UK: M’nao peace accord ‘possible’ but more hard work to be done By Michaela P. del Callar 04/28/2012

UK: M’nao peace accord ‘possible’ but more hard work to be done

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/28/2012

The United Kingdom, a key player in the Mindanao peace process, yesterday welcomed the breakthrough in the negotiations between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels as a sign that a final peace agreement may be forged soon.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie admitted “there is still a lot of hard work to be done to reach a final agreement in Mindanao,” but the leap forward in the talks between the two sides indicates that the signing of a final accord is “possible.”

On Tuesday, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, signed a 10-point agreement, outlining key elements they have agreed on, such as the creation of a political body in place of the existing Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120428nat1.html

Export Bank collapses; BSP takes over control 04/28/2012

Export Bank collapses; BSP takes over control

04/28/2012
Mid-size Export Import Bank was placed under government control after declaring a bank holiday yesterday after it admitted that it cannot service its liabilities with depositors and creditors.

The bank was hoping for a rescue from the country’s biggest lender Bando de Oro Universal Bank owned by the group of businessman Henry Sy but negotiations fell through yesterday forcing the bank to declare a bank holiday.

The bank wrote the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) admitting that it does not have sufficient assets to meet its obligations and unable to continue operations without incurring losses to depositors and creditors..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120428hea5.html

Use of CRs in QC now free for elderly, PWDs 04/28/2012

Use of CRs in QC now free for elderly, PWDs

04/28/2012
An ordinance has been signed into law which prohibits any person or business establishment in Quezon City from charging any fee to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and expectant mothers for the use of restrooms or comfort rooms (CRs).

The Tribune was told that Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista approved the measure which was authored by Councilors Alexis Herrera and Alfredo Vargas III.

Under the new ordinance, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed on any person or business establishment owner who will violate the ordinance..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120428met4.html

Gov’t hit for toying with health, lives of Filipino consumers 04/28/2012 As the United States scrambled on Wednesday to contain the fallout from the discovery of mad-cow disease in California, the Aquino administration through the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that it would continue to import meat from the US. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño pointed out to do so is very risky and the government is toying with the health and lives of Filipino consumers. “South Korean retailers already suspended sale of US beef, saying they would wait to see what action the government takes,” Casiño said. “But is Malacañang waiting for someone to be infected here before it will take action?”

Gov’t hit for toying with health, lives of Filipino consumers

04/28/2012
As the United States scrambled on Wednesday to contain the fallout from the discovery of mad-cow disease in California, the Aquino administration through the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that it would continue to import meat from the US.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño pointed out to do so is very risky and the government is toying with the health and lives of Filipino consumers.

“South Korean retailers already suspended sale of US beef, saying they would wait to see what action the government takes,” Casiño said. “But is Malacañang waiting for someone to be infected here before it will take action?”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120428met2.html

PCOS buy in limbo FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/27/2012

PCOS buy in limbo

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

04/27/2012
Not too fast, Sixto Brillantes and his lapdog commissioners in the poll body — not when the Supreme Court has issued a restraining order on the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s P1.8-billion purchase of used precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines which brought about electoral fraud — and anybody who believes that the automated elections of 2010 were fraud-free should have his head examined.

Brillantes and company probably thought that, by using the same old excuse of there being no time to have automated elections through a different automated system, would work, or that conjuring up the fear that we can not afford to go back to the fraud-filled manual system and slow count as yet another excuse for the Comelec to push through with its quickie purchase of the flawed PCOS machines, just won’t fly.

There certainly was enough time for the Comelec commissioners to look for another system that carries more safeguards and are glitch-free, especially after the poll body’s IT team had already junked the PCOS machines precisely due to their unreliability and too many flaws that Smartmatic-TIM has not even bothered to correct all this time..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com2.html

CISPA passes House in unexpected last-minute vote

CISPA passes House in unexpected last-minute vote

The House of Representatives has approved Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act with a vote count of 248-168. The bill is now headed for the Senate. President Barack Obama will be able to sign or cancel it pending Senate approval.

