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#3677 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:11 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: 'Noynoying' shames its perpetrators, not P-Noy
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita   
 
Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

                  "From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED  

‘Noynoying’ shames its perpetrators, not P-Noy

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine STAR

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE) offered President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy) unsolicited advice last Sunday, saying that P-Noy shouldn’t be bothered by the recent “Noynoying” gimmick of the militants branding the president as lazy and clueless.

JPE said in Filipino over DZBB: “I have gone through that in past years. There are groups that have nothing better to do than engage in name-calling. Yet if you put them in posts of responsibility, they are not likely to produce results.”

JPE recounted how he too had been called several names especially during the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship where he served as defense minister. Enrile narrated how he had been labeled as a “matador” (butcher), “diktador” (dictator) and “Martial Law administrator.”

JPE is right – it’s not worth P-Noy’s time to bother with inanities like this latest Leftist noynoying gimmick. If P-Noy gives this gimmick a response, it might become counterproductive. Presidential response will give it a semblance of hitting a sensitive nerve, thereby inviting more public attention. Noynoying is absolutely baseless, if not outright insulting to a head of State, and doesn’t deserve presidential rebuttal [...]

Read the full story >>   ‘Noynoying’ shames its perpetrators, not P-Noy


ALSO IN THE NEWS      

Noynoying

SKETCHES
By Ana Marie Pamintuan
The Philippine Star

During his presidency when insults were heaped on everything from his English proficiency to his ’60s pompadour and his late-night (till early morning) carousing, Joseph Estrada said he heeded an advice to ignore the carping.

“Ang napipikon, talo,” Estrada famously said in April 2000, attributing the advice to El Shaddai spiritual leader Mike Velarde.

The one who gets peeved, loses: it’s an advice that the incumbent Chief Executive would do well to heed.

Erap, for all his formidable natural charm and infectious sense of humor, was only human; he could also be pikon, and onion-skinned about criticism. He was known to be particularly sensitive to comments about his women [...]

Read the full story >>   Noynoying

**************************

It’s time for Corona to face the music

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz


Attempts by Chief Justice Renato Corona’s defense lawyers to present witnesses and evidence to prove that Corona has other sources of income backfired and only solidified the prosecution’s case against him.  Indeed, after failing to convince the senator-judges after six days of testimonies by witnesses and disclosure of evidence, there is a consensus among the senator-judges that only Corona could explain the discrepancies in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).  But taking the witness stand would only expose him to questions that he might not be able to satisfactorily explain.

Last March 19 – Day 31 of the impeachment trial – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that if the House prosecutors could show “intent to commit dishonesty,” then they have won their case.  On the other hand, she said that if the defense panel could show that Corona had acted in good faith and declared all deposits — both peso and dollar – in his SALNs, then he would be  [...]

Read the full story >>  It’s time for Corona to face the music

************************** 
 

I Beg Your Pardon

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano

First, to former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas who said that the impeachment trial is not intended for the Filipino people. I must assume that he just did not have enough time or energy to say that the impeachment trial is intended for the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

Second, to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who said that surveys caused the crucifixion of Jesus Christ who, after so many centuries, is still worshiped.

Third, to Senator Gringo Honasan who said that the senators will not be influenced by surveys by will judge individually and collectively.

I beg your pardon.

The impeachment trial is by the will of the people, not by the choice of Serafin Cuevas, not by the choice of  [...]

Read the full story >>    I Beg Your Pardon

************************** 

Great job by LRA’s Diaz

BY ELLEN TORDESILLAS
MALAYA

To those who follow the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, Eulalio Diaz III, a classmate of President Aquino whom he appointed administrator of the Land Transportation Administration, bungled his job, big time, in releasing a list of 45 properties credited to Corona.

But if you look at it from the point of view of the Aquino administration’s crusade against Corona and his benefactor, Gloria Arroyo, Diaz did a great job.

Imagine, with a phone call from Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupaz, head of the prosecution panel, he produced the list as his Jan 10, 2012 letter to Tupaz indicated: “Pursuant to your official request for the information relative to real estate properties registered in the name of Renato Corona et al, please find enclosed herewith certified true copies of titles registered in their names.”

Diaz related that he employed a “name search” in the LRA data base. He said that it was not Renato Corona’s name that he punched in. He also searched for real estate with the name of Cristina Roco Corona, Francis Vincent Corona, Charina Corona, Maria Carla Corona Castillo and Constantino Castillo III [...]

Read the full story >>   Great job by LRA’s Diaz

**************************

Day 34 of Corona trial: How BGEI lot was sold to Manila

By Cathy Yamsuan, Cynthia D. Balana, TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The capital gains tax and the value-added tax had not yet been paid 11 years after the sale of the Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI) property between Cristina Corona, wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona, and the Manila city government.

The title is also still in Cristina Corona’s name.

This was pointed out by Senator Franklin Drilon to former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, a witness for the defense, on the 34th day of the impeachment trial of Corona.

The lead defense counsel, Serafin Cuevas, later pointed out that no capital gains tax may be levied on the property.

BGEI certification

The certificate from the corporate secretary of BGEI did not say that Cristina Corona was authorized to receive the P34.7-million payment for the sale of the company’s property,  Atienza said Thursday [...]

Read the full story >>  Day 34 of Corona trial: How BGEI lot was sold to Manila

**************************  

The litigious Mrs. Corona

By Marites Dañguilan-Vitug
Rappler

Marites Vitug
Marites Vitug


Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas has confidently told reporters that Cristina Corona, wife of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, would testify before the Senate. So far, this hasn’t happened and it looks like the idea, like soufflé, has slowly collapsed.

Perhaps, Cuevas’s initial burst of enthusiasm came from the fact that Cristina has many years of experience as a witness in various court cases which she filed versus her uncles and aunts to gain control of Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI), the family corporation.

For over 2 decades, she has lived the life of a litigant, appearing to be comfortable in courts, and more importantly, winning almost all of her cases.

Since the late 1980s, she has filed the following [...]

Read the full story >>    The litigious Mrs. Corona

**************************

Corona approval score dips to 14% in latest poll

By Inquirer Research, Kate Pedroso, Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Chief Justice Renato Corona
PHOTO BY RICHARD REYES

The majority of Filipinos not only disapprove of the performance of Chief Justice Renato Corona but also distrust him, results of the latest survey by Pulse Asia Inc. show.

Corona’s disapproval rating rose to 58 percent in March from 24 percent last November as his approval rating slipped to 14 percent from 38 percent.

The survey was conducted from Feb. 26 to Mar. 9 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult Filipinos, at a time when the impeachment trial against the Chief Justice filled the headlines. The opinion poll had a margin of error of plus-minus 3 percentage points.

As expected, the defense panel belittled the Pulse Asia survey, with Corona’s lead defense counsel dismissing the results as “very unreliable.”

Serafin Cuevas, the head of Corona’s legal team, surmised that the respondents of the survey may have little understanding of the issues being discussed in the Senate impeachment trial [...]

Read the full story >>   Corona approval score dips to 14% in latest poll

**************************

FASAP slams SC

By Sheila Crisostomo
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) yesterday criticized the Supreme Court (SC) for upholding its ruling that recalled an earlier decision declaring as illegal the retrenchment of over 1,400 flight attendants of Philippine Airlines (PAL).

In a statement, FASAP president Bob Anduiza said the SC had “hijacked justice for the 1,400 victims of PAL’s illegal retrenchment.” “This ruling serves more of a cover-up of the justices’ tracks in suddenly recalling the Sept. 7, 2011 decision last Oct. 4. This latest ruling attempts to justify the meddling of CJ (Chief Justice Renato) Corona despite his assertion that he did not participate in this case, all at the expense of justice for the 1,400 flight attendants,” he said.

Anduiza added the high tribunal was supposed to have ruled on the case with finality.

With the recall, he said the case has again been re-opened “and it sets us up for tragedy [...]

Read the full story >>   FASAP slams SC

**************************
 

The Clowns of GOP’s … and the Mormon

A Cup O’ Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose

He speaks from the gut, they said. 

He’s got a lot of gut alright.  Lotsa gut.  Big protruding gut.  Big belly.  Fat belly.  Rolly polly.  Would you want a president that’s a rolly polly?  Not only is his belly that’s fat about him.  He’s also got a fat ego.  Y’all know who I am talking about, right?  Yeah, Newt, the Grinch, I mean Newt Gringrich, the disgraced and despicable Speaker of the House, during the time of President Bill Clinton, and who STOLE the “halo” of Bill.

In an interview with America’s elite media, Newt’s second wife, Marianne, revealed that Newt had asked her for an “open marriage,” when he was having an affair with a young House aide, named Calista Bisek, who later became Newt’s wife.  And that according to Marianne, the shagging of Calista even took place in the bedroom of their apartment in Washington, DC.  Can you imagine that?  Shagging your mistress in the bedroom that you share with your wife? [...]

Read the full story >>   The Clowns of GOP’s … and the Mormon


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news and updates.
 

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

 
END

#3678 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:56 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Corona, money laundering
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Corona, money laundering

By Elfren Sicangco Cruz
BusinessWorld

Money laundering has aroused interest because of the impeachment trial of CJ Corona and, coincidentally, the threat of an international financial blacklisting if the Philippines does not enact into law amendments to its Anti-Money Laundering Act to suit international standards.

There is an observation that the Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Law is severely restrictive and not compliant with international standards and best practices, otherwise Chief Justice Renato Corona would be in deep you know what.

This observation is obviously referring to the impeachment trial of CJ Corona and the prosecutions request that his alleged dollar accounts in the Philippine Savings Bank be opened for public scrutiny. The allegation is that since Coronas official Statement of Assets and Liabilities did not include any dollar deposits, then there is basis for assuming he misrepresented his SALN.

The public is aware that the Philippine Savings Bank refused to disclose the dollar accounts citing a bank secrecy law for foreign currency deposits. The Philippine Supreme Court then issued a TRO on the Senates order to PSBank to reveal the contents of the Corona secret dollar account. The senator-judges decided to comply with the Supreme Court decision by a vote of 13 senators in favor of not opening the secret dollar accounts and 10 in favor of requiring the PSBank to open the dollar accounts [...]

Read the full story >> Corona, money laundering


ALSO IN THE NEWS

CJ told: Open dollar deposits, take leave, testify

By Ina Reformina
ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines A church-based network of religious leaders, priests, seminarians and lay individuals laid down 3 challenges to Chief Justice Renato Corona regarding his ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate.

Representatives of the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, a church-based network of religious leaders, priests, seminarians and lay individuals, went to the Supreme Court (SC) this morning to deliver a letter addressed to Chief Justice Renato Corona in connection with his ongoing impeachment trial.

The group raised 3 main points in their 2-page letter: 1) a call for opening of Coronas foreign bank accounts before the Senate Impeachment Court where the Chief Magistrate is being tried; 2) a call for Corona to take a leave of absence until a verdict is handed down by the Impeachment Court; and 3) a call for the Chief Justice to testify in his own defense.

[W]e respectfully call on you to voluntarily open and make public the contents of your foreign currency deposit accounts [w]e believe that the due time has come for this, given that the peoples search for the truth has taken sharper focus on your SALNs and bank records, the letter read [...]

Read the full story >> CJ told: Open dollar deposits, take leave, testify

**************************

Coronas approval rating dips further in latest Pulse Asia survey

By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, PhilippinesAmid his ongoing trial at the Senate impeachment court, Chief Justice Renato Corona got a high disapproval rating compared with other top national officials, results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showed Thursday.

The nationwide poll, titled Performance and Trust Ratings of Top Officials of the Philippine Government, Congress and the Supreme Court, was conducted between February 26 and March 9, 2012, and had 1,200 respondents aged 18 years and above. The survey had a 3% error margin at the 95% confidence level and used face-to-face interviews.

According to the poll, Corona registered a disapproval rating of 58 percent while only 14 percent had a positive opinion of the Chief Justices performance. Meanwhile, 26 percent of the respondents were uncertain over the matter.

Likewise, the poll showed that Corona had only 11 percent trust rating while 60 percent of the respondents expressed distrust of the Chief Justice [...]

Read the full story >> Coronas approval rating dips further in latest Pulse Asia survey

**************************

Doing nothing about doing nothing

Vantage Point
By Luis V. Teodoro
BusinessWorld

You know what they say about protesting too much, but thats what the Aquino government has been doing since student activists coined the term Noynoying to mean not doing anything despite the need to do something.

Malacaang has mobilized its huge stable of photo- and videographers to disprove the suspicion thats rapidly morphing into a conclusion, and already widespread long before the youth group Anak Bayan coined the term, that Benigno Aquino III is more preoccupied with dating rather than assessing typhoon damage, or with sampling Manila night life rather than defusing a hostage crisis and very recently, with sleeping till 11 a.m. after a night of carousing rather than looking into how his government can relieve Filipinos from the inflationary impact of the oil companies jacking up pump prices.

The photos and the videos show Aquino scanning important-looking documents, holding meetings, inspecting project sites, and in one instance, lugging around a big pile of documents, despite his having aides to do that for him. Aquino has also been photographed with his most-favored constituencies some say his real bosses the police and the military, whose affairs [...]

Read the full story >> Doing nothing about doing nothing

**************************

Wikipedia users divided on Noynoying article

By Ivy Jean Vibar
ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines Despite President Benigno Aquino IIIs dismissal of Noynoying as an act of people who refuse to see the good things that the current administration is doing, local activists version of owling and planking is threatening to become a household word.

Noynoying has been used by activists during protest movements to demonstrate Aquino and the governments lack of action on issues they say should merit immediate attention. In demonstrating Aquinos alleged laziness, people lie on the ground, lean on objects, or pretend to sleep.

Aside from trending on microblogging site Twitter and having about 3,685 likes on Facebook as of posting time, Noynoying now has an entry in the user-managed free online encyclopedia Wikipedia. However, the article is currently tagged for possible deletion in accordance with the sites deletion policy.

Stating that Noynoying is merely a meme that may not be anything more than a one-time event, Wikipedia users say the article should have been deleted yesterday or may be better off in UrbanDictionary or KnowYourMeme, user-managed sites which document memes and slang words [...]

Read the full story >> Wikipedia users divided on Noynoying article

**************************

Social media activism

Power Point
By Elizabeth Angsioco

Manila Standard Today

I consider myself technology-challenged. Some friends say that I am averse to technology. I resisted computers. It took me many years before I could write directly on one. Until now, I have yet to maximize computers and the Internet. But I have since conceded that age is not a hindrance to learn at least some new ways to communicate.

Social media, specifically Facebook and Twitter, have emerged as potent platforms in advancing meaningful social change. Social media has become the citizens forum and a melting pot of ideas.

It took me sometime before I entered Facebook. At first, it was just a convenient depository of pictures others take of me (because I dont). Then I realized it can be an effective way of doing my advocacy for the reproductive health bill. And the rest is history.

I now use Twitter more than Facebook, and largely still, for my advocacies.

Many millions are in social media. Some even say that the Philippines is the social media capital of the world. Political [...]

Read the full story >> Social media activism

**************************

Pinoy drug convict on death row in China gets 2-year reprieve

Source: GMA News

(UPDATED 8:00 p.m.) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipino who was sentenced to death in China earlier this month was given a two-year reprieve but his fellow drug convict, a Filipina, was not.

In a statement issued on Friday, the DFA said the two Filipinos were sentenced to death by the Hangzhou Peoples intermediate court.

The defendants were caught at the Hangzhou International Airport last Janauary 25, 2011 with about 12 kilograms of heroin, the DFA said.

The drug convicts entered China from Dubai via Hong Kong.

The DFA said the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai will assist them in their appeal before a higher tribunal.

The two were given legal assistance throughout their trial. Their next of kin have also written letters of appeal that will be sent to Chinese authorities, the DFA added [...]

Read the full story >> Pinoy drug convict on death row in China gets 2-year reprieve

**************************

More US troops welcomeAquino

By Karl Malakunas
Philippine Daily Inquirer



President Benigno Aquino III said on Wednesday more US troops would be welcome to rotate through the country, but ruled out permanent bases.

Mr. Aquino told Agence France Presse in an interview that talks were under way for the longtime allies to hold more military training exercises in the Philippines, as well as increase the number of times that US navy ships visited.

We are talking with them. We will have more of the same, is what I am trying to say, Mr. Aquino said, referring to a longstanding partnership that sees regular joint exercises and US port calls in the Philippines.

Their ships can come and call on us, can be replenished, but our Constitution will not allow any permanent berthing here in any form.

There might be increases in terms of personnel, but it will have to be very clear on when they come in and go out. They cannot be here permanently.

The negotiations come while the United States is expanding its military presence in the Asia Pacific as a counterweight [...]

Read the full story >> More US troops welcomeAquino

**************************

Pacquiao: God told me to retire but not yet

By Peter Shadbolt
CNN

Pacquiao's team says the Filipino boxer is unlikely to retire this year or next

(CNN) Like St. Augustines prayer God make me chaste but not yet, Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiaos personal conversation with God may not lead to his retirement anytime soon.

Pacquiao said in a radio interview on Monday he had a dream in which God had told him to hang up his gloves, fueling speculation he may back out of a long-anticipated fight with American Floyd Mayweather.

I will not stay long in boxing because He said: You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful, he told Manilas DZMM radio.

However, his team say retirement is still a long way off.

A few years ago the pressure for him to retire was coming from his mother, Pacquiaos business manager Eric Pineda told CNN. But recently he dreamt that God told him to retire but theres nothing definite about his retirement either this year or [...]

Read the full story >> Pacquiao: God told me to retire but not yet

**************************

Kudeta, di na uso

Pagtanaw at Pananaw
Ni Bert de Guzman

May mga report na dalawang dating Heneral na malapit kay dating Pangulong Arroyo ang nasa likod ng destabilization plot laban kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. Sino kaya sila? May ideya kaya rito si Bing Formento, bagong halal na pangulo ng Defense Press Corps of the Philippines?

Hindi na uso ang kudeta sa Pilipinas, hindi na rin uso ang Edsa revolt matapos maranasan ng mga Pinoy ang Edsa I at Edsa II na wala namang naibigay na pagbabago sa buhay ng mga mamamayan. Patuloy ang kahirapan, kagutuman, kawalang-trabaho habang ang mga mambabatas ay pagalingan nang pagalingan sa pagtatalumpati sa English at habol nang habol sa kanilang [...]

Read the full story >> Kudeta, di na uso


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3679 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:57 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: EXPLOSIVE! Does Renato C. Corona have a clone living in the US?
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

EXPLOSIVE!

Does Renato C. Corona have a clone living in the US?

The author here is asking for help to clarify questions and to be fair to all concerned. Perhaps, some of you can help.

http://raissarobles.com/2012/03/24/does-renato-c-corona-have-a-clone-living-in-the-us/

March 24, 2012

A Plaza Miranda exclusive

By Rassa Robles

Im asking this question because a certain Renato C. Corona is linked to addresses in Tampa, Florida and Mountain View, California byUSpublic records.
Take for instance this address in Tampa -
Corona-data-1
This is the property -
Corona-data-Florida-Bayshor

Read the full story >> Does Renato C. Corona have a clone living in the US?


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Prosecution to check Corona US properties

Source: Sun Star Manila

MANILA The prosecution admitted Saturday that a journalist blog post stating that a certain Renato C. Corona owns properties in the United States is highly suspicious, but will first verify it.

Raissa Robles, in her blog post, said a document obtained by Yvonne from US public records showed a Renato C. Corona owned properties in Tampa, Florida and Mountain View, California.

You might say there are many Renato Coronas in the world. You would probably be right. Theres a long list of them in California alone. But how many Renato Coronas in the world have C as their middle initial; are 63 years old; was born in October 1948; and have relatives named Cristina, Carla, Francis and Charina? These are the same names mentioned in the documents obtained by Yvonnefrom US public records, Robles said in her post.

Deputy Majority Leader Romero Frederico Miro Quimbo, prosecution panel spokesperson, however, said, We are checking. The article does reveal highly suspect activities but we have to check [...]

Read the full story >> Prosecution to check Corona US properties

**************************

Are Senator-Judges telling CJ Rene Corona to testify or lose?

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

Two separate surveys conducted by professional survey firms Pulse Asia and Stratpolls showed remarkably low public perception that embattled Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona is innocent of the charges against him in the Senate impeachment trial. The Pulse Asia nationwide poll was conducted from February 26 to March 9 while the latest available Stratpolls tracking was conducted only in the NCR (National Capital Region) from February 20 to 23.

Per the Pulse Asia survey that was released last Tuesday, 47 percent saw CJ Corona as GUILTY, 43 percent cannot yet decide either way at the moment but only 5 percent saw the CJ as INNOCENT. Per the Stratpolls February 20 to 23 tracking, an average of around 65 percent saw the CJ as GUILTY, while only 7 percent saw him as INNOCENT. There were 23 percent still undecided in the Stratpolls survey.

There could be a glimmer of hope for the CJ in the Stratpolls survey where his INNOCENT rating rose from a low of 5 percent to its February 23 rating of 11 percent. In the Stratpolls survey, the undecided expanded from 17 percent in February 20 to 32 percent on February 23. In the same survey, GUILTY perception diminished from 78 percent on February 20 to 57 percent on February 23. In the Pulse Asia NCR component of their nationwide survey, the CJ rated 4 percent as INNOCENT, 45 percent as undecided and 50 percent as GUILTY [...]

Read the full story >> Are Senator-Judges telling CJ Rene Corona to testify or lose?

**************************

Corona trial suspended with hanging question: Where did P34M go?

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, PhilippinesThe Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, suspended its trial on Thursday for a month long break with senators still clueless where the P34 million payment for a property sold by a corporation owned by the family of Chief Justice Renato Coronas wife went.

The defense team presented former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza to prove that Coronas wife, Cristina, was authorized by the Basa-Guidote Enterprise Inc. (BGEI) to negotiate the sale of the property.

The property, located in Sampaloc, Manila, was sold at P34,703,800 on June 5, 2001 to Mrs. Corona in trust for the corporation.

After few hours in the testimony, however, Senator Joker Arroyo stood up and asked the relevance of the transaction in the ongoing impeachment case against Corona.

Prosecution chief and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. explained that the issue falls under Article 2 of the impeachment complaint, which alleges Coronas failure to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) [...]

Read the full story >> Corona trial suspended with hanging question: Where did P34M go?

**************************

Cuevas goes ballistic over Corona bank accounts

By Jojo Malig
ABS-CBNNews.com

Corona dollar accounts in trust for kids?

MANILA, Philippines Lead defense lawyer Serafin Cuevas blew his top in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday amid questions by Senator-judge Ralph Recto on Coronas bank accounts.

He accused Recto of looking only at the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Cuevas also objected to what he felt was Rectos alleged bias in favor of the prosecution.

You are making a summation of facts solely on the basis in favor of one party. There is no evidence yet on our part. The only concept you have is the concept coming from the prosecution. Very unfair, he said.

Recto raised the issue of the bank accounts that the Chief Justice did not declare in his annual Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALNs) following the testimony of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on the sale of a piece of land of a company belonging to Mrs. Cristina Coronas family [...]

Read the full story >> Cuevas goes ballistic over Corona bank accounts

**************************

COA joins fray in Corona trial

Auditors disallow P34-M purchase of lot by city of Manila

By Cynthia D. Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Eleven years after the fact?

The Commission on Audit (COA) has disallowed the P34.7-million payment that the city government of Manila paid in 2001 to Cristina Corona, the wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona, for a lot in Sampaloc, Manila, citing among other grounds, overpricing and failure to submit some requirements, documents obtained by the Inquirer showed.

A notice of disallowance, dated March 19, 2012, issued by the COAs Manila city auditor has asked Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to direct at least eight former City Hall officials and Cristina Corona, who received the payment in trust for Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI), to settle the matter immediately.

The notice was signed by Roberto Limcolioc, the audit team leader, and Elinore Lavilla, the supervising auditor.

The audit disallowance was apparently the result of an audit by a team that evaluated an earlier notice of suspension, dated March 5, 2002, on the payment for the purchase of Lot 1-A-3 with an area of 1,020.7 square meters belonging [...]

Read the full story >> COA joins fray in Corona trial

**************************

Clergy Calls On CJ To Open Dollar Account

BY LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO and ROLLY T. CARANDANG
MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines A network of priests, seminarians, and lay individuals, and a group of Catholic educators trooped to the Supreme Court Friday to deliver a letter urging Chief Justice Renato Corona to make good on his word by voluntarily opening to the public the contents of his foreign currency deposit accounts.

We respectfully call on you to voluntarily open and make public the contents of your foreign currency deposit accounts. You have made numerous pronouncements that you will open them in due time. At this time when the peoples search for truth has zeroed in on your SALNs and bank records, there is no more appropriate time to open your dollar accounts than now, read the groups letter to Corona [...]

Read the full story >> Clergy Calls On CJ To Open Dollar Account

**************************

The ratings game

BABES EYE VIEW
By Babe Romualdez
The Philippine Star

In this world, perception has and will always be 90 percent of the game. And more often than not, surveys are regarded as the best indicators of the publics attitude or belief about certain individuals or issues. Obviously, popularity plays a major role but what is important is how to manage getting the positive attention of people.

The latest survey results released by Pulse Asia once again shows Vice President Jejomar Binay on top of the heap. I had coffee with the vice president at his official residence, the Coconut Palace, the other day, and he told me that his high ratings can be attributed purely to the fact that he has been doing his job, just continuing the things hes been doing when he was still mayor except this time moving around nationwide, pressing the flesh and listening to people.

