A not in control president FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/14/2010

A not in control president

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/14/2010 Amazing! Noynoy Aquino is supposed to be the President of the Republic, but it is not he who makes the decisions. It is his subalterns who do, without as much as discussing their orders with him. In other words, Noynoy wants to hold the position and the title, but he is neither in charge of anything, nor in control of his people. This has been gleaned from statements issued by Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares who clarified Friday in an early morning TV interview that the idea of imposing the expanded value-added tax (eVAT) on toll fees did not come from President Aquino. She said: “He (Noynoy) did not give us any order to impose the tax. What he had directed me to do, when he appointed me as BIR chief, is to just implement the law.” Whaaaat? The order and decision on that imposition of the 12 percent eVAT on toll fees are solely the BIR chief’s and that Noynoy has absolutely no say in this, merely giving Henares free rein to interpret the “law” as she sees fit and even impose whatever without bothering to discuss this issue with a highly indecisive and laidback, if not a know-nothing Noynoy, who probably does not bother either to make any decision on virtually everything? Noynoy doesn’t seem to care either that the South Luzon Expressway toll management will be implementing a whooping 250 percent increase on its fees on Monday, the day the eVAT is slapped on the toll fees..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100814com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL The height of Noynoy’s hypocrisy FRONTLINE A not in control president focus Monk’s crusade helps Korean history go home

Monk’s crusade helps Korean history go home focus 08/14/2010

Monk’s crusade helps Korean history go home

focus 08/14/2010 TOKYO — A pledge by Japan to hand over cultural artefacts from the Korean peninsula’s last dynasty has been welcomed in South Korea — particularly by a monk who spent four years trying to make it happen. Shocked to discover that valuable items — including royal records of the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) — were still held by Japan after its 1910 annexation of the peninsula, Hye Moon, now 37, began a campaign for their return in 2006. “I wondered why such precious cultural properties had yet to be returned to our country,” Hye, who lives in Seoul, told AFP. Then on Tuesday, after more than 40 trips to Japan intended to persuade politicians and lawmakers, Hye finally got the news he had long sought ahead of the Aug. 29 centenary of the annexation. Japan’s government issued a fresh apology for the 1910 to 1945 colonial rule and said it would hand over the items South Korea had been demanding “in the near future.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100814com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL The height of Noynoy’s hypocrisy FRONTLINE A not in control president focus Monk’s crusade helps Korean history go home

Contrary to What Cojuangco-Aquinos Say, Farming Improved Lives of Many Luisita Folk Published on August 14, 2010

Contrary to What Cojuangco-Aquinos Say, Farming Improved Lives of Many Luisita Folk

Published on August 14, 2010

MANILA — One of the arguments put forth by Hacienda Luisita management in pushing for the stock distribution option (SDO) and the recent compromise agreement is that the farmer beneficiaries could not possibly survive on less than an hectare each of land. This argument, however, had been demolished by a NEDA study that said a family in Luisita can earn more from 0.78 hectares of land than from stocks — a study that was conveniently ignored by the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council under then President Corazon Aquino when it allowed the implementation of the SDO.

After the strike and massacre and after the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council ordered the revocation of the SDO in 2005, the farmer beneficiaries launched what they call a “bungkalan” or the cultivation of idle Luisita land. It was both a political statement and a matter of survival for the beneficiaries who were, and still are, facing extreme poverty in the hacienda owned by President Benigno S. Aquino III and his family. Farmers who participated swear that their lives improved after the “bungkalan.”.... MORE

Source:  

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/14/contrary-to-what-cojuangco-aquinos-say-farming-improved-lives-of-many-luisita-folk/

NDFP Questions Sincerity of Aquino Government in Pursuing Peace Talks But Still Open to Resumption Published on August 14, 2010

NDFP Questions Sincerity of Aquino Government in Pursuing Peace Talks But Still Open to Resumption

Published on August 14, 201

By RONALYN OLEA
Bulatlat.com

So far, the Aquino administration has not shown positive indications for the resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). In a statement, Luis Jalandoni, NDFP spokesman, enumerated what he calls as negative indications regarding the stand of the Aquino administration on the peace talks.

