• 6 AUGUST - *1907 - Gen. Macario Sakay, one of the Filipino military leaders who had continued fighting the imperialist United States invaders eight years into the Ph...
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Too many danger signals FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/30/2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Too many danger signals

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/30/2012
Noynoy is committing one major mistake after another and placing the country and the nation in very serious danger, both on the issue of the possible dismemberment of the Republic and the stand off with the Chinese government on Scarborough Shoal.

Word is out from the hawkish Chinese army major that a more “decisive” action against the Philippines in the matter of the standoff should be made, while saying that “war is not being precluded” in the decisive action.

In the case of the agreed “points of principles” with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it is getting much too clear that Noynoy and his peace panel, no doubt pressured by the US government, are ready to give in to the MILF to the point of the dismemberment of the Republic, which is a treasonous act.

In both instances, Noy’s mistakes spell eventual war with China and the internal war with the armed Muslim group, both of which he will no doubt lose..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120430com2.html

On Labor Day, workers vow to rally vs Aquino’s failure to address pressing issues

On Labor Day, workers vow to rally vs Aquino’s failure to address pressing issues

This Labor Day, the workers and the poor will take President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to task for failing to respond to their calls, making the hunger and poverty situation in the country even worse, and exceeding even the previous government’s puppetry to the US.

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Since President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III became president, he has engendered criticisms that boil down to “Anybody home?” and “Noynoying.” The first captures the impression that he is frequently out of the loop, and the latter, a play on his name, has come to connote ‘doing nothing.’

The latter has gone viral in the Philippines and abroad as various groups’ criticisms of Aquino’s inaction on peoples’ issues seemed to have hit a nerve.

As example, the labor center KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno) cited the president’s refusal to hike wages by a significant amount, Aquino’s refusal also to save workers from contractual employment schemes as shown in the case of the Philippine Airlines, his government’s failure to stop the violent demolitions of urban poor communities, the persistent oil price hikes, and the continued mockery of land reform.

These, the labor center said, prod “the workers and the poor this Labor Day to take President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to task for failing to respond to their calls, making the hunger and poverty situation in the country even worse, and exceeding even the previous government’s puppetry to the US.”

Leaders of labor groups and other sectors criticize Aquino’s inaction on pressing national issues.(Photo courtesy of Kilusang Mayo Uno / bulatlat.com)
Leaders of progressive labor and transport groups, including the leaders of urban poor organizations and public sector employees, announced in a press conference Friday that they are aiming for a 30,000-strong mobilization in Metro Manila and more than a hundred thousand-strong mobilization across the country.

In another development, the.... MORE
SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/28/on-labor-day-workers-to-rally-vs-aquino%E2%80%99s-failure-to-address-pressing-issues/

Gaddafi put up 50M euro for Sarkozy’s presidential bid – report

Gaddafi put up 50M euro for Sarkozy’s presidential bid – report


Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had agreed to fund French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 election campaign – to the tune of 50 million euro, a new report says.

The Paris-based investigative website Mediapart published “documentary evidence” that Gaddafi was ready to stump up tens of millions of dollars to help Sarkozy win the French presidential race.

Mediapart claimed Saturday that the 2006 document was provided by "former senior [Libyan] officials, who are now in hiding."  They further claim the document came “from the archives of the secret service,” and was signed by Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief and later foreign minister, Moussa Koussa..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/sarkozy-gaddafi-campaign-contribution-238/

Streetviewed: Google cars snooping on WiFi users not an accident

Streetviewed: Google cars snooping on WiFi users not an accident


Google bosses were informed their Street View cars would collect e-mails, names, addresses and other personal data from Wi-Fi users around the world, a government report shows. But the company insists the message didn’t get through.

­Neither a mistake nor the work of an unauthorized engineer was behind Google's massive harvesting of Wi-Fi communications that included e-mails, passwords and other sensitive personal information across three continents in 2007-2010, indicates the recent report filed by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The supervisors of the Street View program were well aware Google cars would go beyond photographing streetscapes. Or at least they should have been..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/google-streetview-private-data-290/

Avatar-A: Russian scientists prepare for human brain transplant (w/ Video)



Avatar-A: Russian scientists prepare for human brain transplant


Following in the steps of director James Cameron, a young Russian media mogul has launched his own Avatar project. And Russian scientists in one of the Moscow’s suburbs are on the brink of creating one.

­Dmitry Itskov does not want to explore a new planet, though: he just plans to make a human brain immortal by transplanting it into a robot's body.

According to the company’s website, the project consists of four stages.

Stage One – called Avatar A – aimed at creating a robotic copy of the human body controlled though a brain-computer interface. The stage is to be completed by 2020..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/prime-time/avatar-russian-scientists-brain-983/

Silverio martyr laid to rest, residents vow to fight for justice

Silverio martyr laid to rest, residents vow to fight for justice


By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Just as the remains of Arnel Leonor was laid down in his grave, the residents and supporters of the struggle in Silverio compound chanted, “Justice for Arnel.”

“As Leonor is laid to rest today, we call for justice for the victims of the brutality of this state. We promise no let up in this fight. The Filipino masses shall soon be able to end this oppressive government and its anti-poor and fascist policies,” Gloria Arellano, secretary general of Kadamay, said.

Leonor was killed during the violent demolition of homes in Silverio compound in Paranaque City. He was merely watching the barricade from afar, near the center island of Sucat road, when a bullet pierced his head. Television news reports show that the police were firing at the residents but official investigation now claims that the person who killed Leonor came from the ranks of the protesters. The Leonor family, however, are not convinced.

As the remains of Leonor was being carried outside Silverio compound, residents showered him with white confetti. They clapped their hands and raised clenched fists as Leonor passed by. Most of them were wearing white shirts printed with, “Justice for Arnel Leonor.”


(Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)
A man was carrying a big placard that read, “Salute to heroes of Silverio.”

