Women’s Groups Push for Divorce Bill Published on August 21, 2010

 
Amid the heated public debate regarding the divorce bill filed recently by Gabriela, battered women such as Maricon Reazo await its passage to be given another chance at having a happy family life.

Women’s Groups Push for Divorce Bill

Published on August 21, 2010

 

By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – As soon as the divorce bill was filed, it immediately generated a lot of emotional reactions from different sectors, especially the Catholic church. Unable to shy away from the debate on the divorce bill, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III recently declared that he is against divorce but is for legal separation with the option to remarry, which some sectors say is tantamount to divorce.

In the Philippines, which has a predominantly conservative Roman Catholic population, divorce is frowned at in public, although a lot of married couples have been living separately. Couples from wealthy families travel abroad to get divorced and to remarry. The Philippines is only one of two countries that do not have a divorce law yet. Gabriela said Malta, a Mediterranean island, has yet to legislate a divorce bill, too.

Women’s group Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) are pushing for the passage of House Bill 1799, “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines.” Filed recently by GWP Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmie de Jesus in Congress, they said this would give couples particularly women the option to terminate a marriage that is no longer working, is already beyond saving and already detrimental to their well-being..... MORE

Aquino’s Extension of Arroyo’s Dreaded Oplan Bantay Laya Draws Fire from Victims’ Kin Published on August 20, 2010

President Benigno S. Aquino III is “doing the exact opposite of his pronouncement that he will put closure to the human-rights violations of Arroyo and her cohorts. As commander-in-chief, he allowed the AFP to extend the counter-insurgency plan which was proven to have violated human rights.”
Read more stories on Oplan Bantay Laya
MANILA — For a mother of a slain human-rights defender, the extension of the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) proves that President Benigno S. Aquino III is no different from former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when it comes to human rights.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David announced on August 15 the extension of the implementation of OBL, which has been blamed for the spate of killings and other rights abuses in the Philippines. Human-rights group Karapatan has documented 1,206 victims of extrajudicial killings, 205 victims of enforced disappearance, and countless cases of torture and harassment.

“We, the families of the victims, were right when we said that Aquino will soon show his true color,” Evangeline Hernandez, spokesperson of Hustisya! and mother of slain journalist and human-rights defender Benjaline Hernandez, said in a phone interview with Bulatlat.

Benjaline, then vice president for Mindanao of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and secretary general of Karapatan-Southern Mindanao, was killed by soldiers in Arakan Valley in North Cotabato on April 5, 2002.

Hernandez expressed disgust over Aquino’s move. “Instead of punishing the perpetrators of human-rights violations and put a stop to the OBL that leads to various human-rights violations, he has allowed the counter-insurgency campaign to be extended until January 2011,” she said....MORE

Friday the 13th ‘Massacre’ at ABS-CBN as Media Giant Axes 37 More Workers Published on August 17, 2010

The ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union asks President Aquino to stop the illegal dismissals, contractualization and union-busting at his “favorite” media network.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
 
MANILA – Thirty-seven more workers at the country’s largest media network, ABS-CBN, have been dismissed, bringing to 92 the number of employees fired from the company’s “Internal Job Market,” the ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union said.

The firings, which occurred nine months after the workers were first officially disowned as employees by the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, occurred in the same week that the network announced a staggering 179-percent increase in earnings for the first half of 2010.

In a report by Business Mirror, ABS-CBN said last Tuesday that its net income in the first six months hit a record P2.27 billion, higher than the P813 million it earned in the same period last year and also higher than its full-year net income of P1.7 billion in 2009..... MORE

Hypocritical society EDITORIAL 08/21/2010

Hypocritical society

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 08/21/2010 Noynoy Aquino may be against divorce, preferring to have legalized separation laws amended to include a remarriage for estranged couples, but even as he is president, he certainly has no right, despite his abhorrence for divorce, to impose his personal view on a nation. If he is against divorce, he should have stated clearly to reporters that this was his personal view, because, as it is often pointed out, as he is president, what he says is seen as policy. If the nation had an independent House of Representatives, perhaps Noynoy could easily air his personal distaste of divorce in the country. Unfortunately, the House, no matter how hard it tries to appear as being “independent” of Malacañang, is largely under the control of the President. And with a lot of members being certified lapdogs, one can be certain that his announced view against divorce will kill whatever divorce measure that has been filed in the House. Noynoy may have made the Catholic bishops happy, but he should remember, at all times, that this nation, even with a preponderance of Catholics — mostly nominal — composing the populace, does not have to toe the line of the Catholic church, given the separation principle between Church and State, and the Constitution does allow for religious freedom, as well as a democratic and system of government..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100821com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Hypocritical society FRONTLINE High level fixing focus Jordanian journalists furious over new cyber crimes law

