Removal of Sandiganbayan justices in Garcia plea bargain pushed

Removal of Sandiganbayan justices in Garcia plea bargain pushed

 “It sends the message that it is okay to steal the people’s money for as long as you admit your crime when caught and just return a small amount from what you stole.” – Pagbabago

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL and INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – The immoral and unpatriotic act of the Sandiganbayan justices must be condemned.

This was the reaction of Pagbabago! People’s Movement for Change spokesman Fr. Joe Dizon, to the approval by the Sandiganbayan of the plea bargain agreement with retired AFP comptroller Major General Carlos Garcia last Monday, May 9.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division approved Garcia’s plea bargain, saying that the evidence against him was weak. And that Garcia had “complied with its conditions –pleading guilty to lesser offenses of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering, and transferring P135.433 million ($3.14 million) of his and his family’s assets to the state.”

It will be remembered that Garcia and former Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Navarro-Gutierrez struck a plea bargain agreement wherein the government commits to withdraw plunder charges in exchange for a guilty plea for the lesser offense of direct bribery. Because of the deal submitted to the Sandiganbayan for approval, Garcia was allowed to walk out of his Camp Crame detention cell after posting a bail of P60,000 ($1,395) on December 18 last year, two days after he pleaded guilty to direct bribery during his re-arraignment for that lesser offense.

Lawmakers actively involved in the congressional investigations into Garcia’s case are also vehement in their protest against the Sandigabayan decision. They said that the Sandiganbayan violated its Constitutional mandate.

“The Constitution mandated the Sandiganbayan to give life to the fundamental principle that public office is a public trust, through the prosecution of civil and criminal cases involving graft and corrupt practices and other offenses committed by public officers. Sandiganbayan Second Division unanimously, but suspiciously and hastily, approved the plea bargain agreement. It previously denied Garcia’s petition for bail on the charge of plunder, thereby declaring that the evidence of guilt was strong. In a turn-around, however, it justified its latest decision to approve the plea bargain by declaring that the prosecution’s evidence was weak. This decision is prejudicial to the interest of the Filipino people,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino said.

Progressive lawmakers condemn the Sandiganbayan decision upholding the plea bargain agreement with Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.(Photo by Ina Alleco R. Silverio / bulatlat.com)

Casino and other lawmakers in the progressive bloc of the Makabayan Coalition — Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, the two Gabriela Reps. Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, and Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio — are calling for the resignation of Sandiganbayan justices. namely Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, Justice Teresita Diaz Baldoz and Justice Samuel Martirez.

‘Sandiganbayan justices should resign’

“The Sandiganbayan justices have betrayed their mandate to give life and meaning to the constitutional precept that a public office is a public trust and to impress upon public officers and employees that they are at all times accountable to the people with their duty to serve with the highest degree of responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency,” the lawmakers said..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/13/groups-call-for-removal-of-sandiganbayan-justices-who-approved-plea-bargain-with-garcia/

Proposed Department of Housing promotes homelessness, privatization of public housing

 Proposed Department of Housing promotes homelessness, privatization of public housing

“Like its predecessors, the Aquino government is abandoning its responsibility to provide social services to its poor constituents … By partnering with the private sector in building public housing, it can be expected that the government will confine its function to that of an enabler which is limited to policy formulation and program monitoring.”

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — Employees of the National Housing Authority (NHA) are against plans of the Benigno Aquino III government to privatize housing services and to create a Department of Housing and Urban Development. They were joined by residents from urban poor communities in Quezon City and Metro Manila in a protest last May 8 in front of the House of Representatives.

Rosalinda Nartates, president of the the Consolidated Union of Employees-NHA is adamant in protesting against the proposed agency, saying that it is all part of a privatization scheme. Public housing under the proposed DHUD, she said, will become more profit-oriented than it already is.

NHA employees and urban poor organizations under the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) have been fighting against moves to privatize public housing and legislative proposals on the same since the year 2000 and since the 9th Congress. Nartates also said that their stand against the DHUD also had to do with the proposed reorganization of the seven key shelter agencies. In the line of fire are the jobs of at least 5,000 employees.

Priority measure

The proposed DHUD is among President Aquino’s 12 priority bills that he presented to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) in its February meeting. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr said that the bill is among the four “Human developments bills” the Aquino administration is determined to have passed into law.

Employees of the National Housing Authority led by their union Consolidated Union of Employees-NHA lead protests against the privatization of public housing and proposals for the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Photo by Ina Alleco R. Silverio / bulatlat.com)

To be merged are the Key Shelter Agencies (KSA)—Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Mutual Fund Development Corporation (PAG-IBIG fund), Home Guarantee Corporation, Housing and Urban Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation and the NHA.The NHA is the government’s lead agency and corporation engaged in direct shelter provision.

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her sons Mikey and Dato are behind the first DHUD bill, HB384, which they filed on the very first day of the 15th Congress. It calls for the creation of the DHUD and the consolidation and coordination of five key shelter agencies. HB 1231 by Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo and HB 2216 by Mindoro Rep.Rodolfo Valencia also aim for the creation of DHUD..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/13/proposed-department-of-housing-promotes-homelessness-privatization-of-public-housing/

Aquino’s ‘universal health care’ a sham — health workers

Aquino’s ‘universal health care’ a sham — health workers

“The number one threat to Filipino health and job security is the US-Aquino Regime,” whose PPPs “result in privatization, in the abandonment of health as a right of the people, and in denying health workers decent wages and jobs.” – Health Alliance for Democracy.

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA— “Other people including graduates of ‘mere four-year-courses’ are earning higher salaries than me,” said a trained surgeon working for years now at a district hospital in a province north of Manila. He said that lack of doctors in their hospital has also forced him to work on “all kinds of cases and not just on an operating table.” Today, he admitted that he is applying for a job abroad. As a surgeon, he thought his career is also in danger here as a new regulation is “being cooked up” by the PRC (Professional Regulations Commission) in Manila requiring people like him to become member of a certain society of surgeons first, before he can renew his license.

Still, this doctor went to Manila and braved the scorching summer heat to join his colleagues from different hospitals and practices in commemorating the National Health Workers’ Day last May 7. The Health Workers’ Day main program peaked at high noon at the Mendiola Bridge.

Almost a year into Aquino’s presidency, health workers complained they “still suffer from low salaries, inadequate benefits and understaffing,” a plight some of them had thought would change under President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. In his election campaign, Aquino was reputedly the only candidate who had promised to take care of public health. But today, a year into his presidency, a bigger allocation of the public purse has been going to militarization and debt servicing rather than public services such as health, said the health workers’ groups.

(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

To finance health, Aquino increasingly turns to PPPs (public-private partnerships), which, the health workers’ groups said, are treating health services as “profitable” ventures rather than public services. They said the PPPs make health services available but costly to average Filipinos.

