Groups say Constitution needs enabling laws, not amendments

Groups say Constitution needs enabling laws, not amendments

“Globally in the past ten years, the trend among countries is to put in restrictions and protection into their domestic economic policies; this is also true even among those who are pushing the Philippines to remove restrictions against foreign capital.” – Sonny Africa, Ibon Foundation
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
Sidebar: Critics view cha cha as 10 times more disastrous than current typhoons
 
MANILA – Eighty-two of the Philippines’ 130 constitutional provisions still have no enabling law; for the economic provisions in particular, at least eight articles still have no enabling law up to now, said Philippine Constitutional Association’s Manolo Gorospe during this week’s hearing in congress on charter change or cha-cha. The economic provisions that have no enabling law, he told bulatlat.com, include Articles 2 to 4, 8, 14, 16, 20 and 22.

The laws that have been passed serve only to push to maximum levels the further and wider liberalization of some sectors of the economy, said Sonny Africa, head of the research department of non-government think-tank Ibon Foundation at the public hearing. The nationalist economic provisions of the Philippine Constitution have not been implemented, he said, adding that this helps to explain why unemployment is at its worst today, as do the country’s persistently stunted agriculture and manufacturing.

“Since Congress has failed to pass enabling laws, or since many provisions of the Constitution have not been implemented, what are you going to amend now?” asked Gorospe.

Philconsa’s Manolo Gorospe at the chacha hearing. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

The House of Representatives has been holding public hearings on its Concurrent Resolution 10, which calls for Congress to constitute itself into a constituent assembly to propose amendments to economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. A similar effort is afoot in the Senate although the House is still awaiting the Senate draft.

“As presented to the committee by resource persons from various sectors, the idea behind the move for constitutional amendment is to remove the restrictions in the economic provisions to the entry and participation of foreign investors, so the country’s economy can be flexible,” said the chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments Rep. Loreto S. Ocampos at the end of this week’s hearing.

Resource speakers who attended the public hearing asked Congress to maintain instead the “good policies” written in the present Constitution. The 1987 Constitution is “a moment of wisdom” for the Filipino framers of the Constitution, said Sonny Africa during the hearing. He reminded the members of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments that historically, not one country has developed without maintaining economic restrictions or protection.

Citing figures and data in a presentation, he also showed that globally in the past ten years, the trend among countries is to put in restrictions and protection into their domestic economic policies. Africa observed that this is also true even among those who are pushing the Philippines to remove restrictions against foreign capital.

L to R: Bayan’s Renato Reyes and Ibon Phils.’ Sonny Africa at House committee hearing on chacha proposals. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

Based on the experiences of other countries including its neighbors whose economic policies are less liberalized or more protected than in the Philippines, Africa said, “The potential gains from foreign investments did not just happen without strong government regulations.” Without being anti-foreign investments per se, he pointed to the examples of some governments who pushed for technology sharing while others required their foreign investors to source raw or intermediate materials from the host country, to increase its economic gains from foreign investments.

“Experiences and common sense say that foreign investments are looking more for rich sources of profits; they cannot be depended on to develop our economy,” said Africa. Ibon Foundation is one of the groups that are opposed to the current drive among lawmakers to change the economic provisions of the present charter to further liberalize the economy. Citing again the experiences of other countries, Africa said, foreign investments have to be regulated if the country is to gain from its operations..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/13/groups-say-constitution-needs-enabling-laws-not-amendments/

Police investigators overlook military as suspects in Burgos abduction

Police investigators overlook military as suspects in Burgos abduction

“Are technical matters more important than the life of a person?” – Mrs. Edita Burgos said after the Court of Appeals denied the request to show the photograph of a female soldier linked to the abduction of her son Jonas

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com
MANILA –Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas, was not able to control her tears. The mother who has been looking for her son for more than four years could not hide her frustration at the Court of Appeals (CA) hearing today.

The CA Special 7th Division is again hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Mrs. Burgos after the Supreme Court, in a decision issued in July, reverted back the case to the CA. The same division of the appellate court dismissed the habeas corpus petition in June 2008, saying the prosecution failed to prove that the military was behind the abduction.

In today’s hearing, October 12, lawyer Ricardo Fernandez, counsel of the petitioner, called on the CA justices to enjoin the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to show the photograph of a certain Lt. Fernando who has been identified by a witness, through a cartographic sketch, as one of those who took Jonas. Jonas was abducted on April 28, 2007 at a restaurant inside a mall in Quezon City.

Fernandez said the identification of the female suspect “could establish the link between the abductors and the military.”

Before the start of the hearing, Assistant Solicitor General Amparo Tang, counsel of the public respondents, showed a copy of the summary of information of 1st Lt. Rachel Fernando-Facunda, formerly assigned to the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, to Fernandez. When Fernandez insisted that Tang show the photograph of the female soldier to the justices and to Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel, former regional director of the National Capital Region (NCR) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Tang objected.

Tang said the SC resolution clearly states that the summary of information and the other documents were submitted by the OSG exclusively to the high court. “The SC will be the one to determine the relevance and the advisability of public disclosure of these documents. To show this summary of information would be preempting the SC,” Tang argued.

“This is a chance for the petitioners to establish the direct link [of the military to the abduction]. That photo could be the female in the [cartographic] sketch,” Fernandez pointed out.

According to one of the memoranda issued by NCR CIDG on the case of Jonas in 2007, the Quezon City Police District made seven sketches of suspects based on the descriptions of witnesses. Only two – one male and a female – however, were attached to the documents submitted by authorities to the courts. When asked about this, Coronel said the other five were not subscribed to by the witnesses and he never had the chance to see the sketches.

Justice Rosario Vicente asked Coronel, then chief of the NCR-CIDG and who was at the witness stand, if cartographic sketches are reliable in identifying suspects. Coronel answered yes. “It baffles us why you have not attempted to identify the female composite sketch.”

Coronel said they asked for a roster of the 56th IB but the Army refused, citing security reasons. “Had the Army given us the roster, we would be able to see the photographs and show them to the witnesses,” Coronel said.
 

“Given the testimony of the witness [Coronel], it has become material and relevant. In 2007, he was not able to compare the photo to the sketch. We’re not making this up. This name cropped up in the CHR [Commission on Human Rights] report. We’re just following up on that report,” Fernandez said.

The lawyer of the petitioner was referring to the CHR report issued in March. Based on that report, the CHR interviewed a rebel returnee named as Maria Vita Lozada who, upon being shown the sketch of the female suspect, identified Fernando. Lozada said she worked with Fernando in counterinsurgency operations when she was still in the custody of the 56th IBPA from March 2006 until she left the 56th IB headquarters in October 2007. Jeffrey Cabintoy, a former busboy at Hapag Kainan restaurant, a key witness, provided the description of the female abductor..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/12/police-investigators-overlook-military-as-suspects-in-burgos-abduction/

Former captives recount NPA’s ‘lenient treatment’

Former captives recount NPA’s ‘lenient treatment’

By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
Posted by Bulatlat.com
TRENTO, Agusan Del Sur — Her voice rising above the soft hum of radio songs, Amelia Dano could not hide her restlessness. Sitting at the front of a four-wheel drive vehicle, Amelia waited in trepidation as the ten vehicle convoy finally crossed Monkayo town, the last municipality in Compostela Valley province.

