Fifty years after Eichmann, Nazi trial era ending focus 04/10/2011

Fifty years after Eichmann, Nazi trial era ending

focus

04/10/2011
FERUSALEM — The capture, trial and sentencing to death of Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann in 1961 was a milestone for Israel and a watershed in the global hunt for Nazi war criminals.

In the 50 years since then, although there have been no further convictions in Israel, numerous notorious Nazis have been brought to justice elsewhere.

But despite the efforts of prosecutors, frequently prodded into action by private individuals who have dedicated themselves to hunting down Hitler’s killers, “hundreds, if not thousands” of criminals are still at large, says Israeli Nazi-hunter Efraim Zuroff.

And with perpetrators and witnesses dying off, or becoming unfit to testify, Nazi hunters say that a current round of trials may be the last, bringing to an end the bid to seek retribution for the millions of victims..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com3.html

From the Amazon to the edge of Lima, ‘boom’ remains a dream FEATURE 04/10/2011

From the Amazon to the edge of Lima, ‘boom’ remains a dream

FEATURE

04/10/2011
LIMA — Thousands of Peruvians on the edge of Lima are a world away from the capital’s prosperity, with little hope they will share the fruit of a decade of growth, despite promises from presidential candidates.

Hundreds of homes sit atop a former rubbish dump in the slum of Cantagallo, which has a clear view across the rapidly developing capital and lies only a mile (two kilometers) from the presidential palace.

The four main candidates competing for the presidency Sunday aim to maintain Peru’s record growth but face growing frustration from a third of the nation of some 29 million who still live in poverty.

Some 2,000 inhabitants of the Lima slum include members of the Shipibo Amazon tribe who migrated there 10 years ago and are still seeking to rise out of poverty..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com6.html

Far-right vigilantes spark fear in Hungarian Roma focus 04/10/2011

Far-right vigilantes spark fear in Hungarian Roma

focus

04/10/2011
HAJDUHADHAZ — Fear grows among the Roma community in Hajduhadhaz as news spreads that far-right vigilantes are on their way to patrol the crime-stricken streets of the poor town.

“They are already here, in Radnoti street, 700 of them... They will come here to get us,” a man in his fifties clad in dirty rags shouts to a group mingling about.

The edges of Hajduhadhaz, with their typical “gypsy rows” of doorless brick and adobe shacks, are indeed next on the visiting list of the Brighter Future militia, a sister group of the far-right Jobbik party, which made its way into parliament last year on a wave of anti-Roma animosity.

Home to about 12,000 people — a quarter of whom are Roma — this town in eastern Hungary has a less than illustrious history: Hit by over 15-percent unemployment, it also headed the list of most crime-infected Hungarian towns in 2007..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com7.html

Poor Philippines! VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/10/2011

Poor Philippines!

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

04/10/2011
Such is this country really and figuratively: Poor in terms of want of economic resources and financial assets. Poor in terms of its victimization by no less than a big number of public officials. The former sad reality is the cause of the latter shameful situation. It is precisely the many public officials who make the country poor materially and socio-politically. Otherwise, the Philippines would be rich and the Filipinos blessed.

Thus it is that there are distinct voices heard here and there, in both gloomy and happy gatherings, to the effect that in a way, the Philippines would be affluent and the Filipinos would be well-off — were it not for the gross graft and flagrant corruption precisely taking place in government agencies at the expense of the millions of citizens paying indirect and direct taxes from birth to death plus the thousands of small and big business entities paying direct taxes..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110410com5.html

Rising poverty, hunger mirror failed CCT — critics By Charlie V. Manalo 04/10/2011

PALACE CLAIMS 400,000 FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM CASH TRANSFER

Rising poverty, hunger mirror failed CCT — critics

By Charlie V. Manalo 04/10/2011

As critics of President Aquino spotlight the failure of his administration’s P21.5 billion conditional cash transfer (CCT) program after the recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showing an increase in the number of poor and hungry Filipinos, the Palace yesterday went on a publicity overdrive, saying the program is being stepped up and had claimed the CCT had covered 400,000 poor families.

Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, however, said the SWS survey showing a consistent rise in the number of Filipinos growing hungry and poorer only shows the Aquino administration has failed to implement any concrete program that would uplift the livelihood of the people.

“This means that this administration has not implemented concrete programs to arrest unemployment, rising costs of commodities and services resulting to more hunger felt by the people,” Magsaysay said, adding that the administration’s conditional cash transfer program (CCT) which it lifted from the
Arroyo administration, was not as effective as they projected it to be..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed1.html

Taal Volcano alert level raised; Phivolcs warns of eruption 04/10/2011

Taal Volcano alert level raised; Phivolcs warns of eruption

04/10/2011
Magma rising to the surface of Taal Volcano in Batangas prompted state volcanologists yesterday to push up its alert level and urged visitors to stay away.

