| TO HEAD OFF POWER VACUUM SECESSIONIST MOVEMENT ROOT OF MINDANAO WOES Despite ‘fatwa,’ Erap vows to end MILF reign By Gerry Baldo 03/21/2010 A supposed “fatwa” or religious decree against his presidential bid has not changed former President Joseph Estrada’s determination to eradicate the Muslim secessionist movement if elected on May 10, saying this is necessary to bring peace in Mindanao. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) endorsed a fatwa by a group of Muslim scholars in Mindanao island, the heartland of the large Islamic minority, ahead of the May elections. “After studying the actions and policies of Mr. Estrada before and after his election as president until this present time, we found out that he is really an enemy of Islam,” MILF quoted the Bangsamoro Supreme Council of Ulama as saying. .... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100322hed1.html |
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6 AUGUST - *1907 - Gen. Macario Sakay, one of the Filipino military leaders who had continued fighting the imperialist United States invaders eight years into the P...14 years ago
(Without Fear or Favor)
Specials:
Despite ‘fatwa,’ Erap vows to end MILF reign By Gerry Baldo 03/21/2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
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7:55 PM
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No ‘credible’ gov’t action on massacre — Asia HR group By Aytch de la Cruz 03/21/2010
No ‘credible’ gov’t action on massacre — Asia HR group
By Aytch de la Cruz 03/21/2010 A Hong Kong-based civil rights group which is regularly consulted by the United Nations (UN) criticized yesterday the government for the lack of credible action on bringing justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre that has the influential Ampatuan political clan, an ally of President Arroyo, as suspected perpetrator. “The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to highlight the lack of credible action by the government of the Philippines concerning the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre in Maguindanao in which 57 persons travelling to register a candidate in local elections were massacred by the private army of the ruling family which has ties to the President. Thirty journalists were killed in this massacre, the highest number ever killed in a single event,” it said during the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council at the UN. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100321hed2.html |
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7:47 PM
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Generals’ game EDITORIAL 03/21/2010
The groundwork for Operation August Moon that is a self coup plan of Gloria and her favored generals, is in place and the Palace showed yesterday that it is now testing the waters for a public response after Gloria’s deputy spokesman Charito Planas floated the possibility of a military junta should the elections in May 10 fail. Nearly all the generals mentioned in a Tribune report way back the middle of last year when the lid was blown on the plan are right in strategic positions and the recently appointed chief of staff is now Gen. Delfin Bangit, a former head of the Presidential Security Group and a member of Gloria’s favored Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100322com1.html |
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Clueless, flip-flopping candidate FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/21/2010
Clueless, flip-flopping candidate
From the statements he utters on several positions taken, it really looks like Noynoy Aquino has no understanding of how things work in government. Of course, when it comes to flip-flopping political statements, Noynoy is proving to one and all just how much of a political opportunist or the trapo he derides, he has become. It will be recalled that Noynoy, immediately upon accepting the Liberal Party’s standard bearership, said he will be going after Marcos and his ill-gotten wealth, and as the days went by, tossed some more anti-Marcos spiels, such as still wanting to get to the bottom of his father’s murder and the brains behind the slaying, which everyone knows, he and the Aquino clan believe it to be Marcos. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com2.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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7:34 PM
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Remembering Emi Boncodin ENQUIRY Demaree J. B. Raval 03/21/2010
On a fine day in September 2006 — I had just shepherded the Kabul Declaration Against Corruption at a conference held at the Serena Hotel, and was about to leave for my UN quarters — I heard a familiar voice asking the hotel concierge what rooms were available and how much they cost. The gravelly yet sing-song inflections took me back in time to my Senate and UP days, and I was very sure to whom it belonged. And true enough, it was Emi, a.k.a. former Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin. What was a very fragile Bikolana like her doing in war-torn Afghanistan? She told me she had come as a consultant to the Afghan Ministry of Finance in the preparation of the national budget. Emi stayed at the hotel only for two days, preferring to stay at the more frugal quarters for consultants. She did save a lot in changing residence, and took pride in being able to spend her savings buying a rare indulgence for an austere woman like her: a hand-spun cashmere shawl — the famous pashmina. .... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com3.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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7:27 PM
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Gibo in the end? BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 03/21/2010
There is a lesson to be learned regarding President Arroyo’s unexpected scuttling of the $100-million (or around P2.5 billion) “midnight deal” that was being hatched by certain bright fellows in the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) — share the sunshine. As the Big Bird character said during one of the episodes of the iconic Sesame Street television show catering to toddlers and young kids that was totally big in the 1970s, what this means is simply don’t be greedy. .... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com4.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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7:24 PM
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A damning dilemma TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 03/21/2010
A damning dilemma
| TABLETS OF STONE |
| Larry Faraon, OP |
This is a country where choices are always favors. And within the context of this country’s mired and wounded political praxis, it becomes a root cause of corruption since such choices become invoices for political ploys or strategies for some other bigger favors.
