• 6 AUGUST - *1907 - Gen. Macario Sakay, one of the Filipino military leaders who had continued fighting the imperialist United States invaders eight years into the Ph...
    11 years ago

......................................................................................

The Daily Tribune

(Without Fear or Favor)

Specials:

Bulatlat.com

World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Philippines

The Philippines Matrix Project

Why, oh why? EDITORIAL 04/10/2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Why, oh why?

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
04/10/2011
Noynoy and his administration cannot just shrug off and innocently ask the public “I wonder what happened?”, after an independent survey showed self-rated poverty and incidence of hunger having reached unseen levels.

In addressing the scraping issue, Noynoy half-sounded like Gloria Arroyo, the difference being only in his denying the data. Noynoy expressed disbelief while Gloria would have likely outrightly presented data taken out of her Enchanted Kingdom to dispute the result of the survey.

For starters, Noynoy should start accounting for the P21-billion conditional cash transfer (CCT) program under the budget for this year which, if the poll is correct, is not realizing its target of putting food on the table, much less reduce poverty..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com1.html

Lead the way, Noy FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/10/2011

Lead the way, Noy

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/10/2011
Closely watched would be the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief, Kim Henares, along of course, with Noynoy and his Finance secretary, Cesar Purisima, after crowing about having nailed former presidential son Mikey Arroyo on tax fraud, a la Al Capone — meaning getting Mikey on tax fraud.

The way it was done, so claimed Henares, was to check on Mikey’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALn) against his income tax payment, which Henares said didn’t jibe.

If such is now the way to nail tax fraud prone officials, which appears to be a good way, the question now is whether Noynoy and Henares will also be doing exactly the same thing on all the high government officials today, including all the congressmen and even senators, as well as the officials of the executive department, count among them the military officers and spouses — all of whom are required to submit a yearly SALn..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com2.html

Plumbing the depths of mediocrity BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 04/10/2011

Plumbing the depths of mediocrity

BLURBAL THRUSTS
Louie Logarta
04/10/2011
In a country hungry for heroes, such as ours, it is quite easy to see why millions of Filipinos immediately took a fancy for whistle-blower Heidi Mendoza, the frail wisp of a woman who is said to have risked everything to come out of the woodwork and expose the ghouls in the military establishment.

Leeches, they are, who for the longest time have been illegally enriching themselves while inside their cushy air conditioned offices in Camp Aguinaldo, at the expense of thousands of ordinary soldiers who have been risking their lives in the battlefield in defense of the country, as well as ordinary taxpayers such as you and me.

For those romantics among us, Heidi Mendoza is a modern-day Joan of Arc (it’s just too bad we don’t have a local equivalent). Remember Joan of Arc, the ordinary peasant girl from the city of Orleans who is considered a national heroine after leading the French army to several victories against the English aggressors during the Hundred Years’ War which paved the way for the coronation of Charles VII?.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com4.html

Fifty years after Eichmann, Nazi trial era ending focus 04/10/2011

Fifty years after Eichmann, Nazi trial era ending

focus

04/10/2011
FERUSALEM — The capture, trial and sentencing to death of Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann in 1961 was a milestone for Israel and a watershed in the global hunt for Nazi war criminals.

In the 50 years since then, although there have been no further convictions in Israel, numerous notorious Nazis have been brought to justice elsewhere.

But despite the efforts of prosecutors, frequently prodded into action by private individuals who have dedicated themselves to hunting down Hitler’s killers, “hundreds, if not thousands” of criminals are still at large, says Israeli Nazi-hunter Efraim Zuroff.

And with perpetrators and witnesses dying off, or becoming unfit to testify, Nazi hunters say that a current round of trials may be the last, bringing to an end the bid to seek retribution for the millions of victims..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com3.html

From the Amazon to the edge of Lima, ‘boom’ remains a dream FEATURE 04/10/2011

From the Amazon to the edge of Lima, ‘boom’ remains a dream

FEATURE

04/10/2011
LIMA — Thousands of Peruvians on the edge of Lima are a world away from the capital’s prosperity, with little hope they will share the fruit of a decade of growth, despite promises from presidential candidates.

Hundreds of homes sit atop a former rubbish dump in the slum of Cantagallo, which has a clear view across the rapidly developing capital and lies only a mile (two kilometers) from the presidential palace.