The NDFP expressed disappointment over Aquino’s insistence for a prolonged ceasefire before holding peace talks. The NDFP said it is a violation of The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992.... MORE

Source:  

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/14/contrary-to-what-cojuangco-aquinos-say-farming-improved-lives-of-many-luisita-folk/

Abortion Ban in Philippines Results in Dire Human-Rights Crisis

Abortion Nation: Dire Human-Rights Crisis in Face of Increasing Acceptance

Published on August 14, 2010  

A study on abortion in the Philippines argues that the government has committed violations of human rights by criminalizing abortion regardless of circumstance. As a result, the Philippines has failed to fulfill its obligation to international bodies that seek to protect women’s health and human rights.

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — In the Philippines, it’s not enough that women who wish to terminate their pregnancies do not have legal and safe means to do it. In many hospitals and clinics across the country, Filipinas who undergo abortion and then seek medical treatment because of complications are routinely harassed and violated by health-care providers.

There are among the findings of a study done by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York-based advocacy group. It concluded that because of the criminal ban on abortion in the Philippines, a dire human-rights crisis has emerged, which it blamed on the Philippine government and the powerful Roman Catholic Church..... MORE

Source:  

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/14/abortion-nation-dire-human-rights-crisis-in-face-of-increasing-acceptance/

Drivers to Protest Double Whammy of Impending Hike, VAT on Toll Fees Published on August 14, 2010

Drivers to Protest Double Whammy of Impending Hike, VAT on Toll Fees

Published on August 14, 2010

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – The widely opposed 277-percent increase in toll fees in Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX), along with the imposition of VAT on toll fees— both set for implementation this Monday— were halted temporarily by the Supreme Court.

With the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued last Friday, the Supreme Court enjoined the government from imposing beginning August 16 the 12-percent value added tax on toll fees in the NLEX and SLEX and other toll ways. It issued another TRO against the implementation of the 277-percent increase in toll fees at the SLEX..... MORE

Source:  

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/08/14/drivers-to-protest-double-whammy-of-impending-hike-vat-on-toll-fees/

SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes By Benjamin B. Pulta and Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/14/2010

Palace plays the blame game, slams GMA for toll VAT ‘law’ non-implementation SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes By Benjamin B. Pulta and Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/14/2010 Two restraining orders have been handed down by Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona, effectively stopping the scheduled toll rate increases in the country’s expressways next week and the imposition of the 12 percent expanded value added tax (eVAT) on toll fares. Malacañang did not hide its disappointment at the high court’s issuance of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the implementation of the eVAT on the toll fare, but quickly laid the blame on the Arroyo administration that had issued two Memorandum Circulars (MCs) in 2005 and 2009 on the implementation of the eVAT on toll fares. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda insinuated that President Aquino did the right thing, as his administration was merely implementing Arroyo’s MCs on the VAT imposition. “Why they (Arroyo administration) haven’t imposed the VAT on toll is the biggest question since it was very clear that the BIR said ‘let’s collect taxes on the VAT on toll’. So now that we are implementing it, we’re being perceived as being persistent on the imposition of these taxes when in fact it has been there since 2005,” Lacierda argued. Lacierda insisted that the motorists and the general public should understand that the Aquino administration acted all the while in “good faith” in ordering the imposition of the 12-percent VAT on toll..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed1.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike By Gerry Baldo 08/14/2010

Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike

By Gerry Baldo 08/14/2010 Despite the high court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the increase in toll rates to be charged by expressways, which would have been implemented on Monday, a lawmaker from the party-list Bayan Muna yesterday sought an investigation into the impending 300 percent hike in toll rates at the 30-kilometer South Luzon Expressway (Slex). Rep. Teddy Casino said there is a need to pry into the decision of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to allow the management of the Southern Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) to increase the toll rates that would affect a quarter of a million vehicles that ply the route everyday. He pointed out that the proposed toll rates are allegedly part of the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) entered in behalf of the government by TRB with SLTC.  SLTC is owned 80-percent by MTD Manila Expressways, Inc. (MTDME), a Malaysian company, and 20-percent by Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC).  The STOA gave a 25-year concession of Slex rehabilitation, expansion, operation and maintenance to SLTC. “The TRB committed grave abuse of discretion by entering into STOA which fixes the toll rates without prior notice and public hearing as mandated in Section 3(d) of PD No.1112,” Casino said yesterday..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed2.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/14/2010

Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/14/2010 Malacañang yesterday sounded as it were impervious to the Supreme Court’s (SC) appeal for the executive branch to refrain from rushing its bid to relieve all of former President Arroyo’s so-called “midnight appointees” pending its decision to rule on the temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by the aggrieved parties that will be affected by President Aquino’s Executive Order (EO) 2. According to presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, the review of the status of these alleged illegally appointed officials in various government offices shall push through unless the SC brings down a “legal order” asking the executive branch to stop the process. “Legally, as a body, as an institution, the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order. Therefore, it doesn’t stop us from reviewing the midnight appointees… We can still do that,” he said. The SC did not, however, stop the Palace from its review process, merely saying that the Palace should not push through as yet the firing of these so-called midnight appointees. SC Administrator Jose Midas Marquez on Thursday urged Malacañang to observe “judicial courtesy” in view of Lacierda’s declaration the day before that the high court’s failure to act on the TRO sought by the petitioners served as green light for the executive branch to sack Arroyo’s midnight appointes. Lacierda argued that this statement by Marquez is quite a “nuance” from the way it was delivered because it is somehow in line with the position taken by Malacañang regarding the issue..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed3.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies By Angie M. Rosales 08/14/2010

Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies By Angie M. Rosales 08/14/2010 An ally of President Aquino in the upper chamber yesterday criticized the move of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives seeking to nullify the creation of the Truth Commission before the Supreme Court, claiming that this was nothing but an effort to shield former President Arroyo, now a representative of Pampanga’s second district, from being subjected to an investigation. “I would not want to put motive into this but it seems to be gearing toward that, their intention in filing the petition, because of the many anomalies of the previous administration that are the subject of probes by the Truth Commission,” Sen. Franklin Drilon said in a radio interview, referring the observation of many that members of the House minority bloc are out to “protect” Arroyo. Some minority bloc members from the lower chamber have asked the high tribunal to declare Executive Order (EO) 1 that effected the creation of the truth body as unconstitutional. House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, along with opposition Representatives Rodolfo Albano Jr. (Isabela), Simeon Datumanong (Maguindanao) and Orlando Fua Jr. (Siquijor), stood as petitioners in the case. The said congressmen, known close political allies of Arroyo, argued, among others, that EO 1 violates the separation of powers as it arrogates the legislative authority of Congress to create a public office and appropriate funds for its operation. Drilon, however, echoed the statement of Malacañang that it has sufficient legal basis and that it did not violate the 1987 Constitution.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed4.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation 08/14/2010

Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation

08/14/2010 A day after Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago issued a statement saying that Congress, acting on its own, can unilaterally terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, Malacañang yesterday said that an ad hoc review panel created by President Aquino is currently going over the VFA, but stressed that no discussions or decisions have been made regarding the issue of abrogating the accord. Santiago also called on Aquino to submit the treaty on the Rome Statute to the Senate for ratification, but this call is apparently being ignored, despite the fact that the Senate for years now, has been asking the Malacañang tenants to submit this Rome Statute to the Senate. The US government is not keen on having the statute ratified by the Philippine government. It was even made public by the then Bush administration that American aid could be cut off with the entry of the Philippines as a signatory to the Rome Statute. In a press briefing at the Palace, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Presidential Commission on VFA is conducting a review of the agreement even as a proposed joint resolution has been refiled in Congress asking Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to issue a notice of severance of the bilateral agreement to Washington. Lacierda said then senator now President Aquino, along with Santiago, was a signatory to the joint resolution calling for the VFA review..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed5.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

Noynoy names newest SC justice 08/14/2010

Noynoy names newest SC justice

08/14/2010 President Aquino has appointed Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center executive director Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno as the latest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (SC). The Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) earlier had named six individuals who made it to the shortlist of SC nominees, with Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Japar Dimaampao topping the list with six votes. Coming second were CA Justice Noel Tijam and former UP Dean now Bantay Katarungan Chairman Raul Pangalangan with each getting five votes. Sereno, CA Justice Hakim Abdulwahid and Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento tied with four votes each. Sereno, a non-member of the bench before her appointment, will take the place vacated by SC Chief Justice Renato Corona after he was named the high tribunal’s chief. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda yesterday said Aquino does not know personally Sereno, although the Chief Executive and Sereno both graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University. Sereno was graduated with a degree in AB Economics in 1980, while Aquino was graduated from the same course in 1981. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100814hed6.html

