Gov’t, authorities still clueless on journalist’s disappearance By Fernan J. Angeles and Mario J. Mallari 06/18/2012

Gov’t, authorities still clueless on journalist’s disappearance

By Fernan J. Angeles and Mario J. Mallari

06/18/2012

Malacañang has refused to call the disappearance of a veteran foreign journalist as another case of abduction even as a top Palace official raised doubt over the kidnap-for-ransom story hounding the failure to locate Al-Arabiya TV bureau chief for Southeast Asia Baker Abdulla Atyani.

In an interview over dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte yesterday said the disappearance of Atyani who has been missing since Tuesday, could not be considered as another case of abduction.

“Well, we’re monitoring that situation carefully. We’re getting updates from the local government in Sulu. And as far as we have been updated…You can’t even put the incident in that category (abduction),” Valte said when sought for an initial Palace reaction to the most recent development hounding Atyani’s disappearance..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120618hea3.html

Noy backing on Ping sparks LP infighting By Gerry Baldo 06/18/2012

ROXAS WANTS TO RETAIN ROBREDO TO AID SPEAKERSHIP BID

Noy backing on Ping sparks LP infighting

By Gerry Baldo

06/18/2012

Infighting in the stables of President Aquino erupted anew with the endorsement of Aquino himself of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson for a Cabinet slot when his term expires next year possibly to the post of Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), a prospect that the camp of Aquino “trouble shooter” Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas wants blocked.

Highly-placed sources from the House of Representatives said that Roxas, president of the Liberal Party, is extremely opposed to the plan of President Aquino to give Lacson a Cabinet post.

“The camp of Sec. Roxas is against Lacson because he is not their ally. They want to keep (Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse) Robredo in his post as the latter’s departure may jeopardize whatever plans that Roxas may have in mind for the coming elections. The post of Robredo is very strategic in terms of harmonizing relations with local governments and national police force,” the source said..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120618hea1.html

6.1 quake hits Luzon 06/18/2012

6.1 quake hits Luzon

06/18/2012

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Luzon yesterday, US seismologists said, but there were no reports of casualties and no tsunami alert was issued.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles) at 6:18 a.m, 182 km. northwest of Manila.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) measured the quake at 6.0 magnitude..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120618nat1.html

EU ban on RP seamen not likely, says HK ship manager 06/18/2012

EU ban on RP seamen not likely, says HK ship manager

06/18/2012

Hongkong-based Wallem Ship Management waxed confident that Filipino seafarers will continue their employment on European Union (EU) vessels and downplayed threats of EU’s withdrawal of seafarers’ certificates.

Frank Simon, Fleet Personnel director at Wallem Ship Management, said the European Maritime Safety Agency’s (Emsa) recent audit in the Philippines, which found deficiencies in the government certifying agencies, was a valid concern that needed to be addressed..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120618nat4.html

Disini vows to pursue libel charges vs former chief justice By Benjamin B. Pulta 06/18/2012

Disini vows to pursue libel charges vs former chief justice

By Benjamin B. Pulta

06/18/2012

Businessman Herminio Disini is bent on pursuing his libel complaint before the Regional Trial Court of Makati City against former Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice and now newspaper columnist Artemio Panganiban for allegedly maligning him in an article that the latter wrote about the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

In a statement, Disini’s lawyer Jose Bernas said his client has submitted his reply to the counter-affidavit submitted by Panganiban in the case.

Bernas said Disini claimed in his reply that Panganiban’s article “maliciously” portrayed him as someone’s dummy and tagged him as Westinghouse’s “go-between with Marcos” for the BNPP project..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120618met2.html

Malabon mayor embarks on project vs criminals By Arlie O. Calalo 06/18/2012 The Malabon City government has embarked on a project that would help policemen and barangay law enforcers manage crime prevention easier and more stress-free, acting Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III said over the weekend. He added the massive lighting project intends to illuminate dimly-lit thoroughfares and streets all over the city. More importantly, the project aims to scare away criminals such as holdup men, snatchers and muggers from victimizing the unwary public, according to Oreta.