The four main candidates competing for the presidency Sunday aim to maintain Peru’s record growth but face growing frustration from a third of the nation of some 29 million who still live in poverty.

Some 2,000 inhabitants of the Lima slum include members of the Shipibo Amazon tribe who migrated there 10 years ago and are still seeking to rise out of poverty..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com6.html

Far-right vigilantes spark fear in Hungarian Roma focus 04/10/2011

Far-right vigilantes spark fear in Hungarian Roma

focus

04/10/2011
HAJDUHADHAZ — Fear grows among the Roma community in Hajduhadhaz as news spreads that far-right vigilantes are on their way to patrol the crime-stricken streets of the poor town.

“They are already here, in Radnoti street, 700 of them... They will come here to get us,” a man in his fifties clad in dirty rags shouts to a group mingling about.

The edges of Hajduhadhaz, with their typical “gypsy rows” of doorless brick and adobe shacks, are indeed next on the visiting list of the Brighter Future militia, a sister group of the far-right Jobbik party, which made its way into parliament last year on a wave of anti-Roma animosity.

Home to about 12,000 people — a quarter of whom are Roma — this town in eastern Hungary has a less than illustrious history: Hit by over 15-percent unemployment, it also headed the list of most crime-infected Hungarian towns in 2007..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com7.html

Poor Philippines! VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/10/2011

Poor Philippines!

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
04/10/2011
Such is this country really and figuratively: Poor in terms of want of economic resources and financial assets. Poor in terms of its victimization by no less than a big number of public officials. The former sad reality is the cause of the latter shameful situation. It is precisely the many public officials who make the country poor materially and socio-politically. Otherwise, the Philippines would be rich and the Filipinos blessed.

Thus it is that there are distinct voices heard here and there, in both gloomy and happy gatherings, to the effect that in a way, the Philippines would be affluent and the Filipinos would be well-off — were it not for the gross graft and flagrant corruption precisely taking place in government agencies at the expense of the millions of citizens paying indirect and direct taxes from birth to death plus the thousands of small and big business entities paying direct taxes..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com5.html

Rising poverty, hunger mirror failed CCT — critics By Charlie V. Manalo 04/10/2011

PALACE CLAIMS 400,000 FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM CASH TRANSFER

Rising poverty, hunger mirror failed CCT — critics

By Charlie V. Manalo 04/10/2011

As critics of President Aquino spotlight the failure of his administration’s P21.5 billion conditional cash transfer (CCT) program after the recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showing an increase in the number of poor and hungry Filipinos, the Palace yesterday went on a publicity overdrive, saying the program is being stepped up and had claimed the CCT had covered 400,000 poor families.

Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, however, said the SWS survey showing a consistent rise in the number of Filipinos growing hungry and poorer only shows the Aquino administration has failed to implement any concrete program that would uplift the livelihood of the people.

“This means that this administration has not implemented concrete programs to arrest unemployment, rising costs of commodities and services resulting to more hunger felt by the people,” Magsaysay said, adding that the administration’s conditional cash transfer program (CCT) which it lifted from the
Arroyo administration, was not as effective as they projected it to be..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed1.html

Taal Volcano alert level raised; Phivolcs warns of eruption 04/10/2011

Taal Volcano alert level raised; Phivolcs warns of eruption

04/10/2011
Magma rising to the surface of Taal Volcano in Batangas prompted state volcanologists yesterday to push up its alert level and urged visitors to stay away.

The second stage of a five-step alert system has been imposed around Taal Volcano after increased signs of activity were detected.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said at least four disturbing recent trends indicated an eruption.

“In view of the above observations at Taal Volcano and the interpretation that magma has been intruding toward the surface, as manifested by (carbon dioxide) being released in Main Crater Lake and the increase in seismic activity, Taal Volcano’s status is now raised to Alert Level 2. With this alert status, the present activities could eventually lead to an eruption,” Phivolcs said in its Web site..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed3.html

Nato role under fire as Libya hits stalemate 04/10/2011

Nato role under fire as Libya hits stalemate

04/10/2011
MISRATA — Forces loyal to Libya’s undersiege dictator Moammar Kadhafi shelled rebels in Misrata with civilian deaths reported as Nato’s role in the conflict faced scrutiny with no endgame in sight.

