Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms FEATURE 08/01/2010

Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms

FEATURE 08/01/2010 KANDAHAR — In the heart of the violent birthplace of the Taliban movement, defying Afghan convention and family advice, mothers Magola and Faranaze decided to take up arms. From the southern province of Kandahar, they are among a handful women who have swapped the full Islamic veils known as burqas for life in uniform as members of Afghanistan’s under-strength police force. “My parents don’t like me to work for the police but I am happy to serve my country,” said Magola, proudly wearing her blue uniform at the camp where she has been trained by US-led Nato forces. Magola and Faranaze are not their real names. Afghanistan is a country where strict Islamic beliefs and conservative convention prohibit most women from working. Out of a thousand recruits, police in Kandahar have only 20 women. Widowed during the 1996-2001 Taliban regime, Magola confided that she needed her police salary to feed her family. She has 12 children and six are still dependent on her. Like most Kandahari women, female officers wear burqas off duty. But at work, wearing scarves or hoods with their uniforms, women perform essential roles in areas that remain off limits to men.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com3.htm

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

Debt addiction lingers EDITORIAL 08/01/2010

Debt addiction lingers

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 08/01/2010 When Gloria Arroyo snatched the presidency from former President Joseph Estrada in 2001, she inherited what the civil socialites, now backing Noynoy, vilified Estrada of having a mismanaged government, citing the worsening budget shortfalls after a P1.45 billion surplus in 1997 and a P50 billion deficit in 1998. In the first full year of Estrada’s abbreviated administration, he had a P112 billion deficit in 1999, followed by a P134.2 billion shortfall in 2000. Estrada, however, was voted to the presidency when the financial crisis that hit Asia was at its worst, resulting in a drop in trade receipts and poor collections from private businesses. Arroyo took over in 2001 and on her first year, she already exceeded Estrada’s worst budget gap by incurring a shortfall of P147 billion. Her administration was not able to tame the deficit to within the levels during Estrada’s tenure until 2006 when the budget gap was reduced to P65 billion but only after the enactment of the expanded value added tax law which raised the sales tax to 12 percent from 10 percent and widened its coverage to include previously exempt basic goods and services such as electricity and fuel.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

Pushing the limits of power FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/01/2010

Pushing the limits of power

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/01/2010 Under the Constitution under which the government operates, the only sole law-making body is the Congress of the Philippines. Yet with the Executive Order (EO) No. 1 issued yesterday by Noynoy Aquino, which creates the Truth Commission and giving it not only investigative powers but also subpoena powers, along with penalties imposed should summonses be ignored, it appears that the new President is deliberately usurping the powers of Congress. True, the president can issue an EO and even create a truth commission that will investigate public officials of at least third-level, such as department heads of government agencies and even private individuals suspected of being involved in graft and corruption cases but such an EO would be limited to a fact-finding job that would have its findings having only recommendatory powers and nothing else — unless, the powers that the Truth Commission seeks in EO1 are backed up by a law crafted by Congress and passed into law. But the Palace wants to do away with Congress, saying having Congress enact a law to give the Truth Commission teeth would take too long. An EO, it said is preferable. That’s called a short cut and an illegal and unconstitutional one at that.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 08/01/2010

Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption

BLURBAL THRUSTS Louie Logarta 08/01/2010 The proposal of Commissioner Lito Alvarez to install drawerless desks, in lieu of the existing ones, in all the offices of the Bureau of Customs in a desperate bid to eliminate graft and corruption in the government’s “third most corrupt” agency (after the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, this is according to the pollster Pulse Asia) is juvenile to say the least and demeaning to those few remaining upright employees who have tried their best to keep their noses clean in the midst of all the shenanigans going on around them. This immediately brings to mind the uniform of the casino dealers and cashiers of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) whose main feature are pocketless trousers so that they may not be tempted to slip aside one or two or three or four P1,000-denomination chips such as the type used in high-stakes or VIP baccarat tables. Frankly, I haven’t the foggiest who broached the idea of the drawerless desks to Commissioner Alvarez, but whoever he is should be skewered because he really doesn’t know the first thing about corruption at Customs. Interviewed by reporters, Alvarez, who is being pressured by Malacañang to immediately show results, said the drawers of the desks being presently used by all Customs examiners serve as the repository of the grease money that for the longest time is SOP from the ubiquitous brokers following up the release of the shipments of their respective clients.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

