Legitimizing bribery and corruption EDITORIAL 07/20/2011

Legitimizing bribery and corruption

EDITORIAL

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07/20/2011
It started with the Noynoy administration’s bid to demonize the bishops through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)’s leak to a broadsheet on the “Pajero bishops,” little realizing that the whole shebang would boomerang on them.

Not only were they red-faced after the bishops attended the Senate hearing and aired their side, since there was neither illegality nor unconstitutionality about the requests and receipts of several utility vehicles, but also that the current PCSO officials are now being placed on the carpet.

It will be recalled that the PCSO officials, their spin doctor and Malacañang too, made it appear that the former President, Gloria Arroyo, bribed the bishops with the “Pajeros” in exchange for their support..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com1.html

Useless fact-finding body FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/20/2011

Useless fact-finding body

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

07/20/2011
Chiz Escudero yesterday filed a joint resolution in the Senate for the two Houses of Congress to call for the creation of a fact-finding commission to determine the real winner in the 2004 presidential race.

But creating a fact-finding commission to determine the real winner in the 2004 presidential race is going to be a waste of time and taxpayers’ money, mainly because if the body’s intent is to determine the real winner, this body will have to go through a recount — which means counting the ballots cast in 2004 nationwide, since this is the only way by which a winner of the race can be determined..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com2.html

And now a word from Bishop Soc C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 07/20/2011

And now a word from Bishop Soc

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S

Jonathan De la Cruz

07/20/2011
\"Leadership without vision is treachery to the governed. Integral leadership also means setting the path toward the future.” Thus intoned youthful Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas, the incoming Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a speech he delivered before members and officials of the Rotary Clubs of Pangasinan last week. Coming from any other bishop immediately after the recent “Pajero Bishops” controversy such pointed reminder would have been easily dismissed by the Palace guys as par for the course in the same manner that they casually shrugged off retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano’s advisory on the “state of governance.” But it did not come from just anybody. It was uttered by someone considered one of the closest prelates to the Aquino family..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com4.html

‘Air-conditioned clothes’ help Japan beat heat FEATURE 07/20/2011

‘Air-conditioned clothes’ help Japan beat heat

FEATURE

07/20/2011
TODA — As jackets go it looks far from fashionable, but its Japanese maker cannot meet sky-rocketing demand for “air conditioned” coats with built-in fans.

Kuchofuku Co. Ltd — whose name literally means “air-conditioned clothing” — has seen orders soar amid power shortages in Japan after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

As parts of the nation sweat out an uncomfortable summer shackled by restrictions on electricity use, demand has grown for goods that provide guilt-free respite from the unrelenting summer heat.

Two electric fans in the jacket can be controlled to draw air in at different speeds, giving the garment a puffed-up look. But this has not deterred those happy to be cool rather than “hot” when it comes to fashion..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com5.html

Mariano backpedals, claims he’s misquoted By Mario J. Mallari and Benjamin B. Pulta 07/20/2011

DOJ WRITES JAGO TO SUE FOR SEDITION

Mariano backpedals, claims he’s misquoted

By Mario J. Mallari and Benjamin B. Pulta 07/20/2011

Facebook rebel retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano denied links with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, as insinuated by Malacañang, or to any other politicians in his message calling for a change in government but seems to be now opting out as he claimed he was taken out of context in his video clip that went viral in a social networking site.
Through fellow Marine officer, retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Mariano also welcomed an ongoing investigation against him by the Navy leadership following the cropping up of the video last Friday.
“On reports that I am a puppet of GMA (Arroyo’s initials), Bert Gonzales, politicians, etc., that’s totally untrue and figment of imagination. God bless us as a people and as a nation,” Mariano said in a text message sent to Querubin.
“OK for investigators to do what they want especially with my link with GMA or any other politicians. I hope and pray that they ferret out the truth ASAP (as soon as possible). I am alone in this,” Mariano added.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110720hed1.html

Military abuses flourish under Noynoy — HRW 07/20/2011

Military abuses flourish under Noynoy — HRW

07/20/2011
President Aquino has failed to curb extra-judicial killings and other human rights abuses by the military during his first year in office, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

While Aquino’s adminis-tration appears more willing to tackle the problem than previous governments, soldiers are still getting away with the unlawful targeting of mainly leftist activists, the New York-based monitor said.

