Conditions of OFWs worsened under Aquino – migrant group

Conditions of OFWs worsened under Aquino – migrant group

“While the government relies on the remittances of our OFWs to keep the economy afloat, there are still many cases of abused OFWs because the government continues to neglect them.” – Garry Martinez, Migrante
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
Sidebar: Former POEA chief axed because of politics?
 
MANILA – People seeking jobs abroad have been buried in debt even before they flew out of the country for employment. Ivy Martillano, 31, for one, is buried in debt and might face charges of estafa if she is not able to settle her debt with Golden Right Pay Light lending agency. She has an existing loan of P70,000 ($1,627), which she was not able to pay because she did not finish her contract as a domestic helper in Hong Kong.

In November 2011, Martillano applied as a domestic helper in Hong Kong because her husband does not have a regular job. “We have two children who we have to feed. I have no job here in our country, my husband, on the other hand, has no regular job. So I opted to apply for work abroad,” Martillano said in an interview with Bulatlat.com.

However, Martillano had a cruel employer abroad. “After only three days, I already wanted to go home. My female employer threw water at me because its temperature was not as she expected. Good thing the water was not too hot,” she said.

Martillano acquired the loan to pay for her placement fee so that she could immediately go to Hong Kong and work. But she could no longer take the maltreatment of her employer and after three months, she finally decided to go home.

“In a period of one year, I was the sixth helper who did not finish the contract with that family because she abuses us.”

She said she worked from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. nonstop. Her only “rest” was while ironing their clothes. She stood while eating and before she slept she would hand wash all the baby’s clothes. She was also made to serve her female employer’s parents. “In my contract, it was stated that I would only work for them, working for her parents was not included. I was treated like a slave. I even got respiratory tract infection because of exhaustion. Every night I prayed that three months would end so I could go home.”

Martillano is only one of the many OFWs who experienced maltreatment in the hands of a cruel employer. They are compelled to work abroad as the economic crisis in the country is worsening. Under the administration of President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III, a huge number of Filipinos are still going abroad to work. Data from Migrante International, a global alliance of overseas Filipinos, shows that from January to October 2011, an additional 1.35 million Filipinos have been forced to go abroad due to lack of opportunities, decent jobs and wages, livelihood and social services in the country. The group said this figure is higher by 5.3 percent than the 1.281 million OFWs who were deployed from January to October 2010.

Labor export policy has intensified under Aquino

In his two years in office, the group said, Aquino has done nothing to alleviate forced migration and instead pursued a more intensified, aggressive and sophisticated labor export policy than his predecessors.

There are many Filipinos like Martillano who have no work here in the country and are being pushed to seek employment abroad. And because she is a mother, she has to find a way to make her family survive.
According to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, the number of unemployed Filipinos has risen to unprecedented heights from 2001 to 2010 and even continues to reach record-high levels under Aquino. “One in every four workers is either jobless or underemployed.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/15/conditions-of-ofws-worsened-under-aquino-%E2%80%93-migrant-group/

Slain urban poor leader, a servant of the poor, loving husband and grandpa

 Slain urban poor leader, a servant of the poor, loving husband and grandpa

“Thank you for opening your home to us. Thank you for laughing with us. Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you for showing us what it means when we say that a ‘true revolutionary is guided by feelings of love.” – LFS San Francisco

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

CATMON, Malabon – While Bulatlat.com was interviewing Divina Gulfo, wife of slain urban poor leader Ernesto Gulfo, their three-year-old grandson AJ sat beside his grandmother.

“Grandpa’s gone. I miss grandpa,” AJ said. He then stood up to point to a small dent on the wood, which was hit by one of the two bullets that claimed his grandfather’s life. “Here,” AJ added.

Gulfo, an urban poor leader in Barangay Catmon in Malabon, was killed on May 30, 2012, while having breakfast in front of their junk shop, their family business. At around 7:10 a.m., a man came into their junk shop and asked for the price of copper scraps. But before he could answer, the man drew a .45 caliber gun and shot Gulfo three times. Two bullets pierced his chest. The suspect then casually left the crime scene with another man, who reportedly served as his lookout, Divina, 52, his wife, told Bulatlat.com.

Gulfo was pronounced dead on arrival in Manila Central University Hospital. He was only 52 years old.
“I was supposed to get more rice for him. When I was about to return, a man entered the junk shop and asked, ‘Buddy, how much for the copper?’ Then the man drew a gun and shot him. Two hit his chest and the other hit his plate,” Divina said.

“I could not scream. I was so shocked I could not move. I did not even have the strength to be hysterical. I kept on asking myself if what I just saw was true,” she added.

Gulfo was a known urban poor leader in Barangay Catmon, Malabon. Residents describe him as the “most vocal local leader” against the impending demolition of homes of at least 1,500 families, reportedly to give way to the city government’s housing project under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP). Residents, who are mostly contractual workers and garbage collectors, said their meager income would not be able to pay the monthly amortization of the government housing program.

But currently on top of the CMP, Divina said, is the road widening project that would result in the demolition of at least 37 homes, including the junk shop.

“Who else would have him killed but those who claim this land? I do not like to point fingers but I am sure that it is related to our struggle for land,” Divina said.

Hardworking provider, loving grandpa

Divina Gulfo tries very hard to continue like as before even if her husband Ernesto was killed. (Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

Gulfo and Divina met when he was working as a garbage collector and she a street sweeper for the Metro Manila Commission now the Metro Manila Development Authority. They got married in 1981 and lived, since then, in their humble home in Sitio 6, Catmon in Malabon.

“He was hardworking. He used to study automotive mechanics during the day and worked as a garbage collector at night. He did not want to rest,” Divina said, recalling the days when he handled two jobs in order to provide for their family. “He also worked as mechanic for Rabbit (a bus company) during daytime but still worked for the MMC at night.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/15/slain-urban-poor-leader-a-servant-of-the-poor-loving-husband-and-grandpa/

Supreme Court bares decision on PCOS: No other option left for 2013 automation By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/16/2012

Supreme Court bares decision on PCOS: No other option left for 2013 automation

By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/16/2012

Details of the Supreme Court decision on the P1.8-billion contract for the purchase of election machines for next year’s elections have been made public by the high court.

In its decision, the high court cited the deadline facing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure credible automated elections next year and emphasized that no alternative has been offered by critics which have pointed out the technical defects in the machines.

“Petitioners could not even give a plausible alternative to ensure the conduct of a successful 2013 automated elections, in the event that the Court nullifies the Deed of Sale,” the SC, through Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, said.

