Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? EDITORIAL 07/14/2010

Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority?

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/14/2010 President Aquino’s campaign spiel was “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” which translated says if there is no corruption, there is no poverty. He ran under an anti-corruption slogan, but apparently, battling corruption has become a low priority for him and his administration. This was virtually admitted by Noynoy when he told reporters that the eradication of jueteng is a low priority of his government. Since this is so, as proclaimed by him, it stands to reason that corruption, as well as going after the corrupt in government, is a very low priority. Or does Noynoy think that jueteng is not at the root of corruption in this country and more specifically, in government? Just where does Noynoy think jueteng protection money goes? To the jueteng operators? To the cabos and cobradores? To the people who place their small bets?  Or is Noynoy playing blind to the fact that jueteng lords fork out protection money to ensure that the illegal numbers game pushes through — with as much as three times a day draws — in the open, and no arrests or raids. But then again, more often than not, those in the pockets of jueteng lords alert them to a raid that will be staged, and nothing comes out of that raid — precisely because of the payoffs given to these officials who earn millions from these..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

Making the same mistakes FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/14/2010

Making the same mistakes

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/14/2010 Noynoy appears to be making the same mistakes his predecessor, and even his mother, Cory Aquino, made. Told that there is some grumbling within the military on account of the new assignments of officials that they say are hardly given on merit or seniority, Noynoy was quoted as saying that these were merely reports coming from newspapers that are not sympathetic to his administration. His statement certainly bespeaks of his dismissing reports that are unflattering to him and his government, and instead he prefers to take reports from his yellow media as credible, not realizing that precisely, negatives reports are being killed or downplayed by his sympathetic media, because they are protective of him and portray him with a rosy image. It is not unlikely that as the days pass, and since his so-called communications team in Malacañang is as yellow as Noynoy, he will start believing in Malacañang-churned out releases and his yellow media reports, which in turn will not provide him with reality but illusions of his government doing well and supported by the people so much so that he and his government can never go wrong. From reports, Malacañang is said to rely on a feedback mechanism through Twitter and the like, but haven’t they — especially those in his communications team — realized that those comments from Twitter which the yellow broadcast media feature in their news programs come from yellow-colored fans who are supporters of Aquino, and more importantly, reflect the sentiments of an elite group of youngsters?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds FEATURE 07/14/2010

Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds

FEATURE 07/14/2010 TEL AVIV — Mistakes were made at a “relatively senior” level during Israel’s deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid boat but the use of live fire by commandos was justified, the results of military probe showed Monday. “Mistakes were made in the various decisions taken, including within relatively senior ranks, which contributed to the result not being as we would have wished,” retired Gen. Giora Eiland told reporters in Tel Aviv on Monday as he presented the results of the internal inquiry. “In this inquiry we found that there were some professional mistakes regarding both the intelligence and the decision-making process,” said Eiland, who headed the panel tasked with examining how the operation unfolded and learning lessons from it. The Eiland Committee began its work on June 7, exactly a week after the botched naval raid in which Israeli Navy commandos launched a pre-dawn raid on a Turkish ferry carrying more than 600 persons. In the resulting fracas, nine Turkish nationals were shot dead and dozens of other people injured, including seven Israeli commandos. The raid, conducted in international waters, provoked a global backlash against Israel and prompted widespread calls for an international probe..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

3 teachers killed MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/14/2010

3 teachers killed

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/14/2010 Under GMA, the poor, underpaid school teachers were kidnapped in Basilan, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay. Under P-Noy, three teachers have been killed in one week’s time in Manila, Masbate and Bataan. Mark Francisco, 27 years old, a member of the Association of Concerned Teachers (ACT) was shot dead Friday in Palanas, Masbate after alighting from his motorcycle in the presence of four co-teachers. Josephine Estacio, 46, another ACT member was shot dead in front of Tenejero Elementary School in Balanga, Bataan by two masked men riding a tricycle. Last Thursday, in thickly populated Quiapo, Thomas Castro, 30, another teacher, was shot dead as he was walking toward Concepcion Aguila Street. The situation has gone from bad to worse as two media men and one farmer leader have also been assassinated since P-Noy assumed the presidency. In addition, carjackers shot and wounded Architect Efren del Rosario in front of the BPI branch in Commonwealth Avenue after making a withdrawal from the ATM machine. The kidnapped son of Comelec Commissioner Yusoph is still unreleased. P-Noy is an expert in handling guns. Maybe, he should personally lead the campaign against these wanton murderers. To begin with, he should seriously direct the PNP, the NBI and Barangay Tanods to collect loose firearms. Also the PNP, LTO, MMDA and city and municipal traffic aides to arrest all those using unregistered motorcycles. Certainly, there must be a total revamp of the PNP. In 1992, FVR retired 68 generals and colonels. There must be a three strike policy in every province or city. Three unsolved killings or kidnappings mean automatic replacement of the PNP Provincial Director or the Chief of Police. Capital crimes should be the top priority, not jueteng! *** Mortal sin. Sen. Tito Sotto is very correct. Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez committed a “mortal sin” when he cheated on his golf score in a golf tournament at Ayala Alabang Country Club. Sen. Serge Osmeña III has joined Senator Sotto in asking P-Noy to revoke and recall Alvarez’ appointment.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