HEADLINES SC hands TROs on toll VAT, expressways hikes Probe sought on 300% Slex toll hike Palace to go on with review of midnight appointments Drilon defends truth body from GMA allies Palace: VFA under review but no talk on abrogation Noynoy names newest SC justice

A test of political will EDITORIAL 08/13/2010

A test of political will

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/13/2010
Noynoy Aquino should be in a tight fix over the expanded value added tax (eVAT) that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) wants to collect on road tolls starting Monday.

For starters, it is a clear breach of his promise not to impose new or additional taxes to raise revenues; a promise that was later revised when it became clear that he would be inheriting a bankrupt government from Gloria to having the tax option as a last resort if other measures to raise revenues fail — although he should have known that when he threw his hat into the presidential ring.

The premise thus was that all other options will be tried in raising revenues such as obliterating corruption in both the BIR and the Customs bureau before Noynoy would consider imposing additional tax burdens to the public..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com1.html

Cases piling up FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/13/2010

Cases piling up

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/13/2010
Cases being brought before the Supreme Court these days against the incumbent administration’s official acts are interesting and make for even more interesting legal and judicial arguments and depending on how these issues are resolved by the SC, could well enrich Philippine jurisprudence.

The latest executive order being questioned today before the high court is EO 1, which is the creation of the Truth Commission, with a petition filed by the allies of Gloria Arroyo, seeking the nullification of the Noynoy’s EO 1 which calls for the investigation of the alleged anomalies committed during Gloria’s term.

The minority’s arguments are pretty good, and appears solid, but then again, everything depends on what the court will say in the end.

That the creation of the Truth Commission is infirm, if not illegal and unconstitutional, has already been pointed out earlier in opinion pieces and commentaries, not because a president is not empowered to create a commission, but because Noynoy, in creating the Truth Commission, insisted on vesting this particular commission with quasi-judicial powers — and all to probe these alleged graft and corruption committed by Gloria..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com2.html

No Ramadan respite as unrest rocks Indian Kashmir focus 08/13/2010

No Ramadan respite as unrest rocks Indian Kashmir

focus

08/13/2010
SRINAGAR — The fasting month of Ramadan looks set to be one of curfews, protests and hardship for Muslims in Indian Kashmir, which is experiencing a wave of popular unrest directed against Indian rule.

For two months, violent demonstrations have rocked the troubled Himalayan region. Around 50 protesters and onlookers have been killed.

Each fatality has fuelled fresh anger, in what Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has acknowledged is a “cycle of violence.”

The constant round of protests, strikes and curfews has all but shut down daily commerce in the mainly Muslim Kashmir Valley, hurting small traders and making shopping for basic provisions a major challenge.

With Ramadan starting Thursday, residents have been advised to stockpile essentials in preparation for a difficult month..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com3.html

Time for a divorce law? MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 08/13/2010

Time for a divorce law?

MR. EXPOSE

Amb. Ernesto Maceda

08/13/2010
Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmy de Jesus filed a divorce bill. Lawyer

Evelyn Ursua explained that there is divorce for Muslims under Muslim law since 1977; divorce during Japanese time; divorce before Aug. 30, 1950 and divorce in Spain, Italy and Ireland, Catholic countries.

The Catholic church has indirectly allowed divorce under the guise of annulment. In civil courts, divorce is allowed under the term “declaration of nullity” under the broad term psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code, which is easy to prove if the two parties agree to the dissolution.