Those familiar with the vice president echoed this assessment, saying he is probably one of the most highly visible politicians they know. As the countrys housing czar, Vice President Binay has the capacity to make a great impact on the lives of the poor, like for instance the resettlement of storm Sendong victims through government housing projects. His involvement [...]

Read the full story >> The ratings game

**************************

Magic tricks and contortions

Get Real
By Solita Collas-Monsod
Pilippine Daily Inquirer

I thought that the Supreme Court decision that justified the midnight appointment of Renato Corona as Chief Justice was a breathtaking exercise in judicial legerdemain, exceeding by far the legal contortions it engaged in later to show that plagiarism by a justice is not plagiarism. But I think I can safely say that it has been put to the blush by the arguments forwarded by the majority in its recent decision (7-2, with 5 abstentions) involving the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (Fasap).

I urge the reader to read both the majority decision and the dissenting opinion, the latter penned by Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, who showed up the majority arguments for what they are. In the meantime, please allow me to describe, in laymans language, some of the latest magic tricks and contortions on this 14-year-old case:

In June 1998, Philippine Airlines retrenched 5,000 employees, including 1,400 cabin crew, members of the Fasap (the continuing ordeal of the other 3,600 is still a nightmare issue). The retrenchment was described as a cost-cutting measure by PAL, which claimed to have incurred P90 billion in liabilities as a [...]

Read the full story >> Magic tricks and contortions

**************************

Llamas confirms: Left gaining ground in govt

By Florante S. Solmerin
Manila Standard Today

RONALD Llamas, the controversial political adviser of President Benigno Aquino III, on Friday said the Democratic Left was gaining influence in the government with its push for peaceful reforms while the Communist extremists were becoming irrelevant with their call for armed revolution.

Llamas said the Democratic Left had slowly but steadily established itself as a significant force and a constructive alternative to the CNN, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front.

The Democratic Left is open to forging alliances and working with reform-minded groups and individuals in both the public and private sector, in contrast [to] the CPPs insistence on its monopoly of righteousness, Llamas told students and military officers at the National Defense College of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo [...]

Read the full story >> Llamas confirms: Left gaining ground in govt


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3680 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:11 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Corona changes story on California property -- A MUST READ
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

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FEATURED

Corona changes story on California property

Daughter bought it dirt cheap

By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SEAFRONT PROPERTY Chief Justice Renato Corona categorically denies owning any property in the US but admits these were used as temporary mailing addresses while he and his wife were on a visit to the United States. One of the alleged properties that blogger/journalist Raissa Robles claims belongs to the Chief Justice is a seafront house in Tampa, Florida. PHOTO FROM RAISSAROBLES.COM

A day after dismissing as not true 101 percent reports that his family owned two properties in the United States, impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday admitted that one of his daughters bought a dirt cheap house in America.

[This is] another black [propaganda], Corona said, referring to the latest revelation of journalist Raissa Robles in her blog entry.

In a text message to reporters, the Chief Justice said his daughter acquired the property dirt cheap at the height of the mortgage foreclosures in the US.

He said his daughter just put a 10-percent down payment to acquire the house with 30 years to pay.

I dont think she bought it in 2008. Anyway, she is earning very well as a PT (physical therapist) and is in fact working at two jobs. And her husband is also earning well, the Chief Justice said.

Corona did not identify who between his two daughters was the registered owner of the house, but his defense lawyer, Tranquil Salvador III, said the Chief Justice was referring to his elder daughter, Maria Charina [...]

Read the full story >> Corona changes story on California property


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Bitin

With Due Respect
By Artemio V. Panganiban
Philippine Daily Inquirer

After 34 days of trial spanning nearly three months, the Senate impeachment court recessed last March 22, even though the defense had not finished presenting its evidence to explain alleged inadequacies and inconsistencies in Chief Justice Renato C. Coronas statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

Dollar accounts. Most significant, the defense had not yet explained what many consider as the most damning prosecution evidence, the respondents huge peso deposits and the yet undisclosed sums in his admittedly existent dollar accounts. Upon questioning by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) president Pascual Garcia III admitted that the respondent owned five foreign currency deposits in the bank.

Indeed, the trial began with effervescent hopes for a speedy and decisive conclusion prior to the Senates Lenten break. Unfortunately, it adjourned short of expectations, better expressed in the Filipino colloquial term bitin. [...]

Read the full story >> Bitin

**************************

After 11 years, COA disallows BGEI lot transaction

By Ira Pedrasa
ABS-CBNnews.com

Mrs. Coronas role in BGEI questioned

MANILA, Philippines Almost 11 years after the project was consummated, the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the P34.7-million purchase of a Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. property for the construction of a train system in Sampaloc.

In a notice of disallowance obtained by ABS-CBNnews.com dated March 19, 2012, the Manila office of COA said the amount of P34,703,800 was disallowed in audit because of the non-compliance, submission of [several] requirements.

It also noted irregularities in the transaction, including the appointment of Chief Justice Renato Coronas wife Cristina as BGEIs exclusive agent.

The sale came into public knowledge during the impeachment trial of Corona. On Thursday, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza came to volunteer as a witness for the defense to explain the transaction between BGEI and the city of Manila [...]

Read the full story >> After 11 years, COA disallows BGEI lot transaction

**************************

PCIJ to Corona: Everybody does it is no excuse

By Ayee Macaraig
Rappler

NOT PARTISAN. Malou Mangahas of PCIJ says her group is recognized for probity and independence. Photo by GMA News TV
NOT PARTISAN. Malou Mangahas of PCIJ
says her group is recognized for probity and

independence. Photo by GMA News TV

MANILA, Philippines Everybody does it anyway.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) rejected this argument of Chief Justice Renato Corona as it opposed his lawyers request to summon journalists to the witness stand.

Malou Mangahas, Karol Anne Ilagan and Ed Lingao of the PCIJ asked the impeachment court to deny the defense panels request to have them subpoenaed. They believe their testimony will be irrelevant.

In their opposition filed by their counsels on Monday, March 21, the three shot down Coronas reasoning that omissions in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) were made in good faith because inaccuracies in the form are rampant among government officials.

In this instant case, . only Respondents actions and state of mind are material to his guilt. The fact that there may have been others who benefited from their improper conduct would do nothing to excuse the Respondent.

In its reports and investigation, the PCIJ found that some members of the prosecution and cabinet members did not diligently disclose and fill out their SALNs [...]

Read the full story >> PCIJ to Corona: Everybody does it is no excuse

**************************

Students think Corona must quit poll

By Reinir Padua
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Most students in five universities polled by a group distrust Chief Justice Justice Renato Corona, with majority of them saying Corona was no longer fit to lead the judiciary.

Defying the criticism of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who disapproved of a similar survey held previously, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines on Monday released the results of another poll. SCAP leaders said the survey was guaranteed by their freedom of expression.

Gibby Gorres, SCAP national secretary general, also said the poll is excluded from the sub judice rule, which prohibits the discussion of the merits of a case outside the court, because the group is not a party to the impeachment case.

The latest round of the survey included Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Davao University, University of the East-Manila and the Tarlac State University

The survey was conducted to gauge the interest and satisfaction of the students concerning the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona, said Kristine Baguio, SCAP deputy spokesperson [...]

Read the full story >> Students think Corona must quit poll

**************************

Cory, Noynoy and noynoying

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas


Somethings eerily familiar in whats happening to the Philippines in the last two years and in the political events of almost three decades ago. Looking back, you get a feeling of dj vu.

Only a year after being thrust into the presidency by the EDSA People Power Revolt in 1986, President Corazon Aquino was beginning to lose popular support because of numerous policies that tended to show her rapid shift from being pro-people to one that was pro-Establishment.

With Cory still enjoying a plus 72 approval rating in October 1986, about eight months into her presidency, workers and students were soon back to the streets to stage protests over her labor, agrarian and economic policies that were deemed as mere continuation of those of the deposed President Ferdinand Marcos.

In February 1987, just a year into office, Cory completely lost the support of these sectors when troops guarding Malacanang opened fire on hundreds of farmers, many of them coming from the Cojuangco-Aquino family-owned Hacienda Luisita, who were protesting her failure to implement genuine land reform. The incident, infamously known as the Mendiola Massacre, resulted in the death of 12 farmers and injury to 19 other marchers [...]

Read the full story >> Cory, Noynoy and noynoying

**************************

Philippine economy booms despite Noynoying

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer


President Benigno Aquino III.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

To hecklers who claim he is just Noynoying in his job, President Benigno Aquino III has one answer: the economy is on the right track and many things have happened in the country since he took over the presidency 21 months ago.

During an interview with Agence France-Presse in Malacaang, Mr. Aquino pointed to a host of economic indicators to justify his enthusiasm, while displaying a relish for bare-knuckled political fights against his opponents.

Noynoying is a word coined by activists to refer to the Presidents supposedly carefree style of coping with urgent problems confronting the country, including the escalating prices of fuel products.

There are so many things that have transpired that none of us could even have imagined when we were campaigning, Mr. Aquino said during last weeks interview, reflecting on his nearly two years in office that followed a landslide election win.

He referred mostly to the state of the nations economy, which after decades of underperforming has showed signs of steady, if incremental, improvement under his leadership and mantra of clean governance.

Kingpins of graft

Mr. Aquino cited a series of international credit ratings upgrades and the rise of the Philippine stock market to record highs in recent weeks as evidence [...]

Read the full story >> Philippine economy booms despite Noynoying

**************************

Comelec: GMA conspired with co-accused to give P-Noy zero vote

By Perseus Echeminada
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) prosecutors claimed yesterday that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her co-accused had conspired to give zero votes to then senatorial candidates Benigno Aquino III, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Panfilo Lacson during the 2007 elections in Maguindanao.

Comelec prosecutors made the allegations yesterday after they presented their first witness, lawyer Nelia Oreo, a former chairman of the Municipal Board of Canvassers of Pagalungan, Maguindanao, at the sala of Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112.

Oreo is one of the prosecution witnesses in the hearing on the petitions for bail filed by Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, and former Maguindanao provincial election officer Lintang Bedol.

The Comelec had filed electoral sabotage charges against Arroyo, Bedol and former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. in connection with the alleged cheating in the 2007 senatorial elections in Maguindanao [...]

Read the full story >> Comelec: GMA conspired with co-accused to give P-Noy zero vote

**************************

Senate defers anti-money laundering act amendments

By Cathy Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding officer in the impeachment trial, said that whoever was behind the leakage of Chief Justice Renato Coronas bank accounts could be the subject of a separate criminal complaint. INQUIRER file photo

The Senate on Wednesday deferred the approval of proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) after some lawmakers questioned the predicates under which the Anti-Money Laundering Council (Amlac) could share information with internal revenue investigators.

Although the amendments are needed to keep the Philippines off an international financial blacklist, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Joker Arroyo demanded that the Amla council and the Bureau of Internal Revenue first explain why they apparently use tax evasion as an excuse to scrutinize the bank accounts of suspected money launderers. [...]

Read the full story >> Senate defers anti-money laundering act amendments

**************************

Bayan opposing return of Arroyos to 5th district

Im an Ibuna, Grace says; Lesaca may not run: Quito

BY CARLA GOMEZ
VISAYAN DAILY STAR

Bayan Muna will oppose the candidacy of any Arroyo, including that of Grace Ibuna, for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental, Rep. Neri Colmenares said yesterday.

(Former) President Gloria Arroyo, Mike Arroyo and the Arroyo family cannot be allowed to return to political power, whether nationally or in the 5th district, he said.

A special election is set in June for the congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental following the death of Rep. Ignacio Iggy Arroyo Jr. on January 26.

Ibuna, long time partner of Rep. Arroyo, said I am not an Arroyo. I am not going to run because of the Arroyos. I said I am only contemplating on running if Bebot (Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol) does not run. [...]

Read the full story >> Bayan opposing return of Arroyos to 5th district


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DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3681 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Tue Mar 27, 2012 11:36 pm
Subject: PerryScope: What 'noynoying' is all about?
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


PERRYSCOPE

What noynoying is all about?

March 27, 2012 | Featured, Opinion, PerryScope

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

"Noynoying" or Juan Tamad?

When I first read about noynoying, my initial reaction was it was about President Benigno Noynoy Aquino IIIs romantic escapades and so I ignored it. Havent we heard enough of his girlfriends? But it turned out that anti-government groups protesting against rising gas prices coined noynoying. Theyre complaining that Noynoy hasnt done anything productive. Thus, noynoying became the new buzzword for a person who is idle and doesnt work. In all fairness to Noynoy, noynoying is not something new. Its been around since the colonial times when Juan Tamad or Lazy John became a folk hero for laziness! So, what else is new, people? Remember, when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.

Now, dont get me wrong, folks. Im not accusing all Filipinos of being lazy. On the contrary, Filipinos are some of the most if not the most hard-working people in the world. The fact that there are more than 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in more than 120 countries would attest to the reputation of Filipinos as hard-working people.

But what is happening here is that a few Filipinos are bringing out the worst in themselves: crab mentality. And to crab our president manifests a hangover from colonial mentality. The fact is: President Aquino is one of the most hard-working presidents of our time. But instead of appreciating what he is doing, we are bringing him down! And what we dont realize is that by doing so, were bringing ourselves down, too just like crabs [...]

Read the full story >> What noynoying is all about?


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3682 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:24 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Pay the taxman, Pacman!
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Pay the taxman, Pacman!

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

If Manny Pacman Pacquiao is really serious about his new mission as Bible Ambassador of the embattled Roman Catholic Church, then he should pay his taxes. Tax evasion cannot be considered a saintly act because it is cheating the Filipino people and depriving them of their rightful benefits.

BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) Director for Region 8, Atty. Rozil Lozares, hit the nail on the head when the taxman quoted from the Gospel what is a direct order from Jesus Christ to taxpaying citizens Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is Gods. Lozares was quoted in Filipino saying: The Pharisees asked Jesus if the Jews should pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus picked up a coin and showed to the Pharisees the face of Caesar on the coin. It was then when Jesus said: Give to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods.

It was Lozares who filed the charges against Pacquiao for failing to submit his tax records after noticing a big drop in Pacquiaos tax payments. In an earlier interview on DZMM radio, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares had mentioned that Pacquiaos tax payments dropped from P100 million in 2008 to only P7 million in 2009. Pacquiao would belong to the highest income tax bracket, persons with taxable income of P500,000 or more, where the tax due is P125,000 plus 32 percent of the excess of [...]

Read the full story >> Pay the taxman, Pacman!


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Pacquiao eyes suit vs BIR execs for harassment

By Mike Frialde
The Philippine Star

Photo is loading...

MANILA, Philippines Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday hit the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for filing what he said was a harassment case against him in connection with his alleged refusal to submit documents involving his business interests and income sources that were earlier summoned by the tax collection agency.

Speaking to reporters in Makati City, Pacquiao also dismissed reports that what the BIR had filed against him was neither tax evasion nor tax fraud, but simply for his alleged refusal to submit documents summoned by the BIR.

The case against me is plain and simple harassment. Contrary to public perception, I am not charged with tax evasion or tax fraud. That is farthest from the truth. Over the years as a boxer, a product endorser and a businessman, I have not surcharged the government for what it is due. Hence, it is with a heavy heart to hear that I was charged with tax evasion or tax fraud. It was [...]

Read the full story >> Pacquiao eyes suit vs BIR execs for harassment

**************************

What noynoying is all about?

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

When I first read about noynoying, my initial reaction was that it was about President Benigno Noynoy Aquino IIIs romantic escapades and so I ignored it. Havent we heard enough of his girlfriends? But it turns out that anti-government groups protesting against rising gas prices coined noynoying. They complain that Noynoy hasnt done anything productive. Thus, noynoying became the new buzzword for a person who is idle and doesnt work. In all fairness to Noynoy, noynoying is not something new. Its been around since the colonial times when Juan Tamad or Lazy John became a folk hero for laziness! So, what else is new, people? Remember, when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.

Now, dont get me wrong, folks. Im not accusing all Filipinos of being lazy. On the contrary, Filipinos are some of the most if not the most hard-working people in the world. The fact that there are more than 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in more than 120 countries would attest to the reputation of Filipinos as hard-working people.

But what is happening here is that a few Filipinos are bringing out the worst in themselves: crab mentality. And to crab our president manifests a hangover from colonial mentality. The fact is: President Aquino is one of the most hard-working presidents of our time. But instead of appreciating what he is doing, we are bringing him down! And what we dont realize is that by doing so, were bringing ourselves down, too just like crabs [...]

Read the full story >> What noynoying is all about?

**************************

Roxas likes Noynoying too

By Jeannette I. Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Monday redefined the term Noynoying, giving journalists a rundown of what he believed were President Benigno Aquino IIIs virtues.

For me, Noynoying means somebody who always tells the truth, Roxas said in a speech at the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel news forum. For me, Noynoying means somebody who is so careful about the peoples money, who does not borrow recklessly and who does not spend recklessly.

Noynoying, a play on the Presidents nickname Noynoy, is a new protest form characterized by lazing around, also known as the new planking [...]

Read the full story >> Roxas likes Noynoying too

**************************

P-Noys Euromoneys Philippine Investment Forum speech

Speech of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
At Euromoneys Philippine Investment Forum
[Delivered at the Peninsula Manila, Makati City, on March 27, 2012]

Secretary Cesar Purisima; Secretary Sonny Coloma; Director General Lilia de Lima; Mr. Tony Shale; distinguished business leaders and members of the business sector; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen:

Good morning.

Once upon a time, the consensus among you was that we were the sick man of Asia. The diagnosis for this illness was as simple as it seemed insurmountable: a lack of political will; an entrenched system of corruption that could not be weeded out; and a feeling of utter impossibility among Filipinos and their leaders alike.

Since I am addressing you at a time when Filipinos are gearing up for Holy Week, I hope you permit me to state in a biblical vein: all it took was faith healing to invoke, in political terms, the biblical injunction from the Gospel of Luke chapter 4 verse 23: Physician, Heal Thyself.

Let no one doubt that we are doing the three things which were previously thought of as impossible: we are calling people to account; we are putting closure to the controversies that had sapped our institutions of their vigor and diminished their legitimacy in the eyes of our countrymen; in other words, we are exercising political will. We have reformed the manner in which we allocate and dispense public funds; we have thrown the book at the thieves; and we are collecting what the government is due. That is how we are fighting corruption [...]

Read the full story >> P-Noys Euromoneys Philippine Investment Forum speech

**************************

Deciding Coronas fate

To the Point
By Emil Jurado
Manila Standard Today

The 23 senator-judges will have six weeks of recess beginning this week until May 7. This is a good time to scour their consciences on how they should decide on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The defense team has this final stretch to rebut all the claims of the prosecution that Corona committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

That is, if the senator-judges rely only on what goes on in the trial.

But as I have stated time and again, Coronas fate shall not be exclusively determined by the events during the trial. The proceedings may be quasi-judicial, but they are also quasi-political. And, my gulay, those senator-judges are politicians!

I wonder: How will the senator-judges decide? [...]

Read the full story >> Deciding Coronas fate

**************************

CJ denies changing story on US homes

By Edu Punay
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Chief Justice Renato Corona made clear yesterday that the California property identified as his by a journalist-blogger belongs to his daughter, a physical therapist in the United States.

In a text message to The STAR, Corona said he did not change his statement regarding the property.

The question to me was whether I or my wife owned any property in the US, he said. We do not. What my daughter owns is hers, not mine nor my wifes. So what story did I supposedly change? [...]

Read the full story >> CJ denies changing story on US homes

**************************

Sanford, Florida: A Memory of Palm City, Florida

A Cup O Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose

Only in Florida!

Yall know the story, right? It began as the talk of the town in Sanford, Florida. Now, it has become the talk of the townin every state of the United States of America. Talk heads on CNN, FOX News, ABS, CBS and MSNBC are alltalking their heads off about it.

Even President Obama had said something about it: If I had a son, hed look like Trayvon. Trayvon, as we all know,is Trayvon Martin,the black 17-year-old, who was fatally shotabout amonth ago in Sanford, Florida, by a neighborhood-watch volunteer.

Obama, in personal terms, said he deplored the killing a tragedy and as a parent himself of two teenagers, expressed deep sympathy for the boys mother and father.

I can only imagine what these parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids, Obama said.

I, too, in personal terms, thought about my own two boys when they were young In Florida [...]

Read the full story >> Sanford, Florida: A Memory of Palm City, Florida

**************************

An affront to our intelligence

BY REY O. ARCILLA
MALAYA

Noynoys mouthpieces insist that the emerging new arrangement with the US has nothing to do with China.

ARE they taking us for fools?

I refer to President Noynoy Aquino and his mouthpieces that include not only his press secretary, but also his foreign affairs and defense secretaries.

Noynoy said he welcomes the proposal to have more US troops to rotate in the country, but ruled out permanent bases. How is that possible?

When you rotate troops, that could only mean there would already be those to be replaced situated somewhere in the country. Ergo, US forces will be based in the country on a continuing or permanent basis, with all their weapons, equipment and other war materiel [...]

Read the full story >> An affront to our intelligence

**************************

China hits plan for Pag-asa devt

By Pia Lee-Brago
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines China has expressed concern over the Philippines plan to build a beaching ramp in the Kalayaan island group in the West Philippine Sea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China warned on Thursday against any move by claimants that may complicate the dispute.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. China opposes any countrys illegal activities that infringe upon Chinas sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei in a press conference in Beijing.

The municipal government of Kalayaan, in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), will construct within the year a beaching ramp on Pag-asa, the largest of the Kalayaan group, which has been occupied by Filipino troops for decades. Apart from the troops, there are about 70 Filipino families living in Kalayaan, which is a municipality of Palawan [...]

Read the full story >> China hits plan for Pag-asa devt


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DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3683 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:18 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: On Corona's claims of Ateneo honors
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

On Coronas claims of Ateneo honors

Human Face
By Ma. Ceres P. Doyo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Did he lie? Did he misrepresent? Was he negligent?

The Internet is abuzz with expressions of shock and disgust coming mostly from some graduates of the Ateneo de Manila University, alma mater of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona who is going through an impeachment trial.

Corona lied about academic honors! by Riziel Ann Cabreros is about Coronas claims, as shown in his resum, that he graduated with high honors from Ateneo grade school, high school, college and law school. But record checks proved otherwise. (Writer Cabreros works with ANC as a segment producer of Pipol and as a news writer. She is a researcher for journalist Marites Daguilan Vitugs upcoming book on the Supreme Court, a much-awaited one, I must say.)

Cabreros asked: Did Chief Justice Renato Corona embellish his academic achievements brandished on the website of the Supreme Court before it was altered just a few days ago? [...]

Read the full story >> On Coronas claims of Ateneo honors


ALSO IN THE NEWS

73% prefer Corona conviction, says latest SWS survey

SOURCE: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Seventy-three percent of Filipinos polled by the Social Weather Station believe that Chief Justice Renato Corona is guilty of the impeachment charges against him while 25 percent believe he is not.

More than six of every 10 adult Filipinos would accept any outcome in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, but if it came down to their personal preference, 73 percent wanted a conviction, results of a Social Weather Stations survey released on Thursday showed.

Only one in every four respondents preferred an acquittal [...]

Read the full story >> 73% prefer Corona conviction, says latest SWS survey

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US house may belong to CJ

By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The California house that a daughter of Chief Justice Renato Corona had acquired may actually belong to her father, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II claimed yesterday.

Gonzales said congressmen prosecuting Corona in his Senate impeachment trial do not dismiss the possibility that the Chief Justice is the real and beneficial owner of the California property.

Gonzales said it is the theory of the prosecution panel that Corona is using his children to hide his unexplained wealth.

This is the reason why prosecutors attribute to the Chief Justice the ownership of a property in McKinley Hill in Global City, Taguig, which his daughter Maria Charina bought for P6.1 million in 2008, he said.

He pointed out that it was Corona who signed the reservation agreement for the property and it was he who paid for it in 27 installments as shown by receipts presented to the Senate impeachment court [...]

Read the full story >> US house may belong to CJ

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Corona urged to come clean on US properties

By Cynthia D. Balana, Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer



House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II on Wednesday urged impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona to come clean on his reported properties in the United States and stop flip-flopping on the issue, saying the people deserve to know the truth.

Ano ba talaga (what is the real score), Chief Justice Corona? Does your family own the properties or not? Gonzales asked. The Filipino people deserve an explanation. They deserve to know the truth.

Gonzales said the House of Representatives prosecution panel was studying the possibility of including Coronas properties abroad in its rebuttal after the defense shall have completed presenting its evidence at the impeachment trial in the Senate.

Journalist Raissa Robles reported in her blog that a certain Renato C. Corona was linked to two addresses in Tampa, Florida, and Mountain View, California, but the Chief Justice flip-flopped on whether he and his family owned the properties [...]

Read the full story >> Corona urged to come clean on US properties

**************************

Coronas daughter bought California and The Fort properties 22 days of each other

March 26, 2012

A Plaza Miranda Exclusive

By Rassa Robles

http://raissarobles.com/2012/03/26/coronas-daughter-bought-california-and-the-fort-properties-22-days-of-each-other/

Soon after Chief Justice Renato Corona categorically denied that he and his family owned any property in the United States, a California lawyer sent me documentary evidence showing the purchase of a house in Roseville, California by the chief magistrates youngest daughter, Charina.

This purchase was made 22 days before she allegedly bought a condo in McKinley Hills at the Fort.

Later I will explain why the two shoulder-to-shoulder properties transactions could have an important bearing on the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ Corona.

Yesterday, CJ Corona reacted to my article entitled - Does Renato C. Corona have a clone living in the US? - by issuing a blanket denial to reporters covering the justice beat.