An elderly public hospital employee who went on leave to join her fellow health workers in their nationwide protest told Bulatlat.com they had “really believed things would be different with Aquino. But here we are again,” she said, “asking for the same things.”

In commemorating the National Health Workers’ Day last May 7, health workers held a protest caravan from the Lung Center of the Philippines, early morning, stopped for a brief program in front of the University of Sto.Tomas in España, then proceeded by midday to their main program at the Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang. The health workers are demanding a salary increase of P6,000 ($139.75) per month. The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said they conducted the Health Workers Day protest also to “continue the fight for jobs, rights and health of the people.”

Health services for profit, low salaries for health workers

“If President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III had really wanted to substantially increase the government employees’ wages, why doesn’t he just give the wage hike in its entirety under the Salary Standardization 3 (SSL-3)?” asked Jossel Ebesate, nurse at the Philippine General Hospital and new national president of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW)..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/12/aquinos-universal-health-care-a-sham-%E2%80%93-health-workers/

Noy threatens sedition; Bishops recall Marcos By Aytch de la Cruz 05/14/2011

AMID THREAT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE BY PRO-LIFE GROUPS

Noy threatens sedition; Bishops recall Marcos

By Aytch de la Cruz 05/14/2011

President Aquino and leaders of the Catholic Church appeared to have burned their bridges over the Reproductive Health (RH) bill debate after Aquino threatened to file sedition charges against the Church-backed critics of the bill who will call for civil disobedience while bishops welcomed the threat and described Aquino as sounding like former President Ferdinand Marcos, the political nemesis of his mother former President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino said anybody who plans to join pro-life non-government organizations’ (NGOs’) reported bid to launch a civil disobedience campaign by refusing to pay their taxes once the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill is enacted by Congress may face sedition charges.

Aquino told reporters during a visit to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that anyone who threatens not to honor tax liabilities constitutes a very serious offense which is punishable under the law.

“I think sedition would be the charge that will be filed for your not doing your civic obligation,” he said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110514hed1.html

AI: Rights abuses persist under Aquino 05/14/2011

AI: Rights abuses persist under Aquino

05/14/2011
Human rights abuses persist under the administration of President Aquino while hundreds of cases of rights violations committed under the previous administration remain unresolved, London-based Amnesty International (AI) said in its latest Report 2011.

Amnesty International Philippines director Aurora Parong said extrajudicial executions by security forces and armed groups belonging to political clans continue with impunity.

She added almost no perpetrators of more than 200 cases of disappearances and at least 305 extrajudicial killings during the term of former President Arroyo have been brought to justice.

The report noted that at least 305 cases of extrajudicial execution (with some estimates ranging as high as 1,200) also remain unresolved..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110514hed2.html

Phivolcs records 11 volcanic quakes around Taal, Mayon By Jason Faustino 05/14/2011

Phivolcs records 11 volcanic quakes around Taal, Mayon

By Jason Faustino 05/14/2011

State seismologists recorded at least 11 volcanic quakes around Taal Volcano in Batangas and Mayon Volcano in Albay in the last 24 hours.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), both the alert level at Taal and Mayon volcanos remain the same at “2” and “1,” respectively.

“Taal Volcano’s seismic network recorded 11 volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours,” Phivolcs said in its Friday update for Taal.

It said the alert level remains at “2,” meaning magma has been intruding toward the surface as manifested by the continuing high emission rate of carbon dioxide being released in the Main Crater Lake and sustained seismic activity..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110514nat1.html

‘Bebeng’ kills 31, destroys P300-M infrastructure, agricultural products By Mario J. Mallari 05/14/2011

‘Bebeng’ kills 31, destroys P300-M infrastructure, agricultural products

By Mario J. Mallari 05/14/2011

The death toll brought about by tropical storm “Bebeng” has reached 31 while more than P300 million in infrastructures and agricultural products were destroyed and nearly 500,000 people were affected by the havoc in several regions.

Reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday showed that Region V or Bicol Region suffered the highest number of fatalities with 24 and 16 came from Camarines Sur; six in Albay, and one each in Catanduanes and Masbate.

Regions III, VII and the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded one fatality each while Region VIII accounted four deaths.

Nine persons were also reported injured while three remained missing.

A total of 84,587 families, composed of 422,456 individuals, were affected by Bebeng which battered six regions with heavy rains and strong winds from Monday to Wednesday when the tropical storm left the country. A total of 66 municipalities and five cities were affected by flooding and landslides..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110514nat2.html

‘Gas subsidy to benefit oil firms only’ 05/14/2011

‘Gas subsidy to benefit oil firms only’

05/14/2011
The gas subsidy is benefiting oil companies more than the jeepney and tricycle drivers for which the program is intended.

According to Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, the gas subsidy had better be given to the drivers in cash to be spent for the needs of their families rather than an augmentation for their fuel consumption.

“On the overhyped ‘additional’ P50 increase in Pantawid Pasada smart cards — Mabuti pang ibigay na lang ng gobyerno ang cash direkta sa drayber para makapahinga sila ng isang araw habang may pambili ng pagkain para sa kanilang pamilya,” Casiño said yesterday.

Casiño explained under the current program, the Aquino government, is giving oil companies more opportunity to earn more as the whole amount of the subsidy amounting to P134.4 million will end up with the oil companies..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110514met5.html

It’s final: Comelec recount confirms Lim won over Atienza 05/14/2011

It’s final: Comelec recount confirms Lim won over Atienza

05/14/2011
It’s final. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday confirmed Mayor Alfredo Lim won over former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza by an unprecedented margin during the May 2010 mayoral fight in Manila.

This was announced yesterday by Lim’s chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman who said based on the ballots from the total number of clustered precincts reported, which is 200, Lim garnered 65,375 votes while Atienza got a measly 20,340.a

The remaining 12,427 votes were spread over the other candidates.

In terms of percentage, De Guzman said 66.61 percent of the ballots recounted went to Lim while Atienza garnered 20.73 percent only, slightly bigger than the 12.66 percent that went to other candidates..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110514met2.html

Solgen moots sinister aim in Sandigan ruling By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/12/2011

PLEA BARGAIN ‘DONE DEAL’ SINCE MAY LAST YEAR — CADIZ

Solgen moots sinister aim in Sandigan ruling

By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/12/2011

Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz imputed sinister motives in the recent decision of the Sandiganbayan to uphold the plea bargaining agreement entered into between the Office of the Ombudsman and former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia and in denying the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG’s) bid to intervene in the case for the government as Cadiz floated a theory that the agreement was a “done deal” early as May last year —before President Aquino won the election — and that the recent ruling was just “a formality.”