The tribunal added that “as the Comelec is confronted with time and budget constraints, and in view of the Comelec’s mandate to ensure free, honest, and credible elections, the ... execution of the Deed of Sale, are the more prudent choices available to the Comelec for a successful 2013 automated elections.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120616hea2.html

Unas testimony weakens gov’t case vs GMA — lawyers By Charlie V. Manalo 06/16/2012

Unas testimony weakens gov’t case vs GMA — lawyers

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/16/2012
Presenting former Maguinadano Provincial Administrator Norie Unas as prosecution witness at the hearing for the petition of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo for bail in connection with the electoral sabotage case filed against her by the joint Department of Justice-Commission on Elections (DoJ-Comelec) may turn out to be the Aquino government’s biggest mistake in its all-out effort to pin down the former leader.

Unas, under cross-examination by lawyer Sigfried Fortun, admitted that the 12-0 for Team Unity he alleged Arroyo had instructed a former Maguindanao governor as an order to cheat and even change the vote, finally cracked, as he admitted that the 12-0 claim may just have been a battlecry, as he also admitted that this same 12-0 spiel was mouthed by many during the Palace party function.

This was the assessment aired by the camp of Mrs. Arroyo, saying that instead of bolstering the government case against Arroyo, Unas, in his testimony, only weakened the government position after the former Maguinadanao official admitted he was only forced to testify against the former President for fear of being implicated in the very case he is testifying and two other cases, the Maguindano Massacre and the Chainsaw Murder..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120616hea3.html

MILF to CBCP: Take a stand on Mindanao sub-state By Pat C. Santos 06/16/2012

MILF to CBCP: Take a stand on Mindanao sub-state

By Pat C. Santos 06/16/2012
It is high time for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to come up with a definite stand regarding the ongoing peace process in Mindanao, an official of the country’s largest Muslim rebel group was quoted by the CBCP Web site as saying.

Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel, said the CBCP had not made its stand clear regarding the peace negotiations.

“In my opinion, the CBCP must (take) a position whether or not they support the peace process. In this current problem in Mindanao, everybody has to take a position,” Iqbal said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120616nat1.html

Angara: Teach Spanish in high school under K+12 By Angie M. Rosales 06/16/2012

Angara: Teach Spanish in high school under K+12

By Angie M. Rosales 06/16/2012

While students, teachers and parents are trying to cope up with the implementation of the 13-year basic education K+12 program, more challenges are coming their way as one senator has proposed the revival of Spanish as a language subject in high school.

Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday said he will file a bill mandating the Department of Education (DepEd) to include the teaching of Spanish language in the secondary school curriculum, under the K+12 program, to make the next generation more competitive particularly in the business processing outsourcing (BPO) and tourism industries.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120616nat9.html

BIR to chase tax-dodging lawyers, doctors, athletes 06/16/2012

BIR to chase tax-dodging lawyers, doctors, athletes

06/16/2012
The cash-strapped government announced yesterday a campaign to chase tax-dodging lawyers, doctors, accountants and athletes, accusing them of cheating the country of billions of pesos.

Fewer than a third of the 1.7 million self-employed business people and athletes paid taxes in 2010, the finance department said.

“This ‘hard-to-tax’ group of taxpayers will be this year’s focus of the (Bureau of Internal Revenue),” it said in a statement, specifically naming lawyers, doctors, accountants and athletes..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120616met1.html

Makati launches third weather monitoring station 06/16/2012

Makati launches third weather monitoring station

06/16/2012
Makati City yesterday launched the third weather monitoring station at San Lorenzo Barangay Hall, in partnership with Manila Observatory of Ateneo de Manila, to provide localized weather forecast.

Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the localized weather forecast can provide numerous information and indicators that would assist city officials in making significant decisions that affect the lives and properties of the people in Makati.

The mayor said the “weather station can give localized rain forecast for the day and for the next 24 to 48 hours” that reflects the local weather conditions in Makati, while the Pagasa forecast is for the whole of Metro Manila..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120616met5.html

Goodbye to independence FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/15/2012

Goodbye to independence

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/15/2012
What Noynoy wants, Noynoy gets — and more easily this time, after having the impeached Chief Justice convicted and kicked out of his post.

It is on record that Noynoy made clear in his announcement that he no longer wants any argument on the automated machines, and stated very clearly that he wants the precinct count optical scan machines for the 2013 synchronized polls, as they have been proved credible (which is hardly accurate, as electoral cheating comes easily with the use of the PCOS machines).

A day after Noynoy had made this announcement, acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio announced at a book launch that the Supreme Court has made this a priority and will be ruling on the petitions against the PCOS purchase by the poll body by Wednesday..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120615com2.html

A CJ elected by peers DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 06/15/2012

A CJ elected by peers

DIE HARD III

Herman Tiu Laurel

06/15/2012
Malacaang, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), and the media are making a fuss these days over the names shortlisted for possible appointment as the next Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice. Seemingly everyone, laymen and lawyers alike, are agreed that the JBC recommends and the Chief Executive appoints. Even SC justices of the past have accepted this.

However, if the question from two brilliant legal minds who have truly proven their worth as constitutionalists and faithful advocates of the Rule of Law were to be heard, maybe some of the SC justices themselves will begin to rethink this accepted practice today that actually compromises, if not totally undermines, and violates the principle of separation of powers of the three branches of government. Such is important because negating the cherished democratic system of checks-and-balances leads to the most feared situation of an absolutely powerful chief executive, where corruption, as the old adage goes, corrupts absolutely.

The two mavericks, at least as far as what the mainstream legal community thinks of their propensity to point out infirmities in established notions of Philippine law is concerned, are Homobono Adaza and Alan Paguia. Their most recent challenge to the SC and the Senate impeachment court, though still not faced squarely by those confronted with their charges of illegalities in the impeachment process, still has not prevented them from thinking of coaxing the high court to respond with an new petition. Thats how tenacious they are.

In contrast, the senator-judges, whose dismal performance as agents of the law has repeatedly been demonstrated, are now evasive and meek in response, such as Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who could only say that We will face them when the Supreme Court calls for the oral arguments, when he could very well start the debates by publicly responding to Adaza and Paguias specific charges. Lacson and Drilon, in similar fashion, both assume (or pray) that the SC, which has six months to dilly-dally, will eventually declare the issues moot and academic, when the high court, too, may well call for oral arguments immediately if it were really serious with its job.

Legal pundits, no doubt including the Jesuit Bernas, will tell us to look at the Constitution for the basis of this practice of the President appointing the chief magistrate. But a look at the pertinent provisions shows that there is no such specified power, duty or function of the Chief Executive. Article VIII on the Judicial Department, Section 7 (1) provides for qualifications to be appointed Member of the SC; Section 8 (1) and (2) describes the Judicial and Bar Council, its composition and functions and the Presidents appointment of its members.