Choices, choices HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 07/14/2010

Choices, choices

HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 07/14/2010 If the choice was as easy as picking the right one between Jacob and Edward, Bella would not have needed three Twilight installments. Or should we hire Paul, the echoserang octopus to predict where we are headed under Noynoy Aquino’s leadership? Paul went perfect in picking Spain as the rightful World Cup champion last week, a feat that forced his caretakers to enforce extra security measures around his aquarium, like he has become their most important VIP. Bella, meanwhile, had to give up her earlier decision to become a vampire, but will marry Edward still. Noynoy has a bigger predicament than Paul and Bella, though. He is not simply picking a winner in a sports event, nor is he simply choosing a woman to marry, although the last would echo his personal preference to stay single at 50. Noynoy has to run a country beset with problems, all the litters left by Gloria Arroyo, whom he just can’t simply shake off. Fourteen days into his presidency, Noynoy has found it harder to clean the ugly remnants of Gloria’s nine years than he thought. And with his Truth Commission yet to gain ground, eyes will be on how Noynoy will deal with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who, earlier this week, showed her stronger side by declaring her intent to meet Noy’s challenge head on, refusing to submit to calls for her resignation.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row focus 07/14/2010

Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row

focus

07/14/2010
LONDON — A bitter row over the gossipy memoirs of top British politician Peter Mandelson is threatening to overshadow the Labour party’s election of a new leader to replace Gordon Brown.

Mandelson was, with Brown and Tony Blair, part of the most powerful troika in British politics until center-left Labour was voted out of office and into opposition in May for the first time since 1997.

The flamboyant arch-spinner, nicknamed the “prince of darkness,” was Brown’s deputy prime minister and a controversial minister who quit twice under Blair, giving him an unrivalled insight into the turbulent New Labour he helped build.

Now the 56-year-old is telling all about his years as the power behind the throne in a memoir entitled “The Third Man,” out Thursday, which has drawn a furious reaction from some Labour colleagues.

Early extracts published by The Times detail how Brown’s hopes of clinging to power in May by forming a coalition with the centrist Liberal Democrats were scuppered by LibDem leader Nick Clegg, who said he could not work with him.

Clegg now holds Mandelson’s old job, serving as deputy to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron in a coalition government which is imposing punishing spending cuts in a bid to reduce a record deficit accrued under Labour.

It is the timing of Mandelson’s book which has caused anger — the memoirs have thrown the spotlight on Labour’s feud-ridden past, in the middle of a four-month-long leadership election.

Charlie Whelan, Brown’s former spin doctor and one of his closest allies, accused Mandelson, who ran the party’s failed re-election bid, of having concentrated on his book, not the election, in the run-up to May’s crunch poll.

“Peter ran the worst general campaign in Labour’s history. Nobody knew what the message was at all. It was a disaster from beginning to end,” he told the Sunday Telegraph.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com5.html

People watching SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 07/14/2010

SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 07/14/2010 Everytime we leave “home,” we see it in a fresher light. After an absence, no matter how long, we miss the best of what we left behind, and learn to appreciate them better — friendly faces, familiar surroundings, a sense of belonging. Yet, sometimes, too, our eyes are opened to realities that nudge the heart, pains it into admitting that not all is well back home. Years ago, after a trip to a neighboring country, I came home and wrote in this column: “Unfortunately for us, the wheels of progress have sadly been rusted by an obsolete system that is more often than not vulnerable to corruption. Without corruption, we would have public services delivered efficiently and substantially. Laws would be strongly enforced and gladly followed because the justice system works fast and fairly. People would enjoy decent jobs, homes that government makes sure would be accessible and affordable for all, and a transport system that is modern, efficient and cheap.” Among others, I was impressed by the order and progress I saw in that country, and wanted with all my heart the same for ours, our home. Now that we have a new leadership, that dream has come alive again. Hopes that were dulled by years of observing lies, greed and ineptitude are up again, though it treads on rocky ground, uncertain and ungainly..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100714com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Corruption, now Noynoy’s low priority? FRONTLINE Making the same mistakes FEATURE Mistakes made ‘at senior level’ in Israeli raid, probe finds MR. EXPOSE 3 teachers killed focus Memoirs of Britain’s ‘prince of darkness’ stir political row HE SAYS Choices, choices SHE SAYS People watching

Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET By Angie M. Rosales EXCLUSIVE 07/14/2010

Koko Pimentel: They may have conspired to sustain Zubiri’s motion Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET By Angie M. Rosales EXCLUSIVE 07/14/2010 Did they conspire for the sake of political expediency and at the expense of truth? Five senators may have conspired to deny lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III a seat in the Senate after they moved to sustain Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri’s motion to review the ballots where he alleged irregularities have been committed. In contrast, one Supreme Court justice held a contrary view, saying the irregularities Zubiri alleged are unfounded, and his motion for review should have been junked. Pimentel III, son and namesake of former Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., is questioning before the Senate Electoral  Tribunal (SET) the proclamation of Zubiri as the 12th elected senator in the May 14, 2007 national and local elections. The informal alliance recently of Zubiri with Senators Edgardo Angara, Loren Legarda, Lito Lapid and Ramon Revilla Jr., who style themselves as a swing vote in the race to the Senate presidency appears to have been formed as a matter of political survival for Zubiri, and political clout and expediency for the rest, it was alleged. Pimentel III has placed into question their alliance as he sought for the “disqualification” of Angara, Legarda and Lapid from sitting as members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), in a motion filed last June 24, some three weeks after the body issued resolution No. 07-105. In the said resolution, the SET ordered the conduct of further proceedings on the remaining precincts counter-protested by Zubiri and for the canvassing board to undertake the collection of the remaining counter-protested ballot boxes.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed1.html

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today 07/14/2010

Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today

07/14/2010 Luzon braced for the country’s first typhoon of the year as forecasters warned of floods and possible landslides across wide swathes of the main island as the government ordered schools up to the college level to close today while international flights will be diverted and ships were barred from leaving port. Typhoon “Basyang” packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 150 kph, was expected by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to hit Central Luzon late last night or early today.  Pagasa spokesman Robert Sawi said at 4 pm yesterday, Basyang was at 40 kilometers (km) north northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte and was moving westward at 22 kph. It is expected to make landfall between Aurora and Northern Quezon area last night and it will be 160 km. northwest of Iba, Zambales by this afternoon. Pagasa expects the typhoon to leave the country by tomorrow afternoon.  Aurora, Northern Quezon, including Polillo Island and Camarines Norte, were placed under public storm Signal No. 3 last night while Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Southern Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas. Metro Manila and Albay were under Signal No. 1 last night.  Pagasa Administrator Prisco Nilo said the typhoon had induced the southwest monsoon thus causing heavy rains of 10 to 20 millimeters per hour within a 250 km radius. Strong winds, Nilo said, is expected to cover a 30 km radius. Water level in Angat Dam is expected to rise as rain has started pouring in the watershed of Angat Dam based on the monitoring of Pagasa.  “Areas that are in the direct path will experience heavy rains, even areas to the south of the typhoon will have strong rain,” Nilo told reporters.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed2.html

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng 07/14/2010

Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng

07/14/2010 Reacting to statements made by President Aquino that legalization of jueteng is not a priority of his government, and that a training course on livelihood would be the answer to a stop to jueteng activities, former President Joseph Estrada yesterday urged Aquino to legalize jueteng. In a tele-phone inter-view with the Tribune, Estrada pointed out that jueteng has long been in the country, and no presi-dent has been able to put a stop to the illegal numbers game, intimating that the course of action being taken by Aquino — that of training people who play the illegal numbers game to invest their time in more “worthwhile” projects and find jobs — won’t stop jueteng all over the country. “Just how many administrations have we had, and all failed to put a stop to jueteng because not one administration had jueteng legalized,” he stress. Estrada had been batting for the legelization of the illegal number games and even a senator, he delivered a privilege speech urging Aquino’s mother, Cory, and the Congress to legalize jueteng and be rid of the scourge. “That is fact. I deliveed that speech in the Senate. I have been fighting for jueteng’s legalization. That way, not only will government get additional funds legitimately. Corruption will be curbed, and best of all, there will still be jobs for the cabos and the cobradors, who will now be earning legitimately,” Estrada told the Tribune. When reminded that he was charged and convicted for plunder for receiving protection money from jeuteng operators, Estrada said: “You all know that my trial and conviction was politically motivated. They (government and the courts) took the contradictory testimonies of the self-confessed crook, Chavit Singson, instead of judging on the merits of the case and the clear lack of evidence to convict me on jeuteng and plunder,” he stressed.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed3.html

