2012 budget is anti-farmer, for counterinsurgency – farmers’ group

2012 budget is anti-farmer, for counterinsurgency – farmers’ group

“The DAR is mandated to implement land reform, but now under this Pamana program, it is being tasked to be yet another agency carrying out counter-insurgency campaigns. Yet again we insist that farmers in the provinces want land, not bullets.” –Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

There’s money for dole-out schemes, but no funds for genuine economic reform programs?

The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) criticized the Aquino administration’s 2012 budget proposal after it was revealed that the governments wanted a 59 percent increase in its dole out scheme called the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) or the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino (PPP) Program. From P23 billion (US$534,883,720) , the government proposed to raise the dole-out program’s budget to P34 billion (US$790,697,674). Malacañang spokespersons have said the executive is aiming to increase CCT recipients from three million to five million people by the year 2015.

UMA secretary-general Rodel Mesa said the government should prioritize the implementation of genuine economic reforms instead of bolstering a scheme that fosters a mendicant mentality among the Filipino poor. According to Mesa, it is apparent that President Aquino has no intention of improving the economic welfare of Filipinos.

“The CCT scheme is not designed to improve people’s worsening economic condition; it aims to maintain a state of life wherein the poor remain poor, but increasingly dependent on alms, on dole-outs from a government with deliberately twisted priorities,” he said.

Mesa said instead of fattening the budgets of non-productive schemes like the CCT program, the Aquino government should increase budgets for social services and improve infrastructure for public housing, education, and health.

Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura secretary-general Rodel Mesa said the government should utilize its funds to implement genuine and concrete economic reforms instead of bolstering a scheme that fosters a mendicant mentality among the Filipino poor. (Photo by Ina Alleco R. Silverio / bulatlat.com)

“Filipinos need steady employment and living wages, not dole-outs, he said.”Dole out measures will not answer the problem of the ballooning poverty and hunger. Aquino lied through his teeth when he said that the rate of hunger incidence fell by one million from the previous three to four million in the last year. This is impossible given how the quality of life has deteriorated further because of the relentless oil price hikes, high electricity rates and the refusal of the president to heed and support calls for an across-the-board wage and salary increase for workers and employees. On the other hand, Aquino failed to mention the growing labor force of 1.2 million and the 829, 900 increase in under employment as revealed by institutions like Ibon Foundation,”he said.

Mesa said the Aquino government continues to ignore its responsibility to provide long term solutions to the country’s chronic economic woes.

“No economic turn-around is possible unless there’s genuine land reform. The policies of deregulation, liberalization and privatization also stand in the way of national industrialization which will provide secure employment and higher wages. The CCT scheme is nothing but band-aid solution, and its the worst kind of charity because it comes from a government that can undoubtedly provide more if only it had the political will to do so,” he said.



Counter-insurgency fund in the Agrarian Reform Department

In the meantime, another farmers group is protesting against the inclusion of a counter-insurgency fund in the allocations for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) decried the insertion of P17.623 million (US$409,837) for a counter-insurgency program in the DAR’s proposed P17.9 billion budget for next year..... MORE

Source:  BULALAT.COM

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/04/2012-budget-is-anti-farmer-for-counterinsurgency-%E2%80%93-farmers-group/

CARP deserves a zero budget – farmers’ group

CARP deserves a zero budget – farmers’ group

“While landlords receive hefty payments, massive landlessness persists in the countryside. Millions of farmers are displaced due to massive land grabbing and land use conversion. Rural poverty and hunger is on the rise.” Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Given the Department of Agrarian Reform’s poor performance in land acquisition and distribution, peasant groups questioned the huge allocation for DAR in the proposed 2012 national budget.
DAR will get P17.9-billion ($419.74 million) or 9.82 percent increase from this year’s budget. At least P10.3 billion ($241.53 million) of the proposed budget is allotted for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) and its extension law.

In its 2010 report, DAR reported its Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) accomplishment from 1972 to December 2010 to have already reached 6,617, 296 hectares. Since CARPer’s enactment in 2008, DAR said 154,007 hectares were distributed. But only 292,753 hectares were acquired through compulsory acquisition or only 6.9 percent of the target under LAD, underscoring the worsening circumvention of land distribution.

“A big chunk of DAR’s budget for CARPer will go to landlord compensation” Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said. “DAR, through the LAD provision of CARP and its extension law, has conveniently became a milking cow of big landlords and maintaining monopoly over large landholdings.”

(bulatlat file photo / bulatlat.com)

Mariano branded the fund allocation for CARP in the 2012 DAR budget as “wastage of public funds.”

Funds for landlords

According to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives, since CARP implementation in 1988, the total allotment released for the implementation of CARP had reached P207 billion ($4.85 billion) and 94.7 percent of this amount was already utilized as of December 2010. Of the total allotment, 55.4 percent went to DAR and 31.7 percent was released to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“Where did these funds go? Obviously not to farmer-beneficiaries who are in dire need of support services from the government,” Mariano said..... MORE

Source:  BULATLAT.COM

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/05/carp-deserves-a-zero-budget-%E2%80%93-farmers%E2%80%99-group/

Aquino 2012 budget proposal lacks transparency

Aquino 2012 budget proposal lacks transparency
“This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are still numerous items that have to be questioned because they are a goldmine for the unscrupulous and the corrupt.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
Deliberations on the 2012 national budget started yesterday at the House of Representatives and progressive lawmakers have come out with scalpels to dissect it.

Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño said that the Benigno Aquino III government’s fiscal proposal for the year 2012 amounting to P1.816 trillion ($42.232 billion) is no different from its predecessors: Casiño said it is full of ” vague, lump-sum allocations.”

Casiño said the Aquino government and its executive was engaging in double-speak.

“In Aquino’s budget message last July 26, the President said lump-sum budgeting delays the implementation of programs and projects, especially critical ones. He also said this kind of budgeting masks the lack of master plans in core undertakings, the weak planning capacities and poor monitoring and evaluation systems in the bureaucracy. It also came from him that lump-sum budgeting encourages political intervention given the lack of firm criteria or priorities, allowing anomalies in the use of public funds—such as the Fertilizer Fund Scam—to flourish,’” Casiño said.... MORE

Source:  BULATLAT.COM

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/02/aquino-2012-budget-proposal-lacks-transparency/

Palparan’s bodyguard linked to abduction of UP students

Palparan’s bodyguard linked to abduction of UP students

 “One of the alleged but still unnamed perpetrators had the gall and temerity to go to the hearing and display himself, intimidating and eyeing Ramos all throughout the hearing. He was openly thumbing his nose, as it were, at the whole justice system.” – Edre Olalia, lawyer
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – A close-in security of retired Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. has been identified by one of the witnesses as one of those who abducted University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño and farmer Manuel Merino.

