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True or false? EDITORIAL 07/07/2011

Thursday, July 7, 2011

True or false?

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
07/07/2011
Noynoy claims to have sold his German sportscar Porsche because this has become an “unnecessary” risk.

This piece of information from him, plus his having sold the Porsche, now third hand, at the same price he claimed to have bought it, was all he would disclose on his alleged sale of the Porsche, which makes his claimed sale much too suspicious.

Why, even as he claims to be making a clean breast of his Porsche sale, is he keeping the identity of his buyer, as well as the identity of the person who had sold him the car, a mystery, that is, if Noynoy had indeed bought the car, since the talk making the rounds then was that this was a gift to him by one of his supporters.

It doesn’t make sense either that someone would be buying the Porsche for exactly the same price, as this car has already been downgraded to being third hand, going by earlier claims of Noynoy..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com1.html

Too ridiculous for words FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/07/2011

Too ridiculous for words

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
07/07/2011
Blaming Gloria Arroyo for the increased tension between China and the Philippines over the disputed islands really is bordering on the ridiculous and Noynoy really should stop his blame game.

As he said in a speech before the foreign affairs personnel during their foundation day, his predecessor is really to blame for today’s frayed ties between Asia’s military and economic superpower China and puny Philippines, because, as he puts it, Gloria forged a joint exploration contract with China and rival claimants.

As he stated in his speech, singling out the Arroyo administration as being responsible for aggravating the disagreement between China and the Philippines in relation to each country’s claims in the Spratlys Group of Islands: “When the previous administration decided to forge a new agreement in 2005 —the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) — with other countries which allowed exploration in areas covered by our maritime jurisdiction, the small lump of controversy became a mountain of a problem.”.... MORE
 
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com2.html

Canada heads for Afghan exit after 9 years at war focus 07/07/2011

Canada heads for Afghan exit after 9 years at war

focus

07/07/2011
KANDAHAR — After nine years, 157 troop deaths and more than $11 billion spent, Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan finally comes to an end this week.

With popular support for the war sapped at home, some of the nearly 3,000 Canadian troops, based mainly in the dangerous battleground of Kandahar, have already started returning from Afghanistan, and the rest will follow soon.

In recent days and weeks, they have been completing their final patrols, packing up dusty outposts and gathering at the giant Kandahar airfield military base to debrief before starting to catch their flights home.

The official end of Canada’s hard-fought mission, which began in early 2002 a few months after the US-led invasion of the country, comes Thursday, and as other countries also announce partial troop withdrawals from the Afghan theater as Western voters tire of nearly a decade of war..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune
 
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com3.html

Margie’s war: For all it’s worth (2) INSIDE CONGRESS Charlie Manalo 07/07/2011

Margie’s war: For all it’s worth (2)

INSIDE CONGRESS
Charlie Manalo
07/07/2011
Margie’s all-out offensive against the previous administration, particularly targeting her predecessor at the PCSO may be a two-pronged attack anchored on one thing: Greed.

Firstly, it is said that she wants to transform the PSCO into a family enterprise and milk the charity institution dry of its resources. And second, with the first phase now in full swing, Margie may be ensuring that she remains at the helm of the PCSO even as her mandated term had already expired.

Building her business empire out of the PCSO, Margie appointed her sons to sensitive positions in the charity institution and entrusted to herself the sole responsibility of the PCSO checks and entering into contracts with suppliers..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com5.html

Japanese say ‘I do not’ with divorce ceremonies FEATURE 07/07/2011

Japanese say ‘I do not’ with divorce ceremonies

FEATURE

07/07/2011
TOKYO — The smartly-dressed Japanese husband and wife stand side-by-side, surrounded by close friends, in front of a clergyman-like figure. He asks them to smash their wedding rings with a hammer.

Hiroki Terai is a self-styled “divorce planner” who conducts solemn ceremonies during which he invites couples to show their disaffection for one another before they — in most cases — walk away smiling.

“I don’t think the concept of divorce is a negative thing,” said Terai. “Instead of spending a lifetime bickering, it is much better to wrap up the relationship and restart separately.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com6.html

‘Same Sex Marriage’ VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 07/07/2011

‘Same Sex Marriage’

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
07/07/2011
Same sex understanding. Same sex friendship. Same sex collaboration. These and similar phenomena are not only logical but also acceptable, not only foreseeable but likewise comprehensible. Even same sex attraction is an on-the-ground reality. The fact alone that a man is said to be “gay” and a woman is qualified as a “lesbian” — does not necessarily diminish their human dignity, much less deny their human personhood.

In other words, in the light of reason and ethics, homosexuals remain integral members of society and wherefore remain entitled to respect and pursuant deference as human beings. In the sphere of faith and morals, homosexuals must be loved such as by pointing out and reminding them of the pertinent and existent realities and truths — such as about the inherent nature and intrinsic finalities of marriage..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110707com7.html

Activist solons slam, HLI welcomes SC Luisita ruling 07/07/2011

Activist solons slam, HLI welcomes SC Luisita ruling

07/07/2011
Militant lawmakers yesterday deplored as betrayal of the farmers’ cause the Supreme Court (SC) decision revoking the 1989 Stock Distribution Plan (SDP) in Hacienda Luisita and instructing the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to hold a new referendum among concerned farmers.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano noted that there is still no closure to the Luisita land dispute as the SC decision failed to address the land problem in Hacienda Luisita spanning for more than five decades and failed to give justice to the demand of farmers to own the lands they till.