Malabon mayor embarks on project vs criminals

By Arlie O. Calalo

06/18/2012

The Malabon City government has embarked on a project that would help policemen and barangay law enforcers manage crime prevention easier and more stress-free, acting Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III said over the weekend.

He added the massive lighting project intends to illuminate dimly-lit thoroughfares and streets all over the city.

More importantly, the project aims to scare away criminals such as holdup men, snatchers and muggers from victimizing the unwary public, according to Oreta..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120618met5.html

Retaking of the SC at hand EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/17/2012

Retaking of the SC at hand

EDITORIAL

Click to enlarge

06/17/2012
Pretentions notwithstanding, it appears that the stage is being set up for a Noynoy Supreme Court (SC), using as smokescreen the many names and characters that are being nominated to the post of chief justice left open after the removal of Renato Corona.

This would be the first time that the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to be submitted to Noynoy from which he will pick the successor of Corona, will be packed with so many names, many of which are nuisance candidates, if equated with the presidential elections.

Based on the pronouncements and acts of Noynoy, the next head of the SC chief justice would likely be somebody who would carry out his whims and caprices and one who will fulfill the retaking of the high court.

The most suitable choice for Noynoy would be Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, but in the wake of the impeachment proceedings where Corona tagged Carpio as among the leaders of efforts to oust him, appointing Carpio becomes untenable and would raise questions whenever the SC rules on issues on which Noynoy would have a stake..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120617com1.html

Forget the law FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 06/17/2012

Forget the law

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

06/17/2012
Unbelievable!

The law no longer matters and can be dispensed with by the Aquino court, on the issue of the Smartmatic precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the P1.8-billion purchase contract between Smartmatic and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was valid, as it cited the deadline facing the poll body to ensure credible automated elections next year emphasizing too, that no alternative has been offered by critics which have pointed out the technical defects in the machines as well as the government’s procurement rules that stated the invalidity of the contract.

Said the court’s ponente: “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,” adding 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/commentary/20120617com2.html

Former POEA chief axed because of politics?

Former POEA chief axed because of politics?

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
Main Article: Conditions of OFWs worsened under Aquino – migrant group
 
MANILA – The appointment of Carlos Cao, Jr. as chief administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), January last year, could have been the start of reforms in the agency. According to Migrante International, Cao has been, so far, the “most accessible, open-minded and sincere among POEA chiefs.”

“When he assumed office, he immediately conducted consultations with us to learn about our needs and demands. He was clearly still new to the job but we appreciated his sincerity and good intentions for OFWs,” said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairman.

However ,last January 2, Cao was replaced by former Labor undersecretary Hans Cacdac. News reports said Cao did not receive any official word from the Office of the President, which appointed him to the post, that he would be removed or would be replaced. It was the higher-ups from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) who informed him.

He said he has no idea about the reasons behind his ouster. “I don’t know why they removed me from my post. There has been no issue of corruption, no scandal. In my personal view, I was able to manage the process flaws in the agency. I can’t understand why I was replaced,” Cao said in a forum held last June 11 conducted by Migrante International. Cao was invited as a reactor in the “Summing-up of the State of Migrants Under Aquino” held at the University of the Philippines.

(Photo courtesy of Migrante International/ Bulatlat.com)

According to Cao, he was the first administrator from the private sector to serve in the POEA. He was chosen by Aquino from a list submitted by the search committee. “I don’t know the president personally, not even Dole Sec. (Rosalinda) Baldoz.” Cao worked as chief legal counsel and head of the Human Resources Department of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation for 19 years and is now serving as Senior Vice President and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the State Group of Companies.

Heart for OFWs

“I have a special burden for OFWs for the longest time. I have neighbors who are working abroad, two of my siblings are also OFWs and my brother-in-law is also a seafarer. So maybe God agreed to put me in POEA,” Cao said in the forum.