One fine Sunday morning, the fleet of families, media and peace advocates entered the province of Agusan del Sur, through the rough road traversing the palm oil plantation and roads littered with logging workers. At the first stop, Amelia reached for her make-up, looked at the mirror and retouched a faintly gaunt face, borne out of weeks of sleepless nights. Soon, her husband, Henry Dano, mayor of Lingig town, Surigao del Sur will be released by the New People’s Army (NPA).

All throughout the trip, Cristina Desamparado and Sherlmalyn Saban who were sitting at the backseat, kept their silence. They too were excited. Their husbands — Corporal Alrey Desamparado and Private First Class Alan Saban — who are the military escorts of Mayor Dano, will also be released — just days after the NPA announced death sentence for the two as “maximum punishment for blood debts and espionage.”
For these three women, second chance is at hand.

64 days in custody

Hours later, a visibly happy Mayor Dano, wearing a white camisa de chino, a pair of black jogging pants and slippers, said of the day of his release, October 9 as another birthday celebration. He celebrated his birthday at the forests with the NPA last September 6.

Dano was arrested by the NPA on August 6 right at his home and his release means another chance for him to continue serving the people of Lingig as its first-time mayor..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/13/former-captives-recount-npas-%e2%80%98lenient-treatment%e2%80%99/

Sotto nixes plan to end RH debates 10/15/2011

Sotto nixes plan to end RH debates

10/15/2011
Staunch Reproductive Health (RH) bill critic Sen. Vicente Sotto III has opposed the sug-gestion of Sen. Pia Cayetano to end the interpellation on the contro-versial RH measure and instead proceed to the period of amendments when the upper chamber resumes consideration of the Senate Bill 2865.

Sotto also belied allegations that senators were no longer interested to interpellate the bill’s sponsors.

“She is wrong. Many interpellations are still lined up,” he stressed.

The Senate has set aside two of its three session days each week for the RH bill debates but this week nobody stood up to debate the sponsors of the bill..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111015hed2.html

Anti-Pinoy sentiments on the rise after NZ oil spill; sailors forced into hiding By Michaela P. del Callar 10/15/2011

Anti-Pinoy sentiments on the rise after NZ oil spill; sailors forced into hiding

By Michaela P. del Callar 10/15/2011

The oil spill incident in New Zealand waters involving a Filipino captain has stirred negative sentiments against Filipinos in the city of Tauranga, but the Philippine Embassy said these are only “few” and do not reflect the general feeling of all residents there.

A Filipino captain of a container vessel that leaked oil in Tauranga is facing charges for causing environmental disaster, angering locals. He is currently out on bail but he will remain in New Zealand until after all court hearings are over. The bail expires on Oct. 19.

“Based on the reports of our man on the ground, Philippine Embassy Minister and Consul Giovanni Palec, and the embassy’s feedback from some members of the Filipino community in Tauranga, the reported negative reactions to the Filipino people there are few and are not reflective of the general sentiments of the public in Tauranga,” the embassy said in a statement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/

Malacañang nudging exile for Arroyo couple? By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/15/2011

Malacañang nudging exile for Arroyo couple?

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/15/2011

It appeared to be a Freudian slip but presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda gave former President Gloria Arroyo a veiled message to choose whether or not to return to the country from medical treatment abroad, saying the now Pampanga representative has the option whether or not to return home.

Lacierda told reporters the administration is not worried at all if Arroyo would decide to stay overseas even if the government would start filing charges against her by November.

“That is something for her to decide. We will do what is incumbent on us to do; we will do what we have set out to do. As to what her course of action, again, that is for her to answer and not us,” said Lacierda when asked what would Malacañang do in case Mrs. Arroyo seeks foreign asylum and decides not to come back to face the charges that will be filed against her.

Lacierda’s statement came amid repeated declarations by Malacañang that it would surely file charges against Mrs. Arroyo despite the admission of the Justice Secretary Laila de Lima that the government might still not be ready by then in its effort to build cases against the former president and the members of her family..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111015hed6.html

Amnesty Int’l tells Noy to rescind plan of deploying militias in mining sites 10/15/2011

Amnesty Int’l tells Noy to rescind plan of deploying militias in mining sites

10/15/2011
The Philippine government should rescind its plan of deploying civilian militias to augment security at private mining operations, Amnesty International said.

President Aquino approved the military’s proposal on Oct. 12 after forces from insurgent group New People’s Army (NPA) attacked mining operations at Surigao del Norte province in northern Mindanao, killing three private security guards.

Amnesty International said that such militias, including the Citizens’ Armed Forces Geographical Units (Cafgus), have a long record of human rights violations in the Philippines. According to the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, Cafgus have been responsible for arbitrary detention, torture, and killings of local community leaders.

Moreover, the use of such militias at remote mining areas has put Indigenous People at particular risk, according to the UN special rapporteur on indigenous issues..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111015nat1.html

‘RP business managers to be ready if EU economy collapsed’ 10/15/2011

‘RP business managers to be ready if EU economy collapsed’

10/15/2011
“The aborted three-day official visit of Slovakia’s President Ivan Gasparovic yesterday to Manila sent a strong signal to the grim economic situation in Europe that should compel cautious monitoring by the country’s economic managers, as the economic troubles in Europe would eventually have dire financial consequences to governments around the world, including the Philippines,” Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said yesterday.

“This should compel our government’s economic managers to closely monitor the economic developments in the European Union so that whatever impact it may have around the world, the Philippines will not be caught by surprise,” Pimentel said.
 
“Countries around the world do not live in isolation. What is happening in the European Union will ultimately impact the financial conditions of countries around the world, including the Philippines,” he added.
“For a head of state to abruptly cancel his official visit, only tells the gravity of the economic situation in Europe which should warrant our government economists to give serious attention to the brewing financial troubles in Europe,” Pimentel said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111015nat6.html

Retarding basins to be built in flood-prone areas By Mina Diaz 10/15/2011

Retarding basins to be built in flood-prone areas

By Mina Diaz 10/15/2011
Retarding basins will be built in low-lying areas of Metro Manila, including España Boulevard, as part of national government’s approach to flooding problem that has cost billions of pesos annually.

At a media briefing yesterday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson said he had high hopes on the construction of water retarding or detention basins as a most viable solution to reduce downstream flooding during rainy season.

