Abused Lebanese women also victims of legal system focus 08/15/2011

Abused Lebanese women also victims of legal system

focus

08/15/2011
BEIRUT — It was only a few months after their wedding in Lebanon that Suha’s husband began what would be eight years of brutal beatings that left her bruised, bleeding and all but broken.

But two years ago, she decided to take matters — and her three children — into her own hands, in a country that has yet to pass a bill criminalizing domestic abuse and marital rape and where women are banned from granting their children citizenship.

“For many years I was stuck and felt I had no choice but to suffer in silence,” Suha, 31 and now divorced, told AFP, asking that her real name not be used.

“I could not go back to my parents’ home because to them, divorce would bring shame to the family and they could not take me in with three children,” she added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110815com3.html

It’s Mayor Hagedorn’s move C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/15/2011

It’s Mayor Hagedorn’s move

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

Jonathan De la Cruz

08/15/2011
We extend our congratulations yet again to newly proclaimed Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel who took his oath before a huge crowd of supporters in Mati, Davao Oriental last Friday. With the conclusion of his protest, he will now serve the remaining two years of the Senate term he won in 2007. It was a long, arduous struggle for the topnotch lawyer who braved on despite the odds. We had followed the contest between him and resigned Sen. Migz Zubiri almost from the time of the latter’s proclamation to the very day that he resigned. It was classic maneuvering on all fronts. That it took the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) all of four years to finally write finis to this battle is a testament to our jurassic election rules and practices. In fact, a number of our friends from the legal community held the view that had the amiable solon from Bukidnon decided to fight things out, as it were, it would have been next to impossible for Koko to claim his seat. They noted that Zubiri had a pending counter protest on thousands of precincts which, under the rules, would have taken at the very least up to the end of the term in 2013 to finish. The Pimentel petition would have been mooted. Indeed, in the end as the tide of the animated battle the two protagonists endured at the SET over the past four years turned, their innate civility set in..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

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

Gov’t vacancies a source of fund conversion, warns solon 08/15/2011

Gov’t vacancies a source of fund conversion, warns solon

08/15/2011
The funds for almost 67,000 unfilled positions in the bureaucracy could be a source of conversion by some state agencies, an ally of President Aquino in the Senate yesterday warned.

Sen. Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate finance committee scrutinizing the proposed P1.816-trillion national budget for 2012, said a total of P23.4 billion is currently appropriated in the budget for the hiring of personnel.

“Looking at the entire government structure, there are 66,957 unfilled items which are funded in the current year. Therefore, this is a source of conversion not only in the military but also in other agencies which would come in the form of bonuses and other emoluments in addition to the basic pay,” he added.

Drilon said that what happens is that a position, which is unfilled but is funded, will be considered as savings, and will be realigned to other items other than what it is intended to..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110815hed3.html

Luisita referendum not needed — SC By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/15/2011

Luisita referendum not needed — SC

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/15/2011

The Supreme Court (SC) has clarified that a referendum is not needed to resolve the controversy involving the implementation of the government’s agrarian reform program in the controversial Hacienda Luisita, which is owned by the family of President Aquino, in Tarlac province.

Contrary to the claim of its critics, the high tribunal did not require in its July 5, 2011 decision a referendum among the original 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs), but instead leaves it to the individual farmer to decide whether he or she wants to remain as stockholder or acquire a piece of agricultural land, Court Administrator and SC spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said.

A referendum is called to settle or decide an important public issue through a majority or popular vote.

In the SC decision on Hacienda Luisita, a majority vote is not required since the choice of an FWB would not affect the other qualified beneficiaries, Marquez said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110815hed2.html

Fighting among MILF factions worsens as talks in KL near 08/15/2011

Fighting among MILF factions worsens as talks in KL near

08/15/2011
As clashes erupt between rival factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Muslim-dominated provinces in Mindanao which are being linked to the recent talks of President Aquino and MILF spokesman Al Haj Murad in Tokyo, the Palace maintained that consultations “will not be done in the dark” when the government peace panel presents its counter-proposal to the MILF on August 22 to resolve the 40-year insurgency during exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

About 3,000 people huddled in evacuation centers in Maguindanao seeking to escape fighting between the two Muslim armed groups.

