No lifting of HK black ban EDITORIAL 08/27/2011

No lifting of HK black ban

EDITORIAL

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08/27/2011
Noynoy refuses to apologize to the Hong Kong hostage victims and relatives of the slain tourists, because he insists that the “Manila massacre” that occurred on Aug. 23, 2010 was the work of one deranged individual, and that the state, not being responsible for the slaughter, has no need to apologize.

At the same time, however, Noynoy, through his spokesman, said he wants Hong Kong’s travel blacklist on the Philippines lifted, as he called this unfair, especially since his administration has already made improvements in securing tourists.

Evidently, to this day, Noynoy and his boys fail to realize just what added damage they have inflicted on the country’s tourism through that botched hostage rescue operation, made even more damaging with his rejection of an apology to the victims and their relatives, as Noynoy refuses to accept responsibility and accountability for the Manila massacre.

But he forgets that days or weeks after the botched rescue operations, with public and Hong Kong pressure mounting, Noynoy did say, and on record, that he was responsible for the botched rescue. He did say something to the effect that “at the end of the day,” he was responsible for it. And that is on record.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110827com1.html

Too good to be true FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/27/2011

Too good to be true

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/27/2011
Something just doesn’t smell right in what the Moro Islamic Liberation Front leaders are saying with regard to the rebel group’s placid rejection of the Noynoy government peace panel proposal, which cancelled out any move to create a substate that the MILF is demanding from Noynoy.

The group even went to the extent of saying that there is hope as long as the peace talks continue, as well as claiming that the MILF’s rejection of the government’s expanded autonomy offer won’t result in the same way the MILF reacted violently to the rejection of the Supreme Court of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD), where the group of Ameril Umbra Kato launched several bloody attacks in areas populated by both Moros and Christians.

A report said that despite the MILF’s rejection of the government proposal in the peace negotiation, the MILF leadership does not see a repeat of the 2008 massive atrocities in Central Mindanao which killed hundreds of civilians triggered by the SC’s declaration of the MoA-AD as unconstitutional.

MILF spokesman Von Al Haq stressed the MILF leadership has not monitored any disgruntled group within the organization except for the group of renegade commander Ameril Umbra Kato, who was declared “bughaat” or rebel by the MILF Central Committee..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110827com2.html

India’s Anna Hazare: ‘Gandhi Lite?’ focus 08/27/2011

India’s Anna Hazare: ‘Gandhi Lite?’

focus

08/27/2011
NEW DELHI — He may dress, talk and fast like his hero Mahatma Gandhi, but critics say anti-graft activist Anna Hazare has only managed to co-opt the style, not the substance, of India’s independence icon.

The figure of Gandhi looms large — and literally — over Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign, with a giant photograph of the apostle of non-violence providing the backdrop to the 74-year-old’s public hunger strike.

Hazare’s speeches are peppered with Gandhian references to a “second freedom struggle” and his own diminutive, bespectacled appearance, and preference for simple white clothing, all serve to reinforce the link in the public mind.

If the effort to embrace Gandhi’s legacy is sincere, it is also conscious and calculated, and observers say it has paid dividends by tapping into a national yearning for an inspirational leader..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110827com3.html

17-year old girl accuses priest of rape

-17-year old girl accuses priest of rape

“I was so afraid and confused. He is a priest; I attended mass and received communion from him. After that first time I saw that he was not at all what he showed the world to be,” she said.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

She believed him to a be a man of God, but he turned out to be the one who would abuse and torment her.
Seventeen-year old “Leah” is currently under the protection and custody of women’s group Gabriela as she and her family begin their fight for justice against what has been done to her by a priest in Tubay, Butuan City.

The 17-year old girl is accusing 47-year old priest Fr. Raul Cabonce of repeatedly sexually abusing and raping her while she was under his care in his parochial residence in Butuan. Leah was one of Cabonce’s two wards. She began staying in the priest’s official residence after he made an offer to Leah and her family that he would help send her to school. A mutual acquaintance and Leah’s neighbor facilitated Leah’s transfer to the priest’s parish.

