Public opinion? FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 01/26/2012

Public opinion?

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

01/26/2012
Noynoy and his prosecutors, as well as some of their senator-judges, aided by the Yellow media, are banking on trial and conviction by publicity in wooing the so-called public opinion to justify their impeachment vote of conviction of the Chief Justice, as the prosecution cannot seem to win its case in the courtroom.

Noynoy and his aides have come up many times to claim that the people are behind him and support his move to have Chief Justice Renato Corona removed from the high court, because the surveys say so.

In the same vein, some senator-judges allies with Noynoy also claim that public opinion does matter when they vote on the fate of the CJ.

But just what is public opinion? The surveys? The Yellow news media that want to make people believe that which they say affect public opinion? The interest of the “public” that is, the Filipino people in the impeachment trial and the fate of the CJ?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120126com2.html

Dis-United States of America?

Dis-United States of America?

Despite President Barack Obama’s calls to fight income inequality any push for national unity will be one-sided as the US is ruled by a small elite, believes Caleb Maupin from the International Action Center.

He told RT that in his last State of the Union address before running for re-election President Obama made a lot of references to the United States as one country where everybody is pulling together and sharing the sacrifice..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/obama-speech-america-disunited-711/

Google to track users... like never before!

Google to track users... like never before!

In a move that has triggered outrage, Google has announced plans to bring all data collected from users’ separate accounts on its sites into a combined profile. Besides raising dubious questions about privacy, this offer is one you… cannot refuse.

­The changes will take effect on March 1. Before that date, Google will notify its hundreds of millions of users about the new rules of the game. In preparation, the company is boosting its privacy policy and terms of service. Users will have to decide whether to agree with the new terms – or lose access to some of their favorite sites. There is no way of opting out of the changes..... MORE
Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/google-privacy-policy-tracking-671/

US troops waltzing into Libya while setting up Iran

24.01.2012

 

It was recently reported that 12,000 American troops were in Malta waiting for "deployment" to Libya. Who do they think they are sending all those troops into a country they have no business entering? Who gave them permission?  Do the American people even know their troops have invaded yet another country?

Did they get a UN Resolution giving them permission to INVADE the country? No, they did not. They are just waltzing in, as though they had the God-given right, make that SATAN-given right.

Is this how that stinking, lying renegade in the White House withdraws troops from Iraq? Send them somewhere else to infest?.... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/history/24-01-2012/120320-US_troops_waltzing_into_Libya-0/

Division. Collision. Deprivation VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 01/26/2012

Division. Collision. Deprivation

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

01/26/2012
Thanks to the Chief Executive for the obsessive protection of long and firmly held dynastic wealth. Thanks to the allies in the Legislative Department for their unconditional allegiance to and patronage of Malacaang. Thanks to the markedly distorted understanding and errant practice of politics in the Philippines. These national liabilities cannot but have their equally national negative impact on the country as felt by the people in general and watched attentively by foreign nationals especially in investors in particular.

Consequences: Actual division among the three separate yet co-equal branches of government that should instead engage in trilateral deference and collaboration..... MORE
Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120126com7.html

Arab spring: 'Western-backed exported Islamist revolution’ (w/ Video)

Arab spring: 'Western-backed exported Islamist revolution’

The string of uprisings in the Arab world boils down to Saudi Arabia and Qatar using money and influence to hijack public dissent and bring Sunni Islamists to power, says John R. Bradley, British author and expert on the Middle East.

­He argues that the turbulence that saw several governments overthrown in 2011 came from sectarian divide among Muslims, which the West played on, to support its own allies..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/arab-spring-islamist-revolution-723/

Documents on claimed ‘ill-gotten’ wealth barred By Angie M. Rosales and Benjamin B. Pulta 01/26/2012

SENATE EXCLUDES ‘SUSPECTED, REPORTED’ CJ HIDDEN WEALTH

Documents on claimed ‘ill-gotten’ wealth barred

By Angie M. Rosales and Benjamin B. Pulta 01/26/2012

The House prosecution panel was barred by the Senate impeachment court from presenting and declaring any documents or evidence as “ill-gotten” pertaining to the Article 2, paragraph 2.4.

This was the meat of the ruling handed down by the im-peachment court and read at the opening of yesterday’s proceed-ing by the presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, on the memorandum filed by the defense panel objecting to the inclusion of charges para-graphs 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 of Article 2 of the Articles of Impeachment.

Enrile, later, in an interview, explained that the prosecution panel cannot present documents pertaining to the bank deposits of Corona, unless it has laid down the basis or the significance of the matter in their charges..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120126hed1.html

Sereno liable for impeach for ‘concealing’ Piatco fee in SALn 01/26/2012

Sereno liable for impeach for ‘concealing’ Piatco fee in SALn

01/26/2012
A member of the minority bloc yesterday said Supreme Court Junior Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno could be liable for impeachment if proven she has failed to disclose the P25 million she collected as professional fees when she represented the government in the arbitration cases in the International Chamber of Commerce court, both in Singapore and Washington, in her Statement of Assets Liabilities, Networth (SALn).

