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Tracking Angie’s trail EDITORIAL 01/16/2011

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tracking Angie’s trail

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
01/16/2011
What would it take for Angie Reyes, the nine-year first knight of Gloria, to succumb to abuse? Not much, it seems.

For the whole two stolen terms of Gloria, Angie stuck out as a fixture in the Cabinet.

Angie was the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines when the presidency was snatched from Joseph Estrada in 2001. And it was he who led his service commanders to mutiny against a duly constitutional president and commander in chief. Angie was among the first officials then to defect to Gloria instead of protecting the constitutionally-elected leader of the land. It was later revealed that Angie was part of a conspiracy hatched even before Estrada warmed his seat at Malacañang.

For that betrayal, Angie was richly rewarded by Gloria. Two days after his retirement as chief of staff, he was sworn into office as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND)..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com1.html

Persecuting Webb FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 01/16/2011

Persecuting Webb

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
01/16/2011
Where in the world can we find a Justice secretary like Leila de Lima who seems to insist on persecuting the acquitted instead of finding out just who committed the rape murder case in a sensationalized case?

Hubert Webb and company who have been acquitted by the Supreme Court (SC) last year are still being treated by De Lima and Lauro Vizconde and his group, as the guilty parties, despite the high court already ruling with finality that Webb and his group are not guilty and therefore have been acquitted.

She was supposed to have formed a task force to investigate further and look for the probable guilty party, where Webb, et al. are included, although her focus is on Webb, and not the et. al.

There are supposed to be two other groups who are deemed suspects in the same case, yet there is no focus on them and, worse, nothing much has moved by way of her department’s investigation into the other two suspect-groups..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com2.html

India’s airlines spend big but airports are lacking FEATURE 01/16/2011

India’s airlines spend big but airports are lacking

FEATURE

01/16/2011
NEW DELHI — An upstart Indian carrier’s $15 billion order with Airbus is a bold bet on travel demand in the fast-growing country. But aging airports and over-ambition could yet clip the industry’s wings.

IndiGo, which was launched in 2005, on Wednesday stormed onto the international stage by announcing a deal for 180 new aircraft, the largest number of Airbus planes ever bought in a single order.

“We are putting our money where our mouth is,” IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh boasted after sealing the deal at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, southwest France.

“If the country has to grow by 9 to 10 percent, the airline business has to be an equal partner,” he told the Mint daily newspaper. “There will be one or two years of up and down, but overall there will be only one direction.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com3.html

An albatross called ‘Noli’ BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 01/16/2011

An albatross called ‘Noli’

BLURBAL THRUSTS
Louie Logarta
01/16/2011
One of the New Year resolutions of Virginia Torres is to implement Republic Act (RA) 10054 (or the Motorcycle Helmet Act) on a nationwide basis in a bid to cut down on the increasing number of fatalities being reported to authorities.

Torres, who is the present chief of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), said she would be starting her campaign against violators of RA 10054 here in Metro Manila where she can rely on hundreds of policemen as well as various other traffic enforcers to strictly implement said law that has largely been honored by riders more in the breach than anything else.

In a recent address before the Philippine Motorcycle Federation, Ms. Torres said LTO estimates place the number of unregistered motorcycles in the country at over 1 million, which is why the number of accidents involving the two-wheeled vehicles most surely will rise drastically in the coming years if law enforcement agents are lax in implementing the Helmet Act.

But in several provinces in Northern Mindanao, particularly Cagayan de Oro City, LTO officials have found themselves hamstrung in this regard because local government functionaries aren’t keen in putting some bite to the Helmet law as, they claim, this would simply add to the deterioration of the peace and order situation prevailing..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com4.html

Criminality unlimited VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 01/16/2011

Criminality unlimited

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
01/16/2011
Something is definitely wrong, disturbing and dangerous in the present Philippine society. And meantime, nothing decisive and convincing is being done by the government through its several agencies, precisely designed for and financed by the general public to keep them safe and in peace – as they go about in their day to day living. The social malediction is called “criminality.” Its pejorative qualification is unlimited. Translation: Crimes are thriving, rampant and unchecked!