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET  Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap By Marie A. Surbano 07/14/2010

Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap

By Marie A. Surbano 07/14/2010 If the Aquino government fails to rescue his son from his kidnappers, a poll commissioner vowed to take the law into his own hands. Poll Commissioner Elias Yusoph threatened to take “the law into his hands” if the government fails to finally resolve the kidnapping case of his son Nuraldin. In an interview with reporters yesterday, Yusoph did not hide his frustration and disappointment in the Aquino administration’s failure to free his son from his abductors. “I have been patient. Patient on this for almost one month although it’s too painful. But I still have to control my temper. I did not go home because of some pressure from relatives.....(but) if the government cannot do anything....well you know, its our culture and it will become a vendetta,” Yusoph declared. “I do not want to take the law into my hands and I have been preventing my relatives from doing it,” added the poll Commissioner. According to Yusoph its been almost a month now since his son, a religious leader was abducted last June 20. Yusoph appealed to the Aquino administration to prioritize the rescue of his son and also asked that the entire Lanao del Sur be placed under military control to stop lawlessness in the province.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed4.html

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/14/2010

Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 07/14/2010 Just a day after Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez held a press conference to defy Malacañang’s threats to remove her from office, including supporting an im-peachment move in the House of Representatives as stated by President Aqu-ino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda made a complete turnaround from his previous statements, now implying that the Palace would no longer endorse any charges against Gutierrez, adding the Palace would rather have members of the House make a move on Gutierrez. Yesterday, Gutierrez said she is standing her ground and she will not resign her position and stressed that it is only through impeachment that she can be removed. Gutierrez also pointed out that there is no ground at all to impeach her, saying that being “close to the Arroyos” is not a ground for impeachment. Lacierda tried to ascribe his volte face to his engaging members of the media last Friday, when he made the threats against Gutierrez, in an “academic discussion” given the fact that no specific moves were ever discussed by the new administration to oust the Ombudsman. “There is no decision on that matter (impeachment bid against Gutierrez) yet because we’re still shoring up the evidence to be gathered by the Truth Commission. So whoever will sit as Ombudsman—be it Gutierrez or whoever—the important thing if to have the solid appreciation for the evidences to be presented by the Truth Commission,” the Palace spokesman said. He said Malacañang does not have any intention to persecute Gutierrez or disrepute the Office of the Ombudsman which is a constitutionally mandated body that is independent from the command of the executive branch. Lacierda said the administration would rather reinforce the mandate of the Truth Commission, which is yet to exist, to gather “solid evidence” against those who are presumed responsible for unsolved corruption cases that happened during the term of former President Arroyo.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed5.html

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/14/2010

P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/14/2010 Attempted bribery charges are being readied by justice officials against persons yet to be named for allegedly offering more than P 5 million in hush money to witnesses to the Ampatuan massacre in Maguindanao province last November. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday bared at least two attempts “a few weeks back” to bribe witnesses in the Maguindanao Massacre case. De Lima said an emissary from the Ampatuan camp whose members were tagged as primary suspects in the murder of 57 persons, tried to offer two witnesses on separate instances money in exchange of recanting their testimonies or pointing the blame at someone else. De Lima disclosed the emissary offered the witness P5 million, while in the second instance, the justice chief admitted that she forgot the exact amount the other witness was offered. But she disclosed that the amount was in the same “range” with that of the witness offered with P5 million. De Lima also said that the bribe attempt was coursed through an officer, who was approached by an emissary of the Ampatuans.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100714hed6.html 6

HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE Defeated bet wants 3 senators out of SET Typhoon ‘Basyang’ to hit Central Luzon today Erap: Only legalization can stop jueteng Yusoph to take law into his own hands on son’s kidnap Malacañang turns tail, says Merci can stay P5-M bribe try for Ampatuan witnesses bared