In a supplemental affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel, August 3, Wilfredo Ramos said the man who was wearing a blue shirt and shades and seated immediately at the back of Palparan during the last hearing on July 19 was part of the team that took Cadapan, Empeño and Merino from their house in San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006.

During the third hearing of the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges filed against Palparan and other military officials, Provost Marshal General Col. Herbert Yambing admitted to the DOJ panel that the man being referred to by Ramos is a member of the Philippine Army and is assigned to provide security for Palparan during court hearings. Yambing, however, said he does not know the name of the soldier. A photograph of the soldier is attached to the supplemental affidavit.

Asked what unit is providing security for Palparan, Yambing responded it is the AFP’s Headquarters Service Group..... MORE

Source:  BULATLAT.COM

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/08/04/palparan%E2%80%99s-bodyguard-linked-to-abduction-of-up-students/

No fair probe coming EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 08/06/2011

No fair probe coming

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/06/2011
Resigned Sen. Migz Zubiri showed that rare display of delicadeza. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima did not. Neither did Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes, both of whom lawyered for the former opposition candidates.

De Lima is notoriously lacking in delicadeza, having been the election lawyer of poll protestant and incoming senator, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, as well as being today’s Justice chief, who moreover, is to hold an inquiry into election fraud over which she is to supervise.

But from Brillantes’ — who is head of the Comelec also involved in the poll fraud probe — and De Lima’s comments shortly after Zubiri announced his resignation from the Senate in a privilege speech, how can they even convince the public that the poll fraud probe is going to be fair, when they have already prejudged the case?

What was that De Lima said after the resignation speech? She said Zubiri is not in the clear yet, insisting that cheating charges against the resigned senator by his closest rival, Koko, will still have to be included in the joint investigation of the Department of Justice and the Comelec on fraud anomalies that hounded the 2004 and 2007 polls..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110806com1.html

Ulterior motives FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/06/2011

Ulterior motives

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/06/2011
One wonders just how much is all this “overzealousness” of Noynoy and his allies over the poll fraud probes to pin down their targets and persecuting them through trial and conviction by publicity.

Many of today’s “persecutors” were yesterday’s persecutors of former President Erap Estrada, as they were then the allies and protectors of Gloria Arroyo.

Like the Arroyos today, Erap and his family were being subjected to the most vile trial and conviction by publicity by the evil civil society and opposition politicians that succeeded not only in ousting him from his duly elected constitutional presidential seat through a coup d’etat but that that these elite mobsters ensured his trial and conviction in a politically partisan court.

If there would be a reopening of his case under an impartial court, it will definitely be found that there was no strong evidence for the court to convict him of plunder on two counts: The donation of some P200 million said to be proceeds of jueteng (which is not public funds amyway), but deposited in a foundation that carried his name, which foundation is a separate and distinct entity from Estrada. Besides which, that P200 million in deposit was never touched as it stayed with the duly registered foundation that was not even run by Erap..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110806com2.html

West Bank murder smashed the lie of ‘honor killings’ FEATURE 08/06/2011

West Bank murder smashed the lie of ‘honor killings’

FEATURE

08/06/2011
SURIF — Aya’s remains were found bound, decomposed at the bottom of a well more than a year after she vanished without a trace, leaving her family beside themselves with worry.

The university student’s disappearance in April 2010 left her relatives increasingly ostracized in their southern West Bank village, an area known for its deeply conservative traditions and morals.

Neighbors assumed the worst — that their daughter had run away with a lover.

But the mystery was solved in May when police found her bones several miles from the family home in Surif, northwest of the city of Hebron — and triggered an unprecedented public outcry..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110806com3.html

Noy, MILF chief hold ‘secret talks’ By Michaela P. del Callar 08/06/2011

Noy, MILF chief hold ‘secret talks’

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/06/2011

President Aquino sneaked out of the country Thursday night to hold a secret meeting with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad.

They met in Japan, as pre-arranged. The meeting, it was claimed by Malacañang, had both Aquino and Murad agreeing to accelerate the ongoing negotiations in a bid to conclude a final peace agreement that had eluded the government and rebel group for years.

Government and MILF officials described the two-hour meeting at the Ana Crown Hotel in the Tokyo suburb of Narita as “very cordial, frank and intimate.” Aquino and Murad, they said, discussed some possible approaches that the two negotiating parties can take to bring about a peaceful settlement to the Mindanao conflict.

“Both agreed that the implementation of any agreement should happen within the current administration. Both agreed to fast track the negotiations,” said government Chief Peace Negotiator Marvic Leonen, who was among several government officials who accompanied Aquino in Japan. He said it was Aquino who had initiated the meeting as an offshoot of a previous round of talks with the MILF in Kuala Lumpur..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110806hed1.html

Erap, Anwar push harsher penalty for poll fraud operators 08/06/2011

Erap, Anwar push harsher penalty for poll fraud operators

08/06/2011
Former President Joseph Estrada has renewed his call for Congress to pass a law making electoral fraud, especially on the scale of the “Garci” scandal, a heinous crime.

“There must be a certainty of punishment to the election cheaters,” he stressed.

Visiting Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, during a forum at Club Filipino, yesterday supported Estrada’s call even as he said the pieces of evidence on the alleged 2004 and 2007 poll maneuverings are overwhelming.

Estrada, however, said he believes resigned Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is innocent amid allegations that he benefitted from poll fraud..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110806hed3.html

Gov’t travel ban to Iraq stays, says DFA By Michaela P. del Callar 08/06/2011

Gov’t travel ban to Iraq stays, says DFA

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/06/2011

Government travel ban to Iraq will stay even as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has removed a stamp in Philippine passports, which says that it can not be used for travel to the conflict-stricken state.

The discontinuation of the practice of placing this stamp on Philippine passports “is not tantamount to allowing the travel to Iraq for employment purposes,” the DFA explained in a statement.

“There are countries in which deployment bans have been imposed such as Nigeria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Jordan, and the Philippine passports are not made to reflect these,” it said.

The “Not Valid for Travel to Iraq” stamp can be found on the limitations page of previously issued Philippine passports..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110806nat1.html

Lanao Norte execs, folk air complaints vs Hanjin Co. 08/06/2011

Lanao Norte execs, folk air complaints vs Hanjin Co.

08/06/2011
Lanao del Norte provincial government leaders, including residents, aired their complaints against Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. for insensitivity and incompetence by disregarding to maintain the roads its built in the province that cause flooding and landslides.

The complainants, led by former Lanao del Norte Gov. and Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, said Hanjin Construction Co. built three road projects in the province namely, Iligan to Lanao del Norte, Quicker Road, and MIRIDP (Metro Iligan Infrastructure Development Project).

The projects were funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with Lanao del Norte provincial government as its counterpart.