Glenda Leonor, mother of the Arnel, clutched in her heart a photo of her son and plaque from youth group Anakbayan, who earlier paid him a tribute..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/30/silverio-martyr-laid-to-rest-residents-vow-to-fight-for-justice/

RP to protest ‘bullying’ incident at Scarborough By Michaela P. del Callar 04/30/2012

NOY DISMISSES DEMAND FOR DECISIVE ACTION IN CHINA AS RHETORIC

RP to protest ‘bullying’ incident at Scarborough

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/30/2012

The government said it will protest an aggressive act by a Chinese government ship that it claimed to have endangered two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels involved in a nearly three-week tense standoff at a shoal in the South China Sea where Manila has territorial jurisdiction.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez yesterday said the Philippines “will bring this incident to the attention of Chinese authorities.”

President Aquino also dismissed as pure rhetoric recent warnings by Chinese officials of decisive action against the Philippines to reinforce Beijing’s claim over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120430hea1.html

Ex-Urban Bank execs took P73M in ‘kickbacks’—whistle-blower By Benjamin B. Pulta 04/30/2012

Ex-Urban Bank execs took P73M in ‘kickbacks’—whistle-blower

By Benjamin B. Pulta 04/30/2012

A Cebu-based businessman said “kickbacks” amounting to some P73 million from a purchase of land 18 years ago were pocketed by former officials of the defunct Urban Bank, predecessor of the insolvent Export and Industry Bank that was recently placed under receivership by the government.

Urban Bank and Urbancorp Investments closed in 2001 and eventually merged with Export and Industry Bank (Exportbank) later that year.

Last Thursday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) placed it under receivership following bank officials’ claims that they could no longer shoulder withdrawals and service maturing deposits.

Enrique Montilla, former president of Isabela Sugar Co. Inc. (ISCI), said he took part in an illegal scheme hatched by Urban Bank officials in the sale of a 8,628-square meter property in Pasay City that was owned by the sugar company..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120430hea6.html

Pinays celebrate 75th Woman’s Suffrage Day By Ted Boehnert 04/30/2012

Pinays celebrate 75th Woman’s Suffrage Day

By Ted Boehnert 04/30/2012

The Filipina woman has achieved great strides since winning the right to vote way back in 1937, lawyer Romulo Macalintal told the Tribune yesterday in line with today’s 75th anniversary of “that momentous day on April 30, 1937 when Filipino women voted for the first time in a plebiscite that paved the way for their eventual entry into the political arena.”

Macalintal said it was in commemoration of the plebiscite that April 30 of every year has been declared “Woman Suffrage Day” through Proclamation 2346 issued in March 29, 1984.

Macalintal narrated that the women had overwhelmingly voted in favor of getting the right to vote and “their formal entry into elective public office (was when) Elisa Ochoa (was) elected (the first) woman leader in Philippine Congress.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120430nat2.html

Agusan mining firm cleared of environment charges 04/30/2012

Agusan mining firm cleared of environment charges

04/30/2012
State mining experts and local officials have cleared the mining firm San Roque Metals Inc. (SRMI) of committing alleged serious environmental degradation as claimed by politicians led by a father-daughter tandem in Agusan del Norte.

“We found no major violations in our three-day monitoring of the mining firm,” Reynaldo Gonzales, head of the Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, told reporters after inspecting the SRMI mining site in Barangay La Fraternidad, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

The MMT — which is also made up of local officials, the St. Anne Parish Church in Tubay, La Fraternidad Barangay Captain Aliore Paje and Indigenous People’s representative Datu Ebanta Morada Jr, among others — made the inspection amid claims by Tubay Mayor Sadeeka Garcia-Tomaneng and Vice Mayor Fidel Garcia (Tomaneng’s father) of serious environmental violations..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120430nat5.html

Italian gov’t rule omitting middle names of Filipinos in documents sparks protest 04/30/2012

Italian gov’t rule omitting middle names of Filipinos in documents sparks protest

04/30/2012
Filipinos in Italy are protesting a rule by the Italian government that restricts the use of middle names in documents for Philippine citizens.

The Filipino workers blamed the Philippine Embassy in Italy for the blunder, saying it was the one that requested the Italian government to omit the middle names of registered Filipinos in their records so as not to confuse them with their proper names.

Junn Felix Mendoza Landicho, president of Alliance of Filipinos in Italy, called the rule “oppressive,” saying it has brought them a lot of inconvenience as they had to go through the intricate process of amending their papers, documents, permits, employment contracts, as well as the expected benefits and other claims..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120430met4.html

More world-class teachers needed for K+12 – Angara 04/30/2012

More world-class teachers needed for K+12 – Angara

04/30/2012
Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday underscored the need for more world-class educators to successfully implement the proposed K+12 reforms and enhance the country’s educational system, citing worrisome downtrends in the number of graduates of education-related courses.

Figures released by the National Statistical Coordinating Board show that the number of graduates of Education Science and Teacher Training has declined over the past decade — from 71,349 in AY 2000-2001 to 56,209 in AY 2009-2010.

“We cannot afford to forget our teachers, amid all the changes that are about to take place. T.... MORE
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120430met1.html

Five years of searching for Jonas Burgos

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Five years of searching for Jonas Burgos


Five years ago today, Jonas Joseph Burgos was abducted by suspected state security agents at a busy mall in Quezon City. From that day until this very moment, his family and friends continue searching for him despite all the difficulties.

After five years, Jonas Burgos still missing

Mrs. Burgos calls for justice on 5th year anniversary of Jonas’ abduction(Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)
MANILA – In hopes of finding Jonas Burgos, Mrs. Edita Burgos and her family have turned to the judicial system but found it wanting.

“We went through the legal process and here we are now,” Mrs. Burgos said in an interview a few days before the fifth year of the disappearance of her son. She encountered a labyrinth and she is still nowhere near finding even a trace of her missing son.
Just last week, the Court of Appeals ruled that the military documents related to the case are secret. In a five-page decision by Associate Justice Rosalinda Asuncion-Vicente, the CA’s special former seventh division said the documents, including the summary of information about the two suspects, are considered as confidential. In effect, the court has ruled that the military part of Mrs Burgos’ labyrinthine search for Jonas is untouchable. (Click here to read the whole article)

Jonas Burgos, gentle and brave

The three boys in the family share a light moment. On the right is Jonas. JL stands beside him and Sonny below.(Photo courtesy of the Burgos family / bulatlat.com)
MANILA – Jonas or Jay to his family was born on an Easter Sunday, on March 29, 1970. “I was attending Mass when my labor began. In less than an hour, before the Mass ended, I gave birth to him,” Mrs. Edita Burgos recalled. Jonas is the middle child of the five children of Mrs. Burgos and press freedom icon, Jose Burgos Jr.