Predicting top Senate win EDITORIAL 07/13/2010

Predicting top Senate win

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/13/2010 Too bad we don’t have Paul the Octopus, that was spot on in all his predictions of winners in the World Cup’s football to predict the likely winner of the country’s Senate President. Still, given the developments in the Senate political arena, and the different blocs that exist today, before the Senate opens and votes for its leader, neither the Liberal Party (LP) bloc, headed by Sen. Francisco Pangilinan, nor the Nacionalista Party (NP) bloc, headed by Sen. Manny Villar, said to be the major contenders, may win the Senate crown, and the likely winner would be either Sen. Ed Angara or the hold-over or compromise Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile. It’s really just a matter of doing the math and analyzing the improbabilities of one bloc merging with the other bloc that is more or less regarded as one bloc’s perceived foe. The LP bloc does not have enough votes to land the plum Senate prize and can only count on six sure votes, counting Pangilinan; eight, if he gets the vote of Enrile and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Even if two more allies show up to vote, say, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and detained Sen. Sonny Trillanes, the LP bet still would be short of the needed 13 votes. He must therefore try to get anywhere from five senators from a different bloc at the most, or at least three more from a different bloc, if Pangilinan already has the votes of Lacson and Trillanes locked in. It is highly unlikely that the LP bet can get anyone from the NP camp of Manny Villar, which is also short in numbers, as of this time. The presidential campaign, where the LPs and the NPs were pitted against each other created deep wounds that have hardly healed.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack

Easiest solution ignored FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/13/2010

Easiest solution ignored

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/13/2010 The easiest solution to the jueteng problem, which breeds the corruption problem, is to legalize it, because the problem of jueteng is the fact that it is, and remains illegal. And because it is illegal, there is need to give protection money by the drug lords to high ranking officials and officers of the police and military establishments, as well as mayors, congressmen and whoever is on the jueteng take. Legalize jueteng and there will no longer be any need for the operators to provide protection money to anybody. The jueteng proceeds then go to the government coffers, which will be fatter and there will not be any job displacements for all those who work in the jueteng operations, as they can be legally hired by the government. It would help too, in getting rid of the jueteng problem if the government doesn’t tack on a tax once the game is legalized. Sometimes, it is taxing the winnings that makes it attractive for gamblers, small and big, to engage in illegal games. It is no secret that harassment from authorities come because the game is illegal, as well as this being a way of the authorities to earn big cash by allowing the illegal numbers game to thrive. This jueteng situation today is no different from the days of the prohibition in the US. As the manufacture, shipment and even drinking of whiskey or sprits, and of course “moonshine” were deemed illegal, corruption reared its ugly head with the police force in the payroll of the gangsters..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack

Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box FEATURE 07/13/2010

Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box

FEATURE 07/13/2010 HONG KONG — They held elections within days of each other: The Philippines, a lively democracy where politicians get shot dead in the street and Britain, the rock solid “mother of all parliaments.” But the Asian state’s quick-fire digital vote made the European nation look more like a grandmother as its citizens stuck to the old style of dropping bits of paper in battered old boxes. It was hoped electoral automation in the Philippines would cut rampant cheating, where ballot boxes went missing or were stuffed with fake votes and local officials sometimes simply fiddled the results themselves. There was also the logistical nightmare of collecting votes from a country made up of over 7,000 islands, some of them tiny. In Britain, there were angry scenes outside a handful of polling stations which had closed before thousands of people had voted on May 6, leading some commentators to describe it as a “third world” ballot. In the Philippines, Venezuelan company Smartmatic won the contract to run the electronic election. Voters still had to go to a booth and mark a piece of paper, but it was fed into a machine for counting, not a ballot box. The results were then sent electronically to election headquarters in Manila, with 30 copies printed out and sent to stakeholders as a back up..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack

Why no plunder? MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/13/2010

Why no plunder?