The problem stemmed when the roads built by Hanjin began to crack, stones manifested, and when rains had fallen it caused landslides and even flooding as it had no canal and waterways where water flown instead it ran down to the residents houses..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110806nat4.html

Lawmakers push add’l P6,000 for monthly pay of gov’t employees By Charlie V. Manalo 08/06/2011

Lawmakers push add’l P6,000 for monthly pay of gov’t employees

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/06/2011

Lawmakers are pushing a P6,000 additional monthly pay for the country’s 1.4 million government workers, saying their salaries have become unrealistic due to inflation and other economic difficulties.

“The current minimum pay reflects the dismal state of public sector workers. Especially affected are the frontline service workers who live in abject poverty,” Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said.

Mariano and other lawmakers filed House Bill 3746 providing for a P6,000-increase in the minimum pay of government employees.

Mariano said the bill seeks to alleviate the living conditions of ordinary Filipinos and provide for a decent and humane standard of living and improved quality of life. It also aims to promote social justice for the economic well-being of all members of the community..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110806met2.html

MMDA to launch intensive cleanup of esteros on Monday 08/06/2011

MMDA to launch intensive cleanup of esteros on Monday

08/06/2011
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will launch on Monday (Aug. 8) the August Estero Blitz at the Tripa de Gallina and Estero de Sta. Clara which traverse the cities of Makati, Pasay and Manila.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino will personally lead the intensive cleanup starting at 6 a.m.

The August Estero Blitz aims to clean at least two esteros daily for one month. It was conceptualized following the successful “480 Minutes” clean-up operations on the eight identified flood-prone areas in Metro Manila which took place last July 24..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110806met5.html

A zarzuela of past errors DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 08/05/2011

A zarzuela of past errors

DIE HARD III

Herman Tiu Laurel

08/05/2011
Finger-pointing is again the order of the day. Not long after Sen. Tito Sotto challenged his colleagues, Kiko Pangilinan and Franklin Drilon, believed to be two of the original collaborators of Gloria Arroyo in the cheating of 2004, to finally come clean by dropping their pretensions, was his subsequent collaboration with the alleged cheating mastermind to partake of the corrupt system also laid bare. Similarly acting blameless while lambasting the cheats today, many of those in media were themselves part of the propaganda blitz that sustained the series of cheating and cover-ups well into 2007 and 2010.

This pattern of holding elections suffused with cheating, then eventually making an exposé out of them, has become a deftly-staged zarzuela of focusing only on the subsidiary corruption in politics to distract the people from a totally debased political-economic order. As a result, the economic and financial corruption, particularly of the parasitic elite, is missed by many.

The past months, we built up a case against the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Finance (DoF) for their seriously corrupt financial policy of keeping the country in debt despite the financial surplus afforded by our decades-long OFW remittances. Such an anomaly was gleaned from the Special Deposit Account (SDA) amounting to P1.5 to 1.7 trillion and the Gross International Reserves (GIR) which total $70 billion today.

After some controversy with BSP Deputy Gov. Diwa Guinigundo over the issue, an unexpected affirmation of our position came from none other than Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima who publicly favored “the unwinding of the SDA,” which entails the reduction of interest rates to facilitate the fund’s release for domestic investments.

In fact, an Aug. 3, 2011 Manila Bulletin news story by Chino S. Leyco reported that “Purisima, who is also a member of the central bank’s Monetary Board, said… the Aquino government would be happy to accommodate (any unwinding of the SDA). He explained that by unwinding the P1.44-trillion deposits at the BSP’s special deposit accounts, it may cut the borrowing costs of the government.” Furthermore, the report noted, “Deposits by banks to the special deposit account facility of the BSP continued to increase in the past few years, a scenario which critics said… could have been more useful for the economy if it were invested in lending.”

Actually, when we were having consultations with former National Treasurer Norma Lasala way back in 2004-2005, she already insisted that the management of our national reserves had gone awry and, thus, wasted billions. At that time, Purisima was already Finance secretary and Amando Tetangco, the BSP chief. Despite this, the continuity in the financial mafia remains unbroken. Tetangco has gotten his second term for the same post while Purisima got back the Finance portfolio after a hiatus courtesy of “Hyatt 10.”

So the question is, why is Purisima only now beginning to admit the wisdom of “unwinding” the gargantuan SDA (and, in all probability, later proclaim that we can indeed mobilize a greater part of our GIR)?
For sure, achieving this would be a first step toward liberating ourselves from the chains that have shackled us for the past five decades. But that’s just the beginning. The next stage is to free ourselves from ALL debt and all private bankers’ traps.

Since all credit and money is guaranteed by the taxpayer, there is absolutely no reason the people, through the State, should borrow from any private party. The nation should instead set up a “Peoples’ Bank” where creation of credit and money will be subject to referendum.

Now, we ask: Why was there no fanfare when Aquino III reappointed Tetangco to his BSP post when this is one of the most important jobs in the whole government?

Undoubtedly, the answer lies in the fact that the BSP, as it is set up today, is actually “independent,” with the presidential appointment merely ceremonial. And with a Board dominated by private bankers, the bank decides on monetary policy, possessed of an “independent” character institutionalized by Cory Aquino’s handpicked Constitutional Commission — whose members claim is a relic of the 1973 Constitution even without basis.

Being a private bank, the BSP actually follows the workings of the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) where both have a public façade but with private bankers at the core (see “The Tower of Basel: The World’s Biggest Central Bank Has Private shareholders,” GlobalResearch, July 29, 2011).

Is there any wonder then why the People’s Republic of China is today the leading nation and economy in the world in terms of growth and stability? Its banking system is based on the concept of the “People’s Bank,” with its credit policies designed for national development and public welfare. Of course, this is not the case for the US and its satellites — such as Europe’s PIGS (Portugal, Italy/Ireland, Greece, Spain) — now reeling from the greed and machinations of so-called “banksters.”

But sadly, our Senate, House, and financial bureaucracy — from the Bureau of Internal Revenue to the Bureau of Customs et al. — all follow the diktats of Wall Street, IMF-WB, ADB, and Basel in keeping the Philippines perpetually in debt; in taxing us more to pay it off; and in privatizing public services to create more debt (like the call for P110 billion more borrowings after 10 years of privatizing the state’s power assets).

Our past national errors, such as the 10 years of fraud under Gloria Arroyo, should offer us concrete lessons in our nation’s political-economic history; our decision now should be to turn a completely new leaf — starting with a deeper understanding of our financial system.

(Tune in to Radyo OpinYon, Monday to Friday, 5 to 6 p.m., and Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. on 1098AM; Talk News TV with HTL, on “Hello Garci: A Complete History,” with Atty. Alan Paguia, Saturday, 8 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 p.m., on GNN, Destiny Cable Channel 8; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com and http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives)
(Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel)

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com5.html

Not a bad show EDITORIAL 08/05/2011

Not a bad show

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/05/2011
Migzs Zubiri could have made a lot of difference at the Senate had he existed without a gauntlet hanging over him due to allegations that he cheated to gain his six-year seat in the chamber.