As a child, Jay was full of energy. “I would tell his teachers to keep him busy or else they’d get into trouble,” Mrs. Burgos said. Jay went to Victoria School Foundation during his grade school.

Jay was called “supervisor” for his habit of roaming around the school. On the first day of classes, he already knew the names of all the teachers. Sometimes, he would tickle the knees of his classmates, moving from one desk to another.
Asked why he was doing those things, Jay would tell his mother: “Our teacher was saying the same things over and over again.” Smiling, Mrs. Burgos said: “And so, by next school year, he was given the task of erasing what was written on the blackboard. Sometimes, he would erase the text even before his classmates were done copying.” (Click here to read the whole article)
5 years of search, 5 years of hope.... MORE
SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/28/five-years-of-searching-for-jonas-burgos/

Noynoying strikes again EDITORIAL 04/29/2012

Noynoying strikes again

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
04/29/2012
At the conclusion of the 33rd National Conference of Employers last Wednesday, Noynoy was anticipated to make policy pronouncements in his remarks that will close the annual assembly of the country’s business executives.

The finale of the event was set at 11 a.m. on the 25th and the big shots in business were all at the edge of their seats waiting for what pronouncements Noynoy may have to rev up the local economy which seems to have hit a lamp post in managing only a 3.7 percent growth last year against the 7.9 percent growth in 2010.

The result was almost predictable, no Noynoy, no policy speech and everyone who participated in the conference going home in disgust and disappointment over the Aquino no-show.

In Noynoy’s place was Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz who failed to give comfort to the disenchanted business people since they had been talking with the ever present official during the entire length of the event that ran for four days since April 22..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120429com1.html

Under-age call girl scandal shakes Singapore elite FOCUS 04/29/2012

Under-age call girl scandal shakes Singapore elite

FOCUS

04/29/2012
SINGAPORE — An unfolding scandal over an under-age call girl has shaken Singapore’s political and economic elite after businessmen, civil servants and uniformed officers were charged in the case.

Prostitution is legal in Singapore, but 48 men ranging in age from their early 20s to late 40s have so far been charged under a 2008 law making it a crime to pay for sex with a girl under 18.

Singapore has long been perceived as a conservative, even prudish, city-state but it has a thriving sex industry dating back to its beginnings as a key trading port of the then British empire..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120429com3.html

Keep guessing: US deploying fighter jets to the Gulf?

Keep guessing: US deploying fighter jets to the Gulf?

The US says it has deployed a number of its most modern jet fighters to an air base in Southwest Asia. The announcement alarmed many, who suspect the base is actually in the United Arab Emirates just 200 hundred miles from Iran.

­The Air Force did not specify the exact number or location of the recently-deployed F-22 Raptors, but confirmed that they had been sent to a base in Southwest Asia, a region that includes the UAE.

“Such deployments strengthen military-to-military relationships, promote sovereign and regional security, improve combined tactical air operations and enhance interoperability of forces, equipment and procedures,” said Air Force spokesman Capt. Phil Ventura..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/us-deploying-jet-fighters-gulf-242/

Divorce, Saudi style: Man splits with ‘disobedient’ wife during live broadcast

Divorce, Saudi style: Man splits with ‘disobedient’ wife during live broadcast


Ever travelled to a nearby city on your own? In Saudi Arabia, this could be grounds for divorce. A Saudi man broke up with his wife because she “disobeyed” him by going on a business trip without his consent.

­The man phoned a radio program dealing with marital problems to complain about his wife to host Sheikh Ghazi al-Shammari, a prominent Islamic scholar.  The unnamed man said his wife “offended his manhood” by traveling from the Saudi port city of Jeddah to the capital Riyadh for a business conference, alone and without his approval.

Al-Shammari concluded that the man had to divorce his wife..... MORE
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/news/saudi-divorce-radio-disobedient-248/

Testing P-Noy’s mettle TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 04/29/2012

Testing P-Noy’s mettle

TABLETS OF STONE
Larry Faraon, OP
04/29/2012
Authority is supposed to create fear, or in Christian ethical parlance, “reverential fear.” It is a kind of fear that would make us tremble at the sight of the authority’s iron hand and heart of steel, but would bow our heads in due respect and obedience.

But of course, indeed, there is already an atmosphere of fear in the form of doubt and insecurity creeping into the sensibilities and perceptions of our people. This worrisome insecurity is even leading to doubts as to the present administration’s capability to put this country under its nose and grip.

Nobody can’t help chill in the fact that “even when the cat is around, the mouse will play.”
Primetime news and broadsheets are now competing with tabloids in reporting of all sorts of heinous crimes viewable from CCTVs mostly daring heists and senseless murders in malls, homes and the streets, just like in the movies. And the perpetrators are getting younger by the day! We are still top in the list of countries unfriendly and hazardous to the journalistic profession, the latest of which was an attempt to strafe the house of columnist Professor Randy David. Despite the automatic denials of the police authorities as they lace their reports with facts of dwindling crime rates in select areas, the public perception says the contrary. President Joseph Estrada was head of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) when he was vice president to Fidel Ramos and continued to fight off criminality when it was his turn at the helm..... MORE
SourceRT.com

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120429com7.html

Philippines tops list of world’s most disaster-hit countries in 2011

Philippines tops list of world’s most disaster-hit countries in 2011


By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Topping this list is not an achievement for any country.

The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) has recently released its 2011 Disaster Report saying that the Philippines topped the list of countries most frequently hit by natural disasters last year. Citing the records of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Carlos Padolina, CDRC deputy executive director, said that of the 302 natural disasters that happened worldwide, 33 occurred in the Philippines.

CDRC is a non-government organization that pioneered and continues to promote community-based disaster management in the Philippines. It operates nationwide through a network of regional centers and people’s organizations. It maintains its own disasters database, monitoring both natural and human-induced disasters.