I was particularly intrigued by the following sentence which came out in ABS-CBN News.com, which quoted CJ Corona as saying we have no property in the US.

And so I phoned his lawyer Tranquil Salvador to clarify what the word We meant. I asked Atty Salvador who was the CJ referring to when he said we dont own any property. Was he referring to himself and his wife only or does we include his three children?

Instead of answering, Atty Salvador said he would send me CJ Coronas original text message. He did and it said [...]

Read the full story >> Coronas daughter bought California and The Fort properties 22 days of each other

**************************

So much to invest ones life for

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano


I thought that England would have cheaper gas prices. The past two days as a visitor in London, however, has taught me that oil producing countries do not always subsidize what their people consume. Gas here is P100 per liter and they have British Petroleum!

I also thought that England would be a model of efficiency. After all, Hong Kong was run by them as a colony and British rule produced a highly productive and efficient system. In fact, Hong Kong citizens ended up hiring Filipino domestics. But visiting Great Britain just proved to me that there are flaws in every country no matter how advanced, just somewhat different in nature or form. It came as a shock to this Third World citizen that it would take two hours for my small group to clear Immigration!

It was not that Immigration officers were making it difficult for tourists to get their travel documents processed; in fact, they were friendly. It was more systemic. There were several hundreds of non-British nationals who arrive but only a few Immigration officers were there to process all of us. I thought to myself that our NAIA 1 had taken a bad bashing from everyone about being one of the worlds worst, but our visitors get better Immigration service. And although we were again evaluated as somewhat deficient with our security measures, we dont get bombs in our planes, or high-jackers who ram our planes into buildings [...]

Read the full story >> So much to invest ones life for

**************************


The power play of the ANAYchists

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

My Facebook friend, Jay N. Ramos, was so incensed by the agitprop of the Left and their front organizations in attempting to use the problem of high prices to sow a climate of confusion and hatred against the President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy) government.

Jay came up with the right word to tag the destabilizers ANAYchist (ANAY means termite). He gave it a scientific name of Pestiferous Bangasus and described it as an annoying creature whose sole purpose in life is to undermine anything it can sink its mandibles into.

The ANAYchists distort issues to make the government look remiss in its duties, insensitive to public needs and incompetent. They blame on the government the rising prices of basic goods that are caused by rising oil prices. Preying on the ignorance of many Filipinos victims of the Information Gap that is rooted to our shallow, narrow-minded and showbiz addicted broadcast media they peddle unrealistic solutions that will only result in a worse situation.

For the rising price of petrol thats the result of oil distribution slowdown due to the political problems in the Middle East and the developing scarcity of oil in 20 years, our ANAYchists are prescribing two remedies. The first remedy is to [...]

Read the full story >> The power play of the ANAYchists

**************************

Supreme Court slams door on coconut farmers

By Fernando del Mundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Coconut farmers can kiss goodbye their hopes of recovering nearly P60 billion worth of shares in San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

The Supreme Court slammed the door to any further judicial action concerning a 20-percent bloc of SMC shares when it issued an entry of judgment after declaring on April 12, 2011, that the contested portfolio belonged to Eduardo Danding Cojuangco, current chairman of the highly diversified conglomerate and uncle of President Benigno Aquino III.

A six-page entry of judgment notice dated March 16 on Cojuangcos SMC shares was sent on Tuesday to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which sequestered the package after SMC stock certificates in blank were found in a Malacaang vault on the night the dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted during the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Final and executory

The document, signed by Deputy Clerk of Court Ma. Lourdes C. Perfecto, said that the high courts decision had become final and executory and is hereby recorded in the Book of Entries of Judgments.

The action ends three decades of judicial battles over the SMC shares waged by the PCGG and representatives of farmers organizations in an effort to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his cronies [...]

Read the full story >> Supreme Court slams door on coconut farmers

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The importance of arresting retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.

AHRC Media Statement
Mindanao Examiner

IN THE STREETS of Metro Manila, it is common to see photographs or posters of missing persons posted on walls and electricity poles, with details of the missing person and how to contact the relatives looking for them. These families have taken it upon themselves to look for their loved ones, in the absence of any help from the government.

What is not common however, is the poster of Jovito Palparan Jr., a retired military general, also posted widely on public walls in Manila. He is not a missing person, but a person who went into hiding after the court issued arrest orders against him, to answer allegations of his and his mens involvement in the disappearance of two activists, Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006. The inability of the government to arrest him is not surprising; in fact, him being actually arrested would be more of a surprise.

Failure to arrest persons subject to court arrest orders is not unique to Palparan. The failure or inability to arrest is unfortunately a norm more than an exception throughout the Philippines. Even ordinary criminals or escapees from jail can in fact roam freely. Unless they make trouble again, or they apply for employment requiring police clearance, they are not likely to be arrested. Under such circumstances, how can society expect Palparan to be arrested? [...]

Read the full story >> The importance of arresting retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.

**************************

Helping Others is Our Path to Happiness

By Fr. Shay Cullen
(His columns are published in The Manila Times,
in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line)

What brings out the crowds to cheer on a hero, a liberator, a Messiah like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and the greatest of all, Jesus of Nazareth, and many more. All but one of the above was executed or assassinated and all were brutalized and jailed unjustly for their beliefs and mission. They had a common goal to bring justice, freedom and truth to the world held captive by tyranny and evil.

These great people of our generation, despite their human frailties, Jesus excepted, gave their lives for others without counting the cost. They are inspiring leaders that lived out the deepest values that makes us so human and dignified human persons. For believers, Jesus is divine but he humbled himself to be fully human like the rest of us and shared our human condition and came to redeem it.

We admire them in varying degrees because they are what we would all wish and aspire to be, but cannot find that same courage and bravery in ourselves. And yet they are liberators of our spirits and of all who are captive to fear and insecurity because they have stood non-violently against tyranny and oppression [...]

Read the full story >> Helping Others is Our Path to Happiness


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3684 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Mon Apr 2, 2012 12:50 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: A Pulse Asia poll could have saved Jesus from crucifixion
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

A Pulse Asia poll could have saved Jesus from crucifixion

March 31, 2012 | Featured, Opinion

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

When Pulse Asia released last March 20 its February 26 to March 9 nationwide poll on public perception regarding the on-going impeachment trial of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona, Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE) dismissed its impact on the jurors, even alleging that it was a survey that condemned Jesus Christ to be crucified. JPE could not have been more wrong.

On the contrary, if Judea Governor Pontius Pilate had conducted a scientific survey like those done by Pulse Asia (and SWS), then the New Testament might have been written differently. The viva voce type of selection that Pilate conducted, when the crowd was made to choose between Christ and the criminal Barabbas, wasnt based on a truly representative sample that reflected the cross section of Jerusalem folks. The Pharisees, Christs biggest enemies, fielded a hakot (planted partisans) crowd that was complemented by the followers of Barabbas.

The Jerusalem mob was like a sample of 80 percent communists and 20 percent pro-democracy Filipinos. Given a choice between communism and democracy, the communists would naturally drown out the pro-democracy folks. However, as we know from experience, we Filipinos arent disposed to accepting communism. Our disdain for communism was so intense that Dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos thought he could win in the February 1986 Snap Presidential Election by tagging Cory Aquino a communist. Few ever believed Marcos that Cory was a communist [...]

Read the full story >> A Pulse Asia poll could have saved Jesus from crucifixion


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Prosecution: SWS survey tells CJ lawyers to do better

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on the Senate impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona suggests that his lawyers should do better than beating around the bush, a prosecution spokesman said yesterday.

The message of the survey to them is that they should present a more credible defense and answer the charges directly. The first two weeks of presentation of their case was full of holes, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said.

According to the survey, 73 percent of Filipinos want the Senate impeachment court to hand down a guilty verdict on Corona.

Angara said the opinion poll was conducted from March 10 to 13, more than a week after the prosecution had rested its case and two days into the presentation of evidence by the defense.

They spent their first two days by questioning the impeachment process in the House of Representatives, an issue that the impeachment tribunal had resolved on Day One of the trial, he said [...]

Read the full story >> Prosecution: SWS survey tells CJ lawyers to do better

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Corona risks conviction by not testifying, prosecutors say

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, PhilippinesChief Justice Renato Corona would be risking conviction if he opts not to take the stand at his impeachment trial, House prosecutors said Saturday.

Only Corona, not indirect witnesses, could shed light on his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), dollar accounts, the sale of properties to his daughter, and his vote on key cases, prosecutor Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said.

All this he has to testify on. Otherwise, theyre courting conviction especially since many senator-judges think he has to testify. That means theyre not satisfied with defense evidence so far presented. I dont think the defense has a choice, Colmenares said in a telephone interview.

Besides, Coronas failure to testify would be taken against him, said Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, the prosecutions official spokesperson.

The defense panel has balked at presenting Corona and his wife Cristina as witnesses when the trial resumes on May 7 to shield them supposedly from intense grilling and ridicule [...]

Read the full story >> Corona risks conviction by not testifying, prosecutors say

**************************


SC ruling on prime Quezon City land blow to land titles

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Registered owners of more than half of the land in Metro Manila may lose their properties as a result of a recent Supreme Court ruling that the sale certificates of former friar lands that lacked the signatures of prewar government officials should be deemed void, a senior justice of the court said.

In a 23-page dissenting opinion, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the Supreme Courts March 6 decision in the ownership dispute involving the Manotoks and Barques over the P4-billion Piedad Estate in Quezon City would render millions of residents homeless.

This is a disaster waiting to happena blow to the integrity of our Torrens system [of titles] and the stability of land titles in this country, Carpio said.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of landowners would surely be dispossessed of their lands in these areas, he said.

With a split vote of 8-7, the tribunal upheld its Aug. 24, 2010, decision that awarded the ownership of the 1,282-hectare of lands to the national government [...]

Read the full story >> SC ruling on prime Quezon City land blow to land titles

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Aquino to do whats right re coco levy fundsPalace

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Michael Lim Ubac, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer



President Benigno Aquino III will decide based on what is right for the people the disposition of the coco levy funds.

Every action that the President has taken is really for the people. Thats the reason why P-Noy (Aquino) is there, said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, dismissing allegations by a farmers group that Mr. Aquino was poised to enter into a compromise agreement with his uncle, businessman Eduardo Danding Cojuangco, over the disputed funds and the assetsthat were acquired with them.

Many such stories have been coming out but rest assured, the government will do what is right for the people, Valte told state-run dzRB radio.

The President will always do what is right for the people, she said.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has challenged the President to reveal what his plans are for the coconut levy funds, particularly with the 24-percent block of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) shares bought with the funds, after the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) and United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp. laid a P15-billion claim on the shares.

The 24-percent block of SMC sharesoriginally 27 percent but later diluted because of the SMC equity increaseis part of a bigger block of 47 percent SMC shares that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) sequestered in 1986 [...]

Read the full story >> Aquino to do whats right re coco levy fundsPalace

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What Noynoying when there are 3.3 M jobs?

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Celso Amo
The Philippine Star

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has joined the chorus in debunking the negative connotations of Noynoying, which activists have coined from the Presidents nickname to denote a do-nothing demeanor.

Salceda said President Aquino was able to produce 2.1 million jobs last October and another 1.2 million jobs in January.

The job creation is something historical compared to the 1.7 million jobs created during the Estrada administration in 1999, as well as the 2.4 million jobs created during the Arroyo administration.

I dont see it as Noynoying if we know the numbers and know which numbers to look at, Salceda said during the 4Ps press briefing at the Oriental Hotel Monday morning.

Wikipedia defines Noynoying as a protest gimmick in the form of neologism portraying Aquino as doing nothing on major issues such as disaster response and rising oil prices [...]

Read the full story >> What Noynoying when there are 3.3 M jobs?

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De Lima does an Aquino, hits courts

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Evangeline de Vera
Malaya

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday said her efforts at curbing lawless elements are being thwarted by less-than-respectable elements in the judiciary.

Speaking before the annual convention of the Philippine Prosecutors League at the Manila Hotel, De Lima said the public saw in the past year certain accused individuals apply for and being granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the Department of Justice from prosecuting them, while a former president questioned before the Supreme Court the authority of her department to issue watch-list orders and hold departure orders.

Therefore, I cannot help but ask myself, what is going on here? How dim-witted do they think we are? Half the problem is the existence of less-than-respectable elements in the judiciary, who issue blatantly unfair and illegal orders without even blinking an eye. But the point is, we cannot take what they dish out lying down, she said [...]

Read the full story >> De Lima does an Aquino, hits courts

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A new Manny Pacquiao

March 31, 2012 | Opinion

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Manila Standard Today

WHEN pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao asked one of his aides to get a chair and have us sit next to him at the 12th Annual Flash Elorde Awards Banquet of Champions, we were pleasantly surprised. Not too long ago, he was visibly upset by our comments after his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez and our condemnation of his indiscriminate ways and the leeches, who surround him.

But then, it seemed so long ago and time and circumstance have combined to change it all in a blessed way.

After we sat down, Manny proceeded to ask us about our favorite passage in the Bible and we answered Psalm XXIII The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Sufficiently impressed when we told him, the psalm says it all, Manny recited several excerpts from the scriptures, chapter and verse, in amazing fashion. We couldnt believe how much he had memorized and the ease with which he quoted the Bible and reflected on the meaning of the passages he cited. This was certainly a new Manny Pacquiao, far removed from the wild and wooly individual, whose lifestyle brought untold pain to his charming wife and threatened to wreck his family [...]

Read the full story >> A new Manny Pacquiao

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Pacquiao told: Submit tax records or face jail time

March 31, 2012 | Politics & Government

Source: Sun Star Manila

MANILA Sarangani Representative and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao can get away with contempt charges filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) if he can submit documents in connection to the huge drop in his tax remittances.

Pacquiao, who has since cried foul over the case, was challenged by BIR Commissioner Kim Henares to do just that after the agency pushed for a realistic assessment of his tax liability.

The sooner he submits, the sooner this controversy will die down. We havent mentioned of any liability yet, thats why we are investigating him, Henares said Thursday.

We have to see the gravity of the violation. As of now, we are not even talking or thinking of tax evasion. We are only asking him to submit the documents, she added [...]

Read the full story >> Pacquiao told: Submit tax records or face jail time

**************************

How We Help End Hunger

March 31, 2012 | Opinion

By Fr. Shay Cullen
(His columns are published in The Manila Times,
in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line)

Hiking through the Zambales hills visiting the villages of the Aeta indigenous people is an exhilarating and yet saddening experience. I have been thinking about my recent visits to the villages of the aboriginal people that first settled the Philippine islands and survived for thousands of years as hunters and gatherers in the abundant rain forests. Today, their future is uncertain and fraught with danger.

There, they developed a simple but beautiful culture that was at one with nature. They never over-hunted; their numbers were well-balanced for survival and healthy living. They had a well developed herbal medical practice that helped them survive thousands of years like the natives of the Amazon forests without modern medicine or much contact with the western world.

They protected the natural habitat and the native birds and animals thrived. Their cultural dances imitate the creatures of the forest such as their respect for nature. Today, all that has changed, the forests and animals are long gone and a greatly diminished environment is all that remains [...]

Read the full story >> How We Help End Hunger


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3685 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Tue Apr 3, 2012 4:55 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: The Judiciary under scrutiny
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

The Judiciary under scrutiny

Counterpoint
By by Alvin Capino
Manila Standard Today

This era is probably the most controversial in the history of the Judiciary in the Philippines. This is not only because of the unprecedented impeachment trial of no less than Chief Justice Renato Corona instigated by Malacaang.

Almost on a daily basis, we read and hear news reports and commentaries in media about controversies involving the Judiciary from the lower courts to the appellate courts and even the Supreme Court ranging from a judge getting legal advice from dwarfs to alleged emissaries of a judge asking for a P100 million bribe for a favorable ruling.

One running controversy for example that tends to erode public faith in the Judiciary for example is the multi-billion peso case of the Steel Corporation of the Philippines against the countrys largest insurance companies.

In a letter to Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr., SCP, through its legal counsel, Nonnatus P. Chua, has accused three appellate justices of manifest partially, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence in deciding the case and promulgating the decision dated Feb. 8, 2012 which declared as null and void the Order dated June 1, 2011 of the [...]

Read the full story >> The Judiciary under scrutiny


ALSO IN THE NEWS

The SC rules on Danding and SMC

BY DUCKY PAREDES
MALAYA

(T) he resulting duty of the borrower in a contract of loan is to pay, not to return, to the creditor or lender the very thing loaned. This explains why the ownership of the thing loaned is transferred to the debtor upon perfection of the contract.

THE Supreme Court has ruled in G.R. No. 166859, that the stake of businessman Eduardo Danding Cojuangco in San Miguel Corp. was not acquired using coco levy funds.

In fact, the SC goes further. Here is the applicable ruling:

Did Cojuangco breach his fiduciary duties as an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the UCPB? Did his acquisition and holding of the contested SMC shares come under a constructive trust in favor of the Republic?

The answers to these queries are in the negative.

The conditions for the application of Articles 1455 and 1456 of the Civil Code (like the trustee using trust funds to purchase, or a person acquiring property through mistake or fraud), and Section 31 of the Corporation Code (like a director or trustee willfully and knowingly voting for or assenting to patently unlawful acts of the corporation, among others) require factual foundations to be first laid out in appropriate judicial proceedings. Hence, concluding that Cojuangco breached fiduciary duties as an officer [...]

Read the full story >> The SC rules on Danding and SMC

**************************

End to bloodletting?

Viewpoint
By Juan L. Mercado
Philippine Daily Inquirer

I sinned by betraying innocent blood, Judas Iscariots scream reechoes every Holy Week for two millennia now. For 30 pieces of silver, Judas sold out his Friend who was crucified.

Innocent blood is still spilled here on Holy Week 2012. Ferdinand Marcos imposed Presidential Decree 276 in 1973. Thousands of farmers still go to their graves today, clutching worthless coconut levy stock certificates.

PD 276 decreed that coco levies were owned by cronies in their private capacities. By stroke of a dictators pen, taxes morphed into individual loot. If PD 276 is not scrubbed as unconstitutional, then Marcos found a legal and valid way to steal, wrote then columnist Antonio Carpio, now a Supreme Court justice.

Under Marcos, the Floirendos got bananas, and Roberto Benedicto oversaw sugar. Eduardo Cojuangco emerged as coconut czar, while Juan Ponce Enrile served as martial law commissar [...]

Read the full story >> End to bloodletting?

**************************

Speculation? No, it can be reality

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

What makes the majority (the voting was 8-7) believe that the other 150 owners of friar lands in the same situation as the heirs of Severino Manotok cannot lose their lands as a function of the precedent in this ruling?

THE Supreme Court ruling reiterating its earlier edict that friar lands whose deeds of conveyance did not have the signatures of the secretary of agriculture and the director of the bureau of lands belong to the state as in the case of the denied petition of the heirs of Severino Manotok.

In her dissent, Associate Justice Maria Lourdes P. Sereno stressed that the ruling promulgated on March 6 created changes for the system of property rights in the Philippines.

The ponencia penned by Associate Justice Martin Villarama says the Court simply adhered strictly to the letter and spirit of the Friar Lands Act and jurisprudence interpreting its provisions.

How nave can these learned jurists get? [...]

Read the full story >> Speculation? No, it can be reality

**************************

Are heinous crimes rooted to deteriorating moral standards?

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

PNP (Philippine National Police) spokesman, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, had assessed that the ease with which criminals commit murders these days could be the result of the deterioration of the moral standard in our country.

Cruz was referring more to the audacity and harshness of criminals today.

In general terms, crime stats show a marked decrease over the last two years and an increase in the solving of these crimes. What alarms many Filipinos is how easy criminals would cross that line and take another persons life. Media that are addicted to showbiz, scandal and crime stories heighten that alarm.

Indeed, there is basis to believe that our moral standard has deteriorated. More people are inclined now to steal, bigger amounts at that, when they land an important public office. Alcohol and drugs are also major contributory factors in the murders that have been reported. Drug addicts will do anything to get the money with which to buy drugs. Population density, especially in the poorest communities, increases the pressure to commit crimes. So where does a societys moral standard become a factor? [...]

Read the full story >> Are heinous crimes rooted to deteriorating moral standards?

**************************

Power crisis: Whos to blame?

BABES EYE VIEW
By Babe Romualdez
The Philippine Star

In 1987, the late Energy Secretary Ronnie Velasco warned the Cory government of a severe power shortage as a consequence of the cancellation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Before he could explain why, a Cabinet official reeking with newly acquired arrogance of power told Velasco, on nationwide television, to shut up and just explain the corruption surrounding the Westinghouse deal. One year later, massive blackouts started taking place, literally taking the country into the dark ages. Towards the middle of 1992, record power outages lasting for 12 hours resulted in billions of pesos of business losses, with hundreds of thousands of workers laid off (many of them in the garments and semiconductor industries).

After FVR took over as president, he quickly moved to solve the power crisis by figuratively taking the bull by the horn, engaging in fast-track emergency measures. But the quick fix solution however became even more costly in the end especially for the consuming public. Power barges were quickly utilized to address the crisis with 40 power plant projects signed over to independent power producers with the controversial take and pay provisions that forced Filipino taxpayers to pay for fixed energy costs, currently estimated at P4 billion a month, whether these IPPS supplied electricity or not [...]

Read the full story >> Power crisis: Whos to blame?

**************************

Fire hits market on lot cited in Corona trial

By Jeannette I. Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Fire struck early Sunday a public market that had been built on the former Basa-Guidote lot in Sampaloc, Manila, destroying around P3 million worth of property.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered a thorough investigation of the blaze which gutted nearly half of the markets dry goods section.

The fire which started at 1:50 a.m. Sunday reached the third alarm before it was put out by firemen of the Manila Fire District at 4:30 a.m.

By then, the blaze had razed 80 of 292 stalls in the dry goods section of the Sampaloc Public Market at the corner of Legarda and Bustillos Streets.

MFD arson investigators said the fire started in stall 239, leased to footwear vendor Ely Morales, but the cause remained [...]

Read the full story >> Fire hits market on lot cited in Corona trial

**************************

Manny Pacquiaos Last 3 Fights to Include Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

By Leo Reyes
Bleacher Report

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 12: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his majority decision victory against Juan Manuel Marquez in the WBO world welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Manny Pacquiao
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Regardless of the outcome of his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley, eighth-division world champ Manny Pacquiao has calendared three more fights before retiring from professional boxing to continue his rising career in politics.

If indeed Pacquiao will retire in 2013 as he had announced earlier, it is obvious he will be returning to the ring in November after his date with Timothy Bradley on June 9.

Most likely, he will face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time tofinallysettle their differences. It seems fight fans would still patronize another showdown between these two greatfighters as they continue to talk about their controversial encounter last November in Las Vegas [...]

Read the full story >> Manny Pacquiaos Last 3 Fights to Include Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

**************************

After 100 years, Pinoy hero reburied with military honors

By Jun Elias
The Philippine Star

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union ,Philippines Jose Baliton Nisperos was awarded the US Congressional Medal of Honor almost 100 years ago on Nov. 25, 1912 for single-handedly repelling Islamic rebels in Basilan on Sept. 24, 1911.

The Philippine Scouts corporal was the first Asian and Filipino to receive the highest military decoration of the United States government.

The Philippines was an American territory and the Philippine Scouts a division of the US Army at the time.

Nisperos was medically discharged from the US Army because of the severity of his wounds and given a pension of [...]

Read the full story >> After 100 years, Pinoy hero reburied with military honors

**************************

Case of Fil-Canadian boy in spoon, fork controversy goes on

ROUCHELLE DINGLASAN
GMA News

Six years ago, a Filipino-Canadian boy made headlines after school officials said he ate like a pig for using a spoon and fork as he had his lunch.

According to the news site The Filipino Reporter, the case of Luc Cagadoc, now 13 years old, has reached the Quebec Court of Appeal.

Born in the Philippines but raised in Canada, Cagadoc was reprimanded by Marguerite-Bourgeoys School officials in 2006 for eating in the customary Filipino manner with a spoon and fork during lunch break.

The school board and the school, Lalande School in Roxboro, backed up the lunch monitor, with school officials and teachers saying the boy ate like a pig and should learn to eat like other Canadians, The Filipino Reporter said.

In 2010, Cagadoc and his family won the case they filed before the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal [...]

Read the full story >> Case of Fil-Canadian boy in spoon, fork controversy goes on


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3686 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Wed Apr 4, 2012 8:56 pm
Subject: PerryScope: The people have spoken: "Guilty!"
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


PERRYSCOPE

The people have spoken: Guilty!

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

(Photo credit: RAPPLER)

When the Senate impeachment court was going into a six-week recess in observance of Holy Week, two surveys caught a lot of people by surprise. Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) the countrys top pollsters released their surveys about peoples reaction as the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona concluded the prosecution phase and began the defense phase.

The first was Pulse Asia who released its survey on March 20, two days before the impeachment trial was suspended for the long Holy Week break. It couldnt be timelier. The effect was devastating!

The survey, conducted from February 26 to March 9, showed Coronas approval rating at 14% while his disapproval rating went up to 58%, a 34% increase since November 2011 before the House of Representatives impeached him. It also showed his trust rating drop to 11% from 29% last November while his distrust rating drastically increased to 60% from 27% last November.

And heres the stinger: The survey showed that nearly half (47%) of the respondents view Corona as guilty while only 5% said that he is innocent of the charges. The rest of the respondents (43%) were undecided.

A week after the Pulse Asia survey came out SWS released the results of its own survey: 73% of the respondents believe that Corona is guilty of the impeachment charges while only 25% believe he is innocent.