He said he may not be an expert on migration but his heart is with OFWs, who are called as “modern day heroes.” In his short stint in the POEA, Martinez said, “the agency united and fought with the migrant sector against budget cuts and for higher state subsidy for direct services for OFWs.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/06/15/former-poea-chief-axed-because-of-politics/

Increasing bloodshed leads to suspension of UN observer mission in Syria

 Increasing bloodshed leads to suspension of UN observer mission in Syria

UN observers in Syria have suspended their patrols and activities. The mission chief cites escalating violence in the Arab country, where both opposition and regime forces are striving for military gains rather than a peaceful resolution.

A sharp rise in the bloodshed has derailed the mission "to observe, verify, report as well as assist in local dialogue and stability projects," said the head of the UN observers. The ability of the unarmed force to defuse the year-long conflict, which every day looks more like a civil war, is in doubt..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/un-mission-escalating-violence-987/

China sends its first manned space docking mission...and first woman astronaut

China sends its first manned space docking mission...and first woman astronaut

China has launched its first manned space docking mission, including the country’s first ever woman astronaut. China moves one step closer to becoming the second nation in the world performing regular space flights.

­The Shenzhou 9 spacecraft was successfully launched at 10:37 GMT from the Jiuquan launch center in China's north-west Gansu province boosting the country’s hopes of realizing its space ambitions.

First female astronaut

On her debut flight 33-year-old Liu Yang joins two male colleagues on board Shenzhou 9..... MORE

Source:  RT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/chinese-manned-space-mission-first-woman-935/

Gambling economy VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/17/2012

Gambling economy

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

06/17/2012
There are no less than some 32 different forms of illegal gambling in the Philippines — from “Alpor” to “Video Karera.” Furthermore, there are also more than 17 modalities of the called legal gambling in the country — from bacarat to slot machines.

The said gambling varieties are directly under the operation and management of the so-called “Gambling Lords” for illegal gambling plus the PCSO and the Pagcor for legal gambling — noting that the latter two downright gambling entities are both official government corporations now directly operating under the authority of no less than the Malacañang chief occupant. What is the difference between the past and present administration?.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120617com6.html

Is it the chilling effect or still corruption within? NO NONSENSE Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras 06/17/2012

Is it the chilling effect or still corruption within?

NO NONSENSE

Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras

06/17/2012
A texter of my daily radio program has pinpointed that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) upholding the validity of the Comelec’s purchase of Smartmatic Pcos machines was a product of the impeachment of Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona. Before his conviction, the former CJ warned that his impeachment and conviction will have a chilling effect on the members of the highest bench. This was reiterated by former CJ Reynato Puno in a speech delivered by him where he admitted that the Corona’s impeachment had indeed cause a chilling effect on the SC.

True enough, a few days prior to the ruling of the SC, the Palace resident could not restrain himself from interfering with the goings on at the Supreme Court. In a published statement carried by his yellow media, he pronounced that he was in favor of the (PCOS) Precinct Count Optical Scan machines to be used again in 2013..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120617com5.html

Noy wants P45-B CCT budget for poll year By Charlie V. Manalo 06/17/2012

Noy wants P45-B CCT budget for poll year

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/17/2012
A major item in the proposed P2-trillion budget for 2013, when the mid-term national elections will be held, is the P45-billion budget for the conditional cash transfer program (CCT) representing a P6 billion increase from this year and which a militant solon associated with the expected massive campaign spending prior to next year’s polls.

In a statement, Gabriela Rep. Emmie de Jesus said the proposed P45-billion budget for the government’s CCT or what is called as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for 2013 as “a growing monster of deception in the face of 2013 electoral spending.”

From P19 billion in 2010, the budget for the CCT program was raised to P39 billion last year and by next year’s proposed budget the allocation will be raised to P45 billion despite criticisms that the program had not translated to reducing poverty in the country..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120617hea1.html

RP pulls out vessels from Scarborough 06/17/2012

RP pulls out vessels from Scarborough

06/17/2012
President Aquino has ordered all Philippine vessels engaged in a maritime standoff with China to pull out from the disputed Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal, citing bad weather, a Foreign Affairs official said.

Aquino ordered a Coast Guard patrol vessel and a fisheries bureau survey ship out of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Friday night, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday said.