The second stage of a five-step alert system has been imposed around Taal Volcano after increased signs of activity were detected.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said at least four disturbing recent trends indicated an eruption.

“In view of the above observations at Taal Volcano and the interpretation that magma has been intruding toward the surface, as manifested by (carbon dioxide) being released in Main Crater Lake and the increase in seismic activity, Taal Volcano’s status is now raised to Alert Level 2. With this alert status, the present activities could eventually lead to an eruption,” Phivolcs said in its Web site..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed3.html

Nato role under fire as Libya hits stalemate 04/10/2011

Nato role under fire as Libya hits stalemate

04/10/2011
MISRATA — Forces loyal to Libya’s undersiege dictator Moammar Kadhafi shelled rebels in Misrata with civilian deaths reported as Nato’s role in the conflict faced scrutiny with no endgame in sight.

The fighting in Misrata came after government troops shelled the edge of Ajdabiya, further east, forcing insurgents to retreat, and as the European Union announced measures to evacuate the wounded and provide food, water and medical supplies.

“There is an intense exchange of fire with light arms, rockets and heavy artillery between the rebels and the regime’s army,” said an Agence France Presse correspondent, who was among a group of journalists brought to Misrata by Libyan authorities.

The correspondent said they were about five kilometers into the town that extends 30 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed4.html

Credit Ligots’ US assets turnover to Ombudsman, says her deputy By Arlie O. Calalo 04/10/2011

Credit Ligots’ US assets turnover to Ombudsman, says her deputy

By Arlie O. Calalo 04/10/2011

A subaltern of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said yesterday that the recent turnover by the United States to the government of a $132,000 check representing proceeds of the sale of a US property owned by former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda was the fruit of Gutierrez’s hard work.
Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus Jr. said in a statement that the turnover was the result of the prompt action initiated by Gutierrez.

“When it came to the knowledge of the Office that the property has been sold by the US government, Ombudsman Gutierrez immediately wrote the Department of Justice to request the return of the proceeds,” De Jesus said.

On the basis of such request, then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera coordinated with the US government for the return to the Philippines of the proceeds of the sale of the property in Buena Park, California..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed5.html

House panel finalizes ‘Whistleblowers Act’ 04/10/2011

House panel finalizes ‘Whistleblowers Act’

04/10/2011
Amid corruption issues hounding government institutions, particulary the military, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has expressed confidence that Congress, in its resumption of sessions in May, would definitely pass the Whistleblowers Act and the additional benefits for state witnesses.

“I am elated to note that both proposals, contained in several bills, are now being finalized by separate technical working groups formed by Chairman Neil Tupas Jr. of the House committee on
justice,” said Angara, the principal author of House Bills 419 and 452 (Whistleblower) and HB 473 (additional benefits for state witnesses)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110410hed6.html

Lola Irene now back home; 600 more OFWs waiting for repatriation 04/10/2011

Lola Irene now back home; 600 more OFWs waiting for repatriation

04/10/2011
Home at last.
Lola Irene Sto. Domingo, 75, is now in the arms of her family after long months of waiting. Sick and undocumented, she has been in the care of Bahay Kalinga, a transient home for repatriating distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for three months. Bahay Kalinga is being managed by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to this, she had run away from her employer, whom she had worked for years, after they refuse to pay her. Old and weak, Lola Irene opted to run away and looked for some odd jobs. But illness made her too weak to work, that a fellow OFW, Marcelina Maramag, who has been working in a small dressmaking shop in Saudi took care of her. Even if it’s illegal to take care of an absconder, Maramag had taken care of Lola Irene, feeding her and sometimes, giving her medicine. Until, Lola Irene had decided to ask the Philippine Embassy for help..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110410nat6.html

Under fire television host Revillame takes a leave 04/10/2011

Under fire television host Revillame takes a leave

04/10/2011
A television host who sparked outrage when a six-year-old boy simulated a striptease for cash on his show took a two-week break starting yesterday because of the furor.

Embattled presenter Willie Revillame said late Friday he would take leave from his top-rated variety show Willing Willie following an advertising boycott and government investigation into the incident.

“I will take a leave...starting today. Tomorrow, we will just show taped (old) episodes. We will be gone for two weeks...but when we come back, there will be new hope,” he told his show’s audience.

