Failed presidency EDITORIAL 06/15/2011

Failed presidency

EDITORIAL

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06/15/2011
If Noynoy’s Independence Day speech is a peek into his State of the Nation Address (Sona), his July 25 address, will surely be yet another big disappointment to many Filipinos, because all he states are promises that are certainly never going to be delivered — whether in two or even five years.

But it is also apparent, given his speech last Sunday, that he and his administration really have no achievement or reforms to speak of, considering what he says he has done is to have “planted the seeds of reforms” that however, cannot even be seen or felt, as there certainly are no palpable reforms that he claims to have introduced. The postponement of the ARMM polls is no reform, but a throwback to the Marcos dictatorship, where OICs were appointed.

A Sona is a yearly speech to the nation, through a congressional speech, outlining what a chief executive achieved in his first year in office, what his plans are for the next year or so, and how he will be implementing these plans — and from there, he is judged by the nation..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110615com2.html

A now controversial figure FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/15/2011

A now controversial figure

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/15/2011
Outgoing Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales now seems to be the most controversial applicant for the position of Ombudsman, but perhaps that is also because almost everybody knows she is Noynoy’s choice as replacement of Merceditas Gutierrez.

It was Noynoy who personally asked Morales to apply for the Ombudsman’s job, which translated means that the job was hers — on a silver platter. And she quickly accepted that offer on condition that former SC chief justice Art Panganiban endorses her, which he prompted did, in the vernacular, that appointment would be termed as Lutong Macao.

If Noynoy was truly not interfering with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), and would simply choose one from a list of three, he wouldn’t have talked Carpio into applying for the position. Besides, despite the presidential spokesman claim that the JBC is an independent body and that Noynoy is not interfering in its choices, the fact is that Noynoy has practically the majority members of the JBC vote, as they are his appointees, apart from three more political allies, such as Rep. Niel Tupas, Sen, Chiz Escudero and Justice Chief Leila de Lima. They will toe the Noynoy line as they can hardly be called independent..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110615com3.html

Bangladesh shipyards back in business FEATURE 06/15/2011

Bangladesh shipyards back in business

FEATURE

06/15/2011
DHAKA — Bangladesh’s vast ship-breaking yards are roaring back into business, after the easing of strict environmental regulations that brought the major industry to a halt for much of 2010.

A High Court ruling on March 7 reversed a series of 2010 court verdicts — fought for by environmental activists — that required vessels to be cleared of all hazardous material such as asbestos before being imported for scrap.

“Finally, we can see the end of our long legal problems,” Hefazatur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers’ Association, told AFP, calling the ruling a victory for the industry.

The court decision has allowed the industry to restart the import of scrap vessels and 50 ships are now waiting to be broken at Sitakundu, the country’s southeastern ship-breaking hub..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110615com4.html

Henares, apologize and pay up! C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 06/15/2011

Henares, apologize and pay up!

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

06/15/2011
PNoy’s speechwriters did him a great disservice. And, worse, at the expense of his dearly beloved mother, the first President Aquino. Imagine injecting such words as “...This is a new free Philippines, we are the free Filipinos, separated from the scourge of corruption and poverty... meeting the future with heads held high and with much excitement...” in his first Independence Day speech! And then, prefacing such with “On behalf of all Filipinos, I declare the start of a new chapter in our history where each Filipino will reap the fruits of his labor, where the law is fairly implemented, where everyone can be the master of his destiny and where freedom comes hand in hand with dignity.” So, what are P-Noy and his writers saying? That we have had nothing going in this country until they came along?... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110615com6.html

The flag NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 06/15/2011

The flag

NO HOLDS BARRED

Armida Siguion-Reyna

06/15/2011
Last weekend the news centered on whether or not the United States was going to be with us against China over the issue of Spratly Islands. And when tri-media devoted almost as much space to Manny Pacquiao’s moving into Forbes Park, the purchase of a house that purportedly cost more than P300 million served to distract, methinks, from the commemoration of Independence Day.

Anyway. Where before the unspoken rule was to have the Vice-Presidents in the Emilio Aguinaldo house in Cavite while Presidents took in all the pomp and pageantry and pagandahan ng floats at the Quirino Grandstand, the most recent one had P-Noy himself laying the wreath at the tomb of the first President of the Republic, and after raising the flag up high on the same balcony where it was hurled 113 years ago, there delivered his “graft-free Philippines” speech.

