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Transactional politics lives again EDITORIAL 10/10/2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Transactional politics lives again

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
10/10/2010
The “boss ko kayo” (you’re my boss) principle of Noynoy appears to have been applied to the 278 or so members of the House of Representatives in striking a deal for the 2011 budget, that, despite Noy’s incessant harping about his administration’s commitment not to waste a single centavo of public money, has been compromised with the Speaker, with blessings from Malacañang, divvying up lump sums on top of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or more bluntly, pork.
Thus, while now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo was all black and blue from the bashing that Noynoy dealt her in his 100-day report, which was mainly a continuation of his bravado about change since the campaign period, she in turn was rewarded with a healthy P2.2 billion in pork to keep her in the pink of happy health.

Also apportioned out were Road Users Tax (RUT) proceeds that would give each congressman except for party-list representatives P25 million despite Noynoy and his allies hitting the practice in the past of using RUT money as political doleouts.

The fact that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has agreed to the financial packages for House members in the 2011 budget showed Noynoy’s imprimatur on it..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com1.html

Stripped FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 10/10/2010

Stripped

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
10/10/2010
Finally, the Senate has moved to cut fugutive Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s budget and closed his office as he remains in hiding from the law.

It really was getting more and more difficult to justify the continued salary, budget and office staff pay and allowances, running in the millions monthly, when Lacson chooses to hide from the law, instead of facing his charges in court.

If Lacson has not realized it yet, he has started to look more and more guilty, given his insistence in hiding from the law.

It will be recalled that he used as his reason to go into hiding, his claimed persecution under the Gloria government. But it is no longer Gloria who is in the saddle, but the person he supported and even had his staff be part of the Noynoy Aquino campaign.

And yet, despite a change in government, Lacson has refused to surface.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, in a memorandum, ordered the suspension of Lacson’s salary, amounting to P36,000 a month, and the monthly office budget of P2 million..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com2.html

Ultra-modern museum reveals Krakow’s medieval past FEATURE 10/10/2010

Ultra-modern museum reveals Krakow’s medieval past

FEATURE

10/10/2010
KRAKOW — Futuristic technologies in a swish new subterranean museum are bringing to life the medieval past of Krakow, Poland’s historic and picturesque southern city that was once the seat of Polish kings.

Four meters beneath its sprawling Old Town square, the recently opened multi-media museum covering 4,000 square meters, showcases a treasure trove of artefacts only recently discovered by archaeologists. They reveal the city’s life as it once was.

To enter, visitors must pass through a high-tech yet haunting entrance in the form of a wall of vapour that doubles as a screen reflecting scenes from hundreds of years ago.

“This museum is unique,” Krakow Mayor Jacek Majchrowski says proudly. “It retraces the most ancient and little-known history of Krakow, using 21st-century technologies.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com3.html

Plus sixty C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 10/10/2010

Plus sixty

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S
Jonathan De la Cruz
10/10/2010
Plus sixty is President Aquino’s net satisfaction rating three months into his presidency based on the results of a survey conducted by the polling firm SWS from Sept. 24 to 27 this year or almost a month after the disastrous Luneta hostage taking. This was the second highest rating among all post-1986 presidents in their first one hundred days in office, even higher than that his mother, the late President Cory who got plus 53 in May 1986. Only President Ramos who got a plus 66 in September 1992 topped his numbers while President Estrada equalled his public approval at plus 60. This should still the critics for now. I mean how else can you interpret that kind of rating except that after a hundred days in office a solid majority of the public is clearly satisfied with P-Noy’s performance, warts and all. But, as P-Noy himself admitted, many more difficult challenges lie ahead. In fact, if we are to hear out the critics, his performance is clearly a notch or two below people’s expectations. They point to the fact, for example, that it is 23 percent lower than P-Noy’s net approval rating of plus 83 before his assumption to office. That is a very clear precipituous decline of a little under 8 percent every month which should be a cause for worry. It means that while the public remains satisfied with the President’s performance it is looking for results and changes beyond the rhetoric and the gestures such as the “no wang-wang,” stopping at red lights and other such welcome initiatives. As Dr. Aurora Parong, Director of Amnesty International Philippines noted, “P-Noy has made thoughtful comments about human rights issues but has failed to translate his words into action thus far..” That is the challenge he must face..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com4.html

SOS from Olongapo City BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 10/10/2010