He has a record that would be hard to match for a first-timer in the chamber. The records show that he did not take lightly the job as an elected representative of the people.

The presumption, however, is that he won the elections fair and square, and in that, it appears that the young senator seems to have been totally confounded throughout his stint.

Koko Pimentel, his rival for the 12th and last position in the race for the Senate in the 2007 mid-term polls, had accused Zubiri non-stop of benefiting from the Ampatuan fraud mafia in Maguindanao that Koko said eventually resulted in his bagging the contested seat. Expectedly, Zubiri denied the charges and maintained that no massive fraud transpired in 2007 and that he was equally a victim of a wrong count, if not cheating, as there was said to also have been cheating in other provinces benefiting Pimentel..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com1.html

Obsessed FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/05/2011

Obsessed

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/05/2011
It has to happen, what with a Malacañang tenant so obsessed with having cases filed not only against his predecessor, but even anyone identified with her.

With such a vindictive mind-set Noynoy has, as well as using all these trials by publicity to build up public hatred for his political foes, and knowing that Noynoy gets exhilarated by “exposés” and feeding on his vindictive spirit, it is hardly surprising for the public to know that too many of Noynoy’s allies now in power and position, have been trying to outdo each other in making a case against their predecessors in a bid to always be on the right side of the Malacañang tenant — even if it means framing up individuals and coming up with perjured testimonies.

This was shown up with the suicide of a legal counsel in Development Bank of the Philippines Benjamin Pinpin, who according to reports on the suicide note he left for his wife, had been depressed for sometime, as he was coerced by his superiors to come up with a perjured affidavit pinning down former DBP officials.

In his suicide note to his wife, Pinpin lamented that he had signed the document which he described as the biggest mistake he had ever committed in his life, saying: “Signing the document was the biggest mistake in my life...I exposed myself by going beyond the truth.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com2.html

Troubled waters between Lebanon and Israel focus 08/05/2011

Troubled waters between Lebanon and Israel

focus

08/05/2011
BEIRUT — A dispute between Lebanon and Israel over their maritime boundary has heated up and sparked fears of conflict as both countries move to assert sovereignty over an area potentially rich in gas.

Tension rose last month after Israel’s Cabinet approved a map of the country’s proposed maritime borders with Lebanon and submitted it to the United Nations, which has been asked to mediate.

The map conflicts with one submitted by Lebanon to the UN last year and that gives Israel less territory.

The Lebanese say their map is in line with an armistice accord drawn up in 1949 and not contested by Israel..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com3.html

Confessions raise war crimes issue in Australia focus 08/05/2011

Confessions raise war crimes issue in Australia

focus

08/05/2011
SYDNEY — Confessions by a former refugee that he is a killer responsible for scores of deaths in Myanmar have raised questions about whether other possible war criminals are living in Australia undetected.

Myanmar-born Htoo Htoo Han, now an Australian citizen, has lived in the country for more than decade and is a father to three school-aged children.

But he claims to have a dark past, saying he infiltrated the student movement in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in the late 1980s and provided information to an army death squad.

Han says he killed 24 young men himself with bullets to the back of their heads, and was implicated in the deaths of more than 100 others..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com6.html

Uganda’s first white politician plans progress FEATURE 08/05/2011

Uganda’s first white politician plans progress

FEATURE

08/05/2011
KAMPALA — It was Uganda’s ubiquitous potholes that first made Ian Clarke want to stand to become the country’s first ever elected white politician.

Now, after winning a landslide victory to become the mayor of one of the capital city’s five sprawling districts, they are the first thing that the Irish doctor is planning to fix.

“The potholes are a metaphor for Uganda and for the state of Kampala,” Clarke told AFP, pointing at a group of labourers that had started work filling in one of the city’s rutted roads.

“If we can demonstrate that we can overcome the potholes and keep our streets clean then we can show that things can change,” he added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com7.html

CamSur: CamFalse vs CamTrue? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/05/2011

CamSur: CamFalse vs CamTrue?

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

08/05/2011
It’s getting more interesting by the day. Or, should we say, more tangled. The fight for the “hearts and mind” of the people of Camarines Sur between the pro-split group, that is, for the creation of a new province, Nueva Camarines out of Camarines Sur, Bicol’s biggest province, headed by 4th District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Noli Fuentebella and three of his four colleagues, Reps. Rolando Andaya, Luis Villafuerte and Dato Arroyo and the pro-status quo group led by Gov. LRay Villafuerte and 5th District Rep.Salvio Fortuno, is turning out to be a down-the-wire, fight to the finish operation. It will definitely get even hotter after the lower chamber passed the substitute bill HB 4820 on third and final reading last Wednesday by an overwhelming vote of 229-1. This will now bring the battle to the Senate and ultimately to the people of Camarines Sur in a plesbicite to be called for the purpose in the event the Senate gets to pass this within the term of this Congress as the pro-split group hopes will happen soon..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110805com4.html

Koko’s ex-lawyer De Lima vows to go after Migz By Angie M. Rosales. Benjamin B. Pulta and Virgilio Bugaoisan 08/05/2011

Koko’s ex-lawyer De Lima vows to go after Migz

By Angie M. Rosales. Benjamin B. Pulta and Virgilio Bugaoisan 08/05/2011

Resigned Sen. Juan Miguel”Migz” Zubiri yesterday, through George Garcia, his legal counsel, withdrew his counter-protest against an electoral protest filed by lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel four years ago.

Garcia filed before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) in Quezon City a motion to withdraw and terminate Zubiri’s counter-protest against Pimentel, saying his client’s decision to withdraw the counter-charges will expedite the resolution of Pimentel’s election protest, stressing that if this counter protest is not withdrawn, the case may drag on for six years.

But the former election lawyer of Pimentel, now Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, said Zubiri is not in the
clear should the election fraud charges push through, vowing to go after Zubiri on fraud charges.

Speaking to newsmen, De Lima explained that cheating charges against Zubiri by his closest rival Pimentel would still have to be included in the joint investigation of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and Commission on Elections on fraud anomalies that hounded the 2004 and 2007 polls..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110805hed3.html

Mike’s BI watchlist came much too late By Angie M. Rosales 08/05/2011

SENATE SAYS ARROYO FLIGHT TO HK PREEMPTIVE

Mike’s BI watchlist came much too late

By Angie M. Rosales 08/05/2011

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) placed former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and his accountant Rowena del Rosario on its departure watchlist on orders of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday acting on a request of the Senate blue ribbon committee which summoned him to appear in its inquiry into second-hand helicopters purchased by the Philippine National Police (PNP) but it came a day too late as Arroyo was already in Hong Kong since Sunday reportedly for a medical check-up.