“My thesis is the Sandiganbayan approved the deal on May 4 last year when President Aquino was leading mightily in the surveys. The Sandiganbayan only wanted Gen. Garcia to comply with some conditions, or to transfer your assets to the government. So when he complied, the court just came up with a resolution formalizing the deal,” he explained.

Cadiz said the OSG will insist on its legal standing to intervene in the plea-bargaining agreement between the Ombudsman and before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110512hed1.html

Congress approves bill to reform state firms By Gerry Baldo 05/12/2011

Congress approves bill to reform state firms

By Gerry Baldo 05/12/2011

The congressional bicameral conference committee yesterday approved a bill creating a body that would oversee the operations of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

The move, aimed at curbing the alleged excesses of some officials of the GOCCs, will look over the 157 GOCCs under the present Aquino administration.

Sen. Franklin Drilon said the approval of the bill will institute wide-ranging reforms in government corporations.

“This law will create a Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) which will review the performance of these GOCCs. The abusive practices of the board — as we have seen in the MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) — of granting 36-month pay for 12 months of work, or in GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) where the directors would earn half a million pesos for attending one board meeting,” he told a press conference yesterday..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110512hed4.html

A strange creature called PPP EDITORIAL 05/11/2011

A strange creature called PPP

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

05/11/2011
The flagship projects of Noynoy under the so-called private-public partnership (PPP) scheme have not started and yet controversy is already hounding those that have been lined for bidding.

The problem is basic. Noynoy’s administration has failed to define how to implement these projects such as what really is a PPP scheme.

Many are led to believe that the PPP is patterned after the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme that was conceptualized to reduce costs for government in putting up infrastructure projects. Now it appears that this is totally not the case.

.Even Sen. Ralph Recto, a Noynoy ally and a former Socio-economic Planning secretary, appears astounded to learn that the PPP scheme for the pioneer projects involving the mass transit lines would involve the government paying an operator of the railways lines P15 billion.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com1.html

Control freak FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 05/11/2011

Control freak

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

05/11/2011
The Sandiganbayan’s approval of the plea bargain agreement between the prosecutors and retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia was a given. There really was no other choice, with Garcia having admitted guilt to the lesser charge of bribery and graft, instead of plunder.

But the Palace and Noynoy’s aides aren’t giving up — even when they know it is a lost cause. They make all the noises of appealing the case before the Supreme Court to get that plea bargain overturned, mainly to keep up with the Noynoy posture of going after all the crooks.

No one knows just how the high court will rule on this appeal — if it does get to decide on the case, but it would be fairly difficult to overturn the anti-graft court’s ruling, owing to the fact that this would be a case of double jeopardy, which has to be upheld — else, the Garcia plea bargain, once overturned, will screw up once again the laws of the land — or the interpretation of double jeopardy, not to mention the fact that if overturned by a higher court, no plea bargain agreement entered into by the courts can ever be taken seriously, since such an agreement can still be overturned by the high court..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com2.html

Letter from Rep. Peping C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 05/11/2011

Letter from Rep. Peping

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

05/11/2011
Rep. “Peping” is, of course, former Tarlac congressman and POC Chairman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., younger brother of the departed President Cory Aquino and uncle to P-Noy.

We got hold of an open letter purportedly written by Cojuangco detailing what may be considered critical observations of a keen political observer whose experience and participation in the country’s political life has spanned decades. While we do not have independent verification of the provenance or even authenticity of this letter, we deemed it proper to give it space if only to serve as a backgrounder on the current state of affairs as well as a glimpse of what the country and our people can expect as P-Noy enters the second year of his six-year term. Here goes:

“Corrupt nila o corrupt ninyo, pare pareho ba lahat kayo?”

“It is dangerous if not fatal to believe that winning an election or even more especially — losing one — also bestows a monopoly on virtue and good intentions..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com4.html

Tunis museum flourishes after Ben Ali fall focus 05/11/2011

Tunis museum flourishes after Ben Ali fall

focus

05/11/2011
TUNIS — Sitting in his vast office, crammed full of relics and curiosities, museum curator Taher Ghalia has good reason to welcome the downfall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Just as a fresh breeze now blows through the country’s politics and press, Tunisia’s cultural institutions too have the chance to flourish.

Instead of protecting the nation’s treasures from the hands of former ruler Ben Ali and his wife, Ghalia is heading up a major renovation project to bring them to the people.

“They weren’t interested in culture. There was a trade in antiquities, but fortunately the Bardo wasn’t touched,” said Ghalia who clashed with the couple earlier in his career..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com5.html

On the run HE SAYS Aldrin Cardon 05/11/2011

On the run

HE SAYS

Aldrin Cardon

05/11/2011
Now, there is no doubt the highly covert Navy SEALs May Day siege on a million-dollar mansion in Abbottabad, Pakistan had netted Osama bin Laden, the former top figure in the terrorist group al-Qaeda, long wanted by the West for masterminding the 9/11 attacks on strategic US landmarks, aside from other deadly attacks in various parts of the free world.

No less than the al-Qaeda had acknowledged the obvious about Osama’s death when it released a statement it called “You lived as a good man, you died as a martyr,” that was used freely in militant Web sites, confirming its source.

It said: “The blood of the holy warrior sheik, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is too precious to us and to all Muslims to go in vain... We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries.

“Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness... their blood will be mingled with their tears.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com6.html

More paranoia SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 05/11/2011

More paranoia

SHE SAYS

Dinah S. Ventura

05/11/2011
The world does not feel like a better place even after the world’s most wanted terrorist was annihilated by US Navy SEALs over a week ago.

The elation that erupted in parts of America at the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death did not usher in an era of peace, but rather gave the world just another off-putting display of hate and fanaticism — exactly the kind of things for which superpowers fight wars to erase or subdue.

Instead of a feeling of relief, what many felt was more paranoia, because history shows that one terrorist’s death only means the rise of another.

This is why the Philippine military, heeding warnings of a possible backlash from fans of Osama, stepped up its vigilance against terror or rebel groups, even though they have said that the military is never relaxed when it comes to security threats..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com7.html

Life pauses on rumbling Taal Volcano focus 05/11/2011

Life pauses on rumbling Taal Volcano

focus

05/11/2011
TAAL VOLCANO — Boats lay idle on the shores of a lake surrounding the rumbling Taal Volcano as village elder Violy Seda retold her dramatic escape from death a generation ago.

The 65-year-old woman was a young mother during Taal’s last major eruption in 1977, which covered the island with deadly ash, violently shook the ground and sent villagers rushing through the night to their boats to escape.

“Throughout the day there were powerful earthquakes that sent us falling over ourselves,” said Seda, who now has seven children and 32 grandchildren.