SOS from Olongapo City

BLURBAL THRUSTS
Louie Logarta
10/10/2010
Plus sixty is President Aquino’s net satisfaction rating three months into his presidency based on the results of a survey conducted by the polling firm SWS from Sept. 24 to 27 this year or almost a month after the disastrous Luneta hostage taking. This was the second highest rating among all post-1986 presidents in their first one hundred days in office, even higher than that his mother, the late President Cory who got plus 53 in May 1986. Only President Ramos who got a plus 66 in September 1992 topped his numbers while President Estrada equalled his public approval at plus 60. This should still the critics for now. I mean how else can you interpret that kind of rating except that after a hundred days in office a solid majority of the public is clearly satisfied with P-Noy’s performance, warts and all. But, as P-Noy himself admitted, many more difficult challenges lie ahead. In fact, if we are to hear out the critics, his performance is clearly a notch or two below people’s expectations. They point to the fact, for example, that it is 23 percent lower than P-Noy’s net approval rating of plus 83 before his assumption to office. That is a very clear precipituous decline of a little under 8 percent every month which should be a cause for worry. It means that while the public remains satisfied with the President’s performance it is looking for results and changes beyond the rhetoric and the gestures such as the “no wang-wang,” stopping at red lights and other such welcome initiatives. As Dr. Aurora Parong, Director of Amnesty International Philippines noted, “P-Noy has made thoughtful comments about human rights issues but has failed to translate his words into action thus far..” That is the challenge he must face..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com5.html

Al-Qaeda views West terror alert fears as victory — experts focus 10/10/2010

Al-Qaeda views West terror alert fears as victory — experts

focus

10/10/2010
PARIS — The US warning that stirred public panic in Europe over a possible al-Qaeda attack at tourist hotspots has given a sense of victory to Islamist extremist networks, intelligence experts said.

Even though the threat of terror strikes should not be underestimated — it is a real, ongoing threat — warnings such as the recent US travel advisory of a high risk of an attack in Europe make for frightening headlines and television news broadcasts.

As ominous images of soldiers in combat gear in Paris patrolling at the foot of the Eiffel Tower flickered across TV screens around the world, experts said it must have delighted the jihadist leaders to see the West gripped with fear.

“All this free publicity is like manna from heaven for al-Qaeda,” said Alain Chouet, former head of security information at the French DGSE intelligence agency..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com6.html

Excommunication — 1 VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 10/10/2010

Excommunication — 1

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
10/10/2010
There are many errant thoughts and angry talks, the good amount of confused and confusing claims, the sudden appearance of experts in the matter of “excommunication” — with bitter and insulting missives especially to the members of the hierarchy and the clergy who were curiously sent back and forth to hell — not to mention confusion and hysteria that suddenly and bitterly emerged on the occasion.

That being the case, it might be but just, proper and right to herein briefly and candidly clarify the matter even if only through the few, simple and candid observations herein forwarded about the now infamous subject matter of “excommunication” — which is:

One: An admittedly serious censure imposed upon Catholics for having effectively committed a serious forbidden act. While they may remain Catholics if they so desire, once excommunicated, they lose the privilege of receiving the Sacraments — Holy Communion in particular — in the same way that they are excluded from the beneficial prayers of the Universal Church the world over.

Two: There are in truth but three categorical excommunications which are automatically imposed and incurred by Catholics who in fact committed the act precisely censured by the penalty of excommunication: One, the effective commission of abortion — not the mere desire or design thereof. Two, the effective violation of the Seal of Confession by a Priest — not the mere plan or intent to do it. Three, the serious attempt at the life of the Holy Father, irrespective of whether he dies or survives it..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20101010com7.html

Palace feigns ignorance on pork barrel increase By Aytch de la Cruz 10/10/2010

Palace feigns ignorance on pork barrel increase

By Aytch de la Cruz 10/10/2010

The Palace yesterday feigned ignorance on the lump sum appropriations that are being used in the House of Representatives to beef up the pork barrel allocations to most congressmen that were believed to be a trade off for the approval of questionable huge allocations, including the P21 billion allotment for the cash transfer program.

Lump sum appropriations under the 2011 budget proposal approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) included funds from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which some House members have said will increase the pork barrel of some congressmen by as much as P50 million, with Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo getting a lion’s share of P2.2-billion for projects in her province.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte expressed doubts about the increased pork barrel allocations but said she has yet to speak with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to seek his side on the story.