The lack of divorce law has resulted in the corruption of judges who received bribes to allow the dissolution of the marriage or annulment. Under the Gabriela bill, the grounds are:

1. Spouses have been separated in fact for five years;

2. When the parties have been legally separated for two years;

3. Any of the grounds for legal separation has caused irreparable breakdown of the marriage;

4. Psychological incapacity;... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com4.html

PeNoy, Gloria, et al. — all one family DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 08/13/2010

PeNoy, Gloria, et al. — all one family

DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 08/13/2010 At the gathering for Sen. Sonny Trillanes’ birthday at Camp Crame last Aug. 7, I predicted the “rehabilitation” of Gloria Arroyo within a year or two. I was with Dodong and Princess Nemenzo, NGO leader Manjette, lawyer Argee Guevarra, Oliver Felix (of our guerilla radio Sulo group), and Linggoy Alcuaz at that time. The Nemenzos found this both funny and appalling, as they laughed, doubted and lamented at the same time. Someone interjected: “Sa bagay, the Marcoses are rehabilitated.” To which I hurriedly added that “at least Marcos had the right nation-building program,” unlike Arroyo’s which people believe was pure kleptocracy. The truth of my prediction is already being seen on radio and in Congress today, as Teddy Boy Locsin glorifies Gloria’s non-imposition of the Value added tax (VAT) on toll ways while the likes of Rep. Neptali Gonzales Jr. shield her from Rep. Walden Bello’s righteous condemnation. Gloria Arroyo will be “rehabilitated” under the present system because the system itself is corruption incarnate, in which Arroyo is just one of its children. The other children of the corrupt system will naturally come to her rescue, as sure as Speaker Sonny Belmonte will always be by Gloria’s side to escort the one who has been tagged by many youth activists as “President Evil.” But really, she can only be as evil as the system is. Belmonte, meanwhile, is said to personify the institutionalization of corruption in Quezon City, the alleged basis of which is that he raised the corruption incarnate “pork barrel” and other fund prerogatives of the Office of the Mayor and all councilors to unprecedented amounts (P2 billion for the mayor, P42 million each for councilors). On the other hand, Lakas to Liberal Party turncoat Neptali Gonzales Jr. has been the alternating partner of Mayor BenHur Abalos in the exploitation of Mandaluyong, the latter being the heir apparent to Ben Abalos’ NBN-ZTE “borger” fortune. Gonzales invokes “parliamentary courtesy” to shield Arroyo. Coming from a most vulgar Congress, it is truly laughable. They are all claimed to be part of the alleged corrupt family of political degenerates running the country. Walden Belo’s party-list group Akbayan may not be much different, maybe just a bit more ethical by some degree. His party-list matriarch Etta Rosales isn’t exactly a paragon of any virtue, having been a chief lackey of Gloria Arroyo during the 2004 illegal proclamation of the “Hello Garci” president. Rosales will be rewarded by the new Gloria Arroyo, i.e. Noynoy “PeNoy” Aquino, with an appointment to the Commission on Human Rights — to carry on the charade of human rights in an essentially plutocratic, oppressive and exploitative corporatocracy. Already, PeNoy has proposed to raise the “pork” of senators and congressmen for 2011, from P6.9 billion this year to P22.3 billion next (a whopping 223.18 percent or P15 billion increase). This seems incredible since PeNoy campaigned on the promise of “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” but PeNoy’s Budget Secretary Butch Abad was quoted on it. In fact, one report stated, “Even as the PDAF allocation was increased, the government proposed a reduction of subsidy programs… amid the state’s cash flow problems.” Those subsidies include those earmarked for the National Food Authority rice purchase. So are they saying that there will be no subsidy for farmers but increased “pork” subsidy for politicians? Everyone knows just how “pork” is the mother of all corrupt funds that politicians dip into, so why is PeNoy increasing this? Perhaps if we put this in context with a new development, a clearer picture on how invisible forces behind PeNoy are reinforcing the edifice of corruption will come about. This new development is the proposed postponement of the barangay election slated for October on due to alleged financial constraints, together with the simultaneous proposal that it be synchronized with the 2013 national elections. There are several deleterious effects of these two initiatives: (1) abusive and corrupt barangay officials will not be called into account as a democratic system requires; (2) it will strengthen the indebtedness of the present barangay officials to the present PeNoy regime; (3) these barangay officials will then be used by the current regime to consolidate tyrannical powers in 2013 toward the continuation of the corporatist dictatorship consolidated under Gloria Arroyo; and (4) it will make the “fully synchronized” 2013 elections even more massively chaotic than the already messy elections of 2010. If the present system is corruption incarnate, then a super-synchronized election aimed at securing it is none other than a perpetuation of this systemic corruption, the evil results of which those jaundiced by the Yellow fever can’t seem to see as continuously ravaging the nation. For those who still do not know, here’s a sampling of these evils — July 2010 item: Power rates to rise again in August (due to Wesm power horse trading); Aug. 8: Manila Water net income up 34 percent (while people suffer heavier costs); Aug. 9: Robredo wants strengthened Small Town Lottery (cover for jueteng); Aug. 10: AFP suppresses Adm. Feliciano Angue exposé on 2010 elections; Aug. 11: $10-billion offer for Pagcor. As long as the corrupt system goes on and on — exploiting, inveigling and plundering — PeNoy only continues the legacy of Cory, FVR and Gloria. (Tune in to Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. on 1098AM; watch Politics (and Economics) Today, Tuesday, 8 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 p.m.; visit our new blog, http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com)