Its interesting to note that the survey was conducted on March 10-13 just when the defense started its presentation of witnesses and evidence. When the respondents were asked if it was important for Corona to testify personally at the trial, 73% answered Yes while 26% said No. [...]

Read the full story >> The people have spoken: Guilty!


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3687 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sat Apr 7, 2012 4:32 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Passion and Revolution
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Passion and Revolution

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano



I read a few decades ago a book by Rey IIeto entitled Pasyon at Rebolusyon. It makes good reading for all Filipinos, but maybe a must for all public officials and employees. For that matter, even the hierarchy of the Catholic Church may be wisely guided by the insights of the author. Ileto gave a context of a Filipino angst which may have morphed over the last century but, in essence, may still holds true.

The author linked religiosity and political life, religiosity and the Catholic religion, religiosity and revolution. It is to his credit that his wonderful perspective appears to become more accurate with time instead of being watered down by it. Ileto saw the intimacy of faith and governance. I think that Ileto believed it was more than intimate. He sounded so much like describing the two faces [...]

Read the full story >> Passion and Revolution


ALSO IN THE NEWS


The champion of the little people

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

If you study the life of Jesus Christ, youll note that an important point of His ministry on earth was to champion the cause of the least of our brethren or those we often refer to as the little people. Christ empathized with the little people and it was for them that He dedicated his great commandment Whatsoever you do to the least of your brethren, you do unto me.

The greatest enemies of Christ were the Pharisees the pretenders to being paragons of virtue and piety. Christ disdained the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It could well be that Christ had the little people and the Pharisees in mind when He said: The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first. The proud will be humbled and the humble will be exalted. Christ also downplayed the distracting addiction to wealth and power when He said: What good is it for a man to gain the world yet lose his soul? [...]

Read the full story >> The champion of the little people

**************************

Can We Believe and Achieve the Resurrection?

By Fr. Shay Cullen
(His columns are published in The Manila Times,
in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line)

Christians have celebrated the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, we have recalled the dramatic events in that life of one who brought into the world the unconditional, self- sacrificing love that makes us so human and so divine. When we love others like the Good Samaritan, generous, self-giving to a stranger, to a victim, the way Jesus himself did, risking all for the dignity and the rights of others, we can hope for eternal life.

Perhaps we dont have to risk all as he did confronting the corruption and the hypocrisy of the elite and the religious authorities, who executed him, but by living a life for others and not ourselves as he taught. If we can, then perhaps evolve to a higher spiritual level and experience our own resurrection.

We may reach that level of goodness and spiritual maturity that will enable us to cross successfully to the life of eternal goodness beyond the grave and as Jesus did and we could overcome death and live forever. That is the dream of all people of faith; to unite with the God of eternal love and gain eternity. Death that ends in nothingness is difficult to accept and contemplate but the faith and belief in life hereafter and in the Resurrection is what gives us hope and the strength to live an unselfish life [...]

Read the full story >> Can We Believe and Achieve the Resurrection?

**************************

Crucifixion Star Nears End Of His Vow

BY AARON B. RECUENCO
MANILA BULLETIN

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga Ruben Enaje is near the end of his 27-year vow.

Enaje will be nailed to the cross for the 26th straight year today, Good Friday.

The crucifixion of Enaje and 20 other penitents has been the high point of the Good Friday observance in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, an event that draws thousands of the devout and the curious to the small village.

But the 51-year-old artist feels he is getting too old to continue the ritual. I can already feel my body complaining, Enaje told the Manila Bulletin in Filipino.

He looked at the huge wooden cross that he keeps in his workplace. This will be my retirement cross. I put my heart into making this because this will be part of my last performance next year, he said [...]

Read the full story >> Crucifixion Star Nears End Of His Vow

**************************

The people have spoken: Guilty!

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

(Photo credit: RAPPLER)

When the Senate impeachment court was going into a six-week recess in observance of Holy Week, two surveys caught a lot of people by surprise. Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations (SWS) the countrys top pollsters released their surveys about peoples reaction as the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona concluded the prosecution phase and began the defense phase.

The first was Pulse Asia who released its survey on March 20, two days before the impeachment trial was suspended for the long Holy Week break. It couldnt be timelier. The effect was devastating!

The survey, conducted from February 26 to March 9, showed Coronas approval rating at 14% while his disapproval rating went up to 58%, a 34% increase since November 2011 before the House of Representatives impeached him. It also showed his trust rating drop to 11% from 29% last November while his distrust rating drastically increased to 60% from 27% last November.

And heres the stinger: The survey showed that nearly half (47%) of the respondents view Corona as guilty while only 5% said that he is innocent of the charges [...]

Read the full story >> The people have spoken: Guilty!

**************************

Class legislation in Manotok case

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

This is a disaster waiting to happen a blow to the integrity of our Torrens system and the stability of land titles in this country.

SENIOR Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio does not dispute the validity of R.A. 944 confirming and declaring, subject to certain exceptions, the validity of existing TCTs (transfer certificates of title) and reconstituted certificates of title covering the Banilad Friar Lands Estate situated in Cebu.

He dissented in the Manotok land case promulgated on March 6, 2012 saying that the law should apply to all friar land cases all over the Philippines. If the intent of the law is limited to Banilad, a case of class legislation prohibited by the Constitution becomes real and apparent.

Carpio declared in his 23-page dissent (Justice Villaramas ponencia had 30 pages) to limit its (RA 944) application to the Banilad Estate will result in class legislation [...]

Read the full story >> Class legislation in Manotok case

**************************

SC ruling dispossesses millions of lot owners

GOTCHA
By Jarius Bondoc
The Philippine Star

Catastrophic is the Supreme Court ruling on the Piedad Estate. On surface, it merely reverts to the State a thousand hectares of Quezon City prime commercial-residential land straddling Commonwealth Avenue. Yet actually upset are the Torrens titling, home financing, and executive-legislative-judicial remediating systems.

That this occurs because an absent justice was made to cast a tie-breaker is another blow against impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. The implications are farther-reaching, though. From the SCs 8-7 final vote, millions of lot owners nationwide can lose their property if falling within former friar lands like Piedad Estate.

It all began with the Manotok clan, owner of a 34-hectare slice of Piedad near UP-Diliman and posh Ayala Heights, repelling two belated claimants. One group came out to contest the Manotok holding after fire gutted the Quezon City land registry in 1985. Another emerged, as court battle ensued, to say that land tenure had passed on to them. The Court of Appeals deemed the last-minute claimants titles and deeds bogus [...]

Read the full story >> SC ruling dispossesses millions of lot owners

**************************

Act of Valor Racist propaganda movie

Telltale Signs
By Rodel Rodis


Terror Alert! A group of 16 Filipino suicide bombers are poised to infiltrate the US border in Mexico wearing deadly explosive vests to be detonated in heavy metropolitan areas to kill Americans. A crack team of US Navy SEALs have been dispatched to intercept them.

That is the surprising plot of the new Hollywood film Act of Valor which premiered as the top box office draw of the weekend it opened in theatres all over the US last month and which remained in the top 5 for a month.

The film features real-life active duty US Navy SEALs playing themselves in a plot the movie publicizes is based on actual events.

Imagine what image of Filipinos is being formed in the minds of millions of Americans who have viewed or will view this film in movie theatres, on HBO and in DVDs. Why Filipnos? [....]

Read the full story >> Act of Valor Racist propaganda movie

**************************

The disappointment shows

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas

When the noynoying concept went viral, Malacanang spokesmen pointed to President Noynoy Aquinos high approval ratings to stress that those who were noynoying during protests and rallies do not reflect the sentiment of the Filipino people. Now that the latest Social Weather Station survey showed that his net approval rating has dropped by nine percentage points, the Palace spokesmen downplayed the poll results, saying that they were simply the result of the recent rise in oil prices and the transport strikes.

Aquino himself made an even bigger turnaround and said that the rating drop must be ignored and that governance should not be survey-driven.

Governance is about doing what is right, which sometimes entails some sacrifices, for the good of the people, he said. Why is this line so familiar? Because Gloria Macapagal Arroyo echoed the same line every time a new survey showed her declining [...]

Read the full story >> The disappointment shows

**************************

Adult Language, But Right on Target and the Truth of the Matter

A Cup O Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose

Alan Simpson

THIS SENIOR CITIZEN NAILED IT!!!!!!!!!

Alan Simpson, Senator from Wyoming, Co-Chair of Obamas deficit commission, calls senior citizens the Greediest Generation as he compared Social Security to a Milk Cow with 310 million teats.

August, 2010.

Heres a response in a letter from a unknown fellow in Montana I think he is a little ticked off! He also tells it like it is!

Hey Alan, lets get a few things straight

As a career politician, you have been on the public dole for FIFTY years.

Ibeen paying Social Security taxes for 48 YEARS (since I was 15 years old. I am now 63).

My Social Security payments, and those of millions of other Americans, were safely tucked away in an interest bearing account for decades until you political pukes decided to raid the account and give OUR money to a bunch of zero ambition losers in return for votes, thus bankrupting the system and turning Social Security into a Ponzi scheme that would have made Bernie Madoff proud.

Recently, just like Lucy & Charlie Brown, you and your ilk pulled the proverbial football away from millions of American seniors nearing retirement and moved the goalposts for full retirement from age 65 to age 67. NOW, you and your shill commission is proposing to move the goalposts YET AGAIN.

Millions of other Americans, have been paying into Medicare from Day One, and now you morons propose to change the rules of the game. Why? Because you idiots mismanaged other parts of the economy to such an extent that you need to steal money from Medicare to pay the bills [...]

Read the full story >> Adult Language, But Right on Target and the Truth of the Matter


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3688 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sun Apr 8, 2012 7:05 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: P-Noy: Do what's right, stay hopeful
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

P-Noy: Do whats right, stay hopeful

By Aurea Calica
The Philippine Star

Photo is loading...
Penitents in Barangay San Pedro Cutud in San Fernando,
Pampanga reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on

Good Friday. Val Rodriguez

MANILA, Philippines President Aquino called on Filipinos yesterday to always live by Gods compassion and to think of others, stay the right course and remain hopeful despite the many challenges and difficulties, saying the country is on the rise.

In his Easter message, Aquino said the people must remember how Jesus Christ has owned up to the sins of humanity to let the faithful enjoy Gods kingdom.

Indeed, His rise from the dead fulfills the promise for eternal life, Aquino said.

The President said the country is showing that it is also rising from hopelessness that drove people to leave and take risks overseas just to escape from the clutches of corruption and poverty.

But the Catholic Church itself said: to lose hope is a big sin. So we held on to our faith and trusted in His endless love. This is what is giving us light to a progressive and just society, Aquino said [...]

Read the full story >> P-Noy: Do whats right, stay hopeful


ALSO IN THE NEWS

8 signs of hope

By Alex Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hope is one of lifes great essentials. A person who sees no future in a company will look for opportunity elsewhere. A man who sees no hope in a country will migrate to another place.

Is there really hope for our country?

If we simply remove our blinders, put in place by our prejudices and unhealthy loyalties, we will see that there are indeed signs of hope. Some of these signs are obvious while others are not too visible to the naked eye. But they are there, so real, like the invisible air we breathe.

The first of these signs is that the fight against graft and corruption being waged by President Aquino appears to be true. A number of corrupt practices have been stopped, including the pabaon practice among the high officials in the military; many questionable government transactions involving billions of pesos are being scrutinized. The long arm of justice seems to be finally catching up with those who, for many years, were beyond its reach.

Secondly, there seems to be serious efforts to build a good government, as many good leaders have been appointed to important positions. For example, Education Secretary Armin Luistro is on track to wipe out our countrys backlog of 66,000 classrooms nationwide by 2016. This would be a great achievement by itself [...]

Read the full story >> 8 signs of hope

**************************

A resurrection experience

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

Throughout Holy Week and the week before it, I thought a lot about the Resurrection that of Jesus Christ and the experiences of resurrection that I was given in life.

Resurrection need not only be the miracle of rising from the dead, a privilege, it seems, thats reserved only for Jesus Christ. When we fall into the darkness pit that will ensure our final turnover to the custodian of hell, and then we succeed with the grace of God to rise from the depth of that darkness pit and live in the light anew that is a resurrection experience.

When we develop into the transactional animals that market dynamics produce, sink deep into the sin of excessive greed, and barter our principles for the material gain or the acquisition of temporal power we are souls crying out for rescue, souls seeking a resurrection experience. In our country, by just glancing at the news we can see many souls desperately seeking a resurrection experience [...]

Read the full story >> A resurrection experience

**************************

27 nailed to crosses in Pampanga, Bulacan

By Ding Cervantes
The Philippine Star

Photo is loading...
A penitent is nailed to the cross in Paombong,
Bulacan on Good Friday. VAL RODRIGUEZ

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines Twenty-seven penitents in Pampanga and Bulacan fulfilled their vow to have themselves crucified on Good Friday despite admonitions from the Church.

Fifty-one-year-old Ruben Enaje had his hands and feet nailed to a wooden cross in Barangay San Pedro Cutud here, leading 21 other Kristos in the reenactment of the crucifixion in the province.

In Paombong, Bulacan, four men and a woman were nailed to crosses one after another on Good Friday.

Crucifixions in Pampanga were also held in Barangays Sta. Lucia and San Juan, which, like in the previous years, have become a major tourist attraction.

Marni Castro, co-chairman of San Fernandos Maleldo (Holy Week) committee, said the city government contributed P450,000 for the traditional Lenten event [...]

Read the full story >> 27 nailed to crosses in Pampanga, Bulacan

**************************

Shrine draws a million

Devotees flock to Lucban

By Delfin T. Mallari Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon


Throng of devotees flock to the Kamay ni Hesus
shrine in Lucban, Quezon on Good Friday to climb

the spiritually sanctifying 300-step Stairway to

Heaven to reach the 50-foot statue of the
resurrected
Christ on top of the hill.
DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.
/Inquirer Southern Luzon

LUCBAN, QuezonGrabe (Awesome)! Beyond description.

This was how Fr. Joey Faller, the priest who built the Kamay ni Hesus (Hand of Jesus) shrine here, described the throngs of devotees who had been flocking to the religious site to mark the Holy Week.

Such tremendous expression of faith is really heartwarming. It is a manifestation of the strengthening spirituality of our people, Faller, a renowned healer, said in an interview on Good Friday.

He said this years visitorsdevotees, picnickers, curiosity seekers, kibitzers and balikbayanshad been arriving in droves since Palm Sunday.

With more people expected to come until Monday, a holiday, Faller predicted the multitude of visitors would surpass his estimate of one million for the entire Holy Week observance [...]

Read the full story >> Shrine draws a million

**************************

In the end only one thing counts

No Limitation
By Ted Laguatan

The UP Law (debating) Team has defeated Greece after defeating Argentina and is now among the top 8 in the world Hope you can catch tomorrows match. Should UP Law win in the morning, there is another match in the afternoon/evening with the world championship set for Saturday. Good luck to the team. Their performances have been sterling. They have won six matches three to go.

Atty. Ramon Paterno, Washington DC based World Bank executive, former UP debater and former member of the UP Student Council, emailed this to various recipients.

In turn, his email was forwarded to me with a comment by my friend Ed Maranan, a martial law detainee and one of the most prolific writers in the Philippines. He has won an unprecedented 33 prizes in the prestigious annual Palanca awards for writers. In college, Ed and I were also members of the UP Student Council and debaters. His comment [...]

Read the full story >> In the end only one thing counts

**************************

Should surveys on Corona be banned during his trial?

Ban will violate freedom of expression

By Sonny Angara
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Some quarters have called for the banning of surveys regarding the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. These calls for a survey ban seem to have been prompted by the recent release of a few nationwide surveys on the impeachment trial:

The Laylo Research Group and Pulse Asia both published results of surveys conducted in February and March.

Social Weather Stations (SWS) released results of a survey conducted on March 10-13, wherein 73 percent of those polled thought the Chief Justice was guilty while some 25 percent thought he was probably innocent. (See table.)

Dont shoot messenger

Defense lawyers were quick to find fault with the sample size, saying that 1,200 respondents could not adequately represent the sentiment of the whole nation. Some have also criticized the timing or motive of these surveys. This caused my fellow spokespersonsRepresentatives Erin Taada and Miro Quimboto say: Dont shoot the messenger! [...]

Read the full story >> Should surveys on Corona be banned during his trial?

**************************

Senator Lapids millions subject of Ombudsman probe

Special Report by Gerry Lirio, News5
INTERAKSYON

The Lapid house on Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas.

MANILA, Philippines Senator Lito Lapid, one of the judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, is himself the subject of a discreet inquiry by the Office of the Ombudsman, its curiosity triggered about the lawmakers reportedly fabulous assets here and abroad.

The antigraft watchdog, mandated by law to conduct investigations motu propio or even in the absence of a formal complaint, started making quiet inquiries about the senators own assets and liabilities shortly after his wife Marissa was caught red-handed by US authorities with some $50,000 at the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on January 15.

Two of Lapids closest business associates confirmed to News5 having received calls separately in February from an Ombudsman investigator inquiring about the senators wealth a week after Marissas arrest. One said the senator cajoled him to keep silent; the other said he would talk only if he were caught in the middle.

Marissa is out on bond, but is still in the United States, staying in a family-owned house at No. 2055 Buffalo Drive in Las Vegas. The house has been placed under lien by a US court to ensure that she would appear in court if and when indicted for [...]

Read the full story >> Senator Lapids millions subject of Ombudsman probe

**************************

LP open to coalesce with other parties for 2013 polls

Source: The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The Liberal Party said yesterday it was open to coalescing with other parties for the 2013 senatorial elections but only with those or with individuals who have the same principles.

This, as Vice President Jejomar Binays Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban and former President Joseph Estradas Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, have joined forces to form the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

But LP stalwart Florencio Abad said, it is too early to make any conclusions, no matter how tentative, about possible coalition arrangements among parties and personalities.

Expectedly, parties will be posturing to strengthen their bargaining position come coalition talks. But for sure, the Aquino administration will not forge any coalition with parties and personalities where its anti-corruption and good governance will be compromised and weakened, Abad said, reacting to reports that the camp of Binay would also accept and field the allies of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo [...]

Read the full story >> LP open to coalesce with other parties for 2013 polls

**************************

Binay, Estrada join forces for 2013, 2016 polls

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, PhilippinesVice President Jejomar Binay has begun mobilizing his forces in preparation for his presidential run four years from now, in what could be a repeat of his showdown against then Senator Manuel Roxas II for the vice presidency in 2010.

But first things first: the mid-term elections next year.

Binays Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has formally joined forces with former president Joseph Estradas Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) to form what is now called the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Estrada said on Wednesday that the alliance was a done deal and confirmed that it was part of Binays eventual candidacy in the 2016 presidential election, not just in next years senatorial race.

Sigurado na iyon, the former president told the Inquirer in a phone interview, referring to Binays presidential run [...]

Read the full story >> Binay, Estrada join forces for 2013, 2016 polls


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3689 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:38 am
Subject: Balitang Kutsero: Pacman and the Taxman
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


BALITANG KUTSERO

Pacman and the Taxman

Balitang Kutsero
By Perry Diaz



After several months of trying to interview Manny Pacman Pacquaio, my perseverance finally paid off he returned my call! Our conversation went as follows:

Pacman: Hello, Perry. This is Manny.

Perry: Oh, hello, Manny, what a pleasant surprise! How are you?

Pacman: I had better days. I feel like Im being crucified!

Perry: Well, its Holy Week its time to be penitent for a lot of people.

Pacman: Penitent? No way Im going to the penitentiary!

Perry: You dont have to go to the penitentiary to be penitent for your sins.

Pacman: My sins!!! Ive been holier than most people. God even talks to me!

Perry: Thats what the midnight chief justice said, too. He said hes been communicating with God. Thats why he has a Mass in front of the Supreme Court every morning.

Pacman: Hoy, dont compare me to that midnight cowboy [...]

Read the full story >> Pacman and the Taxman


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3690 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:21 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Crucify the CJ? -- A MUST READ!
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Crucifying the CJ?

By Ducky Paredes
Malaya

Glorias appointed, unlike previous Chief Justices (mostly men of honor who would resign at the first whiff of scandal involving their Court or their relatives), has vowed never to resign.

THE man must be losing something or suffering some mental imbalance. Chief Justice Renato Corona claims that he spent the Holy Week in prayer and now claims that he found parallels in his persecution and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In an Easter Sunday message that may well be a form of blasphemy, Corona shamelessly compared himself to the Son of God. He said that, just like Jesus, he also has sufferings caused by such injustice by complicity, trial by publicity and conviction by popular opinion (that) seem like dark thunderstorm clouds.

It began when the chief priests and other leaders plotted against the Son of God leading to his arrest, mockery, trial and crucifixion But in the end, it will still be between us and our Creator, just like the time of the Son of Man when he called on his heavenly father. [...]

Read the full story >> Crucifying the CJ?


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Dip in Aquinos satisfaction rating should do him good

By Ellen Tordesillas
Malaya

The number used to send the Binay messages was also the same one used earlier to send anti-Chief Justice Renato Corona messages.

President Aquinos satisfaction rating may have dropped a little but by any standard its still high.

The Social Weather Stations survey, conducted among 1,200 respondents nationwide March 11-13, 2012, saw the Presidents satisfaction rating dip from nine points from plus 58 in Dec. 2011 which was very good to plus 49 which is still good.

His predecessor, Gloria Arroyo never hit that high a satisfaction rating in her nine years of stolen presidency. The highest she got was plus 30 in March 2004, two months before the 2004 elections where she again robbed the people of their mandate [...]

Read the full story >> Dip in Aquinos satisfaction rating should do him good

**************************

Noynoyinggood for the economy?

By Myrna Rodriguez Co
Philippine Daily Inquirer



In the perception war that is Philippine politics, President Noynoy Aquino has been looked at by critics as lackadaisical, laid back, do nothing.

And thus in the recent months, in very Pinoy fashion, a new word has been hatched to describe the presidential work style: Noynoying. It has come to mean a carefree way of dealing with the problems of the state.

Noynoying began to catch public interest as a protest gimmick that young activists used to denounce what they regard as lack of action by the government on the issues of disaster response and rising oil prices.

It is a play on planking (meaning to lie vertically, face down) and Aquinos nickname, Noynoy.

The term caught fire [...]

Read the full story >> Noynoyinggood for the economy?

**************************

Kims Manny Problem

By Ducky Paredes
Malaya

The sooner he submits, the sooner this controversy will die down. Wala naman kaming sinasabing liability kaya nga ho namin sya iniimbestigahan

What should Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares do about Filipino boxing sensation and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao? She has a real problem. The boxer-congressman paid only P7 million in 2009, after paying P125 million in 2008.

Apparently, this was no misunderstanding or some kind of a screw-up. The Pinoy world boxing champion and reigning best pound-for-pound boxer in the world has had a change of mind about how much taxes he should be paying. Henares cant figure him out. Thus. she wants some kind of explanation from the World Boxing-Champion and Congressman. She hopes that Pacquiao would just submit the pertinent documents required of him instead of defending himself on television and the print media about being harassed by the BIR.

In fact, the one that feels more harassed is the governments tax collection agency which wants only to see Pacquiaos documentary evidence that will prove that P 7 million is exactly the amount that he must pay as his income tax even if it is apparent that his income stream increased even more in 2009 [...]

Read the full story >> Kims Manny Problem

**************************

Pacman and the Taxman

Balitang Kutsero
By Perry Diaz


After several months of trying to interview Manny Pacman Pacquaio, my perseverance finally paid off he returned my call! Our conversation went as follows:

Pacman: Hello, Perry. This is Manny.

Perry: Oh, hello, Manny, what a pleasant surprise! How are you?

Pacman: I had better days. I feel like Im being crucified!

Perry: Well, its Holy Week its time to be penitent for a lot of people.

Pacman: Penitent? No way Im going to the penitentiary!

Perry: You dont have to go to the penitentiary to be penitent for your sins.

Pacman: My sins!!! Ive been holier than most people. God even talks to me!

Perry: Thats what the midnight chief justice said, too. He said hes been communicating with God. Thats why he has a Mass in front of the Supreme Court every morning [...]

Read the full story >> Pacman and the Taxman

**************************

LP vs UNA: A case of David vs Goliath

By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The senatorial slate to be fielded in the midterm elections next year by the combined forces of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada against the ruling coalition could be a match between David and Goliath, according to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile compared the Biblical story between the young David, then soon-to-be-king of Israel, and Philistines giant and fearsome warrior Goliath to the coming electoral battle in 2013 during an interview over dzBB.

In the next senatorial race, the Binay-Estrada forces, being in the opposition, would represent David, while the senatorial ticket to be formed by President Benigno Aquino IIIs Liberal Party (LP) would take the place of Goliath because of the latters control over the resources needed to secure victory for the Presidents candidates, Enrile said [...]

Read the full story >> LP vs UNA: A case of David vs Goliath

**************************

LP not threatened by Binay-Erap coalition

By Ira Pedrasa
ABS-CBNnews.com

Arroyo ally joins Binay-Erap slate

MANILA, Philippines The political party of President Benigno Aquino III does not feel threatened by the alliance forged by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada, called the United Alliance (UNA).

Liberal Party (LP) spokesman Lorenzo Taada III, in a statement, said: The LP is not threatened with the coalition of PDP-LABAN and [Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino]. It is the right of political parties to form coalitions if it is within their interests.

He said even LP can form its own coalition with other political parties if the other political parties agree with the agenda of reform as espoused by PNoy.

But as of now, discussions on forming a coalition are too early. The LP is more concerned at this time in party building in the different provinces and municipalities, he added.