In a detailed affidavit, Lead described in full and incriminating detail how the priest began to show interest in her and how the interest escalated to sexual abuse and rape. According to Leah. Cabonce first abused her on September 2010.

Seventeen-year old “Leah” wants her abuser and rapistpunished so “He won’t do what he did to me to other children, other women.” (Photo by Ina Alleco Silverio / Bulatlat.com)

“I was cooking dinner when he walked up close to me and began touching me. I was shocked and very alarmed when he began touching my breasts and waist,” she said.
It was not the first time that Leah saw the priest conducting himself in such a way.

“I had previously seen him touching Rachel (not her real name); and when seated he would pull Rachel to his lap and touch her just about everywhere. I felt very uncomfortable and ill whenever I saw him do that to her, but I was afraid to say anything.”

When she brought it up with Rachel, the 20-year old told her that “it didn’t matter.” She told Leah that she and her family were very indebted to the priest for all the help he had given them since Rachel was a fifth grade student.

Leah said she first believed that what Cabonce did to her did not really mean anything and so she resolved to put it out of her mind. Her hopes that it would not be repeated were immediately put to an end by February 27, 2011 when Cabonce made further advances.

On that date, Cabonce made Leah give him a massage and ,in the process, forced her to have oral sex. The minor was almost paralyzed with fear especially after the priest allegedly threatened to kill her and her family if she said anything to anyone about what happened. The priest reportedly owns three guns — two of them short arms, and Leah has seen all of them.

“I was so afraid and confused. He is a priest; I attended mass and received communion from him. After that first time I saw that he was not at all what he showed the world to be,” she said.

Leah also found out that the priest has a girlfriend, supposedly an older girl who attended college also in Butuan. She often saw the girl in the convent and she stayed with the priest in the parish house.

“There was also a time when I was able to read the sent box of her cellphone and I saw also Fr. Cabonce’s messages to her. It was obvious from the messages that they have a relationship,”she said.

Leah and Rachel by then had practically ceased to have contact with the outside world. Whenever Cabonce was in the parish, he ordered them to stay indoors and not communicate with anyone, not even through their cellphones..... MORE


Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/26/seventeen-year-old-girl-accuses-priest-of-rape/

Protest against 2012 budget dispersed, ralliers to file charges, intensify protests

Protest against 2012 budget dispersed, ralliers to file charges, intensify protests

“This PPP scheme for education and health will cost the taxpayers more because the government must guarantee the private sector partners’ return on investment.” – ACT Teachers Party Rep. Antonio Tinio

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Groups under Kilos na Laban sa Budget Cuts condemned the brutal dispersal of their rally on Thursday, Aug. 25 in front of the House of Representatives. The anti-budget cut groups said they will file charges with the Commission on Human Rights against the Quezon City Police District and the security office of the House of Representatives for the brutal dispersal of the rally on Aug. 26, Friday.

Kilos na Laban sa Budget Cuts is an alliance composed of various groups such as youth, students, teachers, health workers, migrants, and urban poor. According to Aki Merced, spokesman of League of Filipino students, 20 ralliers were seriously injured.

“We were in the middle of our program in front of the House of Representatives when the police from QC station 10 and security units of the HOR assaulted us. Of course the people got angry— they were hitting us with metal rods and blasting us with water from a fire truck,” Merced said.

The protesters were brutally dispersed by the police and security forces of the House Representatives. Kilos na Laban sa Budget cuts are set to file charges with the Commission on Human Rights against the Quezon City Police District and the Security Office of the HOR.
(Photo by UP Kilos Na / Bulatlat.com)

The groups said they were peacefully holding a program when, without warning, the police stationed at the Congress main gate started hitting the protesters with their shields and truncheons. After that the police trained their water canon on some 300 protesters.