The critical provision is Section 9 and here we quote fully: The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower courts shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the JBC for every vacancy. Such appointment needs no confirmation.

Evidently, nowhere can any specific power or duty for the Philippine President to appoint the Chief Justice be found there. In the US, its Constitution clearly states that its president nominates while its Senate confirms the Chief Justices appointment for it to take effect.

The US Constitutions system of appointment of the Chief Justice requires the agreement of two of the three co-equal but separate branches of government the Chief Executive with the Senate (which is part of the Legislature).

The Philippine practice of allowing an undemocratic, i.e. unelected and without accountability to the public, JBC, to nominate and for the President to appoint clearly skirts the checks-and-balance principle and gives the sole power to appoint to the president.

This is the practice which, upon second look thanks to Adaza and Paguia should now be seriously questioned given the repeated crises of democracy this presidential appointment of the Chief Justice has created.

The appointment of Hilario Davide with the alleged sponsorship of Lucio Tan was a big question; then came the alleged midnight appointment of Renato Corona; and today, the Chief Justice-to-be will definitely be suspected as a hatchet man or woman of BS Aquino III and/or his puppet master, the US.

The 1987 Constitution obviously has many flaws. Among its biggest screw-up is the creation of the JBC, which is undemocratic and manipulated by vested interests.

The Vera Files has written one report entitled, JBC partly to blame for problems in Judiciary, and quotes former CJ Reynato Puno: In his centennial lecture at the University of the Philippines College of Law last year, retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno singled out the three ex-officio members as carriers of the virus of partisan politics, who, he said, could turn into the swing votes in determining who makes it to the shortlist to be submitted to Malacanang.

But from outside of the JBC, the influences are being brought to bear as well, such as from the economic oligarchs and giant law firms with notorious records (such as a well-known law firm), whose nominees are said to have invariably found their way to the SC.

The 1987 Constitutional Commissions feigned attempt to insulate (judicial appointments) from politics opened them to even greater intrusion and influence-peddling, with the complicity of the Chief Executive, who has now gained absolute power over the process.

In order to be faithful to the democratic principle and its subsidiary principles of separation of powers and checks-and-balances, Adaza and Paguia contend that the constitutionally correct procedure would be for the Chief Justice to be elected from and by the 15 members of the Supreme Court to rid the CJ of any debt-of-gratitude to any appointing power.

The composition of the SC, invariably drawn from appointments of members by several successive administrations, would ensure diversity, balance, and independence as its members elect a Chief Justice from among themselves.

Such election among peers would ensure the kind of Chief Justice who can guarantee the democratic leadership that a truly democratic government requires.

(Tune in to 1098AM, dwAD, Sulo ng Pilipino/Radyo OpinYon, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.; watch Destiny Cable GNNs HTL edition of Talk News TV, Saturdays, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11:15 p.m., on A Chief Justice from Among Peers with lawyers Bono Adaza and Alan Paguia; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives)

(May pahintulot ng pagkopya mula kay Ka Mentong)


Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120615com6.html

Aquino Court against all odds EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/15/2012

Aquino Court against all odds

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

06/15/2012
Many are shaking their heads after the Noynoy Supreme Court (SC) upheld, apparently against all odds, the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s option to purchase Smartmatic’s precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 presidential polls and acquired through a lease agreement.

One of them surely was Gus Lagman, who is against the purchase deal and who was unceremoniously booted out by Noynoy as commissioner of Comelec supposedly since he was unacceptable to the members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) but likely as a result of his steadfast objection against Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes’ insistence to resurrect an already dead option for the purchase of the machines, the reliability of which in the elections won by Noynoy remains highly in doubt.

The machines were those used in the first automated elections of the country where Noynoy supposedly won overwhelmingly obtaining 15 million votes in the 2010 elections. Questions were raised about certain irregularities in the machines but these were all drowned out by the whipped up euphoria about Noynoy taking the helm of the government to institute reforms, which is nowhere to be found until now..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120615com1.html

Saudi Arabia may soon legalize nuptials of baby girls

A new fatwa recently issued in Saudi Arabia suggests that Supreme Mufti of the country will allow giving girls into marriage at the age of ten. However, he only legalized the existing orders: here eight-year-old girls, with the consent of their fathers, are married off to old men.    

The laws of Saudi Arabia provide and even encourage the practice of early marriage of girls. "From ancient times due to the social, economic, political and religious reasons, early marriage has been always encouraged," Mansour Bin Askar, professor at the University of King Saud in Riyadh, said in an interview with Arab media. "During wars, early marriage allowed strengthening the family clans, as well as the influence of tribes that have been always judged by their numbers.

It would be wrong to look for the advantages and disadvantages of early marriage, because for each girl it has a unique character. It is important that, from a medical point of view, early marriage does not cause harm to the young bride," said Professor Mansour Bin Askar. He said that in marriage it is important to have mutual agreement of the parties. Especially, for the young bride who must confirm her decision before a Sharia judge..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/society/family/22-05-2012/121199-saudi_arabia_marriage-0/

The knowledge gap: A violation of basic human rights

By 2012, the terms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should have been fully implemented worldwide, all children should have basic birthrights such as an education, such as school accommodation which delivers this and human resources to implement it. As we spend billions on weapons systems to kill each other, the knowledge gap grows...

I shall quote Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights* in its entirety:

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/history/05-06-2012/121321-violation_human_rights-0/

China will buy Iranian oil

China will continue to buy Iranian oil, despite the pressures of the U.S. on Southeast Asian countries to stop buying oil from the Islamic Republic.

On Tuesday, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Liu Weimin, advocated  that they maintain trade relations between Tehran and Beijing, and reported that China will continue to import Iranian crude.

During a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Weimin said that his country buys oil from Iran through normal channels and in an open and transparent manner, so that trade is legal and rational..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/business/companies/14-06-2012/121389-china_iran-0/

Regarding interviews NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 06/15/2012

Regarding interviews

NO HOLDS BARRED

Armida Siguion-Reyna

06/15/2012
I don’t mind getting requests for interviews, especially as these days it’s mostly in connection with Juan Ponce Enrile, and why not, when he is the man-of-the-hour?

Except “batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan, huwag magalit: I get the feeling young television production people sent out to do pre-interviews or research don’t exactly know what they’re doing, or why they’re doing what they’re doing.

I can almost hear the young ones saying I’m one to talk, given how dismally forgetful I’ve become and how very much I need to be prodded to get into details such as names and particular incidents. It’s precisely because I’m no longer the Armida who first burst into the medium noong uso pa ang black-and-white TV, that I offer the following bits of advice, to help interviewees my age..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120615com4.html

What coastal watch? CROSSROADS Jonathan De la Cruz 06/15/2012

What coastal watch?