“By nightfall we had packed everything and jumped on our boats just as a loud bang erupted. The night sky glowed and we would have died if we stayed behind.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110511com3.html

P423M funds for RH-type projects missing — Sotto By Gerry Baldo 05/11/2011

P423M funds for RH-type projects missing — Sotto

By Gerry Baldo 05/11/2011

Some P423 million in government funds intended for the implementation of family planning programs during the previous administration similar to those proposed under the Reproductive Health (RH) bill has gone missing, raising the spectre of the possible misappropriations being repeated under the controversial measure pending in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

He added that millions of pesos intended for similar programs sought by the RH bill are already being appropriated to the Department of Health (DoH) through its Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition program but have not reached their intended targets..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110511hed2.html

Jinggoy not satisfied, wants actual wage hike for workers 05/11/2011

Jinggoy not satisfied, wants actual wage hike for workers

05/11/2011
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada yesterday said the P22 increase in the cost of living allowance (COLA) for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila ap-proved by the National Capital Region wage board was not enough even as he stressed that deliberations on the proposed actual wage increase should continue.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) announced the approval of the COLA adjustment after deliberations by the wage board, saying some two million minimum wage earners
in Metro Manila would benefit from the increase, bringing the daily compensation of non-agricultural workers to P426 a day.

“I share the workers’ sentiment that this COLA is very measly, especially in the face of the unabated jacking up of prices of petroleum as well as food products and basic commodities,” Estrada, also the concurrent chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development and the joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment, noted..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110511hed5.html

Typhoon ‘Bebeng’ leaves 2 more dead, 3 missing By Mario J. Mallari 05/11/2011

Typhoon ‘Bebeng’ leaves 2 more dead, 3 missing

By Mario J. Mallari 05/11/2011

Two more people were confirmed dead, bringing to 15 the total number of fatalities, while three others remained missing and more than 170,000 were affected by tropical storm “Bebeng” which battered Bicol regions with heavy rains and strong winds since last Sunday.

Reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the latest fatalities as Rolando Balandia, who was previously listed as missing, and Mario Nunez, both of Nabua town, Camarines Sur who died of drowning.

Earlier, 13 people were confirmed dead by the NDRRMC after tropical storm “Bebeng” battered Bicol and Leyte areas with continued heavy rains since last Sunday.

The NDRRMC also reported three people remained missing, namely, Agmeti Condat, of Tiwi, Albay; Dodoy Ronan and a certain Mister Abagat, both of Bula, Camarines Sur..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110511nat2.html

Two more ‘chainsaw murders’ uncovered in Maguindanao By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/11/2011

Two more ‘chainsaw murders’ uncovered in Maguindanao

By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/11/2011

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday announced that investigators have uncovered at least two more incidents of “chainsaw killings” in Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, five kilometers away from the palatial homes of the controversial Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao province .

De Lima said the cadavers were uncovered by field investigators of the police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and could be the remains of Murad Badjunaid and Harod Abdullah, both supporters of the Ampatuan family’s political rival, former Maguindanao Gov. Zacaria Candao who were reported missing in 2003.

“One of the skeletal remains was placed inside a sack and the body was apparently chopped, while the other one was outside the sack,” the DoJ chief said. “The remains have been turned over to the NBI medico legal officer at General Santos City and that would be transmitted to the NBI main office for forensic exam.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110511nat1.html

Warden told to produce 40 accused in massacre 05/11/2011

Warden told to produce 40 accused in massacre

05/11/2011
A Quezon City trial court judge yesterday ordered a jail warden to produce the 36 police officers and four civilians accused in the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre in today’s pre-trial conference at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

RTC’s Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes issued the order through clerk of court Jimmy Cardines to city’s Jail Annex warden Chief Insp. Glenford Valdepeñas.

Ordered to be present are Insp. Sukarno Dicay; PO1s Henry Amaba, Esprielito Legarso, Narhouk Mascud, Arnulfo Soriano, Badjun Panegas, Michael Macarongon, Mohammad Balading, Datu Jerry Utto, Abdulbaran Mundas, Bersedick Alonso, Jimmy Kadtong, Abdulrahman Bataran, Marjul Ulkadi, Abdulmanan Saavedra, Pendatun Dima, Ebara Bebot, Amir Solaiman, Jamano Sahibal Hadv and Marsman Nilong; PO3s Rashid Anton, Felix Enate Jr., Gibrail Alano, Felix Daquilos and Ricky Balanuevo; PO2s Henanie Decipulo Jr., Saudian Pasulan, Henry Amaba, Rexson Guiama and Kendatu Rakim; SPO1s Eduardo Ong, Samad Magundra, Ali Soriano, Alimola Guianaton and Elizer Rendaje, and SPO2 George Labayan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110511met3.html

Reinstate OPSF to counter unabated oil price hikes — ‘JV’ By Charlie V. Manalo 05/11/2011

Reinstate OPSF to counter unabated oil price hikes — ‘JV’

By Charlie V. Manalo 05/11/2011
San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito yesterday reiterated his proposal to reinstate the controversial Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) implemented during the Marcos time to ease the effects of the unabated oil price increases.

This even as the solon expressed regrets that the Department of Energy (DoE) settled on providing temporary solutions to ease the burden of motorists from the continuing oil price hike with the ongoing distribution of the Pantawid Pasada Card.

“As we have warned before, coupon rationing is not enough and will not resolve the skyrocketing oil prices nor alleviate the condition of consumers,” the lawmaker said.

Ejercito added the agency should instead propose and act on sustainable solutions that would enable the local oil industry to withstand the price hikes in the world market while reiterating his proposal to abolish the Oil Deregulation Law and to recall the OPSF,” Ejercito said, adding “the most plausible solution to mitigate the people’s distressed condition over the price hike is to reestablish the OPSF.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110511met1.html

Noy resurrects abolished office to make room for Mar By Aytch S. de la Cruz 05/10/2011

.Noy resurrects abolished office to make room for Mar
By Aytch S. de la Cruz 05/10/2011
To accommodate his defeated running mate in last year’s presidential elections, President Aquino will revive the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff that he earlier had abolished himself to place Liberal Party (LP) president Manuel Roxas II as head in time for the expiry in June of a one-year appointment ban under the Constitution for losing poll candidates.

Malacañang Administrative Order (AO) signed by Aquino is being prepared that would legalize and define the functions of Roxas’ new office pending his looming appointment as Presidential Chief of Staff (PCS).