Based on the report, a total of 431 natural and human-induced disasters were reported in the Philippines in the past year. These killed 1,774 people, and affected more than three million families or 15.3 million people, and caused over P26 billion in economic damages.

“This is a more than 50 percent increase from the 2010 figure of 202 disaster events recorded,” said Padolina.




















Increasing number of people affected by disasters
 
The CDRC’s 2011 Philippine Disaster Report presents information on disasters that occurred in the Philippines in the past year, providing an overview of the type of disasters that occurred, the frequency of occurrence, as well as the effects of these disasters on communities. Where available, direct economic costs to agriculture and infrastructure were also included. A substantial portion of the data.... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/27/philippines-tops-list-of-world%E2%80%99s-most-disaster-hit-countries-in-2011/

China brass calls for ‘decisive action’ over RP standoff 04/29/2012

China brass calls for ‘decisive action’ over RP standoff

04/29/2012
A major general in the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has called for “decisive action” from the Chinese government to assert its territorial claim against the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

Prominent Chinese military commentator Major Gen. Luo Yuan accused the Philippines of initiating the current standoff in the South China Sea.

“Therefore it is important that China demonstrates its determination to safeguard its national sovereignty and security,” Luo said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120429hea2.html

CBCP urges Aquino to distribute Hacienda Luisita now 04/29/2012

CBCP urges Aquino to distribute Hacienda Luisita now

04/29/2012
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice, and Peace (CBCP-Nassa) called on President Aquino and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to swiftly facilitate the implementation of the SC ruling upholding the distribution of the vast Hacienda Luisita estate of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan to farm workers.

CBCP-Nassa lauded the Supreme Court (SC) for the favorable ruling on the Hacienda Luisita land dispute.

“The long wait is over. The decision for land distribution of Hacienda Luisita has finally been rendered. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace thanks the Supreme Court for its resolution to distribute the lands to the farmers of Hacienda Luisita following the land valuation of 1989,” said CBCP-Nassa chief and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo in a statement..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120429hea3.html

NPA frees 5 human shields By Gina Peralta-Elorde 04/29/2012

NPA frees 5 human shields

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 04/29/2012
The Philippine Army (PA) yesterday confirmed that the five civilians, including a barangay kagawad who were held hostage by the New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas in Davao del Sur have been released on Friday.

This was disclosed by the PA’s 10th Infantry Division spokesman, Major Jacob Obligado.

Obligado said the five civilians, Barangay San Miguel Councilor Enteng Bunal, Jolly Paimalan, Elmer Pentes, Rhyan Banua and Pablo Butaya have been released by their captors..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120429nat1.html

Criminalize hiring of teachers through contracts, job orders — ACT 04/29/2012

Criminalize hiring of teachers through contracts, job orders — ACT

04/29/2012
A lawmaker has moved to criminalize the hiring of public school teachers through service contracts or job orders.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio filed House Bill 6006, which seeks to dismiss from service with cancellation of eligibility and perpetual disqualification from government service any government official found guilty of the offense. His or her retirement benefits shall also be forfeited.

Tinio said the measure covers teachers employed in public schools in the kindergarten, elementary and secondary levels, as well as in public post-secondary education institutions, including state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and technical-vocational schools..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120429nat2.html

Policeman, four others slain in clash between lawmen and holdup men in QC 04/29/2012

Policeman, four others slain in clash between lawmen and holdup men in QC

04/29/2012
Five persons, one of them a policeman, were killed while two others were wounded when armed men held up passengers of a jeepney that led to a brief encounter between responding policemen and the suspects in Quezon City last Friday night.

Killed were PO3 Erwin Hipolito, Rommel Tinio, the jeepney driver, and three of the suspects who were gunned down by policemen.

The wounded were identified as POI Cyril Agitong and another driver identified as Ignacio Rigor..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120429met4.html

Aurora lawmaker files bill seeking Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers 04/29/2012

Aurora lawmaker files bill seeking Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers

04/29/2012
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has filed a Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers that includes, among other lofty provisions, a comprehensive definition of their employment and economic rights and mandates 15 government agencies to actively promote, professionalize and prepare the seafarers for the 21st century maritime industry.

The Angara bill lists 17 items on the rights of seafarers alone, seeks best business practices acts from foreign ship owners recruiting Filipino merchant marine officers and urges all stakeholders to adopt all the international conventions and standards on seafarers’ welfare, especially those on compensation and wages.

The bill also seeks to rein in the fees and the cumbersome procedures that merchant marine officers face when seeking employment or re-deployment, mostly from government agencies and local placement companies..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120429met2.html

Treason FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/28/2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Treason

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/28/2012
The Noynoy government and the Muslim secessionist group’s Points on Principles recently forged by the parties shows the Noynoy’s government agreement to establish a Bangsamoro independent substate to be governed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

That the Muslim substate will eventually become an independent Muslim state, can easily be gleaned by the agreement, even if thinly disguised by both parties as the entity being a part of the Republic.

As stated in the agreement, the principles stated is “preliminary” and does not contain all points so far agreed upon and does not preclude future agreements on other key points.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120428com2.html

Missing out on a golden chance EDITORIAL 04/28/2012

Missing out on a golden chance

EDITORIAL
Click to enlarge
04/28/2012
Noynoy missed out again on a golden opportunity to portray himself as a champion of the farmers and the landless due to his continued strange silence over the Supreme Court’s final decision for the distribution to the farmers of some 4,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita land as well as compensating the hacienda owners based on land values pegged at 1989 prices.

While it cannot be denied that the Aquino-Cojuangco clan lost the case, as the family not only wanted to retain the status quo, i.e., keep the stock distribution option status and, after the loss of the land, be compensated at a P5 to 10 billion cost, Noynoy and his image makers could have turned the situation to his advantage — had he no only accepted with grace the decision to parcel out the hacienda and hail the court’s decision, but also for him to have directed his agrarian agency to speed up the distribution of the farmland to the workers, thus bowing to the majesty of the law.