Initially slated to vote on the bill Friday, the House of Representatives decided to pass Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) Thursday after approving a number of amendments.

Apart from cyber and national security purposes, the bill would now allow the government to use private information obtained through CISPA for the investigation and prosecution of “cybersecurity crime,” protection of individuals and the protection of children. The new clauses define “cybersecurity crime” as any crime involving network disruption or hacking..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/house-cispa-vote-thursday-083/

Zero-gravity shenanigans: Astronauts return from ISS (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Zero-gravity shenanigans: Astronauts return from ISS (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

The astronauts of the Soyuz TMA-22 got up to some mad micro-gravity antics before their scheduled return to Earth after six months aboard the ISS. Before the ship’s undocking from the station, its crew found time to let their hair down…

The team of six astronauts took advantage of zero-gravity to pose for a tongue-in-cheek photo, three lined up side by side with their compatriots hovering upside-down above them.

NASA was also treated to a live display of aerial acrobatics as astronauts took turns to spin each other in multiple somersaults in the International Space Station’s laboratory..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/soyuz-space-astronaut-hijinks-097/

Journalist calls for euthanasia of disabled newborns (w/ Video)

Journalist calls for euthanasia of disabled newborns

 The article titled “Finish it off so it doesn’t suffer,” which calls for the euthanasia of disabled newborn children, has caused public outrage in Russia and has led to fierce debates in the blogging community.

In the article under question, the author Aleksandr Nikonov argues that the birth of a disabled child for many families would be an unbearable tragedy, “a hell”, and that “the killing of the newborn is in fact the same as an abortion”. He states that depriving infants, who will never be able to take care of themselves, of life is “true humanism”. He also calls to give parents of such children a right to euthanize their newborns, like relatives of patients in a vegetative state can allow doctors to shut down life support..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/journalist-euthanasia-disabled-newborns/

The ultimate babysitter? iPads for infants stir debate FEATURE 04/27/2012

The ultimate babysitter? iPads for infants stir debate

FEATURE

04/27/2012
PARIS — Twenty-two-month-old George sits on a tiny blue chair, at a baby-sized desk, playing with a grown-up toy — an iPad, sign of a powerful trend that has set alarm bells ringing among child development experts.

Leaning over the tablet, the little Parisian finger-stabs the duck icon on “Moo Box,” an application with animal images that let out moos, oinks and barks.

For his mother Aurelie Mercier, 32, the beauty of iPad apps is they can expand her son’s world, like a virtual piano that lets him play music in the absence of the real thing.

“It’s a window onto tons of things that we don’t have at home and that can be condensed into a very small object,” she told AFP..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com5.html

What did Leonen promise? CROSSROADS Jonathan De la Cruz 04/27/2012

What did Leonen promise?

CROSSROADS

Jonathan De la Cruz

04/27/2012
We will take the word of GRP panel head, former UP law Dean Marvic Leonen, in the ongoing peace talks with the MILF at face value.

Interviewed after signing the so-called “GRP-MILF Decision oints on Principles” in Kuala Lumpur with his MILF counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, in the presence of the Malaysian facilitator, Leonen reiterated that contrary to the observations of some sectors, he did not sign off on the creation of a BangsaMoro Substate. There is no such word in the document. Rather, what was envisioned was an expanded autonomous entity since both parties considered the existing one as a “failed experiment” and therefore no longer acceptable.

