Legitimizing bribery and corruption EDITORIAL 07/20/2011

Legitimizing bribery and corruption

EDITORIAL

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07/20/2011
It started with the Noynoy administration’s bid to demonize the bishops through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)’s leak to a broadsheet on the “Pajero bishops,” little realizing that the whole shebang would boomerang on them.

Not only were they red-faced after the bishops attended the Senate hearing and aired their side, since there was neither illegality nor unconstitutionality about the requests and receipts of several utility vehicles, but also that the current PCSO officials are now being placed on the carpet.

It will be recalled that the PCSO officials, their spin doctor and Malacañang too, made it appear that the former President, Gloria Arroyo, bribed the bishops with the “Pajeros” in exchange for their support..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com1.html

Useless fact-finding body FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/20/2011

Useless fact-finding body

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

07/20/2011
Chiz Escudero yesterday filed a joint resolution in the Senate for the two Houses of Congress to call for the creation of a fact-finding commission to determine the real winner in the 2004 presidential race.

But creating a fact-finding commission to determine the real winner in the 2004 presidential race is going to be a waste of time and taxpayers’ money, mainly because if the body’s intent is to determine the real winner, this body will have to go through a recount — which means counting the ballots cast in 2004 nationwide, since this is the only way by which a winner of the race can be determined..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com2.html

And now a word from Bishop Soc C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 07/20/2011

And now a word from Bishop Soc

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S

Jonathan De la Cruz

07/20/2011
\"Leadership without vision is treachery to the governed. Integral leadership also means setting the path toward the future.” Thus intoned youthful Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas, the incoming Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a speech he delivered before members and officials of the Rotary Clubs of Pangasinan last week. Coming from any other bishop immediately after the recent “Pajero Bishops” controversy such pointed reminder would have been easily dismissed by the Palace guys as par for the course in the same manner that they casually shrugged off retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano’s advisory on the “state of governance.” But it did not come from just anybody. It was uttered by someone considered one of the closest prelates to the Aquino family..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com4.html

‘Air-conditioned clothes’ help Japan beat heat FEATURE 07/20/2011

‘Air-conditioned clothes’ help Japan beat heat

FEATURE

07/20/2011
TODA — As jackets go it looks far from fashionable, but its Japanese maker cannot meet sky-rocketing demand for “air conditioned” coats with built-in fans.

Kuchofuku Co. Ltd — whose name literally means “air-conditioned clothing” — has seen orders soar amid power shortages in Japan after the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

As parts of the nation sweat out an uncomfortable summer shackled by restrictions on electricity use, demand has grown for goods that provide guilt-free respite from the unrelenting summer heat.

Two electric fans in the jacket can be controlled to draw air in at different speeds, giving the garment a puffed-up look. But this has not deterred those happy to be cool rather than “hot” when it comes to fashion..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110720com5.html

Mariano backpedals, claims he’s misquoted By Mario J. Mallari and Benjamin B. Pulta 07/20/2011

DOJ WRITES JAGO TO SUE FOR SEDITION

Mariano backpedals, claims he’s misquoted

By Mario J. Mallari and Benjamin B. Pulta 07/20/2011

Facebook rebel retired Marine Col. Generoso Mariano denied links with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, as insinuated by Malacañang, or to any other politicians in his message calling for a change in government but seems to be now opting out as he claimed he was taken out of context in his video clip that went viral in a social networking site.
Through fellow Marine officer, retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Mariano also welcomed an ongoing investigation against him by the Navy leadership following the cropping up of the video last Friday.
“On reports that I am a puppet of GMA (Arroyo’s initials), Bert Gonzales, politicians, etc., that’s totally untrue and figment of imagination. God bless us as a people and as a nation,” Mariano said in a text message sent to Querubin.
“OK for investigators to do what they want especially with my link with GMA or any other politicians. I hope and pray that they ferret out the truth ASAP (as soon as possible). I am alone in this,” Mariano added.
.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110720hed1.html

Military abuses flourish under Noynoy — HRW 07/20/2011

Military abuses flourish under Noynoy — HRW

07/20/2011
President Aquino has failed to curb extra-judicial killings and other human rights abuses by the military during his first year in office, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

While Aquino’s adminis-tration appears more willing to tackle the problem than previous governments, soldiers are still getting away with the unlawful targeting of mainly leftist activists, the New York-based monitor said.