Instead, Noynoy’s continued silence on the decision of the high court created for himself an image of a sulking hacienda owner who is not only a poor loser but also one who refuses to bow to the law — as interpreted by the highest court in the land..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120428com1.html

Stallman: CISPA 'nearly abolishes' the right not to be unreasonably searched



Stallman: CISPA 'nearly abolishes' the right not to be unreasonably searched


Controversial online security bill CISPA is two steps away from becoming a law. Software freedom activist Richard Stallman says Internet users should beware, as the government is a much bigger threat than any individual hacker.

“What CISPA says as passed by the House of Representatives is any ISP, any website, any company that has some of your data in it can voluntarily hand it over to the government for a wide range of reasons,” and it's up to the government to interpret it however they see fit, the father of the free software philosophy explained.

“So if they see the slightest bit that they think is odd in your email, they can hand it over to the government. And if the government says it has something to do with national security – it is very easy to say that, whether it’s true or not – then the government can study it for any purpose. This nearly abolishes people’s right not to be unreasonably searched.”.... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/stallman-cispa-human-rights-abuse-174/

Satellite images show activity at N. Korea nuclear site

Satellite images show activity at N. Korea nuclear site


Satellite imagery reveals an escalation in activity at North Korea’s Punggye-ri atomic site in possible preparation for a third nuclear test, experts say. However, there is no clear indication from the photos when the test may occur.

­The images from a US-based website highlight a chain of mining carts on piles of excavated soil. This coincides with South Korean intelligence reports at the beginning of April claiming that the North was digging a new tunnel at the Punggye-ri for the purposes of a covert nuclear test.

The US-Korea Institute at John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies analyzed the photos taken between March 8 and April 18 by a private satellite operator. The most recent images suggest that 8,000 cubic meters of rubble have been excavated at Punggye-ri. North Korea carried out two atomic bomb tests at the site in 2006 and 2009..... MORE
SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/news/north-korea-photo-nuclear-test-188/

Police vs Protester: Feds sending armed agents to Chicago three weeks before NATO Summit

Police vs Protester: Feds sending armed agents to Chicago three weeks before NATO Summit


May's NATO summit in Chicago is still weeks away, but residents of the Windy City can expect to see armed federal agents patrolling the streets in preparation much sooner than that.

Three weeks before international heads of state will converge in Chicago, Illinois for the annual NATO conference, the US Federal Protective Service will send armed officers into the city’s downtown district to prepare for the swarm of protesters expected to arrive in time for the event, slated for May 20 and 21.

Both the NATO and G-8 summits were initially scheduled to occur back-to-back in the major Midwest city, but the meeting between the world’s eight leading economies has since been relocated to Camp David, the fortified presidential retreat in Maryland used as a getaway destination for many of America’s past commanders-in-chief. As of now, however, the NATO summit will take place in Chicago and, citing concerns over how demonstrators may respond, law enforcement is being called in early to size up the city..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/agents-chicago-nato-federal-161/

Police fired live bullets during clash in Parañaque City’s Silverio compound

Police fired live bullets during clash in Parañaque City’s Silverio compound


By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Outside the emergency room of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Buddy Padil, 37, silently sat. He is the uncle of Iris Isaias, 18, who sustained a gunshot wound during the demolition at Silverio compound in Parañaque City on April 23.

A bullet pierced Iris’ calf. “The bullet went through it. The bulet shattered the area of the bone it hit and the doctor said that they need to put metal on it,” Padil said.

Iris was first brought to Ospital ng Muntinlupa but the hospital was not equipped to treat her wounds. She was transferred to the PGH.

“She was only standing outside the compound when she suddenly noticed that the people were already carrying her, shouting. It was only then that realized that she was hit,” Padil said, “These days we would always catch her staring at nothing. She might still be in a state of shock.”

On April 25, Iris went through an operation. Padil said that Isaias’ father, Danilo, a carpenter, is at a loss as to where they would get money to pay for the operation. Doctors told them that the metal that would be placed in Isaias’ left calf costs US$1,465.

The number of residents with gunshot wounds remains undetermined as documentation is still on going. Iris and the other injured residents belied earlier claims that the policemen used blank and/or rubber bullets.

Shooting at bystanders

Also at the PGH was Angelo Lipata, 21. Angelo could hardly hear the questions asked to him as a bullet is stuck in his left ear drum. He was told by his doctors to go home for the time being, citing that they could not operate and remove the bullet until the wound is healed.

During the demolition, Angelo was watching videos of the then ongoing conflict between the Silverio compound residents who were defending their homes and the police. The videos had been quickly uploaded on YouTube by alternative media group Tudla Productions. After watching them, he decided to go out and see for himself what was happening outside. He went and stood next to the barricade when the police began to fire indiscriminately at the residents, who ran for their lives..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/28/police-fired-live-bullets-during-clash-in-paranaque-citys-silverio-compound/

China involves military in Scarborough tiff with RP By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 04/28/2012

China involves military in Scarborough tiff with RP

By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales 04/28/2012

China announced yesterday that its military will now join its maritime authorities in protecting its claim over a shoal within Manila’s territorial jurisdiction as tensions between the Philippines and China showed no sign of letting up nearly three weeks after a dangerous naval standoff began.

China’s statement, one of its most provocative yet, was made three days after declaring that it is not escalating the situation in the area and that it is committed to settle the standoff through friendly diplomatic consultations.

“Chinese armed forces will closely work with fishery and maritime supervision agencies to jointly safeguard national marine rights and interests,” Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement posted on Beijing’s government web portal..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120428hea1.html

HLI statement on ‘Cory’s glowing legacy’ a grave insult to farmers, says KMP By Charlie V. Manalo 04/28/2012

HLI statement on ‘Cory’s glowing legacy’ a grave insult to farmers, says KMP

By Charlie V. Manalo 04/28/2012

A militant farmers’ group has branded as “grave insult” to the farm workers’ struggle the Cojuangco family’s claim that the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to its farmer-beneficiaries as a “glowing legacy” of the late President Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco-Aquino.