CROSSROADS

Jonathan De la Cruz

06/15/2012
Reports have it that in addition to the expanded “access arrangements” which the US military has asked to be worked out for US forces under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) as America “pivots” to Asia, we are now being told that the Pentagon is also planning to set up an integrated “coastal watch system” for the country.

At first blush, that system which has yet to be firmed up may be a blessing for us given our extensive coastline and inadequate resources to patrol our shores. But it may well turn out to be a magnet which can suck us deeper into the front lines of an increasingly deadly cat and mouse game of the superpowers in our midst — the United states and China.

Here’s what a Pentagon official, a Maj. Catherine Wilknison said about the said US initiative: “We are at the planning stages of assisting the Philippines with a National Coast Watch Center. The center is designed to create an overall picture of what is going on in Philippines’ territorial waters. Right now we are discussing a range of options and the details have yet to be finalized. Radars may be eventual part of the package but it hasn’t been determined yet.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120615com5.html

Smartmatic, Comelec dared to bare PCOS’ errors, repairs 06/15/2012

SOLONS CALL ON POLL BODY, SC TO LOOK DEEPER INTO EX-POLL COMMISSIONER’S ALLEGATIONS

Smartmatic, Comelec dared to bare PCOS’ errors, repairs

06/15/2012
With the Supreme Court (SC)’s 11-3 ruling allowing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to purchase 82,000 Smartmatic’s precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 presidential elections, the poll body, along with Smartmatic, was yesterday dared to publicly bare the defects of the automated machines and the repairs made, if they had been repaired at all.

At the same time, at least two congressmen called on the SC and the Comelec to dig deeper into allegations made by a former poll commissioner who was not reappointed by President Aquino, concerning some 236 problems suffered by the machines during the last elections, and what has been done to fix these problems.

The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) yesterday challenged the Smartmatic-TTM company to reveal to the public the real ownership of its program and all the errors and bugs, major to minor, found in the election system it provided in May 20 to and the corrections supposedly made..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120615hea1.html

Palace claims CARP completed by 2014 but eases out DAR chief 06/15/2012

Palace claims CARP completed by 2014 but eases out DAR chief

06/15/2012
The Palace is again caught saying one thing but doing another after President Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday that the Aquino administration will complete the distribution of “all” agricultural land by 2014 starting with farms which are 25 hectares or over before the end of the year while squeezing out Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes which a farmers group said was the result of efforts to evade land distribution at the Hacienda Luisita owned by Aquino’s relatives.

The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) yesterday described the reported resignation of Department of [Agrarian Reform Secretary de los Reyes] as “collateral damage” of the “evil conspiracy between President Aquino and his allies in Akbayan to once again evade the distribution of Hacienda Luisita.”

The case of Hacienda Luisita, a vast sugar estate controlled by President Aquino and family for nearly half a century, is a testament to the failure of comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP), according to KMP..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120615hea4.html

Massacre victims’ kin score De Lima, Palace for coddling Unas By Charlie V. Manalo and Pat C. Santos 06/15/2012

Massacre victims’ kin score De Lima, Palace for coddling Unas

By Charlie V. Manalo and Pat C. Santos 06/15/2012

Relatives of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre yesterday scored Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Malacañang for continuing to coddle one of the primary suspects in the 2009 mass killing, Provincial Administrator Norie Unas.

The massacre claimed the lives of 54 persons, including 31 me-dia practitioners.

The relatives of the victims accused the Aquino adminis-tration of using Unas as a pawn to pin down former President, now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120615hea3.html

5 RP universities among top 300 in Asia By Jason Faustino 06/15/2012

5 RP universities among top 300 in Asia

By Jason Faustino 06/15/2012
Five of the country’s universities made it to the top 300 universities in Asia.

According to the education network Quacquarelli Symmonds (QS), the top Philippine school is the state-run University of the Philippines, which ranked 68th on the list.

The Ateneo de Manila University ranked 86th and the De La Salle University ranked 142nd..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120615nat3.html

Heavy rains leave 9 dead, 62 missing By Mario J. Mallari 06/15/2012

Heavy rains leave 9 dead, 62 missing

By Mario J. Mallari 06/15/2012

The death toll from the prevailing shallow low-pressure area (LPA) affecting some parts of the country, particularly the Mindanao region, yesterday rose to nine persons while some 62 others were reported missing among the more than 3,000 families that have been affected by continuing heavy rains.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced that the latest fatalities were 10-year-old Sweet Jhara Onad, who was buried by a landslide that struck their
house in Barangay Marilog, Davao City, and Juanito Tito, a passenger of the ill-fated M/V Josille II which capsized off the waters of Palawan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120615nat2.html

Pampanga rep tops list of lawmakers with most number of absences By Gerry Baldo 06/15/2012

Pampanga rep tops list of lawmakers with most number of absences

By Gerry Baldo 06/15/2012

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the list of lawmakers with the most number of absences.

She was absent for 33 session days.

Detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on charges of electoral sabotage, the Pampanga lawmaker was recorded absent during the Second Regular Session of Congress from July 25, 2011 to June 6, 2012 when Congress adjourned sine die. In contrast to her performance last year when she was present in all 70 session days.

Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao of Sarangani posted 21 absences to get the second place.
Not far behind Pacquiao is Rep. Augusto Syjuco of Iloilo who registered 18 absences. Syjuco ran and lost in the senatorial race during the previous elections despite his television ads showing his dancing prowess..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120615met2.html

QC mayor joins officials, concerned citizens in calling for review of juvenile law By Arlie O. Calalo 06/15/2012

QC mayor joins officials, concerned citizens in calling for review of juvenile law

By Arlie O. Calalo 06/15/2012

Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista has joined the growing list of government officials and concerned citizens pressing a review of Republic Act 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006.

Bautista said he was prompted by the reported increase in the number of children younger than 15 years old who have become involved in criminal activities.

The reported growth in the number of minors used as drug couriers and “Akyat-Bahay” gang members or getting involved in fraternity wars compelled the mayor to seek a review of the juvenile justice law which provides exemption to children aged 15 years and below from any criminal liability..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120615met3.html

Aquino slammed for kowtowing to US plan to project military might in Asia

Aquino slammed for kowtowing to US plan to project military might in Asia

What Aquino calls as “new juncture” in Philippine relations with the US seems to revolve chiefly on the Philippine role in maintaining the Pacific as an American Lake.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – While President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was in the United States for a state visit, progressive groups in the US and in the Philippines held protest actions to condemn what they call as his “treachery” and “shameless puppetry.”