“There is a continued pattern of extra-judicial killings of leftist activists,” HRW’s deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson said in Manila as she released a 98-page report on alleged rights abuses by the Philippine military.

“Despite several strong statements... what we’ve seen is that in many ways, the pattern remains the same.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110720hed5.html

House leaders give Aquino high marks in office By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2011

House leaders give Aquino high marks in office

By Gerry Baldo 07/20/2011

Administration allies in the House of Representatives yesterday gave President Aquino high marks for his performance during his first year in office.

According to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, the overall performance of the President was very good and that the President has set the tone for regaining the people’s trust in government.

During yesterday’s Ugnayan sa Batasan news forum, Belmonte credited the good business outlook of the country this year to the reforms being instituted by President Aquino.

He said that in a scale of one to 10, he would out the president’s rating at eight..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat3.html

Palparan dares accusers to show proof on coeds abduction 07/20/2011

Palparan dares accusers to show proof on coeds abduction

07/20/2011
Former Rep. and retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan reiterated before prosecutors yesterday his claim of innocence in the abduction five years ago of two female activists.

In a nine-page counter-affidavit, Palparan dared his accusers to show proof that played a part in the abduction and torture of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño.

Palparan asked the panel of investigators to dismiss charges of arbitrary detention, serious physical injuries, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion and rape filed by mothers of the two missing activists.

“There is nothing in the complaint that substantiates my alleged direct participation and other involvement. I strongly deny all of them to be shotgun and exaggerated accusations without factual bases,” he argued..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat4.html

DILG won’t issue suspension order against Duterte By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/20/2011

DILG won’t issue suspension order against Duterte

By Gina Peralta-Elorde 07/20/2011

Despite the probable cause found in the “punching incident” involving Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, no suspension yet will be issued against her, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said.

According to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, the DILG fact-finding committee — tasked to conduct probe into the case of Mayor Duterte of punching a court Sheriff during a demolition on July 1 — the mayor has committed an administrative offense.

In an 18-page report, the DILG yesterday morning submitted to President Aquino the recommendation to file charges against Duterte as she was found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a public official.”

Two weeks ago, the DILG sent two lawyers to conduct special investigation into the incident. The report noted that Duterte committed an offense when he repeatedly punched Court Sheriff Abe Andres on the face and on the head..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110720nat2.html

Suspended Echiverri refuses to step down from post By Arlie O. Calalo 07/20/2011

Suspended Echiverri refuses to step down from post

By Arlie O. Calalo 07/20/2011

Showing documents to prove that his administration has not been remiss in remitting the employees’ contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri yesterday said he would fight for his rights and those of residents by not stepping down from his post.

Last Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered a six-month preventive suspension for a case of grave misconduct against Echiverri, City Treasurer Evelina Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia and City Accountant Edna Centeno for their alleged failure to pay some P38 million in city hall workers’ GSIS contributions.

“I will not step down for I will fight for my rights as well as those of the Caloocan residents who voted for me because it is clear that I am just the innocent victim of some greedy politicians coveting a position,” Echiverri said at press conference held yesterday at the City Hall Complex..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110720met1.html

Soldier accused of kidnapping two UP students died last year — AFP 07/20/2011

Soldier accused of kidnapping two UP students died last year — AFP

07/20/2011
One of the accused soldiers in the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006 died last year, the military said yesterday.

Military Human Rights Office (HRO) chief Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said M/Sgt. Donald Caigas passed away last year due to sickness.

Tutaan said a certification of Caigas death will be presented by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel or J1 during the next hearing at the Department of Justice.

According to Tutaan, it is now up to the court to act on the death of Caigas regarding the case..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110720met4.html

Moronic logic EDITORIAL 07/19/2011

Moronic logic

EDITORIAL

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07/19/2011
Proof that Noynoy and his mouthpieces accuse without evidence and without as much as a background check on a issue but load this with sarcasm, was much too evident in the way they handled the Marine colonel’s conditional call for a change of the Aquino government.