The rivals were in a stand-off but more violence could break out between them at any time, said regional police chief Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac.

“This is a family feud. We have an effort (to open peace talks) but they don’t want to stop. They want war,” he said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110815hed5.html

Top gov’t security officials attend Mutual Defense Board meeting in Hawaii By Mario J. Mallari 08/15/2011

Top gov’t security officials attend Mutual Defense Board meeting in Hawaii

By Mario J. Mallari 08/15/2011

Top security officials of the Philippines flew yesterday to Hawaii for the annual Mutual Defense Board (MDB) meeting with the United States.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. headed the Philippine delegation which also includes Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Raul Bacalzo and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ramon Liwag.

The 53rd RP-US annual MDB and the 6th Security Engagement Board Meeting, being held under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), are scheduled on Aug. 15 to 16 at the headquarters of the US Pacific Command in Camp Smith, Honolulu.

“The Mutual Defense Treaty has long been in existence for almost 60 years and because of it we have continued to engage in partnerships and agreements with the US manifested through Balikatan Exercises which is held annually,” said Oban, who co-chairs the board meeting with US Pacom Commander Adm. Robert Willard..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110815nat5.html

Anti-trafficking office sets up in Tawi-Tawi, says Binay By Michaela P. del Callar 08/15/2011

Anti-trafficking office sets up in Tawi-Tawi, says Binay

By Michaela P. del Callar 08/15/2011

The government is bent on blocking a major transit point for Filipino trafficking victims, setting up an anti-trafficking office in Tawi-Tawi, Vice President Jejopmar Binay said yesterday.

Binay, concurrent chairman of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said the presence of an Overseas Passenger Assistance Center (OPAC) in the province would deter traffickers from using Tawi-Tawi as “southern backdoor” exit point for their victims bound for Malaysia.

The center in Tawi-Tawi plans to duplicate the success of the OPAC in Zamboanga which resulted in various rescues and interceptions of human trafficking victims, one of the highest in the Southeast Asian region. The Philippines is currently in the Tier 2 category of the United States government’s global human trafficking watch list.

Binay said the Tawi-Tawi OPAC will assist the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the processing of exiting passengers in Tawi-Tawi by profiling potential victims of human trafficking. Upon interception, the victims will be properly endorsed to the BI agents who have the authority to off-load the passengers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110815nat3.html

Solon, analyst: Roll back to P8/liter fuel prices 08/15/2011

Solon, analyst: Roll back to P8/liter fuel prices

08/15/2011
The oil companies must roll back to P8 per liter the prices of their petroleum products after the peso gained strength against the dollar and the recent reduction of crude oil price in the world market which is now at $50 per barrel.

This is how Agap party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones and stock market analyst Astro del Castillo described the prevailing situation after the US credit rating was downgraded by a prestigious financial services company during the Balitaan sa Tinapayan Forum in Dapitan yesterday.

“Hindi dapat papiso-piso ang pagbaba ng gasolina, dapat sa simula pa lamang ng pagbaba ay P2 na agad at base sa pag-aaral ng mga eksperto dapat ay umabot na sa P8 ang ibinaba ng presyho ng gasolina (It should not be a slow P1 decrease in the price of petroleum and it should start at P2 reduction immediately and according to some experts the price should be lowered to P8),” Briones said.

Transport sector earlier had complained about the small rollback in fuel prices that was implemented by the oil companies..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110815met3.html

CA junks P67-M estafa raps filed against lawyers of late billionaire By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/15/2011

CA junks P67-M estafa raps filed against lawyers of late billionaire

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/15/2011

The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld a decision by a Pasig City court dismissing the P67-million estafa charges filed against two former lawyers of late billionaire and Marcos crony Potenciano Ilusorio.

