over wherever they can and for all they are worth. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100414com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Who’s afraid of a psych test? FRONTLINE Here comes Garci II focus Death of Polish president a traumatic blow to his twin SILVER LINING Crazy season FEATURE Vatican affirms resolve on abuse as victims ask to see Pope HE SAYS Wanna buy starfruits? SHE SAID Where’s the party