During their weekly press briefing, Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua said if indeed Sereno filed false information in her SALn, it could qualify as a good subject for an impeachment case.

“That could be a good subject of an impeachment proceeding,” Fua stressed..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120126hed5.html

Aquino on Llamas: Pirated DVD issue ‘not a priority' By Fernan J. Angeles 01/26/2012

Aquino on Llamas: Pirated DVD issue ‘not a priority'

By Fernan J. Angeles 01/26/2012

That cop out clause “not a priority” was again used by President Aquino on an embarrassing incident where Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas was caught on camera patronizing a pirated digital video discs (DVD) shop in a Quezon City mall.

Aquino had used the term in the past frequently to dodge questions about his allies and associates who figure in questionable acts and how his refusal to make them accountable hardly jibes with his straight path mantra.
Llamas was recently photographed in front of the illegal DVD store apparently buying pirated movies..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120126hed3.html

Tatad wants Senate to stop ‘Plan B’ if CJ acquitted By Charlie V. Manalo 01/26/2012

Tatad wants Senate to stop ‘Plan B’ if CJ acquitted

By Charlie V. Manalo 01/26/2012

Former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad yesterday said the Senate must do something to stop the plan of the 188 congressmen to bring the impeachment trial to the grassroots in the guise of an information drive saying this could be part of the Aquino administration’s “Plan B” should Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona is acquitted.

“Ang husgado ay ang Senado hindi ang kanilang mga distrito. The Senate is the proper forum,” said Tatad in reaction to the disclosure of the congressmen to discuss with their constituents in their respective district the impeachment trial of Corona.

Tatad said the plan of the lawmakers should be brought to the attention of the impeachment court so that the senators could act on it..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120126nat1.html

Noy hints at another terror plot but insists Metro Manila safe By Fernan J. Angeles 01/26/2012

Noy hints at another terror plot but insists Metro Manila safe

By Fernan J. Angeles 01/26/2012

Is the explosion at the Makati business district a handiwork of the terrorists? Is there another terror attack in the offing?

Though President Aquino did not categorically warn of another terrorist plot, but from what he had said, it seemed there is.

In an interview with newsmen, President Aquino appeared to have been avoiding making a categorical confirmation after receiving a lot of criticisms resulting in his public appearance in the national television where he bared a supposed terror plot that would be pulled off by the extremists in time for the Black Nazarene feast..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120126nat2.html

DoJ orders filing of criminal, graft charges against Pichay, et. al By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/26/2012

DoJ orders filing of criminal, graft charges against Pichay, et. al

By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/26/2012

Filing of criminal and graft charges has been ordered by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against former Surigao del Sur Rep. and chairman of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase three years ago of a cash-strapped bank using state funds.

In a 20-page resolution approved by Prosecutor-General Claro Arellano the DoJ ruled that aside from violations of the provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, likewise recommended was the filing of malversation of public funds and violation of banking laws, rules and regulations against Pichay for his actions in taking over Express Savings Bank Inc. (ESBI) in 2009 which resulted in government losses amounting to P480 million.

Acting LWUA Administrator Daniel Landingin was also included in the charges of the DoJ which also cleared LWUA board members Renato Velasco, Susana Dumlao Vargas, Bonifacio Mario Pea Sr..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120126met1.html

Navy personnel linked to murder of Pestao file complaint vs three military officers for covering up suicide case By Mario J. Mallari 01/26/2012

Navy personnel linked to murder of Pestao file complaint vs three military officers for covering up suicide case

By Mario J. Mallari 01/26/2012

Navy personnel linked to the supposed killing of Ensign Philip Andrew Pestao in 1995 have filed formal complaint before the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against three military officers, two of them also from the Navy and classmates of Pestao, for allegedly covering up what they claimed as suicide case.

In a letter sent to AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa through their counsel lawyer Ana Luz Cristal, the accused Navy personnel, led by retired Capt. Ricardo Ordoez, maintained that Pestaos death was a case of suicide, citing several instances indicating his suicidal tendencies.

In their complaint, Ordoez and his former subordinates at the BRP Bacolod City charged Lt. Col. Felix Tayo, a member of the AFP Medical Corps, and Navy Commanders Joselito de Guzman and Romulo Vigilancia of covering up the suicide case..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120126met2.html

Arab spring: 'Western-backed exported Islamist revolution’ (w/ Video)

Arab spring: 'Western-backed exported Islamist revolution’

The string of uprisings in the Arab world boils down to Saudi Arabia and Qatar using money and influence to hijack public dissent and bring Sunni Islamists to power, says John R. Bradley, British author and expert on the Middle East.

