Where is transparency here? EDITORIAL 06/19/2011

Where is transparency here?

EDITORIAL

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06/19/2011
Transparency was Noynoy’s litany when he was seeking the public’s vote for the presidency; a promise which now appears to be an ordeal as he, through his Palace mouthpieces, have rejected proposals in the House to probe those who are classified within the so-called KKKs (Kaibigan, Kaklase and Kabarilan), or presidential cronies, classmates and shooting range buddies.

The Palace’s rejection of course reverberated among the House of Representatives’ allies of Noynoy and the proposed probe, by all indications, will not likely prosper.

But why is his ally, Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, already concluding that the President is the focus of the probe, when the probe has not even started. And why, if there is nothing to fear about their claimed “honest” and “transparent” President who they claim rules without fear and favor, are these Noynoy allies fearing such a probe, to the point of already covering up for him and his aides?

Noynoy, however, is making the same mistake that made the past administration one of the most unpopular ever..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com1.html

Vindictiveness FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/19/2011

Vindictiveness

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/19/2011
It certainly looks like the spirit of vindictiveness in Noynoy lives on and strongly.

The latest word on the Marcos burial issue is that Noynoy is not even bent on giving Marcos military honors, as Vice President Jojo Binay had recommended, after conducting an exhaustive survey among various sectors of society and coming up with what can be called a “win-win” solution: Burial in Ilocos, and military honors of Ferdinand Marcos.

But even the military honors will be denied Marcos, although instead of owning to the fact that it is Noynoy himself who does not want it at all, he is using as his excuse the so-called victims of martial law who oppose it. He also uses another excuse, which is that Marcos may have already been given military honors when his remains were brought home for his burial in a refrigirated crypt in Ilocos.

But definitely, it is still his and his family’s vindictiveness that has kept him from giving Marcos the military honors..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com2.html

Franco’s remains stir debate in Spain, 35 years after death focus 06/19/2011

Franco’s remains stir debate in Spain, 35 years after death

focus

06/19/2011
MADRID — More than 35 years after the death of Francisco Franco, Spain’s government is mulling whether to move the dictator’s remains from the vast mausoleum he had built with forced labor.

The Valley of the Fallen, an underground tomb complex outside Madrid where he is buried, was constructed on Franco’s orders between 1940 and 1958.

As well as Franco’s own remains, historians estimate the mass graves contain those of between 40,000 and 60,000 of his supporters and the Republicans who opposed them in Spain’s 1936-39 Civil War, which ended with Franco in power.

But for many Spaniards, the memorial site — carved into the side of a mountain in part through the forced labor of thousands of political prisoners — is their country’s most divisive and potent reminder of the Franco era..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com3.html

DILG — wake up! VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/19/2011

DILG — wake up!

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

06/19/2011
Any person who participates in any illegal numbers game shall suffer the following penalties:
a) The penalty of imprisonment from 30 days to 90 days, if such a person acts as a bettor.

b) The penalty of imprisonment from six years and one day to eight years, if such a person acts as a personnel or staff of an illegal numbers game operation. The same penalty shall likewise be imposed to any person who allows his vehicle, house, building or land to be used in the operation of illegal numbers game.

c) The penalty of imprisonment for eight years and one day to 10 years, if such a person acts as a collector or agent.

d) The penalty of imprisonment from 10 years and one day to 12 years, if such a person acts as coordinator, controller or supervisor..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com5.html

Syria opposition abroad seeks to form united front 06/19/2011

Syria opposition abroad seeks to form united front

06/19/2011
LONDON — Syrian opposition figures living abroad are seeking to form a common front with activists inside the country to help put pressure on President Bashar al-Assad’s crisis-hit regime.
As Syrian security forces crack down with deadly force on anti-regime protests, opposition activists have met in Turkey and Brussels, shared a platform in London, will visit Moscow and plan a major conference in the US.

But the regime opponents abroad have a tough job ahead of them, both in linking up with anti-regime activists in Syria and in building their own unified resistance.

“It is unfair to expect us to have a unified opposition” following years of oppressive rule, says Najib Ghadbian, a Middle East expert at Arkansas University in the United States.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com7.html

In China, professional mourners spice up funerals FEATURE 06/19/2011

In China, professional mourners spice up funerals

FEATURE

06/19/2011
CHONGQING — Hu Xinglian kneels before the corpse of Liang Zhicai and, with one hand on his metal coffin, lets out a piercing wail. But Hu is not at all grief-stricken — she is a professional mourner.

In parts of China, where rural pre-burial rituals are still observed, mourners known as “kusangren” are hired to guarantee that a funeral is a spectacle in grief. And the 53-year-old Hu is up to the task.