“In fact, majority of the protesters were caught unaware as they were still sitting on the road, some on the sidewalks, and listening to the program, when the dispersal began,” the alliance said in a statement.

The Kilos na Laban sa Budget Cuts had described Aug. 25 as the national day of action against budget cuts on education and social services. The groups are calling on the lawmakers to reject the proposed 2012 national budget because it contains both cuts and insufficient allocations for basic social services.

“After last year’s P1 billion ($23 million) budget cut for 97 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), 50 SUCs will face a P500 million ($11 million) slash for 2012. Funding for basic education, health, housing, and OFW services are all severely insufficient,” the alliance said. ??On the other hand, the proposed budget contains huge funds for the presidential pork barrel, or the intelligence funds of the Office of the President, from P65 billion ($1.547 billion) to P161 billion (3.833 billion).

Aug. 25 was also the scheduled budget hearing of the Office of the President and the Department of Education (DepEd). Progressive legislators of the Makabayan coalition also joined the protest calling for higher budget allocation for social services like education and health.

“Aquino the budget-slasher” 

Kilos na Laban sa Budget Cut described the 2012 national budget as anti-people and branded President Benigno Aquino III as the ‘budget-slasher’.

“Aquino is blatantly abandoning the people. Budget allocations for education, health and other social services suffered hefty cuts and remained lacking while debt servicing, military, dole-out programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), the President’s unprogrammed funds and legislators’ pork barrel budgets are being increased. This plus last year’s budget allocation is a very clear indicator of Aquino’s priorities,” said Merced..... MORE
Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/26/protest-against-2012-budget-dispersed-ralliers-to-file-charges-intensify-protests/

When bringing education to underserved Blaans is being deemed as an act of rebellion

When bringing education to underserved Blaans is being deemed as an act of rebellion
“Why is it becoming harder to be of service to your fellow Blaan? What does the government want us to do?” – Blaan Teacher

SECOND PART: Encampment in communities, instilling fear, part of ‘peace and development’ operations?
Sidebar: Neglected, Blaans unite, empower themselves
Sidebar: News in Pictures: Suffer the little children to go to this school
Sidebar: Slideshow: In Upper Suyan Village, children suffer the worst from poverty, militarization

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

DLUMAY, Sarangani – (First of two parts) Joy Lasib, 21, does not consider herself an activist. But when she suffered harassment from the military, she said she learned to be strong and to fight for her rights.

A Blaan, Lasib grew up in Davao del Sur, south of the Philippines. Her parents are peasants whose meager income is barely enough to put food on their table thrice a day. She managed to finish high school but they could not afford four years of college.

“I had wanted to take up education in college. But poverty hindered that dream. A mining company offered me a scholarship but our family declined because we do not want to be used. We know what they are doing to our lands,” Lasib told Bulatlat.com. SMI Mining Company has been digging into Lasib’s community in search of gold and other valuable minerals in Matanao, Davao del Sur. “Land is important to us. It is our life and it sustains our needs.”

Since she graduated from high school in 2002, Lasib had helped her parents in household chores. She said she was not able to muster the courage to apply for work because of her educational background. “I am also not confident about my multi-tasking skills,” she explained. Little did she know that a few years later, she would have to pluck up the courage not just to overcome her fear of multi-tasking but fear itself.

Educating the Blaan children 

In 2008, Her uncle, Yol Lasib, asked if she was interested in teaching Blaan children in a remote area in Sarangani, a neighboring province. She was more than interested. But she hesitated, thinking she was not competent to become a teacher. But she was promised some trainings.

A Blaan child during their psychosocial activity(Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

“I thought it would be better to be of help to my fellow Blaans than to stay home doing nothing. So, I agreed,” she said.