In a 12-page decision by Associate Justice Florito Macalino, the CA’s Sixth Division turned down the petition for certiorari filed by lawyers Demaree Raval and former Rep. Rolex Suplico seeking the reversal of the Oct. 8, 2007 order issued by Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 presiding Judge Agnes Reyes-Carpio.

Associate Justices Juan Enriquez Jr. and Ramon Bato Jr. concurred.

The Pasig RTC, in its order, quashed the estafa charges filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against the petitioners’ former law partners Luis Lokin and Salvador Hizon for lack of probable cause and non-payment of required docket fees..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110815met2.html

Noose tightens for whom? EDITORIAL 08/14/2011

Noose tightens for whom?

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

08/14/2011
The Arroyo brood, without doubt, will be Noynoy’s hallmark for the straight path that he preaches and their conviction, particularly of the former First Couple, will likely be the primordial goal of his administration.

That goal would be most convenient for Noynoy, since the past nine years saw the alleged greed to which Arroyo and her minions were claimed to be subjected the country.

It is appearing now, from the trial by publicity hearings in the Senate and from the publicity-prone Department of Justice (DoJ) whenever it hears allegations against the former First Couple and their kin as a conviction by publicity too. And from the many cases being readied against them as the country’s version of Bonnie and Clyde, they have been alleged to have dipped their hands in almost all transactions with government where they can make fast cash.

If the Philippine National Police (PNP) transaction on the three used choppers sold off as new is proven true, the Arroyos, in many other bigger transactions will likely be investigated from their first reported brink job which is believed to be the Impsa power project..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110814com1.html

Noynoy ‘Amboy’ Aquino FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/14/2011

Noynoy ‘Amboy’ Aquino

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

08/14/2011
It’s getting pretty clear that the puppet master behind the “secret deal” forged between Noynoy and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during the clandestine Tokyo meeting, where Noynoy virtually caved in to the MILF demands for a fairly independent Moro substate — as indicated by Noynoy’s push for the creation of a BangsaMoro substate whose terms would be no different from the terms shown up in the scrapped Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) — is none other than good ole Uncle Sam.

Noynoy cannot be that stupid not to realize that creating a substate, as demanded by the MILF, cannot be done without a constitutional change, which is really what it is also all about between Uncle Sam and Noynoy-san.

Of course, whenever Uncle is involved but still always lurking in the shadows, that which is really desired — which is an independent substate for the BangsaMoro nation — won’t first be shown up in the cards Uncle and Amboy hold.

So Uncle speaks of the need for the Philippines to change its Constitution for the country to be able to join the exclusive Pacific trade club..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110814com2.html

Peace or ‘piece by piece’ TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 08/14/2011

Peace or ‘piece by piece’

TABLETS OF STONE

Larry Faraon, OP

08/14/2011
We are about to fight tooth and nail, even compromising our able bodied citizens in a trumpet call for arms against the Chinese frigates that might venture into the contested Spratlys which we want appended to our geography, yet here we are about to dismember what has been attached to us by the Constitution and by right, namely, portions of the third star in our flag.

But what right has any president by any law or tradition in the name of peace or peace talks should compound the protracted problem of Mindanao by forging secret deals that make the leaders of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) gleam in delight as they walk out of the conference room in Tokyo, Japan?

I have traveled quite a number of times in Israel and made friends both with Jews, Arab Muslims and Arab Christians — ordinary hard working citizens of the land of the three great monotheistic religions. The perceptions we shared about a separate Islamic state within Israel — an independent Islamic Palestinian in the works are coffee table but real and practical discussions. They are not the usual rationalizations we hear on CNN, BBC or on formal forums where the issue is muddled by linguistics, semantics, all veiled threats of destabilization by a belligerent minority, where disagreement is a leverage more than a base process to reach an eventual peace accord..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110814com5.html

The biggest plunder at the BoC N.O . N.O.N.S.E.N.S.E Jacinto 08/14/2011

The biggest plunder at the BoC

N.O . N.O.N.S.E.N.S.E

Jacinto

08/14/2011
If President P-Noy is serious about his anti-wang-wang campaign, he should direct and do a test case at the Bureau of Customs (BoC). It is very clear that there is a criminal case of plunder, smuggling and theft that can be charged against Customs officials involved in the conspiracy to let go of the 2,000 containers located at the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Its hard to imagine how 2,000 container vans loaded with highly valuable and dutiable goods where the government was supposed to collect P3.6 billion in taxes and duties, disappeared at the BoC without a trace and the most responsible and accountable persons, Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, Port of Manila Collector Rogel Gatchalian and Collector of MICP Ricardo Belmonte, are saying they were not aware of what happened. So what were they doing from January up to June of this year which is the period that these containers were withdrawn from the port and failed to reach its port of destination, the Port of Batangas.