Arroyo had no departure record at the BI and it was surmised that he might have chartered a private plane to Hong Kong either last Sunday or on Tuesday.

The helicopters which are the subject of the Senate probe were allegedly owned by Arroyo and had been passed off as brand-new.

With his flight to Hong Kong amid the used choppers scam in which Arroyo allegedly pocketed $700,000 mark up, Senate probers said they now cannot compel Arroyo to testify before the chamber to establish the ownership of the two helicopters when these were sold, particularly if he’s not physically fit to do so.

Sen. Franklin Drilon said the issuance of an invitation or serving of a subpoena to Arroyo would also not be feasible if indeed he had left the country..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110805hed1.html

More cops held over chili torture video 08/05/2011

More cops held over chili torture video

08/05/2011
The police said yesterday they have detained six more officers in a widening investigation into the maltreatment of recruits who were allegedly force-fed and rubbed with red-hot chilis.

A total of 14 police officers are now in custody and their two superior officers are also being investigated, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Raul Bacalzo said in a statement.

“Actions like these do not have any place in the PNP where respect for human rights and the rule of law is a command policy that every PNP member is duty bound to uphold,” he said.

Eight police officers were arrested last Monday after Commission on Human Rights Chief Loretta Ann Rosales alerted the interior ministry to two videos she said showed a group of naked and blindfolded police recruits..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110805nat2.html

JdV washes hands off ballot-switching By Gerry Baldo 08/05/2011

JdV washes hands off ballot-switching

By Gerry Baldo 08/05/2011

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia yesterday denied he had knowledge of the ballot-switching incident in the House of Representatives during the canvassing of the certificates of canvass in 2004 when he was the Speaker.

De Venecia said nobody knew the incident is going to happen even as he placed the blame on the Philippine National Police (PNP) which was supposed to keep the ballot boxes containing the certificates of canvass.

“We didn’t know about this. Nobody knew, not even the opposition. What hurts us is that the PNP was supposed to provide security for the House but now it turns out that they were the ones who raided, took and replaced the genuine election returns,” De Venecia said in the sidelines of the necrological services for Zambales Rep. Antonio Diaz who died Wednesday of multiple organ failure.

De Venecia, who was at the House to pay his last respects for Diaz, also washed his hands of any liability in the ensuing investigation in 2005 which found out that there was no security breach in the House of Representatives..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110805nat1.html

No money, no exam policy soon to be thing of the past By Gerry Baldo 08/05/2011

No money, no exam policy soon to be thing of the past

By Gerry Baldo 08/05/2011
The policy of some schools to refuse students to take their exams unless they pay their tuition could be a thing of the past even as the House of Representatives has now passed on third and final reading a bill that would give students the right to take the mid-term and final exams despite pending financial obligations.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the House committee on higher education, said the passage of the bill (House Bill 4791) into law would criminalize such actions by the school.

Aside from Angara, the principal authors of the bill are Reps. Raymond Palatino (Kabataan Party-list); Mark Villar (NP, Las Piñas); Abigail Faye Ferriol (Kalinga Party-list), and Carlo Lopez (LP, Manila).

Under the bill schools and teachers who will refuse to allow students who failed to pay tuition or other school fees from taking mid-term or final examinations could be liable for censure and or a fine ranging from P20,000 to P50,000..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110805met5.html

Makati city files criminal charges vs retired judge for ‘midnight ruling’ 08/05/2011

Makati city files criminal charges vs retired judge for ‘midnight ruling’

08/05/2011
The City of Makati has filed criminal and administrative charges against a retired judge and a clerk of court for allegedly issuing a “midnight decision” favoring Taguig in territorial dispute.

Lawyer Kenneth Dasal, head of the city law department, lodged a complaint for usurpation of authority and falsification of documents against former Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 153 Judge Briccio Ygana and lawyer Jerome Victor before the Department of Justice Tuesday. Earlier, the city lawyer had filed administrative charges against the two before the Supreme Court.

Dasal said Ygana issued a decision on the case even after his retirement. The judge celebrated his 70th birthday last July 9, hence his last working day was on July 8, a Friday.

The judge had ruled that Taguig has jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio, comprising the so-called Inner Fort and Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Rizal..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110805met1.html

Toward a lynching mob EDITORIAL 08/04/2011

Toward a lynching mob

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/04/2011
Sen. Ping Lacson is out to get former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. He has been all over the airwaves saying that he has proof to pin down Mike, apart from proclaiming that the two witnesses who appeared before the Senate blue ribbon committee who testified that Mike is the real owner of two pre-owned helicopters passed off as new and sold to the Philippine National Police is true, as they have no reason to lie.

Apparently, the evidence Lacson says will pin down Mike are billings in the name of Arroyo himself on the maintenance check-ups for the choppers.

Unless stronger proof is presented, such as deeds of sale stating that Mike is the owner of the choppers or receipts of the money paid for such a purchase, as well as other documents, it will be very hard going to make the case against Mike Arroyo stick — at least on this controversial chopper business as it stands today.

Testimonies, even under oath, hardly carry weight, and Lacson should know it. After all, didn’t Lacson himself dismiss the testimony of his former aide, Cesar Mancao, regarding Lacson’s role in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com1.html

Class act FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/04/2011

Class act

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/04/2011
Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri announced yesterday his resignation from the Senate in defense of his, and his family’s honor during a privilege speech.

What he did was a class act, and as pointed out by Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, this was the first time in history that a senator had resigned from the Senate in defense of his honor.

And in announcing his resignation, Migz won over more supporters and, perception-wise, virtually erased too much doubt on those charges of his having cheated in the 2007 senatorial polls.

This to me, was a class act, because if he had asked the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) instead to no longer continue with the protest and as the rumors went, would cede his seat to his election rival, there would have been suspicions from the public that he had resigned, because he knew the fraud would be discovered and that he would have lost in the 2007 polls..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com2.html

Asia’s top women keep it in the family — for now focus 08/04/2011

Asia’s top women keep it in the family — for now

focus

08/04/2011
BANGKOK — Thailand’s first female prime minister will this week join a long list of Asian women leaders whose power stems from family ties, with analysts saying the trend is a mixed blessing for equality.

Political novice Yingluck Shinawatra went from virtual unknown to election victor in a matter of weeks after her brother, fugitive former leader Thaksin, endorsed her Puea Thai party’s candidacy, assuring voters she was his “clone.”

Her stellar rise, set to be formally completed this week, mirrors stories from across Asia, with a collection of women whose family names — and often the death of a male predecessor — propelled them to power.