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 07/13/2010 Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has been sitting on the 2004 fertilizer scam for the last five years, after the matter was officially referred by the Senate to charge then Department of Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo, Undersecretary Joc-joc Bolante, Undersecretary Ibarra Poliquit, Undersecretary Belinda Gonzales, several assistant secretaries and officials of the DA complete with very strong evidence. There is widespread opinion that Merceditas Gutierrez should resign as Ombudsman. Malacañang is mulling impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez. Akbayan Rep. Waldon Bello announced he plans to file an impeachment complaint when Congress opens. Friday, she finally released the recommendation of her fact-finding team to charge Lorenzo, Joc-joc, et al. for malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft law. But she still has to conduct a preliminary investigation before Cito Lorenzo, Bolante, et al. can be charged before the Sandiganbayan and issued warrants of arrest. Whether Lorenzo will be discharged as a state witness is for the Sandiganbayan to decide. Cito Lorenzo, Joc-joc, Poliquit, Gonzales, et al. must be formally charged with plunder, not just malversation. The amount of P728 million malversed is certainly plunder. Will Ombudsman Gutierrez take another four years before she finishes the preliminary investigation? Still protecting GMA, Madame Ombudsman? It raises the specter that whatever the Truth Commission finds, it will just die a natural death in the hands of Gutierrez. q q q Buy now. DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said he will achieve self-sufficiency in rice in three years time. That implies importation of rice will continue, estimated at 2.1 million metric tons (MT) this year. Because of the huge harvest in Thailand and Vietnam, the price of rice on the world market has gone down to a low $330 per MT from the $1,000 per MT at which then DA Secretary Arthur Yap bought a few years back..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack

Spokesman NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 07/13/2010

Spokesman

NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 07/13/2010 Or, the person who makes statements on behalf of another individual or a group. But there are spokesmen and there are spokesmen. Let’s take you, for instance. You speak for your family, comprised of ordinary wage earners, engaged in a word war with neighbors over who really dumped the dead dog out on the street. One of the kalaban snidely remarks she thought the dead dog was your sister because your bitch of a sister looked like one. You furiously react and refuse to talk to that kalaban from hereon. The matter is elevated to the barangay council and most everyone understands your fury in an usapang magkakapitbahay situation. But take Lacierda vs Paner.  Edwin Lacierda is the spokesman of President Noynoy Aquino. I don’t know much about him, bits and pieces from the Internet say he is (was?) legal counsel and co-convenor of the Black and White Movement, Ateneo Law School graduate, Constitutional Law Professor at the Far Eastern University. Mae Paner is the real life persona of the character Juana Change; her satirical pieces on those not wanting to change, the “wa na change,” were viral hits on YouTube in the last couple of years. She directs TV commercials, and in 2007 did the Manny Villar Para sa Senado ads. She joined the Aquino campaign late last year and quit it in March of this year. Lacierda vs Paner is the offshoot of Paner’s open criticism of the appointment of mag-amang Abad to the Cabinet of the new presidency; Papa Butch is head of the Department of Budget and Management, and daughter Julie, of the Presidential Management Staff.  Paner clarified, “‘Di ako galit sa mga Abad pero naniniwala pa rin ako na hindi dapat mga pamilya ang nasa Gabinete.” To this, Lacierda responded on Facebook, “Mae is totally ignorant of the relationships of the Abads with Noynoy. The most charitable thing I can describe her statement is envy!”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack

The illusions of Ilustrado AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 07/13/2010

The illusions of Ilustrado

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 07/13/2010 Warning: If you intend reading Miguel Syjuco’s much-praised Ilustrado, winner of the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize while still in manuscript form, as a mystery novel (which it is not), proceed no further. A major character, a young writer, berates himself for “those damn confusing experiments with style. The thing is to write a straight narrative… Emulate A Passage to India.” This advice was, reportedly, given to Syjuco by an agent. That it was rejected may be gleaned from the fact that the character in question is called “Miguel Syjuco.” Moreover, the italicized passage is one of several which, dotted throughout the novel and often giving a slightly different version of events from that in the first-person account by “Syjuco,” seem to be written either as a commentary by Syjuco, or by an alter ego of “Syjuco.”  Although both these interpretations could be said to be true, we later learn that their author is the book’s other main character, the elderly writer Crispin Salvador, who (we think) dies before the novel opens. Ilustrado employs a variety of media (e-mails, extracts from Salvador’s published work and interviews, text messages, snatches of radio commentary), but it reminds this outsider of the films of both Hitchcock (rich in illusion) and the French New Wave (bristling with symbols and allusions). After Crispin Salvador’s body is found floating in New York’s Hudson River, his young friend and research assistant “Miguel Syjuco” finds it hard to accept that he has committed suicide. He was, after all, nearing completion of his magnum opus The Bridges Ablaze, an outpouring of bile which, he has recently told a hostile audience at the Philippine Cultural Center, will expose “our shared guilt.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100713com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Predicting top Senate win FRONTLINE Easiest solution ignored FEATURE Electronic voting no threat yet to the old style ballot box MR. EXPOSE Why no plunder? NO HOLDS BARRED Spokesman AN OUTSIDERS VIEW The illusions of Ilustrado focus Obama sets campaign mode to attack