She comes to work with a full sound-system, multi-colour spotlights and the six members of her band, “The Orchestra of the Star and River of Chongqing.”

Her job offers a study in contrasts between modern living and tradition in the southwestern province-sized municipality, home to more than 30 million people and a symbol of the rapid urbanization seen across China..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com8.html

Being trusted and trustworthy TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 06/19/2011

Being trusted and trustworthy

TABLETS OF STONE

Larry Faraon, OP

06/19/2011
Every administration has its own versions of “K.” Even the sainted Tita Cory had her “Kamag-anak Inc.” Anybody who gets nailed in Malacañang, especially to the highest post of the land would be the most insecure person in the world even if hundreds of PSG’s and the top intellectuals from UP, Harvard and corporate halls, all at a whispering distance would cordon him closely. He needs a coterie of trusted and loyal friends who would shoo away possible darts that may pinch deeply on himself in order to feign stability and complacency in his incumbency.

Sadly, the first presumption of these rah-rah cheerers is really similar to what they usually teach the applicant secretaries, namely, that their boss is so stupid and clueless that he depends entirely on his secretary for everything from documents, appointments, files to wardrobes, medication, toiletries, but most importantly their loyalty and confidentiality. Utmost fidelity to the person or being a “K” is the absolute qualification therefore..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110619com6.html

Palace calls ‘troublemaker’ source of Ping-Noy rift story By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/19/2011

CLAIMS DE JESUS MEMO TO TORRES DOES NOT EXIST

Palace calls ‘troublemaker’ source of Ping-Noy rift story

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/19/2011
The Palace branded as a troublemaker the source of the recent expose of The Tribune who divulged that the resignation of former Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus was the result of a bitter argument between him and President Aquino over the fate of Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief and Aquino shooting buddy Virginia Torres who Aquino insisted on retaining.

Unnamed sources at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) speaking to media with respect to the lingering issues confronting the agency are just trying to cause some trouble for the government, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said.

Malacañang issued the statement yesterday as it said it remained clueless on a supposed memorandum written by De Jesus on April 6, asking Aquino to impose disciplinary actions on Torres..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110619hed1.html

Bongbong wants Rizal Day moved to June 19 06/19/2011

Bongbong wants Rizal Day moved to June 19

06/19/2011
Sen. Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos Jr. has renewed his proposal to change the date of the national holiday commemorating the life and works of Jose Rizal from Dec. 30 to June 19, his birth anniversary.

“It is fitting then that Filipinos commemorate Rizal Day on June 19 as a day of triumph of his nationalism and patriotic ideals,” he said, mindful that Dec. 30 is an official national holiday that commemorates a hero’s death.

“The birthday of our national hero should always be a day of celebration of his life and of his great contribution to the country’s independence from foreign domination,” he added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110619hed6.html

NDRRMC alerts regional units for ‘Egay’ By Mario J. Mallari 06/19/2011

NDRRMC alerts regional units for ‘Egay’

By Mario J. Mallari 06/19/2011
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) has alerted all its regional units throughout the country as part of the preparations for tropical depression “Egay” as it continues to aim for the ambitious “zero casualty” during such calamity.

NDRRMC executive director Undersecretary Benito Ramos’ directive to all regional DRRMCs from Regions I to XII, the National Capital Region (NCR), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Caraga is to closely monitor situation in their respective jurisdiction.

“You are hereby directed to monitor the situation and undertake precautionary measures in your area of responsibility. Likewise, the public and the DRRMCs are advised to take appropriate actions,” Ramos said.
“Let us untiringly aim for zero casualty,” Ramos added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110619nat7.html

EcoWaste lauds Rizal as ‘hero for environment’ 06/19/2011

EcoWaste lauds Rizal as ‘hero for environment’

06/19/2011
An environmental network has lauded Dr. Jose Rizal as ‘hero for the environment” as the nation celebrates the 150th year of his birthday today.

In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental network of over 125 public interest groups, honored Rizal for his deep concern and love for Mother Earth and her people.

“We pay homage to our national hero Jose Rizal for his keen devotion to improving community health and environment long before the Constitution formally committed to promoting and protecting the health and environmental rights of the people,” said Roy Alvarez, EcoWaste Coalition president..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110619nat6.html

Caloocan City steps up campaign against drinking liquor in streets By Arlie O. Calalo 06/19/2011

Caloocan City steps up campaign against drinking liquor in streets

By Arlie O. Calalo 06/19/2011
Local authorities in Caloocan City have intensified the campaign against vices that come along with smoking following the arrest of 20 persons who were caught drinking liquor either outside their houses or right in the streets.