“Only two days after the Supreme Court ruling, the Cojuangco-Aquinos are already maneuvering to distort the historical facts,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) yesterday said in a statement in reaction to the claims of Antonio Ligon, counsel for Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI), who claimed that the late President “made decisive moves to place Hacienda Luisita in the 1980s under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) although the preference of farmer-beneficiaries for stock distribution option (SDO) prevailed in at least three referendums over land distribution.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120428hea3.html

UK: M’nao peace accord ‘possible’ but more hard work to be done By Michaela P. del Callar 04/28/2012

UK: M’nao peace accord ‘possible’ but more hard work to be done

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/28/2012

The United Kingdom, a key player in the Mindanao peace process, yesterday welcomed the breakthrough in the negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels as a sign that a final peace agreement may be forged soon.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie admitted “there is still a lot of hard work to be done to reach a final agreement in Mindanao,” but the leap forward in the talks between the two sides indicates that the signing of a final accord is “possible.”

On Tuesday, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, signed a 10-point agreement, outlining key elements they have agreed on, such as the creation of a political body in place of the existing Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120428nat1.html

Export Bank collapses; BSP takes over control 04/28/2012

Export Bank collapses; BSP takes over control

04/28/2012
Mid-size Export Import Bank was placed under government control after declaring a bank holiday yesterday after it admitted that it cannot service its liabilities with depositors and creditors.

The bank was hoping for a rescue from the country’s biggest lender Bando de Oro Universal Bank owned by the group of businessman Henry Sy but negotiations fell through yesterday forcing the bank to declare a bank holiday.

The bank wrote the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) admitting that it does not have sufficient assets to meet its obligations and unable to continue operations without incurring losses to depositors and creditors..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120428hea5.html

Use of CRs in QC now free for elderly, PWDs 04/28/2012

Use of CRs in QC now free for elderly, PWDs

04/28/2012
An ordinance has been signed into law which prohibits any person or business establishment in Quezon City from charging any fee to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and expectant mothers for the use of restrooms or comfort rooms (CRs).

The Tribune was told that Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista approved the measure which was authored by Councilors Alexis Herrera and Alfredo Vargas III.

Under the new ordinance, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed on any person or business establishment owner who will violate the ordinance..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120428met4.html

Gov’t hit for toying with health, lives of Filipino consumers 04/28/2012 As the United States scrambled on Wednesday to contain the fallout from the discovery of mad-cow disease in California, the Aquino administration through the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that it would continue to import meat from the US. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño pointed out to do so is very risky and the government is toying with the health and lives of Filipino consumers. “South Korean retailers already suspended sale of US beef, saying they would wait to see what action the government takes,” Casiño said. “But is Malacañang waiting for someone to be infected here before it will take action?”

Gov’t hit for toying with health, lives of Filipino consumers

04/28/2012
As the United States scrambled on Wednesday to contain the fallout from the discovery of mad-cow disease in California, the Aquino administration through the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that it would continue to import meat from the US.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño pointed out to do so is very risky and the government is toying with the health and lives of Filipino consumers.

“South Korean retailers already suspended sale of US beef, saying they would wait to see what action the government takes,” Casiño said. “But is Malacañang waiting for someone to be infected here before it will take action?”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120428met2.html

PCOS buy in limbo FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/27/2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

PCOS buy in limbo

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/27/2012
Not too fast, Sixto Brillantes and his lapdog commissioners in the poll body — not when the Supreme Court has issued a restraining order on the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s P1.8-billion purchase of used precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines which brought about electoral fraud — and anybody who believes that the automated elections of 2010 were fraud-free should have his head examined.

Brillantes and company probably thought that, by using the same old excuse of there being no time to have automated elections through a different automated system, would work, or that conjuring up the fear that we can not afford to go back to the fraud-filled manual system and slow count as yet another excuse for the Comelec to push through with its quickie purchase of the flawed PCOS machines, just won’t fly.

There certainly was enough time for the Comelec commissioners to look for another system that carries more safeguards and are glitch-free, especially after the poll body’s IT team had already junked the PCOS machines precisely due to their unreliability and too many flaws that Smartmatic-TIM has not even bothered to correct all this time..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com2.html

CISPA passes House in unexpected last-minute vote

CISPA passes House in unexpected last-minute vote


The House of Representatives has approved Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act with a vote count of 248-168. The bill is now headed for the Senate. President Barack Obama will be able to sign or cancel it pending Senate approval.

Initially slated to vote on the bill Friday, the House of Representatives decided to pass Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) Thursday after approving a number of amendments.

Apart from cyber and national security purposes, the bill would now allow the government to use private information obtained through CISPA for the investigation and prosecution of “cybersecurity crime,” protection of individuals and the protection of children. The new clauses define “cybersecurity crime” as any crime involving network disruption or hacking..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/house-cispa-vote-thursday-083/

Zero-gravity shenanigans: Astronauts return from ISS (PHOTOS, VIDEO)



Zero-gravity shenanigans: Astronauts return from ISS (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

The astronauts of the Soyuz TMA-22 got up to some mad micro-gravity antics before their scheduled return to Earth after six months aboard the ISS. Before the ship’s undocking from the station, its crew found time to let their hair down…

The team of six astronauts took advantage of zero-gravity to pose for a tongue-in-cheek photo, three lined up side by side with their compatriots hovering upside-down above them.

NASA was also treated to a live display of aerial acrobatics as astronauts took turns to spin each other in multiple somersaults in the International Space Station’s laboratory..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/soyuz-space-astronaut-hijinks-097/

Journalist calls for euthanasia of disabled newborns (w/ Video)



Journalist calls for euthanasia of disabled newborns

 The article titled “Finish it off so it doesn’t suffer,” which calls for the euthanasia of disabled newborn children, has caused public outrage in Russia and has led to fierce debates in the blogging community.

