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Cop out question EDITORIAL 06/28/2011

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Cop out question

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
06/28/2011
Social Weather Station (SWS)’s latest survey release was obviously meant to please the Malacañang tenant, what with a cop out question included over whether respondents believe that in the long run, Noynoy will be successful or unsuccessful president, preceded by an “OR”.

One question was whether respondents think that Noynoy will be a successful president, with a 22 percent affirming it, while 10 say the contrary. But there is an additional question, which was the cop out question, or the easy way out for an answer, which was, or whether it is still too early to tell.

So why include that question in the same questionnaire, when the majority answer would have to be “it’s too early to tell, if not to give Malacañang a “feel good” feedback?.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com1.html

Nonsensical Noynoy FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/28/2011

Nonsensical Noynoy

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
06/28/2011
He bitches about the media always invading his private life while claiming that media prefer to report on his love life and love for fast cars, instead of the “good news” yet it is really Noynoy who encourages the media to keep on writing about his love life and his latest “love interest.”

In Cebu while delivering his speech, he said he is considering making Malacañang sa Sugbo in Cebu his home, if only to meet his future wife, saying that every time he visits Cebu, he sees more beautiful women.

Noynoy also made it appear that he fancied a Korean TV personality Grace Lee, who was co-host in the Kepco gathering.

As he put it in a mix of Cebuano and Tagalog: “Whenever I am invited to come to Cebu, it is not hard for me to say yes. There is even Grace Lee, our visitor. I thought she was Filipino. She’s Korean. Even the Korean women who come to the country are all beautiful. There is need to revive Malacañang sa Sugbu. Perhaps this is where we can be hitch up.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com2.html

Gazans paid dearly for snatching Israeli — analysts FEATURE 06/28/2011

Gazans paid dearly for snatching Israeli — analysts

FEATURE

06/28/2011
GAZA CITY — Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have paid dearly over the five years since militants snatched a young Israeli soldier, Palestinian and Israeli analysts say.
But they also say the Jewish state itself shoulders a “moral burden” in failing to free Gilad Shalit despite all its military might and diplomatic resources.

Shalit was 19 when he was captured in southern Israel on June 25, 2006 by militants including members of the Islamist Hamas who staged a cross-border raid from the Gaza Strip. He has been held there ever since at a secret location.

In response to his abduction, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza and then tightened it the following year..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com3.html

The continuing gall NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 06/28/2011

The continuing gall

NO HOLDS BARRED
Armida Siguion-Reyna
06/28/2011
Gloria Arroyo calls a press conference to hit the incumbent leadership while her own congressional leadership is under water. Gloria warns that “the economic gains from the reforms instituted during her term” may “not be sustained” by this Chief Executive, and flouts “The gains I made were built on the efforts of previous leaders because every administration should build on previous successes.”

After actively participating in the overthrow of a popular president on “moral grounds,” she now says she “built” on her predecessor’s efforts? Akala ko ba, walang efforts ang naturang predecessor, hence the need to replace him? Alas, and alack, how quickly she’s turned her back to the positions she’s taken 10 years ago, en route to stealing the presidency, “not once, but twice.”

So she’s made gains, fine. But if her government hadn’t been as corrupt, the gains would have been much, much bigger, right? Tao talaga ang makikinabang, right? Well, we know who really made pakinabang, thanks to sleight-of-hand.

Day after her presscon, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office through Chairman Margarita Juico, announced how Arroyo and allies ran the PCSO “to the ground,” and left it with P4 billion in debt to media groups and hospitals. Because they had put operational funds and monies for charity in one kitty, the thieves were able to spend undetected and way out of budget “especially” in their “last two years.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com4.html

Are the Chinese censors asleep? AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 06/28/2011

Are the Chinese censors asleep?

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW
Ken Fuller
06/28/2011
Last Wednesday, I came across an Associated Press (AP) story entitled “China, Vietnam conduct joint sea patrol amid tension” on the Inquirer Web site. (On the AP site the story, by Margie Mason, has a slightly different heading.)

As an example of the tension generated by competing claims to territory in the South China Sea, it quotes an editorial run by Beijing’s Global Times the previous day, June 21. According to the AP piece, the editorial roars: “If Vietnam wishes to create a war in the South China Sea, China will resolutely keep them (sic) company” and “China has the absolute might to crush the naval fleets sent from Vietnam. China will show no mercy to its rival due to ‘global impact’ concerns.”

Feeling that this — especially the “show no mercy” bit — was somewhat extreme, I decided to consult the horse’s mouth and, after a brief search, found myself at www.globaltimes.cn. There, “China must react to Vietnam’s provocation,” was easy enough to find. Amazingly, the passages quoted above simply did not appear. The editorial begins by arguing that China must prepare for two scenarios — peaceful negotiation if Vietnam is willing, “or answer the provocation with political, economic or even military counterstrikes.” The most bellicose comments come toward the end, so here are the final four paragraphs..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com5.html

Aspiration VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/28/2011

Aspiration

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
06/28/2011
After looking at the malady of “Asperger’s Disorder” which is a big personal misfortune, and after considering the phenomenon of “Asperation” made at key Filipino cultural values which in turn is a big shame, equity says that it is time to think of and consider the reality and rationale of “Aspiration.” There is really nothing exceptional or singular about this human longing premised on the nature and import of hope — except for the fact that it seems to be the only recourse of millions of Filipinos during these truly trying times.