“In a time when the Philippines should have been asserting its sovereignty and charting an independent foreign policy, Aquino is groveling to the US for economic and military aid in exchange for the transformation of the entire country into a US military outpost in Southeast Asia,” said Renato Reyes, secretary general of Bayan.

At a protest rally in front of the US Embassy in Manila on June 8, Reyes said there is nothing to be proud of in Aquino’s visit to the US and talks with US President Barack Obama, “because it’s not a talk between friends.” He added that a “real friend doesn’t use or take advantage of his friend, like what the US has been doing to its ‘treaty partner,’ the Philippines.”

The protesters burned an image of the United States flag with pictures of Obama and Aquino. Due to demands from protesters and the media covering the rally, the group burned another Obama-Aquino poster before voluntarily marching away from the US embassy after holding a program.

Philippines as US outpost in Asia-Pacific

On his three-day visit in the US, Aquino had a one-on-one talk with US President Barack Obama in the White House, lunch with US State Secretary Hillary Clinton in the State Department and a meeting with US Senator Richard Lugar. The latter authored a resolution calling for increased defense and security cooperation with the Philippines. It was unanimously approved in the US Senate in time for Aquino’s state visit.

One of the emblems of US-Phl special relations burned in front of US Embassy in Manila June 8. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

In a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) described the official visit accorded by the Obama government to Aquino as “a reward for his close cooperation with the US imperialists to help fortify its power in the Asia-Pacific region at the expense of the Filipino people’s sovereignty and its right to self-determination.”

Indeed, the Philippine government under Aquino has agreed to ‘cooperate’ with the US on its “rebalancing” or greater focusing of forces and engagement to Asia-Pacific region, under which by 2020 American military officials say they shall have deployed in the region three-fifths of its fleet. In various top-level talks with American government this year, the Aquino government has agreed to host, even invited, the US’ increased “rotational” troops, along with its “most advanced ship, fifth generation aircraft, and the best missile defense technology,” as Gen. Martin Dempsey, chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff, described their presence..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/13/aquino-slammed-for-kowtowing-to-us-plan-to-project-military-might-in-asia/

All in good time FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/14/2012

All in good time

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/14/2012
A new movement calling itself the “Oust-Penoy Movement” has threatened to file an impeachment complaint against Noynoy Aquino.

It should be asked, following Noynoy’s recent illogic that the ouster of Renato Corona as Chief Justice of the high court has strengthened democracy, if Noynoy is impeached and ousted, would democracy become more vibrant?

After all, one rule should guide all and worse than Corona, Noynoy has willfully violated the Charter more than once.

Still, even if the ouster move against Noynoy does bring about an impeachment complaint, it will be all for naught, not because there exists no valid grounds — as there truly are valid grounds — but because Noynoy has the House of Representatives under his control — through his bribing ways of the offers of early release of pork barrel plus additional pork and perks..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120614com2.html

No harmony expected EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/14/2012

No harmony expected

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

06/14/2012
One can’t be too sure if the incumbent Supreme Court (SC) justices will be taking well the appointment by Noynoy of a chief justice who is an outsider, especially any of those who have so far been nominated as candidates for the top judicial post.

While acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio claims that appointing anyone, following tradition or not, is a presidential prerogative and that he would respect the decision of the President in his appointment, there’s still a hallow ring to that statement.

Carpio is at this time suffering from a negative public perception arising from his active involvement in getting Chief Justice Renato Corona ousted from his position. Carpio is also seen as being overly ambitious and is an ally of Noynoy, which is probably the reason Carpio, the most senior member in the SC, appears to be going out of his way to change that negative image he has earned, by pretending not to be salivating for the top post when it is evident that he wants it — and had wanted it even as early as 2010, which is why he and his cousin, now Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, came up with that act of rejecting their nomination as candidates of the SC, using as reason that they believe it should be the incoming President — Noynoy — who should be the appointing power, and not Gloria Arroyo..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120614com1.html

No-fly zone on the horizon in Syria?

No-fly zone on the horizon in Syria?

As international pressure against Syrian regime is ratcheting up France has urged to use UN-sanctioned force to implement Kofi Annan peace plan with a no-fly zone being an option.

In his strongest statement on Syria French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius proposed making the six-point peace plan obligatory by invoking the UN’s “Charter 7” provision which allows the Security Council to authorize actions ranging from sanctions to military intervention.

"The situation in Syria has taken an even more serious and horrid turn," he said as quoted by Reuters. "We have been informed that children are being used as human shields by the regime, placed in front of tanks, tortured, raped and assassinated.”.... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/syria-france-no-fly-771/

NATO tries to shift its blame for Syrian bloodshed on Russia

The head of NATO has called on Russia to do more to stop the bloodshed in Syria but stopped short of joining a top United Nations official in declaring the conflict a full-scale civil war. 

 As world leaders continue to grapple with how to halt the violence, UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous on Wednesday said he believed the 16-month conflict has worsened to the point of civil war.

 In Australia for talks with the federal government, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stopped short of backing Mr Ladsous' assessment, says Sydney Morning Herald. .... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/13-06-2012/121368-nato_russia_syria-0/

TPP secrets: Obama covertly granting more power to multinational corporations

TPP secrets: Obama covertly granting more power to multinational corporations

Despite the White House’s efforts to keep a proposed free trade agreement concealed from the public — and even Congress — an excerpt from the TPP leaked Wednesday reveals that President Obama is prepared to bow to multinational corporations.

The United States has been engaged in discussion with eight Pacific nations to come to agreement on the terms of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade contract that would allow for a more open system of exchange between the US and less developed nations. Critics have been concerned, however, over how provisions of the project could drive up the price of medications and other goods across the world. The White House’s reluctance to provide details to even leading lawmakers responsible for America’s trade plans has caused a rift within the president’s own political party as his administration remains adamant about protecting the items being heard..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/tpp-obama-corporations-trade-725/

Groups to launch Save Bondoc Peninsula Movement for Human Rights

Groups to launch Save Bondoc Peninsula Movement for Human Rights

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Grassroots human rights and peasant organizations in Southern Tagalog are poised to launch an all-out campaign to expose the increasing number of human rights violations in the region, specifically Quezon province in the Bondoc Peninsula. The groups said the Benigno Aquino III government has given its full-blessing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to intensify military operations to clear areas for the extraction activities of mining corporations.

The broad formation will be led by different grass roots organizations based in Quezon such as Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights), PIGLAS , the provincial peasant organization in Quezon, and Anakpawis Partylist Chapters in the province.

Regional and national organizations such as Karapatan, Bayan and Kasama-TK will also play major roles in the campaign. Groups and individuals such as lawyers, journalists and church people who are active in the advocacy for the defense of human rights from both local and international community are also invited to support the movement and its activities.