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL A test of political will FRONTLINE Cases piling up focus No Ramadan respite as unrest rocks Indian Kashmir MR. EXPOSE Time for a divorce law? DIE HARD III PeNoy, Gloria, et al. — all one family focus Russia’s top duo fight to save reputation from flames FEATURE Catholic Church raises profile in Cuba with icon of virgin

(Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel)

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com5.html

Russia’s top duo fight to save reputation from flames focus 08/13/2010

Russia’s top duo fight to save reputation from flames

focus

08/13/2010
MOSCOW — Be it dousing fires from a plane or sacking several officers in a single meeting, Russia’s ruling tandem is battling to ensure its hold on power does not go up in smoke in the wildfire crisis.

Image-making has emerged as significant a weapon in the crisis as hoses or water-bombing jets as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev seek to ensure their popularity survives the crisis intact.

With Russia emerging from the slowdown, the duo may have been congratulating themselves on deftly seeing off the economic crisis as they planned their summer holidays.

But then Russia found itself hit by a heatwave that wrecked 10 million hectares of land and triggered wildfires which have killed over 50 persons and burned down entire villages.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com6.html

Catholic Church raises profile in Cuba with icon of virgin FEATURE 08/13/2010

Catholic Church raises profile in Cuba with icon of virgin

FEATURE

08/13/2010
HAVANA — For the first time since the Cuban revolution half a century ago, an icon of Cuba’s patron saint is making the rounds of the island in a sign of a gradual rapprochement between the Communist authorities and the Catholic Church.

The pilgrimage’s send-off took place Sunday at the shrine to the Virgin of Charity of Copper, in a valley peppered with copper mines near Santiago de Cuba, 950 kilometers (590 miles) east of Havana.

Its year-and-a-half journey through the Cuban countryside is a highlight of festivities organized by the church to mark the 400th anniversary of the virgin’s appearance, according to legend, to three fishermen lost in a storm..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100813com7.html

GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body By Gerry Baldo, Benjamin B. Pulta and Aycth S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010

‘Violates equal protection clause and amends Charter’ GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body By Gerry Baldo, Benjamin B. Pulta and Aycth S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010 Members of the House minority bloc yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to nullify the creation of the Truth Commission through Executive Order (EO) 1, on the ground that its establishment is unconstitutional. This is the third EO issued by President Aquino, through his Executive Secretary that is being challenged before the high court. Earlier, EO 2 and 3, seeking the dismissal of Palace-claimed appointees and the nullification of an Arroyo issued EO granting government lawyers career executive officer status, have also been questioned before the high court. Minority leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and three other senior lawmakers, in a 55-page petition for Certiorari and Prohibition, challenged the constitutionality of EO 1 which formed the “Truth Commission” with Palace-designated head, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. They asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and or a writ of preliminary injunction to maintain the status quo. Docketed as G.R. No. 193036, the petitioners including Lagman, Reps. Rodolfo Albano, Jr, Simeon Datumanong and Orlando Fua, Jr. posited that EO 1 violates the separation of powers as it arrogates the legislative authority of the Congress to create a public office and appropriate funds for its operation.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed1.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/13/2010

Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/13/2010 Despite being deluged by demands for the government to defer the imposition of the 12 percent value added tax on road tolls, both the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Palace said yesterday that the tax will be imposed on Monday as scheduled unless the Supreme Court issues a hold order. Unless the SC issues a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the imposition of VAT on tolls nationwide, the BIR will start imposing the tax on Monday, Aug. 16, Malacañang stressed yesterday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda maintained that the 12-percent VAT on toll is not a new tax measure. Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares said the VAT on tolls should not significantly affect the cost of transporting people and goods. Henares said the measure will not impact heavily on the public because of the input or output formula.  The substantial amount to be collected by the government will go the programs for the poor, she added..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed2.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010

Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010 In accomodating too many mouthpieces of Cabinet rank, the Palace is in a bind over where to place the new communications offices created under Executive Order 4 to keep the Executive under the bounds of law that bars it from creating a new portfolio agency that gets budget funding.  Yesterday, the head of the new Presidential Communi-cations Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said his office might be placed under the Office of the President (OP). PCDSPO Secretary Ricky Carandang revealed this to reporters who were inquiring on the budget plans of the the former Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) now called the Presidential Communi-cations Operations Office (PCOO). The PCOO led by Secretary Herminio ‘Sonny’ Coloma is expected to get the bigger share of the budget of the former OPS according to Carandang as he found out that his office will be placed under OP just like the office of presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, who also has a Cabinet rank.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed3.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010

DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/13/2010 It is now the Aquino administration’s turn to defend itself from the conflict of interest issues that might hound it soon, as Malacañang yesterday confirmed reports that Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo is related by affinity to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. The admission was made by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda during a post-briefing interview but he denied that Ochoa, a close ally of President Aquino, has lobbied for his brother-in-law’s appointment at the helm of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). “Secretary Montejo is in a relatively apolitical department. He is in the DoST and he is qualified to head that agency. There was no politics involved there,” Lacierda said. He stressed that Montejo was appointed owing to his feats cited by the President in the field of science and technology including some of the inventions that he supposedly made in the past. “Secretary Mario Montejo is the brother-in-law of Secretary Ochoa but please don’t put any political color because he is more than qualified. Again, the appointing power is the President, not Secretary Ochoa — just to emphasize that point,” he told reporters. Because of this confirmation, speculations become widespread that Montejo has something to do with Aquino’s decision to sack Prisco Nilo as chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) last week..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed4.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted By Michaela P. del Callar 08/13/2010

Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/13/2010 Some 29 Filipino seafarers onboard a Norwegian-flagged ship survived a hostage attack by Somali pirates after it was foiled by European Union forces patrolling the dangerous Gulf of Aden off Somali waters. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipino sailors could have been among the 81 other Filipino seamen being held hostage in Somalia if not for the “timely action” of the European Union Naval Force (EU NavFor). In a letter by manning agency ODFJELL Philippines Inc. to the DFA, chemical tanker MT Bow Saga was attacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden in the early morning of Aug. 3, when it was proceeding westward in the International Recommended Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden. Seven armed brigands using a small boat fired shots at the vessel.  The ship’s crew adopted security measures and conducted various counter actions, including evasive maneuvering and water deployment to prevent boarding. The ship’s captain sent out a distress call and an EU NavFor unit close by responded.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed5.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/13/2010

SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/13/2010 Not so fast. A little judicial courtesy should be in order. President Aquino and his spokesman, lawyer Edwin Lacierda, must be red in the face, especially after bragging that, as the Supreme Court (SC) had failed to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on Executive Order (EO) 2 on the so-called Midnight Appoint-ments, the firing of these officers appointed by former President now Rep. Gloria Arroyo has been given the green light. SC spokesman and Court Administrator Midas Marquez yesterday “advised” Malaca-ñang to put off ousting the alleged midnight appointees despite the absence of a restraining order from the high court. Calling what he described as “judicial courtesy,” Marquez pointed out that the Palace should put off the implementation of executive orders of Aquino revoking the “midnight appointments” of the Arroyo administration while the case has not yet been finally resolved by the high court. Marquez, said “It would be more prudent (for Malacañang) to maintain a status quo in the meantime since the Court has already acquired jurisdiction on the issue. What we’re asking is for them (Palace) to just give the Court a little more time on deciding whether it would issue a TRO or not,” he said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100813hed6.html

HEADLINES GMA allies seek SC’s voiding of truth body Unless SC issues TRO, toll VAT on, says Palace Too many spokesmen in Cabinet spoil budget DoST chief’s appointment raises conflict of interest concerns Pirate attack on Norwegian ship with 29 Pinoys thwarted SC rebukes Palace on EO 2 rush, calls for courtesy