“The SC decision legitimized the persisting landlessness and social inequality in Hacienda Luisita. Farmer-beneficiaries and farm workers in Luisita are demanding for land, not referendum or shares of stocks,” Mariano said, adding he supports the Luisita farmer-beneficiaries’ position to reject the SC decision,
boycott the referendum and continue fighting for their right to land..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110707hed2.html

Piatco asks $10-M judge to inhibit EXCLUSIVE By Ninez Cacho-Olivares Editor-in-Chief 07/07/2011

WITNESS’ DEPOSITION, TAPE ON MAGISTRATE’S EXTORT TRY READIED

Piatco asks $10-M judge to inhibit

EXCLUSIVE

By Ninez Cacho-Olivares Editor-in-Chief 07/07/2011

Following The Daily Tribune’s exposé on the alleged $10 million for just compensation to the Philippine International Airport Terminal Co. (Piatco) on the government’s expropriation issue, the consortium yesterday filed an addendum on its motion for Judge Eugenio de la Cruz to inhibit himself from the case, citing the newspaper’s report on the extortion attempt, stating that the “revelation, whether true or not, cast aspersions on the integrity of the Decision and serious doubts on the ability of his Honor to act on the issues pending with the court with the cold neutrality of an impartial, disinterested and unaffected judge.”

A source close to Piatco told the Tribune that it is mulling a move to have the Integrated Bar of the Philippines disbar the judge on account of the extortion attempt as well as the consortium’s move for administrative sanctions meted to the same judge before the Supreme Court..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110707hed1.html

DoJ should indict Rabusa, says retired gov’t auditor By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/07/2011

DoJ should indict Rabusa, says retired gov’t auditor

By Benjamin B. Pulta 07/07/2011

A retired government auditor wanted the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision placing whistleblower Col. George Rabusa under the state witness protection program (WPP) and said the former military budget officer should himself be indicted.

In an open memorandum, retired former state auditor Arturo Besana said the government should consider “that the cloak of witness protection Rabusa be removed and that he (Rabusa) himself be placed under the bar of justice just like the rest whom he unjustly accused.”

“Why Rabusa placed under the witness protection program? Rabusa was involved in schemes aimed at looting the military’s coffers.He admitted having P200 million deposit in a private bank,pocketed P500,000 as private allowance, amassed illegally an additional P17 million and was charged by the Ombudsman for lying, for dishonesty, for grave misconduct, for conduct unbecoming of a public officer and for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act,” Besana said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110707nat1.html

Villar urges gov’t to prepare for ‘Saudization’ 07/07/2011

Villar urges gov’t to prepare for ‘Saudization’

07/07/2011
Sen. Manny Villar yesterday urged government to prepare for the effects of the Saudization program, including a plan of action to assist workers who may be displaced as companies in Saudi Arabia prioritize hiring of their own people.

“There is a need to adopt a comprehensive and responsive legislation and plan of action that can support and assist migrant workers who may be displaced,” Villar said.

The Nitaqat system took effect last month to fully implement the Saudization program, which refers to the national policy of Saudi Arabia to encourage employment of Saudians in the private sector and reduce unemployment which currently stands at 10.5 percent.

“While the new system does not cover household service workers, the fact that about 90,000 OFWs working in small establishments could be affected, is a cause for concern. Workers may be displaced as companies only have until September to comply with the policy,” he said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110707nat6.html

Two witnesses positively identify one of suspects who killed yoga teacher By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/07/2011

Two witnesses positively identify one of suspects who killed yoga teacher

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/07/2011

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) yesterday disclosed that two witnesses had positively identified one of the suspects, said to be a member of the notorious Dominguez car theft group, who shot dead a female yoga teacher then ran her over with her own car on Kamuning Road last month.

QCPD director Supt. George Regis said the two witnesses — who did not know each other — positively identified Rolando Tablan alias Eduardo Fernandez in a picture shown them.

Tablan, according to the two witnesses, was the one who shot dead Maria Teresita Teaño, a yoga teacher, in front of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, a meditation center on Kamuning Road corner T. Gener Street in Quezon City on broad day light last June 15..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110707met5.html

Arroyos deserve life term for various crimes they committed — ‘JV’ Ejercito By Gerry Baldo 07/07/2011

Arroyos deserve life term for various crimes they committed — ‘JV’ Ejercito

By Gerry Baldo 07/07/2011

If the camp of former President Joseph Estrada would act as judge in the numerous crimes allegedly committed by the Arroyos, it would penalize them with life imprisonment.

According to San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the Filipino people have suffered much under the Arroyos and that it is but proper that they be held accountable for their actions.

“For the reason that they have taken advantage of the Filipino people, they should be sentenced with life imprisonment,” Ejercito said yesterday.

Among the cases that are pending against the Arroyos are two plunder cases in connection with their alleged misuse of over half a billion pesos in funds from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Fertlizer fund scam..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110707met1.html

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