The straight path C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/01/2010

The straight path

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 08/01/2010 Now that P-Noy has enunciated what we will now call “The Straight Path Movement” (Daang Matuwid as his advisers have come to call it), we mortals should now join this laudable initiative and do whatever it takes in our own little ways to help achieve its basic goal: A society dedicated to the highest possible standards of “ethical conduct, good governance and good citizenship.” A society which puts a premium on excellence and hard work, on doing good deeds and does not have any room for the corrupt and all kinds of corrupting practices. Start at home: That presidential injunction is decidedly embodied and practices by P-Noy himself. He has enjoined his security staff, for example, to stop insinuating “security problems’ in a bid to have him reconsider his no “wang-wang” policy. Well, they better take heed and bite the bullet. P-Noy will not reconsider that policy. Not now. Maybe never. The message is clear : P-Noy will lead by example and will enhance the “Straight Path Movement” by starting at home. Let’s consider for now the Sona pronouncements.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

All about greed TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 08/01/2010

All about greed

TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 08/01/2010 Pulpits of Catholic churches will resound off in today’s gospel preaching in Luke 12:13-21 about the rich man who collapsed his old barns in order to build new ones to accommodate his overflowing harvest and then said to himself, “Now as for you, you have so many years, rest, drink be merry!” But God said, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” President Noynoy Aquino’s “shocking revelations” in his first State of the Nation Address tingled the tip of the iceberg — issues and anomalies almost everybody already knew to be more than what the Sona had revealed. And it is all about greed and nothing more, the mother of all corruption. In this country. however, it is not only greed for the sake of greed, but to catapult one into power through a purchased political power in order to acquire more wealth and more wealth — it is viciously cyclical. The rice scam is not the first in this country’s history of cereal related corruption. If my memory serves me right, during Madam Cory’s time, then Agriculture Secretary, Emil Ong remained largely a suspect of the mysterious sinking of a huge rice barge off the waters of Samar. ... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

Mining in an agricultural country VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 08/01/2010

Mining in an agricultural country

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 08/01/2010 It is evident that mining has its own merits, contributes to the government coffers, and helps in the development of the nation concerned. It is, however, also rather obvious that a country that is basically agricultural in nature and design, would not find mining as a welcome industry, but instead look at it with discomfort, fear and repulsion even. There are certain elementary reasons for the “unholy” paring of mining and agriculture — simply as a matter of fact. In general, mining is the search, pursuit and digging of minerals that stipulate the following: First, the required piece of land is secured, prepared and accordingly contoured or dug. Second, the pursued ore is then continuously taken or brought out respectively, incessantly cleansed until such a time when the mining venture is no longer profitable to the investors, most of whom are foreigners.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100801com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Debt addiction lingers FRONTLINE Pushing the limits of power FEATURE Afghan women swap burqas for police uniforms BLURBAL THRUSTS Drawerless desks juvenile way of solving Customs corruption C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The straight path TABLETS OF STONE All about greed VIEWPOINTS Mining in an agricultural country

Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/01/2010

LOPEZ BROADCAST FIRM GETS FIRST CRACK ON STORIES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/01/2010 President Aquino tried to score brownie points with media Friday night, saying he was open to their criticisms “because it is media’s right and obligation to encourage public discourse” while newsmen covering him are up in arms over his Communication Group (ComGroup)’s repeated preferential treatment of a broadcast network owned by a known political supporter. Complaining members of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) criticized what they claim as the perceived preferential treatment being granted by the members of the ComGroup to giant media firm, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. owned by the Lopez family. Aquino said the complaints had already reached him, adding he had called the attention of ComGroup officials to settle whatever conflicts they have with members of media. “Since I don’t have a bias, my people should not have a bias also and I think you will all be witnesses to the fact that I entertain everybody if I can — regardless if it’s a national organization or regional or even a provincial — we are not selective,” Aquino expressed in a chance interview with the media yesterday. ..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed1.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body By Charlie V. Manalo 08/01/2010

Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body

By Charlie V. Manalo 08/01/2010 The minority bloc in the House of Representatives is seriously considering challenging before the judicial forum the constitutionality of Executive Order (EO) 1 of President Aquino creating the Truth Commission of 2010. At the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo, Minority Floor Leader Edcel Lagman said “the projected court action is not to shield officials of the previous administration who can be indicted and tried before existing prosecutorial and judicial bodies.” He stressed that “the sole purpose of the judicial recourse is to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution on separation of powers and maintain the rule of law.” The Albay lawmaker said the establishment of the Truth Commission may be constitutionally infirm for the following reasons — the creation and funding of offices and commissions is a legislative power of Congress and, consequently, the Truth Commission cannot be constituted by mere executive fiat; the equal protection clause of the Constitution may be violated by targeting a specific group of officials for investigation; and the Truth Commission duplicates the constitutional mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman as well as the statutory jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed2.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows 08/01/2010

Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows

08/01/2010 President Aquino elected yesterday to stay in the shadows of his popular parents, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, on whose memories propelled his candidacy in the recent May 10 elections despite demands that he prove his own mettle as leader of the nation and not merely the son of two democracy icons. Former President Aquino died Aug. 1 last year after a long battle with colon cancer while Ninoy was assassinated on the airport tarmac Aug. 21, 1983.  Aquino said he is not bothered by critics who said he remains in the shadows of his deceased parents whose contributions to Philippine democracy are appreaciated worldwide. “Getting out of their shadows means that I’ll (have to) make my own mark. I think what I’ve always stated is that I am continuing the fight that both of them have rendered for the people. So why is there a need to reinvent the wheel, why is there a need to digress and diverge from what they were fighting for,” he told reporters during the unveiling of the gigantic photo mosaic in Cory’s honor at the Rizal Park. Aquino admitted that had it not been for the so-called “resurgence of hope” that happened during the death of his mother last year he would have not been elected President.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed3.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/01/2010

Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/01/2010 The Palace reported yesterday that the government has won its arbitration case at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) based in Singapore against the Philippine International Air Terminals Corp. (Piatco) consortium that built the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) that stemmed from President Arroyo’s order to expropriate the $600-million project over supposed irregularities. The case had resulted in a crack in diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany as an offshoot of a demand for compensation of the German airport developer Fraport AG which is the foreign partner of Piatco in the project. When asked if this particular triumph by the government should be credited to former President Arroyo who conceived of such project, Lacierda had this to say: “Well, it started with them and I suppose they made a successful effort to defend the country from paying such a  huge burden. I think credit should be given to the lawyers who handled it. The international law firm that was retained by the Philippine government did a very good job and they should be credited for that.” The Philippine government was reportedly represented by retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Florentino Feliciano and SC nominee Atty. Maria Lourdes Sereno in this arbitration case against Piatco.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed4.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights 08/01/2010

Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights

08/01/2010 Flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday said it had to cancel several domestic and international flights after some of its pilots quit without giving enough notice. Three flights to Hong Kong and at least eight domestic flights were canceled after pilots left to join airlines abroad, PAL said in a statement. The airline also apologized to its passengers inconvenienced by the disruption of several PAL flights due to “inadequate” flight deck crew to fly its Airbus A320 airplanes. “The indiscriminate resignation of the A320 pilots...is in violation of their contract with PAL as well as with pertinent government regulations that require resigning pilots to give PAL six months’ notice,” the statement added. The PAL management, however, assured the public that “PAL is adjusting its schedules by merging some flights, upgrading aircraft to a bigger type in order and fielding of management pilots to lessen the inconvenience to affected passengers.”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed5.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking 08/01/2010

DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

08/01/2010 Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday vowed to send people behind bars in her agency’s effort to leave no stone unturned in cracking down white slavery and human trafficking in the country. According to her, she ordered a no-nonsense campaign against human trafficking by the fledgling Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which will review pending cases before the council and work for the immediate resolution of those cases.  De Lima’s order came at the heels of a meeting with President Aquino where the Chief Executive expressed concern over large-scale human trafficking cases in the country. The President also said the battle against trafficking in persons — child and women trafficking, labor trafficking and organ trafficking — is one of the priority concerns of the administration. The meeting was also attended by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100801hed6.html

HEADLINES Noy says criticisms welcome as media rap ComGroup bias Opposition quizzes legality of Noy’s EO on truth body Noynoy: No need to step out of parents’ shadows Palace gives Gloria pat on back for NAIA 3 victory Pilot exodus disrupts PAL flights DoJ chief vows intensified drive vs human trafficking

Get them all EDITORIAL 07/31/2010

Get them all

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/31/2010 Poll executives have been placed under preventive suspension by the Ombudsman, in connection with the canceled awarding of the so-called secrecy folders to OTC Paper supply, originally priced at P350 per folder, which is clearly overpriced. Preventively suspended for six months without pay are Commission on Elections Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr.; Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Maria Lea Alarkon; members Allen Francis Abaya, Maria Norina Casingal, Martin B. Niedo, as well as Antonio Santella. The Ombudsman, in its order said that the facts and circumstances of the case justify a preventive suspension, as the Ombudsman’s investigation team found that Tolentino, head of the specifications committee, “provided unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to OTC Paper Supply by making prior arrangements and/or divulging valuable and confidential information with them as shown by OTC’S astonishing speed to produce a tailor-fitted, Comelec-approved design in just a matter of days.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100731com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Get them all FRONTLINE Still spinning it FEATURE Human traffickers prey on vulnerable in Thailand

Still spinning it FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/31/2010

Still spinning it

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/31/2010 It really is amazing how the Aquino officials, the communications group, and their media partners plus yellow supporters spin the reports and portray the big blunders made by Noynoy Aquino in his State of the Nation Address (Sona) as no mistake at all, spinning it all to make it appear that while no irregularities or anomalies in the budget figures were found, it was still “morally” and “fiscally irresponsible” of the previous Arroyo administration to have spent more than it should have. Neither Gloria nor her officials are my cup of tea. That has been much too evident even at the start of her regime, but hell, since when does a morality issue reign over legal issues? And who is to judge what is moral or immoral? Noynoy? His appointed officials? The yellows? Their protective yellow media? Well, who the hell do they think they are to set themselves up as the nation’s moral teachers, especially when they are not too clean themselves? As for the charge that the previous administration was “fiscally irresponsible” over expenditures, just why do they insist on judging what is fiscally responsible by way of spending the budget funds, especially if, as admitted by the Noynoy officials, there was nothing irregular or anomalous found in the expenditure of the budget funds and allocations?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100731com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Get them all FRONTLINE Still spinning it FEATURE Human traffickers prey on vulnerable in Thailand

Human traffickers prey on vulnerable in Thailand FEATURE 07/31/2010

Human traffickers prey on vulnerable in Thailand

FEATURE 07/31/2010 KOH KRED — Sixteen-year-old Kaew slumped into unconsciousness in a van somewhere in southern Thailand, believing she was on her way to work in a textile factory near the border. She woke up in Malaysia to discover that she had been sold into the sex trade. Hers is just one of a multitude of cases of modern-day slavery in Thailand, most of which involve a mix of poverty, violence and betrayal. Apparently drugged and later locked in a room in Kuala Lumpur, Kaew met three other Thai women who asked if she had been lured to work like them. “I had no idea what they were talking about, but then they told me what kind of job they did and what kind of job I had to do. I was very scared,” said Kaew, whose name AFP has changed to protect her identity. She managed to escape before her first job, using money she had been given to buy food to take a taxi to the Thai embassy.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100731com3.htm

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Get them all FRONTLINE Still spinning it FEATURE Human traffickers prey on vulnerable in Thailand

Advocates Worry That Aquino’s Mining, Environment Agenda Is Similar to Arroyo’s Published on July 31, 2010