Hacienda belt

According to Axel Pinpin, secretary of the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK), the Aquino government has targeted Quezon province because of its rich natural resources and substantial share in the total agricultural production in the whole region. Districts 3 and 4 of the province are more commonly known as South Quezon and Bondoc Peninsula respectively, and are considered to be the centers of agricultural production.

On the whole, Quezon province has 39 municipalities and two cities, covering a total land area of 870, 660 hectares. Some 513,681 hectares or almost 60 percent is agricultural. The Quezon coastline, meanwhile, stretches for more than one thousand kilometers. Given all this, almost 78 percent of the population work as farmers who rely on the production of coconuts, rice, corn and other agricultural products for their livelihood..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/08/groups-to-launch-save-bondoc-peninsula-movement-for-human-rights/

Danger: Privatization of public utilities VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/14/2012

Danger: Privatization of public utilities

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

06/14/2012
Public utilities come in various kinds, forms and shapes, in these or those places of the country, for different objectives and with diverse implications and consequences.

For ordinary people — considering that technocrats have their rather profound knowledge and expertise to say otherwise — all public utilities have the following more common features: One, they are all for the use of the public. Two, they are all for public welfare. Three, they are all funded by public funds.

In other words, the primary goal of basic objective of public utilities is the common good of the general public. And rightly so, considering that said utilities are administered by different public agencies or offices, all of which are meant for public service, in the same way that all of them are financed by the big amount of direct and indirect taxes paid by the people — from birth to death..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120614com6.html

High court okays P1.8-B PCOS buy By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/14/2012

SC TOES NOYNOY’S LINE ON SMARTMATIC MACHINES

High court okays P1.8-B PCOS buy

By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/14/2012

From an Arroyo Court to an Aquino Court.

The Supreme Court, now under the leadership of acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio yesterday ruled 11-3 to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proceed with the multibillion-peso contract for the purchase of machines for next year’s elections.

It will be recalled that President Aquino a few days ago, sent a strong message that he no longer wants any debates on automated polls and made it clear that he wants the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 presidential polls to be used in 2013.

A day after he issued the strong message, Carpio announced that the high court en banc was scheduled to meet yesterday to decide on the PCOS issue..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120614hea1.html

US military to help RP monitor coastal waters 06/14/2012

US military to help RP monitor coastal waters

06/14/2012
WASHINGTON — The US military said it planned to help the Philippines monitor its coastal waters as Manila faces an escalating dispute with China over territorial claims.

The Pentagon revised earlier comments and said there was no firm plan to deliver a land-based radar to the Philippines, but that a radar could be part of future assistance.

“We are in the initial planning stages of assisting the Philippines with a National Coast Watch Center,” Major Catherine Wilkinson told AFP.

The center is designed “to create an overall picture of what is going on in the Philippines’ territorial waters,” she said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120614nat2.html

7 dead, 88 still missing in ferry sinking, floods 06/14/2012

7 dead, 88 still missing in ferry sinking, floods

06/14/2012
At least five persons died after a passenger vessel capsized off the waters of Palawan on Tuesday night, bringing to seven the total fatalities brought by heavy rains and rough seas due to a prevailing low pressure area affecting some parts of the country.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Undersecretary Benito Ramos said m/v Josille II capsized along the waters of Paganawin Island between the towns of El Nido and Taytay in Palawan around 11:30 p.m.

He added five of the 59 persons aboard the ill-fated vessels were confirmed dead while the rest were rescued safely..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120614hea4.html

Noy dismisses oust-Aquino move By Fernan J. Angeles 06/14/2012

Noy dismisses oust-Aquino move

By Fernan J. Angeles 06/14/2012

President Aquino warded off the possibility of seeing himself in the same situation as the impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, or be in the same shoes of former President Joseph Estrada who was ousted by mob rule.

Malacaang officials including the President himself, dont seem affected amid reports of an ouster plan that is being hatched against Aquino.

Part of the supposed plan of a group referred to in the social media networks as the Oust Penoy Movement is to file an impeachment complaint before the predominantly pro-administration House of Representatives against the President.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda branded the ouster plot as no more than a sham, even as he claimed that the groups impeachment plan doesnt even have any legal basis from where an article of impeachment would qualify..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120614nat4.html

Heed the people’s clamor, address the country’s concerns — Suarez By Charlie V. Manalo 06/14/2012

Heed the people’s clamor, address the country’s concerns — Suarez

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/14/2012

With all three major polling firms coming out with identical survey results showing President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s satisfaction rating taking a dip to its lowest level since assuming office in 2010 due to his failure to address on nearly every issue important to the public, House Minority Leader, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez yesterday said it is time the administration takes governance more seriously.

In a statement, Suarez called on Aquino to heed the people’s voice as they desire for the advancement and improvement of our country. We urge you to turn your attention away from the politics of revenge

Last week The Issues and Advocacy Center, in its second-quarter survey of the public pulse, reported that more people disapproved than approved of the President’s performance on nearly every issue important to the public. The only exception was his anti-corruption campaign, perhaps in part because the survey was taken at the end of the Corona impeachment trial..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120614nat3.html

US senator supports inquiry into Pacquiao fight 06/14/2012

US senator supports inquiry into Pacquiao fight

06/14/2012
WASHINGTON — The top US senator said Tuesday he backs a probe into the split decision giving Timothy Bradley a win over Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, but said he believed there was “nothing untoward” in the scoring.

Undefeated American Bradley won the controversial high-profile championship boxing bout Saturday in Las Vegas in Senator Harry Reid’s home state of Nevada, where the fight’s three judges were under pressure to explain their scoring which many experts have described as flawed.

“If an investigation makes everyone feel better, do the investigation,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Reid, himself a one-time amateur boxer, told reporters in Washington..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20120614spo2.html

Judge resets to June 20 and 22 hearings on Abalos petition for bail By Pat C. Santos 06/14/2012

Judge resets to June 20 and 22 hearings on Abalos petition for bail

By Pat C. Santos 06/14/2012
Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. petition for bail in Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) suffered another delay after it was postponed because his lead defense counsel did not make it to court yesterday.