“There is a continued pattern of extra-judicial killings of leftist activists,” HRW’s deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson said in Manila as she released a 98-page report on alleged rights abuses by the Philippine military.

“Despite several strong statements... what we’ve seen is that in many ways, the pattern remains the same.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110720hed5.html

House leaders give Aquino high marks in office By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2011

House leaders give Aquino high marks in office

By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2011

Administration allies in the House of Representatives yesterday gave President Aquino high marks for his performance during his first year in office.

According to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, the overall performance of the President was very good and that the President has set the tone for regaining the people’s trust in government.

During yesterday’s Ugnayan sa Batasan news forum, Belmonte credited the good business outlook of the country this year to the reforms being instituted by President Aquino.

He said that in a scale of one to 10, he would out the president’s rating at eight..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat3.html

Palparan dares accusers to show proof on coeds abduction 07/20/2011

Palparan dares accusers to show proof on coeds abduction

07/20/2011
Former Rep. and retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan reiterated before prosecutors yesterday his claim of innocence in the abduction five years ago of two female activists.

In a nine-page counter-affidavit, Palparan dared his accusers to show proof that played a part in the abduction and torture of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

Palparan asked the panel of investigators to dismiss charges of arbitrary detention, serious physical injuries, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion and rape filed by mothers of the two missing activists.

“There is nothing in the complaint that substantiates my alleged direct participation and other involvement. I strongly deny all of them to be shotgun and exaggerated accusations without factual bases,” he argued..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat4.html

DILG won’t issue suspension order against Duterte By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/20/2011

DILG won’t issue suspension order against Duterte

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/20/2011

Despite the probable cause found in the “punching incident” involving Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, no suspension yet will be issued against her, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said.

According to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, the DILG fact-finding committee — tasked to conduct probe into the case of Mayor Duterte of punching a court Sheriff during a demolition on July 1 — the mayor has committed an administrative offense.

In an 18-page report, the DILG yesterday morning submitted to President Aquino the recommendation to file charges against Duterte as she was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a public official.”

Two weeks ago, the DILG sent two lawyers to conduct special investigation into the incident. The report noted that Duterte committed an offense when he repeatedly punched Court Sheriff Abe Andres on the face and on the head..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat2.html

Suspended Echiverri refuses to step down from post By Arlie O. Calalo 07/20/2011

Suspended Echiverri refuses to step down from post

By Arlie O. Calalo 07/20/2011

Showing documents to prove that his administration has not been remiss in remitting the employees’ contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri yesterday said he would fight for his rights and those of residents by not stepping down from his post.

Last Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered a six-month preventive suspension for a case of grave misconduct against Echiverri, City Treasurer Evelina Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia and City Accountant Edna Centeno for their alleged failure to pay some P38 million in city hall workers’ GSIS contributions.

“I will not step down for I will fight for my rights as well as those of the Caloocan residents who voted for me because it is clear that I am just the innocent victim of some greedy politicians coveting a position,” Echiverri said at press conference held yesterday at the City Hall Complex..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110720met1.html

Soldier accused of kidnapping two UP students died last year — AFP 07/20/2011

Soldier accused of kidnapping two UP students died last year — AFP

07/20/2011
One of the accused soldiers in the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006 died last year, the military said yesterday.

Military Human Rights Office (HRO) chief Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said M/Sgt. Donald Caigas passed away last year due to sickness.

Tutaan said a certification of Caigas death will be presented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel or J1 during the next hearing at the Department of Justice.

According to Tutaan, it is now up to the court to act on the death of Caigas regarding the case..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110720met4.html