But the issue presents a dilemma; a damning one. On the one hand, there is the realistic apprehension that in the event of an election failure and deadlock, the Supreme Court which acts as the final arbiter in election contentions and conflicts would find it difficult to wrest from the web of “utang na loob” in making its decision, especially when practically all of them are appointees of Gloria Arroyo whose political stakes are as clear as day. The fear is real and that reality is threatening the only democratic right of the every citizen in this country especially the poor, whose voices are heard through their silent choices...MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com5.html
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Jesusa Bernardo
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7:01 PM
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The curse of injustice in the land VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 03/21/2010
A curse is definitely not something to be taken lightly nor gingerly, calmly and nonchalantly. A damnation or malediction, a scourge or tribulation, a torment or plague — this is a curse. It basically means an odious situation eventually leading to a heinous and odious destiny. And applied to a country calamity or a social catastrophe. Injustice is a tightly suffocating tyranny of inequality and iniquity, a disgusting and revolting rule of lawlessness and iniquity. It is the eradication of what is right and just. Thus comes to fore the suffocating reign of the unethical, the unfair, the unjust — be these individual, families or group of persons with the following detestable behavioral pattern: They steal without remorse, rob without limit. They take and keep what is not theirs. They are the law as they are way up above the law..... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com6.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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6:53 PM
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Cashing in on cutting carbon at home FEATURE 03/21/2010
CHICAGO — Can the promise of a free cupcake or some cold hard cash work better than dire predictions of dying polar bears and rising sea levels at getting people to cut their carbon footprint? Two US-based startup companies certainly hope so. Energy brokers in White Plaines, New York have launched what they hope will be a global exchange platform for selling carbon offset credits based on cutting home energy use. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100321com7.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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6:49 PM
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Palace hints at junta gov’t with failed polls By Aytch S. de la Cruz 03/20/2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
| ‘Chaotic situation to compel military to take over’ Palace hints at junta gov’t with failed polls By Aytch S. de la Cruz 03/20/2010 Malacañang yesterday strongly hinted at a military takeover with the establishment of a junta government should there be a massive failure of automated elections scheduled in May 2010. Deputy spokesman Charito Planas indicated the possibility of the creation of a military junta arising from a massive failure of elections which could take place if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) falls short on its preparations for the May polls owing to various elements deemed contributory to such fears. Planas said by virtue of the 1987 Constitution, a chaotic situation may force the military to take over the government in the event of a failure of the nation to elect a new set of leaders in May...... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune Alternative URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100320hed1.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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10:14 AM
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‘JEEP Ni Erap’ vows to deliver .5M votes 03/20/2010
| ‘JEEP Ni Erap’ vows to deliver .5M votes 03/20/2010 The campaign of former President Joseph Estrada got a big boost as more than 150 leaders of “JEEP Ni Erap,” a grassroots-based citizen’s movement for “justice, economy, environment and peace,” gathered yesterday in Greenhills, San Juan City to reiterate their commitment to the standard-bearer of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP). According to JEEP chairman Horacio Morales, at least 150 leaders of their group and 500,000 of their members have expressed their support to Estrada’s presidential bid. “JEEP Ni Erap” was greatly responsible for Estrada’s victory in 1998. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph//headlines/20100320hed3.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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9:53 AM
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The real score EDITORIAL 03/20/2010
If those who protest against the Supreme Court ruling saying that the incumbent can appoint the new Chief Justice -- arising from the expected vacancy due to the retirement of CJ Reynato Puno -- think they can, through their antics, get the SC to reverse the ruling, they may just have to have another think coming. Their ploy just won’t work. It must be asked, however, why these groups — mostly identified as supporters of Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Noynoy Aquino — protest too much, even to the point of saying that the high court amended the Constitution through this ruling, when they, in 2001, praised the tribunal to high heavens when the high court clearly amended the Constitution by issuing a ruling claiming that ousted President Joseph Estrada was deemed to have “constructively resigned,” based on an unauthenticated diary of his final hours, in newsclipping form yet and written by a third person..... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100320com1.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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9:37 AM
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‘The destroyers’ FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/20/2010
A group, calling itself a Supreme Court watchdog, protesting the ruling of the high court allowing Gloria Arroyo to appoint the replacement of Chief Justice, called on the presidential candidates to sign a covenant that in essence seeks their non-recognition of the Gloria-appointed CJ. This is obviously a group, made up of the frigging yellow civil socialites, supporting Liberal Party bet Noynoy Aquino. Out of all the presidential candidates, it is only Noynoy who not only has come out openly against a CJ appointed by Gloria, but has also vowed not to recognize any CJ appointed by her, even threatening to fire a new CJ appointed by Gloria while warning the rest of the justices not to recognize the new CJ, or else they too, would be fired. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100320com2.html |
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Posted by
Jesusa Bernardo
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9:33 AM
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Risque sex film arouses interest in Bollywood focus 03/20/2010
Risque sex film arouses interest in Bollywood