Curiously, where is the original flag? Is it still around? Is it the one in Baguio, under the care of the Aguinaldo-Suntays, described as “custodians” of the much, much earlier version “discovered folded and tucked” in Aguinaldo’s deathbed in 1964?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110615com5.html

Noy rushes to US side over China Sea dispute By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/15/2011

US ENVOY AFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO BACK RP

Noy rushes to US side over China Sea dispute

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/15/2011

President Aquino ran to the side of the United States to seek succor amid an increasingly tense dispute with China over rival claims in the South China Sea.

“Perhaps the presence of our treaty partners, the United States of America, ensures that all of us will have freedom of navigation (and) will conform to international law,” Aquino said.

“Of course they (China) are a superpower, they have more than 10 times our population. We do not want any hostilities to break out,” Aquino told reporters when asked about recent Chinese actions in the disputed waters.

Aquino’s comments came after the US ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas, said yesterday that the United States remained committed to helping its former colony in any dispute over the South China Sea..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110615hed1.html

SC allows live TV coverage of Ampatuan massacre trial By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/15/2011

SC allows live TV coverage of Ampatuan massacre trial

By Benjamin B. Pulta
06/15/2011

The Supreme Court (SC) decided yesterday to allow live media coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

In a unanimous vote, the SC justices ruled to allow pooled television coverage of the trial presided over by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes. The court’s decision is not a precedent to other cases.

“The court took into consideration the impossibility of accommodating all the parties.” Court Administrator Midas Marquez explained to newsmen about the court’s decision.

The live coverage will tap the SC’s video camera mounted inside the court room which will then feed the footage to various media networks..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110615hed5.html

Court sentences ex-SBMA exec to 8 years By Arlie O. Calalo 06/15/2011

Court sentences ex-SBMA exec to 8 years

By Arlie O. Calalo 06/15/2011

A former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) executive has been found criminally liable for certifying a non-existent memorandum of agreement (MoA) for a P40-million worth of hospital equipment and vehicles in 1998.

Lawyer Hedy Esmade-Diaz was ordered to serve six to eight years in prison by Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Judge Richard Paradeza who found her guilty beyond reasonable doubt for falsification of documents under Article 141 of the Revised Penal Code.

The former SBMA corporate secretary was specifically held liable for certifying that a MoA providing for the transfer of about P40-million of equipment and vehicles had been ratified and approved..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110615nat2.html

Repeal of Epira Law pushed By Gerry Baldo 06/15/2011

Repeal of Epira Law pushed

By Gerry Baldo 06/15/2011

Amid the unabated increase in electricity rates, a lawmaker yesterday pushed the repeal of the
Electricity Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).

According to Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, the consumers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) have been billed more than doubled during the 10 years that the law has taken effect. It took effect in 2000.

Ilagan, citing data from a consumer group People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates (Power), said that Meralco customers were only billed at the average rate of P4.87 per kilowatt hour (kwh) in 2001 until it reached an average rate of P10.35 per kwh in 2010.

“The Epira is a failure. The Filipino families now contend with having to pay the highest electricity rates in Asia is enough proof that Congress has done a great disservice by enacting this law,” Ilagan said. She said that Epira had failed to protect consumers from alleged abuses and greediness by electric companies nationwide..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110615nat3.html

Former Pagcor chairman charged for using P26.7M in filming ‘Baler’ By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/15/2011

Former Pagcor chairman charged for using P26.7M in filming ‘Baler’

By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/15/2011

Graft charges were filed yesterday by the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) against its former chairman, Efraim Genuino, and other former officials of its funds for a movie three years ago.

In a 24-page complaint, Pagcor said P26.7 million, or two-thirds of cost of production of the film “Baler” by BIDA Productions Inc. and VIVA Communications Inc. came from its operations.

“Respondents, in conspiracy with each other, fraudulently appropriated, took, misappropriated or consented or, through abandonment or negligence, permitted another person to take public funds from the coffers of Pagcor,” the complaint said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110615met3.html

Pacquiao joins militant workers’ call for P125 across-the-board wage hike By Charlie V. Manalo 06/15/2011

Pacquiao joins militant workers’ call for P125 across-the-board wage hike

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/15/2011

Citing his experience as a lowly-wage earner, eight-time world boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday joined militant workers in pressing a P125 across-the-board wage hike.