Noynoy’s mouthpiece Abigail Valte intimated that the brains behind the Marine official’s ouster call is former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.

As she was quoted in reports, Valte, the resident Lady Gaga in Malacañang, sarcastically said that Col. Generoso Mariano “can start working full time for Rep. (Gloria) Arroyo after he retires, but not while he is still in active duty.”

What basis does Valte have in saying that Mariano can start working full time for Gloria? None, but this administration appears to think that it can accuse anyone without any evidence..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com1.html

More trial and conviction by publicity FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 07/19/2011

More trial and conviction by publicity

FRONTLINE

Ninez Cacho-Olivares

07/19/2011
Almost everyone knows there was cheating during the 2004 presidential elections. Most everyone also knows that there was cheating during the 2007 elections. So was there cheating during the 2010 presidential elections.

Heck, even during the 2001 polls, there certainly was fraud, to ensure the loss of the then opposition led by Erap Estrada.

For that matter, electoral fraud had been committed long, long before, whether during Marcos’ time, Cory Aquino’s time (remember her then high-tech fraud in 1987 where there was that attempt to block out all the then opposition senatorial bets? Then too, there certainly was cheating in the 1992 presidential elections—and always with the cooperation of Namfrel.

Recall that the election 1992 “quick count” took so long to determine just who won the presidency and recall too, that the Cory Comelec relied solely on the “media count” where the Namfrel officials were working in the background, doing their usual dark play..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com2.html

Noah’s ‘real-life’ ark takes shape on Dutch river FEATURE 07/19/2011

Noah’s ‘real-life’ ark takes shape on Dutch river

FEATURE

07/19/2011
DORDRECHT — For three years, the quaint old city of Dordrecht has watched in amazement as a local businessman’s dream of building a real-life Noah’s ark, stocked with thousands of plastic animals, became a reality.

The enormous vessel stands at an abandoned quay on the Merwede River, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Amsterdam. Here, Johan Huibers, 52, and a team of 50 dedicated employees put the final touches to what they believe is the only life-size wooden ark in existence.

“We want to tell people about God,” the deeply religious Dutchman told AFP when asked why he undertook the project. “We wanted to build something that can help explain the Bible in real terms.”

The plan is to open what Huibers, who is in construction, calls “a Bible museum” by the end of the year, but he will allow local residents in on a one-day sneak preview later this month..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com3.html

Freedom to know AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 07/19/2011

Freedom to know

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW

Ken Fuller

07/19/2011
Aecent events in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia give the distinct impression that commitment to freedom of assembly, expression and association, and to even the most banal norms of liberal democracy, are less firmly entrenched in the region than its leaders might claim.

In Singapore, British author Alan Shadrake (knowing neither him nor his writings, I have no interest to declare) was deported following five weeks in prison. His “crime” was contempt of court, having published a book critical of the city-state’s policy on executions.

In Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra’s Puea Thai Party inflicted heavy defeat upon the Democrats. The former enjoys the support of the rural and urban poor, while the latter represents the interests of the well-heeled sections of society.

Rather than accepting their defeat with good grace, the Democrats have asked the Electoral Commission to dissolve Shinawatra’s party on the grounds that “banned” politicians were involved in its successful campaign. Should this move be successful, it will be the third time that a Shinawatra party has been dissolved..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com4.html

Boomerang VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 07/19/2011

Boomerang

VIEWPOINTS

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz

07/19/2011
In its common understanding, a boomerang is a hard material which, when thrown away, makes the round and goes back to the thrower. And in its ordinary implication, a boomerang means something that backfires, that returns and causes a backlash. It is the same as spitting at heaven. The sputum simply falls back at the spatter.

This is exactly the picture and the reality when Malacañang and its cohorts recently attempted to undermine the CBCP that is their headache by strongly countering their amoral options and sinister designs. They want the CBCP to play blind, deaf and dumb about their corporate distorted and well funded legislative agenda.