While the creation of the office was within Aquino’s prerogative, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano underscored the need for Aquino to clarify the hierarchy of power structure within the Palace for the benefit of better understanding by the public.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110510hed2.html

Senate ethics case vs Ping to proceed, says Cayetano By Angie M. Rosales 05/10/2011

Senate ethics case vs Ping to proceed, says Cayetano

By Angie M. Rosales 05/10/2011

The ethics complaint against Sen. Panfilo Lacson is still on, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday although he was conspi-cuously cautious in saying that he will be fair in hearing the case.

The senator, in an interview with reporters, explained that his committee on ethics and privileges where a complaint lodged by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) against Lacson for evading the arrest warrant issued against him last year, is yet to draw until now the rules that will govern the panel in hearing issues concerning supposed unethical conducts of their peers.

But Cayetano said he will push the adoption of the rules the soonest time possible, if other members wish to revise.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110510hed4.html

Solon asks Noy gov’t to spare Pacquiao from politicking By Charlie V. Manalo

Solon asks Noy gov’t to spare Pacquiao from politicking

By Charlie V. Manalo 05/10/2011
A member of the House of Representatives yesterday asked the Aquino administration to spare eight-time world boxing champion, Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao from too much politicking as what Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares is doing by bullying the boxer-lawmaker with her “inquisition style” of her tax drive for BIR.

While echoing popular sentiment, Pacquiao had once again caused a unifying effect on the nation as Filipinos rooted and prayed for him, and ultimately celebrated his victory over African-American boxer Sugar Shane Mosley last Sunday, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla lamented that prior to the bout, while every Filipino was fervently hoping Pacquiao would win it, it seemed President Aquino’s people did not wish him well because of the announcement to probe him on payment of taxes..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110510nat2.html

Faculty unions endorse bill upgrading college professors pay N E W S B R I E F S 05/10/2011

Faculty unions endorse bill upgrading college professors pay

N E W S B R I E F S

05/10/2011
Faculty associations and unions from various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Luzon expressed their support for a bill upgrading the salaries of teaching personnel in public higher education institutions.

The Philippine National Confederation of Faculty Associations of SUCs (PNCFASUC)-Luzon endorsed House Bill 4523, filed by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, during its recently-concluded consultative training conference held in Subic, Zambales on May 2-4, 2011. Tinio held a dialogue with the faculty associations on the first day of the conference.

Fifty-three delegates from 27 participating faculty unions and associations attended the conference. They came from SUCs in Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Kalinga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Cavite, Rizal, Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and the National Capital Region. The conference was led by PNCFASUC-Luzon President Evelyn Tria of Bataan Peninsula State University..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110510nat5.html

Solons push gov’t plan giving free farmlands to squatters in provinces By Gerry Baldo 05/10/2011

Solons push gov’t plan giving free farmlands to squatters in provinces

By Gerry Baldo 05/10/2011
Lawmakers yesterday sought the approval of a government plan that would resettle informal settlers to the provinces by giving them free farmlands and other supporting agricultural implements.

San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) Rep. Sherwin Tugna and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said the proposal of President Aquino will surely not only decongest Metro Manila but also provide decent living conditions to many poor families.

Ejercito said the important thing in the proposal is that people who live in extreme poverty will now have the opportunity to have access to better life.

“I think it’s a good idea because not only will it decongest Manila but more importantly give chance to the informal settlers to have a better life in the provinces,” Ejercito added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110510met3.html

Lim calls anew for closure to ‘Hello Garci’ controversy By Mario J. Mallari 05/10/2011

Lim calls anew for closure to ‘Hello Garci’ controversy

By Mario J. Mallari 05/10/2011

Former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim yesterday renewed his call to put closure to the “Hello Garci” controversy which he branded as one of the root causes of military uprisings against the administration of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.

Taking his oath of allegiance after being granted amnesty by the administration of President Aquino, Lim said he is thanking the President for the amnesty but the “original sin” should be addressed to dissuade idealistic men in uniform from uprising.

Lim expressed disbelief why until now there is still no closure to the infamous “Hello Garci” recordings which revealed the alleged massive fraud involving the military during the 2004 presidential elections when Arroyo ran and won the race against the late Fernando Poe Jr..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110510met1.html

What subsidy? Public utility drivers still demand for an oil price rollback

There are 214,596 registered public utility jeepneys in the country, but when the Aquino Government’s Pantawid Pasada program was finally begun first week of May, only 3,000 fuel cards loaded with P1,050 ($34.95) each had been prepared for distribution by the government.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA –Do the math. There are 214,596 registered public utility jeepneys in the country, but when the Aquino Government’s Pantawid Pasada program was finally begun first week of May, only 3,000 fuel cards loaded with P1,050 ($34.95) each had been prepared for distribution by the government, and it has also prepared only one distribution center which is at Camp Crame in Quezon City. How could the rest of the country’s jeepney drivers be able to avail of that so-called Pantawid Pasada? asked George San Mateo, secretary-general of Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Drivers at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).

San Mateo also pointed out as “highly irregular” the government’s decision to directly involve in the distribution of said fuel cards some transport organizations and federations. The distribution of the so-called subsidy should have been a straightforward transaction between individual franchise holders and the government, San Mateo explained. But the Department of Energy (DoE) decided in a meeting that the list of franchisees availing of the subsidy would have to be brought to the distribution centers by its associations.

(Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

Other drivers’ associations have reportedly complied with the DOE stipulations, but Piston did not. Aside from seeing the process as “highly irregular,” Piston still has not yet forgotten the government’s oft-repeated threats against the franchise of its allies and members every time they would conduct a transport protest action. Why is the DOE requiring that, asked Piston, when the Land Transportations Franchising and Regulatory Board already has a master list of the jeepney franchise holders?

Pantawid Pasada as “trickery”

Last month Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño had described Pantawid Pasada as “nothing but a drop in the fuel tanks of our country’s public transport drivers,” because the amount cannot even buy a full tank of diesel. He added that the initial P450 million ( $10.48 million) allotted for the fuel subsidy program that “will last for two months will not make a dent in the incomes of our jeepney and tricycle drivers and operators since the 11 oil price hikes so far this year have negated whatever subsidizing effect government purports this program will have.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/06/what-subsidy-public-utility-drivers-still-demand-for-an-oil-price-rollback/

Seeking justice for Jonas Burgos

Seeking justice for Jonas Burgos

Published on May 6, 2011
Mrs. Burgos told Bulatlat.com that for three consecutive nights, a van with tinted windows parked in front of their house in Quezon City for 15 minutes.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Despite the risks involved, Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos, is determined to sue all those involved in the abduction of her son.

In an interview with Bulatlat.com, Mrs. Burgos said, surveillance on her intensified again after the release of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) report implicating the military in the enforced disappearance of her son.

Jonas, son of press freedom icon Jose “Joe” Burgos Jr., was abducted on April 28, 2007 at the Ever Gotesco mall in Commonwealth, Quezon City by elements of the Philippine Army.

