Voice HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 06/07/2010

Voice

HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 06/07/2010 We can imagine the smirks in the faces of the many experts in European politics and other advanced democracies, from where the architects of our Constitution got the inspiration to favor proportional representation through the party-list system to help create a healthy, vibrant democracy, or so we hoped. The party-list aims to provide the marginal sector of society a strong voice in Congress with an allocation of 20 percent of the seats, a representation strong enough to make their representations heard under ideal circumstances, and pretty much similar to the models in 21 of 28 countries in Western Europe, among others, which use the party list system as a devise to provide a more accurate representation of parties, and greater likelihood of majority rule. But the Philippines’ gutter politics, mostly entrenched in base of dynastic patronage, had sure found more ways to circumvent laws than to skin a cat, that even the party-list system has found itself under the thumb of traditional politicians, big business and interest groups have prostituted our own party-list system. Even Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento has called it flawed, and needing a thorough review so that possible amendments to Republic Act 7941, or the Party-list System Act, could be introduced to make clear which sectors are really marginalized and underrepresented. The Comelec itself has muddled the party-list issue when it disqualified parties like Magdalo (originally a group of soldiers charged for leading a mutiny against President Arroyo), Migrante (a Left group representing overseas contact workers), and Ang Ladlad (an amalgamation of third sex and gay liberation groups), with seeming haste. The Comelec even played the moral checker in its denial of Ang Ladlad with its seemingly accusatory rejection of its bid to seek representation, which the Supreme Court later overruled, but not after Ang Ladlad’s campaign train has already lost steam, it did not win a single seat in the next Congress. The Comelec, however, seems to favor party-lists with known connections to President Arroyo, and others which openly mock the spirit of the party-list system. Mikey Arroyo would soon reclaim a seat in Congress through Ang Galing Pinoy, a party which claims to represent security guards and tricycle drivers. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai openly campaigned and is listed as a fifth nominee for Buhay, even if RA 7941 explicitly bans religion from mixing it up with party-list politics. Darn, even the Constitution does not allow religious meddling in politics, or so we hoped.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100607com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Narrow fiscal choices FRONTLINE The ways of losing candidates ANALYSIS With home trouble, Obama faces hard choices on trips C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S ‘Smartmagic’ DIE HARD III The swarm of locusts HE SAYS Voice SHE SAYS House party

House party SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 06/07/2010

House party

SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 06/07/2010 Official results of the May 2010 elections have yet to be declared, and while people are anxiously awaiting the proclamation of the next president and vice president, not many are as interested in the party-list results... except maybe those who are in the party-lists themselves. But maybe we should all pay attention. After all, party-lists make up a chunk of Congress — some 57 seats are allotted for them in the House, and we all know every seat counts for any sitting president. So why shouldn’t we wonder why strange goings-on seemed to be happening way before election time? At the beginning of this year, grumblings could be heard from some of these interested, er, parties. One of the loudest was Ang Ladlad, which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided not to approve, but which the Supreme Court overturned. It may have been a small victory if Ladlad failed to get enough votes to make it to Congress. Another group was complaining in January that the Comelec seemed to be operating under the thumb of Malacañang, as it kept rejecting and delisting three party-list groups known to have been critical of the Arroyo administration, particularly the scandals, issues and controversies that hounded her government. These were the party-list groups of the progressive Makabayan coalition — the ACT Teachers’ Party-list, Courage Party-list and Migrante Sectoral Party. According to a Bulatlat report, the “Comelec separately rejected the petitions for registration of Act and Courage for the 2010 party-list elections and delisted Migrante along with 25 other party-list groups. They said they were not given enough time to challenge the Comelec decisions, and that though they were able to prove their presence in the majority of provinces and municipalities, the Comelec still rejected them.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100607com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Narrow fiscal choices FRONTLINE The ways of losing candidates ANALYSIS With home trouble, Obama faces hard choices on trips C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S ‘Smartmagic’ DIE HARD III The swarm of locusts HE SAYS Voice SHE SAYS House party

President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC By Gerry Baldo 06/07/2010