Valte said she wasn’t able to reach Singson who is currently in Tokyo, Japan and appealed to reporters to wait until he gets back from the trip to explain his side on the matter..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101010hed1.html

Arroyo lectures Aquino on good gov’t, budgeting 10/10/2010

Arroyo lectures Aquino on good gov’t, budgeting

10/10/2010
From one failure to another, the camp of former President Arroyo hit back at President Aquino for incessantly blaming his predecessor for the slow process of reforms in his administration, latest of which was in Aquino’s 100-day report wherein he again recounted the many problems he inherited from the past administration.

Arroyo’s son Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo lashed back at Aquino charging him with changing the government for the worse in what could be the strongest denunciation so far of Aquino by a member of the Arroyo clan.

In a text message, Arroyo said Aquino’s statement saying his biggest challenge was to change the old system which had become worse for the last 10 years, lacked substance and concrete basis nor plan for his six-year administration and contained nothing but empty rhetorics.

“I find President Aquino’s statement saying his biggest challenge is to change the old system vague. What system is he referring to? Does changing the old system mean the government is abandoning its social responsibility to the people as manifested in its slashing of the budgets of the DoH (Department of Health), the DepEd (Department of Education), the Ched (Commission on Higher Education), DFA (Department of Foreign.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101010hed2.html

Reforms, transparency wanting in Noy’s gov’t 10/10/2010

Reforms, transparency wanting in Noy’s gov’t

10/10/2010
The Aquino administration, past its 100 days in office, needs to show more proof of being transparent and accountable which is the cornerstone of good governance, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said yesterday.
“The Constitution mandated transparency in policy-making and in the operations of the government,” Santiago added.

“Armed with information on matters of public concern, citizens can participate in public discussions leading to the formulation of government policies and their effective implementation. An informed citizenry is essential to the existence and proper functioning of any democracy,” she said.

Think tank Ibon Foundation, meanwhile, said the Aquino administration had also shown few signs of reforms in its first 100 days.

It said the first 100 days offer important insight into the character of the new administration and go far in establishing the directions of governance, but at this point, the new Aquino administration is showing few signs of conviction and a real reform agenda..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101010hed3.html

Village polls violence: Security beefed up nationwide 10/10/2010

Village polls violence: Security beefed up nationwide

10/10/2010
Government forces have tightened their security to avert possible clashes by candidates or their supporters for the upcoming village polls.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has listed some 20 barangays in Bicol province as areas of immediate concern for the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja, Albay provincial director, yesterday said they are currently monitoring and validating barangays which are among the hot spots during elections.

In Sultan Kudarat, at least 15 barangays were also placed under watchlist in connection with the upcoming elections..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101010hed4.html

Trader abducted, bodyguard shot dead in Cotabato City 10/10/2010

Trader abducted, bodyguard shot dead in Cotabato City

10/10/2010
Gunmen abducted an elderly woman and killed her bodyguard as well as her driver in a kidnapping attack in the southern Philippines, police yesterday said.

The presence of the armed bodyguard failed to deter the abduction Friday of 73-year-old Conchita Tan, the owner of LCT Hardware, said to be one of the biggest hardware stores in Cotabato City, city police chief Senior Supt. Willie Dangane said.

A car carrying the victim was about to turn into the family driveway when it was cut off by two vehicles, he added.

The armed bodyguard put up a fight but was outgunned and killed, along with the family driver, and the woman was taken away, Dangane said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101010hed6.html

PNP gives pointers to scribes to escape assassination tries By Gina Peralta Elorde 10/10/2010

PNP gives pointers to scribes to escape assassination tries

By Gina Peralta Elorde 10/10/2010

The Philippine National Police (PNP) experts yesterday gave pointers to journalists who were under threat to elude from assassin’s target.

One of the pointers given to journalist that he should not expose his movement or what was called “exposure predictability” as this is the common factor among most reported cases of slain journalists over the past nine years.

The study was revealed by the PNP Task Force Usig crime investigators based on their research in the past years.

Chief Supt. Arturo Cacdac, PNP director for Investigation and Detective Management and at the same time head of Task Force Usig, said that this factor of “predictability” has been the greatest enemy of journalists under threat but it is the best ally for the assassins..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101010nat1.html

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