Mrs. Burgos told Bulatlat.com that for three consecutive nights, a van with tinted windows parked in front of their house in Quezon City for 15 minutes. In all three occasions, no one boarded or stepped out of the van. Mrs. Burgos said she also noticed motorcycle-riding men tailing her several times. .... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/06/seeking-justice-for-jonas-burgos/

The people of Lacub’s continuing struggle for land

The people of Lacub’s continuing struggle for land

 
Their history of resistance against the plunder of their resources is as rich as their mountains.
Sidebar: Cordillera elders form pact against mining, militarization
By JOAN GARCIA
Bulatlat.com

VIGAN CITY – “We have nowhere to go, there is no other place for us but here”, Ferdinand Magalis, Chair of Timpuyog dagiti Umili iti Lacub, Bantayan Ekolohiya ken Kinabaknang or TULBEK (Lacub People’s Federation for Ecological and Resource Protection) said regarding the entry of mining giant Philex Mining Corporation and its partner Golden Lake Minerals Inc. in their ancestral land.

In June 2010, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) approved the exploration permit for gold of Golden Lake in Lacub, Abra. Since then, the people of Lacub headed by TULBEK, together with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) have been opposing the mining exploration.

According to Magalis, despite the difficulties, they decided to host the Cordillera Day 2011 in their community because it can help in informing other people, especially their fellow indigenous peoples in the Cordillera, international delegates and the media regarding their resistance to the proposed large-scale mining in their area.

(Photo by Jeffrey Ocampo / bulatlat.com)

Since the preparations for the Cordillera Day started, TULBEK has sought dialogue with the municipal government for assistance in the hosting and to seek support for their opposition to the entry of the mining companies in the municipality but they were met with hostility and even threats.

In the April 15 meeting of TULBEK with Mayor Estelita Bersamina and Vice Mayor Leo Barona, they received death threats and the local government even accused the CPA and the KASTAN of brainwashing the people of Lacub.


Bersamina and Barona are actively pushing for the mining in Lacub as they claim that it will help their municipality to develop.

Aside from the local government’s pro-mining stand, the military’s sudden presence in the municipality is a cause of concern for the people of Lacub.

Last April 17, the military began to station in the barangays of Buneg, Pacoc, Guinguinabang, Lan-ag and Bacag- 5 out of the 6 barangays in Lacub..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/06/the-people-of-lacub%E2%80%99s-continuing-struggle-for-land/

Mothers of missing UP students file charges against notorious Army general

Mothers of missing UP students file charges against notorious Army general

Published on May 5, 2011

"We will not stop seeking for justice. We will not stop until the perpetrators are punished. I cannot settle with the fact that I can only embrace my daughter in my dreams," Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn, said.

By SHARMAINE ANNE B. VILLANUEVA and RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA-In their continuing search for their missing daughters, the mothers of Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan have been going to different places. Barely five years since the two University of the Philippines students were abducted, their search led them to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On May 4, Erlinda Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn, and Concepcion Empeño, mother of Karen, filed before the DOJ a string of criminal charges against Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., former commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army; his commanding officers Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac of the 56th Infantry Battalion and Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado of the 24th Infantry Battalion, M/Sgt. Donald Caigas and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario and several "John Does."

Karen and Sherlyn were abducted on June 26, 2006 in San Miguel village, Hagonoy, Bulacan by armed men wearing ski masks. Farmer Manuel Merino who came out to help the two was also taken. They remain missing to this day.

The charges include rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion, violations of Republic Act 7438 or An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof. (Below: press conference held after the filing.) .... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/05/05/mothers-of-missing-up-students-file-charges-against-notorious-army-general/

Senate to still table Merci charge sheet By Angie M. Rosales 05/08/2011

IMPEACH CASE LIKELY HEADED FOR ARCHIVES

Senate to still table Merci charge sheet

By Angie M. Rosales 05/08/2011

While it’s been deemed moot and academic, the Senate will still tackle the so-called charge sheet against resigned Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in the aborted impeachment proceedings by a court to be consituted by the chamber when Congress reconvenes tomorrow.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III yesterday said they still have to dispose of the articles of impeachment against Gutierrez transmitted by the House of Representatives prior to her resignation.

“The agenda on Monday, based on the pending or standing motion when we went on recess a month ago, was resolution No. 15 which is the disposition of the articles of impeachment,” the senator said.

The rules of the proceedings call for the matter to be disposed of following the turn of events while Congress was in recess, Sotto explained..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110508hed1.html

AFP orders probe of soldiers ‘playing ball’ with Ampatuans 05/08/2011

AFP orders probe of soldiers ‘playing ball’ with Ampatuans

05/08/2011
Soldiers were accused yesterday of playing basketball with suspects in the country’s worst political massacre, causing acute embarrassment to the military.

An inquiry is under way into allegations made by a relative of one of the 57 people murdered in the November 2009 attack, military spokesman Commodore Miguel Rodriguez said.

“The instructions are, if these people are indeed suspects, we should arrest them, not play ball with them,” Rodriguez said.

“The chief of staff (Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban), was livid and ordered an investigation,” Rodriguez added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110508hed4.html

‘Bebeng’ halts Bicol ferries, flights 05/08/2011

‘Bebeng’ halts Bicol ferries, flights

05/08/2011
More than 1,000 passengers were stranded in the Bicol region yesterday as ferries stayed at port and some domestic flights were cancelled ahead of an approaching storm, the emergency services said.

The state weather bureau said tropical storm “Bebeng,” the first major weather disturbance of the year, was expected to hit Catanduanes, an island of about 250,000, on Sunday morning.

The storm is packing winds of up to 65 kilometers an hour near the center and was churning slowly westward toward the northern Luzon from the Pacific Ocean, it added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110508hed6.html

Philippine Navy to hold maritime exercises in La Union By Mario J. Mallari 05/08/2011

Philippine Navy to hold maritime exercises in La Union

By Mario J. Mallari 05/08/2011
To enhance the interoperability of its active and reserve forces particularly on humanitarian operations like disaster response, the Navy will hold maritime exercises starting tomorrow in La Union province.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama cited the importance of Exercise “Pagsasama” 2011 in enhancing the interoperability of Navy forces, both active and reserve, various facets of maritime service.

“This exercise is of utmost importance to the Navy and maritime stakeholder interests as it reinforces the bond between the active and reservist Navy personnel, as well as other stakeholders toward a
stable and progressive maritime environment,” Pama said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110508nat5.html

Probe urged on 2 OFWs killed in Syria crossfire 05/08/2011

Probe urged on 2 OFWs killed in Syria crossfire

05/08/2011
A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today urges the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and its Philippine post in Damascus, Syria to investigate the reports about the death of the two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Syria.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said OFW Baynida Saylila, who works as a household service worker for a Syrian family in Damascus, during a phone conversation yesterday informed him of what she had seen involving two fellow OFWs who were caught in a firefight between Syrian military forces and anti-government protesters.