When confronted during the congressional investigation, Alvarez’s only defense was, he had already asked the NBI to investigate. And yet sources in the bureau say that everybody made big money, said to have reached the doorstep of BoC higher ups as commission from the scam. Alvarez can hardly feign ignorance since he himself issued Custom Memorandum Order 43-2010 in October, 2010 which lays down the procedures in implementing the e2m Customs System. This system monitors and controls all movements of all goods inside the transshipped containers. Alvarez cannot now say that he is unaware of what went wrong because the master computer of the e2m system is right in his office and operated by his chief of staff, Cesar Manuel, who is said to have been accused of committing many shenanigans inside the commissioner’s office..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110814com6.html/

Vision, mission, fruition VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 08/14/2011

Vision, mission, fruition

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

08/14/2011
Considering the enabling gifts of knowledge and free will, attending to the signal import of conscience, and looking at the realities and potentials of the world, every human person is both tasked and expected to look and plan ahead, to pursue and work for an opted goal, and to eventually realize the implication of a well-formed “vision,” a pursuant decisive “mission” in order to finally deserve the “fruition” of a work well done.

The opposite of the said triad in effect means the futility of having intellectual and volitional faculties that spell the degradation of human nature and dignity. Not to look ahead is to keep one’s head buried in the ground. Not to move forward is to go backward. Not to accomplish something worthwhile is not to rejoice in anything worthy. The bare truth behind such negative factors makes someone not more than a mouth to feed, a body to clothe and shelter — something basically and sadly applicable to irrational animals..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110814com7.html

BELEAGUERED FORMER FIRST FAMILY TALKS AMID ‘PERSECUTION’ By Charlie V. Manalo 08/14/2011 By Charlie V. Manalo

BELEAGUERED FORMER FIRST FAMILY TALKS AMID ‘PERSECUTION’

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/14/2011
By Charlie V. Manalo
Despite former President Arroyo’s supposed “worsening condition”, members of her family indicated that they are not inclined to seek any special treatment, much more a reprieve, from what they claim as persecution attempts from the Aquino administration.

At the weekly Kapihan sa Annabel’s lawyer Raul Lambino, legal spokesman for the Arroyos, said contrary to rumors being spread by critics of the former First Family, they are not using the health condition of the former President as an excuse to evade prosecution from the charges levied against her.

“On the contrary, we are more than willing to face them so we could prove her innocence,” Lambino said. “In fact, the former President had to personally go to the Department of Justice (DoJ) to submit her counter-affidavit even if it was against the advice of her legal counsel.”

Lambino said Arroyo could have just presented herself before any public prosecutor to swear before her counter-affidavit and let her lawyers submit the document to the DoJ..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110814hed1.html

Free Surigao mayor, guards, RP gov’t tells Reds 08/14/2011

Free Surigao mayor, guards, RP gov’t tells Reds

08/14/2011
The Philippine government yesterday denounced a spate of abductions of civilians by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and demanded that the rebels free them unharmed if they are serious about pursuing peace talks.

The government’s negotiating team said it was appalled by the rebels’ announced plans to put captive Surigao del Sur Mayor Henry Dano and four jail guards on trial in a so-called “revolutionary court” where the worst punishment is death.