Such basins are constructed to temporarily store some, if not all, of the rainwater run-off, to absorb and contain flooding in periods of high rain and pump it out later at regulated rate of flow to a level that can be safely carried by nearby rivers or esteros..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111015met2.html

VP Binay condemns murder of PUP official 10/15/2011

VP Binay condemns murder of PUP official

10/15/2011
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday condemned the killing of the vice president for administration of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), saying it added to the tension at PUP caused by leadership row.

“I am saddened because I used to teach there when it was still Philippine College of Commerce,” said Binay, who also heads the The Bagong Katipunan Foundation that is helping the university..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111015met3.html

Toyota conducts 4th tree-planting in Penablanca 10/13/2011

Toyota conducts 4th tree-planting in Penablanca

10/13/2011
Team members from Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan joined volunteers from the Toyota Group and its partners during a recent tree-planting activity to continue Toyota’s reforestation efforts in Peñablanca, Cagayan Province. Team members from Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), Toyota Autoparts Philippines, Inc., dealers Toyota Makati, Inc., Toyota Bicutan-Parañaque, and Toyota San Fernando Pampanga; Lexus Manila, Inc., and Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation planted trees in the protected zone..... MORE
Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/motoring/20111013mot3.html

OWS: The time has come DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 10/14/2011

OWS: The time has come

DIE HARD III

Herman Tiu Laurel

10/14/2011
The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protests in the US which started just two weeks ago in the “Big Apple” but already pummeled repeatedly by the New York Police Department with aggressive dispersals, including the arrest of some 800 protesters in one day, have now spread to 847 cities across that country. Protesters see themselves as part of the 99 percent ( i.e. the oppressed majority) versus the 1 percent on top that controls their nation’s wealth by continuously exploiting the system. Their movement calls on the rest of the 99 percent to gather at Wall Street and occupy it, until their government is forced to oust the bankers and investment sharks who have long controlled their country, and to return power to the people.

Despite efforts of US mainstream media to downplay (if not, totally ignore) these protests, such as reporting that only a few cities or a handful of participants have joined, these demonstrations have now spread to 847 cities and are still growing. The movement today even represents the greatest potential for a new American Revolution, much like an “American Autumn” in the vein of the so-called “Arab Spring.”

Autumn, by the way, is also called fall; and some have taken to calling the OWS phenomenon “America’s Fall” — the biggest mass mobilization since the anti-Vietnam War era. It has, in fact, gotten Wall Street “banksters” (banker-gangsters) scared. They have branded the movement as nothing but a “mob.”
Much to their consternation, though, a lot of noteworthy figures — or icons — of anti-capitalist and anti-Federal Reserve movements have already graced the OWS rallies, demonstrations, and “tent cities.”

Oscar winner and film producer of establishment myth-busting works, such as Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, and Capitalism: A Love Affair, director Michael Moore, who appeared and spoke at OWS, was earlier heard over radio describing it “literally (as) an uprising of people who have had it… (and it) will continue to spread… (to) tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people… (with a) majority of Americans… really upset at Wall Street... So you have already got an army of Americans who are just waiting for somebody to do something, and something has started.”

Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, said of the OWS: “The frustration seen in the protests on Wall Street over the past few weeks demonstrates a widespread and growing citizen discontent with the two political parties in Washington DC and with a political system that is dominated by corporate interests. It is time for citizens to push their elected officials to break the corporate stranglehold on our economy.”

Major labor unions are joining the OWS, too, from the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Transport Workers Union, to the United Federation of Teachers, whose president Michael Mulgrew said, “The way our society is now headed it does not work for 99 percent of people; so when Occupy Wall Street started… they kept to it and they’ve been able to create a national conversation that we think should have been going on for years…”

Another prominent voice that bolstered the OWS protests came from former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich. One report (“Dennis Kucinich Tells Occupy Wall Street to Nationalize the Federal Reserve”) quoted the Ohio Democrat as saying, “We need a government of the people and for the people. We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people. It is time we take our nation back and take our monetary system back from the big banks… put the Federal Reserve under the Treasury… end the practice of fractional reserve banking and… take control of our monetary policy and make sure it works for the people. We can use our constitutional authority to coin money and spend it into circulation to put millions of Americans back to work in a way that is non-inflationary. The time for bold change is now.”

The Federal Reserve, or what many mistakenly take as the US central bank, is in fact a private bank controlled by private bankers hiding behind the term, “federal.” The Fed, as it is also called, is where these banksters manipulate the dollar for a handful of US oligarchs.

As one of the main targets of the OWS is to “End the Fed” and restore the power of the state over money, as in the time of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson, something very similar must be done here too. And I’m speaking of none other than restoring the Philippines’ 1972 constitutional provision on the Central Bank — removing the word “independent” added on to the 1987 Constitution in order to restore the people’s control over our Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

That has been one of the themes I have pounded on in this two-decade column writing of mine. But, I go further: We must declare money as a public utility; and major decisions such as incurring more borrowings should periodically undergo a people’s referendum.

Actually, the abuse and exploitation of the people by the global finance capitalists (as distinguished from real capitalist-entrepreneurs) is far worse here than in the US. It is therefore time for the Philippines’ own “Winter Storm” (or a “2nd First Quarter Storm” next year).

As I close this column, PressTV has just reported that the Occupy Wall Street protests have already spread to 1,000 US cities. I am thus hoping for a spillover to the Philippines very soon, starting with an “Occupy Malacañang Freedom Park” in the coming weeks against the Epira (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) and its extortionist 15.8-percent power rate pricing scheme, as well as the price gouging on water, the VAT (value added tax) on toll fees and pretty much everything else.

(Tune in to Sulo ng Pilipino/Radyo OpinYon, Monday to Friday, 5 to 6 p.m. on 1098AM; Talk News TV with HTL, Saturday, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 p.m., on GNN, Destiny Cable Channel 8 on “Occupy Wall Street: Lesson for RP”; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives)

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com5.html

Marcos-Aquino, Aquino-Marcos EDITORIAL 10/14/2011

Marcos-Aquino, Aquino-Marcos

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

10/14/2011
It seems the destinies of the Aquino and the Marcos families are umbilically linked, albeit at opposite ends and the debate over the fate of the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos is proof that the clans’ path is not possible to intersect.

Lately, the namesakes of the clans’ political patriarchs, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Benigno Aquino III, have taken positions that would assure more interesting turns between the political rivals that may lead in the future for a possible faceoff for the leadership of the country.

The fate of the families starting from the two political firebrands is the perfect paradox.

Marcos, the former President, and the elder Aquino were both born to political families but the similarity seems to stop there.

Marcos became president in 1965 in a period when nobody thought a more articulate figure can ever rise to match Marcos’ political savvy but soon after Ninoy Aquino shot to prominence that was said to have been matching the attributes of Marcos..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com1.html

Missed chance FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 10/14/2011

Missed chance

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

10/14/2011
Noynoy missed his chance at being seen as a statesman and more importantly, to be seen as a unifier, because a unifier for such a polarized nation is what is needed today.