Talks are now ongoing with other political parties to join the team forged by Binay and Estrada [...]

Read the full story >> LP not threatened by Binay-Erap coalition

**************************

Lakas-Kampi-CMD Disintegrating?

BY BEN R. ROSARIO
MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines Is the once formidable Lakas- Kampi-CMD party losing grip on its key members?

This surfaced Monday after party leaders abruptly agreed to call for a caucus within the next three to four weeks in a bid to plan out strategies for the 2013 mid-term elections after two of its strongest senatorial bets decided to join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), newly formed political alliance of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and former President Joseph E. Estrada.

A highly-placed Lakas-Kampi-CMD source revealed that the party has not given its blessings to former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, who were invited by Binay to join UNAs 2013 senatorial slate.

Neither was Lakas-Kampi-CMD, a political party founded by former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was invited to join UNA.

We still maintain a strong political force in the country. We have solid local bases in many congressional districts. We might decide on the senatorial slate in our next caucus, perhaps next month, said the source who requested anonymity [...]

Read the full story >> Lakas-Kampi-CMD Disintegrating?

**************************

Distribute to farmers lands obtained through coco levy fund, DAR told

Source: CBCP News

QUEZON City, April 8, 2012The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to sequester and distribute the lands of Filipino mogul Eduardo Danding Cojuangco, which he has obtained by the arbitrary use of the coco levy funds during Marcos time.

In a statement, Pamalakaya national chairman Fernando Ka Pando Hicap said, President Benigno C. Aquino IIIs uncle had obtained a relatively huge chunks of land in Central Luzon and in Bugsuk, Pandanan, Matanglue and Gabung, all in Palawan Islands, through the use of coconut levy funds, sheer violence, influence peddling and manipulation during the term of former President Ferdinand Marcos, referred to as the Dictator.

If we go back in history, Danding had entered an agreement with Marcos, with the condition that the former would get 10 hectares of land for every hectare he would give up to the national government. The deal was signed on January 5, 1973 between Danding and Marcos agriculture and natural resources ministers at that time, Hicap said. The lands are to be used as coconut seed [...]

Read the full story >> Distribute to farmers lands obtained through coco levy fund, DAR told

**************************

China: The Frog and the Scorpion

By Conn M. Hallinan
Dispatches From the Edge

http://dispatchesfromtheedgeblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/china-the-frog-and-the-scorpion/

Behind the political crisis that saw the recent fall of powerful Communist Party leader Bo Xiali is an internal battle over how to handle Chinas slowing economy and growing income disparity, while shifting from a cheap labor export driven model to one built around internal consumption. Since China is the second largest economy on the planetand likely to become the first in the next 20 to 30 yearsgetting it wrong could have serious consequences, from Beijing to Brasilia, and from Washington to Mumbai.

Chinas current major economic challenges include a dangerous housing bubble, indebted local governments, and a widening wealth gap, problems replicated in most of the major economies in the world. Worldwide capitalismdespite Chinas self-description as socialism with Chinese characteristicsis in the most severe crisis since the great crash of the 1930s.

The question is: can any country make a system with serious built in flaws function for all its people? While capitalism was [...]

Read the full story >> China: The Frog and the Scorpion


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3691 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:30 pm
Subject: PerryScope: Why the people judged Corona "guilty"
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


PERRYSCOPE

Why the people judged Corona guilty

April 11, 2012 | Featured, Opinion, PerryScope

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz


"Are there eight senator-judges who could explain to the people the voters who voted them into office why they would acquit Corona?"

NEWS REPORT SAYS that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is poised to move to cite for contempt public opinion poll makers Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Station for conducting their March surveys asking respondents to give their take on the guilt or innocence of the accused in the ongoing impeachment trial.

The accused, the report continues, as one would know, is no less than the sitting Chief Justice of the Philippines. Pulse Asia would have a guilty verdict at 47%, and SWS, at a whopping 73%.

But Miriam was not alone in trying to silence the peoples court of public opinion. Several groups have also called for the banning of surveys regarding the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, which has been suspended until May 7 in observance of Lent.

Critics of the surveys particularly the supporters of Corona are concerned that the survey results are sub judice, which means that they could influence the decision of the 23 senator-judges. But many are of the opinion that the impeachment trial is not a judicial process where the sub judice rule applies but a process for seeking the truth to determine whether an impeached public official has indeed betrayed the office that he was entrusted with. And if found guilty of betrayal of public trust, he should be summarily removed from the office he betrayed [...]

Read the full story >> Why the people judged Corona guilty


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3692 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:40 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Why not go nuclear?
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Why not go nuclear?

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas

In the history of man, the fear of the unknown has always hampered progress. Fortunately, there were people who were willing to take the risks and challenge convention, and pave the way for a better life for their fellow men.

For example, from the first time man saw a bird flying, he also wanted to soar to the sky. And why not? If man could fly, he would be able to reach more lands in shorter time. First, there were the mythical Daedaelus and his son Icarus who literally copied the birds and made themselves giant wings to escape from a labyrinth in Crete. The myth goes on to say that Icarus disobeyed his father and flew too high. The wax that kept the feathers together melted and he fell to the sea and drowned.

The tragedy that befell Icarus did not stop man from the quest to fly, and many tried different ways to soar to the sky. Finally, on December 17. 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright broke the barrier and successfully launched into the sky the Wright Flyer and became the first to fly a controlled and sustained aircraft [...]

Read the full story >> Why not go nuclear?


ALSO IN THE NEWS

VP Binays foes are right on cue

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

When VP Jojo announced the latest recruits of UNA (United Nationalist Alliance) along with their roster of 2013 senatorial candidates he inadvertently presented some very controversial persons for his foes to capitalize on. Most notable of these was Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, one of the biggest defenders of the unlamented Arroyo regime.

Following the announcements of these questionable new allies of Vice President Jojo Binay, a series of messages that could be classified as grey propaganda were text blasted last April 6. Black propaganda is the use of vicious lies and half-truths against another person. Grey propaganda appears to be saying something nice about a person, but in truth its derogatory.

The April 6 text message said: Lets pray for unity this Holy Week. VP Binay will unite all factions against the vindictive Yellow Army. This message came from this mobile number (unlisted in my directory as these text blasts usually are): 09179650804. The clear message is to seed the idea that VP Binay is no longer supporting President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy). Its also intended to sever VP Jojos support base in the Yellow Forces, the strongest political brand today [...]

Read the full story >> VP Binays foes are right on cue

**************************

David and Goliath

Theres The Rub
By: Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Its looking like a battle between David and Goliath. So says Juan Ponce Enrile about the looming fight between the government-backed Liberal Party and Jojo Binay and Joseph Estradas coalition in next years elections.

The coalition is called the United Nationalist Alliance and bills itself as the unity ticket. Proof of its unity being that its prospective senatorial candidates come from the most disparate, even conflicting, political camps: Koko Pimentel, Miguel Zubiri, Mitos Magsaysay, J.V. Ejercito, Juan Ponce Jackie Enrile Jr., Joey de Venecia, Ernesto Maceda, Gregorio Honasan, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal, and Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay.

Enrile sees UNA as David. That is because the LP has the resources of government behind it. They hold the government, the money, the bureaucracy. But who knows, he says, David might win.

I agree: David might win. But I disagree: David wont be UNA [...]

Read the full story >> David and Goliath

**************************

Binay Keeps +70 Rating

BY ELLALYN B. DE VERA
MANILA BULLETIN

Vice President Jejomar Binay retained an excellent net satisfaction rating of +70 in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results.

The nationwide survey conducted from March 10-13 with 1,200 respondents found that 79 percent said they were satisfied with the Vice Presidents performance in the past three months, while only 9 percent said they were dissatisfied.

The percentage of those satisfied and dissatisfied brought the net rating of Binay to +70, which is the same as his net rating in December 2011.

The SWS survey result was first published in the BusinessWorld on Wednesday.

SWS noted that the Vice Presidents present rating is four points lower than his personal record-high of +74 (excellent) recorded in March 2011 [...]

Read the full story >> Binay Keeps +70 Rating

**************************

Preparing for the 2016 elections

BY DUCKY PAREDES
MALAYA

Knowing what we know about Philippine politics, however, the best-laid plans of our politicos never really work out as intended.

WITH just about everyone expecting that the former administration party will disintegrate. I like what Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Lakas president, is saying: The next elections is still over a year away and while there are already feelers being sent seeking the partys support, we do not want to focus our efforts there this early. Instead of following what other political parties are doing now, our party, through our members who are incumbent officials, would rather spend our energies on serving the constituency and addressing their more immediate concerns.

Bong explains: Kaya nasusuya na ang taumbayan. Katatapos pa lang ng eleksyon, eleksyon na naman ang iniintindi ng mga pulitiko. He says that Lakas, the former administration party that had been in power in prior administrations and was in power from 2001 to 2010, and notes that the real strength of a political party is its grassroots membership, the quality of its incumbent members on the ground, coupled with the support of recognized leaders and senior statesmen. Ultimately, the party that has the most number of performing incumbent officials is the strongest political party. [...]

Read the full story >> Preparing for the 2016 elections

**************************

Why the people judged Corona guilty

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz


News report says that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is poised to move to cite for contempt public opinion poll makers Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Station for conducting their March surveys asking respondents to give their take on the guilt or innocence of the accused in the ongoing impeachment trial.

The accused, the report continues, as one would know, is no less than the sitting Chief Justice of the Philippines. Pulse Asia would have a guilty verdict at 47%, and SWS, at a whopping 73%.

But Miriam was not alone in trying to silence the peoples court of public opinion. Several groups have also called for the banning of surveys regarding the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, which has been suspended until May 7 in observance of Lent [...]

Read the full story >> Why the people judged Corona guilty

**************************

Binay dared to choose: Aquino or Arroyo?

By Gil C. Cabacungan, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Leaders of the ruling Liberal Party on Tuesday dared Vice President Jejomar Binay to lay down his cards to let the public know whether he was supporting the administrations anticorruption reforms, specifically the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the trial of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Budget Secretary Florencio Butch Abad Jr. and Cavite Representative Joseph E.A. Abaya issued the challenge after Binays coalition for the 2013 midterm elections, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), invited allies of Arroyo and critics of the administration to join its senatorial ticket.

UNA is a coalition between Binays Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estradas Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

Should UNA proceed to put up its own slate, it will have to define itself in relation to the administration. Will it be pro, anti or otherwise? Thats for UNA to determine, especially on key issues of the day, such as the prosecution of former President Arroyo, the impeachment of the Chief Justice, the RH (reproductive health) bill and sin taxes indexing, said Abad in a text message [...]

Read the full story >> Binay dared to choose: Aquino or Arroyo?

**************************

The Trayvon Martin Tragedy: Is it a Racial Killing?

A Cup O Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose




The plot thickens. And as it thickens, it sickens.

The murder of Trayvon Martin continues to dominate the headlines of newspapers and talk shows ofAmericas mainstream media. Until justice is had and the killer is behind bars, locked away for good, I thinkthis trendwill continue. It should and it must. Otherwise, its a mockery of justice.

Two weeks ago,in one of my columns, titled Sanford, Florida: a Memory of Palm City, Florida, I wrote a storyabout this killing.In case youve missed this story, please google that headline on the Internet. I wrote that what happened in Sanford, Florida reminded meof what my family and I experienced in Palm City, Florida. That storyaffected a lot of peoplebecause I received several feedbacks on it.

Here are some of the comments. These came from readers ofHuffington Post, an on-line mainstream publication where I would send some of my opinion commentaries ontop storiesthat itposts [...]

Read the full story >> The Trayvon Martin Tragedy: Is it a Racial Killing?

**************************

Miriam Santiago worthy of the fires of hell

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer



She may be untouchable in the impeachment court. But in the eyes of God, Senator-Judge Miriam Defensor-Santiago could be worthy of the fires of hell.

In a blunt admonition of the feisty lawmaker, Fr. Catalino Arevalo, spiritual adviser of the late President Corazon Aquino, said Santiago should issue a public apology for repeatedly berating the House prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

If you call anybody you fool, you are worthy of the fires of hell. And she called them gago, which is Filipino for fool, before millions of people, Arevalo said in his homily at the historic Our Lady of Edsa Shrine yesterday during the First Saturday Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother.

I did not say that. Jesus said that, said Arevalo, the octogenarian Jesuit who delivered the homily at Aquinos funeral mass in 2009.

Arevalo based his message on the Gospel reading on Friday, Matthew 5:20: But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment. And if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council. And if you say, You fool, you will be liable to the fires of hell. [...]

Read the full story >> Miriam Santiago worthy of the fires of hell

**************************

Ang pagpapatuli, prostitution

Pagtanaw at Pananaw
Ni Bert de Guzman

Maluwag ang daloy ng trapiko. Maluwag huminga dahil ang polusyon na dulot ng mababagal o mabibilis na sasakyan ay biglang naglaho nitong nakaraang Semana Santa, laluna noong Huwebes at Biyernes. Kaysarap ng oxygen na sa araw-araw ay ginagapi ng carbon dioxide at maruming hangin na ibinubuga ng mga pabrika, ng mga tambutso ng jeepneys, buses, kotse, tricycles at iba pa. Ito ang situwasyon ng Mahal na Araw noong Huwebes Santo, Biyernes Santo, Sabado de Gloria at Pasko ng Pagkabuhay!

Hindi na ituturing pang gawaing kriminal ang prostitution matapos lagdaan ng Pangulong Noynoy Aquino noong Marso 28 ang Republic Act 10158 o ang Act of Decriminalizing Vagrancy. Iniutos niya ang pagpapalaya sa mga taong convicted sa kasong vagrancy o paglaboy maliban kung sila ay may iba pang kasong kinakaharap [...]

Read the full story >> Ang pagpapatuli, prostitution


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DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3693 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:37 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Can We Be Heroes -- A MUST READ!
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Can We Be Heroes

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano

Filipinos should be battle-ready. We have enemies who are determined to harm us, steal from us, abuse us, destroy us. We have no choice but to fight back, to defend ourselves, to defeat the enemies, and to establish the way of life that benefits us, our families and nation.

No, I am not talking about fighting the Chinese whom some suspect are intruding into our territory to eventually take the wealth beneath the sea. Because the existence of oil and gas reserves in quantities that are awesome have been confirmed by exploration companies, there is unusual interest in areas where possible mother lodes to this reserves are. The Philippine government and the Filipino people believe that most of these strategic areas are well within our territorial boundaries.

China says otherwise. We do not know to what extent China will go to back up that claim. We are hoping that China is just posturing so they have an edge when we go to any negotiation table. They can claim never theirs to start with. But China can be more belligerent than that. It depends how worried or desperate they are about their own energy needs and we do not have a good reading about their situation. All I can say is that China will move aggressively if [...]

Read the full story >> Can We Be Heroes


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Standoff at Scarborough

Aquino: Our sovereignty must prevail without violence

By Christine O. Avendao, Tina G. Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday he wanted a peaceful resolution of the ongoing standoff between a Philippine warship and two Chinese vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, but made it clear that the countrys sovereignty over the area must prevail.

The President was told about the incident on Tuesday night and he promptly met Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and military officials, his spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, said.

Speaking to reporters after he accepted an honorary doctorate from Centro Escolar University at Manila Hotel, Mr. Aquino expressed hopes officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would resolve the impasse in talks with their counterparts in Beijing.

The Philippines said the standoff began on Sunday when its Navy tried to detain Chinese boats fishing in its waters but were stopped by two Chinese surveillance craft. The Chinese Embassy accused the Philippine warship of harassing the fishermen and called for it to leave Chinese territory [...]

Read the full story >> Standoff at Scarborough

**************************

CJ must go on leave

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

Would the result of the voting be different if the Chief Justice had been on leave? Definitely. The heirs of Severino Manotok would have won.

WHEN an official in the executive department is suspected of having committed a wrong, either of two things immediately happens. The head of the agency orders a preventive suspension to stop the official from using the powers of his position to unduly shield himself from any responsibility.

Or the official himself goes on leave while the investigation is going on. The honest intention is precisely to give the investigators a free hand in looking into the alleged offense.

Since the Chief Justice may not be placed under suspension while facing impeachment trial, decency and delicadeza dictate that he should go on leave.

Chief Justice Corona has declared he will not go on leave. He will continue to herd his peers for whose interest we can only guess. We have seen how the Chief Justice railroaded the temporary restraining order against the secretary of justice. If Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had not defied the order, Gloria Arroyo would have left minutes after she got the TRO [...]

Read the full story >> CJ must go on leave

**************************

Corona and the Facebook bikini issue

By Natashya Gutierrez
Rappler

MANILA, Philippines When a Cebu student was not allowed by her school to participate in her graduation ceremony because of bikini shots of her on Facebook, many Filipinos expressed anger at what they believed was a violation of her freedom of expression.

Chief Justice Renato Corona however, had a different take on the issue.

The chief magistrate believes that the reason the student was ultimately not allowed to attend her graduation had something to do with the impeachment trial against him.

Despite a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a regional trial court commanding St. Theresas College (STC) to let the student participate in the ceremonies, STC defied the order and turned away the student and her parents on the day of her graduation [...]

Read the full story >> Corona and the Facebook bikini issue

**************************

Corona says judiciary is under attack

By Edu Punay
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona said yesterday the judiciary is under threat of destruction due to attacks on the Supreme Court (SC).

In his speech during a forum organized by the Batangas Regional Trial CourtJudges Association, Batangas First-Level Court Judges Association Inc. and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Corona said there now seems to be an apparent lack of respect for the court with the defiance of various court orders.

Corona cited the defiance of St. Theresas College in Cebu of a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the schools decision not to allow five students to attend their graduation rites for posing in bikinis and posting the photos on Facebook.

Disrespect and defiance to Supreme Court order strengthened Cebu school not to follow TRO, he lamented [...]

Read the full story >> Corona says judiciary is under attack

**************************

Kind

Theres The Rub
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Gringo Honasan had some interesting things to say before the country burrowed into the pit of Lent last week. We could have been a little kinder, he said, and refrained from dragging Renato Coronas kids in the mud. That was what happened when the prosecution presented evidence that showed Corona had put several of his properties in their names. I have expanded the presumption of innocence to the presumption of honor. Bakit mo naman sisirain yong kinabukasan ng mga anak at mga apo? Had we been more compassionate, more considerate, more Christian to each other, we should have avoided that.

He himself hasnt decided on Coronas innocence or guilt, Honasan said. But in any case, the world will not come to an end whatever verdict the impeachment court renders. Hindi naman lulubog sa dagat ang Pilipinas.

We should have been a little kinder and not dragged Coronas kids in the mud? [...]

Read the full story >> Kind

**************************

Sandiganbayan orders Marcos crony to return $50-M loot in nuclear plant deal

By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Sandiganbayan First Division has ordered businessman Herminio Disini, a crony of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, to surrender $50.6 million in commissions that he received for helping two foreign firms obtain the contract to build the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in 1974.

The antigraft court said the commissions were ill-gotten and that Disini should reconvey to the government the total amount, with interest, until fully paid.

The evidence presented by the Republic proves that Disini used his influence and close relationship with President Marcos to obtain and amass large amounts of money, which he subsequently stored in various accounts, the court ruled in a decision issued on April 11.

Although it found Marcos to have had a personal financial interest in the transaction, the Sandiganbayan said there was no evidence to show that either Marcos or his wife, Imelda, received any part of the commissions from the BNPP deal.

Considering that there is no preponderant evidence that defendant Marcoses received any part of these commissions, the Court cannot pronounce any liability on their part, the Sandiganbayan said. [...]

Read the full story >> Sandiganbayan orders Marcos crony to return $50-M loot in nuclear plant deal

**************************

Pacquiao joins Binays party; oath-taking readied

Source: Sun Star Manila

MANILA The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, is preparing for the swearing in of its latest recruit, Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao.

Reports of Pacquiao bolting the majority coalition of congressmen backing President Benigno Aquino III surfaced on Thursday, when the world boxing champion expressed willingness to join Binays camp after the two met in an event of the Philippine Sportswriting Association (PSA) last month.

But for party president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, it actually took 10 months for them to finally convince Pacquiao to be part of PDP-Laban, which recently formed an alliance with the camp of former President Joseph Estrada for the 2013 midterm elections.

We already have a meeting of the minds but we have yet to finalize the schedule of the oath-taking. I cannot say yet if it will happen before he takes on Timothy Bradley this June, Pimentel said, referring to Pacquiaos upcoming defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title in Las Vegas [...]

Read the full story >> Pacquiao joins Binays party; oath-taking readied

**************************

Sen. Estrada slams door on alliance with Arroyo parties

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Senator Jose Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday slammed the door on two political parties identified with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over a possible coalition with the newly formed United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for next years midterm elections.

Estrada said he was against accepting prospective candidates affiliated with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and more so, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), a party formed and headed by Arroyo.

As president of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada, the senator signed a covenant with Vice President Jejomar Binays Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to form the UNA coalition.

The younger Estrada said accepting Lakas members would be too much of a liability for UNA.

Theyre identified with FVR (former President Fidel V. Ramos) and with GMA (Arroyo), he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview [...]

Read the full story >> Sen. Estrada slams door on alliance with Arroyo parties

**************************

Annoying P-Noy

PAGE ELEVEN
BY ELINANDO B. CINCO
MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines FROM a fairly viewed perspective, bystanders and kibitzers will not stop annoying President P-Noy with trivial brickbats. And casually gauged in the frequency of their pestering, they are having a field day.

People close to him insist the President is taking all this taunting good-naturedly. If ever the mocking gets into his nerves, as press reports alleged, it is because some of the teases are tinted with personal allegations.

What were they? We knew them. They flourished in great abandon (in some instances, wantonly) during the 2010 presidential election campaign.

So, let us talk about the Noynoying teasing.

I read it first in the papers last February. I immediately cast my suspicion that some imaginative opposition congressmen had coined the word. Most probably the same guys who thought of K.K.K [...]

Read the full story >> Annoying P-Noy


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3694 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:04 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Palace expects Aquino-Binay split
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Palace expects Aquino-Binay split

By Christine O. Avendao
Gil C. Cabacungan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

It may be true that Vice President Jejomar Binay really supports President Aquino and that the President finds Binay really cool as his No. 2.

But that is today. They have been serving barely two years and there is nothing to gore each other about in running the state.

Give it some time, though, and the two will go separate ways. Thats in the stars.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigal Valte explained the inevitable split in an interview on dzBB radio on Sunday.

Valte pointed out that the President and the Vice President belong to different political parties with different platforms of government.

As such, they differ in their understanding of the countrys numerous problems and approaches to dealing with these ills that both of them have sworn to solve.

Having been elected, however, both are working together and so far have not found their differing political ideals making harmony impossible for them [...]

Read the full story >> Palace expects Aquino-Binay split


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Thats Macedas opinion, says Binay

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hes on his own.

The Office of the Vice President said it had nothing to do with former Sen. Ernesto Macedas assertion that a vote to acquit Chief Justice Renato Corona is a voice of support for Jejomar Binay in the 2016 presidential election.

In a text message to the Inquirer on Sunday, Joey Salgado, Binays press officer, said Maceda was expressing his own opinion as a political analyst.

We believe Senator Maceda was expressing his personal opinion as a political analyst. These are the same views that he has aired before in his [newspaper] column and in media interviews, Salgado said.

The Vice President, Salgado said has always maintained that the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice is a test of our democracy.

He added: It is important that the people see the trial as fair and impartial, and the outcome is respected by all. The votes of the senators should not be dictated by party affiliations or political plans but by the appreciation of the facts presented during the trial and what will help strengthen our democracy.

Maceda had said that how the senators would vote in the impeachment trial of Corona would have an impact on the political future of his ally Binay, who has [...]

Read the full story >> Thats Macedas opinion, says Binay

**************************

Senatoriables in 2013 polls

COMMONSENSE
By Marichu A. Villanueva
The Philippine Star

At this stage, political parties are already gearing up for the May 2013 midterm elections. Thus, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) already published legal notices last week on the schedule of official activities related to the holding of the polls next year.

The Comelec set this October the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy in all positions up for grabs in next years elections, from the Senate down to local government posts and party-list representatives in Congress.

For beating others in the preparations for the 2013 elections, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) coalition of Vice President Jejomar Binay is getting so much heat and hits. The newly organized UNA is a coalition of forces between Binays PDP-Laban and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) headed by former President Joseph Estrada.

Actually, the formation of the UNA coalition should not be a surprise. Binay ran after all as the vice presidential running mate of Estrada in the May 2010 presidential elections [...]

Read the full story >> Senatoriables in 2013 polls

**************************

Palace slams Coronas claim on early retirement offer

By Delon Porcalla and Edu Punay
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Malacaang slammed Chief Justice Renato Coronas claims yesterday that the Palace is forcing him to resign or avail of early retirement, a few weeks before his impeachment trial resumes at the Senate.

It is lamentable that the Chief Justice has been of late issuing un-statesmanlike and false diatribes against the Palace, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told The STAR.

Valte added that instead of issuing provocative statements, Corona should instead focus his energies on defending his case before the Senate impeachment court.

He would be well advised to refrain from making untruthful statements if he wishes to preserve what little goodwill the public has for him, she said.

Earlier, Corona, through his defense lawyers, disclosed that he was told to save the entire judiciary from the danger that it might undergo and to spare other justices, judges, court officials and employees from uncertainties. [...]