In the article under question, the author Aleksandr Nikonov argues that the birth of a disabled child for many families would be an unbearable tragedy, “a hell”, and that “the killing of the newborn is in fact the same as an abortion”. He states that depriving infants, who will never be able to take care of themselves, of life is “true humanism”. He also calls to give parents of such children a right to euthanize their newborns, like relatives of patients in a vegetative state can allow doctors to shut down life support..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/journalist-euthanasia-disabled-newborns/

The ultimate babysitter? iPads for infants stir debate FEATURE 04/27/2012

The ultimate babysitter? iPads for infants stir debate

FEATURE

04/27/2012
PARIS — Twenty-two-month-old George sits on a tiny blue chair, at a baby-sized desk, playing with a grown-up toy — an iPad, sign of a powerful trend that has set alarm bells ringing among child development experts.

Leaning over the tablet, the little Parisian finger-stabs the duck icon on “Moo Box,” an application with animal images that let out moos, oinks and barks.

For his mother Aurelie Mercier, 32, the beauty of iPad apps is they can expand her son’s world, like a virtual piano that lets him play music in the absence of the real thing.

“It’s a window onto tons of things that we don’t have at home and that can be condensed into a very small object,” she told AFP..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com5.html

What did Leonen promise? CROSSROADS Jonathan De la Cruz 04/27/2012

What did Leonen promise?

CROSSROADS
Jonathan De la Cruz
04/27/2012
We will take the word of GRP panel head, former UP law Dean Marvic Leonen, in the ongoing peace talks with the MILF at face value.

Interviewed after signing the so-called “GRP-MILF Decision oints on Principles” in Kuala Lumpur with his MILF counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, in the presence of the Malaysian facilitator, Leonen reiterated that contrary to the observations of some sectors, he did not sign off on the creation of a BangsaMoro Substate. There is no such word in the document. Rather, what was envisioned was an expanded autonomous entity since both parties considered the existing one as a “failed experiment” and therefore no longer acceptable.

Said Leonen: “what is clear that the MILF has dropped its demand for independence and that the new autonomous political entity being envisioned is not a separate state and is inseparable from the Republic of the Philippines. So it is inaccurate to call it a BangsaMoro substate.” So, are some of the critics totally mistaken and are simply exaggerating when they claimed that the Leonen panel like the last Arroyo administration panel was outfoxed yet again and signed off on a reminted version of the BangsaMoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com6.html

Palace drags foot for Noy over HLI By Rocky G. Nazareno and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/27/2012

‘PRESS STATEMENT NOT SC DECISION’—LACIERDA

Palace drags foot for Noy over HLI

By Rocky G. Nazareno and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/27/2012

The Palace on behalf of President Aquino issued ambiguous statements about Aquino’s official position on the recent Supreme Court ruling stating with finality its decision upholding land distribution at Hacienda Luisita owned by the clan of the President with presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda even injecting doubts on the accuracy of the interpretation of the SC ruling by Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

“A press statement is not a Supreme Court case decision,” Lacierda said. Marquez, who also speaks for Chief Justice Renato Corona in his ongoing impeachment trial, had already made public the high tribunal’s decision Tuesday.

Lacierda also maintained that President Aquino, whose family owns the Luisita Hacienda, has yet to issue a statement or reaction to the matter more than two days after the SC released its decision, affirming its Nov. 22, 2011 decision calling for the distribution of the estate to its workers..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120427hea1.html

Cuisia slams US exec’s racist slur vs Pinay nursesBy Michaela P. del Callar By Michaela P. del Callar 04/27/2012

Cuisia slams US exec’s racist slur vs Pinay nursesBy Michaela P. del Callar

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/27/2012

The Philippine ambassador to the United States blasted a Washington DC official for making disparaging comments against Filipino nurses and demanded an apology for the racial slur.

What drew the ire of Ambassador Jose Cuisia were the remarks of District of Columbia council member Marion Barry who criticized their local hospitals for hiring Filipino nurses and called the practice “deplorable.”

Cuisia said this was not the first time such “intolerant and narrow-minded comments” were made by Barry. Just three weeks ago, the latter allegedly made the observation that Asian-owned businesses were “dirty shops.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120427nat1.html

Army panel to probe Ifugao ambush 04/27/2012

Army panel to probe Ifugao ambush

04/27/2012
A military board of inquiry (BoI) was convened to look deeper into the ambush of Army troops in Ifugao province last Wednesday by the New People’s Army (NPA) that resulted in the killing of 11 soldiers, one of them a captain.

Army 5th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Col. Miguel Puyao yesterday said Maj. Gen. Rommel Gomez, 5th ID chief, immediately ordered the creation of the BoI headed by Col. Rey Labanin, deputy commander of the Army’s 502nd Brigade.

“The board of inquiry (was created) to know what really happened,” said Puyao.

Asked if the BoI will look into possible lapses that led to the military setback, Puyao replied “yes, everything…lapses maybe…or all information regarding the ambush.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120427nat2.html

‘JV’: Family supports Erap’s plan to run for Manila mayor By Gerry Baldo 04/27/2012

‘JV’: Family supports Erap’s plan to run for Manila mayor

By Gerry Baldo 04/27/2012

The plan of former President Joseph Estrada to run for the mayoralty post in Manila will get the support of his family members despite some objections from other members of the Ejercito clan who would rather see the Estrada patriarch “relaxing” and “enjoying his grandchildren.”

According to San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the Ejercito clan would fully understand the decision of the former President who has a soft spot for the poor.

Ejercito said his father has nothing to prove when it comes to “serving the people.”.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met4.html

VP Binay hails CA decision vs Globe Asiatique owner 04/27/2012

VP Binay hails CA decision vs Globe Asiatique owner

04/27/2012
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday hailed the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) allowing the filing of syndicated estafa charges against Delfin Lee and his co-accused.

Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund), called the decision to allow the Department of Justice (DoJ) to file charges a “welcome development.”

“Now we can finally continue our quest to seek justice for the ordinary workers defrauded by Globe Asiatique,” Binay said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met2.html

Echiverri orders probe of ‘botcha’ used in ‘siomai’ 04/27/2012

Echiverri orders probe of ‘botcha’ used in ‘siomai’

04/27/2012
Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri has ordered an investigation into reports that some unscrupulous businessmen are using “botcha” or double dead meat in their siomai recipes.

At the same time, the mayor directed the City Veterinary Office to immediately conduct inspections of alleged places where botcha is clandestinely incorporated in siomai-making, with the finished product being sold later to residents.