But, as usual, Noynoy let his vindictive nature get the better of him, as he made it very clear before a media forum, that there would be no state honors and no state burial. And burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is out, too.

He said there can never be such honors for Marcos during his watch.

But despite his stand, what is clear is that eventually, the late strongman will be buried at the Libingan and perhaps, he will also be granted state honors. It is really just a matter a time, and the Marcos past should be laid to rest by the nation..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com2.html

The lesson from Sirte: NATO protects civilians from terrorists by murdering them

 Sirte must go down in history as one of the world's epic tales of heroism and bravery, the tremendous resistance of a handful of courageous and resolute warriors standing fast against the hordes of sheer evil, cowards cowering behind a relentless and inhuman NATO bombing campaign, strafing civilians and soldiers alike in support of terrorists.


The lesson from Sirte must go down in the annals of the collective identity of humankind as a classic and historic tale of resilience and virtue and determination, the fight to survive against the most tremendous odds - a handful of loyalists and Libyan Patriots standing fast against marauding gangs of cowards and traitors, foreign mercenaries, looters, rapists, murderers, torturers and terrorists which the TNC have revealed themselves to be throughout months of horrific human rights outrages.

The lesson from Sirte is an example in quite how low an evil invasion force - NATO - can become, for several reasons. How it can use military hardware to strafe anything that moves, how it can bomb civilian structures, how it can mow down Libyan heroes defending their homeland against foreigners and defending their homes and families against terrorists and rapists. It also shows up the connivance between NATO and Islamist terrorists (yet again visible since Afghanistan, since Kosovo, since Iraq) and it shows the callous cold-blooded disregard for human life demonstrated by a faceless and grey organization which thinks nothing of signing up desperate young men from across the Arab world, and beyond, and sending them to their deaths for a sign-on fee of 10,000 USD..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/12-10-2011/119311-sirte_nato-0/

Seville skyscraper threatens city’s world heritage status FEATURE 10/14/2011

Seville skyscraper threatens city’s world heritage status

FEATURE

10/14/2011
SEVILLE — Seville is famed for its imposing cathedral and whitewashed streets but the Spanish city may lose its UN World Heritage status because of a new 41-story skyscraper.
The 178-meter high, oval-shaped building, still under construction, will house the offices of savings bank Cajasol when completed in 2012.

It was designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, who is responsible for some of the world’s tallest buildings, including the Petronas Towers which dominate the skyline of Kuala Lumpur.

Pelli’s office boasts the new skyscraper “will define the skyline of Seville.”

But that is a prospect that dismays the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) which since July has called in vain for work on the project to be stopped..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com6.html

Just do it C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 10/14/2011

Just do it

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

10/14/2011
So, what else is new? Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary and newly designated Presidential Water Czar Babes Singson has been quoted as saying he has ordered his boys to review the performance of contractors working with the agency on various projects whether locally or foreign funded after that scathing Commission on Audit (CoA) report advising that we have lost millions, if not billions, of pesos as a result of the department’s inaction (foot dragging was the term used) on the implementation of its programmed projects. Did he not utter the same fighting words when he first came blazing through his office? He did. But the CoA said almost the exact opposite happened on the ground. In particular, the CoA advised that despite the availability of funds the DPWH failed to build and repair infrastructure destroyed by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” in 2009, some of which may have been destroyed earlier when Typhoon “Frank” struck the country in late 2008 yet..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com4.html

China shows off its migration schemes FEATURE 10/14/2011

China shows off its migration schemes

FEATURE

10/14/2011
YONGNING — On a dry plain in China’s remote northern Ningxia region, thousands of neatly aligned, identical brick houses have sprung up from the dusty soil.

This is the Yongning Green Migration Scheme, where 3,000 two-room houses are being built to accommodate 17,800 villagers from the poorer, mountainous south of the region.

Bu Xing’ai, director of external affairs for Ningxia, said authorities planned to move 350,000 people within the autonomous region over the next five years as he showed off the project to journalists on a recent visit.

China’s breakneck economic growth has been accompanied by huge population movements, as exemplified by Ningxia, where new towns have been quickly built, sometimes at the heart of semi-arid zones..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111014com7.html

Senate tags Arroyo, Puno, Verzosa in fraud ‘conspiracy’ By Angie M. Rosales 10/14/2011

REPORT URGES OMBUDSMAN TO HOLD FURTHER PROBE ON IGGY

Senate tags Arroyo, Puno, Verzosa in fraud ‘conspiracy’

By Angie M. Rosales 10/14/2011

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jesus Verzosa and 16 other ranking police officials were found to have “conspired” in supposedly defrauding the government of almost P63 million in facilitating the sale of two second-hand helicopters to the police organization in 2009, a Senate blue ribbon report transmitted to the Ombudsman showed yesterday.

In the 60-page Senate committee report which was furnished personally by blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former presidential brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, is also facing possible liability.

The committee recommended further investigation to be conducted by the Ombudsman on Iggy Arroyo to determine his criminal liability due to his public admission, “in his attempt to cover up for (his brother) Mike Arroyo, that there was supposedly a lease agreement between LTA, Inc. and Lionair Inc.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111014hed1.html

Palace accuses Bongbong, Imee of lying over FM state burial deal By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/14/2011

Palace accuses Bongbong, Imee of lying over FM state burial deal

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/14/2011

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos were lying in claiming that the Aquino administration agreed to facilitate a state burial for former President Ferdinand Marcos.

This was claimed yesterday by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda who asserted that President Aquino has not given any commitment to accede the request of the Marcoses to give a state burial to the former strongman and therefore it is wrong to accuse the President of not keeping his word of honor.

“The statement, reason issued by the President yesterday was very, very clear: ‘you cannot divorce what happened during the Martial Law years with the totality of his public life’ and that’s quite a very clear statement coming from the President — the reasons for not allowing honors and a state burial. There was never any miscommunication; there was never any misunderstanding extended to the Marcos family. The recommendation of Vice President (Jejomar) Binay remained a recommendation until acted upon by the President. And so the President acted upon it — decided that in the best interest of the Filipino people, it would not be proper for the.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111014hed2.html

Pinoy, US Marine troops to hold joint military exercises in Spratlys By Mario J. Mallari 10/14/2011

Pinoy, US Marine troops to hold joint military exercises in Spratlys

By Mario J. Mallari 10/14/2011

Thousands of Filipino and American Marine troops will hold joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea, where the disputed Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys is located, as part of the yearly RP-US Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) which will open on Monday.

Marine spokeman Lt. Cherryl Tindog said three battalions from the Philippine Marine Corps will be participating in the boat raid exercises in Palawan on Oct. 27 with members of the US 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province.