On orders of the local government, city police chief Senior Supt. Jude Wilson Santos directed all police sub-stations and police community precincts (PCPs) to carry out Ordinance 0937, which was passed in 2005, by apprehending those who violate it.

During the initial salvo, police operations yielded more than 20 persons who were caught drinking either outside their residences or in the streets and sidewalks, Santos said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110619met5.html

‘Fish kill’ causes big loss to Navotas traders’ profits 06/19/2011

‘Fish kill’ causes big loss to Navotas traders’ profits

06/19/2011
A large group of “fish brokers” in the coastal city of Navotas have sought the help of Camanava Press over their collapsing business in spite of the latest announcement of the Department of Agriculture that fish kill is over.

The members of the Navotas Fish Traders Association led by their vice president, Boy Charing, went to the office of the local media and sought their assistance to inform the public, including those fish traders who buy fish in large volume at the consignacion markets in the city which they sell in most markets in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Bulacan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110619met3.html

Noy’s new ‘Noli’: Touch them not EDITORIAL 06/18/2011

Noy’s new ‘Noli’: Touch them not

EDITORIAL

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06/18/2011
Noynoy may not have issued a gag order on his officials to evade their being summoned by Congress or hearings, as claimed by his degree-turning presidential spokesman, Edwin Lacierda. But what Noynoy and his boys are now doing to achieve the same effect of a gag order, is much worse, as it entails giving the House of Representatives, dominated by his lapdog congressmen, the marching order to stop any and all probes of the presidential sacred cows.

Their “justification?” Congress is not the right place for this. Noynoy, through his spokesman, claimed that Congress is not a venue for character assassination.

Congress and its members in fact, enjoy absolute freedom of speech, as they can say anything within the halls of Congress and not be sued for libel or slander by those whom they libeled and slandered. Also, Congress, aside from speeches during the campaign period, has always been a body that is tasked to hold hearings and investigations, in aid of legislation, and at times not even in aid of legislation, which is acceptable.

Besides which, neither Noynoy nor Malacañang, should interfere in the affairs of Congress — something which Noynoy has done too many times to get his way, and through the corrupt practice of promising them the release of their pork barrel allocations, along with a pledge of an additional pork barrel allocation..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110618com1.html

Same puppy, different collar FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/18/2011

Same puppy, different collar

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/18/2011
Ping Lacson has become quite a staunch defender of Noynoy, to the point of berating the Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima, for having the gall to “undermine” Noynoy though her statements, such as her being dismayed if Noynoy does not adopt her IIRC panel recommendations on the sanctions for various Noynoy officials involved in the botched hostage rescue last year, and wrong for De Lima to say that the IIRC findings jibe with the Hong Kong police findings.

“Where in the world would you find a Cabinet member who would put the president on the spot?” Lacson was quoted as saying to reporters.

It must be asked of Ping then: Why the heck was he complaining and slamming Gloria and her aides then when they refused to go against whatever policy adopted by the previous Palace tenant? Why slam them as lapdogs of Gloria, when apparently, Lacson wants all of Noynoy’s Cabinet secretaries and aides to be lapdogs? Oh, not forget Noy’s allies, too..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110618com2.html

‘Arab spring’ breaks state monopoly on information focus 06/18/2011

‘Arab spring’ breaks state monopoly on information

focus

06/18/2011
DUBAI — Social networking sites have allowed young protesters behind the “Arab Spring” revolt against the old guard to break a state monopoly on information, even if credibility is at times in question.

Activists using Facebook and Twitter have been taken aback by the extent that these Internet sites along with YouTube have broadened their reach.

Such sites have “helped to create space for political and social communication that did not exist in most of the Arab world,” said Ziad Majed, a Middle East lecturer at the American University of Paris.

“When we launched our first call for demonstrations on Facebook at the end of January, we had no idea about the number of people who might respond,” said activist Hashim al-Sufi, an organizer of anti-regime protests in Yemen..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110618com3.html

Protestant Church sues Arroyo for killings, human rights abuses

Protestant Church sues Arroyo for killings, human rights abuses

“Something is indeed terribly wrong when pastors and church workers are killed, arrested and detained or go missing while they are teaching people to know, defend and fight for their rights,” Rev. Rex Reyes, general secretary of the National Church of Christ in the Philippines (NCCP), said.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – While the Aquino government dilly dallies in running after former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her family, and officials of her administration, different groups have filed cases against the former president and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials for plunder and human rights violations. Now, it is a church that decided to do so.