Murders in broad daylight. Assassinations wherever and whenever convenient. Kidnappings. Rapes. Hold-ups. Stealing. Snatching. Name it and it is there – day and night, anytime and anywhere. Add to all these the finding of this and that dead fetus left by the roadside, thrown to the garbage – not to mention at least once left in an airplane. Conscience is dysfunctional. Morality is but a word. Evil has become the order of the day. The law is inutile. The law enforcers are without force. The victims of crimes are down and known. The criminals remain unidentified and free..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com5.html

Now comes the ‘child’ TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 01/16/2011

Now comes the ‘child’

TABLETS OF STONE
Larry Faraon, OP
01/16/2011
This morning I shall be baptizing the six-month-old Baby Nash. It is interesting and funny how I met this cute angel. Pushed back to the edges of the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo because of the gargantuan crowd readying to welcome the image of the Black Nazarene with almost frenzied religious cheers as it enters the Church, I was comfortably standing in front of this baby and its mother in a rather shoulder to shoulder situation. When the image finally arrived in the area, ecstatically, the people raised and waved their hankies, rosaries, religious items and even their babies! — to at least receive some virtual blessings from the revered image itself. Yes, including Baby Nash, who most probably was suddenly traumatized when his enthusiastic mom brandished him and began peeing liberally on my head!

Indeed, even before I pour holy water on his fine cute little forehead later, he already did “baptize” me much earlier last Sunday!

But what is significant is that today is the Feast of the Holy Child or Sto. Niño. The liturgical worship today is a special grant by the Vatican, only in the Philippines, since it only in this country that we celebrate a bambino donned in royal robes, complete with a scepter, crown and golden boots. The 16th century original image gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and wife has been enshrined at the Basilica de Minore del Sto. Niño in Cebu City and is currently and in the past the center of devotion, particularly in the Visayas region with cultural elaborations of Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com6.html

In US, China’s Hu to confront battered image FEATURE 01/16/2011

In US, China’s Hu to confront battered image

FEATURE

01/16/2011
WASHINGTON — For all the hot topics between the two nations, Chinese President Hu Jintao will also seek a broader goal when he visits the United States next week: To repair his country’s battered image.

China has become a political byword in the United States for both economic competition and strategic rivalry. While differing on approach, few US politicians have kind words for China on issues from trade to human rights.

People planning the state visit said the usually formal Hu will reach out to ordinary Americans including with a stop to President Barack Obama’s hometown of Chicago, where he will showcase a Chinese-run factory creating jobs.

Most Washington-based China watchers believe that Beijing remains sensitive about its image overseas, and that its sometimes shrill denunciations of international criticism is meant largely for domestic consumption..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110116com7.html

Roxas as troubleshooter for RP’s sake — Palace By Aytch S. de la Cruz 01/16/2011

Roxas as troubleshooter for RP’s sake — Palace

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 01/16/2011

Malacañang defended the phasing into the Cabinet of President Aquino’s losing running mate, former Sen. Manuel Roxas II, who got an appointment as “chief troubleshooter” as being done for the sake of the country while dismissing the possible negative implications of the move on the working relationship between elected Vice President Jejomar Binay and Aquino.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte yesterday rejected the speculation made by Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong that Roxas’ appointment could adversely affect the working relationship of Binay and Aquino.

Valte said nothing will change in the working relationship of all officials in the Aquino administration as she cited the “professionalism” established by both Roxas and Aquino in dealing with government affairs.

She claimed that there was nothing personal with respect to Aquino’s decision to give Roxas an important role in his administration once the ban on defeated candidates from seeking government posts expires by the end of this June..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed1.html

Palace takes potshots at SC anew over Garcia plea deal By Aytch S. de la Cruz 01/16/2011

Palace takes potshots at SC anew over Garcia plea deal

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 01/16/2011
The Palace again cranked up its machinery to assault the Supreme Court yesterday, saying tribunal spokesman and administrator Jose Midas Marquez questioning the authority of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to demand an explanation from the Sandiganbayan on its approval of the plea bargaining agreement forged by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller, Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, and the Office of the Ombudsman was unwarranted.

Marquez questioned De Lima’s authority to demand such explanation from the Sandiganbayan, with him saying only the Supreme Court has the right to ask the anti-graft court justices on their decision.

Garcia accused of carting away hundreds of millions of pesos in what are believed to be AFP funds pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of indirect bribery which carries a mere six years of imprisonment against life imprisonment for plunder.

“I don’t think we have to wait for a damage to be done first before we take certain actions. Our only position is that you represent the real standpoint of the public. We cannot be expected to just sit around while these things are happening,” Valte said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed2.html

Money non-issue in US court’s rights ruling — Palace 01/16/2011

Money non-issue in US court’s rights ruling — Palace

01/16/2011
It doesn’t matter how much money would land in the hands of those who survived the tortuous Marcos years since the recent decision rendered by a United States federal court on the $7.5-million settlement already spells vindication for them, Malacañang implied yesterday in response to the initial public reaction that such amount may not be sufficient.

Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte explained that money is no longer the issue here with respect to the class action suit filed by the human rights victims against the deceased dictator but the principles that they have held.