The fighting in Misrata came after government troops shelled the edge of Ajdabiya, further east, forcing insurgents to retreat, and as the European Union announced measures to evacuate the wounded and provide food, water and medical supplies.

“There is an intense exchange of fire with light arms, rockets and heavy artillery between the rebels and the regime’s army,” said an Agence France Presse correspondent, who was among a group of journalists brought to Misrata by Libyan authorities.

The correspondent said they were about five kilometers into the town that extends 30 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed4.html

Credit Ligots’ US assets turnover to Ombudsman, says her deputy By Arlie O. Calalo 04/10/2011

Credit Ligots’ US assets turnover to Ombudsman, says her deputy

By Arlie O. Calalo 04/10/2011

A subaltern of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said yesterday that the recent turnover by the United States to the government of a $132,000 check representing proceeds of the sale of a US property owned by former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda was the fruit of Gutierrez’s hard work.
Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus Jr. said in a statement that the turnover was the result of the prompt action initiated by Gutierrez.

“When it came to the knowledge of the Office that the property has been sold by the US government, Ombudsman Gutierrez immediately wrote the Department of Justice to request the return of the proceeds,” De Jesus said.

On the basis of such request, then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera coordinated with the US government for the return to the Philippines of the proceeds of the sale of the property in Buena Park, California..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed5.html

House panel finalizes ‘Whistleblowers Act’ 04/10/2011

House panel finalizes ‘Whistleblowers Act’

04/10/2011
Amid corruption issues hounding government institutions, particulary the military, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has expressed confidence that Congress, in its resumption of sessions in May, would definitely pass the Whistleblowers Act and the additional benefits for state witnesses.

“I am elated to note that both proposals, contained in several bills, are now being finalized by separate technical working groups formed by Chairman Neil Tupas Jr. of the House committee on
justice,” said Angara, the principal author of House Bills 419 and 452 (Whistleblower) and HB 473 (additional benefits for state witnesses)..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed6.html

Lola Irene now back home; 600 more OFWs waiting for repatriation 04/10/2011

Lola Irene now back home; 600 more OFWs waiting for repatriation

04/10/2011
Home at last.
Lola Irene Sto. Domingo, 75, is now in the arms of her family after long months of waiting. Sick and undocumented, she has been in the care of Bahay Kalinga, a transient home for repatriating distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for three months. Bahay Kalinga is being managed by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to this, she had run away from her employer, whom she had worked for years, after they refuse to pay her. Old and weak, Lola Irene opted to run away and looked for some odd jobs. But illness made her too weak to work, that a fellow OFW, Marcelina Maramag, who has been working in a small dressmaking shop in Saudi took care of her. Even if it’s illegal to take care of an absconder, Maramag had taken care of Lola Irene, feeding her and sometimes, giving her medicine. Until, Lola Irene had decided to ask the Philippine Embassy for help..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110410nat6.html

Under fire television host Revillame takes a leave 04/10/2011

Under fire television host Revillame takes a leave

04/10/2011
A television host who sparked outrage when a six-year-old boy simulated a striptease for cash on his show took a two-week break starting yesterday because of the furor.

Embattled presenter Willie Revillame said late Friday he would take leave from his top-rated variety show Willing Willie following an advertising boycott and government investigation into the incident.

“I will take a leave...starting today. Tomorrow, we will just show taped (old) episodes. We will be gone for two weeks...but when we come back, there will be new hope,” he told his show’s audience.

Revillame, who has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons before, hosts one of several popular TV shows that offer guests a chance to win cash, cars and other big prizes for performing in front of a live audience..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110410met1.html

VP Binay calls for text votes for Puerto’s underground river 04/10/2011

VP Binay calls for text votes for Puerto’s underground river

04/10/2011
Vice President Jejomar Binay is encouraging the public to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature.

“Please encourage your relatives, friends and every concerned Filipino to vote,” urged Binay. “This is also in support of the Aquino administration’s effort to put the country in the map and bring attention to our beautiful country,” the Vice President added.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of 28 finalists competing to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature list to be determined by voters around the world.

To vote, Globe, Smart or Sun subscribers may text “PPUR 15” to 2861. The public may vote as many times as they want until Sept. 25, 2011..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110410nat5.html

Blog Archive