Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ 06/17/2010

Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/17/2010 President-elect Noynoy Aquino and his supporters’ mantra today is “patience” claiming change and reforms cannot be done overnight, which is an echo of what US President Barack Obama said, after he won the polls, and for which he is losing his supporters. Before the polls of course, nothing about change being difficult to come overnight was mentioned, but then again, such are what politicians’ promises — including Noynoy’s — are made of. But there is another mantra coming from the yellows, which is one that says Aquino cannot come up with changes and reforms in the government and needs the Filipino people to help him because he cannot do it alone and that the people must do their share to bring about change and reforms, since changes must start with each and everyone of us. Quite frankly, these political mantras are the stuff of which bull manure is made.  In the first place, the Filipino people already give the government — any government — much too much without getting anything in return from government. Everyone, but everyone, pays taxes, both direct and indirect. One would expect government to least give something back to the people, by way of social services and a better education, which are sorely lacking.  In the second place, when the electorate vote, they presumably vote for a presidential candidate because they believed, at the time they voted for him, that his promises of change and reforms as well as the elimination of corruption and an improvement in the life of the impoverished people — in the case of Noynoy Aquino — would be delivered as promised during the campaign. But Noynoy and the yellows say that which the electorate did is not enough. The people must not just sit back and relax, while letting the new government all by itself working to solve the ills of society. The people should all help the government-- so goes the yellow call.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

Screwing up election protests FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/17/2010

Screwing up election protests

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/17/2010 Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, in a report, was quoted as saying that election protests that have been lodged, as well as those planned for filing, may all come to naught, since more than 82,0000 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) leased from its poll partner, Smartmatic-TIM will be pulled out by December this year. According to Macalintal, based on Comelec procedures, contested ballots in any protest case must be fed into the PCOS machines again, to verify the authenticity of the ballot. Trust the Comelec to screw things up — even in post poll operations. What’s the logic behind this procedure of contested ballots needing to be fed to the PCOS machines again, to verify the authenticity of the ballots especially when the machines are themselves placed in serious question, given the fact that the machines failed to read the votes, just claiming that these are “null votes” since the voters could have overvoted, or did not shade the ovals right, or that the voters abstained from voting for any candidate. Then too, from the congressional hearings, it was found that the compact flash cards could be reprogrammed and even votes could be made to vanish for one candidate while adding these up to the other candidate, apart from many other miracles the cheats at Smartmatic and the Comelec cooked up, weeks before the actual voting day. So what’s wrong with going back to the ballot and counting each and everyone of them? One can easily check whether the ballot is genuine or not. Isn’t there supposed to be a UV marking that can at least be checked out by the hand-held UV lamps that were never used, or more probably, never delivered, even if payment was already made and commissions given? One never knows with the graft-ridden Comelec and its syndicate.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess focus 06/17/2010

Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess

focus 06/17/2010 NEW YORK — Their names are Mary Schapiro, Sheila Bair and Elizabeth Warren — three women heading financial bodies who embody a steely American determination to clean up Wall Street’s excesses. “Unlike many of the men they oversee, the new sheriffs of Wall Street never aspired to eight-figure compensation packages or corporate suites,” read a recent profile of the women in Time magazine. “Bair, Schapiro and Warren all made their careers far from Manhattan, taking on new jobs during pregnancies and outhustling the men around them.” The three bring different backgrounds that highlight their strengths and are widely respected in financial and banking circles. Schapiro heads the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an independent agency that enforces federal laws and regulates the securities industry and US stock exchanges. President Barack Obama named Schapiro to the post in January 2009 tasked with restoring the SEC’s reputation after it failed to foresee the financial crisis and missed master swindler Bernard Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme. Under Schapiro’s leadership, the SEC has demanded greater transparency in awarding stock options, and called for restraint in bonuses pad out to traders. She has shaken the financial titans by targeting star investment bankers Goldman Sachs, accusing them of misleading investors by selling risky financial products.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