Read the full story >> Palace slams Coronas claim on early retirement offer

**************************

Reform Must Come Now Lest the Marcos Storm Most Viciously Returns

By Leandro D. Quintana*


It was on a hot humid day in August of 1972 when I left the Philippines; for good, I thought then. I was disillusioned, feeling hopeless and, like millions of other Filipinos, looking for a chance at a new life in new lands. (It was a most fortunate escape.) Our countrys raging ailment then? Graft and corruption. The twin evils ruled supreme in almost every facet of life. It rose to such levels during the Marcos dictatorship that his realm was likened to a mafia fiefdom with all levels of government shaking down every conceivable source of illicit income the revenues of which were funneled upwards. This became so commonplace and ingrained that to this day the surviving partner of that conjugal dictatorship, Imelda, refers with near innocent attachment to their loot as something that was ours. All $10 billion or so of it.

20 years later, post Marcos, I finally made a trip back home. Ive flown back a few times since then. Each visit resulted in a rediscovery of a beautiful land populated by beautiful and amazingly talented people. The experience always grips me and tugs at my heart. Almost like experiencing anew the warm and tender caresses of an alluring lover determined to keep one in her bosom forever. With each trip though came other discoveries and, as if peeling an onion, one goes deeper into the many layers and strata of Philippine life. Keeping the onion peeling analogy, tears often flow, inevitably, out of love and out of a deep sadness that the conditions that drove one to desperation and eventual flight 40 years ago still persist, and have even worsened [...]

Read the full story >> Reform Must Come Now Lest the Marcos Storm Most Viciously Returns

**************************

Diplomatic offensive pushed

By Christina Mendez
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Sen. Joker Arroyo yesterday called on President Aquino to launch a diplomatic offensive in the region by tapping the support of the United States and its allies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the latest conflict with China.

Arroyo said he wants a collective stand against the apparent intrusion of China into Philippine shores through Scarborough Shoal.

We are one of the founders of the ASEAN. We were even the first chairman of the ASEAN. Now what is the use of the ASEAN? he said. We should have a diplomatic offensive. They have been meeting. (But now) when one of the members are threatened, they have not even issued a stand.

Arroyo said ASEAN failed to issue even a resolution of concern or sympathy during the standoff with China over Scarborough, which the Philippines calls Panatag Shoal [...]

Read the full story >> Diplomatic offensive pushed

**************************

China out to grab Zambales shoal

GOTCHA
By Jarius Bondoc
The Philippine Star

Stay alert. It wasnt mere fish poaching that sparked the near clash between armed Chinese and Philippine ships in Scarborough Shoal last week. Two Chinese maritime surveillance vessels popped up on scene to shield the poaching lancha just as a Philippine Navy cutter was accosting them. This showed they were just in the vicinity of the shoal, trespassing Philippine waters like their fish-rustling compatriots. A third Chinese fisheries enforcement craft arrived to reinforce the two. It was not bent on enforcing international bans on harvesting live shark, giant clams, and corals found on the poaching boats. Then, while diplomatic talks were ongoing to diffuse the tension, one of the Chinese ships harassed and a patrol plane buzzed a Filipino research craft with French scientists onboard.

Chinas aim is apparent. Its patrols were acting as advance scouts for its Peoples Liberation Army-Navy. Under pretext of innocent fishing, China is out to grab Scarborough Shoal, just like it did to Mischief Reef in 1995 [...]

Read the full story >> China out to grab Zambales shoal

**************************

Peaceful rise?

SKETCHES
By Ana Marie Pamintuan
The Philippine Star

China maintains that the world has nothing to fear in its peaceful rise as an economic power backed by a commensurate national defense capability.

One issue that keeps casting doubt on this reassurance is Chinas behavior in the waters around its land area. Several foreign diplomats, including those representing nations outside this region, have told me that their governments are closely watching the territorial disputes in the South China Sea for indications of Chinas behavior as a global power.

Since Beijing also maintains that it is abiding by the status quo in the South China Sea, it would help bolster its avowed peaceful rise if it told its fishermen to keep away from disputed areas, and especially to stop harvesting endangered marine species.

Admittedly, the overlapping territorial claims are as complex as the international convention that could serve as an instrument for resolving the disputes. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines a coastal nations internal waters, territorial waters, archipelagic waters, contiguous zone, continental shelf, baseline and exclusive economic zone or [...]

Read the full story >> Peaceful rise?

**************************

Avoid offending religious sensibilities

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

Some of the bitterest conflicts in history were rooted to religious issues. Religious conflicts are also some of the hardest to heal. They have the tendency to become deeply rooted to a peoples culture and mindset. In our country, weve seen the reconciliation of political conflicts but we have yet to end once and for all the deeply rooted and mutually maintained distrust between Christians and Muslims.

The thought of fighting for God can easily turn the head of a zealot and drive one to extremism. There is wisdom in the banning of religious prejudice in the US, although this law appeared to have been applied to a counterproductive extreme. Its a good idea to promote religious tolerance and eliminate prejudice based on religious affiliation. However, what the US did was to practically ban God altogether. No good can eventually come from that.

The photo of a sexily attired tourist who posed on the cross where Christ imitators were crucified, stirred the Easter celebration on social media. Reactions ranged from expressing charges of improper behavior to sacrilege [...]

Read the full story >> Avoid offending religious sensibilities

**************************

Pacquiao Watch: Winds of change have already blown

By Edwin Espejo
AsianCorrespondent.com

Two years ago, it would have been unthinkable for a sitting president not to recognize or acknowledge the presence of Rep. Manny Pacquiao at a huge public event. In fact, during the heyday of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pacquiao was a preferred guest and attraction, not only for his immense popularity but also as a convenient cover-up for then Malacaangs many and grave shortcomings.

Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao. Pic: AP.

On Friday, members of the Philippine press noted the apparent snub he got from President Benigno Noynoy Aquino during the Mindanao Energy Summit. Pacquiao came as an elected member of the House of Representatives, representing one of the poorer provinces in Mindanao. He was there perfectly for and with a reason.

While Aquino failed to recognize him, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras broke protocol by acknowlidding Pacquiaos presence ahead of the presidents speech.

There is no doubt the cold shoulder treatment Pacquiao got from the president stemmed from the boxing champions past association with Arroyo. And because both Pacquiao and Aquino have long memories, the animosity between them during the 2010 election, when the boxing champ coalesced with defeated presidential candidate Manny Villar, was still apparently in [...]

Read the full story >> Pacquiao Watch: Winds of change have already blown


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3695 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:44 am
Subject: PerryScope: Unholy National Alliance
perrydiaz2001
Send Email Send Email
 

Welcome to Global Balita


Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


PERRYSCOPE

Unholy National Alliance

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

Jojo Binay and Erap Estrada

With the 2016 presidential election still four years away, Vice President Jejomar Jojo Binay is busy forming a grand opposition political union of his party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), with other political parties. And on top of the heap of those hes trying to lure into his new United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is former President Joseph Erap Estradas Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP). Makes one wonder, Why Erap?

The other parties who might join UNA are Danding Cojuangcos Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), Sen. Manny Villars Nacionalista Party (NP), and Sen. Edgardo Angaras Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP). The only party that hasnt been invited to join was former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyos Lakas-Kampi-CMD (LKC). However, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and former Sen. Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri, staunch LKC members and loyal supporters of Gloria were invited to join for possible inclusion on UNAs 2013 senatorial slate. Makes one wonder, Why Gloria loyalists?

But where else would they go? Would they join President Benigno P-Noy Aquino IIIs Liberal Party (LP) or a moribund LKC? How about a new political party or a third force? [...]

Read the full story >> Unholy National Alliance


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3696 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:05 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Support Jessica Sanchez for American Idol
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Support Jessica Sanchez for American Idol



Dear Friends and Kababayans:

Jessica Sanchez, our kababayan who is competing in AMERICAN IDOL, needs your support. Lets help her win! Shes the pride of all Filipino around the world and every vote counts! Even our kababayans in the Philippines and in the 120 countries where OFWs are working can vote. Click on the links below to find out how you can vote for Jessica!
Lets support Jessica! She needs your vote TODAY!

Salamat po,
Perry

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHARED by a FACEBOOK FRIEND:

Hey guys, we can actually VOTE our very own JESSICA SANCHEZ here in FB, even if we are here [in the PH].

Just VOTE between 11am and 1pm every Thursday with this FB app.
We can even VOTE in multiple times [...]

Read the full story >> Support Jessica Sanchez for American Idol


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Saving Jessica Sanchez

Telltale Signs
By Rodel E. Rodis

If the Chinese Navy invaded the Kalayaan municipality in the Spratley Islands and captured all 223 Filipino inhabitants there, I am uncertain if the campaign by the global Filipino community to save them would come close to the current massive united effort being mounted to save Jessica Sanchez from elimination in the American Idol finals.

I have never seen anything like it. For the last several days, I have been bombarded by emails from everyone I know or even dont know, including virtually all my yahoogroups, to please, pretty please, remember to vote on Wednesday night, April 18, from 10PM to 12 midnight (Pacific Time) for Jessica Sanchez. Not just once, but as many times as possible. And not just by phone, landline or cell, but also by Facebook or Twitter.

Even though I have voted for Jessica in my Facebook page for the past several weeks, I was initially annoyed that the same global concern for saving a fellow Filipino was not expressed for Dondon Lanuza, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in death row in Saudi Arabia for killing a Saudi in self-defense. Lanuza has been pleading on the Internet for 12 years for Filipinos to save him by raising funds to pay the diyya blood money demanded by the aggrieved family to secure his release [...]

Read the full story >> Saving Jessica Sanchez

**************************

No need to invite China,PHL should bring case to UN

By Ellen Tordesillas
Malaya


Scarborough shoal at low tide by Adel Rosario from Wikipedia


Del Rosario

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario is in New York now.

The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday released his statement saying, In pursuing a peaceful settlement of the Scarborough Shoal issue, we fully intend to humbly invite our Chinese friends to join us in the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

ITLOS was established to adjudicate conflict over the interpretation and implementation of the United Nations Convention of the Law which defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the worlds oceans.

Del Rosario said, The purpose of the exercise will be to ascertain which of us has sovereign rights over the waters surrounding Scarborough Shoal where Chinese ships are currently engaging in illegal activities within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

We are not sure if the Philippines will go ahead with bringing to ITLOS the issue of Scarborough Shoal even if China spurns its invitation, which we expect would happen. China, opted out of compulsory arbitration provided in UNCLOS [...]

Read the full story >> No need to invite China,PHL should bring case to UN

**************************

The Left praises North Korea and berates our government

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

The Left and their front organizations have been reduced to promoting gimmicks and sheer rabble rousing. Recently, the Leftists accused the President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy) government of the exact opposite of Noynoying (doing nothing). This was related to the failed April 13 North Korean missile launch where the projectile fell into the Yellow Sea, very much short of its target.

When the P-Noy administration undertook preventive measures to ensure our peoples safety from a possible North Korean missile mishap, the Left immediately attempted to discredit the governments preparations by branding it as an overreaction, even describing it as panic mongering.

While most of the civilized world condemned North Korea for its recklessness, our Leftists here praised North Korea despite their failed launch. The CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) reportedly stated: The main issue at hand is that the DPRK (North Korea) has exhibited determination to continue with its rocket launch in accordance with its sovereign right to carry out the necessary scientific and technological advancements in order to address the growing needs of its people. [...]

Read the full story >> The Left praises North Korea and berates our government

**************************

Unholy National Alliance

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz

Jojo Binay and Erap Estrada

With the 2016 presidential election still four years away, Vice President Jejomar Jojo Binay is busy forming a grand opposition political union of his party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), with other political parties. And on top of the heap of those hes trying to lure into his new United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is former President Joseph Erap Estradas Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP). Makes one wonder, Why Erap?

The other parties who might join UNA are Danding Cojuangcos Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), Sen. Manny Villars Nacionalista Party (NP), and Sen. Edgardo Angaras Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP). The only party that hasnt been invited to join was former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyos Lakas-Kampi-CMD (LKC). However, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and former Sen. Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri, staunch LKC members and loyal supporters of Gloria were invited to join for possible inclusion on UNAs 2013 senatorial slate. Makes one wonder, Why Gloria loyalists?

But where else would they go? Would they join President Benigno P-Noy Aquino IIIs Liberal Party (LP) or a moribund LKC? How about a new political party or a third force? [...]

Read the full story >> Unholy National Alliance

**************************

Using the Arroyo stigma again for 2013 and 2016

By Ellen Tordesillas
Malaya


Come to think of it, why would Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Miguel Zubiri want to be in the United Nationalist Alliance, a coalition that former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jojo Binay are forming for the 2013 senatorial elections, and not under the political party of Gloria Arroyo, their benefactor?

We can only guess that they themselves know how unpopular Arroyo is. They want to use other political vehicles and they have found this in UNA.

This has nothing to do with loyalty because we believe Magsaysay remains solidly behind Arroyo. Its being practical. Actually a smart move. And opportunistic.

We are intrigued, however, by the decision of Binay, who is not shy about his 2016 presidential plans, to allow the two to align with him knowing the political damnation people tainted by Arroyo, imagined or not, suffer. Remember how the Villaroyo tag doomed Manny Villars presidential bid?

Not surprising that Liberal Party leaders and anti-Binay operators immediately picked up the slant and pastin on Binay the Arroyo stigma. Binay had to remind the public of the time when those are now styling themselves as anti-Arroyo used to be her ardent supporters [...]

Read the full story >> Using the Arroyo stigma again for 2013 and 2016

**************************

Camp of ex-Manila Mayor Atienza to join Erap-Binay coalition

Source: GMA News

Former members of the Liberal Party (LP) led by ex-Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, otherwise known as the Atienza wing, will be joining the newly formed coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

In a report aired over GMA News TVs News TV Live, anchor Ivan Mayrina quoted Atienza as saying that he had made this agreement with Binay a long time ago.

He clarified that their members are still helping out President Benigno Aquino III, who chairs the Liberal Party, but their rift with Senator Franklin Drilon and Transportation Sec. Mar Roxas of the Drilon wing still hasnt improved.

Roxas is president of the ruling party while Drilon sits as party vice chairman.

The LP leadership squabble started in March 2006 when party members loyal to Atienza unseated Drilon and his allies, reasoning that the senator had lost his mandate when he called for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in July 2005 and declared that to be the partys stand.

Atienza argued that Drilon had not consulted the partys leadership on the issue [...]

Read the full story >> Camp of ex-Manila Mayor Atienza to join Erap-Binay coalition

**************************

On diplomas and jobs

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas

More than half a million students graduate from more than 2,000 colleges and universities in the Philippines every year. Only about 30 to 40 percent of them would find any kind of employment, and only about 5 to 10 percent would be employed in jobs that match their course, while close to 60 percent would join the growing ranks of the unemployed.

And yet, every single high school graduate dreams of earning that much-sought after college diploma and every single parent would work his bones off to send his children to college. In the Philippines, a college diploma is the measure of ones worth in life and the measure of a parents success in raising his child.

A high school graduate, however poorly he has passed through the four years of secondary education, attends whichever college or university is willing to accept his tuition money, coasts along through four years, earns his diploma and finds out, to his dismay and disappointment, that he could not find the job for which he studied and for which his parents spent thousands of [...]

Read the full story >> On diplomas and jobs

**************************

Needed: A cure for electile dysfunction

BY DUCKY PAREDES
MALAYA

No one ever had a cure for electile dysfunction until the PCOS came and worked like a little blue miracle pill.

AFTER so many elections where the results were manipulated, the count changed (in the time between the end of the balloting and the end of the counting, which took anywhere from a week or so to whole months) to favor whoever was paying for the dagdag-bawas operation.

This was not the only way that electile dysfunction was foisted upon us, the electorate. How many of our elected were sons and daughters resulting from the processes affected by this electile dysfunction?

A cure, perhaps, not yet the perfect one but one that has already been proven to work is to cut the time for counting and collating the city, town, provincial, regional and national counts until the final result in order not to give time for the electile dysfunction to set in. We have long known that a quick count was the main solution. If the final count can be speeded up, the votes will be counted and the results known and E.D. will have no effect on the result [...]

Read the full story >> Needed: A cure for electile dysfunction

**************************

INS Vikramaditya (ex-Russian Carrier Admiral Gorshkov) to start sea trials on May 25

Source: Navy Recognition


A Former Russian aircraft carrier (Soviet-built Admiral Gorshkov) which was being refurbished for the Indian Navy is being prepared to begin its first set of sea trials. These trials are expected to last through the spring and end with a delivery to the Indian Navy planned for late 2012.

The vessel, which was originally intended for the Soviet Navy, but then refitted for India, will be taken to the White Sea and then to the Barents Sea where it will stay for three to four months.

After sea trials are complete, we plan to transfer the carrier to India by December 4, Sevmash said.

A Former Russian aircraft carrier (Soviet-built Admiral Gorshkov) which was being refurbished for the Indian Navy is being prepared to begin its first set of sea trials. These trials are expected to last through the spring and end with a delivery to the Indian Navy planned for late 2012 [...]

Read the full story >> INS Vikramaditya (ex-Russian Carrier Admiral Gorshkov) to start sea trials on May 25


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3697 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:45 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: 'Lord of Makati' Revisited -- A MUST READ!
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"

BREAKING NEWS


Jessica Sanchez was saved from elimination in "American Idol." There were 53 million votes, the largest number in the season. I must say that the reason for the large number of votes is the Pinoy's support for Jessica!

Thanks to all of your for voting for Jessica!

Don't forget to vote for Jessica again next week.

All the best,
Perry


FEATURED

Lord of Makati Revisited

Jojo Binay and Erap Estrada

This article was originally published on March 28, 2001. I am not sure if Vice President Jejomar Jojo Binay had explained it then but because he is now the Vice President of the country, many people are curious about his past. With the formation of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) under the leadership of Binay and former President Joseph Erap Estrada in preparation for the 2013 midterm elections and 2016 presidential election, Binay should respond to this nine-year old question: Is the Lord of Makati story true? The people need to know. PERRY DIAZ

The Lord of Makati

Written by Miriam Grace A. Go
from NEWSBREAK
Wednesday, 28 March 2001

Can Binay explain his wealth?

In less than a decade, Jejomar Jojo Binay, former chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and former mayor of Makati, accumulated at least P80 million worth of real estate properties in Makati and Batangas, which he kept undeclared, our investigation shows. The amount excludes P12 million in declared investments, as well as other businesses that he and his friends reportedly control through dummy corporations.

After serving as mayor for 12 years, Binay now owns a 66-hectare farm in Rosario, Batangasestimated to be almost double the size of the Ayala commercial center in Makatiaccording to our investigation. Based on conservative estimates of the land value alone, the propertyexcluding improvementsis worth about P23 million.

In addition, Binay and his wife, Elenita, current Makati mayor, also own at least two Hidalgo condominium units, located inside the posh Rockwell Center in Makati. A 208-squae meter unit in Rockwell, like the ones occupied by each of the two Binay daughters, costs around P28 million.

The three properties alone, worth at least P79 million, were never declared in the couples statement of assets and liabilities.

This is in violation of RA 6713, which mandates all officials to file every year the acquisition cost and the assessed and fair market values of their real property. They are also required by law to list other personal property, investments, cash on hand or in banks, financial liabilities, and their business interests and connections [...]

Read the full story >> Lord of Makati Revisited


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Its Binay now who says NoyBi split inevitable

By Maricel Cruz
Manila Standard Today

VICE-PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said he and President Benigno Aquino III will eventually part ways as the 2016 presidential elections draw near.

Its unavoidable because they have their own party and I have mine, Binay told a TV interview. But that doesnt mean we will be at odds and that we will no longer treat each other as brothers in one family.

Re-split the stitch. The split is inevitable, Vice President Jejomar Binay insists, because he and Presdient Aquino have different goals in the 2016 presidential elections. For the second time, their photo, which was stitched on Tuesday, was again ripped.

Binay said he owed a debt of gratitude to the Aquino family and credited his good showing in several opinion polls to the Presidents confidence in him.

In a statement released by his office, Binay said a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Feb. 16 to March 9 showed he was the top endorser of senatorial candidates.

According to the survey, 73 percent or seven out of 10 respondents said they would vote for the senatorial candidates endorsed by Binay [...]

Read the full story >> Its Binay now who says NoyBi split inevitable

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Noy-Bi

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma Montelibano


I have always written about the destined presidency of Noynoy Aquino. Because emotions were running high then, I kept more quiet about an equally destined vice-presidency. To many, in fact, the victory of Jojo Binay was nothing short of a miracle. He knows it because he was maybe one of a very few, or the onlyone, who believed he would win.

Because he has been president for almost two years, and since we have this tendency to forget quickly, P-Noy is already a normal president. When we forget, P-Noy will shock us when he pronounces, No wang-wang, when he openly criticizes the Supreme Court Justice to his face in a public event.. P-Noy, as a destined president within the context of a Ninoy and a Cory, must be capable of jolting Filipinos and the political environment. That is part of his destiny.

When he forgets, P-Noy will become traditional. By doing so, he will be a monumental let-down. He will be the ultimate disappointment of a people who rallied against the odds to install him as president when his political party was an insignificant force. Noynoys popularity, unusually high for someone who did not seek, nor prepare, for an expensive presidential campaign, was the adrenalin that resuscitated the Liberal Party. That popularity meant volunteers, and volunteers were the adrenalin of Noynoy himself [...]

Read the full story >> Noy-Bi

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Inherit the wind

Theres The Rub
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer

With friends like this, who needs enemies?

Thats the question Jojo Binay is probably asking himself after Ernesto Maceda said what he did last Saturday: A vote to acquit Renato Corona today would be a vote to make Binay president tomorrow.

Maceda argued thus: If youre for Binay for president for 2016, youll probably vote for acquittal. Why? Because if Corona is convicted, that strengthens Noynoy and a stronger Noynoy means stronger support for his [anointed] candidate. If Corona is acquitted, that will be the start of the downturn of Noynoy Aquinos popularity. He becomes weaker and his candidate becomes weaker.

Binays camp has vehemently denied Macedas view of (political) life, saying that is his personal opinion. He is a newspaper columnist, after all, and has expressed those views repeatedly in his writings. True, but that only shows the pitfalls of an anomalous situation in this country where political players also get to have jobs in the media. Its unethical. You cant be simultaneously the observer and the observed, the analyst and the analyzed, the judge and the judged. Maceda is one of the key figures of UNA [...]

Read the full story >> Inherit the wind

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China deploys gunboat

Lone Coast Guard vessel hanging tough at Panatag Shoal

Philippine Daily Inquirer


China has dispatched a powerful military vessel in the South China Sea after rejecting a Philippine proposal to submit the Panatag Shoal dispute, now on its 10th day, to international arbitration, Chinese media reported Thursday.

The English-language China Daily based in Beijing said Chinas most advanced fishing patrol vessel, the Yuzheng 310, had been sent to protect Chinese fishermen in the region, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

The newspaper, regarded as a guide to official Chinese policy, said that Beijings latest moves underscored its determination to protect its maritime interests in response to Manilas refusal to withdraw ships from Chinese waters.

Yuzheng 310, described as the fastest fishery administration vessel, left Guangzhou on the Pearl River just outside Hong Kong Wednesday morning for an undisclosed place in the South China Sea, it said [...]

Read the full story >> China deploys gunboat

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Palace to Supreme Court: Dont blame us for low rating

By Michael Lim Ubac, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malacaang has denied that there is a wave of defiance against legitimate court orders in the Aquino administration, as alleged by Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez.

Thats the opinion of other people. To say that are our actions that is causing these reactions is trying to divert the issue, said Ricky Carandang, the head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office.

Carandang said the administration shouldnt be blamed for the publics reaction to court decisions that, according to him, may not have been properly explained or justified.

I think if people are disagreeing with the Supreme Court more, its because the Supreme Court has made actions under the current leadership that people feel have not been explained properly or justified properly, he told a Palace press briefing [...]

Read the full story >> Palace to Supreme Court: Dont blame us for low rating

**************************

High Court defers resolution on Corona dollar accounts

Source: Sun Star Manila

BAGUIO CITY Colleagues of Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Supreme Court (SC) failed to come up with a resolution whether to allow the opening of the magistrates dollar accounts for scrutiny by the Senate impeachment court.

Court spokesperson Midas Marquez said the justices wanted more time to weigh on the merits of the case, which stemmed from a petition filed by the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), where Corona allegedly maintains five dollar deposit accounts.

Marquez, however, could not say as to when the court will issue a ruling.

Brushing aside calls from the congressmen-prosecutors and militant groups, the SC issued a temporary restraining order on February 9, thus preventing the Senate to examine the accounts allegedly amounting to [...]

Read the full story >> High Court defers resolution on Corona dollar accounts

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Corona, lawyers face dilemma on new SALN

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona have reservations about amending his statements of assets, liabilities and networth (SALNs) by April 30 lest this would be misconstrued as an admission of inaccuracies.

We will have second thoughts on this. Anything that would be introduced at this point will prompt people to say, Ah theyre admitting errors, or this is an afterthought, defense counsel Tranquil Salvador III said in a recent interview.

Between now and April 30, deadline for the filing of SALN, Salvador admitted that the matter would require deep thinking on our part and on the part of the Chief Justice.

Another defense counsel, Ramon Esguerra, said Corona still has to meet his accountant this weekend to discuss the matter.

At the impeachment trial on March 22, Senator Loren Legarda inquired if Corona would amend his SALNs, and lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas said he could confer with the Chief Justice [...]

Read the full story >> Corona, lawyers face dilemma on new SALN

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Corona dared: Name emissary of Malacaang

By Maricel Cruz
Manila Standard Today

MALACAANG on Monday denied Chief Justice Renato Coronas claim over the weekend that a Palace emissary had asked him to surrender and leave the high court.

Presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Corona, who is undergoing an impeachment trial at the Senate for alleged corruption, should be concentrating on defending himself.