“My fellow OFWs were asked by their employer to buy something at a store located at the ground floor of the building where I am staying. At this juncture, they were hit by stray bullets,” Saylila said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110508nat3.html

Group urges Congress to pass law on outdoor media industry 05/08/2011

Group urges Congress to pass law on outdoor media industry

05/08/2011
An advocacy group composed of out-of-home (OOH) outdoor media industry operators, suppliers and allied service providers is urging Congress to pass a law that will guide its industry.

The Outdoor Media Advocacy Group (OMAG) particularly supports pending measures in the House of Representatives introduced by Reps. Leopoldo Bataoil (HB 3159) and Angelo Palmones (HB 3539), saying “they are comprehensive in scope and reasonable in character.”
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110508met3.html

Customs loses P15-M case vs importer of lotto paper By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/08/2011

Customs loses P15-M case vs importer of lotto paper

By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/08/2011
The Supreme Court’s Third Division has turned down a petition filed by lawyers of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) questioning the decision of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) to drop the criminal charges for violation of the Customs Code they filed against officials of a company which allegedly failed to pay the correct duties on more than a million dollars’ worth of thermal paper the firm imported for use by the government’s lottery operations.

In its decision, the high tribunal through Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales upheld the dismissal of the case filed by the BoC against officials of Mark Sensing Philippines Inc. (MSPI).

“In fine, petitioner’s (BoC’s) motion for reconsideration of the challenged CTA Resolution did not bear the imprimatur of the public prosecutor to which the control of the prosecution of the case belongs, the present petition fails,” the SC said as it noted that the BoC was likewise “not represented by the Office of the Solicitor General in instituting the present petition which contravenes established doctrine that the OSG shall represent the Government of the Philippines, its agencies and instrumentalities and its officials and agents in any litigation, proceeding, investigation or matter requiring the services of lawyers.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110508met1.html

Noy’s three tumors EDITORIAL 05/08/2011

Noy’s three tumors

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

05/08/2011
The other side of the coin in the saying two or more heads are better than one, which Noynoy’s aides have bruited about in making a case for the many-headed communications office in Malacañang, is too many cooks spoil the broth.

Add to that a new saying, which is the chief cook spoils the broth some more.

Both the critics and allies of Noynoy trace his recent dipping survey ratings from the consistent ineffectiveness of the communications team, which has Sonny Coloma, Ricky Carandang and Edwin Lacierda holding Cabinet-rank positions for overlapping functions.

Three chefs and no sous-chefs ever goes well and worse, the master chef can’t even provide any direction for the entire cooking class..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com1.html

Not knowing when to shut up FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 05/08/2011

Not knowing when to shut up

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

05/08/2011
Palace spokesmen really don’t know when to shut up.

When a Muslim group demonstrated and protested the killing of Osama bin Laden by a select American Navy SEALs team, hailing him as a “martyr,” there went the Palace mouthpiece telling these Filipino Muslims demonstrating that they should not honor Bin Laden as he was no martyr and no hero.

Said Noynoy’s spokesman, “We call on our Muslim brothers and sisters to look clearly on what Bin Laden has done. This affects the Philippines and the entire globe as well. He sinned and he has to be responsible for what he did.”

The Muslim group marched from their Mosque in Quiapo intending to go to the US embassy and hold their rally there, but were stopped by the police..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com2.html

Obscene duopolies BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 05/08/2011

Obscene duopolies

BLURBAL THRUSTS

Louie Logarta

05/08/2011
The only plausible reason behind President Aquino’s desire for the Philippines to adopt an open skies policy in regard to the aviation industry is to afford beleaguered passengers the best value they can get for their hard-earned money.

Contrary to the claims of the highly-paid spin doctors of local airlines led by the Gokongwei-owned Cebu Pacific which is said to be the nation’s biggest passenger carrier today with a volume of about 12 million paying customers in 2010, congressional economic planners tell us the open skies policy now being espoused by the Aquino will not necessarily lead to the ruination of said companies, that is if they are properly managed.

What the Department of Tourism simply wants to accomplish in pushing the implementation of the open skies policy is to safeguard the interests of some 45 million incoming and outgoing passengers (the estimated volume in all Philippine airports last year) against airline firms out to make a big, quick buck..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com4.html

Once more with feeling: No to RH Bill! VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 05/08/2011

Once more with feeling: No to RH Bill!

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

05/08/2011
There was once this world famous character named “Henry K.” — an American professional politician and a perceived technocrat who said in many ways and provided different means in order to accomplish three very selfish and highly detestable societal realities: One, to assure that the number of population in Third World countries was well within tolerable count — according to him. Two, to guarantee that with the deflation of population growth in the said countries, the people therein would not consume practically their natural resources — according to him. Three, to ascertain wherefore that the people of First World countries, especially the Americans, could continue benefiting from the said foreign resources provided by nature — according to him. Crystal clear — according to him.

Thus were deliberately born, definitely promoted and accordingly funded the anti-baby realities of institutional “Birth Control,” open or public “Abortion,” “Population Control.” All these are the gross precursors of the now so fondly yet deceitfully called “Reproductive Health Bill.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com7.html

Birth control prescribed for Hong Kong monkeys FEATURE 05/08/2011

Birth control prescribed for Hong Kong monkeys

FEATURE

05/08/2011
HONG KONG — Wild monkeys don’t seem to care that Hong Kong is a concrete jungle — they thrive so well on its fringes that the government has introduced birth control to curb a population boom.

Easy food handouts from some of the city’s seven million humans helped push macaque numbers to more than 2,000 in recent years — and a rise in nuisance complaints about monkeys that have lost a natural fear of people.

“I think we still have plenty of space for wildlife. But the countryside and the city are adjacent to each other and sometimes there is conflict,” said Chung-tong Shek of the government’s conservation department.

Reports of aggressive monkeys chasing hikers for food, grabbing bags and reaching for pockets surfaced in recent years as the macaque population grew..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com5.html

A little sense of religious history TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 05/08/2011

A little sense of religious history

TABLETS OF STONE

Larry Faraon, OP

05/08/2011
The beatification of Blessed John Paul II last Sunday was a great single event that should really touch the hearts of the Filipinos deeply. Unlike our first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, who lived around the 17th century, we have a contemporary, live, tete-a-tete experience with this holy man from Poland since he has stepped into our shores, kissed our land twice in 1982 and 1995 during the World Youth Day. Our bonding with the man extended beyond his being the universal leader of some 1.2 billion Catholics all over the world including the nearly 70 million local Roman Catholics toward a deeper level where encounters were personally empowering and inspiring.