Paying a visit to the national headquarters of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Pacquiao justified the workers’ call for a wage increase, saying it’s about time for workers to find a little relief from the rising cost of basic commodities.

“Ako rin ay naging ordinaryong manggagawa. Naging welder, service boy, nagbenta ng balot at sampaguita, nagtra-trabaho sa kakarampot na kita. Hindi naging madali ang buhay kaya naiintindihan ko ang inyong laban,” Pacquiao said.

KMU leaders, together with Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, welcomed Pacquiao’s support as they expressed hope the Filipino champion’s voice could help enjoin their colleagues in the House to support the measure..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110615met2.html

Empty pledges EDITORIAL 06/14/2011

Empty pledges

EDITORIAL

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06/14/2011
On Independence Day, Noynoy again went big with promises — but empty promises they are.

They are as empty as the promises he made during his inauguration at Luneta on June 30, 2010.

As a matter of fact, his Independence Day speech was clearly a rehash of his inaugural address. No doubt it was his bid to recapture the “enthusiasm” he generated to his supporters after his poll victory, with his repeat of his “You are my boss” line.

Unfortunately, he forgets that he will have been in the presidency for a full year by the end of June, and he has already been found wanting by many Filipinos, including many of his supporters. That enthusiasm generated cannot be revived — not with another round of pledges that can hardly be delivered..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110614com1.html

Noynoy’s ‘sea of lies’ FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/14/2011

Noynoy’s ‘sea of lies’

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/14/2011
It was, as publicly speculated: Ping de Jesus quit his post as Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) chief over Noynoy’s demand that De Jesus change his recommendation amid Noynoy’s insistence for him to cancel the Stradcom contract and retain his kabarilan, suspended LTO Chief Virginia Torres.

That is as clear as day, given the date (May 23) of the memo, the time recived by Noynoy and the date word of Ping’s resignation surfaced, plus of course, the contents of the memorandum to Noynoy.

Noynoy, the source, a transport undersecretary, said, asked them to change their recommendations and instead recommend the speedy termination of the Stradcom contract by citing that there are no benefits to the Stradcom contract. The source said they refused to do it, as it was also clear in Ping’s memo that it would not benefit the public if the Stradcom automated IT services were cancelled, with the LTO reverting to manual..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110614com2.html

Ghosts of Prague’s historic Golden Lane FEATURE 06/14/2011

Ghosts of Prague’s historic Golden Lane

FEATURE

06/14/2011
PRAGUE — Kveta Zrustova, 91, can clearly recall the spring day in 1938 when she entered a tiny house in Prague’s famed Golden Lane to ask advice from the fortune teller Madame de Thebes.

“I was scared stiff. She was sitting in the corner with a cat on her shoulder,” said Zrustova who was 18 and wanted to know how her school exams would go.

Madame de Thebes, who later died during interrogation by the Nazis after predicting the fall of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, was just one of the colorful real-life residents of the historic street..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110614com3.html

Exporting culture AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 06/14/2011

Exporting culture

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW

Ken Fuller

06/14/2011
The name Cornel West (professor of African American Studies and Religion at Princeton University) was unknown to me until I came across his 2004 book, Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight against Imperialism, on the second-hand table at National Bookstore.

It’s clear that West is a serious thinker, deeply concerned about the direction in which the USA was headed during the Bush years. He finds it ironic that 9/11 became “the historic occasion for the full-scale gangsterization of America,” possibly ushering in “a postdemocratic age in which the very ‘democratic’ rhetoric of an imperial America hides the waning of a democratic America.”

West calls upon Americans – and the deep but officially-ignored American radical tradition – to combat the anti-democratic impulses abroad. “It is when we confront the challenges of our anti-democratic inclinations as a country that our most profound democratic commitments are born, both on the individual and the societal level.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110614com4.html

RH Bill (Once more with pleasure) VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/14/2011

RH Bill (Once more with pleasure)

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

06/14/2011
For start, it is good to recall that God Himself gave but Ten Commandments to rule the whole world, the whole of humanity all over the globe. And the Lord Jesus Christ even reduced them into but Two Commandments: Love God. Love others. The first Three Commandments are for the love of God. The other Seven Commandments are for love of others. It requires but these Commandments for all peoples to live in truth, to get justice, to live in peace.