VICE PRESIDENTIAL RACE STILL A TOSSUP President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC By Gerry Baldo 06/07/2010 A new president and vice president could be proclaimed anytime this week, between Monday and Wednesday, according to leaders of Congress who also head the National Board of Canvassers (NBoC).  Five Certificates of Canvass (CoCs) remain to be opened by the NBoC and House Speaker Prospero Nograles said that the proclamation ceremonies could be done as early as today after the Senate and the House joint committee on canvassing could prepare its report on the results of the canvassing. “That’s very possible, we can do it,” Nograles said yesterday in answer to queries about the possible proclamation of the new president and vice president. Nograles, however, said that the number of votes from the remaining five provinces could still change the outcome of the race for the vice presidency between Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and current second placer Liberal Party contender Sen. Manuel Roxas II. Roughly 1.4 million votes are expected to be canvassed from these provinces. At the suspension of the session on Thursday the two leading presidential candidates including Liberal Party’s Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s former President Joseph Estrada posted 14,641,803 and 9,125,823 votes respectively. In the vice presidential race, the leading candidate, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s Binay posted 14,084,876 votes as against Roxas’ 13,440,127 votes, or a lead of 644,749 votes.  On Thursday the joint committee, acting as the National Board of Canvassers suspended with only five remaining COCs left to canvass including those from Davao City , Bacolod, Lanao del Sur, Eastern Samar, and Mountain Province. Nograles said that the votes in the five provinces that are yet to tallied could be material to the vice presidential race. Canvassing will resume at 1 p.m. today. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, said it is most likely that the NBOC will make the proclamations on Wednesday.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed1.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/07/2010

Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 06/07/2010 The Palace was busy yesterday fending off blame on President Arroyo for the failure of the Freedom of Information (FoI) to pass on the last day of session of the House of Representatives due to lack of quorum as a spokesman for Arroyo remarked that the allegations were a “sad commentary” on the habit of Arroyo’s critics to blame everything on her. The four Arroyos in the House, the president’s sons Representatives Diosdado Arroyo and Juan Miguel Arroyo, the president’s brother-in-law Rep. Ignacio Arroyo and sister-in-law Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, were, however, all noticeably absent during the House’s last day of session.  In a press statement sent to reporters through electronic mail, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said the recent demise of the FoI bill was a “sad commentary” on the character of Arroyo’s long-time critics who, he said, have made it their life’s work to blame her “for everything wrong under the sun, short of El Niño and La Niña.” “Was it she (Arroyo) who failed to muster a quorum of 135, even if the bill reportedly had 180 cosponsors? And wasn’t it she who proved her commitment to press freedom a while back by opposing, almost all by herself, the Right to Reply Bill?” Olivar argued. Press Undersecretary Rogelio Peyuan, meanwhile, insisted that Malacañang was not remiss in its duty in reminding congressmen to deliberate upon this bill before they close the regular sessions. “I would like to remind each and everyone that the Palace, in several occasions in the past, has been calling for the members of the Congress and for them to know that we are in support of that bill. So I think it would be very unfair if they will be accusing that the President did not do enough. Palace has been endorsing the passage of the bill for a long, long time,” Peyuan asserted. The FoI bill has been pending in the House for fourteen long years and contrary to Malacañang’s claims, it was not listed as among President Arroyo’s eight priority bills during her administration as announced by erstwhile Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier this year. Her spokesmen, however, insisted that it was also Arroyo’s desire to have the FoI bill ratified. “I don’t think that we were too late in all the moves. It so happens that I suppose everybody has been busy during the entire electoral campaign period and that they have a lot of other agenda also in the House, I understand. But the Palace was never remiss in its duty to endorse and support the bill in so many occasions that it has made its pronouncements or statements before the public,” Peyuan stressed.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed2.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves By Angie Rosales, and Mario Mallari 06/07/2010

Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves

By Angie Rosales, and Mario Mallari 06/07/2010 He may have the stars but he won’t shine, for now or forever. Shortly after his ad interim appointment had lapsed, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit risks “floating” as a four-star general should presump-tive president apparent Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino consider his own man for the post the moment he takes his oath on June 30. Such a fate now hangs over the head of Bangit, who was recently promoted by outgoing President Arroyo from the rank of three-star general shortly after naming him Chief of Staff, succeeding Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado only last March.  Bangit served as Arroyo’s Presidential Security Group chief before he was named Chief of Staff. He was also believed as one of the four military generals mentioned in the taped Hello Garci scandal that marred the re-election of Arroyo in 2004. With his temporary appointment lapsing with the adjournment of Congress, Bangit’s case has created sort of a bedlam in future appointments by the incoming administration, especially in the case of the Chief of Staff. Should Aquino snub Bangit, he will sink into a “floating status” as a four-star general without an assignment. But Aquino could no longer appoint another four-star general, even if he names a three-star general as his Chief of Staff, as under the law, only one could become a four-star general at a given time, and that the highest military rank is usually reserved for the Chief of Staff. It is also unlikely Bangit will give up his four-star rank.  AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., stressed Bangit and several other top military officials will not resign despite the recent CA decision to let his appointment expire. He said resignation in the military is viewed as “cowardice”.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed3.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/07/2010

Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps

By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/07/2010 Detained former Auto-nomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy “Datu Puti” Ampa-tuan wants a new panel of prosecutors to handle the multiple murder charges againts him in connection with the gruesome mas-sacre of 57 persons in Maguindanao in November last year. In a nine-page motion, defense lawyer Redemberto Villanueva sought to disqualify the prosecution panel led by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon. The panel had challAenged acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s April 16 resolution initially dismissing the charges against Zaldy and fellow accused, Datu Akhmad “Tato” Ampatuan Sr. allegedly due to insufficiency of evidence against the two. Villanueva also asked that a new panel be constituted who will handle the prosecution of his criminal cases, which are now pending in different courts. “The actions of the members of the said panel did not only show their penchant to disobey lawful authority but also betrayed their personal predilection on the merits of the said case, insofar as accused Zaldy and Akhmad are concerned,” he said. Villanueva was referring to the panel’s action on April 19 publicly denouncing Agra’s resolution and walking out of their offices afterwards.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed4.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy 06/07/2010

Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy

06/07/2010 As a gesture of goodwill and as a farewell gift to a retiring Philippine ambassador, Presi-dent Mohamed Nasheed of Maldives has ordered the release of the seven overseas Filipino workers incarcerated in Maafushi Prison. The seven Filipinos, who were working in the hospitality industry in Maldives, pleaded guilty to credit card theft and fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison in February 2009. President Nasheed informed Ambassador to Bangladesh Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago, who is also non-resident envoy to Maldives and Sri Lanka, during her farewell call last month. Rabago said the embassy has long been seeking avenues for their release or deportation through the recently approved clemency law of Maldives which empowers the President to grant pardons to prisoners. Rabago also reiterated the country’s request for support for its bid for Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to President Nasheed.  The Maldivian President gladly obliged, and informed her that he will personally write the OIC Secretary-General of his country’s strong support.... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed5.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency By Angie M. Rosales 06/07/2010

Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

By Angie M. Rosales 06/07/2010 The race to the Senate presidency is on officially.  Sen. Francis Pangilinan yesterday said he was “serious” in his plan to seek the seat currently occupied by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, the upper chamber leader, formally declaring his bid over radio which is expected to be challenged by the camp of losing presidential candidate Manny Villar, himself a former Senate president. In an inter-view over at dzRH yesterday, Pangi-linan claimed some senators have already pledged their support to his bid for the Senate top post.  He, however, failed to mention names. Other than Pangilinan, also said to be interested in the Senate presidency are Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Villar Jr. and returning member, Senator-elect Franklin Drilon, Pangilinan’s partymate with the Liberals. Pangilinan said he had discussed the matter with Drilo and have agreed to field in only one candidate. Three other senators complete the LP bloc – returning members Ralph Recto and Sergio Osmena II and neophyte member, Senator-elect Teofisto Guingona III. Pangilinan vowed to get the support of his colleagues to enable him to muster the needed 13 votes. It is not clear yet whom between Pangilinan and Drilon will be field by the LP. In another development, Sen. Edgardo Angara is seeking the creation of a legal body to govern political parties, which is seen as a tool to stem “turncoatism” among politicians. “We have seen issues between feuding members within and among political parties. Now that the elections are over and we are ready for a new government, it is also time to move on and put in place, as preparation for future elections, a better political party system that is governed with stable mandates,” he said..... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100607hed6.html

HEADLINES President, VP named within 3 days — NBoC Don’t blame Gloria, Palace says on FoI bill’s demise Bangit question: GMA’s great conundrum before she leaves Ex-ARMM gov wants new prosecutors to handle murder raps Maldives frees 7 Pinoys as farewell gift to retiring RP envoy Pangilinan formally declares bid for Senate presidency