Perhaps it would be better for the chief justice to take advantage of the break in the impeachment trial to concentrate on his defense rather than continuing to cast unwarranted aspersions on the Office of the President, Valte said.

In a statement he released through his lawyers Sunday, Corona said a Palace emissary had approached him and asked him to resign or retire early. He did not name the emissary [...]

Read the full story >> Corona dared: Name emissary of Malacaang

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Agencies step up anti-graft campaign

By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Manila Standard Today

THE Ombudsman has established a partnership with the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to hasten the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases involving government officials and employees.

Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio Morales and COA Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido Tan signed an agreement to form a joint investigation team for the purpose, after the Ombudsman signed a similar pact with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Under the agreement, which will run for three years, the Ombudsman and the COA will share resources and expertise to process cases under joint investigation.

The designated focal persons for the joint investigation team are Chief Executive Staff lawyer Gilbert G. Kintanar from the COA, and Deputy Special Prosecutor John I.C. Turalba from the Ombudsman [...]

Read the full story >> Agencies step up anti-graft campaign


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3698 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sat Apr 21, 2012 5:11 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Erap For Binay
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Erap For Binay

April 21, 2012 | Featured, Politics & Government

Rules Out Another Run For The Presidency

BY JC BELLO RUIZ
MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines Former President Joseph Estrada has ruled out another run for the presidency or any elective post on the national level, pinning his partys hopes of reclaiming political supremacy on his former running mate, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

To underscore his trust in Binays leadership, Estrada introduced the Vice President as the countrys future president during a testimonial dinner for the former President in Taguig Monday night. The book, Ito ang Pilipino: A tribute to Joseph Estrada, was launched at the dinner.

The Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of Estrada had earlier forged an alliance with Binays Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to form the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

We have only one list for President, thats Vice President Binay. With regard to his (Binay) vice president, theres none yet, Estrada said in an interview as he immediately rejected the idea of him playing the role of Binays vice president come 2016 [...]

Read the full story >> Erap For Binay


ALSO IN THE NEWS

How the scent of a woman helped undo Estradas presidency

April 21, 2012 | Politics & Government

Read banker Clarissa Ocampos testimony

By Rassa Robles
RaissaRobles.com

http://raissarobles.com/2012/02/19/how-the-scent-of-a-woman-helped-undo-estradas-presidency/

Clarissa Ocampo

It was Clarissa Ocampos alluring perfume that prompted President Joseph Estrada to see her in person.

Sobrang bango niya, a presidential bodyguard told Estrada. This was what a senior banker recently told me, in turn quoting an eyewitness of that fateful event on the night of February 4, 2000.

Estradas encounter with Kissa turned out to be a fatal attraction for his presidency.

The poised 45-year-old banker became at that time the key witness of the prosecution. She electrified the public when she testified she sat a foot away from Estrada as he signed Jose Velarde on a signature card and other bank documents.

When he signed Jose Velarde, I just couldnt believe it, He did not sign his real name, so I decided not to authenticate the signature, she said.

At one point, the money deposited in the Velarde account reached up to P3.2 billion pesos [...]

Read the full story >> How the scent of a woman helped undo Estradas presidency

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Too Early To Tell Fortunes

April 21, 2012 | Opinion

Plain View
By ATTY. ROMEO V. PEFIANCO
Manila Bulletin

(Editors note: Theres a flaw in our election law that allows early campaigning as more of an intent, as noted by the author.)

MANILA, Philippines The campaign for the US presidency started in early January, 2012, or some 10 months before the election in November. The primary elections to choose a Republican nominee can readily tell who will emerge as the winner in the partys national convention in July or August. All American voters 131,257,328 who cast their votes in November, 2008, assume that Barack Obama will run for reelection. As they say about their incumbent: Four more years!

In this country there are laws/rules that limit the official campaign period for all national and local candidates. No such restriction exists in the US.

Early birds? [...]

Read the full story >> Too Early To Tell Fortunes

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PH not intimidated, says Malacaang

April 21, 2012 | Politics & Government

China vessels arrival an aggravation

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Philippines will not be cowed by Chinas deploying a large patrol vessel to Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, Malacaang said on Friday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sees this action as an aggravation in the 11-day standoff in the disputed shoal.

The Palace also said other countries territorial claims in the disputed waters would be affected if China had its way at Panatag Shoal.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez confirmed on Friday that China has again beefed up its presence in the area with the arrival in the area of a third maritime surveillance vessel.

There are now three Chinese maritime surveillance ships in the area; the third one arrived this morning, he said, adding that the Philippines lone Coast Guard vessel, the BRP Edsa, also remains in the area.

Its a civilian ship from the fisheries department of China. This was confirmed by our Philippine Coast Guard in the area, but there is no report whether it was the gunboat, he said [...]

Read the full story >> PH not intimidated, says Malacaang

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Blame the CARP

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

Based on the decline of loans to agriculture, hunger awaits the farmers.

ITS alarming. The loans of the banking system to agriculture fell by more than 46 percent in February this year.

The drop paves the way to hunger for an ever increasing number of mouths to feed. Like they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) has good intentions but not in the area of raising agricultural productivity.

The politicians who crafted the CARP law pulled the wool over the farmers eyes.

Farmers in this case are voters. The politicians planted in their less educated minds that what matters in increased crop production is ownership of the land they till, not the use of it [...]

Read the full story >> Blame the CARP

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SC voids two EOs on coco-levy funds

Source: philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines The Supreme Court (SC) has declared unconstitutional two presidential acts creating trust funds for farmers in connection with the controversial coco-levy funds.

In a 23-page decision written by Associate Justice Roberto Abad, the SC ruled as illegal Executive Order 312, which sought to establish a P1-billion fund from the assets acquired using coco-levy funds and Executive Order 313, or the creation of an irrevocable trust fund known as the Coconut Trust Fund, which also directed government lawyers to exclude the 27 percent shares of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) in San Miguel Corp. (SMC) from the coco-levy case of former Ambassador Eduardo Danding Cojuangco, Jr.

With a unanimous vote of 11 justices, the SC granted the petition of farmer groups, led by Pambansang Koalisyon ng mga Samahang Magsasaka at Manggagawa sa Niyugan in declaring EOs 312 and 313 as void.

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio took no part since he is also one of the petitioners in the case [...]

Read the full story >> SC voids two EOs on coco-levy funds

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SC may issue final decision on Luisita next week

By Ira Pedrasa
ABS-CBNnews.com

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines The Supreme Court (SC) will most probably release next week its final decision on the fate of the 4,916 hectares (has.) of the Cojuangco-managed Hacienda Luisita, SC spokesman and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said.

The final decision, which will most likely discuss the just compensation for the owners of the sugar estate, is being awaited. The issue has been dragged into the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The chief magistrate believes that the high courts order on the distribution of the lands is the reason why President Benigno Aquino III wants him out of the high court. Aquinos relatives own the sugar estate in Tarlac.

In a 56-page resolution promulgated in November 2011 and penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the high court modified an earlier decision that allowed 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs) to choose between ownership of agricultural land or shares of stock representing the value of the sugar estate [...]

Read the full story >> SC may issue final decision on Luisita next week

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First job of presidential nominees

COMMONSENSE
By Marichu A. Villanueva
The Philippine Star

Give credit where credit is due. While it took him a long while to do so, President Aquino finally let go of his two controversial appointments in key government positions.

These are, namely, Filipino-Chinese businessman Domingo Lee whom P-Noy named as the countrys ambassador to China, and information technology (IT) expert Augusto Lagman as commissioner at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The two P-Noy appointees were having difficulty getting through the confirmation wringer of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). Lee has been thrice bypassed by the CA while Lagman allegedly was never given the chance to face the CA plenary.

The CA is a 25-man bicameral body of Congress chaired by the Senate president. It is composed of 12 members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives. Currently, the 15th Congress has Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile as [...]

Read the full story >> First job of presidential nominees

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The Walk to Freedom and Dignity

By Fr. Shay Cullen
(His columns are published in The Manila Times,
in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line)

The day he walked to freedom was a happy day in the life of fourteen-year-old Miguel. For months he had been detained in the Paraaque jail, accused of stealing a pair of flip-flops, worth no more than 50 cents. He was, at first locked in an overcrowded cell that was a living hell of squashed human bodies in a space about 14 by 8 meters. He was jailed because his parents, street food vendors, could not afford to give free meals every day to the police. This was their revenge.

The stifling nauseating smell of urine and feces and the crush of human bodies made the boy cry until the other prisoners shouted at him to shut-up. Miguel was scared and dying of thirst in the hot windowless cell with one electric fan tied to the bars. It gave no comfort.

He had to beg for water. The guards gave him a plastic bottle of warm dirty water and made him sick. He got diarrhea. He had to squirm over the bodies of prisoners who shouted abuse until he reached the corner of the cell where a filthy hole in the floor was the toilet. It stank. Only a curtain separated him from the adult prisoners who were blaming him for making worse smells [...]

Read the full story >> The Walk to Freedom and Dignity

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Estrada volunteers to be Aquinos love guru

By Cathy C. Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer



Call it expert advice.

Former President Joseph Erap Estrada has volunteered to become President Benigno Aquino IIIs consultant on romantic ties, apparently noting that the incumbent is having difficulty latching on to a long-term relationship.

The offer came during Estradas 75th birthday bash on Thursday night which was attended by supporters, friends and family, including his wife, former Sen. Dr. Luisa Loi Ejercito, his 12 children with six different women and about two dozen grandchildren.

Im opening myself to be your adviser in your love life, Estrada told Mr. Aquino, prompting hoots and thunderous applause from guests, among them Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker [...]

Read the full story >> Estrada volunteers to be Aquinos love guru



Visit
www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3699 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sun Apr 22, 2012 5:38 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: The dizzying Manny Pacquiao
perrydiaz2001
Send Email Send Email
 
Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

The dizzying Manny Pacquiao

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

Manny Pacman Pacquiao has made many turns in his young life some of them significantly positive, some are dangerously damning.

He embarked on a brilliant boxing career and rose from a life of poverty to living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. He didnt rest on his laurels and strove to be a better boxer. He changed coaches and Freddie Roach became a big positive turning point in Pacquiaos boxing career.

There are many other turns he made though that can be considered as negative. In his short political career, Pacquiao already rates as one of the top political butterflies. He was a Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) supporter when she still resided as president in Malacanang Palace but thats until Noynoy Aquino took the 2010 presidential election by storm. Pacquiao then immediately shifted allegiance to President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy). Never mind if he had supported Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manny Villar in 2010 and said some uncomplimentary things about candidate Noynoy Aquino.

Now he had just taken his oath with the PDP-Laban, a main pillar in the UNA (United Nationalist Coalition). The PDP-Laban is the political party of Vice President (VP) Jojo Binay, considered today as the most popular of the top 5 public officials and conceded frontrunner in the 2016 presidential elections. The UNA is seen as the eventual Opposition group against the P-Noy administration, especially for the 2016 presidential elections [...]

Read the full story >> The dizzying Manny Pacquiao


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Its not fair to compare P-Noy and Binay, says Abad

By Delon Porcalla
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Budget Secretary Florencio Abad clarified that it is not fair to compare President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay as political endorsers.

He said that while Binay enjoys the peoples trust and confidence more than Aquino, comparing who between them is a better political endorser would not be fair.

They are on a different plane. Its like comparing apples to oranges. I dont think you could compare the endorsement value of VP Binay and P-Noy, Abad said.

The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from Feb. 26 to March 9, showed Binay, current head of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, had emerged as the top political endorser for the May 2013 senatorial elections [...]

Read the full story >> Its not fair to compare P-Noy and Binay, says Abad

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LP, UNA up for battle royale in 2013, says Cayetano

By Christina Mendez
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The administration Liberal Party (LP) and the newly formed United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) are up for a battle royale in getting the support of the voting populace come the 2013 midterm and 2016 presidential elections, Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano said yesterday.

But the minority leader said the LP and the UNA, led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and former president Joseph Estrada, should not think that they are the only political parties in the forefront of upcoming campaigns.

Let us be reminded that its not a two-way fight. Its a battle royale, Cayetano said.

Its not like boxing wherein there are only two contenders. Its more like wrestling wherein you start with 30 players and the best one stays, said Cayetano, secretary general of the Nacionalista Party (NP) led by Sen. Manny Villar whose wife, former congresswoman Cynthia Villar, is reportedly running for senator [...]

Read the full story >> LP, UNA up for battle royale in 2013, says Cayetano

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Chiz very interested in 2016 race

By Carmela Fonbuena
Rappler

CHANGE. Senator Escudero says becoming president is the fastest way to change the country

MANILA, Philippines Senator Francis Chiz Escudero was, after all, a survey frontrunner in the build-up to the 2010 presidential elections. Will he go for it in the 2016 presidential elections?

Let me be honest, candid, yet factual about it. I would be very interested in seeking a higher office in 2016 for the simple reason that Im halfway through my last term, the senator told Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on #TalkThursday.

Escudero will seek re-election next year for his second 6-year term in the Senate. The Constitution only allows senators two interrupted terms, or a total of 12 years. If Escudero wins he will serve until 2019.

It does not matter even if his close ally Vice President Jejomar Binay, whom he vigorously endorsed in 2010, has declared his presidential bid. (Escudero played a big role in pushing for the Noy-Bi tandem of President Benigno Aquino III and Binay.)

In any of my candidacies since 1998, I never decided based on who the opponent would be. That would be a basic chink in your armor, a weakness in any candidacy, Escudero said. You should run on the strength of your own position, which was what we used when we decided not to run to run in 2009, he added [...]

Read the full story >> Chiz very interested in 2016 race

**************************

Tales getting taller: Sabio places FM wealth at $3 trillion

By Peter Tabingo
Malaya

THE Arroyo government in 2006 received information about several foreign bank deposits and other assets of the family and associates of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos amounting to $3 trillion.

In his 95-page pre-trial brief submitted last April 5 to the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, former Presidential Commission on Good Government chair Camilo L. Sabio said foreign lawyers who have been working with the PCGGs recovery efforts for over two decades confirmed parts of this information.

The allegation was apparently made to justify Sabios use of remittances of sequestered firms for intelligence gathering, for which little or no accounting is made.

Sabio is facing graft and malversation charges for allegedly pocketing P10.35 million cash advances from remittances of sequestered firms. He has said that since 2005 he had been deprived of intelligence funds by the Arroyo administration [...]

Read the full story >> Tales getting taller: Sabio places FM wealth at $3 trillion

**************************

President Aquino not noynoying nor jedjeding Lacierda

Source: Philippine News Agency

ILOILO City President Benigno Aquino III only promises things he can fulfill, stressed Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

He is definitely not noynoying nor jedjeding, Lacierda told reporters during his visit at the metro Thursday.

Coined by militant groups, the term noynoying refers to President Aquino allegedly doing nothing to resolve the countrys most pressing problems.

Jedjeding, on the other hand, is in reference to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who is allegedly talking too much about things he cannot accomplish. The term, which was first coined in Panay News, also means boasting about ones performance even if its untrue.

Lacierda said there is no way for the President to do jedjeding because he is not the type of person who promises about things he cannot fulfill.

As a President, he has to speak uphe made promises but only those he can make, he stressed [...]

Read the full story >> President Aquino not noynoying nor jedjeding Lacierda

**************************

U.S. plans for larger presence in Pacific

By Gidget Fuentes Staff Writer
Navy Times

The failed mid-April launch of a long-range North Korean rocket, billed as a satellite launch but widely seen as the test of a ballistic missile, was the latest reminder of how the Pacific region remains one of the worlds most volatile.

Its also a key focus of the Obama administrations new national defense strategy.

The militarys top officer in the Pacific, Adm. Samuel Locklear, describes the new focus as back to the Pacific, alluding to long-standing U.S. military presence and partnerships with Pacific Rim nations dating back before World War II.

In practice, it means more Navy ships in the region, along with more Marines and soldiers, Locklear told an audience of service members April 12 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. What you should expect from the future is an enduring presence in this part of the world that is properly shaped for the coming century, said Locklear, a former Pacific Fleet commander who in March took the helm of Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command [...]

Read the full story >> U.S. plans for larger presence in Pacific

**************************

Mapanduro

Pagtanaw at Pananaw
By Bert de Guzman

Hindi ba kayo nagtataka kung bakit ang mga maka-kaliwang aktibista at militanteng grupo ay hindi man lang nagprotesta laban sa PANDUDURO ng dambuhalang China sa Pilipinas nang magkaroon ng stand-off sa Scarborough Shoal (Panatag) sa Zambales at maging sa rocket launch ng North Korea, pero kay-ingay at kaylakas ng pagtutol sa PHL-US War Exercises? Bakit nga ba ganoon sila? Dinaluhong pa nga nila ang US Embassy dahil sa Balikatan Exercises. Nitong dakong huli, nagising din yata ang Bayan Muna nina Rep. Teddy Casino at mga kasama, sila ay sumugod sa embahada ng China at sinabihan ang mga Tsino na iwanan ang Panatag Shoal

May balitang pinuri pa raw ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ang palpak na pagpapaimbulog sa ere ng rocket ng North Korea. Iyon daw ay pagsuway sa kagustuhan ng US at ng mga kaalyado nitong Japan, South Korea at iba pa. Ano bang katwiran ito? Dapat magising ang CPP-NPA-NDF na halos imposibleng maging komunismo ang sistema ng gobyerno sa Pilpinas dahil ito ay isang Kristiyano at Katolikong bansa na naniniwala sa Diyos. Ang pagkakaalam ko, ang mga komunista ay hindi naniniwala sa Maykapal, isa itong Godless Ideology. Papaano ito tatanggapin ng mga Pinoy? [...]

Read the full story >> Mapanduro


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3700 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:23 pm
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Chinese gunboat patrolling Panatag
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita   
 
Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

                  "From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED  

Chinese gunboat patrolling Panatag

By Alexis Romero
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – A Chinese gunboat has arrived in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, escalating tension as the standoff entered its second week, Philippine officials said yesterday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin called the deployment of the unnamed patrol boat another violation of the country’s sovereignty by China. He said the Philippines should strongly protest the incident.

“If there’s someone who acted with restraint, it is us Filipinos… They (Chinese gunboat) entered our territory. It is well within our territorial waters,” Gazmin told radio station dzRH.

“When we saw that our maritime laws had been violated, we called the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and the Coast Guard came to enforce our maritime laws,” he added.

The report of the latest alleged intrusion came a day after Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua declared that they have deployed only fisheries and law enforcement ships, not military vessels, in Panatag Shoal, located just 124 nautical miles from Zambales and well within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) [...]

Read the full story >>   Chinese gunboat patrolling Panatag


ALSO IN THE NEWS      

Scarborough belongs to PH, old maps show

Documents back claim, says lawmaker

By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

Old maps dating back to Spanish colonial times may hold the key to the claim of the Philippines to Scarborough Shoal.

Known as “Bajo Scarburo,” the shoal now called Panatag by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has been part of the known world since 1734, when European cartographers began to map the world in an age of conquest.

In fact, Bajo Scarburo appeared on a map of the “Archipelago Filipino” as a constituent part of Sambalez (Zambales province) in a topographic map of the country “drawn under the direction of Ildefonso de Aragon on April 15, 1820.”

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who has a collection of ancient maps of the country, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday that the maps would easily disprove the territorial claim of China to the shoal and its surrounding waters, which, he said, had no historical or legal grounds under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (Unclos) [...]

Read the full story >> Scarborough belongs to PH, old maps show

**************************  

Today Scarborough, tomorrow Palawan

BABE’S EYE VIEW
By Babe Romualdez
The Philippine Star

Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn was our guest speaker at the Manila Rotary Club last Thursday and during the open forum, he said there have been many instances when they had to fend off Chinese nationals who were illegally fishing and poaching endangered species like sea turtles (which is highly in demand in China). In the past, confrontation over Chinese incursion into Philippine waters was averted with nabbed Chinese poachers eventually allowed to post bail and leave the country, but the recent standoff in Scarborough Shoal (which the DFA has started referring to as the Baja de Masinloc on account of its proximity to Masinloc in Zambales) has refocused attention on the issue of our territorial sovereignty.

Mayor Hagedorn said that while they have been able to manage the incidents of poaching in Palawan so far, it would definitely be a different story altogether once the Chinese bring firepower into the picture. God forbid if it ever happens, the people of Puerto Princesa and Palawan would be ready to sacrifice their lives to protect their beloved island — a sentiment echoed by many Rotarians present at the meeting [...]

Read the full story >>   Today Scarborough, tomorrow Palawan

************************** 

63% of Pinoys think Corona has hidden wealth: SWS

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Six out of 10 Filipinos believe Chief Justice Renato Corona has hidden wealth, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed Monday.

The survey conducted last March 10-13 found 63% of Filipinos agree that Corona has hidden wealth “based on the undeclared money and assets in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).”

Twenty-four percent of respondents said they were undecided if they agree or disagree with the statement while 12% of respondents said they disagree that Corona has hidden wealth.

The survey showed that 58% of Filipinos believe Corona intended to help former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband to flee the country to elude the charges that she is facing. Only 17% of Filipinos believe Corona intended to help Mrs. Arroyo while 23% said they are unsure if Corona intended to help the former President [...]

Read the full story >>    63% of Pinoys think Corona has hidden wealth: SWS

**************************

Lawmakers: Who’s afraid to ax Arroyo?

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer


 

Two lawmakers have wondered why President Benigno Aquino III’s allies were suddenly gun-shy about suspending former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the House of Representatives after they had acted so swiftly to  impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said the President should mobilize his allies in the House to suspend Arroyo, now a representative from  Pampanga, “to serve as a test of this administration’s commitment to prosecute the former president without wavering and without compromise.”

“The swift impeachment of Chief Justice Corona has shown that Malacañang can muster the numbers in the name of its anticorruption campaign,” Tinio said.

Aquino allies in the House signed in less than a day an impeachment complaint against Corona after the Supreme Court issued  a temporary restraining order on an administrative travel ban imposed on Arroyo [...]

Read the full story >>  Lawmakers: Who’s afraid to ax Arroyo?

**************************  

Only way to go: Fight corruption

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

‘President Aquino wants the independence of the Court restored. There is no way of doing it except the conviction of Chief Justice Corona.’

PRESIDENT Aquino is slowly but steadily being blamed for what critics say is his failure to make the economy grow. That is not exactly groundless. But an economic miracle cannot happen in less than two years of his watch.

What appears to be the President’s battle cry is eliminate corruption that has been the hallmark of Gloria Arroyo’s nine-year no-mandate presidency. If he succeeds – there is no reason why he should not – everything in the economy should fall in place.

There would hardly be any need to lure local and foreign investments. The elimination of corruption and sending to jail the corrupt is the only way to level the playing field.

Not too many realized that the President is clearly determined to get the Senate to convict Chief Justice Renato C. Corona as the only way Gloria Arroyo may be held liable for numerous cases of plunder she now faces. Only the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Corona can save her. But she should not be saved. She must be tried and tried fairly [...]

Read the full story >>     Only way to go: Fight corruption

**************************
 

Lagman’s head for Enrile’s vote

BY ELLEN TORDESILLAS
MALAYA

‘Tuwid na Daan has been set aside.. Right now, it’s realpolitik.’

 

POOR Gus Lagman. He didn’t know what hit him.

Never did he imagine that we would be collateral damage in President Aquino’s rabid pursuit to make Gloria Arroyo accountable for her crimes against the Filipino people.

As a commissioner in the Commission on Election, never did it cross Lagman’s mind that he would be a factor in the impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, which is related to Aquino’s crusade against Arroyo.

Last week, Communications Strategy Secretary Ricky Carandang announced that the President would not issue an ad-interim appointment for Lagman, who has not been confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, chaired by Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile because they have been informed by CA members that “ it will be difficult, if not impossible, to confirm him.” [...]

Read the full story >> Lagman’s head for Enrile’s vote

**************************
 

Financial help for ‘poor’ Demetrio Vicente

Source: AngKalayaan.com

 

By offering financial assistance to Demetrio Vicente so he could transfer in his name the 3,114 -square meter lot he purchased from Mrs.Cristina Corona, a private defense lawyer would seem to bolster the prosecu­tion’s case that it was a simulated sale.

Questions were raised as to why after more than 20 years the prop­erty is still in the name of Mrs. Co­rona although Vicente claims he has in his possession the absolute deed of sale of the transaction. Vicente when cross examined said he didn’t have the P200,000 needed to transfer the property in his name.

Eyebrows were raised as the de­fense tried to prove the property was no longer the Coronas which was not declared in his [...]

Read the full story >>    Financial help for ‘poor’ Demetrio Vicente

 

Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news and updates.
 

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

 
END

#3701 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:05 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Aquino: These are our waters
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

Aquino: These are our waters

But President says dispute has to be settled soon

By Christine O. Avendao, DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

On the 13th day of a standoff with Chinese vessels off Zambales province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sent a craft to join a Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue ship at Panatag Shoal.

Its the showing of the flag, President Benigno Aquino III told reporters on Monday. We believe these are our waters. Therefore, our vessel has the right to be in our waters.

But Mr. Aquino stressed that his government was seeking a diplomatic solution to the impasse and that he had appealed to partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to take a stand on the territorial dispute.

The dispute has to be settled. It cant be left hanging forever, the President said.

Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command, said the BFAR ship hooked up with BRP Pampanga on Monday afternoon in the cluster of reefs and islands known internationally as Scarborough Shoal. China claims the area as part of its territory and calls it Huangyan Island [...]