High level fixing FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/21/2010

High level fixing

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/21/2010 Any which way it is cut, the arrest and detention of Philippine Rep. Ronaldo Singson on charges of drug trafficking, caught as he was at Chek Lap Kok International Airport en route to Macau on July 11 for possession of 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of Valium, has negative international impact not only on the Aquino government, but also on the Philippine Congress, that can hardly afford any more negative publicity, given the fact that a senator, Ping Lacson, is an accused in a double murder case and has gone to ground abroad, along with a new case, the accused drug trafficker who is a congressman, both of whom are in the media limelight. For weeks on end, there was no question at all about how much cocaine Singson had with him, when he left Manila and arrived in Hong Kong.  The fact alone that there were reportedly three applications for bail within his period of detention, two of which were rejected, on dates of July 13 and July 22, last Thursday, bail was finally granted, as two Chinese friends put up a HK$1 million bond. What this could mean is that from the day of Singson’s arrest, up till Thursday, there was no change in cocaine gram size from the authorities who arrested him. Yet all too suddenly, there was this decrease of 20 grams from the 26 grams, as the “new evidence” for Singson to be granted bail, as the charge has been reduced from drug trafficking to mere possession of cocaine, which is bailable.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100821com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Hypocritical society FRONTLINE High level fixing focus Jordanian journalists furious over new cyber crimes law

Jordanian journalists furious over new cyber crimes law focus 08/21/2010

Jordanian journalists furious over new cyber crimes law

focus 08/21/2010 AMMAN — Jordanian journalists are up in arms after the government on Aug. 3 passed a temporary law on cyber crimes seen by many as a way of controlling local news Web sites. Late last month the government also barred civil servants while at work from accessing around 50 Web sites, mostly local news, in what it called an effort to improve productivity. Journalists say the new law allows the authorities to raid and search offices from which websites are published and to access computers without prior approval from public prosecutors. “The law was written in an elastic way so the government can interpret and implement it the way it wants and according to its interests,” Mohammad Hawamdeh, managing editor of Khaberni (Tell me) online news agency, told AFP. “For example, if I want to publish an article about any social, economic or political issue, under the new law I could be accused of harming Jordan’s interests and economy.” Like most journalists, Hawamdeh believes the real intention is a local news sites crackdown. “The fact that the Internet ban and the law came out almost at the same time is suspicious. Why did the ban focus mainly on local news sites? It’s clear the government is targeting us and wants to shut us up,” he said. The government denies this. “The law was issued to cope with information technology developments as well as related legal issues and cyber crimes. It does not criminalize people for expressing their opinions,” Information Minister Ali Ayed told AFP. He also defended the Internet ban for civil servants, saying “work hours should always be used for work.” “We respect professional Web sites. We are not targeting anybody, for example we blocked the Petra news agency’s site, even though it’s state-run. We did not block sites like Google and Yahoo!”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100821com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Hypocritical society FRONTLINE High level fixing focus Jordanian journalists furious over new cyber crimes law

No gag order on alter egos—Noy By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/21/2010

EO restricting GOCCs, GFIs fat pays under way No gag order on alter egos—Noy By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/21/2010 No gag order has been imposed by President Aquino on his Cabinet members and executive officers, Malacañang yesterday said, despite the clear snubbing of several Cabinet members last week, among whom were Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Aquino is also not keen on resurrecting former President Arroyo’s Executive Order 464 which bars Cabinet officials and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from testifying before any congressional inquiry, Malacañang said yesterday. EO 464 was struck down by the Supreme Court which ruling was deemed as vague by the Arroyo administration. The same EO, was however, replaced by a Memorandum Circular (MC) by Arroyo which banned all officials, officers and employees falling under the executive branch from appearing before congressional hearings without the written permission of the President. This was never revoked by Arroyo, nor, for that matter, the incumbent Malacañang tenant, which means that the gag rule on the MC is still in force and effect. There was also a ruling by the high court, penned by Associate Justice Teresita de Castro, that upheld the President’s executive privilege, even in the instance where a probable criminal action is involved, as spelled out in the case the Senate brought before the Supreme Court.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed1.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ By Marie A. Surbano and Gerry Baldo 08/21/2010

Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’

By Marie A. Surbano and Gerry Baldo 08/21/2010 The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to release the results of its investigation on the possession of former Quezon City Rep. Annie Rosa Susano of compact flash (CF) cards and the controversial “Hello Nico” recording where Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer is said to be linked to alleged poll irregularities. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento called on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to follow up on the status of the probe into the two cases, saying it is already way beyond the agency’s self-imposed deadline. “Our request is for the DoJ to fast-track the probes so there will be no repeat of these incidents in future elections… so that we can learn lessons from these cases,” Sarmiento told reporters. Sarmiento also said former Justice Secretary Alberto Agra committed to complete the probes on the two incidents by June 15, with the reports immediately submitted to the Comelec. “They (DoJ) had a timetable within which to submit the findings but until now there has been no report and no findings of the probe. We hope the DoJ can complete the investigation… there seems to be too long a delay,” said Sarmiento. It will be recalled that in May, Agra said the DoJ, along with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), would complete the probe in three weeks time regarding Susano’s unauthorized possession of the CF cards and the allegation of a taped conversation between Ferrer and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed2.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

Truth body should start with ‘Hello Garci,’ says solon By Angie M. Rosales 08/21/2010

Truth body should start with ‘Hello Garci,’ says solon

By Angie M. Rosales 08/21/2010 The Truth Commission should start with the reopening of the “Hello Garci” tapes scandal, being what Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano dubbed the “original sin” of alleged massive graft and corruption committed by the previous administration. “The original sin is ‘Hello Garci’. The ‘Hello Garci’ (scandal) started it all and from here, we went into a period in time wherein graft and corruption was the rule rather than the exception. “So when you don’t deal with the original sin, you will go to the root of the problem which is the money that the politician spent during the elections and cheating during the elections. “My view, what the Senate started, should (be) finished,” Cayetano told reporters in an interview. The senator’s call to revive the probe on the alleged wiretapped conversations believed to have been, among others, former President Gloria Arroyo and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano Jr. during the 2004 presidential polls, in the light of the controversy concerning the purported demotion of Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100821nat1.html

NATION Truth body should start with ‘Hello Garci,’ says solon Lawmakers eyeing election budget for lost PDAF Navy gives full honors to two pilots who died in chopper crash No recruitment fees for US, Guam for OFWs SC reminds drug operatives to follow rules on chain of custody for evidence Palace completes five-man peace negotiating panel with MILF Noy vows to reject unlawful peace agreements Fate of Reyes as party-lister congressman known next week VP Binay calls for strong public-private partnership DoTC orders review of bus franchise involved in Benguet accident New bills with Noy’s signature set for Sept. release Samar mayor arrested for keeping private Army DFA warns Pinoys vs drug trafficking Palace to submit proposed 2011 budget to Congress

Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ By Mario J. Mallari 08/21/2010

Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’

By Mario J. Mallari 08/21/2010 Taking the cue from the Commander-in-Chief, President Aquino, the Armed Forces of the Philippines top brass are now throwing the book at disgruntled Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue whose designation as Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief was held in abeyance pending investigation for his alleged violation of the AFP’s Code of Ethics and Articles of War. Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez, at a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday said Angue, who publicly criticized the AFP’s promotion system after his “demotion,” will not assume his new post until the investigation against him is completed. “As of now, we are holding in abeyance his assumption (as commander) of Naval Forces Western Mindanao because of the directive of higher headquarters for the investigation,” Cortez said. The investigation against Angue is being conducted by a Navy committee. In the meantime, Cortez said Angue will be attached with the Navy’s receiving station, without any assignment. “That’s our normal process… he cannot assume the position because of the directive (of higher headquarters),” the Navy chief said..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed3.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy  Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty 08/21/2010