Pasay RTC Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas decided to reschedule the hearing to June 20 and 22 due to the absence of former Justice Artemio Toquero due to an urgent appointment at the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Prosecutors were supposed to continue the testimony of former North Cotabato elections supervisor Yogi Martirizar to counter Abalos’ bail petition..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120614met2.html

As EPIRA proves an utter failure on its 11th year, groups urge Aquino to scrap it

As EPIRA proves an utter failure on its 11th year, groups urge Aquino to scrap it

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – This month, Filipino consumers are being asked yet again to cope with increased electricity rates, spurring protests and renewed calls to scrap the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA. The law is being blamed for having allowed electricity rates to increase so much.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s biggest electricity distributor, recently announced it will hike its rates starting June. Citing a 54-centavo increase in generation charges, Meralco has proposed to recoup this via the generation rate adjustment mechanism (GRAM), which it could increase automatically under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

Given that electricity in the Philippines is already the highest in Asia, higher than high-income Japan, public opposition to EPIRA has been mounting. Business groups, large and small, have also complained of the rates, with some multinational companies relocating in other countries reportedly because of high electricity rates.

“As things stand, power rates have made small and medium-scale businesses more inclined to close shop while bigger businesses transfer to other countries,” observed Elmer “Bong” Labog, chairman of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

Progressive groups ask Aquino why he has not yet called for the reversal of GMA’s first law, EPIRA. (Photo by Marya Salamat / bulatlat.com)

Progressive groups and consumers have questioned the continued implementation of EPIRA as its promised lower electricity rates “proved a sham from the beginning,” the KMU said in a statement.

Last year, the multi-sectoral alliance Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance) submitted to Congress its review of EPIRA. The group has been urging lawmakers to conduct its own review of the said law, in hopes Congress could see the need to scrap it altogether.
So when EPIRA turned 11 years old last Friday June 8, coinciding with the Meralco rate hike announcement and likely hikes, too, in Mindanao, progressive groups led by Bayan marched to Mendiola (now Chino Roces Bridge) to denounce the Aquino government’s continued implementation of EPIRA..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/11/as-epira-proves-an-utter-failure-on-its-11th-year-groups-urge-aquino-to-scrap-it/

What democracy? EDITORIAL 06/13/2012

What democracy?

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

06/13/2012
Noynoy appears to have a skewed sense of what democracy — and its strengthening is.
During the Independence Day rites in Malolos, Bulacan, he again harped on the impeachment trial and conviction of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying that this has strengthened democracy.

It should be asked: How on earth did the impeachment trial and conviction of Corona strengthen democracy, when in truth, it has weakened democracy, given the way the impeachment was worked on — and by Noynoy himself.

Driven by his vindictive and persecutorial nature, Noynoy bribed the congressmen with pledges of the early full release of their pork barrel, thereby turning what should have been an independent House of Representatives into his puppet legislative chamber..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120613com1.html

China’s Iranian crude imports remain in US firing line

China’s Iranian crude imports remain in US firing line

Washington has granted waivers to sanctions on Iranian oil imports to several countries, leaving China the only major oil importer subject to US penalties. Chinese oil giant Sinopec announced it will not raise imports in an effort to allay sanctions.

The US government added India, South Korea and four more nations to the list of countries exempt from the sanctions on Monday.

Ten EU nations and Japan were granted waivers in March to US financial penalties..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/sanctions-iran-oil-imports-614/

Russia, in favor of Iran's presence at conference on Syria

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, denounced that Iran did not participate in the international conference on Syria, as Tehran is an influential state in the region and in Syria.

"Iran is one of the countries that have influence on the Syrian government," the Russian diplomat stressed Saturday in a press conference on Syria he called as soon as possible to implement the peace plan of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Organization (UN) to Syria, Kofi Annan.

With these statements, Lavrov has opposed U.S. and western countries and some who question the presence of Tehran at the negotiating table on the Arab country..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/11-06-2012/121365-russia_syria-0/

Terrible state murder of Saddam Hussein's former secretary

"There was no honour left; ruin and war and the blood was flowing ...

Sadness, hate and the reign of arbitrary destruction." (Rachid Taha, Algerian Musician and lyricist, 1958-:)

Shocking details have emerged from an impeccable source (not named for obvious reasons) of the execution on Thursday the 7th of June, in Baghdad, of Abed Hamid Hamoud, President Saddam Hussein's former personal secretary and aide.

Mr Hamoud, fourth on America's 2003 asinine, juvenile playing card list of Iraq's sovereign government, has been held in jail since June 2003, after being arrested by US occupying forces.

He was sentenced to death in October 2010 with former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tareq Aziz, and former intelligence chief, Sadoun Shakir, heightening fears for their imminent execution..... MORE

Source:  Pravda.ru

URL: http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/crimes/11-06-2012/121363-Abed_Hamid_Hamoud-0/

Arson at Isla Puting Bato?

Arson at Isla Puting Bato?
“The next day, they blockaded the entrance with drums, container vans, so that people and the construction materials they brought won’t be able to pass.”
By IGAL JADA SAN ANDRES
Bulatlat.com

ISLA PUTING BATO, Manila — “My neighbors were shouting ‘fire! fire!.’ I asked, ‘Where is it?’ because I had just come home. They said it was at the corner. When we looked, the fire was already big. My children became agitated. They said, ‘Mama, hurry, let’s go.’ I could only think of my children. My eldest, in her agitation, carried her shoes away. My youngest took the dog. My second child, maybe because she was so nervous, was in shock, so I just dragged her. When we arrived at the end of the street, I went back. I tried to save even just a little of what I was selling, but I couldn’t because the fire was already beside our house. In the end, we couldn’t save anything, not even one, not even our clothes, only ourselves.”

This was the story told by Isabel Solayao, 37, a resident of Isla Puting Bato, to Bulatlat.com two weeks after a fire razed their homes. More than 1500 families were affected by the blaze which began at around 4 p.m. until 6:00 in the evening.

The fire started at a house near the entrance to Isla Puting Bato. There was only one way for the residents to flee: to the end of the Isla. Some residents scaled the wall while others jumped into the sea for safety.

(Photo by Igal Jada Sand Andres / bulatlat.com)

“Even when the firefighters came, the fire was not put out quickly,” Luzviminda Solayao, 55, a relative of Isabel, said. “They said they did not have enough water. The hose they were bringing was also small. But you should, of course, know that when there’s a fire, you should have plenty of water because you need to rescue the lives of the victims.”

The cause of the fire remains unclear. There are rumors that it was caused by a gas tank exploding or illegal electrical connections or a child playing with matches. But some residents believe otherwise – contending that the fire was not accidental and that the perpetrators might have been paid.

“What they’re telling us is that there was a couple who fought,” Isabel said. “The husband allegedly poured gasoline on his wife. But the wife was able to run to the barangay hall. So the man burned down their house. Purportedly they did not really own the house; they were only renting it.”

The couple has not been sighted after the event..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/11/arson-at-isla-puting-bato/

Justice department holds preliminary hearing on criminal cases filed by Burgos family against military

Justice department holds preliminary hearing on criminal cases filed by Burgos family against military
“I want to believe that there is hope.” – Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Unlike Jonas Burgos, an activist abducted on April 28, 2007, military officials implicated in his enforced disappearance are being given an opportunity to defend themselves.