The assassination of a husband saw Sri Lanka’s Sirimavo Bandaranaike become the world’s first female premier in 1960 and, more than two decades later, thrust Filipino housewife Corazon “Cory” Aquino into the limelight..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com3.html

Noy’s bloody anti-wang-wang drive INSIDE CONGRESS Charlie Manalo 08/04/2011

Noy’s bloody anti-wang-wang drive

INSIDE CONGRESS

Charlie Manalo

08/04/2011
It seems everyone in the Aquino administration has gone gaga over Noynoy’s anti-wang-wang campaign. Even if it has to cost a man his life.

Last Wednesday, a lawyer at the Development Bank of the Philippines hanged himself inside one of the rooms in a small hotel in Las Piñas after he was reported to falsely testify against the previous administration.

According to reports, DBP chairman Jose Nuñez coerced him to sign an affidavit which was intended to pin down the Arroyos for alleged irregular transactions. Forced to sign the document, Benjie later regretted having affixed his signature on the affidavit and eventually decided to take his own life, by hanging.

Nuñez himself admitted DBP is in the midst of an investigation and that Benjie would play an important role in the probe..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com5.html

Norway vows not to change after attacks, but fears it must focus 08/04/2011

Norway vows not to change after attacks, but fears it must

focus

08/04/2011
OSLO — Long considered one of the world’s safest and most peaceful countries, Norway is braced for changes to its traditionally open society after the deadly twin attacks on July 22.

Sweden was shaken by the assassination of Prime Minister Olof Palme and later foreign minister Anna Lindh, Denmark has lived with a constant threat of attacks since the Mohammed cartoon crisis, and Finland has suffered two large-scale school shootings.

For a long time, it has seemed that Norway had avoided the fate of its neighbors, but when rightwing extremist Anders Behring Breivik on July 22 first bombed government offices in Oslo before going on a shooting rampage at a Labour Party youth camp, killing in all 77 persons, the Scandinavian country in turn shed its sheltered innocence.

“There will be a before and after July 22,” acknowledged Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who has created an independent commission to draw up a report on the lessons that must be learned from the massacre..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com6.html

Wang-wang VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 08/04/2011

Wang-wang

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

08/04/2011
It is not only according to the dictate of reason but also in due deference to the truth that which people say and do — especially so when it is no less than the highest public official in the land who speaks — should be well analyzed and duly understood. Otherwise, downright lies or deliberate duplicity could easily stand for reality.

This is about the then infamous and now famous “wang-wang” issue. Before, it had a rather shameful significance and shameful connotation. Now, all of a sudden, it was given a glorious meaning to the extent that it was made to stand for the supposed value-transformation of both public officials and private citizens. In other words, while “wang-wang” was then but a big excuse, now it is made a great symbol..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110804com7.html

Zubiri resigns; Palace ‘blackmail’ rap aired By Angie M. Rosales 08/04/2011

SOURCES POINT TO LLAMAS’ PRESSURE, THREATS; JPE LAUDS MIGZ FOR ‘MORAL COURAGE’

Zubiri resigns; Palace ‘blackmail’ rap aired

By Angie M. Rosales 08/04/2011

Just a month before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) is slated to come to an end on his counter-protest case against lawyer Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel in a recount of the contested votes during the 2007 elections, Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri announced his resignation from the Senate membership.Zubiri’s decision to give up his elected position, whose legitimacy he continues to be defending for four years now, was prompted by renewed charges of supposed cheating in the elections following the recent surfacing of purported new witnesses in massive poll fraud operations.

Zubiri, in a class act of resigning, said he is doing so to defend his, and his family’s honor and integrity, as power and position and even money cannot be more important than integrity and honor.

The surfacing of the former Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and former election officer Lintang Bedol, apparently aggravated Zubiri’s predicament as Tribune sources disclosed that Zubiri was being subjected to intense pressure as well as threats from Malacañang for quite sometime now, dating back when he was strongly opposing the Palace-backed bill postponing the elections in the ARMM..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110804hed1.html

Noy admits DoJ-Comelec probe body won’t pin down GMA By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 08/04/2011

Noy admits DoJ-Comelec probe body won’t pin down GMA

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 08/04/2011
The joint Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Department of Justice (DoJ) body formed to probe allegations of fraud in the recent past elections may have to dig deeper in the investigations it will undertake to unearth related cases in allegations of cheating in the 2004 elections after the five-year prescription period on that particular exercise had lapsed, President Aquino admitted yesterday, in turn, saying the body will not be able to pin down former President Arroyo on charges she cheated to steal another six-year term.

The body was formed specifically to look into charges that former President Arroyo stole the vote for the presidency in 2004 through orchestrated and massive cheating.

Aquino said since the prescription period of cases related to the 2004 election had lapsed, he has instructed the joint body to review the Mayuga report and follow up leads on other cases from the report of the body that conducted investigations into the alleged participation of members of the military in the cheating operations.

Aquino in an ambush interview branded the Mayuga report as tailored to comply with what the past administration wanted to see and hear as he cited some instances when the lines of questioning were being deliberately diverted to stop the resource persons from issuing compromising statements..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110804hed3.html

Jemaah Islamiyah group tagged in Cotabato blast — AFP By Mario J. Mallari 08/04/2011

Jemaah Islamiyah group tagged in Cotabato blast — AFP

By Mario J. Mallari 08/04/2011

The military has tagged the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) as responsible in the bombing in Cotabato City last Tuesday that killed two civilians and wounded nine others.

Army 6th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto particularly pointed to trainees of JI-special operations group (SOG), led by Basit Usman.

“This is a handiwork of the group of students of Basit Usman, special operations group of the Jemaah Islamiyah,” Asto said.

The same group was tagged in the foiled bombing in Tacurong City last June. Police and military authorities recovered several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) composed of rounds for rocket-propelled grenades.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110804nat1.html

Noy anti-wang wang stance costs life of DBP exec 08/04/2011

Noy anti-wang wang stance costs life of DBP exec

08/04/2011
With almost all of the President’s men going “gaga” over his call for an end to the wang-wang culture of corruption, a high ranking official of a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) tried to force one of his subordinates to sign an affidavit intended to pin down the previous administration for alleged irregular transactions resulting for his underling to commit suicide.

But President Aquino’s anti-wang-wang drive is limited to the anti-corruption drive against the previous administration, a Cabinet secretary allegedly tried to coerce his assistant secretary to sign a purchase order for computer sets without the benefit of a bidding, forcing the asec to resign from his post.

Last Wednesday, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) lawyer Benjamin Pinpin hanged himself inside one of the rooms in one of the branches of Eurotel in Las Piñas after regretting he had signed the affidavit which would have linked the Arroyos in alleged irregular transactions the bank had entered into.