Said Leonen: “what is clear that the MILF has dropped its demand for independence and that the new autonomous political entity being envisioned is not a separate state and is inseparable from the Republic of the Philippines. So it is inaccurate to call it a BangsaMoro substate.” So, are some of the critics totally mistaken and are simply exaggerating when they claimed that the Leonen panel like the last Arroyo administration panel was outfoxed yet again and signed off on a reminted version of the BangsaMoro Juridical Entity (BJE) that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120427com6.html

Palace drags foot for Noy over HLI By Rocky G. Nazareno and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/27/2012

‘PRESS STATEMENT NOT SC DECISION’—LACIERDA

Palace drags foot for Noy over HLI

By Rocky G. Nazareno and Benjamin B. Pulta 04/27/2012

The Palace on behalf of President Aquino issued ambiguous statements about Aquino’s official position on the recent Supreme Court ruling stating with finality its decision upholding land distribution at Hacienda Luisita owned by the clan of the President with presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda even injecting doubts on the accuracy of the interpretation of the SC ruling by Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

“A press statement is not a Supreme Court case decision,” Lacierda said. Marquez, who also speaks for Chief Justice Renato Corona in his ongoing impeachment trial, had already made public the high tribunal’s decision Tuesday.

Lacierda also maintained that President Aquino, whose family owns the Luisita Hacienda, has yet to issue a statement or reaction to the matter more than two days after the SC released its decision, affirming its Nov. 22, 2011 decision calling for the distribution of the estate to its workers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120427hea1.html

Cuisia slams US exec’s racist slur vs Pinay nursesBy Michaela P. del Callar By Michaela P. del Callar 04/27/2012

Cuisia slams US exec’s racist slur vs Pinay nursesBy Michaela P. del Callar

By Michaela P. del Callar 04/27/2012

The Philippine ambassador to the United States blasted a Washington DC official for making disparaging comments against Filipino nurses and demanded an apology for the racial slur.

What drew the ire of Ambassador Jose Cuisia were the remarks of District of Columbia council member Marion Barry who criticized their local hospitals for hiring Filipino nurses and called the practice “deplorable.”

Cuisia said this was not the first time such “intolerant and narrow-minded comments” were made by Barry. Just three weeks ago, the latter allegedly made the observation that Asian-owned businesses were “dirty shops.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120427nat1.html

Army panel to probe Ifugao ambush 04/27/2012

Army panel to probe Ifugao ambush

04/27/2012
A military board of inquiry (BoI) was convened to look deeper into the ambush of Army troops in Ifugao province last Wednesday by the New People’s Army (NPA) that resulted in the killing of 11 soldiers, one of them a captain.

Army 5th Infantry Division (ID) spokesman Col. Miguel Puyao yesterday said Maj. Gen. Rommel Gomez, 5th ID chief, immediately ordered the creation of the BoI headed by Col. Rey Labanin, deputy commander of the Army’s 502nd Brigade.

“The board of inquiry (was created) to know what really happened,” said Puyao.

Asked if the BoI will look into possible lapses that led to the military setback, Puyao replied “yes, everything…lapses maybe…or all information regarding the ambush.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120427nat2.html

‘JV’: Family supports Erap’s plan to run for Manila mayor By Gerry Baldo 04/27/2012

‘JV’: Family supports Erap’s plan to run for Manila mayor

By Gerry Baldo 04/27/2012

The plan of former President Joseph Estrada to run for the mayoralty post in Manila will get the support of his family members despite some objections from other members of the Ejercito clan who would rather see the Estrada patriarch “relaxing” and “enjoying his grandchildren.”

According to San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the Ejercito clan would fully understand the decision of the former President who has a soft spot for the poor.

Ejercito said his father has nothing to prove when it comes to “serving the people.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met4.html

VP Binay hails CA decision vs Globe Asiatique owner 04/27/2012

VP Binay hails CA decision vs Globe Asiatique owner

04/27/2012
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday hailed the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) allowing the filing of syndicated estafa charges against Delfin Lee and his co-accused.

Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund), called the decision to allow the Department of Justice (DoJ) to file charges a “welcome development.”