In plain language, aspiration finds its anchorage on the inherent nature and consequent import of the human “spirit.”
The following are the more cardinal elements ingrained in the “spirit” of the human person: One, it is God given as no one else in this big wide world can give it to himself. Two, it is pulsating and vibrant particularly in its search and pursuit of the reign of truth, justice and peace. Three, it is intense in fervency and immense in scope. Four, it is strong longing, a fervent and persisting desire. Five, it is a craving for something better, something fulfilling..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110628com7.html

Noy can’t trust China’s no RP invasion claim By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan and Michaela P. del Callar 06/28/2011

Noy can’t trust China’s no RP invasion claim

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan and Michaela P. del Callar 06/28/2011

He trusts in the United States and distrusts China.

Obviously buoyed by the assurance of the United States that it is prepared to provide military support to the Philippines in the event of an escalation of conflict in the West Philippine sea but anyway speaks of dialog more than military support these days plus a reiteration of US officials that the US does not meddle in territorial disputes, President Aquino upped the tension with China and deteriorated further Philippine-Chinese diplomatic relations, as he intimated yesterday that he does not trust China’s assurance that it will not invade the Philippines to assert its territorial claims in the area, adding that he is suspicious of China’s claim of not having any intention of invading the Philippines.

According to Aquino, the pronouncements of China sounds very suspicious but he reiterated the country’s commitment to pursue diplomatic solutions in resolving the conflict in the West Philippine sea..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110628hed1.html

Erap wants closure on Dacer-Corbito double slay By Angie M. Rosales 06/28/2011

Erap wants closure on Dacer-Corbito double slay

By Angie M. Rosales 06/28/2011

Former President Joseph Estrada wants a closure on the decade-old unresolved kidnapping and killing of the late publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada disclosed this yesterday following the exoneration from any involvement in the twin murder case of his father and Sen. Panfilo Lacson by former police Senior Supt. Michael Ray Aquino over the weekend upon his arrival in the country.

Aquino, who was extradited from the United States, categorically stated that he did not receive any orders from either the former president or Lacson, then his superior in the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) to kidnap, harm or murder anyone, specifically Dacer and Corbito.

“Yes of course, he wants to have a closure on the case. He’s not the only one interested in seeing the resolution of this case. I’m sure even the public wants to find out who is the real mastermind in the killing of the two. Even I want to find this out,” Estrada, who is currently in Boston taking up a crash course on leadership program, said in an interview with dwIZ..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110628hed2.html

Terrorist group bombs CoA office in North Cotabato 06/28/2011

Terrorist group bombs CoA office in North Cotabato

06/28/2011
Two weeks after the United States issued a travel advisory against the Philippines, an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to have been planted by terrorists linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI),
exploded at the entrance of Commission on Audit (COA) office in North Cotabato province yesterday morning.

Army 6th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto said that the IED blasted the COA satellite office located along the national highway in Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City around 8:20 a.m.
No casualty was reported during the attack..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110628nat2.html

‘Falcon’ kills three, 18 missing; 1 million people affected By Mario J. Mallari 06/28/2011

‘Falcon’ kills three, 18 missing; 1 million people affected

By Mario J. Mallari 06/28/2011

President Aquino’s zero casualty goal during typhoons remained an ambition as tropical depression “Falcon” left the country with at least three people dead while 18 others remained missing and more than a million others affected by wide-scale flooding brought about by days of heavy rains.

Reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the fatalities as Ranny Bernardo, a resident of Sto. Nino, Hagonoy, Bulacan; Marlon Jay Musni, of Sta. Cruz, Mexico, Pampanga; and Fedelito Muana, of East Bajac-Bajac, Olongapo City.

The three all died of drowning.

Damage to agricultural crops and infrastructures in Regions III, IV-A and V was estimated at P152,711,282..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110628nat1.html

Solon seeks probe on Torres for illegal payment to supplier By Charlie V. Manalo 06/28/2011

Solon seeks probe on Torres for illegal payment to supplier

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/28/2011

Aside from courting trouble for deliberately withholding payment due to the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) information technology (IT) service provider, Assistant Secretary Virginia Torres found herself in hot water again, this time for paying LTO’s supplier of driver’s licenses despite the absence of a legitimate contract.

Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo, a member of the House committee on transportation, yesterday bared he will file a resolution calling for an investigation on the report that LTO is religiously paying its supplier for driver’s licenses, the Amalgamated Motors Philippines Inc. (Ampi) despite the absence of valid contract for almost eight years..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110628met1.html

Camanava execs vow to implement smoking ban in their areas By Arlie O. Calalo 06/28/2011

Camanava execs vow to implement smoking ban in their areas

By Arlie O. Calalo 06/28/2011


The four local government units (LGUs) in the northern part of Metro Manila yesterday pooled their resources and vowed to spare no one in the enforcement of the anti-smoking law which will start in metropolis on July 1.

In fact, the city chief executives, namely, Mayors Enrico “Recom” Echiverri (Caloocan), Tito Oreta (Malabon), John Rey Tiangco (Navotas) and Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela) told Tribune in separate phone interviews that they have been carrying out the tobacco ban long before the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided to go full-blast in the campaign.

The Camanava mayors, who form key part of the Metro Manila Council which is the governing body of MMDA, said the no-nonsense implementation of the anti-smoking drive was in compliance to Republic Act 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act and the Philippine Obligation to World Health Organization-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), which calls for no smoking in public places..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110628met5.html

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