In his suicide note to his wife, Pinpin lamented he had signed the document which he described as the biggest mistake he had ever committed in his life..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110804nat3.html

De Lima’s close-in security nabbed for human trafficking By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/04/2011

De Lima’s close-in security nabbed for human trafficking

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/04/2011

Criminal charges have been ordered by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima against VIP security personnel assigned to the Department of Justice (DoJ) caught for transporting 17 females from Bicol to Zamboanga.

De Lima who is the chairman of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) also ordered the immediate detention of the unnamed close-in security.

“We will be harsh on human trafficking syndicates who victimize our innocent women and we will be even much harsher on our own people engaging in such nefarious activities,” De Lima warned as she asked Zamboanga’s anti-human trafficking units to ensure that the security detail will not be able to escape so he can face the full weight of the law.

De Lima said she was saddened by the fact that the person involved belongs to the DoJ security family but angered because the security detail used his position and identification to traffic hapless would-be victims..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110804met1.html

BoC must explain disappearance of 2,000 container vans — solon By Charlie V. Manalo 08/04/2011

BoC must explain disappearance of 2,000 container vans — solon

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/04/2011
Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay yesterday said the Bureau of Customs (BoC) should be held accountable for the almost 2,000 missing container vans which resulted in a loss of almost P3.6 billion in revenue for the government.

At a press briefing, Magsaysay said the BoC, through Commissioner Lito Alvarez, should be made to explain why 1,919 container vans did not make it to the Batangas port after they were transported from the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

“A stupendous anomaly on which the Aquino administration is ominously, albeit culpably silent, concerns 2,000 large container vans that supposedly just “vanished” into thin air and are now out of reach of our Bureau of Customs,” said Magsaysay reading a prepared statement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110804met2.html

Only for the KKKs EDITORIAL 08/03/2011

Only for the KKKs

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/03/2011
First off, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with congressmen having their allocation of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or congressional earmarks, more commonly known as pork barrel.

For Malacañang to deny them the congressional pork is in reality, denying their districts and constituents that which is due them, and denying too, the districts of whatever project, small or big, needed.

Congressmen need it for the benefit of their constituents and their districts who should have a share of the national improvements, whether they be concrete roads or scholarships for deserving students, health centers and even farm implements.

What is wrong with the pork barrel is its abuse, and there have been abuses in the past and even in the present, with abuses being committed by both Malacañang and Congress..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com1.html

Biased probe FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/03/2011

Biased probe

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/03/2011
Reports are out that the Justice Department and the Commission on Electionswill be forming a joint investigation into alleged massive election fraud committed in the 2004 and 2007. The joint probe will be headed by the DoJ, which is headed by Leila de Lima, while the Comelec is headed by Sixto Brillantes.

As reported, the probe body created is tasked to conduct a fact-finding and preliminary investigation into the alleged poll fraud, with the aim of being able to prosecute those responsible for the electoral fraud.

“It would be a combination of fact-finding and preliminary investigation. So it’s a go that if there are probable respondents, we are going to summon them and at the end of the proceedings, should there be probable cause, we will immediately file the charges,” De Lima was quoted as saying.

The panel will be composed of three DoJ officials and two from the poll body, open to the public save for instances where an executive session is warranted, which will be on a case-to-case basis, she said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com2.html

Obama diminished by debt debacle? Analysts think so ANALYSIS 08/03/2011

Obama diminished by debt debacle? Analysts think so

ANALYSIS

08/03/2011
WASHINGTON — A bruised President Barack Obama pulled the US economy back from the brink of disaster with a last-gasp debt deals, but at the cost of enraging his base by capitulating to foes ahead of his 2012 reelection bid, analysts said.

“He and the Democrats got rolled,” political science professor Dante Scala at the University of New Hampshire told AFP, offering his blunt assessment of Obama’s efforts to secure a deal that meets fiscal and moral muster with his Democrats.

“In the short term, he has (taken a hit),” Scala said. Even with a deal crafted that would avert a calamitous first-ever US default, “he’s certainly lost this particular battle.”

Obama faces fury from liberals who tarred him as a spineless compromiser for dropping his demand for tax revenues from the wealthy to balance out spending cuts, even though he managed to raise the debt ceiling through the end of 2012, after the election, and keep entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare untouched..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com3.html

Yale program a melting pot of elites FEATURE 08/03/2011 NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe. Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York. Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences. Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado.

Yale program a melting pot of elites

FEATURE

08/03/2011
NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com5.html

Yale program a melting pot of elites FEATURE 08/03/2011

Yale program a melting pot of elites

FEATURE

08/03/2011
NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com5.html

Camsur. Camfalse? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/03/2011

Camsur. Camfalse?

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

08/03/2011
CamSun.CamSand.CamSur is the catchy appellation which Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte and his marketing team have come out with in a bid to cement the province’s standing as the country’s prime tourist destination. They have apparently succeeded with this sales pitch. The province continues to attract loads of tourists and is now on track to secure even more as it bids to move up the “tourism totem pole “eyeing events including such top notch activities as the Iron Man contest and, yes, the much coveted AD Congress.

Which is why I am saddened by their latest antic denigrating the processes which brought House Bill 4728 proposing the division of the province with the creation of a new one, Nueva Camarines, which incorporates the towns in the province’s 4th and 5th districts. They have gone to town claiming that the bill was railroaded through the House of Representatives purportedly on the prodding of its principal author, Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, who has apparently a running feud with the governor over a number of issues relative to the province’s operations..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com4.html

Prescription hurdle faces 2004 poll fraud body By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/03/2011

Prescription hurdle faces 2004 poll fraud body

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/03/2011

The government has formed a panel of prosecutors which Justice Secretary Leila de Lima or a senior state prosecutor would likely head to probe into widespread allegations of fraud in elections held during the term of President Arroyo, particularly in the 2004 presidential polls but a five-year prescription rule may turn all these efforts for naught.

The body will have two representatives each from the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, De Lima said the joint DoJ-Comelec body will immediately conduct a preliminary investigation into possible charges.
“I will be closely supervising the committee,” De Lima said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110803hed5.html

Mike A behind PNP choppers sale By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2011

FORMER FIRST GENTLEMAN THREATENS TO FILE PERJURY VS ‘WHISTLE-BLOWERS’

Mike A behind PNP choppers sale

By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2011
Two businessmen, under oath before the Senate blue ribbon committee, affirmed yesterday reports that former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo was the person behind the sale of the alleged highly-overpriced helicopters to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

One of them directly identified the former presidential spouse as the actual owner of the two choppers, even stating that he delivered personally the payment amounting to $700,000 in cold cash or P31.5 million at the Arroyo-owned LTA building in Perea St., Makati City, where Arroyo holds office, sometime April 2010.