Revillame, who has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons before, hosts one of several popular TV shows that offer guests a chance to win cash, cars and other big prizes for performing in front of a live audience..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110410met1.html

VP Binay calls for text votes for Puerto’s underground river 04/10/2011

VP Binay calls for text votes for Puerto’s underground river

04/10/2011
Vice President Jejomar Binay is encouraging the public to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature.

“Please encourage your relatives, friends and every concerned Filipino to vote,” urged Binay. “This is also in support of the Aquino administration’s effort to put the country in the map and bring attention to our beautiful country,” the Vice President added.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of 28 finalists competing to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature list to be determined by voters around the world.

To vote, Globe, Smart or Sun subscribers may text “PPUR 15” to 2861. The public may vote as many times as they want until Sept. 25, 2011..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110410nat5.html

Workers in Japan Firms in the Philippines Also “Hit” By Disaster

Workers in Japan Firms in the Philippines Also “Hit” By Disaster

  “The Philippine government has been giving foreign companies, including Japanese firms, a lot of incentives and perks. We hope the government would also extend to us some help and immediate relief, especially now that hundreds to thousands of Filipino workers may be adversely affected by the disaster that hit their parent or supplier companies in Japan.” – Dexter Datu, chairman of Metalworkers Alliance of the Philippines (MWAP)

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

CABUYAO, Laguna –- Some Japanese firms producing cars in the Philippines reportedly told their local employees here that if the situation in Japan continues to worsen in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, their operations here may eventually be affected by lack of raw materials starting next month. This could result in a shutdown and retrenchment of employees by May, further worsening the problem of joblessness in the country.

Dexter Datu, chairman of Metalworkers Alliance of the Philippines (MWAP) and president of the union of employees of International Wiring Systems, a Japanese-owned company based in Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac, told Bulatlat.com they would bring the suggestions they gathered from their members to Malacañang and to other government agencies such as the labor department in an effort to seek aid and relief as the disasters in Japan threaten now to cause layoffs and loss of employee benefits to workers in the Philippines.

(Contributed photo / bulatlat.com)

“The Philippine government has been giving foreign companies, including Japanese firms, a lot of incentives and perks. We hope the government would also extend to us some help and immediate relief, especially now that hundreds to thousands of Filipino workers may be adversely affected by the disaster that hit their parent or supplier companies in Japan,” Datu said. Their group has just concluded a consultation with workers in some Japanese-owned companies in Laguna. They are still about to hold other consultations with members in Central Luzon, as well as in the Visayas..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/04/08/workers-in-japan-firms-in-rp-also-%E2%80%9Chit%E2%80%9D-by-disaster/

Government Employees Call for P6,000 salary hike, Revocation of Executive Order No. 7

Government Employees Call for P6,000 salary hike, Revocation of Executive Order No. 7

 “Even if the remaining adjustments for 2012 under the SSL 3 is released this year, this will only mean a new minimum pay of P9,000 (US$209). This is not even half of the P29,000 (US$674) monthly cost of living. As it is, we have yet to receive the increase and yet the amount is already lost to inflation”. – Wage Fight! Alliance
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com

Government employees from various line agencies and institutions vow to come out en masse on May 1, International Labor Day. In a rally in Mendiola last April 6, hundreds of government employees, public school teachers and public health workers united under the Wage Fight! Alliance called on President Benigno Aquino III to respond to their demand for a P6,000 (US$140).

Courage president Ferdinand Gaite said Malacañang cannot deny that employees of the bureaucracy are severely affected by the economic crisis.

“Of course when we say ‘government employees’ we do not include the thieving officials in the various offices of government. They are not affected by the crisis because they’re enjoying their ill-gotten wealth, money directly taken from public coffers. As they continue to wallow in their own corruption, the rank and file employees are all but attempting magic to stretch their small salaries,” he said.

JUDEA President and Wage Fight! Alliance Spokesperson Maurino Aguilar in the meantime condemned the government’s easy dismissal of the workers’ demand for a substantial wage increase..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/04/08/government-employees-call-for-p6000-salary-hike-revocation-of-executive-order-no-7/

Violations vs Children Continue under Aquino Administration

Violations vs Children Continue under Aquino Administration

 
“We fear that at the end of Aquino’s term, the Arroyo administration’s bad human rights record would be approximated, if not surpassed by the AFP,”—Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
 
MANILA – Asserting that the state is the primary violator of Filipino children’s rights, members of progressive women’s group Gabriela and Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns picketed the Department of National Defense (DND), April 5.

The groups said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be held accountable for the grave violations committed against children as a result of its counterinsurgency programs. They also criticized President Benigno S. Aquino III’s internal security plan called the Oplan Bayanihan as the framework for these attacks.

The protest action was held in time for United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (UN SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy’s meeting with the military and government officials.