Tindog said that the US troops will use USS Germantown during the bilateral exercises. She, however, could not say how many American servicemen would be participating in the training under Phiblex 2012 which is slated to open at the PMC Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111014nat1.html

Two bells looted decades ago by US soldiers from Bulacan church returned By Michaela P. del Callar 10/14/2011

Two bells looted decades ago by US soldiers from Bulacan church returned

By Michaela P. del Callar 10/14/2011

After more than a century, two small bells taken by American soldiers as war booty from a church in Bulacan province have been returned to the Philippines.

According to the Omaha World Herald, the Sisters of Mercy from Omaha, Nebraska acquired the bells and turned it over to Philippine consulate officials in Chicago, but how it found its way to the nuns’ possession remains a mystery.

The bells are reminders of the bloody war between the United States and Philippines, which took place from 1899 to 1902. At the end of the more than four-decade Spanish colonial rule, the US took over the Philippines, but prompted a revolt as Americans failed to give Filipinos the independence they had anticipated.

The Herald said the bells are connected by a hard block of black wood with a handle on top. A placard on the block of wood says the bells were taken from a church in Meycauayan, Philippines, “after bombardment by Utah Battery on March 29, 1899 by P.O. Thomas, Co. A Battalion of Engineers.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111014nat3.html

Developed nations asked to relax immigration policies By Michaela P. del Callar 10/14/2011

Developed nations asked to relax immigration policies

By Michaela P. del Callar 10/14/2011

Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday urged developed nations to relax their immigration policies to allow families of overseas Filipino workers to join their loved ones abroad or family visits under liberal terms.

Binay said lifting immigration barriers must now be seriously considered, while retaining the necessary safeguards against human trafficking, illegal recruitment, international terrorism and other transnational crimes.

“What the World Trade Organization Treaty has done in terms of the free movement of goods around the world, despite some subsequent distortions from some economies, a new treaty must now do to guarantee the free movement of peoples across borders,” Binay told delegates and diplomats to the Asia-European Meeting (ASEM) interfaith dialog in Manila.

Due to widespread poverty and scarcity of jobs at home, close to 10 million Filipinos or one-tenth of the population leave their families behind and chose to work abroad for higher wages in the skilled and unskilled sectors..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111014met5.html

Motorcycle-riding men gun down PUP vice-president By Pat C. Santos 10/14/2011

Motorcycle-riding men gun down PUP vice-president

By Pat C. Santos 10/14/2011

The vice-president of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) was killed in an ambush by unidentified men Wednesday night in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Senior Insp. Joselito de Ocampo, head of the Manila Police District (MPD) homicide section, identified the fatality as Atty. Augustus Cezar, 64, PUP vice-president for administration and secretary of Board of Regents and a resident of 3677 Gen. A. Luna St., Bangkal, Makati City.

The unidentified suspects were riding an Enduro-type motorcycle and wearing closed helmets when one of them shot at close range the victim inside his car.

After shooting the victim, the gunmen fled the scene immediately.

Based on the report of SPO1 Charles Duran, case investigator, said it was around 10:30 p.m. last Wednesday when the shooting happened on Pureza Street corner Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Sta. Mesa..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111014met1.html

PCCI seeks transparency, economic roadmap from Noy 10/14/2011

PCCI seeks transparency, economic roadmap from Noy

10/14/2011
Transparency, lowering the cost of doing business particularly on power rates and a plan for President Aquino’s Private-Public Partnership (PPP) projects were the three foremost demands of local executives who converged for the 37th Philippine Business Conference (PBC).

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest local business organization, submitted its resolutions yesterday to President Aquino which contains a 14-point sectoral agenda ranging from agricultural development, education and skills development, energy and power reforms, environment, good governance, housing and construction, industry, intellectual property, mining, medium and small enterprise development, taxation, trade, transport and logistics.

The 37th PBC engaged business leaders, government partners and affiliates from PCCI’s 35,000 membership stronghold in more than 100 local chambers and 130 industry associations to finalize the resolutions..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/business/20111014bus1.html

A laughing matter to Noy EDITORIAL 10/13/2011

A laughing matter to Noy

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

10/13/2011
Making light of something deemed serious by a nation perhaps best characterizes Noynoy Aquino’s sense of what leadership is all about, along with his lack of seriousness in the ways of solving problems facing the nation.

He probably thinks governing is just as light a play as a video game.

The motor accident that led to the discovery of a Cabinet secretary’s ownership of a high-powered rifle as well as several handguns that made headlines, was easily laughed off by Noynoy, as evidenced during an anniversary celebration of the Local Government Code.

Introducing his Cabinet members, Noynoy paused when it came to introducing his presidential adviser, Ronald Llamas. He said: Maybe you are thinking of Ronald Llamas, then adding that if anyone is wondering where he is, he is present and accounted for, a statement that elicited laughter from the audience..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111013com1.html

Looking for trouble FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 10/13/2011

Looking for trouble

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

10/13/2011
Malacañang and its lapdogs in Congress are really looking for trouble — with the Supreme Court (SC) and other constitutional commissions and their hiring budgets that Noynoy and his Budget chief, Butch Abad, insist on releasing to them their budgets but conditionally; the condition being that even as these funds are to be released automatically and regularly, whatever is left of the funds is to be reverted to the National Treasury.

It is still unsure, at this time, if the condition that the high court and other constitutional bodies with such funds have to report to Malacañang about their expenditure on the hires. That would be yet another trouble they seek.

The budget was passed, and the House lapdogs, as usual, didn’t even bother to whimper about the fact that such conditions — which includes them — effectively transform them into a factual subservient body to the executive power whose branch, incidentally, does not have to report any of its expenditures and savings or even where the funds went to either the co-equal branches of the Legislature or the Judiciary..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111013com2.html

World's youngest and sexiest monarch weds student

The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is considered to be the world's youngest monarch, has tied the knot with 21-year-old student Jetsun Pema.

The traditional Buddhist wedding ceremony took place in the stunning palace 71 kilometers from capital Thimphu.

Amid chanting of hymns by red-robe Buddhist monks and clanging of drums by Bhutanese, the 31-year-old dashing King Wangchuck placed the crown on the head of 21-year-old Pema, as the Chief Abot (Head of the Monks) of Bhutan Je Khenpo led the proceedings, The Hindu said..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/news/society/13-10-2011/119316-bhutan_king-0/

Hypocrite as hypocrite INSIDE CONGRESS charlie manalo 10/13/2011

Hypocrite as hypocrite

INSIDE CONGRESS

charlie manalo

10/13/2011
He may not be one of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s kabarilan but definitely, he is one hell of an utak bang-bang whom this administration has come to the defense of. And expectedly.

Ever since Noynoy assumed office last year, he has been notorious for absolving his allies involved in controversies despite recommendations to the contrary coming from his own people.

