Charade EDITORIAL 11/02/2011

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Political bribery FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 11/02/2011

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Model fired for Gaddafi sympathies

Model fired for Gaddafi sympathies

 Considering the Gaddafi family to be “normal people” can cost you a job, as a German-based model discovered after an interview about her relationship with Muammar Gaddafi's son Mutassim.

­US-born Italian model Vanessa Hessler, 23, dated Mutassim Gaddafi for four years. The interview with Hessler was released after her former lover was captured and killed alongside his father Muammar in October.

“I didn't have any contact with him since the uprising broke out, but our relationship was one of passion. The Gaddafi family is not as they are being depicted. They are normal people,” Hessler was quoted in Italian magazine Diva e Donna..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/model-fired-gaddafi-sympathies-377/

Almendras’ ploy; Deles’ largesse C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 11/02/2011

Almendras’ ploy; Deles’ largesse

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

11/02/2011
Energy Secretary Rene Almendras and OPAPP Secretary Ging Deles may well be “competent and honest” as their backers tell us. They may even mean well as they pursue their latest initiatives. But, as one observer noted, they may end up being remembered as “well meaning idiots.” Or, worse, as self-promoting, self-serving bureaucrats out to feather their own retirement eggs and how!

In Almendras’ case, he and his deputy, Jay Layug, have been acting more like spokesmen of the oil companies rather than honest-to-goodness public officials tasked to balance the interests of the millions of consumers with those of the oil and power companies whose operations they are supposed to supervise and direct for the greater good. Unfortunately, their conduct betrays where their hearts really lie. In the words of one critic, this time focusing on Layug who used to lawyer for the US multinational Chevron, they have been using their expertise and glibness in the service of their previous employers, not the public. That may be harsh a perception but it persists, given the latest issuances the duo have been having as the debate over high oil prices rage..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111102com4.html

Libya: NATO's black hole 

Despite the smugness and arrogance on the smirking face of David "If I have to pay anything back, then I shall" Cameron, the Libya escapade has been yet another geopolitical disaster for NATO, destroying the credibility of the organization once and for all and rendering its leaders liable for prosecution for war crimes.

The five-letter word Libya will be branded across the forehead of NATO and its military and political leaders for the rest of eternity, since due to the increased powers of communication which come with the internet, out goes the notion that the victor writes the pages of the annals of history.

Libya is a disaster not only for NATO but also for the political leaders of the FUKUS three, the three-pronged assault on human decency provided by France, the UK and (who else?) the US.

.... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/01-11-2011/119485-libya_nato-0/

On All Saints Day, activists call for justice for slain colleagues

On All Saints Day, activists call for justice for slain colleagues

By RITCHE T. SALGADO
Bulatlat.com
DUMAGUETE CITY – Justice for slain colleagues and to all victims of human rights abuses.

This was the call of progressive groups in Dumaguete City as they gathered on the morning of All Saints Day, November 1, at the site where farmer activist Fermin Lorico was slain two years ago by an assassin.

“This is a reminder to the Aquino administration to give justice for the death of Nong Fermin and to all victims of extrajudicial killings),” Fabian Magallanes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-Negros) said.

Lorico, then chairman of local peasant group Kahugpungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmay’ng Mag-Uuma sa Oriental Negros (Kaugmaon), was shot at close range by a man riding on a motorcycle sometime in June 2009..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/02/on-all-saints-day-activists-call-for-justice-for-slain-colleagues/

Women strike against poverty, government neglect, corporate greed

Women strike against poverty, government neglect, corporate greed

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Rhak Bihag, 23 said life is getting more difficult for urban poor families. “It’s difficult to find a job; it’s difficult to make do with a measly budget to buy food for our family. And what does the president do? He further pushes poor families to crisis.”

Women strike back. Mothers marched to Mendiola to show rage against corporate greed. (Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil / Bulatlat.com)

Women, including Bihag, stormed Mendiola bridge to show President Benigno S. Aquino III their anger and disgust for his continued support for big corporations such as the oil cartel at the expense of the ordinary Filipino family.

“We are here today to strike back against the continuing oil price hike, continuing demolition of communities of urban poor families,” Bihag told Bulatlat.com

Gabriela marks Oct. 28 as National Women’s Day of Protest. This year aside from the women’s rally in Mendiola, protest actions were also held in Southern Tagalodg, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, Davao and Caraga.

According to Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela, on Oct. 28, 1983 10,000 women marched against the Marcos dictatorship. This began the tradition of militant women’s protest actions every October 28 against various issues that plague women. For this year’s protest, hundreds of women, Including mothers carrying their children, joined the march from Morayta to Mendiola bridge.

Women protesters removed the barricades covering the gates of Mendiola bridge. Caricature of Aquino, the US and oil companies were then posted at the gates, mothers expressed their anger by throwing mud at the caricature.

Junk oil deregulation law

Mothers throw mud at the caricature of Aquino, the US and oil companies posted at the gates of Mendiola bridge.(Photo by Anne Marxze D. Umil / Bulatlat.com)

“Women, especially mothers who try hard to budget the expenses of the family, are suffering because of the high prices of basic commodities, which, in turn, is being pushed up further by f the continuing increases in oil prices. But the Aquino government continues to neglect the welfare of majority of women. He allows big oil companies to rake in profits at the expense of the poor,” Linaban said during the protest.