World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty

08/21/2010 Misguided farming policies, including land reform, are keeping millions in the Philippines poor, according to a report released by the World Bank this week. The report said only the manufacturing and service sectors, which require huge capital and skilled workers, had grown significantly over the last decade while agriculture, which employs most of the non-skilled, faltered. “These productivity trends reflect a growing scarcity of land and a progressive reduction in the amount of land per worker, aggravated by agrarian reform policies,” the World Bank said. The Philippines passed a land reform law in 1987 to break up large agricultural estates owned mostly by the ruling elite and give land to millions of farmhands. Last year, Congress extended the program by five years amid widespread landlord opposition, which has kept a number of big corporate farms intact, including one controlled by the family of President Aquino. The World Bank urged the government, among others, to set up a commission to review its current agrarian reform policy so farm land is not tied up and can be used more freely as capital. The government says one in three persons in the country of 95 million are poor, with most living in rural areas. The farm sector employed 32.5 million people in April, the latest official data available..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed4.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/21/2010

Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case

By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/21/2010 Parents of murdered Navy Ensign Philip Pestaño who died 15 years ago are asking the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reinvestigate the case. Lawyer Harry Roque Jr., who represents Pestaño’s parents, met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to formally request a preliminary investigation on the murder complaint they filed with the Ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices. The case was dismissed a few days after they filed impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. “Fifteen years have passed but the family of the victim has not yet obtained justice,” Roque said in an interview with reporters. “We can’t allow the killing of Ensign Pestaño to be ignored just like that. We are hopeful that justice will be served in this administration of President Aquino and leadership in DoJ of Secretary de Lima,” he explained. The lawyer stressed that the government has an obligation in its declaration during the UN Human Environment Conference to act within 180 days after investigation to ensure that justice will be served on victims. He added that since the Ombudsman has already completed its probe, the DoJ may now step in a conduct another investigation into the case.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed5.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

Cayetanos split over divorce scheme 08/21/2010

Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

08/21/2010 The brother-sister tandem in the upper chamber, Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Pia Cayetano, appear to be at odds over their position on the proposition of allowing divorce in the country. The minority leader said accepting divorce in the country could bring more harm than good in the society. He, however, agreed with Pia that there is a need to review provisions of the laws surrounding legal separation and there could be other options other than divorce. “I understand that there are cases in the Philippines as in around the world where couples find it impossible to keep their marriage. I do agree that we have to address people who feel that they are in an impossible situation or impossible marriages,” he told reporters in an interview. “What I’m concerned of, if we allow divorce, especially the kind of divorce that what is called in the United States as ‘no-fault’ divorce, it might cause more harm than good because if we are saying a minority or small group of people married in the Philippines are going through some problems, that can be addressed by strengthening the remedy of the annulment by psychological incapacity. “Let’s remedy that. But the best remedy there still is the best remedy available – declaration of nullity or annulment or annulment by psychological incapacity,” he said.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100821hed6.html

HEADLINES No gag order on alter egos—Noy Poll body seeks DoJ findings on Susano’s CF cards, ‘Hello Nico’ Navy whistle-blower placed on ‘floating status’ World Bank says RP farm policy deepens poverty Dead ensign’s kin seek DoJ’s reopening of case Cayetanos split over divorce scheme

SDO, root of all problems EDITORIAL 08/20/2010

SDO, root of all problems

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 08/20/2010 The exchange of arguments at the Supreme Court (SC) over the stock distribution option (SDO), the crux of the current conflict at the Hacienda Luisita of the Cojuangco-Aquino family of President Noynoy, points to the fact that political influence kept the farmers out of their rightful claim on the sugar estate, which goes way beyond the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of Cory Aquino, Noynoy’s mother, to the time when his father Sen. Ninoy Aquino brokered the sale of the hacienda with President Magsaysay and Ninoy’s Cojuangco in-laws. Several administrations had tried to implement in vain the real intent of the sale of the land to the Cojuangcos, which was for the farmers to later own. It was always the intervention of an administration friendly to the Cojuangco-Aquinos that allowed the family to retain the estate. High court justices yesterday entertained the argument that since Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI), the company formed by the Cojuangco-Aquinos to enforce the SDO scheme, had submitted the compromise agreement to the tribunal, the high court acquires jurisdiction on reviewing the SDO provision under the CARP that those who crafted the 1987 Constitution themselves said was a loophole in the intent of the law for land distribution..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