Mike Arroyo’s new lawyer, Toto Ferrer also yesterday said in a TV interview that the former presidential spouse will file criminal charges against Archibald Po for perjury after his testimony in a Senate probe on the claimed questionable sale to the PNP..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110803hed1.html

Arnaiz slams LRay Villafuerte 08/03/2011

Arnaiz slams LRay Villafuerte

08/03/2011
Camarines Sur First District Rep. Rolando Andaya in a historic move has officially affixed his signature as co-author of House Bill (HB)4728 proposing the creation of the new province of Nueva CamarineAQQs from municipalities in the fourth and fifth districts of Camarines Sur.

Andaya joins principal author, Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella and two co-authors, Reps. Luis Villafuerte and Diosdaso “Dato” Arroyo, in pushing the passage of the bill.

With Andaya, a former Budget Secretary under the previous administration, fully supporting HB 4728, four of five Camsur congressmen are behind the bill.

Only one CamSur congressman, Salvio Fortuno, is opposed to the creation of Nueva Camarines..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110803nat2.html

Two killed, 10 wounded in Cotabato City blast By Mario J. Mallari and Gina Peralta-Elorde 08/03/2011

Two killed, 10 wounded in Cotabato City blast

By Mario J. Mallari and Gina Peralta-Elorde 08/03/2011

At least two civilians were killed while 10 others were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in front of a commercial establishment in Cotabato City yesterday afternoon, the military said
Military Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesman Col. Leopoldo Galon said that the explosion occurred around 2 p.m. in front of CWAT Gunstore along Quezon Avenue in Cotabato City.

Quoting initial investigation, Galon said that the IED was placed inside a motorcycle which was apparently parked in front of the commercial establishment.

“As of the moment, 10 were wounded and two killed, all civilians,” Galon said.

“The explosion damaged the entrance and window glasses of nearby residence and establishment. Four vehicles and motorcycles were also damaged,” Galon said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110803nat1.html

DepEd orders suspension of classes in Metro Manila 08/03/2011

DepEd orders suspension of classes in Metro Manila

08/03/2011
Heavy down pour since Monday night forced the suspension yesterday of classes at all levels in private and public schools in Metro Manila.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) had forecasted that heavy rains would be poured down early yesterday.

“Para makasiguro sa kaligtasan ng estudyante at mag-aaral, suspendido ang klase sa Metro Manila (sa) kinder, elementary at high school levels in both public and private schools,” DepEd NCR assistant director Rizalino Rosales said in an interview on dzBB radio before 4 a.m..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110803met4.html

Solon calls for quick approval of Lemon Bill By Charlie V. Manalo 08/03/2011

Solon calls for quick approval of Lemon Bill

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/03/2011

A party-list lawmaker yesterday asked the House leadership to immediately commence with the plenary debates for the proposed Lemon Law that seeks to protect buyers of brand-new vehicles with factory defects.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy disclosed that the House committee on trade and industry has strongly endorsed the swift approval of House Bill 4841 entitled “An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand-New Motor Vehicles” or the Lemon Law of 2011.

Herrera-Dy is one of the principal authors of the measure that provides consumers relief against manufacturers of defective and unsafe vehicles.

She said the measure gives buyers of a brand-new vehicle that is substandard or found to suffer from factory defects the right to demand for replacement with a “similar or comparable motor vehicle.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110803met1.html

Noy’s wheel and deal game EDITORIAL 08/02/2011

Noy’s wheel and deal game

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/02/2011
The squabble over pork between House members and the Palace brought out in public with supposed allies of Noynoy in the lower chamber throwing tantrums--on which Malacañang continues to play coy, trying to place the blame on Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, who happens to be also an ally — is truly a sight to behold.

The way the public sees the percolating feud is that it is all about bales of cash, with one either withholding or dangling it while the other is seen to be in a wild frenzy to get these. The picture evoked is really barbaric.

Had Noynoy been communicating with his supposed backers at the House and the Speaker, the spectacle perhaps would have been avoided. That or the honorable gentlemen of the House are already too starved to worry about manners.

Belmonte himself does not seem to be in the loop about why the pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is not flowing but merely trickling into the House, and given only to those congressmen-lackeys who heeded his marching orders on their voting on two measures Noynoy wanted approved..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110802com1.html

Noynoy’s utak wang-wang FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/02/2011

Noynoy’s utak wang-wang

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/02/2011
Noynoy called those who abuse power and position as having the “utak wang-wang” and denounced them, saying that he is determined to change that mind-set and put a stop to the culture of government abuse.

But guess just who is stuck with the utak wang-wang, if not Noynoy himself, who not only violates the Constitution, but abuses his power and office to get what he wants — to the point of ensuring that the democratic institutions are subjugated enough to follow his whims and remain subservient to him.

A recent report said that Noynoy plans to return to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) the shortlist of nominees to two vacancies in the Supreme Court (SC) due to the listed nominees having links to his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo.

Aquino is said to be looking for a high court nominee who does not have any attachment to the former President, which only proves his ultra-vindictiveness..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110802com2.html

Norway gunman not crazy enough to stay out of jail — experts focus 08/02/2011

Norway gunman not crazy enough to stay out of jail — experts

focus

08/02/2011
OSLO — The man who has confessed to the deadly attacks in Norway on July 22 is expected to claim insanity, but several experts say his long and detailed planning of the massacre shows he is not crazy and can go to prison.

Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old rightwing extremist, is set this week to begin undergoing a psychological examination to determine his mental state.

Two psychiatrists, Synne Serheim and Torgeir Husby, have been tasked by an Oslo court to present their opinions by Nov. 1, but the final decision on whether he can be tried for the slaughter of 77 people will be up to the court.

To be found unaccountable for the attacks — a bombing of government offices in Oslo and a shooting rampage at a youth summer camp — Behring Breivik would according to Norwegian law need to be diagnosed as suffering from a psychosis, like schizophrenia or severe paranoia..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110802com3.html

A Chinese menu AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 08/02/2011

A Chinese menu

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW

Ken Fuller

08/02/2011
Among the many books this outsider shipped to the Philippines when he moved here permanently in 2003 was a two-volume English translation of A History of Chinese Civilization, by the French historian and sinologist Jacques Gernet. This was one of several large books purchased but, due to the pressures of the day job, not actually read at the time.

A few months ago, I read the first volume and then decided to take a breather. It hadn’t been particularly heavy going, simply that the period from antiquity until the demise of the Mongol empire was so unfamiliar to me, as were the names of the major historical figures populating these millennia, that I found I was retaining very little. It was, then, with a sense of duty rather than pleasurable anticipation that a few days ago I approached the second volume. Surprisingly, I zipped through it in no time at all, so although remembering the names was still a problem, the last 500 or so years of Chinese history must have struck me as more relevant.

Often when reading such a work, I will be struck by a certain phrase or fact and find myself asking whether the readers of this column would find it interesting. Hopefully you will, because this is all that’s on the menu this week..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110802com4.html