Linaban lambasted Aquino’s rejection of buying back Petron. “It is very clear from Petron’s huge profits that the company is doing good business but at the expense of the people. If the company is owned by the government, it could help bring down oil prices and the people will benefit.”

Linaban added that the Aquino government only big businesses more than the people. According to Linaban Petron’s profit increased from P 6 billion ($139 million) last June to P 7.6 billion ($176 million) this September. She said,“Their profits increased by almost P 2 billion in the third quarter. These three months were characterized by calamities brought about by the typhoons and floods. Yet, it still had the temerity to profit from the misery of the people whose livelihood further sank into crisis. This is plain opportunism, added to the fact that the oil cartel has not been able to answer the accusations of overpricing.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/29/women-strike-against-poverty-government-neglect-corporate-greed/

MILF stands firm: No surrender of Asnawi By Mario J. Mallari and Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 11/02/2011

PALACE DEMANDS YIELDING OF FUGITIVE

MILF stands firm: No surrender of Asnawi

By Mario J. Mallari and Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 11/02/2011

Malacaang yesterday took the tough stance and demanded that the Moro rebels surrender the fugitive MILF commander to government forces, telling the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to cooperate or stand aside.

Such was the warning issued yesterday by President Aquino through his mouthpiece to the MILF in response to the rebel groups declaration that it is ready to defend one of its commanders, Dan Laksaw Asnawi, whose group is being pinpointed as being responsible for attacking Army Special Forces soldiers in Al-Barka, Basilan, killing 19 of them in the process.

Although deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte did not categorically say what measures the government would take in case the MILF would continue to give refuge to Asnawi and his group
which is apparently one of the key targets of the ongoing military operations against so-called lawless elements, she stressed that providing a safe haven for those being sought by the government in connection with the attack against government troopers in Al-Barka can be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111102hed1.html

P1B in PCG spare parts, equipment, rotting in DoTC By Angie M. Rosales 11/02/2011

P1B in PCG spare parts, equipment, rotting in DoTC

By Angie M. Rosales 11/02/2011

Over P1 billion worth of equipment and navigation spare parts intended for use by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in 2007 alleged to have been illegally procured by the Arroyo administration were found to be now rotting in the stockroom of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC).

At least two members of the upper chamber, Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Teofisto “TG” Guingona, recently moved to investigate what they suspect to be another procurement scam supposedly committed under the previous administration.

It was not explained, however, why the equipment and navigation spare parts were not used all those years, and why the incumbent DoTC officials, as well as the PCG never bothered to disclose these parts that are said to be rotting at the DoTC stockroom..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111102hed5.html

Recruitment sector complains of immigration off-loading policy By Michaela P. del Callar 11/02/2011

Recruitment sector complains of immigration off-loading policy

By Michaela P. del Callar 11/02/2011

The recruitment sector yesterday complained of the discriminatory and unreasonable off-loading policy being implemented by the Bureau of Immigration (BA) against Filipino travelers suspected of seeking illegal jobs abroad, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said the rampant off-loading of legitimate tourists has reached alarming proportions to the point that Vice President Jejomar Binay had asked BI Chief Ricardo David to explain the procedures as thousands of passengers every month were blocked from leaving the country..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111102nat1.html

Fil-Norwegian consortium plans to build hydroelectric power plant 11/02/2011

Fil-Norwegian consortium plans to build hydroelectric power plant

11/02/2011
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A Filipino-Norwegian consortium is planning to build a hydroelectric power plant of this province to supplement the power supply being transmitted by the Magat Dam for the province.

According to SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP), plans are in the making for the construction of the hydroelectric power near Matuno River here, one of the major tributaries of the Magat River.

Emmanuel Rubio, SNAP chief executive officer, said that if the plan pushes through, the hydroelectric dam along the Matuno River would be contributing from 150 to 180 megawatts for the Luzon grid..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111102nat7.html

Police arrest lone slayer of Charice Pempengco’s pa 11/02/2011

Police arrest lone slayer of Charice Pempengco’s pa

11/02/2011
The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday said the suspect in the killing of international singer Charice Pempengco’s father was arrested hours after the incident last Monday night in Laguna.

Reports reaching the PNP national headquarters at Camp Crame said the San Pedro, Laguna police arrested Angel Capili during a follow-up operation.

Initial investigation by the Laguna Police Provincial Office (LPPO) showed personal grudge was the motive behind the killing of Ricky Pempengco of Barangay Laram, San Pedro..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111102met1.html

DepEd says classes will resume on November 3 11/02/2011

DepEd says classes will resume on November 3

11/02/2011
The Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday said public elementary and high school students nationwide will resume classes classes on Nov. 3, Thursday.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro made the clarification amid reports from concerned teachers that certain schools set class resumption a day earlier, on Nov. 2. DepEd said all public schools must comply with its official school calendar..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111102met5.html