The Center for Lumad Advocacy and Services (Clans) and the Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (Sibol) arrived in the community of Sitio Dlumay in 2007. Sibol was then looking for a community with rich water resources for their micro-hydropower electric plant project. Looking closer at the needs of the community, one of the head teachers, Maricel Salem, asked the support of the NGOs in setting up of a literacy school for the children.
In a survey conducted in 2007, the literacy rate in six sub-villages of Upper Suyan was a mere three percent. At that time, most children would have to walk two to three hours a day to go to a formal school in the village proper of Upper Suyan. Malnutrition, parasitism and poor health among the residents were also common. Clans said farming methods remain backward and undeveloped..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/25/when-bringing-education-to-underserved-blaans-is-being-deemed-as-an-act-of-rebellion/

ACT Representative slams surveillance operations on progressive lawmakers, teachers

ACT Representative slams surveillance operations on progressive lawmakers, teachers

“Why does the PNP keep on tracking the activities of duly-elected lawmakers, as well as teachers, of this country? Why don’t you monitor the operations of criminals, killers, drug syndicates, kidnappers and the like?” – ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Progressive legislator slammed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the use of its intelligence funds to monitor the activities of elected solons and legitimate teacher organizations instead of lawless elements.
During the budget hearing of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Aug. 23, Tuesday, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio questioned officials of the PNP as to how the P505.4 million ($12 million) intelligence funds are being utilized. PNP Chief Raul Bacalzo said intelligence funds are intended for lawless elements and enemies of the state.

Tinio refuted Bacalzo’s statement by citing a firsthand account in which he and other elected representatives and legitimate teacher organizations like the Quezon City Public School Teachers Association (QCPSTA) are being subjected to PNP intelligence operations.

“Why does the PNP keep on tracking the activities of duly-elected lawmakers, as well as teachers, of this country? Why don’t you monitor the operations of criminals, killers, drug syndicates, kidnappers and the like?” Tinio asked.

On Aug. 6, Tinio said, he and other six party-list representatives of the Makabayan coalition was placed under surveillance by the PNP. In the account of ACT, a police officer who identified himself as PO3 Ruben Dipasupil of the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) of Station 2 of the Masambong Police Station came to the venue where Makabayan was having a meeting and told them he was making a “spot report” about the on going meeting..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/25/act-representative-slams-surveillance-operations-on-progressive-lawmakers-teachers/

US cable: China used ZTE to buy Arroyo influence By Michaela P. del Callar 08/27/2011

ENVOY SAYS FLOURISHING RP-SINO TIES NOT A THREAT

US cable: China used ZTE to buy Arroyo influence

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/27/2011

The United States did not see as a threat the flourishing ties between the Philippines and China during the past administration of former President Gloria Arroyo but said the anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) deal awarded to Chinese supplier ZTE was “typical of the deals that China reportedly uses worldwide to make friends and buy influence,” a 2008 U.S. Embassy cable released yesterday by online whistleblower Wikileaks stated.

Then U.S. Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney, in her April 28, 2008 cable labeled as “sensitive,” believes the U.S. remains a reliable ally of the Philippines despite Manila’s increasing engagement with Beijing as corruption and graft-tainted projects entered into by the two countries had cast a dark cloud over its intensifying relations.

“Strengthened Philippine-People’s Republic of China ties do not imply a weakening of our strong bonds with the Philippines,” the cable said. “Recent scandals have reawakened long-held views among Filipinos that link ethnic Chinese to corrupt practices.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110827hed1.html

P150-M deposit part of smear job — Mancao By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/27/2011

P150-M deposit part of smear job — Mancao

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/27/2011
Controversial former police Senior Supt. Cezar Mancao, who has pinned down his former boss at the now defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito, yesterday claimed that an unseen hand was behind the mysterious deposit of a P150-million check deposit in his bank account.

The former police official who has since earned his real estate broker’s license noted that the check could be part of an “orchestrated plan” to smear his credibility after he pointed to Lacson in the 2000 double murder case.

“This is deliberate move to destroy me. But I’m very confident that my name will be cleared,” he told reporters at the Department of Justice.