Noynoy last year, absolved one of his kabarilan, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno who arrogantly but incompetently took command of the botched rescue operations in the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking incident.

Early this year, he absolved another kabarilan, LTO Chief Virginia Torres, whom video footage showed, led the takeover of the facility of the agency’s IT service provider, Stradcom Corp. by its rival group..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111013com5.html

Zambian workers strike to press new president for change focus 10/13/2011

Zambian workers strike to press new president for change

focus

10/13/2011
LUSAKA — During Michael Sata’s presidential campaign, he promised more money in workers’ pockets. Less than three weeks after taking office, workers are holding him to it with wildcat strikes across the country.

Barely a day passes without reports of work stoppages or sit-ins to press for improved labor conditions, from mines to factories to dock workers, at firms both local and foreign, in cities and towns scattered across the map.

Sata has already ordered the labor ministry to revise the minimum wage, set at $84 (63 euros) a month. He has also ordered foreign companies to abide by labor laws, which workers claim are often circumvented or simply ignored.

Last week in the industrial town of Ndola, 100 workers staged a sit-in at Indian-owned Ashwas Industries, which makes plastic bags and carton boxes, saying they are paid only $50 a month..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111013com6.html

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 10/13/2011 What is wrong with the 1986 Philippine Constitution?

What is wrong with the 1986 Philippine Constitution?

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

10/13/2011
What is wrong with the 1986 Philippine Constitution? Why is it that every new Philippine government is fixated on changing it one way or another? How come that practically all poverty and misery in the Philippines are attributed to the Constitution by every legislature that comes to power?

In other words, strange but true, the 1986 Philippine Constitution is as a matter of course, considered as the Public Enemy No. 1 of the country — with neither rhyme nor reason.

Is it because of the Constitution that graft and corruption have become a way of life among many public officials from the local to the national level governance? Is it because of the Constitution that “Dagdag-Bawas” has evolved into an essential element of both national and local elections in the country? Is it because of the Constitution that public offices have turned into exemplars of self-service, that public funds eventually become private wealth? Is it because of the Constitution that criminality and thievery have developed into business industries in the country? Is it because of the Constitution that the Philippines is gradually but surely turning into one big waste land on account of irresponsible timing?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111013com7.html

Senate report: Mike Arroyo owned choppers By Angie M. Rosales 10/13/2011

NOOSE TIGHTENS ON EX-FIRST COUPLE, IGGY

Senate report: Mike Arroyo owned choppers

By Angie M. Rosales 10/13/2011

It’s ex-FG or former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo who is the real owner of the helicopters passed off as brand new and sold to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a spurious P105-million transaction in 2009, a report on a Senate probe of the anomalous deal indicated yesterday.

Such is among the findings made by the Senate blue ribbon committee in its report, due to be presented today by its chairman, Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, before proceeding to the Office of the Ombudsman for the filing of graft charges against Arroyo, former PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa and a string of others, it was gathered yesterday.

Sources said Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo is also recommended to be prosecuted, although Guingona would not confirm or deny, merely saying that those called to be criminally charged are “the big ones.”

Members of the Senate committee on accountability of public officers and investigation are expected to file
today the complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against persons involved in the acquisition of overpriced second-hand helicopters by the Philippine National Police (PNP)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111013hed1.html

Lawyers, trade group throw backing to SC rule on PAL By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/13/2011

Lawyers, trade group throw backing to SC rule on PAL

By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/13/2011

An official of the 40,000-strong Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the country’s biggest organization of lawyers, has denounced what he said was an unwarranted if not premature attack on the Supreme Court (SC) over its recent ruling to recall its own September decision ordering the reinstatement of terminated Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight attendants.

The IBP call was bolstered by the biggest local trade group Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCI) which expressed its support to the SC.

PCCI president Francis Chua said the high tribunal displayed extraordinary courage and grit for owning up to its mistake. “It’s not everyday that we see a Supreme Court correcting what it described as a misapplication of its own internal rules,” he said.

Chua said the SC has always been perceived as “infallible” and whose rulings are “cast in stone.” However, the case of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap) versus PAL is a clear example that the Tribunal would not hesitate to recall a decision that it believes suffers from technical flaws..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111013hed2.html

Noynoy: No state burial; Bongbong: No good faith By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/13/2011

Noynoy: No state burial; Bongbong: No good faith

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/13/2011

President Aquino rejected yesterday any form of state honor for former President Ferdinand Marcos, earning a scathing reply from the former strongman’s son Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. accusing Aquino of not capable of honoring his words.

It was “very hard to deal in good faith” with Aquino, Marcos said.

Marcos added Aquino should now consider him as among the strong critics of the administration in the Senate.
”It’s not an act of a leader who should promote unity for this country,” Marcos said.

Sanctioning a state burial or any government honors for Marcos would dishonor the memory of those who died or suffered fighting the dictatorship, Aquino said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111013hed6.html

Noynoy opposes Vietnam’s bilateral deal with China on Spratlys issue By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/13/2011

Noynoy opposes Vietnam’s bilateral deal with China on Spratlys issue

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/13/2011

President Aquino opposed with the decision of the Vietnamese government to enter into a bilateral agreement with the Republic of China in relation to their territorial disputes over the South China Sea and insisted that the best solution to end the conflict arising from the territorial claims of various countries should be resolved multilaterally.

Aquino said that the Philippine proposal for the adoption of the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC) to resolve the Spratly Islands dispute has been an effective way of maintaining peace in the controversial regime of islands. He maintained that discussions over the Spratlys should be done multilaterally and not bilaterally as done by Vietnam.

“At the minimum, it should be also with the other countries in dispute. Our position is (that) a multilateral solution is best in that a dispute not settled wholly will not be a settlement,” Aquino told members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111013nat1.html

NDF accuses gov’t of sabotaging peace talks By Mario J. Mallari 10/13/2011

NDF accuses gov’t of sabotaging peace talks

By Mario J. Mallari 10/13/2011

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) has accused the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) of “sabotaging” the peace process by not complying with previous agreements which call for the release of 17 individuals covered by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (Jasig).

In a statement, NDF peace panel spokesman Fidel Agcaoili said the GRP’s failure to release the 17 Jasig-protected NDFP consultants makes the scheduled resumption of the peace negotiations on Oct. 31 impossible.

Agcaoili claimed that even the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG), which is the third party facilitator of the talks, has expected the GRP to abide by the Oslo Joint Statements signed January and February this year calling for the release of the NDF consultants on or before Oct. 10.