Aquinobama MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 06/17/2010

Aquinobama

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 06/17/2010 Political analysts are now starting to draw a parallel between the victories of young Afro-American President Barack Obama and young bachelor Benigno Simeon Aquino III. In both cases, there are very high expectations of change and improvement in the life of the people. Even TV broadcaster Vic de Leon-Lima made this comment in his program Tuesday. There are lessons to be learned from the Obama presidency so far whose popularity ratings have nosedived from a high 75 percent to a low 53 percent in the surveys after only one year and four months in office. President Obama had the advantage of having a majority of Democratic members of both Houses of Congress. In the House of Representatives, P-Noy elected only 44 representatives and in the Senate, the count is only five senators. A minority President with 42 percent of the popular vote, P-Noy will have to exert a lot of effort to unify the different blocs and interest groups. Can he do it? Judging from the initial reports of his Cabinet lineup, it appears that the principal consideration is payback for those who helped support him in his election victory. Nothing fundamentally wrong with that except it goes against big expectations of change and reform. A US TV host on the Fox channel in criticizing Obama on his handling of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had this to say: “The presidency is not just a matter of rhetoric. You must have the experience to do the job.” Barack Obama has been given failing marks and hit hardest in his handling of the economic crisis, the federal budget deficit, perceived weak response to the terror threat, unemployment and most recently the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Sounds familiar!.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 06/17/2010

RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya

BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 06/17/2010 President-elect Benigno Aquino III may just have put a damper, albeit temporarily on Vice President Jojo Binay’s presidential ambitions in 2016 by playing coy to his posturings to be appointed to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). During a press conference last week at the Batasang Pambansa right after his proclamation by the joint Houses of Congress, the nation’s incoming chief executive said Binay would definitely be offered a post in the new Cabinet, but it would not necessarily be the one he was lobbying for. However, the odds-on choice for the DILG post, we were told by knowledgeable sources, is outgoing Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, a Liberal Party colleague who was a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Good Governance, whom Aquino believes is highly qualified for the sensitive office. Binay had earlier told reporters he was keen on heading the DILG, one of the most powerful offices in government, citing his vast experience as Makati mayor as his main qualification. But Aquino cannot be faulted for not caving in to the pointed request of his vice president. After all he (Binay) narrowly beat his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas in the last elections, something which still piques a great many stalwarts in the LP. Binay ran under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino which had former President Estrada as its presidential bet. Ever the astute politician, Binay is said to have cast a moist eye on the DILG portfolio as it would be a really ideal platform for his run for the presidency (yes, that’s how far ahead he is said to be planning) in six years. Because as head of the DILG, he would be in constant touch with thousands of local government officials all over the country, and as such, he would be in an excellent position to get the pulse of the people with regard to their presidential preferences in 2016.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

Syndrome COMMENT 06/17/2010

Syndrome

COMMENT 06/17/2010 Ever heard of Lamme’s syndrome? No you haven’t because I made it up just now. Our fictional character’s name is Keanu Lamme — pronounced as in the vernacular kinulam — whose condition of depression often drove him to sudden fits of strange behavior, like laughing at nothing or babbling alone in the dark. Lamme’s dementia is remembered as having flared up moments after his hand was caught in the cookie jar a second time in a hardware store where he worked. For this he was fired. He is also remembered as having often hidden himself from evil spirits thrown upon him by imaginary enemies. Unable to bear the curse, he took his life three weeks after he lost his job. Hereunder is his story. One day a stooped octogenarian lady carrying a huge bag of groceries was crossing a street, followed closely by big and burly Lamme. Suddenly the old woman tripped, landed on all fours, then helplessly watched as her oranges and apples rolled away. Lamme stopped, bent over the fallen figure, broke out in stitches, and proceeded to cross the street. But bystanders did not find this funny. They stared him down as three other onlookers rushed to pick up the old lady and her groceries.  Lamme lashed out at them: “So?! Why are you all staring at me like that? There is no law obliging me to help her, is there? She looked ridiculous hunched there like a baby bear that escaped from the zoo, and I laughed! Anything illegal about that?!” Of course Lamme did not do a single illegal act, but he entirely missed the point — like someone we know who loves to pontificate that anything is okay provided it is legal.  Lamme’s conduct might not have been illegal, but it certainly was unacceptable to any civilized society on the planet. I seriously doubt though this point can be driven through the thick skulls of numerous Neanderthal remnants of Gloria Arroyo’s regime. With President-elect Noynoy (P-Noy) now standing on the threshold of the presidency, these Neanderthals are still glued to their seats on the exhortation of Chief Neanderthal Gloria Arroyo not to submit their courtesy resignations, notwithstanding the tradition to the contrary! Gloria Arroyo is on the way out, just like four-star AFP Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit, along with her Cabinet members and other appointees serving at her pleasure. What is seen here is that their collective behavioral aberration far surpasses the harmful dimensions of Lamme’s syndrome. Now Bangit is reportedly hurting and desirous to be treated with honor and dignity. Unless gripped by Lamme’s syndrome, Bangit should realize he has only himself to blame for the problems he has himself created. Owing to the mounting public resistance to his scandalous midnight appointment, he should have much earlier politely turned down the same for the good of his Commander-in-Chief, the military service, the people in general, and himself in particular. Then he surely would have been hailed as an honorable professional soldier who thought of himself last.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