Advocates Worry That Aquino’s Mining, Environment Agenda Is Similar to Arroyo’s

Published on July 31, 2010

President Aquino’s electoral platform, inaugural speech and State of the Nation Address (SONA) contain no clear environmental agenda and position on major issues such as mining, climate change and the garbage problem, said Clemente Bautista of Kalikasan.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
 
MANILA — Environmental groups noted that the recent pronouncements and actions of President Benigno S. Aquino III lean toward the same anti-environment policies of the previous Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

“It is still early to say that President Aquino is anti-environment like his predecessor. However, based on what Mr. Aquino is doing and saying so far, prospects are not good for the communities and groups that have long clamored for fundamental change in terms of the national policies and programs that have caused much harm to our environment,” said Clemente Bautista of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE).... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/31/advocates-worry-that-noynoys-environment-agenda-is-similar-to-arroyos/

After Fleeing from Palparan, Peasant Leader Ends Up in Manila Prison by Bulatlat.com

After Fleeing from Palparan, Peasant Leader Ends Up in Manila Prison

Published on July 31, 2010

After the attempt on his brother-in-law’s life, peasant leader Dario Tomada fled to Luzon and took on different jobs to support his family back in Leyte. Five years later, he was arrested by soldiers for 15 counts of murder that allegedly took place in 1984 — when he was still peacefully tilling a small piece of land and was not involved in any organization.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — On Sept. 10, 2006, Dario Tomada, then chairman of the Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (Sagupa-SB or Organization of Small Farmers of Eastern Visayas), left Kanangga, Leyte, upon the advice of his colleagues. Like many of the leaders of people’s organizations in the region, Tomada’s life had been in danger.

Dario Tomada inside his jail cell. (Photo by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com)

During that period, retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. was the commanding general of the 8th Infantry (Storm Troopers) Division in Eastern Visayas. Within six months of Palparan’s assignment in the region, human-rights group Karapatan had recorded 570 human-rights violations victimizing 7,561 individuals, 1,773 families and 110 communities. These include 126 cases of extrajudicial killings and 27 cases of enforced disappearances.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/31/after-fleeing-from-palparan-peasant-leader-ends-up-in-manila-prison/

Kin of ‘Morong 43′ File Rights Raps vs Military Before GRP-NDF Body by Bulatlat.com

Kin of ‘Morong 43′ File Rights Raps vs Military Before GRP-NDF Body

Published on July 29, 2010

“Nearly six months since the Morong 43 were arrested and the wheels of justice have been grinding slow on our detained colleagues. For these innocent health workers, being held each day more in detention is a continuing torture and a serious injustice.” – Dr. Eleanor Jara, CHD executive director and convenor of the Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance 

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — Relatives and colleagues of the Morong 43 trooped to the office of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) section of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) July 28 to file cases against the military for violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

The 43 health workers were arrested February 6 while conducting a health training in Morong, Rizal. Slapped with charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, the 43 were held under military captivity at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal for almost three months. In May, the 38 of them have been transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/29/kin-of-morong-43-file-rights-raps-vs-military-before-grp-ndf-body/

With More Privatization, Aquino Uses Same Old Policies by Predecessors by Bulatlat

 With More Privatization, Aquino Uses Same Old Policies by Predecessors

Published on July 29, 2010

By ARNOLD PADILLA
Analysis
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III used the various cases of misuse of public funds by the Arroyo administration as a pretext to promote the so-called Public-Private Partnerships or PPPs. According to Aquino, PPPs will address the lack of resources due to a depleted government budget for the country’s many needs.

(Read the full text of Aquino’s SONA here)

Incidentally, PPPs were among the legacies of the first Aquino administration. It was during the term of Noynoy’s mother, the late President Cory Aquino, that the first PPPs in the power generation sector were implemented. In 1987, she issued Executive Order (EO) No. 215 that allowed private corporations to construct and operate electric generating plants. (Read here) Cory’s privatization formed part of a wide-ranging package of structural reforms pushed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to supposedly address the country’s fiscal crisis in the late 1980s.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/29/with-more-privatization-aquino-uses-same-old-policies-by-predecessors/