On the other hand, it is worth asking how many thousands of laws have the present and immediately past Legislative Department enacted? Three thousand? Four thousand? As a valid consequential question, it comes to order to ask how many laws has the executive department succeeded in having duly implemented? One thousand? Two thousand? And as a logical follow-up question, how many violators of the law has the judicial department brought to justice? Answer: Just guess. Such would be enough, given a long existing dysfunctional justice system in the Philippines..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110614com5.html

Probe called on Noy’s arm twist of DoTC By Charlie V. Manalo and Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/14/2011

PALACE DENIES TRIBUNE REPORT, CLAIMS NO STRADCOM RECOMMENDATION IN DE JESUS MEMO

Probe called on Noy’s arm twist of DoTC

By Charlie V. Manalo and Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/14/2011

A congressional inquiry into the issue of outgoing Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Chief Jose “Ping” de Jesus’ resignation, reportedly over President Aquino’s insistence on having the contract between Land Transportation Office’s IT provider, Stradcom, rescinded, is being set in motion, with a congressman allied with the ruling majority seeking a probe on the alleged “arm-twisting” ways of the Palace.

A Tribune report Monday bared De Jesus’ resignation after the President ordered him
to change his recommendation on the automated system being rendered by LTO Information Technology (IT) provider Stradcom that will in effectively terminate its contract with the government as demanded by Aquino’s kabarilan (shooting buddy), LTO head Virginia Torres.

“It looks like the old corrupt habit is rearing its head at the DoTC,” remarked Bayan Partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño. “Apparently, De Jesus’ resignation was connected to his recommendations on the automated system of the LTO which did not sit well with the President’s shooting buddy. This is something that the House has to look into if we want to clean up the department,” Casiño said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110614hed1.html

Iriga City broadcaster gunned down 06/14/2011

Iriga City broadcaster gunned down

06/14/2011
A hard-hitting radio commentator was shot dead while on his way to work in Iriga City, Bicol province, yesterday in what press groups said was the fourth murder of a local journalist this year.

According the to police, the killing of Romeo Olea was likely linked to his show, which focused on Iriga City government.

Olea’s wife reported that he had received death threats, local police director Senior Supt. Victor Deona told reporters.

“There is a very big possibility that this is work-related,” he added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110614hed5.html

Senate seeks extradition on Fil-Chinese couple By Angie M. Rosales 06/14/2011

Senate seeks extradition on Fil-Chinese couple

By Angie M. Rosales 06/14/2011

Extradition of a Filipino-Chinese couple allegedly behind the smuggling of black corals and other marine resources was sought by Senate probers yesterday after they were found to have already fled the country a day before they were put into the immigration’s watchlist order.

At the same time, senators conducting the investigation on the poaching of the corals reefs, the damage of which was said to be twice as big as Manila, are also eyeing of moving for the imposition of sanctions against two Zamboanga City prosecutors for supposedly sitting on the couple’s case involving similar offenses for five years now.

At the resumption of the hearing by the Senate committee on environment and natural resources chaired by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, lawmakers were told by Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia that Li Yu Ming, alias Joe Pring, and his wife Olivia Li could no longer be served their warrant of arrest since they have fled the country in the afternoon of June 7 and are believed to be either in Hong Kong or mainland China..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110614nat1.html

Gazmin approves Boac leave of absence amid plunder rap By Mario J. Mallari 06/14/2011

Gazmin approves Boac leave of absence amid plunder rap

By Mario J. Mallari 06/14/2011

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has approved the indefinite leave filed by a ranking defense official who was included in the amended plunder charge filed by former military budget officer retired Lt.
Col. George Rabusa before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Department of National Defense spokesman Undersecretary Eduardo Batac said that Gazmin last Friday approved the indefinite leave of absence filed by DND Assistant Secretary Ernesto Boac, who also heads the DND’s Bid and Awards Committee (BAC).

“It was already approved as of Friday. That’s indefinite leave without pay because he already consumed his leave credits,” Batac said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110614nat2.html