Echiverri, a lawyer, purposely did not reveal the locations of the alleged illegal activity so as not to pre-empt the inspections..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met3.html

Carving up the Republic FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/26/2012

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Carving up the Republic

FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
04/26/2012
A Muslim substate is a Muslim substate is a Muslim substate, despite Noynoy trying to disguise it as an autonomous region and under national control.

No matter how much Noynoy and his peace officials try to disguise their unconstitutional carving up the Philippines to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the fact is that they are on their way to creating an independent substate for the armed Muslim group.

Reports yesterday said that the Aquino government signed a document containing the decision points on principles with the MILF, a “preliminary listing of common points” between the two parties expected to spur the eventual signing of a final peace agreement..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120426com2.html

Cordillera Day 2012 focuses on mining and militarization

Cordillera Day 2012 focuses on mining and militarization


By ALDWIN QUITASOL
Northern Dispatch
BAGUIO CITY — With the theme “Fight for Our Land, Life and Rights!” the Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocates in six provinces of the region staged the 28th Cordillera Day (CD) through celebrations in their respective areas that also served as mass actions calling for the pullout of military troops from communities and an end to large-scale plunder of Cordillera lands.

The celebrations also observed the earth day on April 22.

In a press conference for the launch of separate region-wide celebrations, Geraldine Cacho of the Tongtongan Ti Umili – Cordillera Peoples Alliance (TTU-CPA) also announced the program of the Cordillera Day 2012 commemoration in the City of Baguio.

The Baguio Cordillera Day is aimed at gathering multi-sectoral groups into participating in the 2012 environmental summit. Here, she said they have organized discussions and workshops on different developmental issues currently faced by the city. This includes: garbage and pollution, water crisis, expansion of big businesses destroying the city’s environment, urban poor and human rights issues..... MORE

SourceBulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/25/cordillera-day-2012-focuses-on-mining-and-militarization/

Russian invisible laser bomb detector makes molecular scan at 50 meters (VIDEO, PHOTOS)


Russian invisible laser bomb detector makes molecular scan at 50 meters (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Not even the tiniest of particles will be able to escape the new super-sensitive explosive detecting device created by Russian scientists. Its laser sensor can pick up on a single molecule in a million from up to 50 meters away.

­The device was developed over a period of five years by the Siberian branch of the country’s Academy of Sciences. It will undergo full testing this summer and is expected to be put to use by Russian intelligence later this year.

The main challenge for scientists was to create a laser that would only interact with specific particles present in the air, thus allowing it to wheedle out traces of explosives. In addition, the device is not affected by changes in heat and humidity in the surrounding atmosphere.... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/russia-laser-bomb-detector-947/

Egypt approves presidential runners, voters perplexed (w/ Video)



Egypt's election commission has announced 13 candidates are eligible to run in the forthcoming presidential election. The list includes ultraconservative Islamists, as well as ex-president Hosni Mubarak`s former ministers.

The fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood has nominated its strong Islamist candidate. The Islamic clerics from the Jurisprudence Commission for Rights and Reform have agreed on the candidacy of ultraconservative Mohammed Morsi. The man would battle for votes in May with a more moderate Islamist Abdel-Moneim Abol-Fotoh, a former Muslim Brotherhood member.

The presence of two strong Islamist candidates can end up splitting the Muslim voters. This gives a chance to secular candidates, like the former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who warns against a dominant Islamist influence..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/egypt-presidential-elections-candidates-009/

CISPA battlefield: Facts & Figures

CISPA battlefield: Facts & Figures


America holds its breath in anticipation of Friday's House vote on the Cyber Intelligence Security Protection Act (CISPA). But what are its chances of being passed into law, and what will it mean for Internet users?

­In spite of protest from the Obama administration that CISPA encroaches on the civil liberties of Americans, the House of Representatives is marching ahead with the legislation. It met on Thursday to discuss the controversial act ahead of Friday’s decision.

In addition, the House Rules Committee dismissed a list of changes to the legislation suggested by the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT). The amendments would have potentially limited private companies from sharing cyberthreat data with US government bodies..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/cispa-internet-facts-figures-006/

PlayStation mentality VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/26/2012

PlayStation mentality

VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
04/26/2012
This is the over-all picture of a PlayStation: There is a challenge made. Its acceptance is registered. The fighting begins. The excitement builds up. It is bad if the challenger is losing. But this can ask for help — in-line with spirit of the question “Want to call a friend?” Such are the main features of a PlayStation. It is a toy. It is a game. It is a pastime. It heightens the curiosity and alertness of children. It provides entertainment and pastime to young people. It is an exercise of their alertness and agility. It provides self-satisfaction when the challenge is won. On condition that it remains but a play and nothing more. It provides relaxation to adults by way of an innocent pastime.

But a special danger comes about when a particular adult slowly but surely gets or absorbs the “PlayStation Mentality.” In this case, the usual sequential factors are the following: First, the individual concerned feels challenged — though this is not necessarily true. Second, the same accepts the challenge as a matter of course — even though evidently unequal to the dare made. Third, the same infallibly asks for help from somebody else — the moment he feels losing the challenge..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120426com5.html

RP: Stop inaccurate reports China: Don’t ‘internationalize’ By Michaela P. del Callar 04/26/2012

GOV’T ISSUES NOTE VERBALE TO CHINESE ENVOY

RP: Stop inaccurate reports China: Don’t ‘internationalize’

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/26/2012

The Philippines and China traded fresh accusations yesterday over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea with the government complaining to China yesterday that its embassy in Manila have been relaying inaccurate information about the negotiations to resolve the dangerous naval standoff at the Scarborough shoal while the Chinese government warned against efforts to “internationalize” the issue.

At the same time, the Department of Foreign Affairs also reported that the number of Chinese and Philippine vessels facing off at the shoal has increased with the rival countries having two government ships each there now along with an increasing number of Chinese and Filipino fishermen.

China warned the Philippines not to “internationalize” the dispute as US and Philippine forces staged war games in the area.

“Internationalizing this issue will only complicate and magnify the situation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters in response to a question about the current situation in the dispute..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120426hea1.html

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