No way but up VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/17/2010

No way but up

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/17/2010 With the glaring fact that the country is so down under in socio-economic development as well as in politico-cultural integrity, such offers no consolation to anybody in anyway. Yet this same lamentable national situation nevertheless strongly implies that the incoming administration has no other way of governing and leading the Filipino people but up: Up in examples of honesty and probity. Up in the degree of their trust and respect. Up in terms of industrial progress and employment. Up in the matters of finances, health and education. It could be difficult and possibly even messy. There would be resistance on the part of experts in graft and corruption. Those accustomed to the use of questionable power held and untenable wealth accumulated might urge and pay certain individuals or groups to oppose what is right and just. But most Filipinos, the “uneducated” ones included, feel and know that is good or evil, what is virtuous or vicious. This is called intuition, and this is what the poor, the helpless and the ignorant mostly have. At long last, the existing inglorious reign boasted of so many things done! But at what cost to the people — the still unborn included? The billions upon billions from foreign and local debts incurred, plus all the direct and indirect taxes spent, are too big to have too little to show. It is said that the going, going, gone Chief of all chiefs simply loved doing public works. But lo and behold, it is no secret that it is precisely in public works that practically half of the money spent goes to SOPs. How intriguing! How revolting! These are like the post-martial law days. Then, the succeeding administration could practically do nothing wrong whereas all wrong deeds have already been done and well done before. In the same way, this post-Hello Garci period has done anything vicious and everything odious possible. It would then be quite hard for the now named “P-Noy” to still do wrong, to still go astray — as all these have been already very successfully done by his depreciated and disdained soon to be predecessor. Alone, it is certain that the in-coming leadership cannot do it. But with the honest and upright, competent and trusted collaboration of his carefully chosen lieutenants, he is on! Again: Anything bad and everything wrong have already been done before by someone becoming bad history — very soon. With firm right intention and consequent virtuous decisive option, the incoming successor cannot go wrong — practically speaking. Hence: Go, man, go!.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100617com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Yellow mantra: ‘Patience’ FRONTLINE Screwing up election protests focus Three American women lead fight on Wall Street excess MR. EXPOSE Aquinobama BLURBAL THRUSTS RP’s most wanted criminal falls…in Pattaya COMMENT Syndrome VIEWPOINTS No way but up

Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered 06/17/2010

Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered

06/17/2010 The murders of two journalists triggered a fresh wave of outrage yesterday over a relentless assault on media practitioners in the country, which is now known as the second most dangerous place worldwide for the media, given the many killings of journalists. The two broadcast journalists, killed in separate attacks at opposite ends of the country within the space of 24 hours, were both outspoken radio broadcasters known for their criticism of corrupt local officials. Police said they did not know who was behind the murders, but media groups said the crimes appeared to follow a typical pattern in the Philippines in which journalists are killed to silence them. The perpetrators, oftenly believed to be corrupt politicians who have their own security forces, are rarely caught or punished. “Unless this culture ends, the government will never be able to stop the killings,” National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) vice chairman Nonoy Espina told Agence France Presse. Desidario Camangyan, 52, became this week’s first victim when he was shot dead by a lone gunman who walked on stage as the victim hosted a village singing contest in the southern Philippines on Monday night. The following evening in the north of the country, Lito Agustin, 37, was ambushed and shot dead as he rode a motorcycle home. Camangyan was well known for speaking out over the airwaves against illegal logging and mining, while Agustin had similarly been very vocal in trying to expose corruption in his hometown. The National Press Club, for its part, denounced the latest successive violent assaults against the press, killing two journalists in two far places within 24 hours to cap the legacy of the administration of President Arroyo as the worst ever in terms of protection and respect for the liberty of the press.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100617hed1.html

HEADLINES Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers Noynoy plans another break

SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Benjamin B. Pulta 06/17/2010

Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House

By Gerry Baldo 06/17/2010 While tradition says that neophyte lawmakers will have to hold office on the fifth or sixth floor of the House of Representatives, a new lawmaker from Pampanga will be able to have her choice. According to House secretary general Marilyn Yap, President Arroyo will be the only one who could have her way in choosing which room she would like to hold office in Congress. “As a courtesy to the former President, she could have her way in choosing her room,” Yap told reporters yesterday. She said that celebrities, including boxing icon Manny Paquiao and other television personalities, will have to go through the pain of being on the fifth or sixth floor of the office buildings in the House. “There are no special treatments here...we may get a scolding,” Yap said.    Among the celebrities that are going to join the 15th Congress are Lani Mercado, Lucy Torres-Gomez, former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Gina de Venecia. Paquiao was reported to have preferred room 518, but the secretary general said that may not be true. The secretary general, however, said that preferential treatment would also be given to senior lawmakers who could be on the ground floor.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100617hed4.html

HEADLINES Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers Noynoy plans another break

Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit 06/17/2010

Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit

06/17/2010 Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit said his early departure from his post must not be interpreted as a “sacrifice” on his part because he believes that his decision to retire “was the right thing to do.” In his farewell speech to troops of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City last Tuesday, the military chief regarded his action as doing service for all Filipinos and would do good to the military organization. He also rallied the soldiers to “respect, support, obey and honor the next Commander-in-Chief and the next chief of staff of the AFP.” President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, immediately after his proclamation, announced that he will not retain Bangit, noting his appointment came a day before the constitutional ban on appointments during election period last March 9. A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978, Bangit is perceived to be close to outgoing President Arroyo. AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. yesterday said Bangit has started packing his things from his office at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quzon City in preparation for his early retirement which may come next week. He added only “essential things” are present in Bangit’s office. “In his office, you can see normal things but the memorabilia, all other things are not there anymore…those given to him during visits, mementos,” Burgos said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100617hed5.html

HEADLINES Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers Noynoy plans another break

Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers By Mario J. Mallari 06/17/2010

Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers

By Mario J. Mallari 06/17/2010 Security forces said they rescued an elderly Swiss national but a Filipino citizen who was kidnapped over two months ago by suspected Islamist militants in a lawless part of the southern Philippines. Tribune sources yesterday said that his kidnappers had already freed him, after a “negotiated” ransom demand was met. This was, however, denied by the police-military contingent. Carl Rieth, 72, was abandoned in a coastal village outside the southern port city of Zamboanga by his captors, who fled after seeing police and army troops who rushed to the area following a tip from an inform-ant, officials said. “He was rescued before dawn at 3 a.m. yesterday,” regional military chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino told AFP. “Follow up operations (against the kidnappers) are ongoing.” Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, commander of the military’s Task Force Trillium, said Rieth was safely rescued by elements of the Task Force Charlie along the shoreline of Barangay Labuan in Zamboanga City. Pama added that Rieth was being moved by his captors when the government forces caught up with the group. “They (Reith captors) were cornered and they left him,” Pama said. There was no firefight during the rescue operation. “He was being moved, it looked like he would be transferred,” added Pama.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100617hed6.html

HEADLINES Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers Noynoy plans another break

Noynoy plans another break By Angie M. Rosales 06/17/2010

Noynoy plans another break

By Angie M. Rosales 06/17/2010 Even before he could formally assume the difficult task of running the country, President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is already eyeing another vacation, a mini-holiday, at least three days off. Aquino said he needed what he called a legitimate break before he plunges into serious business. “I intend to take a legitimate break, even for just three days, to internalize everything,” he added. With the school opening and anticipated flooding due to heavy rains, Aquino said there’s obviously a lot of work load and problems to face in the coming days and he would opt to take another round of vacation. No specific date was mentioned but Aquino said it could happen only after he’s done forming his Cabinet. “I want to make sure we are on the right track, deciding on who should replace the appointees, who are the candidates for the appointees. I understand the inventory is 4,500. Obviously, it’s not a joke, 4,500 of it,” he said. “My mindset, it’s my obligation, before anything personal, so that will be dependent on how fast (we form the Cabinet). All of it should take place of course before the inauguration – (filling in the) Cabinet positions and as many undersecretaries and assistant secretary positions, and dissolution of superfluous positions,” he said. “There are so many things I have to do right now, fill in the Cabinet positions, prepare for inaugural (ceremony) and first Cabinet meeting,” he added..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100617hed7.html

HEADLINES Outrage as two more broadcasters murdered SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row SC won’t rush decision on Hacienda Luisita row Only GMA will have preferential treatment in room assignments in the House Early retirement not a ‘sacrifice’ — Bangit Swiss-Filipino Carl Rieth freed by kidnappers Noynoy plans another break