MUMBAI — A new film that includes sex, nudity and voyeurism has caused a stir in Bollywood as the industry tries hard to shed its traditionally conservative image. “Love Sex Aur Dhokha” (Love, Sex And Betrayal), released on Friday, explores the idea of sex in a small town in northern India, using security cameras and other devices to track the characters of three interlinked stories. The drama and its cast of newcomers have attracted attention as a result — not least because of stills published in the Mumbai press that show one of the female characters topless and in a passionate clinch on top of a man. But the so-called “secretly filmed” sex scene from which they were taken did not impress the censors, who cut it to just 15 seconds..... MORESource: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary20100320com3.html |
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Posted by
Jesusa Bernardo
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9:19 AM
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GMA aide files P3-billion plunder rap vs Duterte 03/19/2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
| Davao mayor, city officials also charged for second plunder, graft on ‘strong evidence’ GMA aide files P3-billion plunder rap vs Duterte 03/19/2010 A Malacañang presidential aide yesterday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman two separate charges of plunder, graft and corruption and grave misconduct against Davao City officials led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the officers of the City’s Local School Board (LSB) following Commission on Audit (CoA) reports that the city government has continuously failed to account for almost P3 billion worth of properties and equipment and has also misappropriated more than P11 million of the Special Education Fund (SEF). In his first complaint, Office of the President Assistant Secretary Pedro Domingo and current Presidential Commission on Good Government official, charged Duterte and “other responsible officials of Davao City” with plunder through malversation in multiple counts for their failure to account almost P3 billion worth of city government buildings, properties and equipment, as reported by the CoA. ..... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.phheadlines/20100319hed1.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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12:13 PM
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JBC to Carpio, Morales: Still out, or in? By Benjamin B. Pulta 03/19/2010
JBC to Carpio, Morales: Still out, or in?
By Benjamin B. Pulta 03/19/2010 Two senior incumbent magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC) will be asked by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to formally affirm whether they are still interested to be considered for the position of Chief Justice which will be left vacant on May 17 upon the retirement of incumbent CJ Reynato Puno. It appears that the question has to be asked since the same two magistrates earlier had informed the JBC that, while they are honored to be nominated, they would, however, only accept it if the appointment is to be made by the next president, and not by President Arroyo. The high court the other day, however, ruled that Arroyo has the legal and constitutional right to appoint the next CJ and even ordered the JBC to submit the list to Malacañang..... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100319hed2.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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12:09 PM
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Bred in civil society culture EDITORIAL 03/19/2010
Bred in civil society culture
Some presidential bets have narrowed their windows too early about the still to be named new Chief Justice. While all presidential aspirants were unanimous about the preference to have the new Supreme Court (SC) head named by a new president, only two candidates, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, have indicated a hardline position of not accepting the decision to give Gloria the authority to name the new Chief Justice who will be succeeding incumbent Reynato Puno. Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100319com1.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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11:55 AM
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Inconsistency is their name FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 03/19/2010
Inconsistency is their name
Funny thing about these civil socialites and politicos who now suddenly claim to be opposition figures: They keep silent when the high court issues a ruling favorable to whoever they support politically, but rant and throw tantrums when the ruling goes against those whom they support. A case in point: When the high court ruled favorably on the legitimacy of Gloria Arroyo’s assumption to Malacañang, even when clearly it was done through a naked power grab, and that there was clearly no vacancy in the presidency at the time the disgraceful Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., swore her in, her civil socialites were over the moon at the ruling — and never mind if the high court erred and erred grievously. Their anointed was now in power and position, and they were reaping the benefits from that power grab. They hailed the ruling, and said nothing but nothing against the clearly unconstitutional and politically-motivated ruling....MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100319com2.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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11:48 AM
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A tale of two central bank governors ZOOMING IN Rudy Romero 03/19/2010
A tale of two central bank governors
To be able to do a good job of making its monetary policies, the members of a country’s monetary policymaking authority, or central bank, must not be subservient to the political leadership of the nation and must be immune from dictation by any quarter. This prohibition applies particularly to the governor of a country’s central bank, who is the head of what I regard as the fourth branch of government and personifies the institution that is the sole banknote-issuing authority of every territory in the world except the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. From time to time, central bank governors are subjected to pressure, undue influence, intimidation or outright coercion by the governments of their countries. Stated differently, a country’s political leaders occasionally resort to pressure undue influence, intimidation or.... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100319com3.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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11:42 AM
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Broken record NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 03/19/2010
So after issuing pronouncements against Martin Nievera, Charice Pempengco, Jennifer Bautista, Christian Bautista and La Diva, the National Hysterical Institute (NHI) now trains its guns at Arnel Pineda for not singing the National Anthem as prescribed by law. I said “hysterical,” instead of “historical?” Sure I did, for this is what the NHI becomes each time the anthem is sung during a Manny Pacquiao fight. It’s gone as far as criticizing Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha and Kyla for singing the anthem longer than it should have been, when there is no specific instruction in Republic Act 8491, or the “Flag and Heraldic Code,” for the “Lupang Hinirang” to be sung in, say, exactly two minutes, or you go to jail if you do it a second more. To clarify, here’s what the law requires, in Chapter II, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM: Source: The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100319com4.html |
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Jesusa Bernardo
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11:36 AM
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