With more than 18 of its members killed, one disappeared, three ambushed and wounded and four arrested, detained and tortured, the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) filed today a damage suit against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

UCCP general secretary Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza, relatives of five slain UCCP pastors and members and Pastor Berlin Guerrero filed the civil case against Arroyo before the Quezon City Hall of Justice.

“Gloria Arroyo and the military agents under her command must be held accountable for the injustice they have exacted on the Church and the Filipino people,” Marigza said. “We have preponderance of evidence pointing to the military establishment [as the perpetrators]. Arroyo then was the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Being the highest official of the AFP then, we are suing Arroyo under the principle of command responsibility.”

Marigza cited the case of Guerrero who was abducted just outside the local UCCP chapel in Biñan, Laguna after a Sunday worship service on May 27, 2007. The UCCP bishop said that records show that members of Naval Intelligence Security Forces were the ones who took Guerrero to a safehouse and tortured him before he was turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s provincial headquarters at Camp Pantaleon Garcia in Imus, Cavite.

Relatives of slain UCCP pastors and members are joined by bishops in their quest for justice.(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea/ bulatlat.com)

Not one of the perpetrators of the crimes has been prosecuted, said lawyer Emilio Capulong.
Relatives of UCCP members Joel Baclao, Pastor Edison Lapuz, Pastor Raul Domingo, Pastor Andy Pawican and Noel Capulong are among the complainants.

Baclao was shot dead by a gunman just outside his home in Daraga, Albay, Bicol on Nov. 10, 2004. Baclao was the coordinator of Andurog-Bicol, a disaster relief program of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and the regional coordinator of the Promotion for Church People’s Response (PCPR).

Lapuz had just come from his father-in-law’s burial in San Isidro, Leyte on May 12, 2005 when he was shot dead by two unidentified men.

Domingo, a United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) pastor and secretary-general of the human rights group Karapatan in Palawan, was killed by suspected military agents last Aug. 20, 2005..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/06/17/protestant-church-sues-arroyo-for-killings-human-rights-abuses/

Progressive groups ask, why is the Aquino government suddenly engaging China over the Spratly Islands?

Progressive groups ask, why is the Aquino government suddenly engaging China over the Spratly Islands?

 “It is as clear as day,” declared Terry Ridon, chairman of League of Filipino Students, “that it is only when US interests are served shall it extend assistance to its semi-colony.”
By MARYA SALAMAT

Bulatlat.com
MANILA – When US Ambassador Harry Thomas seemed to contradict this week the earlier statement of the US embassy about not intervening in the Spratly Islands issue, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III immediately welcomed Thomas’ statements. For weeks now, the Aquino administration has been loudly complaining of Chinese “intrusions” in parts of Spratly which the Philippines has been claiming as its territory.

But to back up that claim the Philippine military installations and deployment in the disputed islets seemed puny against those of rival claimants. And so, the Aquino government’s solution has been to invoke its treaty partnership with the United States and expect US troops and military hardware to lend support.

“It is as clear as day,” declared Terry Ridon, chairman of League of Filipino Students, “that it is only when US interests are served shall it extend assistance to its semi-colony.”

“The Aquino government is allowing the Philippines to become the battleground of a US proxy war with China,” said Vencer Crisostomo, chairman of national youth group Anakbayan. Not only that, they called attention to the way the Aquino and the US governments have been insinuating the possibility of more US troops and arms arriving in the Philippines.

While the group Akbayan protested the Chinese “intrusions” in front of the embassy of China, the progressive labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) protested the way the Aquino government has been playing into the US’ “desperation to expand its military presence in the country and the region.”

The Aquino government’s assertion of sovereignty over the Spratly Islands is “hypocritical,” charged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), considering that the Aquino government is at the same time “allowing the US imperialists to blatantly trample on Philippine sovereignty.”

Pro-US war-mongering

Aside from the Philippines, six other countries are laying claim, wholly or partly, on the Spratly group of islands, a group of tiny, rocky islands in the South China Sea believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. These islands were “discovered” under former strongman Ferdinand Marcos, who decreed that it would then be part of Philippine territory. This week, as Noynoy Aquino engages in a word war with China for parts of the Spratly, namely the Recto Bank (Reed Bank to China), Aquino has also ordered the renaming of South China Sea as “West Philippine Sea.”