In 1982, the first time he came, he really wanted to see and bless the lepers of the Tala Leprosarium in San Jose del Monte Bulacan. Unfortunately then President Ferdinand Marcos discouraged the papal entourage for doing so for security reasons. But the Pope insisted, since he really had an eye and a heart for such dejected people whenever he visits a country. In his 1980 visit to Brazil, his tears trickled down freely upon beholding over a thousand lepers at one of the Brazilian colonies. To solve the impasse, the late Cardinal Sin thought of a way out. He summoned for me with instructions that I invite some 50 lepers from Tala Leprosarium, then bring them to Radio Veritas conference room where the Pope could meet and bless them, since the Holy Father was awarding the winners of the Catholic Mass Media Awards at the Radio Veritas auditorium on the same day..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110508com6.html

Meralco earns P2.1 B in 1st quarter, up 6%

Meralco earns P2.1 B in 1st quarter, up 6%

May 7, 2011, 1:28am

MANILA, Philippines – The core income of power distribution giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) rose to P3.2 billion in the first quarter from last year’s P2.0 billion, while its resulting consolidated reported net income expanded 6.0-percent to P2.1 billion.

The company qualified that the increase in its consolidated net income has been generally propped by the implementation of the fourth regulatory year on its Second Regulatory Reset under performance-based regulation (PBR). This took effect in January this year.

It must be noted that the third and fourth regulatory years of its PBR-drawn tariffs have been voluntarily suspended in January last year; and the third regulatory year was only re-implemented in April billing of 2010.

Meralco emphasized that its “balance sheet remains strong and is in a favorable position to avail of opportunities to gear up.” In fact, it noted that when it tapped the financial markets for P2.5 billion worth of loan, it has been offered a very low interest rate..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/317130/meralco-earns-p21-b-1st-quarter-6

Five more [U.S.] states adapt anti-immigration laws

Five more [U.S.] states adapt anti-immigration laws

By Contessa Rita Bourbon

WASHINGTON—Filipino undocumented workers are getting more worried as anti-immigration measures similar to Arizona are proceeding through legislatures in other states including Alabama, Indiana, Oklahoma and South Carolina and Georgia.

The new bill in Georgia  is similar to one passed by Arizona last year that fueled  a national debate on state  measures to squeeze and discriminate immigrants.

Arizona's law criminalizes illegal immigration and  allows police authorities  to question anyone they suspect lacks legal immigration papers.

Asked about the Georgia bill, President Obama said: "It is a mistake for states to try to do this piecemeal. We can't have 50 different immigration laws around the country. Arizona tried this and a federal court already struck them down.".... MORE

Source:  The Filipino Express

URL: http://www.filipinoexpress.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30:five-more-states-adapt-anti-immigration-laws&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=2

Hotdog:The Reunion

Hotdog:The Reunion

By ELLEN TORDESILLAS

ON May 16, the grand ballroom of the Dusit Thani Manila hotel will be filled with the delightful hits of the Hotdog band when the trailblazing Pinoy pop- rock group in the 1970s stages a one- night reunion concert.

Dennis Garcia, one of the founders of the band and who plays bass, said the rare event will bring together other members of the group, namely, Rene Garcia (lead guitarist/vocals), Jess Garcia on drums, and Gina Montes, Maso Diez, Joy Reyes, and Rita Saguin Trinidad, all former lead vocalists of Hotdog at various times.

They will be backed up by guest performers Joey Abando from The Boyfriends, and session musicians Benjie Santos, Carlo Gaa, Roy Marinduque, and Roy Sadicon.

Hotdog revolutionized Philippine musical landscape with what was dubbed as the “Manila sound.” The songs were original Pilipino music distinguished for their catchy lyrics written by the Garcia brothers, Rene and Dennis, which mostly conveyed exuberance..... MORE

Source:  Vera Files

 URL: http://verafiles.org/features/9244/

JPII’s beatification beats the record

JPII’s beatification beats the record

 Rome, Italy---The crowds expected at Pope John Paul II’s beatification last Sunday were being pegged at first at no more than 300,000 for a number of reasons. The Royal Wedding in London the preceding Friday was said to have cut the Rome crowd in half; moreover, times were tough economically and the weather was not very good. Another big reason for the expected low turnout was that Rome hotels were said to have jacked up their prices way before the beatification, perhaps in anticipation of crowds similar to the mammoth throngs that flocked to the funeral of JPII in April 2005.

All these were said to have frightened his devotees that two days before his beatification we kept hearing of turnout of only around 300,000 people. I thought, kakalug-kalog ang St. Peter’s. Kawawa naman si JPII.

Poles flock to Rome for their compatriot

But the day before the event, people descended on Rome from everywhere in unbelievable numbers. The Poles, ever grateful to their compatriot JPII for supporting them all the way in their battle against Communist rule, arrived on trains and in over 200 big buses from all over Poland with their families, waving their red and white flags. Last Saturday they occupied the sidewalks around the Vatican with their sleeping bags and blankets, and the innumerable portalets assembled by the Rome Commune helped make their lives a bit bearable. ..... MORE

Source:  Political Tidbits

URL: http://www.polbits.com/2011/05/jpiis-beatification-beats-record.html

Cordi elders sign pact vs mining, militarization

Written By: editors on May 1, 2011 One Comment

By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net
LACUB, Abra — Elders from the Cordillera signed a unity pact (pagta) against large scale mining and militarization on April 27 during the Cordillera Day celebrations here in barangay Buneg.

According to Johnny Sawadan of the Cordillera Elders Alliance (CEA), the unity pact was a result of a workshop held here. He said through the sharing and discussions, the elders representing all six provinces of the region deemed wise to seal a pact to protect the Cordillera from destructive mining and rights violations brought about by militarization.

Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that 1.2 million hectares of the 1.8 million hectare total land area of the Cordillera is covered with approved and ongoing large scale mining applications..... MORE

Source:  Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

URL: http://www.nordis.net/?p=9517

May 1, a day of outrage

Written By: editors on May 1, 2011 No Comment

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY — Cordillera workers led by the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and other sectoral organizations and individuals join the rest of the Filipino people in marching the streets to condemn the administration of President Benigno Aquino III for refusing to heed the workers call for a substantial wage increase.

The central theme of this year’s commemoration of May 1 as the International Labor Day is “Sahod dagdagan, makabuluhan! Presyo, ibaba ngayon na! Patung-patong na pahirap ni Pnoy, Labanan!. KMU declared May 1 as Workers’ and Peoples’ Day of outrage against the policies of Aquino administration..... MORE

Source:  Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

URL: http://www.nordis.net/?p=9514