Day of shame EDITORIAL 06/06/2010

Day of shame

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/06/2010 The defeat of the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill by default as a result of an intentional lack of quorum not only showed the reluctance or even fear among those in government to allow wide access to public documents but was also an indication of the still potent hand of Gloria Arroyo in the House of Representatives. The force of number again held sway in that day of shame at the House. There was no way that Congress lacked quorum the other day when the FoI was tackled and Speaker Prospero Nograles was even about to bang the gavel for its approval when a congressman called his attention on the lack of quorum. The absent bodies, however, were just lingering outside the plenary hall. Party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva even requested that the congressmen be compelled to be brought to the assembly even through arrest. A meeting then ensued and the bill was dead. To be fair, however, with Villanueva’s motion for the arrest to be made for the absent congressmen, even if it was a good sound bite, was not as easy as all that, mainly because there are existing rules. If an arrest call was made, it couldn’t have been enforced on that day, which was the last day for Congress to adjourn sine die.  . The bill, however, which has been agonizing in the Congress pipeline for over a decade had only one fate as long as Gloria can exert influence in the House. And that is certain death. For one, lack of quorum has been the usual course in the House when controversial measures that mainly address irregularities are tackled. Absence is the most cowardly way of voting in Congress since it saves face for the legislator and at the same time kills a popular measure.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

Not the end of it FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/06/2010

Not the end of it

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/06/2010 The Freedom of Information (FoI) bill wasn’t expected to pass muster, for a great many reasons, part of which is the fact that neither the Malacañang tenants, past, present and future, nor the public officials would want the media poking their noses on official and therefore public documents — including their income tax returns. Besides, even if that measure was passed, no doubt there would be some other implementing rules imposed, just as the implementing rules on the senior citizens’ exemption from the eVAT are taking forever. Even if it was passed, the reality is that not every Tom, Dick, Harry or their female counterparts would be able to simply get hold of any public document — even under an (FoI) act. A lot of red tape would still have to be involved. Then too, if government contracts are made public, one can be sure that not all of the items in the contract will be made public, such as supplements, amendments and annexes — most of which are much more important than the contract itself. Take the case of the Comelec-Smartmatic contract. While it was made public at the start, not even the members of Congress were privy to the amendments made in that contract with Smartmatic, nor was it known that in the contract it is stated that the poll body can keep the automated machines just for 10 days after the polls close. Yet these machines that went very wrong during the elections and their transmissions are definitely evidence with which the protesting candidates can use in their complaints. The point is, with or without an FoI, it won’t be a breeze for public and official documents to be obtained by just anyone — especially the nosy media..... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

Lowered House ENQUIRY Demaree J. B. Raval 06/06/2010

Lowered House

ENQUIRY Demaree J. B. Raval 06/06/2010 The failure of the House of Representatives to ratify — before it adjourned sine die last Friday — the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) bills of the Senate and the House, respectively, is a betrayal of the public trust. The Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition, of which Transparency International (Philippines) is a member, branded as doublespeak the claim of Speaker Prospero Nograles that he did his best to get the report on the FoI ratified. At the Kapihan sa Sulo yesterday, lawyer Nepomuceno Malaluan, coalition spokesman, said that even as Nograles publicly professed support for the ratification of the report, there were numerous acts by the House leadership that betray its determined resistance to secure the ratification. The Senate had already ratified the report on the FoI in February of this year. Yet, Nograles found every reason not to have the same report ratified by the House of Representatives. On Feb. 2, 2010, copies of the report were distributed to the members of the House, but the members of the House mysteriously went missing at the session hall when it was calendared for ratification. Again, on Feb. 3, 2010, the House adopted or concurred with no less than 15 Senate bills, and ratified one conference committee report. However, the report on the FoI was conveniently left out. On May 24, 2010, Nograles implored the proponents of the bill to withdraw their motion to ratify the conference committee report, and committed to include it in the agenda of the House on May 31, 2010. May 31, 2010 came and went without any action on the report. Then, on June 4, 2010, after succeeding in convincing Rep. Benny Abante, sponsor of the report, to deliver a manifestation on the prospective application of the FoI, obviously to shield some officials in the outgoing administration from any criminal action, Nograles, in a supreme act of betrayal, instead opened and closed the session, blitzkrieg style, and muzzled and gagged the proponents of the bill by turning off the microphones in the session hall, and invoking a quorum call which was unnecessary (or waived) in cases of ratification of conference committee reports.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

Election dagdag bawas MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 06/06/2010