Irony FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/20/2010

Irony

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/20/2010 Going through the history of Hacienda Luisita, it is so very clear just how the Cojuangco-Aquinos have been deliberately screwing the farmer-workers, and even the entire nation, and how the same clan has always abused power and political influence to benefit the selfish interests of the Aquino-Cojuangcos. It was Ninoy Aquino, an icon of the elite yellows, and hailed by them as a hero, who first used his connections and influence with then President Ramon Magsaysay not only to ensure that the Hacienda Luisita, which was being sold by the Spanish owners, Tabacalera, would not only be acquired by any other buyer except his father-in-law, Jose Cojuangco Sr., father of Cory Aquino and grandfather to the incumbent President, Noynoy Aquino, but also that the then Central Bank (CB) become a guarantor for a Cojuangco’s dollar loan from the Manufacturer’s Trust Co. (MTC) in New York for the purchase of Central Azucarera de Tarlac. The CB even had to deposit part of the country’s dollar reserves with the US bank for it to release Cojuangco’s loan, apart from which the Cojuangcos, also aided by the Magsaysay government, obtained some P6 million loan from Government Service Insurance System.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion focus 08/20/2010

A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion

focus 08/20/2010 TRIPOLI — A year after the controversial release from jail of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on medical grounds, Libya continues the secrecy over the health of the ex-intelligence agent convicted of the deadly Lockerbie bombing. Serving a life sentence in Scotland for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, Megrahi was given an early release on Aug. 20 last year, after doctors said he had prostate cancer and had just three months to live. But he is still alive a year later, causing an outcry in Britain and the United States, where the majority of the 270 victims of the attack were from. Libya has maintained a news blackout over the 58-year-old Megrahi’s health, who was given a hero’s welcome when he returned home. His last public appearance was in September when, looking ill and seated in a wheelchair, he received a large African delegation at a Libyan hospital.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

The way the cookie crumbles NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 08/20/2010

The way the cookie crumbles

NO HOLDS BARRED Armida Siguion-Reyna 08/20/2010 SPOT.PH, one of the more interesting Web sites that’s been pointed out to me by family members who know I wouldn’t know how to surf the Internet on my own, has put out a 10-item list that may help us to understand Willie Revillame. Those out of the loop will ask: Who is this Revillame guy and why is there need to know him? Only because he’s dared buck ABS-CBN, the giant TV network that gave him his break well into the job that paid as much as anywhere from P30 million to P45 million a month, thus affording him his four mansions, two yachts, and many other etceteras, including a luxury car of dubious ownership, or so he said when the car’s tax papers were questioned. So we’re informed that he started as a sidekick, and of sidekicks, there are those happy to be so, and “those who aspire to be the main man.” That he’s “a graduate of the School of Hard Knocks” “grew up poor… reportedly took on odd jobs as a jeepney maintenance boy and a barker… probably explains why he has surrounded himself with the best things that money can buy. That he’s an Aquarian, born Jan. 27 and therefore “expected” to be “friendly and humanitarian,” as well as “contrary, perverse and unpredictable.”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

The money masters’ subversion of the peso DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 08/20/2010