“By failing to perform its obligation, the GRP has made impossible the resumption of formal talks on Oct. 31 in Oslo. It has practically sabotaged the agreement to hold a new round of formal talks from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12,” Agacoili said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111013nat3.html

P500-M containers, cargoes remain unclaimed at ports By Conrado Ching 10/13/2011

P500-M containers, cargoes remain unclaimed at ports

By Conrado Ching 10/13/2011

Over 500 containers and other break-bulk cargoes worth at least P500 million remain unclaimed at the Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services Inc. because of the “Special Stop Order” issued by previous Bureau of Customs (BoC) commissioners.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon ordered the Port of Manila and Manila International Container Port collectors to investigate the cargoes and possibly release them on condition they would be properly taxed.
Biazon said he was alarmed as no proper turnover by the staff of the previous commissioner was done about the cargoes that were put on “special stop.”

To facilitate the release of the subject containers, Biazon is asking the affected brokers and consignees to contact lawyer Adelina Molina, chief of staff of the Office of the Commissioner, and present copies of the corresponding entries (back-to-back) for the containers with the appropriate BoC findings..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111013met1.html

Lawmaker hits hasty approval of 2012 budget By Charlie V. Manalo 10/13/2011

Lawmaker hits hasty approval of 2012 budget

By Charlie V. Manalo 10/13/2011

A member of the majority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday scored his colleagues for approving the proposed 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on third and final reading Tuesday even if they haven’t scrutinized the 1,599-page measure yet.

“The General Appropriations Act is the single most important bill passed by Congress annually, affecting the life of each and every Filipino,” Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said. “However, the approval was done in undue haste.”

“Yes, the GAA was certified urgent, but no public calamity or emergency was stated,” said Tiangco, the most vocal member of the majority bloc in the House.

Tiangco added Section 58 of the present Rules of the House specifically states that “printed copies thereof in its final form are distributed to the members three days before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111013met3.html

A gun-toting administration EDITORIAL 10/12/2011

A gun-toting administration

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

10/12/2011
Quite frankly, it just doesn’t make sense for a presidential adviser, or for that matter, any Palace executive, as well as governors and members of Congress, to be licensed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) high-powered rifles that are claimed to have their permit to carry, outside of their homes.

As the rules say, only military and police in their uniforms detailed to the official are licensed to carry high-powered rifles, which may be acceptable under certain circumstances especially if they serve as security men of the official who is being targeted for death.

But it does not make any sense for a government official to be given the permit to carry high-powered rifles, even if he is under threat..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111012com1.html

Time to zip the lips FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 10/12/2011

Time to zip the lips

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

10/12/2011
Malacañang has this penchant for butting into the affairs of other departments, and even has the gall to give them advice, as if it is the all-knowing law and sole government and what it says must be followed.

Noynoy spokesman, who really should mind more what he says because whatever he utters is taken as the statement of his boss, yesterday did it again, telling the high court that it should be more careful in giving its decisions for the high court not to have to recall its rulings, as it is in the case of the Philippine Airlines flight stewards whose final decision in its case gainst PAL, was recalled by the Supreme Court (SC) on an issue of some technicality and will be taken up by the court en banc instead.

What the heck is the business of Malacañang telling the court to be more careful in its decisions and not make such mistakes as recalling the ruling? The judiciary is not the Palace’s domain and Malacañang really should be prudent not to even comment on the move of the high court, especially as this is not a case lodged by the Palace before the SC..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111012com2.html

President Aquino says ‘No’ to charter change, but his Liberal Party says ‘Yes’

 President Aquino says ‘No’ to charter change, but his Liberal Party says ‘Yes’

Ibon Foundation pointed out that increasing FDIs have actually been accompanied by increasing unemployment, increasing labor export, falling real wages, shrinking domestic manufacturing and more volatile growth.

by INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
Despite his denial that he supports moves to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution, President Benigno Aquino III is hard-pressed to prove that he is against charter change. A lawmaker has even said that Aquino’s own party is at the forefront of efforts to do it.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño recently revealed that since its formation, the party that Aquino leads is leading efforts to selling the Philippines to foreign interests particularly the United States. Casiño was referring to the Liberal Party which now holds majority seats in the House of Representatives.
Casiño made his charge in the wake of reports from the New York-based think tank Global Source that the latest initiatives to amend the charter has a “fair chance” of succeeding this time around despite lack of support from Aquino.

In an October 3 commentary written by Filipino economists Romeo Bernardo and Margarita Gonzales, Global Source noted that while Aquino is not championing charter change, he is not standing in the way of Congress as it continues proceedings leading to charter amendment.
 
The US think tank is pushing for the removal of foreign equity limits on economic activity in the 1987 Constitution, which includes the following: operation and management of public utilities (40 percent), exploitation of natural resources (40 percent), educational institutions (40 percent), advertising agencies (30 percent) and private land ownership (40 percent if a Philippine corporation). No foreign equity is allowed in media ownership..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/11/president-aquino-says-no-to-charter-change-but-his-liberal-party-says-yes/

Anti-church tycoon scores big in Poland vote focus 10/12/2011

Anti-church tycoon scores big in Poland vote

focus

10/12/2011
WARSAW — A new party which challenges Poland’s powerful Roman Catholic church led by tycoon-provocateur Janusz Palikot made a surprise breakthrough in its electoral debut Sunday, soaring to a third spot finish.

The Palikot Movement, which advocates liberalising Poland’s restrictive abortion law, free access to contraception, legalising soft drugs and gay marriage, scored 10.1 percent in a TSN/OBOP exit poll with a 1.5 percent margin of error.

“Life is beautiful. Everything is possible,” Palikot told a roaring crowd of supporters at his Warsaw campaign headquarters Sunday night.

“It’s a great inspiration to know that in Poland there are millions of people who want a secular state, a civil and friendly state in which one’s faith is the private matter of each individual,” he said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111012com3.html

Race, religion to the fore in US Republican race focus 10/12/2011

Race, religion to the fore in US Republican race

focus

10/12/2011
WASHINGTON — Republican hopefuls insist the 2012 White House race will hinge on the economy, but it is the conservative hot-button issues of race and religion that currently dominate the campaign.

Frontrunner Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith, debated at length when he ran for president in 2008, was decried as a “cult” by an evangelical supporter of his main challenger, Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Race relations ensnared Perry after the Washington Post pointed out that his family’s rented hunting lodge had, for many years, the abhorrent name “Niggerhead” emblazoned on a large rock at its entrance.

Social issues are massively important in US elections, especially in the Republican primaries. Americans have always had a Christian president, and until Barack Obama, they’ve always been white..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111012com5.html

Who is minding the store? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 10/12/2011

Who is minding the store?

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

10/12/2011
No, we are not talking here of the affairs of state after “Pedring” and “Quiel.” That topic has been so written and discussed to death there maybe no new things to say. Rather, I am concerned about another affair which, if we don’t prepare well enough, may turn out to be another big embarrassment not only to this harassed administration but to the country as a whole.