The Sex Bill. The Divorce Bill. The same Sex Marriage Bill. Instead of dignifying human sexuality, they want it seen as but meat in the market. Instead of promoting and protecting the sanctity of families, they want these undermined, desecrated and eventually destroyed. And, instead of respecting natural law about men and women, they want this futilely abrogated..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com5.html

For real or for reel INSIDE CONGRESS Charlie Manalo 07/19/2011

For real or for reel

INSIDE CONGRESS

Charlie Manalo

07/19/2011
While Retired Col. Generoso Mariano display of bravado in “speaking out his mind” and calling for the overthrow of an incompetent Benigno Aquino administration is highly laudable, considering that he comes from within the military establishment from which Noy counts his support, it requires a comprehensive scrutiny before Mariano could even be counted as an addition to the ever-growing numbers of the disgruntled and discontented Filipinos on the Aquino regime.

For one, Mariano’s script contains so many loopholes which would make his call for Aquino’s overthrow too good to be true. Why did he come out when he was just a few days from retiring? Why did he leak his own video footage calling for the President’s ouster to the media when he is quite aware he will be held accountable for his actions?

And why wasn’t Mariano sanctioned for his actions? For openly calling for the overthrow of his Commander-in-Chief, all he got was a pat on the back, recalled to his barracks, relieved of his post which he was about to relinquish in just a matter of days. He wasn’t even charged..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com6.html

Filipinos fly flag in South China Sea focus 07/19/2011

Filipinos fly flag in South China Sea

focus

07/19/2011
PUERTO PRINCESA — For the few dozen Filipinos living on a remote speck of land in the South China Sea, each day is a battle against loneliness but also a love affair with nature.

Contact with the outside world is limited and comforts are few for the residents of “Freedom” town, which exists mainly to raise the Philippine flag and fend off the other claimants to the Spratly islands.

“People here just play billiards, ping-pong. We have no markets and no malls. You need a special mindset to stay here,” said Eugenio Bito-onon, 55, mayor of the town of Kalayaan, the Filipino word for freedom.

Bito-onon, who initially went to Kalayaan in 1997 to work as a town planner, said he learned to cope by playing guitar, watching videos and simply walking around the small islands surrounded by the purest blue ocean waters..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110719com7.html

FVR brokered PCSO lotto deal, says Morato By Angie M. Rosales 07/19/2011

FVR brokered PCSO lotto deal, says Morato

By Angie M. Rosales 07/19/2011
By Angie M. Rosales
The web of corruption spun from the lucrative lotto operations of the state-owned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has dragged the name of another former president, aside from former President Gloria Arroyo, with an alleged overpriced supply contract entered into by the agency having been supposedly brokered by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

This was revealed to Senate probers yesterday who learned that the overprice for the supply deal may have cost the government P13 billion.

Former PCSO general manager and director Manuel Morato admitted before the Senate blue ribbon committee that two losing bidders for the supply of lotto equipment, the contract for which was bagged by a Filipino-Malaysian firm, was eventually allowed to gain PCSO supply contracts by Ramos.

“I was told by (then) President Ramos to give to the losing bidder the contract for Visayas and Mindanao and the winning bidder, PGMC, be made to concentrate in Luzon only so (that the government will) not be accused of monopoly in the Philippines,” said Morato, adding that it was made through a request..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110719hed6.html

AFP probes Marine’s link to Gloria By Mario J. Mallari 07/19/2011

AFTER NOY’S CHARGE OF GMA AS BRAINS BEHIND OUSTER CALL

AFP probes Marine’s link to Gloria

By Mario J. Mallari 07/19/2011

With President Aquino’s spokesman accusing former President, Rep Gloria Arroyo of being behind the call for a change of government from a Marine colonel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now looking into the possible link of Col. Generoso Mariano to the camp of Arroyo as among the angles in the ongoing investigation against the Marine officer who called for a change of government.

At a press briefing, AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said the ongoing investigation on Mariano, who officially retired from the active service last Sunday, is open to all possible motives.

“That (possible link between Mariano and Arroyo’s camp), we still have to find out because that is the reason we are expediting this investigation. There are a lot of speculations coming from so many people,” said Rodriguez.
As of now, however, Rodriguez said the military has yet to establish any evidence to support the links between Mariano and the camp of the former commander in chief..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110719hed1.html