“The (rebel group) is not a state nor has any government recognized it as a belligerent force. It should not presume

to act like one,” the negotiators said in a statement that demanded their unconditional release.
“We are concerned that some of them are suffering from poor health and nutrition. We hold the NPA directly responsible for their safety, and for any adverse health conditions they may suffer.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110814hed6.html

PDEA arrests barangay councilor, MNLF exec in buy-bust operations 08/14/2011

PDEA arrests barangay councilor, MNLF exec in buy-bust operations

08/14/2011
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) nabbed a barangay councilor and a member of a rebel group in Muslim-Mindanao during separate operations recently.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. identified the suspects as Barangay Kagawad Acmodin Acmad, 39, and the alleged officer of the BangsaMoro Armed Forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) as Rajul Sahibad, 46.

Acmad, a councilor of Barangay Linokmadalum, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, was apprehended Aug. 10 in his own barangay after operatives of PDEA Regional Office IX, Provincial Intelligence Branch of Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (PIB-PPO), Provincial Anti-Drug Special Operation Task Force (PAIDSOTF) and Provincial Public Safety (PPS) recovered from the suspect 13 sachets containing 2.5 grams of shabu and drug paraphernalia..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110814nat2.html

Drilon urges PhilHealth to pay P1.4-B debts with hospitals By Angie M. Rosales 08/14/2011

Drilon urges PhilHealth to pay P1.4-B debts with hospitals

By Angie M. Rosales 08/14/2011

Sen. Franklin Drilon yesterday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to tap its P90.7-billion reserve fund to settle the hospital claims amounting to P1.4 billion.

The chairman of the Senate finance committee took note of reports on supposed “very slow pace” by which the state health insurer would service claims from hospitals even PhilHealth officials admitted that its reserve funds as of July this year is over P90 billion.

“They have a reserve fund of about P90 billion which is way above what is required by law,” Drilon said, noting that the health insurer is mandated to keep its reserve level at about P30 billion which is equivalent to two years of compensable fees.

During the budget hearing of the Health department, PhilHealth president and CEO (chief executive officer) Rey Aquino said the current balance of PhilHealth to hospital claims stood at P1.4 billion..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110814nat1.html

PCSO hit for limiting medical, health assistance to poor beneficiaries By Pat C. Santos 08/14/2011

PCSO hit for limiting medical, health assistance to poor beneficiaries

By Pat C. Santos 08/14/2011

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) yesterday slammed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for implementing new policies limiting health and medical assistance to poor beneficiaries, saying the Aquino government is narrowing an option for poor people in need of such assistance.

“Faced with severe unemployment, low wages and decreasing subsidy for health services, our poor kababayans have been availing themselves of PCSO’s assistance for their health and medical needs. It is poor Filipinos who will suffer from PCSO’s new policy of reducing health and medical assistance,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“What the Aquino government should do is investigate PCSO executives’ salaries and misuse of funds, not reduce the agency’s health and medical assistance. The servicing of the P4-billion debt which the agency acquired because of mismanagement and corruption is not an excuse to reduce services to the sick and needy,” he added.

“Reforms in the PCSO should on the contrary yield an improvement in its services, and not a limiting of these. Investigations into mismanagement and corruption in the agency should also increase funds to support PCSO’s services,” Soluta said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110814met2.html

Solon reveals four more power rate increases coming By Gerry Baldo 08/14/2011

Solon reveals four more power rate increases coming

By Gerry Baldo 08/14/2011

The Filipino electric consumers will again suffer from four more power rate increases soon given the petitions filed by the National Power Corp, (Napocor) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm) before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

According to Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, the first is a petition for universal charge of missionary electrification subsidy filed by Napocor amounting to P0.2759 per kilowatt hour; the second is a P0.3666 per kilowatt hour increase filed by Psalm for the payment of stranded cost of Napocor for Luzon consumers only; the third is for the stranded contract costs of Napocor amounting to P0.0313, and the fourth is for the new basic generation rates for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao amounting to P0.8332 for Luzon; P1.3815 for Visayas, and P1.0686 for Mindanao.

Evardone said these four petitions are on top of the 15 other petitions pending with the ERC filed by electric cooperatives and Meralco.

“If approved, all these increases will be added to the existing electricity rates,” Evardone said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110814met1.html