­He argues that the turbulence that saw several governments overthrown in 2011 came from sectarian divide among Muslims, which the West played on, to support its own allies..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/arab-spring-islamist-revolution-723/

Solon mulls impeachment raps against Justice Sereno By Charlie V. Manalo 01/25/2012

Solon mulls impeachment raps against Justice Sereno

By Charlie V. Manalo 01/25/2012

Samar Rep. Ben Evardone yesterday bared that he is considering filing an impeachment case against Supreme Court Junior Associate Justice Lourdes Sereno, the first appointee to the high court of President Aquino, if he can be presented evidence against Sereno showing that she failed to state her huge P25 million legal fees as the Philippine government’s lawyer in the arbitration cases in the International Chamber of Commerce court, both in Singapore and Washington, in her Statement of Assets Liabilities, Networth (SALn).

In her summary of her SALn, which she had submitted earlier, when there was pressure from the House of Representatives through the House prosecutors for impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona to bare his SALn, Sereno’s

networth of some P17 million appeared to be less than what he had earned from her professional fees as one of the Philippine government’s lawyers in arbitrating the cases concerning the Philippine International Airport Terminals Co. (Piatco) in the ICCin the case of Fraport AG, on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal lll (NAIA-3) controversy..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120125hed2.html

Comelec wants GMA transferred to regular jail By Pat C. Santos 01/25/2012

Comelec wants GMA transferred to regular jail

By Pat C. Santos 01/25/2012

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked, through a motion, the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) to order the transfer of the detained former President, Rep. Gloria Arroyo, to a regular detention facility, which would be the Pasay City Jail.

The former President is currently detained under medical arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.


Comelec spokesman James Jimenez revealed that the petition was included in a three page motion at the sala of RTC 112 Judge Jesus Mupas where it asked the VMMC officials and doctors to explain why the former president should still remain in the hospital..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120125hed4.html

ILO: Noy failed to create enough labor opportunities By Michaela P. del Callar 01/25/2012

ILO: Noy failed to create enough labor opportunities

By Michaela P. del Callar 01/25/2012

Despite the recent frequent hype about the supposed improvement in the image of the country during the administration of President Aquino resulting in increased investments in the country and thus the creation of more jobs, Aquino fell short of creating labor opportuni-ties for Filipinos, the International Labor Organi-zation (ILO) said, warning that job generation must be dealt with at once if the country wants to sustain its economic growth.

Although employment growth in the Philippines has remained “positive,” the ILO, in its annual report, said some 40.2 Filipino workers remain in a state of “vulnerable unemployment.”

Sluggish employment rate, according to the ILO, stemmed from fluctuations in the country’s gross domestic product growth (GDP) or the total value of the country’s goods and services in 2011 and from back to back major tropical storms that damaged agricultural production that displaced large numbers of workers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120125hed5.html

Gunmen kill 15 fisherfolk, wound 3 others off Basilan sea By Mario J. Mallari 01/25/2012

Gunmen kill 15 fisherfolk, wound 3 others off Basilan sea

By Mario J. Mallari 01/25/2012

Fifteen fishermen were reportedly killed by still unidentified armed men during a strafing incident in Basilan province on Monday, belated reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo said yesterday.

Military Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said that 18 fishermen aboard three fishing boats were fired upon by more or less six armed men while fishing along the waters off Sibago Island in Mohammad Ajul town around 7 a.m.

Quoting reports from the field, Cabangbang said that 15 fishermen were reported killed during the attack while three others survived, one of them, however, remains in critical condition after sustaining gunshot wounds in the head and the back..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120125nat1.html

Senate Court urged to place Vizconde on witness stand By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/25/2012

Senate Court urged to place Vizconde on witness stand

By Benjamin B. Pulta 01/25/2012

A private lawyer representing anti-crime advocate Lauro Vizconde said the Senate Impeachment Court trying Chief Justice Renato Corona should seriously probe his client’s claim of lobbying by big law firms in the high court should his client take the witness stand.

In a statement, counsel Ferdinand Topacio who represents Vizconde urged the Senate Court to use the impeachment to eliminate influence-peddling and politics in the appointment of magistrates.

Vizconde’s testimony is being eyed in the Senate Court to reiterate his claims that he was granted an ex parte audience with Corona in the latter’s office shortly before the decision in the Hubert Webb appeal was handed down by the tribunal..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120125nat2.html

BoC seizes P37-million chemicals, lab equipment used in manufacturing shabu By Conrado Ching 01/25/2012

BoC seizes P37-million chemicals, lab equipment used in manufacturing shabu

By Conrado Ching 01/25/2012
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has seized P37.5 million worth of chemicals and laboratory equipment at the Port of Manila (PoM) which the bureau said would be used in manufacturing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the contraband was stacked in six 20 footer container vans in violation of the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1992.

“With our determined and unrelenting anti-smuggling operations, smugglers’ resources will eventually dry up. Perhaps, when this happens, they will now resort to legal means to earn a living,” Biazon said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120125met2.html