“Last night, President Aquino ordered both of our ships to return to port due to increasing bad weather,” he said in a statement.

“When weather improves, a re-evaluation will be made,” Del Rosario added.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120617hea3.html

Search on for missing Jordanian journalist, 2 Filipino crew 06/17/2012

Search on for missing Jordanian journalist, 2 Filipino crew

06/17/2012
A crisis management was formed by the local municipality of Patikul in Sulu province in a bid to recover the missing Jordanian journalist and his two Filipino companions, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP said the three are still considered missing because there is no confirmation yet that they were indeed abducted.

Earlier reports had said the group was abducted by men believed to be members of a kidnap for ransom (KFR) group.

PNP spokes-man Senior Supt. Generoso Cerbo said the crisis manage-ment commit-tee already launched its search operations for Baker Abdullah Atyani, a Jordanian journalist who works for the Dubai-based Al Arabiya network, and cameraman Rolando Letrero and audioman Ramelita Velo..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120617hea5.html

Region XII high schools need 2,657 teachers 06/17/2012

Region XII high schools need 2,657 teachers

06/17/2012
The teacher shortage in Region XII or the Soccsksargen Region’s 396 public secondary or high schools has increased to 2,657 as the total enrollment in the area was seen to hit nearly 240,000 by the end of the month.

Herlita Caraan, National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Region XII chief, said data released by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XII show that the area’s high school population for school year 2012-2013 was projected to grow by two percent and reach a total of 239,058 students.

Enrollment in Region 12 public schools is ongoing and will continue until the end of June as set by the DepEd..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120617nat4.html

PDIC to settle claims of EIB depositors starting June 19 06/17/2012

PDIC to settle claims of EIB depositors starting June 19

06/17/2012
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) announced that it will start paying valid deposit insurance claims of depositors of the closed Export and Industry Bank (EIB) on June 19 in three batches.

Starting on that date, the first batch of the claims settlement operations (CSO) will be conducted at the Head Office and 12 other branches, namely: Bel-Air, Pasay Road, Rufino, Acropolis, Cubao-P. Tuazon, Bian-Carmona, Calamba, Angeles, Baguio City, Dagupan, Cabanatuan and Mabalacat.

The second batch of CSO, starting June 29, will be for depositors of 12 other branches in The Fort, on Boni Avenbue, Bacolod City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu Plaridel, Cebu IT Park, Cebu Business Park, Davao Jacinto, Davao Recto, Iloilo, Imus, Cavite and San Pedro, Laguna..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120617nat3.html

Health workers urge DBM to stop making excuses, release their benefits By Pat C. Santos 06/17/2012

Health workers urge DBM to stop making excuses, release their benefits

By Pat C. Santos 06/17/2012

The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) has called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to stop making “palusot” (excuses) and instead approve the release of savings for Magna Carta benefits.

This is in reply to the DBM press release on June 11 after health workers stormed DBM office in Manila armed with empty pots and pans to demand the release of their benefits.

“DBM Secretary Florencio Abad ‘explanations’ do not justify the suffering and demoralization we have to endure from decreased laundry and subsistence allowances and delays in our hazard pay since January,” said Jossel Ebesate, national president of AHW. “Despite our position papers, dialogs and follow-ups, the DBM to this date has not approved the release of our hospitals’ savings for benefits.”.... http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120617met3.htmlMORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120617met3.html

The famous kapeng barako of Batangas... By Charlie V. Manalo 06/17/2012 The House of Rep

The famous kapeng barako of Batangas...

By Charlie V. Manalo 06/17/2012

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure encouraging witnesses to enter the government’s witness protection program by providing better protection and benefits to them to ensure the speedy and fair disposition of justice.

House Bill 5714, authored by Reps. Roilo Golez (Parañaque City), Juan Edgardo Angara (Aurora), Simeon Datumanong (Maguindanao), Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Abante Mindanao) seeks to amend Republic Act 6981, otherwise known as “Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.”

The measure mandates that witness duty shall include the attendance of the witness in the court body or authority where one is required as well as in conferences and interviews with prosecutors or investigating officers..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120617met1.html