The money masters’ subversion of the peso

DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 08/20/2010 The cat is now out of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s bag: New pesos are being printed without the knowledge of the Filipino people. And these will be circulated by December, according to the best information we got. Worse, the BSP is not duty-bound to inform anyone as to when, how or why this decision was made! The 1987 Cory Aquino Constitution states in Article XII, Section 20 that “The Congress shall establish an independent central monetary authority… (which) shall provide policy direction in the areas of money, banking and credit. It shall have supervision over the operations of banks and exercise such regulatory powers as may be provided by law over the operations of finance companies and other institutions performing similar functions…” By “independent,” it means that the BSP does not even have to report to government whenever it does so to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS). The details of the BSP’s operations, contained in Republic Act 7653 or the New Central Bank Act, were passed during Cory’s time by the late Sen. Raul Roco, considered by some as “The Father of the BSP.” The law passed on old debts of the former Central Bank of the Philippines of around P300 billion to taxpayers (when the exchange rate then was still half of what it is today). Yet it established something even more insidious which very few know of: It organized a Monetary Board to govern the BSP and redefined the composition of the members of the board from five representing government and two from the private sector — which was the case in the old Central Bank board — to a reverse of five representing the private sector and two representing government. Although all are supposedly appointed by the President, the law predetermines that the private sector’s interests shall always dominate the board. But that’s not all: The new pesos are being printed abroad in foreign money printing facilities instead of our own Security Printing Complex (built by Marcos in 1978 to ensure that the Philippines would have currency sovereignty). The excuse for this is that the new currency will have the most modern security features that would make it impossible to counterfeit. But have we had any reports of major counterfeiting problems with the peso to date? Unlike the dollar which is widely accepted across almost all borders, there is very little advantage to counterfeiting the Philippine peso because of its limited acceptability. A complete change of a currency normally occurs in the wake of a revolutionary change of the existing political order, as when Marcos tried with the Bagong Lipunan notes, as well as, after Edsa I when Cory Aquino took over. This always results in the flushing out of savings, demonetization of hidden wealth, and the establishment of total financial control. Of course, there had been new issuances in recent times such as Gloria Arroyo’s P200 bills, which were for a specific purpose and in limited amounts, which would not change the system substantively. But a total replacement of all the cash and coins in circulation means something far more extensive is afoot. Coming as this does with the new regime under PeNoy Aquino, who clearly doesn’t know that this is going on, it shows that the real money powers over our country had planned this long before the last elections, where they expected their surrogate to win through the Hocus-PCOS, to ensure that there will be no resistance to this “coup d’état” being carried out against our peso. Our suspicions are further heightened by the fact that while this is happening, a great number of former employees of the WB continue to be appointed to high government positions. From the Bureau of Internal Revenue to the Supreme Court; from the Presidential Management Staff to the government financial institutions and pension funds, elements formerly associated with the WB — who are invariably drawn from Big Business, financial conglomerates and other oligarchs and corporatocracies — are making the PeNoy Cabinet look very much like a structure run by these vested interests. With the complete change of our money and coins commencing by the final month of 2010, we would have completely lost our Republic by next year if this isn’t stopped. By then, the program for a complete takeover of our state by the corporate powers, planned from Day 1 of Edsa II, would have been fulfilled. Then the Charter change referendum through another Hocus-PCOS will follow for the de jure separation of the richest resources of Mindanao for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-US partnership. Resistance by the usual means is now futile. These money masters totally control the money of the land — and consequently, the law and government, mainstream media, all elections, as well as, the guns and goons, and even the forces of coercion of the state. Resistance by other means is imperative if the nation is to be restored to viability and sustainability. But are the forces of patriotism and nationalism still standing? Are there still clear hearts and minds that can discern the vision of a vibrantly free, just, and prosperous Philippines or have all but a few been reduced to unthinking zombies by these money masters? (Tune in to Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 to 7 p.m. on 1098AM; watch Politics [and Economics] Today, Tuesday, 8 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 p.m. on Global News Network, Destiny Cable Channel 21; visit our blogs, http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com and http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com)  (Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel) Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice FEATURE 08/20/2010

Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice

FEATURE 08/20/2010 ATAKPAMEY — One by one, Ali Kassim pulls out the weeds that have grown in his rice paddy. It’s surprisingly rare in Africa, but he is cultivating African rice — once close to extinction after it was pushed aside centuries ago for a higher-yield imported Asian variety. Researchers hope to see more and more farmers like Kassim, who is 32 and among about 100 persons in Togo’s central Atakpamey region to take part in an experimental programme led by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), based in neighboring Benin. In the small west African country, experts are seeking to change the farming habits of a whole continent by reintroducing African rice, or Oryza glaberrima, in the hope of scaling down food crises..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification

Clarification LETTER 08/20/2010

Clarification

LETTER 08/20/2010 Dear Editor: First, Executive Order 2 (EO 2) has solid constitutional underpinning in Section 15, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, which states that “Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of this term, a president or acting president shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.” It is also anchored on In re Valenzuela (A.M. No. 98-05-01-SC, Nov. 9, 1998) and De Castro v. JBC, et al. (G.R. No. 191002, March 17, 2010). Second, Section 6, EO 2 states that “This executive order shall take effect immediately.” The word “shall” is a command, as opposed to “may,” the latter of which vests discretion on the public official concerned. There can be no other interpretation as regards the import of Section 6..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100820com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL SDO, root of all problems FRONTLINE Irony focus A year later, freed Lockerbie bomber lives in seclusion NO HOLDS BARRED The way the cookie crumbles DIE HARD III The money masters’ subversion of the peso FEATURE Africa’s ambitious return of ancient rice LETTER Clarification