All these claims to Spratly are unilateral, said Roland Simbulan, a UP professor and expert on geopolitics.
Prior to Marcos’ declaration which China regarded as an “invasion” of their Nansha islands, the Philippines, said China, has never referred to the Spratly islands as part of its territory, whereas China can boast of a long historical claim to it. The other claimants to Spratly are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. In 2002, these countries including China and the Philippines signed a Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) ..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/06/17/aquino-governments-row-with-china-over-spratlys-criticized-as-part-of-us-script/

Supreme Court fails to issue decision again on Hacienda Luisita agrarian dispute

Supreme Court fails to issue decision again on Hacienda Luisita agrarian dispute

“By not issuing any decision today, the Supreme Court prolongs the sufferings of farm workers and provides opportunity for the Cojuangco-Aquinos to maneuver.” – Lito Bais, president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) said.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Farm workers from Hacienda Luisita left their homes at 4 a.m. today to witness the promulgation of the decision of the Supreme Court on the decades-old agrarian dispute.

After hours of waiting, they went home empty-handed as the Supreme Court still did not issue any decision on the legality of the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) scheme in the 6, 453 disputed sugar estate owned by President Benigno S. Aquino III and family. The case has been pending with the high court since 2005 after the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) ordered the revocation of the SDO.

The Cojuangco-Aquinos implemented the SDO in 1989, one of the non-land transfer schemes allowed by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. In lieu of land distribution, corporate shares were distributed to farmer-beneficiaries.

“By not issuing any decision today, the Supreme Court prolongs the sufferings of farm workers and provides opportunity for the Cojuangco-Aquinos to maneuver,” Lito Bais, president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) said.

Long wait 

Bais, like most of the farm workers at Hacienda Luisita, have been waiting for decades to gain control of the land.

Frustrated, farm workers from Hacienda Luisita and their supporters bang the gates of the Supreme Court.(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)

In 1967, the Hacienda Luisita should have been distributed to the farm workers had the Cojuangcos complied with the conditions of the loan from the Central Bank. When the Cojuangcos purchased the sugar mill and the Hacienda Luisita land through a loan from the Central Bank in 1957, the loan agreement provided that the land should be distributed to the farmers after ten years.

In 1985, a Manila trial court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to the farm workers. When Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino became president, the case was dismissed by the Court of Appeals (CA)..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/06/14/supreme-court-fails-to-issue-decision-again-on-hacienda-luisita-agrarian-dispute/

Divorce bill, providing a remedy for women in abusive marriages

Divorce bill, providing a remedy for women in abusive marriages
“We cannot deny the reality that there are marriages that turn sour. There are marriages that are abusive, even violent and there are bigamous marriages. We need to address this reality and give couples in these failed marriages the option of divorce.” – GWP Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – There are nineteen victims of marital violence every day. In 2009, wife battery ranked highest among cases of violence against women at 72 percent, victimizing 6,783 women. About three out of ten perpetrators of violence against women are husbands of the victims, according to Philippine National Police (PNP).

Some 800 cases for legal separation and annulment are filed every month before the Office of the Solicitor General. Over 43,650 applications were recorded from 2001 to 2007.
These are the bases of Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) for introducing House Bill 1799 or “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines.”

The GWP said that HB 1799 is based on the concrete experiences of married Filipinos. “These experiences were studied in their religious, socio-economic, political, cultural and legal context. Lessons and insights were drawn up, and from these lessons, the provisions of HB 1799 were formulated.”

GWP Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan cited studies showing that not all countries that allow divorce have a high divorce rate. Divorce statistics show that In Italy, only 12 percent of marriages end in divorce, while in Spain it is 17 percent. Both countries are predominantly Catholic.

The Catholic Church believes allowing divorce would lead to a breakdown of the family. Others who are likewise opposed to the bill thinks that a divorce law would be abused. Rep. Ilagan asserted that there are enough safeguards to prevent the divorce law from being abused. “The bill has five grounds before a divorce is granted and the couple has to undergo a rigorous process. Divorce will not be granted just because a husband or a wife is bothered by the other’s snoring. This is not like divorce Las Vegas style,” Ilagan said.

Rep. Ilagan also said that HB 1799 is not modeled after divorce systems of other countries; they call it divorce-Filipino style. “And it is sensitive to the rich and diverse cultural – including moral and religious – environment of our country.”

Divorce guarantees women’s rights 

The progressive women’s group Gabriela said that divorce provides an option to women who want to get out of abusive and unhappy marriages. “This measure will benefit women, especially those who are victims of domestic violence,” Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela, said.

From 2009 to March 2011, there were 1,452 cases of marital violence that have been referred to Gabriela. This constituted 67 percent of the total number of cases of violence against women that were handled by Gabriela. Domestic violence consistently ranks highest among cases of violence against women (VAW) that Gabriela has been handling..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/06/14/divorce-bill-providing-a-remedy-for-women-in-abusive-marriages/