I am talking about the 45th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors to be held from May 2 to 5 next year. Until we heard it from our Filipino banker friends based overseas, we were not even aware that the administration has actually agreed to host this high level meeting which may draw thousands of participants (that includes the NGOs and POs who have become regular fixtures in such gatherings) to our shores.

Which is why we are asking: Who is minding the store to ensure the event’s success in all respects. We cannot leave everything to the ADB secretariat although a close and proper coordination with it will be very critical. The ADB will do, as it has been doing, all through the years, what needs to be done. That is prepare the agenda, coordinate the events and advise would be participants what to expect..... MORE
Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111012com4.html

JPE, Miriam clash on bicam Cha-cha By Angie M. Rosales and Gerry Baldo 10/12/2011

JPE, Miriam clash on bicam Cha-cha

By Angie M. Rosales and Gerry Baldo 10/12/2011

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago are once again engaged in a clash, this time on the matter of the feasibility of amending the Constitution through a mode being proposed by Sen. Franklin Drilon labeled by him as a “bicameral constituent assembly.”

Enrile issued a challenge to Santiago, telling reporters in an interview yesterday to put to test his position on Charter change (Cha-cha) before the Supreme Court.

“I’m not as bright as she is, but I can assure you that she can take it up. She can go to the SC and I think she will lose,” the upper chamber chief said.

Santiago, chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments,bopenly expressed her strong dissent on the manner constitutional changes has been recommended by her colleagues to be taken up during a bicameral session, where only the economic provisions would be amended, and done through the same process as legislating a bill in Congress..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111012hed1.html

Palace: SC turnaround on PAL ruling ‘surprising’ By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/12/2011

Palace: SC turnaround on PAL ruling ‘surprising’

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/12/2011

Malacañang appeared stirring up intrigue over the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling recalling its September decision ordering the reinstatement of Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flight attendants who were fired from their jobs in 1998 as it expressed surprise on the SC’s “sudden turnaround.”

At a press briefing yesterday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said while he did not want to make a comment on the SC ruling, he, nonetheless, said that he was puzzled by the new ruling.

“With this new turn-around, we do not wish to comment on the latest decision by the Supreme Court because it’s something that they should explain themselves. So we…I myself wondered how such a technicality was overlooked by the Supreme Court but that’s as far as we can comment on it. But the original decision with Fasap, I think DoLE Secretary (Rosalinda) Baldoz, upheld the position of the flight stewardess,” Lacierda said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111012hed2.html

PNP-SAF to House: Records in ‘break-in’ probe lost By Gerry Baldo 10/12/2011

PNP-SAF to House: Records in ‘break-in’ probe lost

By Gerry Baldo 10/12/2011

The ad-hoc panel created by the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged ballot switching at the South Wing Lobby of the Batasan complex yesterday lamented the inability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) to help in its investigation.

According to Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada, head of the ad-hoc panel, the chief of the PNP-SAF has informed the House of Representatives Fact-Finding ad hoc committee that they can no longer locate records of troop movements in the first quarter of 2005.

Tañada said that Police Director Catalino Cuy, PNP-SAF director, in a letter to the panel, had said that the records of SAF troop movements in 2005 being requested by the fact-finding body are no longer available..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111012hed4.html

Military faking ‘evidence’ on child warriors — HRW By Michaela P. del Callar 10/12/2011

Military faking ‘evidence’ on child warriors — HRW

By Michaela P. del Callar 10/12/2011

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is again up to its old dirty tricks of fabricating “evidence” and information.

A prominent international human rights group has accused the Philippine military of fabricating information that children they take into custody are child soldiers.

An independent investi-gation conducted by New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) “found strong evidence” indicating that the accounts of the detained minors’ involvement with rebel groups “were fabricated by the military.”

Although it acknowledged that many children are being used as combatants by communist and Muslim rebel groups, HRW said tagging those who are innocent as child warriors endangers the lives of the minors and undermines efforts to stop the recruitment process..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111012hed5.html

SC upholds ban for exec in Laguna fish pen mess By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/12/2011

SC upholds ban for exec in Laguna fish pen mess

By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/12/2011

The Supreme Court has upheld Malacañang’s orders of perpetual disqualification from public office of a former general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) implicated in alleged anomalies in regulating fish pens.

In a 27-page decision by Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, the Court granted the petition of the Office of the President and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to reinstate the OP’s June 29, 2004 decision.

The decision found former LLDA General Manager Calixto Cataquiz liable and ordered his dismissal, forfeiture of benefits, and lifetime ban from reemployment in the government.

It was later amended to impose only the penalties of perpetual disqualification and forfeiture of retirement benefits following Cataquiz’s replacement as LLDA general manager. The Court held that the dismissal of the criminal case against Cataquiz does not bar the finding of administrative liability. It stressed that the administrative liability is separate and distinct from penal and civil liability..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111012nat1.html

2 of 3 suspects in slay, rape of UP employee fall 10/12/2011

2 of 3 suspects in slay, rape of UP employee fall

10/12/2011
Operatives of the Caloocan City police arrested early yesterday morning two of the three suspects who allegedly took turns in raping before killing an employee of the University of the Philippines (UP).

The cash reward of P100,000 offered by Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri apparently helped in the quick solution of the case after a former robbery gang mate led the local police to the whereabouts of the suspects.
Presented before the mayor by city police chief Senior Supt. Jude Wilson Santos were Eric Macaraan, 18, and Jason Pillago, 16, who was said to be a lookout. Unfortunately, the third suspect, Erro Allid alias “Dandan,” who allegedly played a key role in the crime, remains scot-free.

The suspecthttp://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111012met3.htmls, whose identities were first established by another robbery male victim through the police’s photo gallery, refused to comment on their arrest made by Santos’ men who tracked them down at their hideouts in San Roque, Plaridel and Obando both in Bulacan province..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/

Lopez firm faces another pollution complaint M E T R O F I L E 10/12/2011

Lopez firm faces another pollution complaint

M E T R O F I L E

10/12/2011
The Lopez-owned First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) could be assessed additional P200,000 per day, on top of the P24-million penalty for the petroleum leak at the basement of the West Tower Condominium in Barangay Bangkal, Makati for dumping fuel- contaminated water into the sewage of the city which could affect two other neighboring cities. Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, legal counsel for the West Tower residents, told a press forum in Quezon City that a complaint against FPIC was filed with the National Capital Region of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-NCR) on Aug. 5, 2011 and is now pending with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for submission to the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB). If found to have indeed been dumping contaminated water into the estero and sewage system, FPIC would be again assessed P200,000 per day since the violation would be found to have started as complained by the residents, DENR-PAB Secretary Jonas Leones said. The PAB earlier had penalized the FPIC with P24.2 million fine for the petroleum leak that started on July 12, 2010 when the leak was discovered until it had been plugged. The leak which forced some 250 residents to abandon the 22-story condominium was believed to have seeped through the ground water in the said barangay..... MORE
Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111012met4.html