Mancao said the allegation of the senator that a P150-million check was deposited into his bank account was already investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last February..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110827hed5.html

Solon calls on Aquino gov’t to compel oil firms to open their books By Charlie V. Manalo 08/27/2011

Solon calls on Aquino gov’t to compel oil firms to open their books

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/27/2011

Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo yesterday called on the Aquino government to compel the oil companies to open up their books of accounts for auditing to determine whether there is indeed overpricing in the pump price of petroleum products.

In a statement, Arroyo, who chaired the House committee on energy during the 14th Congress, said with the local price of oil products not reflective of the price of crude in the world market, there exists a strong basis for some sectors to accuse the oil companies of overpricing. Thus, the need to compel them to open up their books.

“The government should now again try to force the oil companies to open their books of account to determine whether they are overpricing their oil products as independent studies have revealed that petroleum products in the country are overpriced by at least P7 to P8,” Arroyo, eldest son of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, said.

The younger Arroyo recalled that when he was still the chairman of the House energy committee, he and his colleagues tried to force the oil companies to open up their books..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110827nat3.html

Angara tells PSC chief to take stand to fund best athletes in RPn By Angie M. Rosales 08/27/2011

Angara tells PSC chief to take stand to fund best athletes in RPn

By Angie M. Rosales 08/27/2011

In the wake of the controversy over reported politicking among the country’s sports officials, attributed as the root cause of the sad plight of some local athletes, Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday told Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Ricardo Garcia to take a stand in funding the best athletes of the country who are fielded to the national team.

Angara cited the case of the Philippine Dragonboat Team, which was not financially supported by the PSC because it was not accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as a national team.

The senator’s challenge was made in hope of providing solution on the issue of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) team which won five gold medals and 2 silver medals in Tampa Bay, Florida and despite the honor they brought to the country they did not receive any accolades or incentives from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PSC as the team was not an accredited national team.

This stance of POC and PSC earned the outrage of various sectors, including legislators that prompted them to call for an in depth inquiry..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110827nat1.html

House okays penalty for improper disposal of dangerous materials By Charlie V. Manalo 08/27/2011

House okays penalty for improper disposal of dangerous materials

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/27/2011
The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading early this week a bill seeking to penalize improper disposal of hazardous and radioactive wastes.

All 234 congressmen who attended the Monday session voted to pass the measure that provides a comprehensive management of disposal of dangerous materials, prompting Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the House committee on ecology, to comment the unanimous vote underscores the concern of lawmakers over the extreme dangers to life and property that could be caused by irresponsible disposal of radioactive and hazardous wastes.

House Bill 4812, otherwise known as the “Philippine Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes Management Act of 2011,” consolidated several legislative proposals authored by Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II; Reps. Irvin Alcala; Bernadette Herrera-Dy; Rodel Batocabe; Roger Mercado and Fernandez.

“HB 4812 is an urgently needed measure that will strengthen the authority of various government agencies, especially the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Health and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to take action against persons and firms caught endangering public health and the environment through hazardous wastes,” Fernandez said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110827met2.html

Navotas intensified drive vs dengue makes it second with lowest nunber of cases By Arlie O. Calalo 08/27/2011

Navotas intensified drive vs dengue makes it second with lowest nunber of cases

By Arlie O. Calalo 08/27/2011

The intensified campaign and the active participation of residents have placed Navotas City second among the 17 local government units in Metro Manila with the lowest number of confirmed dengue cases, Mayor John Rey Tiangco said yesterday.

The mayor made the announcement after he obtained the records from the recent observation of the 32nd Morbidity Week headed by the Center for Health Development-National Capital Region which assessed the effects of the deadly disease all over the metropolis.

“This would further encourage us to be more doubly active in implementing measures to ensure that every case is monitored so as to prevent further harm and, worse, death to the residents,” Tiangco said.

Record shows from 840 confirmed dengue cases in the city last year, the total number of cases that was recorded from January to August this year has dropped to 247..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110827met4.html