“The chance that they are giving Harry to defend himself is not an opportunity they gave my son. But we are not like them. We are God-fearing. We know how to love and we know how to forgive,” Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of Jonas, said.

Jonas, who is also the son of late press freedom icon Jose Burgos Jr., was abducted on April 28, 2007 inside a mall in Quezon City. His family, friends and comrades continue to search for him to this day. The military has long been implicated to his enforced disappearance but it was only until Jeffrey Cabintoy, the busboy of the restaurant where Jonas was seen eating, identified Major Harry Baliaga Jr. during the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights that his alleged abductors finally had a name and a face.
Cabintoy, during the recent Writ of Amparo hearing before the Court of Appeals, positively identified Baliaga, who was sitting inside the courtroom. “It is him. It is him,” he said in Filipino.

Major Harry Baliaga Jr takes his oath before the state prosecutor of the Department of Justice (Photo by Janess Ann J. Ellao / bulatlat.com)

A year after they filed criminal cases of kidnapping and arbitrary detention against Baliaga, Lt. Col. Melquiades and Col. Eduardo Año and Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders against former high ranking military officials namely former military chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano and former Police director general Avelino Razon, the Department of Justice finally summoned both the complainants and respondents for the first preliminary hearing.

“I want to believe that there is hope. Today is the first hearing and I am happy that these people [referring to former top state security officials] went out to give their sworn statements [before the state prosecutor],” Mrs. Burgos told Bulatlat.com.

Military did not cooperate

In an ambush interview, Gen. Esperon, one of the high ranking military officials charged with Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders, said he ordered an investigation on Jonas’ abduction but it is “classified,” meaning that it is not open to the public, including Mrs. Burgos..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/11/justice-department-holds-preliminary-hearing-on-criminal-cases-filed-by-burgos-family-against-military/

Noynoy, Comelec, allies push SC to OK PCOS 06/13/2012

Noynoy, Comelec, allies push SC to OK PCOS

06/13/2012
A day after President Aquino made known to all and sundry that he wants the Precint Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to lord it over the 2013 polls, acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio immediately scheduled the petitions against the use of the PCOS machines under an P1.8-billion budget for today.

Aquino said he no longer wants to hear any more debates on whether to automate next year’s mid-term election even as he claimed that going back to the manual mode of electing government leaders would mean a “tragedy.”

The President’s choice of the PCOS machines to be utilized in the 2013 polls was seen as a strong message being conveyed to the Supreme Court which is set to decide on the petitions against the PCOS..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120613hea2.html

Almendras to PMS, Bonoan takes over energy post 06/13/2012 By Fernan J. Angeles

Almendras to PMS, Bonoan takes over energy post

06/13/2012
By Fernan J. Angeles

President Aquino, whose survey ratings are on a dangerous slide, initiated yesterday a shuffling of members of his Cabinet with the daughter of Budget Secretary Butch Abad bowing out of government service to pave the way for Energy Secretary Jose Almendras as the new chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

Despite presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda’s denial, and the usual alibis of having short or no information on media queries, Almendras is set to take over the PMS in a matter of two weeks as President Aquino has reportedly picked his preference for his replacement at the Department of Energy (DoE).

With Almendras as the new PMS chief, the President chose to get a “veteran” replacement for the Department of Energy (DoE). Expected to take over the post that Almendras handled for the last two years is former Finance Secretary Emmanuel Bonoan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120613hea4.html

Pimentel readying to bolt UNA By Angie M. Rosales 06/13/2012

PDP-LABAN FACES SPLIT AS KOKO’S DAD RAPS AS KOKO’S DAD RAPS OF EMBRACING CHEATS

Pimentel readying to bolt UNA

By Angie M. Rosales 06/13/2012
With the Liberal Party (LP) ready to embrace Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel as its senatorial bet for 2013, the senator yesterday gave broad hints on his impending departure from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) as one of its senatorial bets in the coming 2013 mid-term polls following the formal pronouncements Monday of the coalition in drafting as a candidate in the race for the upper chamber seats of former Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.

Pimentel also broadly hinted that his party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, will likely split the coalition consisting of PDP and Vice President Jojo Binay’s party, Laban ng Bayan (Laban).

His father, former Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, entered the fray yesterday as he denounced UNA’s decision-makers’ move to dismiss the appeal of his son Koko to drop from the senatorial list the latter’s political nemesis, Zubiri..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120613hea1.html

Akbayan hits DAR’s bad performance, says landowners, Reds delay CARP By Fernan J. Angeles 06/13/2012

Akbayan hits DAR’s bad performance, says landowners, Reds delay CARP

By Fernan J. Angeles 06/13/2012

The most dominant Socialist-Democrats known to be closest to the President seemed to be packing things up in an apparent attempt to veer away from an administration seen as reluctant to implement an agrarian reform program that embodies their political ideology of promoting common ownership between the feudal lords and peasants.

In a statement sent to reporters via e-mail, the Akbayan Party expressed “grave concern” over the poor performance of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), especifically in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reforms (CARPer), which was designed primarily to ensure swift completion of the distribution of agrarian-classified land to farmer-beneficiaries.

The party felt that the Aquino administration was not-so-eager to reduce the remaining 1.06 million hectares of farmlands meant to be redistributed to Filipino farmers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120613nat2.html

Jails ordered to disclose finances By Gina Peralta-Elorde 06/13/2012

Jails ordered to disclose finances

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 06/13/2012

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the full disclosure of jail expenses and donations, Secretary Jesse Robredo announced yesterday.

In 2010, the DILG adopted the Full Disclosure Policy obliging local government units (LGUs) to make public their financial documents such as budget and procurement bidding. Since then, more than 90 percent of LGUs have complied with the policy.

Starting July 1 this year, all jails under the jurisdiction of the DILG will be required to post their expenditures and donations on their bulletin boards nationwide..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120613nat5.html

Arum to request probe of Pacquiao decision 06/13/2012

‘TO RESTORE FANS’ CONFIDENCE IN BOXING’

Arum to request probe of Pacquiao decision

06/13/2012
LAS VEGAS — Promoter Bob Arum said Monday he would ask the Nevada attorney general\'s office \"for a full and complete inquiry\" into the controversial Timothy Bradley-Manny Pacquiao title fight.

Arum, who promotes both fighters, was among the many who voiced shock that Bradley was awarded the victory Saturday on two of three judges\' scorecards, giving him a split decision triumph that ended Pacquiao\'s 15-fight victory streak.

\"The public has a right to know,\" Arum said. \"The fighters have a right to know..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/sports/20120613spo1.html