Election dagdag bawas

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 06/06/2010 While we respect the decision of the Joint Canvassing Committee headed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles, still it has been made clear that this automated election system involving the PCOS machines of Smartmatic are inefficient and recorded many errors, as admitted by Cesar Flores, Smartmatic chief who even apologized for the errors committed. Among the many errors, inflated 256 million voters recorded by the House of Representatives, the 158 million recorded by the Comelec server in the senatorial canvass and the many election returns pre-dated before May 10. Protests from candidates in 42 provinces and cities are more than prima facie proof that electronic fraud has happened all over the country from Manila to Cotabato to Sulu. The Comelec remains a principal suspect because it continues to refuse to heed calls for a simple, selective manual audit of votes to put the issue to rest. Opening a few ballot boxes in Antipolo, Manila, Quezon City and Cotabato should satisfy some doubting Thomases and critics. Finally, Cesar Flores admitted that while the PCOS machines and their flashcards cannot be reprogrammed or reconfigured by outsiders, cheating can be done by insiders from Smartmatic, Comelec or even Provincial DoST officers. The latest charge of dagdag bawas has come from an unlikely source — the Roxas camp. They claim they are victims of dagdag bawas. The necessary implication — was there dagdag bawas too against Erap? Ugly head. Runaway crime reared its ugly head in the murder of a brother of BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. and two others in Angeles City which has become a killing field. Rene Tetangco, 42, Governor Tetangco’s younger brother, Florencio Yap, a big hardware owner and Dennis Guinto, Yap’s aide, were found shot to dead inside their Ford Expedition parked in a vacant lot along Friendship Highway. In notorious Payatas where killings occurred almost daily, Romualdo Magbanua, 25, was shot dead by two armed men in front of his common-law wife. In Cavite, another favorite site for salvaging, two dead women who showed signs of salvaging turned up in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Dasmariñas City. In Negros Oriental, two persons were killed and two others wounded in a shooting. Enriqueta Nanuco and a one-year old housemate were shot dead inside their house in Valencia town.... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

How not to manage a rainforest BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 06/06/2010

How not to manage a rainforest

BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 06/06/2010 There goes the neighborhood. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has just carved up the precious rainforest under its jurisdiction to make way for a sprawling “world-class tourism facility” estimated to cost around $1 billion despite furious protests from various environment conservation groups who are claiming that the project would greatly injure the fragile ecosystem existing therein, and most importantly deprive succeeding generations of Filipinos their heritage. The resort complex project to be located in the Bataan peninsula — which was recently given the green light by the SBMA in favor of the real estate developer M Castle of Korea group, thus making it (aside from Hanjin Philippines shipbuilders which is said to be the world’s fourth-largest facility of its kind employing some 17,000 workers) the second-biggest investor in the Freeport — envisions a five-star hotel with 2,400 rooms that would put all others in Metro Manila to shame, several beach and forest condominium units that would be disposed of at dollar-denominated rates, a huge shopping mall, a water theme park, a medical center for medical tourism purposes, an English language learning school for Koreans naturally, a marina facility that would dwarf the Manila and Subic yacht clubs and a 36-hole golf course estimated to consume DAILY around 4.5 million liters of water just to maintain. At what cost? Well, if nature conservationists are to be believed, we would have to sacrifice all of the flora and fauna with the 615-hectare beachfront property situated between the Freeport proper and Morong town that had been chosen by the Koreans, as well as the marine life in the small bay that would serve as the catchment basin for all the waste water coming from the planned resort complex. SBMA administrator Armand Arreza (who is now being bombarded with criticisms from the supporters of the group of President-apparent Noynoy Aquino that this M Castle contract is simply another midnight deal that President Arroyo can’t seem to get enough of) defended the tourism resort project as vital to the continued viability of the Subic Freeport.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

‘Po’ VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/06/2010

‘Po’

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/06/2010 There is something worth noting well and appreciating much in the relatively recent development in the Filipino language. Most probably it has been taught and insisted by the elders long since. But it is not really that long since it became a rather common practice. And it is quite not only consoling but also endearing. One only needs to listen a little more attentively to become conscious of, and grateful for it. At least, there is still this one good piece of news in this country that is continuously flooded by one piece of bad news after another. Simple and plain, but true and real, the superlative of respect and deference word “Po!” is nowadays both ordinarily and distinctly used in conversations not only when the young address the adult, but also, and particularly so, when adults talk to adults. The truth is that the lesser respectful address “Ho!” seems to have disappeared from both ordinary and special conversations — although it is also a word or term of deference. And there is one more amiable practice. This is when young people address someone older than they, as “Kuya” or “Ate” — and the like. Related they are not. Usually, they do not even know one another. But the respectful address as an older brother or sister precisely denotes a deferential relationship, a respectful communication. Needless to say, all the above good tidings do not in any way compensate for the one too many wrong words and deeds continuously taking place in practically all parts of the country — the mere mention of which bring the Filipino spirit down and makes the Filipino heart hurt. But the more reason there is to be aware, to be glad and grateful for the Filipino respectful stance — together perhaps with the Filipino hospitality.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