“Now we can finally continue our quest to seek justice for the ordinary workers defrauded by Globe Asiatique,” Binay said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met2.html

Echiverri orders probe of ‘botcha’ used in ‘siomai’ 04/27/2012

Echiverri orders probe of ‘botcha’ used in ‘siomai’

04/27/2012
Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri has ordered an investigation into reports that some unscrupulous businessmen are using “botcha” or double dead meat in their siomai recipes.

At the same time, the mayor directed the City Veterinary Office to immediately conduct inspections of alleged places where botcha is clandestinely incorporated in siomai-making, with the finished product being sold later to residents.

Echiverri, a lawyer, purposely did not reveal the locations of the alleged illegal activity so as not to pre-empt the inspections..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120427met3.html

Carving up the Republic FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/26/2012

Carving up the Republic

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

04/26/2012
A Muslim substate is a Muslim substate is a Muslim substate, despite Noynoy trying to disguise it as an autonomous region and under national control.

No matter how much Noynoy and his peace officials try to disguise their unconstitutional carving up the Philippines to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the fact is that they are on their way to creating an independent substate for the armed Muslim group.

Reports yesterday said that the Aquino government signed a document containing the decision points on principles with the MILF, a “preliminary listing of common points” between the two parties expected to spur the eventual signing of a final peace agreement..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120426com2.html

Cordillera Day 2012 focuses on mining and militarization

Cordillera Day 2012 focuses on mining and militarization

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
Northern Dispatch
BAGUIO CITY — With the theme “Fight for Our Land, Life and Rights!” the Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Peoples’ rights advocates in six provinces of the region staged the 28th Cordillera Day (CD) through celebrations in their respective areas that also served as mass actions calling for the pullout of military troops from communities and an end to large-scale plunder of Cordillera lands.

The celebrations also observed the earth day on April 22.

In a press conference for the launch of separate region-wide celebrations, Geraldine Cacho of the Tongtongan Ti Umili – Cordillera Peoples Alliance (TTU-CPA) also announced the program of the Cordillera Day 2012 commemoration in the City of Baguio.

The Baguio Cordillera Day is aimed at gathering multi-sectoral groups into participating in the 2012 environmental summit. Here, she said they have organized discussions and workshops on different developmental issues currently faced by the city. This includes: garbage and pollution, water crisis, expansion of big businesses destroying the city’s environment, urban poor and human rights issues..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/04/25/cordillera-day-2012-focuses-on-mining-and-militarization/

Russian invisible laser bomb detector makes molecular scan at 50 meters (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Russian invisible laser bomb detector makes molecular scan at 50 meters (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Not even the tiniest of particles will be able to escape the new super-sensitive explosive detecting device created by Russian scientists. Its laser sensor can pick up on a single molecule in a million from up to 50 meters away.

­The device was developed over a period of five years by the Siberian branch of the country’s Academy of Sciences. It will undergo full testing this summer and is expected to be put to use by Russian intelligence later this year.

The main challenge for scientists was to create a laser that would only interact with specific particles present in the air, thus allowing it to wheedle out traces of explosives. In addition, the device is not affected by changes in heat and humidity in the surrounding atmosphere.... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/russia-laser-bomb-detector-947/

Egypt approves presidential runners, voters perplexed (w/ Video)

Egypt's election commission has announced 13 candidates are eligible to run in the forthcoming presidential election. The list includes ultraconservative Islamists, as well as ex-president Hosni Mubarak`s former ministers.

The fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood has nominated its strong Islamist candidate. The Islamic clerics from the Jurisprudence Commission for Rights and Reform have agreed on the candidacy of ultraconservative Mohammed Morsi. The man would battle for votes in May with a more moderate Islamist Abdel-Moneim Abol-Fotoh, a former Muslim Brotherhood member.

The presence of two strong Islamist candidates can end up splitting the Muslim voters. This gives a chance to secular candidates, like the former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, who warns against a dominant Islamist influence..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://rt.com/news/egypt-presidential-elections-candidates-009/