Coomaraswamy’s visit in the country from April 3 to 7 is part of the monitoring and reporting mechanism of the UN Security Council on the commitment of countries listed in the Annex 2 of Paris Principles
.
“State violence against children must stop, the Aquino administration should scrap its counterinsurgency plan Oplan Bayanihan,” Gabriela said.

Violence against children continues under Aquino
 
Gert Ranjo-Libang, Gabriela deputy secretary general, said that Oplan Bayanihan has resulted to loss of children’s parents, forcible evacuation of children from their homes, illegal arrest, illegal recruitment of minors to paramilitary groups, torture, and rape..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main

Is the Karma worth it? EDITORIAL 04/09/2011

Is the Karma worth it?

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

04/09/2011
No matter the denials from Malacañang that it is not specifically targeting the Arroyos and their allies by filing cases against them, it is fairly clear that it is — and even clearer that as of this time, Malacañang and its agencies — such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) — still does not have the evidence with which to convict former presidential son, Mikey Arroyo.

The fact is that when BIR chief Kim Henares announced the filing of tax fraud charges against former presidential son, Rep. Mikey Arroyo, even when there has not as yet been a tax audit done, since the BIR letter was just two days old, and Mikey was given 10 days to reply, this already shows that there has not been a thorough investigation done as yet..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110409com1.html

Politics clouds gruesome mass grave in Zimbabwe focus 04/09/2011

Politics clouds gruesome mass grave in Zimbabwe

focus

04/09/2011
HARARE — Hundreds of bodies exhumed from a disused mine in Zimbabwe have turned into fodder for President Robert Mugabe’s propaganda, despite the mystery over the skeletons that may have lain for decades.

Since early March, state television has shown Mugabe supporters pulling bones from the mine and hauling them off in plastic bags and old sacks.

The pictures also show the site being used to encourage people to sign a petition against the travel ban and asset freeze on Mugabe and his inner circle.

Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party claims the remains are of victims of the 1970s liberation war against the white-minority Rhodesian regime led by Ian Smith, when an estimated 30,000 people died..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110409com3.html

Mas maraming poor ngayon, di mas maraming corrupt FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/09/2011

Mas maraming poor ngayon, di mas maraming corrupt

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

04/09/2011
Hunger and poverty are up under Noynoy Aquino’s administration, with a March 5 to 7 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey saying that some 20.5 percent of Filipinos or about 4.1 million families are going hungrier, up from 18.1 percent, estimated at 3.4 million families in November 2010 when the rate again began climbing from that year’s 15.9 percent low.

The survey also found that 51 percent, comprising 10.4 million familes, now consider themselves poor, up by two points from November’s 49 percent.

Translated, poverty and hunger increased under the term of Noynoy, and this deterioration comes even as Dinky Soliman has a P21 billion fund for the poor and presumably the hungry, as Noynoy began his term in June 2010 and the hunger rate in a prior survey was at a 15.9 percent, rising to 18.1 percent in November and rising further to 20.5 percent this time around.

And yet Noynoy claimed that some 400,000 poorest of the poor Filipinos have been added as beneficiaries of his and Dinky’s Conditional Cash Tranfer (CCT) doleout..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110409com2.html

UN finds 600 child combatants in RP 04/09/2011

UN finds 600 child combatants in RP

04/09/2011
The United Nations yesterday said it has so far registered 600 child soldiers, some as young as eight, fighting for armed groups in the Philippines and expected the final number to be in the thousands.

The country’s main Muslim rebel group, communist insurgents and al-Qaeda-linked extremists were all on the UN “list of shame” for recruiting boys and girls, UN representatives said.

“We have about 600 children registered (as soldiers) at the moment. We expect it to (eventually) be in the early thousands,” said Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN special representative for children and armed conflict..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110409hed6.html

Libya rebels unlikely to oust Kadhafi, says US general 04/09/2011

Libya rebels unlikely to oust Kadhafi, says US general

04/09/2011
WASHINGTON — A top US general has maintained that it was unlikely Libyan rebel forces could oust the regime’s leader Moammar Kadhafi, saying the conflict appeared to be turning into a stalemate.

Gen. Carter Ham, who led the first stage of the coalition air campaign in Libya, yesterday said the international bombing raids had succeeded in protecting civilians for the most part but that Kadhafi’s regime probably would not be removed by military means.

Asked at a Senate hearing about the chances that the opposition could “fight their way” to Tripoli and replace Kadhafi, Ham said: “Sir, I would assess that as a low likelihood.”

And when pressed by Sen. John McCain whether the situation was essentially a stalemate or an “emerging stalemate,” Ham said: “Senator, I would agree with that at present on the ground.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110409hed3.html