Fate and faith TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 06/06/2010

Fate and faith

TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 06/06/2010 Let’s just leave everything to fate and faith. If by next week the National Board of Canvassers proclaims the presumptive President-elect Noynoy Aquino as president of the Republic of the Philippines, then the people have spoken, even if doubts of election fraud continue to haunt the halls and conscience of the Comelec, Smartmatic and the Filipino electorate. As we have said in earlier write-ups, in any election, the winner or the loser is always the people. At this point, yes, as early as now, we would be presumptive to state that an Aquino government would utterly fail — but the early signs are telling. Fickle mindedness even in informal statements, especially when they are coached by the horse whisperers should never be equated with dynamism of thought or youthful idealistic aggression, with which the Aquino youthful voters have identified themselves.  One instance is the attitudinal flaw of swearing in first by a barangay captain then next by a Supreme Court justice friendly to the Aquinos. Neither the posturing of anti-traditional politician stance or being an anti-graft crusader could satisfy the hopes of a better chance or leverage for the poor in a ripped-apart society dominated by the elite, especially when the incoming president has no clear record of being such as an effective legislator in both houses in the past, especially also when his un-idealistic work ethic inappropriate for a top executive is common knowledge. It is by faith in God and in miracles (or chance) that we salute the new president, especially when his strongest qualification is not even a qualification — namely, being the son of the late Aquino couple. When the cards are down on the table and out of the hands of the excited or thrilled player, then the winners shall be known and reality sets in.... MORE   Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100606com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Day of shame FRONTLINE Not the end of it ENQUIRY Lowered House MR. EXPOSE Election dagdag bawas BLURBAL THRUSTS How not to manage a rainforest VIEWPOINTS ‘Po’ TABLETS OF STONE Fate and faith

House members bare script to kill FoI bill By Charlie V. Manalo 06/06/2010

NOGRALES RELEASES LIST OF ‘SLAYERS’ House members bare script to kill FoI bill By Charlie V. Manalo 06/06/2010 Legislators narrated what went wrong after the House of Representatives failed to pass the Freedom of Information (FoI) on the last day of session of the 14th Congress, saying House members were really intent to kill the bill by arranging a face-saving script.  Two lawmakers said those that conspired to block the passage of the bill wanted the enactment of the Right of Reply Bill (RoRB) that will force media to give way to rejoinders mainly from public officials who are the subjects of news stories as a parallel law to the FoI. The non-passage of the controversial RoRB “forced conservative members of the lower chamber to block the ratification” of the FoI, according to two House members. At the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Forum, House committee on information chairman Manila Rep. Benny Abante and FoI main author, Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, told reporters that immediately after Speaker Prospero Nograles declared an adjournment sine die for the 14th Congress, some members of the House immediately approached them telling them had they passed the RoRB which would give news subjects equal time and space in all publications and news programs, they would have acceded and ratify the FoI bill. “Immediately after the Speaker declared adjournment sine die, many House members were whispering behind my back saying that if we had only passed the RORB, the FOI bill would have been ratified,” said Tañada. Abante validated the Quezon lawmaker’s statement saying several House members also approached him telling him the same. “So you see, everything was scripted. There was no intent on the part of the House, including the leadership to ratify the bill,” Abante averred. Nograles, meanwhile, denied that the junking of the bill was premeditated and “scripted” and pointed out that he himself was frustrated over the failure of the House to ratify the measure along with the other pending bills which only needed final approval in last day of the 14th Congress. “ What scripted are they talking about?Hello? It was in open public transparent session in plenary. That’s’ a very unfair accusation.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100606hed1.html

HEADLINES House members bare script to kill FoI bill 3 kidnap victims killed in Basilan Proclamation of President, VP validates auto polls — Malacañang Arroyo not likely to extend Bangit Whether to stay or not up to appointees — Palace NBI joins poll fraud probe