“What the victims went through (during the Marcos regime) is no longer compensable in terms of money. At this point, I think money is not the issue here anymore but it’s a vindication. It’s like, in Tagalog, it’s already a matter of principle,” Valte commented over radio dzRB.

There are about 7,526 people who stand to receive $1,000 or about P44,000 each from the compensation package approved by US District Judge Manuel Real last Thursday..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed3.html

Melo successor urged to unlock poll secrets By Pat C. Santos 01/16/2011

Melo successor urged to unlock poll secrets

By Pat C. Santos 01/16/2011

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Melo’s resignation took effect yesterday and the clamor for the next head of the poll body to make public the true results of the just held national elections that saw President Aquino winning by a comfortable margin started to gather steam.

A workers’ poll watchdog dared the successor of Melo to unlock the many “secrets” of the May 10, 2010 automated polls and to hold those accountable for the anomalies that may have occurred.

Workers’ Electoral Watch (WE Watch), a network of workers advocating fraud-free elections, pitched this challenge to the next Comelec chief as it issued yesterday the Automated Election System (AES) Evaluation and Policy Recommendations.

Melo served for close to three years as Comelec chairman that covered the the holding of the first fully automated national elections, which many suspects to have been tainted with electronically generated fraud..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed4.html

Weeks of rains leave 47 dead in RP 01/16/2011

Weeks of rains leave 47 dead in RP

01/16/2011
More than two weeks of heavy rains have left at least 47 persons dead from flash floods and landslides across the Bicol region and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, the government yesterday said.

Monsoon rains have battered parts of the country since December 29, with more thunderstorms still forecast for these areas, the government weather station said.

The death toll from the rain has risen to 47 due to drownings or burial by landslides, while four more persons remain missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Eight more persons were injured by landslides, the NDRRMC said in a statement, while over 18,000 persons were still housed in government evacuation centers because of continued danger..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed5.html

Pirates hijack Danish ship with 4 Filipinos 01/16/2011

Pirates hijack Danish ship with 4 Filipinos

01/16/2011
Four Filipinos were among the crew members seized when a Danish-owned cargo ship was boarded by suspected Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden last January 12, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) report said.

Leopard, a 2,000-ton ship believed to be carrying “sensitive” cargo, was boarded in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Oman.

Two other Danish crew members were also seized.

The report was confirmed by the local manning agency that deployed the seafarers in the ill-fated ship.
According to news reports, the ship was thereafter abandoned by the pirates. The Turkish navy later located the vessel..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110116hed6.html

More jobs, no to CCT dole outs By Charlie V. Manalo 01/16/2011

SOLON TELLS AQUINO

More jobs, no to CCT dole outs

By Charlie V. Manalo 01/16/2011

While admitting they can not force the estimated 2.3 million family-beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program from rejecting the P1,400 monthly cash assistance, a lady solon yesterday reiterated their call to President Aquino to reconsider his administration’s CCT program and come up with policies and programs that will create concrete jobs for Filipino workers.

“President Aquino is creating a grand illusion that his CCT program will reduce the hunger incidence in the country. While we cannot deny that the 2.3 million target poor families will not reject the P1,400 monthly assistance under this program, we know and they know that this program will not change their hand-to-mouth existence,” said Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus citing the recent SWS survey showed that 18.1 percent or about 3.4 million families experienced hunger in the past three months.

De Jesus called on the Aquino administration to prioritize policies and programs that will create more decent jobs for the workers, the farmers, and all the marginalized Filipinos who have always wanted to have an income enough to provide for all the needs of their family. Pushing for genuine land reform and nationalist industrialization are sure-fire remedies that will open up hundreds of thousands of new jobs, and not the measly 43,000 jobs touted by the Aquino administration..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110116nat1.html

Food advocates to Aquino: Put behind bar those involved in rice scams 01/16/2011

Food advocates to Aquino: Put behind bar those involved in rice scams

01/16/2011
As reported about the overpriced rice imported by the previous administration came out again in the news, a network of food security advocates yesterday reminded President Aquino to make true his anti-corruption campaign promise and use this issue as another case against the Arroyo administration.

The Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS) reiterated over the weekend its call for an immediate investigation and prosecution of all past and present government officials and personnel as well as private entities who were involved in this criminal act.

According to news reports, the National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Lito Banayo disclosed that the rice agency imported rice during the last three years of the Arroyo administration was overpriced by $125 per metric ton, and in the last 10 years, these imports were overpriced by an average of $60 per metric ton. He revealed that fictitious cooperatives and companies took part in the unlawful activity.

Alice Raymundo, TFFS coordinator, said that they were no longer surprised with the news as this already came out in July 2009..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110116nat3.html

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