Read the full story >> Aquino: These are our waters


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Aquino tells world to be wary of China

By Joyce Pangco Panares
Manila Standard Today

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday warned the international community that they could suffer the same bullying tactics that China had been using against the Philippines over their territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

It is important that the world must know what China is doing to us, Mr. Aquino said in response to a question during an open forum with the members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform.

China has relations with these other countries. If China can treat us this way, they can deal the same treatment to countries of similar size or those smaller than us.

Mr. Aquino said China must fulfill its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Manila and Beijing have signed.

Earlier, the President also warned other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that they could also be at the receiving end of Chinas aggressive actions [...]

Read the full story >> Aquino tells world to be wary of China

**************************

Aquino tells world to be wary of China

By Joyce Pangco Panares
Manila Standard Today

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday warned the international community that they could suffer the same bullying tactics that China had been using against the Philippines over their territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

It is important that the world must know what China is doing to us, Mr. Aquino said in response to a question during an open forum with the members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform.

China has relations with these other countries. If China can treat us this way, they can deal the same treatment to countries of similar size or those smaller than us.

Mr. Aquino said China must fulfill its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Manila and Beijing have signed.

Earlier, the President also warned other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that they could also be at the receiving end of Chinas aggressive actions [...]

Read the full story >> Aquino tells world to be wary of China

**************************

Peaceful resolution must be only option

ON DISTANT SHORE
By Val G. Abelgas


Those islets and shoals west of the Philippines have again come to the limelight with Philippine and Chinese vessels engaging in a battle of nerves over what both the Philippines and China claim to be their territories.

The standoff began on April 8 when a Philippine Navy surveillance aircraft monitored eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored inside the Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. Two days later, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar dispatched an inspection team that reported that large amounts of illegally collected corals, giant clams and live sharks were found in the compartments of the fishing vessels.

China sent three surveillance ships and an armed aircraft that appeared to counter BRP Gregorio del Pilar, with each ship alternately blocking the Philippine ship from stopping the Chinese fishing vessels. On Friday, the eight Chinese fishing boats and a surveillance ship left the disputed Scarborough Shoal with the illegal catch, temporarily easing tensions between Manila and Beijing [...]

Read the full story >> Peaceful resolution must be only option

**************************

Trouble in our EEZ

BY DUCKY PAREDES
MALAYA

Instead of doing things like sending vessels to Panatag Shoal or Huangyan Island or Scarborough Shoal, it would probably be best if both sides kept away from this area for a while.

In both our countries China and the Philippines there will be hotheads and also those who would avoid a bloody confrontation resulting from our similar claims of ownership over some rocks jutting out of the water in whatever we call those waters either the South China Sea or the Western Philippine Sea.

What is there of value in these waters? Fish, obviously; some coral; perhaps, oil and/or gas. Perhaps more important than anything else is sovereignty.

China claims that this area has always been a part of China. The Philippines cites the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Law of the Sea Treaty, formally known as the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS III, was adopted in 1982. This established a comprehensive set of rules governing the oceans and to replace previous UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea, one in 1958 (UNCLOS I) and another in 1960 (UNCLOS II) that were believed to be inadequate [...]

Read the full story >> Trouble in our EEZ

**************************

SC: Distribute Luisita

By Edu Punay
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The 4,915.75-hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac will be distributed among the 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries of the sugar estate after the Supreme Court (SC) affirmed yesterday its ruling in November last year ordering the land distribution.

SC spokesman Jose Midas Marquez released the promulgated decision, which is being circulated for signature of the justices. The SC is holding its summer session in Baguio City.

It was not clear whether the ruling was already final as it was issued before the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) could comment on the appeal of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI).

At Malacaang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they would defer to the OSG and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) [...]

Read the full story >> SC: Distribute Luisita

**************************

There are enough men of honor but

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

Midas Marquez knows all these. But he closes his eyes to them. The harm to justice and democracy has been done. He has to defend them.

Midas Marquez, administrator and spokesman of the Supreme Court (spokesman mostly of the Chief Justice) complains that Malacaang is prone to defy rulings of inferior courts.

Marquez might be right. However his statement is like the pot calling the kettle black.

The flaw in the thinking of Marquez is his refusal to publicly say that the Supreme Court is right even when it is wrong.

This had better be so. The final decision of the Supreme Court cannot be defied by anyone, presumably not even by itself although this has happened in a number of times.

Otherwise, the system of justice is completely destroyed. And it has been destroyed, although Chief Justice Renato C. Corona does not tire saying that the purpose of his impeachment is to destroy the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court, two qualities President Aquino does not seem to believe exist [...]

Read the full story >> There are enough men of honor but

**************************

Gus-tice for Gus

Theres The Rub
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily Inquirer

GUS LAGMAN sent friends this letter:

Without a new appointment, I cease to be a Comelec commissioner.

It is common knowledge among senators, Malacaang officials, and some members of the Lower House, that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Chairman of the Commission on Appointments, will reject the confirmation of my ad interim appointment as commissioner of the Commission on Elections. As such, Malacaang explained to me that they thought it best not to renew my appointment in order to save me from having to go through the ordeal of a confirmation hearing where I could be rejected. I truly appreciate their concern and, initially, I also thought that that would be best. However, after thinking about it the last few days, I am now convinced that I would much prefer to be given my day in court, i.e., go through the confirmation process despite the risk of a rejection.

Im elated that Gus Lagman has decided to challenge the prejudice against himyes, prejudice, and a vile onerather than just roll over and die. It would have been out of character if he didnt. He has never lacked for courage. He has never lacked for principle. He has never balked at bucking the odds.

Why is Gus Lagman, one of the few honest people on this earth, in danger of losing his job? [...]

Read the full story >> Gus-tice for Gus

**************************

The Jojo versus Mar joust starts early

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

DoTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) Secretary Mar Roxas was quoted, as saying: I can honestly, sincerely, absolutely, transparently tell you that I have no plans. Mar was referring to speculations that he will be the administration partys 2016 presidential candidate.

When your Chair Wrecker heard that Mar had categorically stated that he had no plans running for president in 2016, it immediately occurred to me that it was the second best political decision that Mar ever made. In my opinion, the first best political decision that Mar ever made was to give way to Senator Noynoy Aquino as the 2010 presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP).

Mars announcement was an astute political move. It removed him from being a target of political opponents as well as inhibited being compared to Vice President Jojo Binay, the most popular of the top 5 public officials of the land and admittedly the current frontrunner for the 2016 presidential elections.

Were not saying that Mar doesnt intend to keep his word and will do an about-face, like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Arroyo (GMA), in 2016. Remember how GMA stated in front of the statue of our National Hero, Jose Rizal, in 2003 that she wasnt running in the 2004 presidential elections [...]

Read the full story >> The Jojo versus Mar joust starts early


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3702 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:59 am
Subject: PerryScope: Scarborough Incident -- A MUST READ!
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"

Dear Readers:

Don't forget to vote for Jessica Sanchez tonight at www.AmericanIdol.com.

Thanks,
Perry


PERRYSCOPE

Scarborough Incident

April 25, 2012 | Featured, Opinion, PerryScope

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz



On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by a group of Bosnian Serbs. The assassination, which became known as the Sarajevo Incident, set in motion a series of events. As Austria-Hungary confronted Serbia over the assassination, other European countries aligned with one side or the other. Germany sided with Austria-Hungary while Russia backed up Serbia.

One month after the assassination, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. Four days later, Germany declared war on Russia. A few days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. In less than 40 days, the Sarajevo Incident escalated into a great war involving Europes great powers. But it became a world war when the United States entered the war on the side of Britain and France.

By the time the Great War to End All Wars as World War I was originally called was over, more than 20 countries were involved. During the four-year war, total casualties were 37 million including 8.5 million killed.

Scarborough Shoal

Almost a century after the Sarajevo Incident, an incident is happening on the other side of the world that could potentially trigger another conflict among nations. Its in an uninhabited group of islands and reefs called Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) about 124 nautical miles west of the province of Zambales. Its claimed by the Philippines, China, and Taiwan [...]

Read the full story >> Scarborough Incident


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3703 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 27, 2012 4:39 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: Scarborough provocation
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"

Dear Readers,

Good news! Tonight, Jessica Sanchez was voted into the top three of the six remaining contestants of American Idol. Once again, we have demonstrated PINOY POWER! Let's stay with Jessica and vote for her until she wins the 2012 American Idol Award.

Thank you for your support of Jessica. Mabuhay si Jessica! Mabuhay ang Filipino!

All the best,
Perry


FEATURED

Scarborough provocation

April 26, 2012 | Featured, Politics & Government

Government

BY EVANGELINE DE VERA
MALAYA

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday said two aircraft believed to be from China flew over the Scarborough shoal late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

He said this was in violation of the Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) insofar as it prevents the Philippines from exercising its jurisdiction over its territory and enforcing its laws within its territory.

I think the Chinese are now in violation of the DOC when they are preventing us from enforcing our laws within our exclusive economic zone, he said.

The first aircraft flew around midnight while the second aircraft came at 1:25 a.m., he said.

The DOC calls for the position of centrality among Asean-member countries and China. It is a non-binding agreement affirming all the parties intention to maintain peace, stability, economic growth, and prosperity in the region. All parties signed the declaration in 2002, affirming their commitments to the charter of the United Nations, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and other similar international laws.

Del Rosario said he is not likely to bring up the issue with the Asean although he is calling on Asean member countries to take a stand on the countrys dispute with China [...]

Read the full story >> Scarborough provocation


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Philippines to seek US help

April 26, 2012 | Politics & Government

By Pia Lee-Brago
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines The Philippines is seeking to maximize the benefits of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) during the 2+2 meeting in Washington next week even as Philippine and Chinese vessels remain locked in a standoff at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

The Philippines will seek US assistance in general in order to achieve a minimum credible defense posture.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday the issue in Panatag Shoal and the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) will be raised in the discussions with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on maritime security during the April 30 meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

We will certainly be discussing the freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and the West Philippine Sea. So it will come up under that topic, Del Rosario told a news conference.

Del Rosario said all countries have an interest in what is happening in Panatag and the standoff is a manifestation of a greater threat to freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in the region [...]

Read the full story >> Philippines to seek US help

**************************

Scarborough Incident

April 26, 2012 | Opinion, PerryScope

PerryScope
By Perry Diaz


On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by a group of Bosnian Serbs. The assassination, which became known as the Sarajevo Incident, set in motion a series of events. As Austria-Hungary confronted Serbia over the assassination, other European countries aligned with one side or the other. Germany sided with Austria-Hungary while Russia backed up Serbia.

One month after the assassination, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia. Four days later, Germany declared war on Russia. A few days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany. In less than 40 days, the Sarajevo Incident escalated into a great war involving Europes great powers. But it became a world war when the United States entered the war on the side of Britain and France.

By the time the Great War to End All Wars as World War I was originally called was over, more than 20 countries were involved. During the four-year war, total casualties were 37 million including 8.5 million killed.

Scarborough Shoal

Almost a century after the Sarajevo Incident, an incident is happening on the other side of the world that could potentially trigger another conflict among nations. Its in an uninhabited group of islands and reefs called Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) about 124 nautical miles west of the province of Zambales. Its claimed by the Philippines, China, and Taiwan [...]

Read the full story >>
Scarborough Incident

**************************

A Sardine and Two Sharks

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

GLIMPSES
By Jose Ma. Montelibano


Two weeks ago, I asked through my article if we can rise to be heroes in reference to the Scarborough Shoal issue. With the kind of heated rhetoric that had penetrated the papers, airwaves and cyberspace, it would seem that many Filipinos are willing to risk death for sovereignty. But I did not get the kind of response that was reassuring. In fact, many avoided the question if we can be heroic in our defense of our sense of proprietorship over a shoal. Screaming is cheap if it cannot be backed up by appropriate action. After all, opinion-makers in tri-media are dime a dozen, and the number of commentators in the Internet is countless and largely devoid of influence unless it has solidarity over any issue.

Since then, many incursions by Chinese vessels and counter presence of Philippine vessels have heightened the tension between two neighbors, one the size of a sardine and the other a shark. I am upset by the action of the Chinese government, especially with its quiet approval of Chinese vessels looting the Scarborough Shoal of various marine life. No less upsetting is the claim by China that the shoal belongs to them, or within their property line. Wow, a look from the sky would show how far the shoal is from China and how near it is to the Philippines. A picture of this is moving in the Internet with a caption Common Sense. I could not help but respond that, The more powerful makes the rule, not common sense. [...]

Read the full story >> A Sardine and Two Sharks

**************************

Proper perspective

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

BY REY O. ARCILLA
MALAYA

By all means, let us negotiate with China but do it in earnest and in good faith.

I believe it is time we put in proper perspective, as I see it, our problem with China on the Scarborough Shoal.

We say it is ours (as indeed it is, based on international law).

China insists it is hers and backs up her claim with a show of force.

We are no match against China militarily.

The US will not help us. She has made that very clear when she said often enough that she does not interfere in territorial disputes between countries. Her eerie silence during the present incident is also deafening. US ties with China today and in the foreseeable future are far more important to her than those that she has with the Philippines, mainly for commercial and financial reasons. Nearly every consumer item sold in the US is made in China. (In the US, it is said that if it is not made in China, it is made by God.) More significantly, US owes China, at last count, $1.5 trillion. That makes for a very strong leverage against the US. Too, China is no pushover to US militarily.

It is a good thing no one in Noynoys government has openly advocated seeking US help during this standoff with China except his pirated DVD-loving political adviser Ronald Llamas [...]

Read the full story >> Proper perspective

**************************

The surveys say

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

BY AMADO P. MACASAET
MALAYA

For as long as there is confidence in the leader, even hunger is not that big a problem. Unpunished corruption is even bigger.

THE recent survey on the economy by Pulse Asia is oxymoronic. It says the President has not been able to generate jobs fast enough to feed the hungry. That is reasonably true.

Yet, another survey shows that the popularity of President Aquino while lower than that of Vice President Jejomar Binay has not taken a plunge. On the other hand, the acceptance rating of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona stays deeply negative.

This oxymoronic situation raises one big question about the preference of people between hunger and the fight against corruption. What the survey on popularity and the economy shows is people prefer to see corruption completely wiped out of the surface of the earth although they remain poor, jobless to be exact.

People can bear with gripping poverty but lose hope when their stomachs are empty while corruption as in the regime of Gloria Arroyo was the norm of her administration [...]

Read the full story >> The surveys say

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A tactical blunder?

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

To Take A Stand
By Oscar P. Lagman, Jr.
BusinessWorld

Asked by the Philippine Daily Inquirer if surveys on Corona should be banned during his trial, Tranquilino Salvador III, one of the counsels of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, gave 10 reasons why surveys should not be conducted and results released during the trial. Not one of them is a valid reason for banning said surveys.

His first reason is that surveys should not be used to influence the decision making process of the senator-judges. Well, no one has had the gall to use the survey results to influence the senator-judges. And if the senator-judges were influenced by the survey results, the fault would lie with them, not with the surveys.

His second reason is that surveys cannot be considered as evidence in a court of law. Therefore they should be banned. That is gross demonstration of twisted logic. Editorial and columnist commentaries cannot be considered evidence in a court of law nor can statements of spokespersons of the prosecution and the defense panels. I wonder why he is not batting for their banning.

Reasons No. 3, 4, and 5 say survey results are variable, unverified, and momentary information, respectively. These are not reasons for banning surveys but are mere predications in support of Reason No. 2 [...]

Read the full story >> A tactical blunder?

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A tactical blunder?

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

To Take A Stand
By Oscar P. Lagman, Jr.
BusinessWorld

Asked by the Philippine Daily Inquirer if surveys on Corona should be banned during his trial, Tranquilino Salvador III, one of the counsels of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, gave 10 reasons why surveys should not be conducted and results released during the trial. Not one of them is a valid reason for banning said surveys.

His first reason is that surveys should not be used to influence the decision making process of the senator-judges. Well, no one has had the gall to use the survey results to influence the senator-judges. And if the senator-judges were influenced by the survey results, the fault would lie with them, not with the surveys.

His second reason is that surveys cannot be considered as evidence in a court of law. Therefore they should be banned. That is gross demonstration of twisted logic. Editorial and columnist commentaries cannot be considered evidence in a court of law nor can statements of spokespersons of the prosecution and the defense panels. I wonder why he is not batting for their banning [...]

Read the full story >> A tactical blunder?

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Part of the problem

April 26, 2012 | Opinion

Vantage Point
By Luis V. Teodoro
BusinessWorld

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has once again ranked the Philippines third in its 2012 Impunity Index. The Index ranks countries all over the world on the basis of the level of impunity, measured as a ratio to population, of the killers of journalists and media workers in the previous year.

Occupying the number one place in the 2012 Index i.e., it has the most number of journalists killed for which the perpetrators have not been punished is Iraq. In second place is Somalia, followed by the Philippines at number three. Behind the Philippines in fourth place is Sri Lanka. In fifth place is Colombia, followed by Nepal in sixth, and Afghanistan in seventh.

The company in which the Philippines finds itself are countries that are either besieged by sectarian violence and foreign occupation (Iraq and Afghanistan); civil war (Colombia); are already failed states (Somalia); or recovering from civil war and ethnic conflict (Sri Lanka and Nepal). International observers puzzle over the continuing killing of journalists and the high level of impunity in the Philippines, the country being (officially) a democracy and not being (officially) at war [...]

Read the full story >> Part of the problem


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3704 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sat Apr 28, 2012 3:16 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: China involves military in Scarborough tiff with RP
perrydiaz2001
Send Email Send Email
 
Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

China involves military in Scarborough tiff with RP

By Michaela P. del Callar and Angie M. Rosales
The Daily Tribune


China announced yesterday that its military will now join its maritime authorities in protecting its claim over a shoal within Manilas territorial jurisdiction as tensions between the Philippines and China showed no sign of letting up nearly three weeks after a dangerous naval standoff began.

Chinas statement, one of its most provocative yet, was made three days after declaring that it is not escalating the situation in the area and that it is committed to settle the standoff through friendly diplomatic consultations.

Chinese armed forces will closely work with fishery and maritime supervision agencies to jointly safeguard national marine rights and interests, Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement posted on Beijings government web portal.

Geng made the remarks in response to a reporters question on whether Chinese navy will send warships to patrol in the South China Sea following the April 10 standoff at the Scarborough Shoal or known to the Philippines as Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc.

Chinese armed forces have persisted in implementing their mission under the unified deployment of the nation, he said, adding the army, according to its tasks and responsibilities, will make joint efforts with fishery and maritime supervision departments in safeguarding national marine rights and [...]

Read the full story >> China involves military in Scarborough tiff with RP


ALSO IN THE NEWS

DFA exec: Phl can compel China to accept intl arbitration

By Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star

Photo is loading...

MANILA, Philippines An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed yesterday that despite Chinas refusal to accept arbitration by an international tribunal to settle the dispute over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, the Philippine government could raise the issue for settlement even without Chinese consent.

Secretary-General Henry Bensurto Jr. of the DFA Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Secretariat told a public hearing conducted by the Senate committee on foreign relations yesterday that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has a unique feature that allows signatory states to avail themselves of compulsory dispute settlement in cases when consensual mechanisms for settlement fail.

Bensurto said the DFA has already tapped the services of foreign legal experts to help in this course of action against China.

The standoff at Panatag Shoal began on April 10 when two Chinese surveillance ships stopped the Philippine Navy flagship BRP Gregorio del Pilar from investigating eight Chinese fishing boats for poaching marine life [...]

Read the full story >> DFA exec: Phl can compel China to accept intl arbitration

**************************

Factor these when dealing with China

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

We need patriotism, not grandstanding, at this time. The usual grandstanders shouldnt try to score points out of the current row with China over the Scarborough Shoal.

The President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy) administration has done the best that our country could do in this row with China. P-Noy had the right foreign policy in mind to stay in the middle of what is developing as a US versus China conflict in the South China Sea. However, Chinese intransigence and bullying forced P-Noy to gravitate closer to the US in order to have a counterfoil against the Chinese dragon.

How much risk is the US is willing to take in order to honor our mutual defense treaty? Two indicators, as follows, would tend to show that the US wouldnt want to engage China at this time:

1. Its an American presidential election year. Poised to exit from Afghanistan, as he promised to do so in 2008, US President Barrack Obama wouldnt want to be seen entering an even more dangerous and costly conflict with China. American voters would freak out and junk him.

2. The US economy will be severely and negatively affected because China is one of Americas most important trading partners. Its also the worst possible time to go to war with China. The US economy could easily crash once hostilities erupt because China owns the biggest stake in US debts [...]

Read the full story >> Factor these when dealing with China

**************************

Global Pinoys to rally at Chinese consulates

Source: The Philippine Star



MANILA, Philippines Filipino organizations in the United States will stage demonstrations in front of China embassies and consulates on May 11 to protest Beijings recent aggressive encroachment on the Philippines Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Loida Nicolas-Lewis, national chair of a Filipino-American good governance organization based in New York, yesterday called on Filipinos throughout the world to mount demonstrations.

Among those quick to respond were Filipino organizations in Hong Kong, Canada and Australia.

China considers Panatag Shoal, located 124 nautical miles from the Philippines Zambales province, to be its inherent territory even though it lies more than 500 nautical miles from the nearest China port of Hainan.

The territorial dispute over Panatag Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island, has escalated in recent months following [...]

Read the full story >> Global Pinoys to rally at Chinese consulates

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Coronas 2011 SALN is the smoking gun that would prove that his previous SALNs were incorrect because now hed be forced to declare all his assets in his 2011 SALN. PERRY DIAZ

CJ to file but not disclose SALN

By Christina Mendez
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Chief Justice Renato Corona is ready to submit his 2011 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) by April 30, the deadline imposed by law for all government officials.

His defense team, however, yesterday said the Chief Justice cannot be forced to publicly disclose his latest SALN.

Defense spokesperson Karen Jimeno pointed out that Corona would not want to violate the high tribunals own resolution on SALNs.

We cannot advise him to publicly disclose his SALN just like congressmen and senators since there is a Supreme Court resolution in 1989 (about the disclosure of the justices SALN), Jimeno said.

Corona is facing three Articles of Impeachment, including failure to truthfully declare in his SALN some of his alleged properties and dollar accounts.

Jimeno said the 15 justices of the Supreme Court should review the 1989 resolution, which limits access to the SALN of [...]

Read the full story >> CJ to file but not disclose SALN

**************************

House leader slams CJ for using Hacienda Luisita to score political points

By Jose Cielito M. Reganit
ZamboTimes

MANILA A leader of the House of Representatives and spokesman of the prosecution panel on Thursday admonished impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona for using the Hacienda Luisita issue to cover up his guilt and muddle the publics perception on the real issues against him.

House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Erin Tanada III chided the chief justice for indirectly tampering with the peoples sentiments by using the Hacienda Luisita issue to smokescreen his guilt and impending conviction in the Senate impeachment proceedings against him.

Corona is using the Supreme Court (SC) decision to bludgeon the mind of the public numb to what the public believes as his ill-gotten wealth, he said.

The SC unanimously voted Tuesday to reaffirm a November 2011 decision to distribute some 5,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita land to 6,000 farmer beneficiaries [...]

Read the full story >> House leader slams CJ for using Hacienda Luisita to score political points

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Hacienda Luisita: Thwarting social justice over 45 years

AT GROUND LEVEL
By Satur C. Ocampo
Philippine Star

Whats the significance of the Supreme Courts unanimous final and executory ruling last April 24, ordering the distribution of 4,915 hectares of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. land to 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries?

The ruling ended or so it is hoped! 45 years of waiting by the farmworkers to own the land that was to have been given to them, at cost, 10 years after Jose Cojuangco Sr. (P-Noys grandfather) bought it with government financial support in 1957.

Or to drive the point sharply! it ended 45 years of maneuvering by the Cojuangcos that thwarted the dispensation of social justice, the essence of the governments objective in supporting the land purchase [...]

Read the full story >> Hacienda Luisita: Thwarting social justice over 45 years

**************************

Aquinos LP, Villars NP talk coalition

By Gil C. Cabacungan, Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Budget Secretary Florencio Butch Abad and former Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers confirmed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Thursday that the talks for a coalition of the Liberal Party (LP) and the Nacionalista Party (NP) in 2013 were in the works.

We are open to coalition with everyone based on principles, shared advocacies and policy direction of the country in uplifting the lives of the Filipino people, Barbers said.

In fact, the NP of outgoing Senator Manuel Villar, for instance, has two ardent suitorsthe LP of President Aquino and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

LP spokesperson Lorenzo Erin Taada III said Thursday that the LP was willing to mend fences with the NP to come up with a common senatorial slate in 2013 [...]

Read the full story >> Aquinos LP, Villars NP talk coalition


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DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END

#3705 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:00 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: 'We won't be provoked'
perrydiaz2001
Send Email Send Email
 
Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED


Welcome to Global Balita

Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

We wont be provoked

By Aurea Calica and Pia Lee-Brago
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines Malacaang yesterday maintained the Philippines would stand its ground and not be provoked by the Chinese militarys posturing in the West Philippine Sea.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the country would come up with a unified and strong stand to defend its claims before international forums.

Valte also said there were no talks for the permanent presence of US forces in the Philippines amid the West Philippine Sea row, particularly the standoff at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales.

Chinas armed forces have vowed to fulfill their duty to safeguard their territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and they would collaborate closely with related governing bodies, including fishery administration and maritime law enforcement, to jointly ensure the countrys maritime rights and interests.

Nine Chinese vessels were reported to have arrived at the shoal being guarded by two Philippine vessels [...]

Read the full story >> We wont be provoked


ALSO IN THE NEWS

Standoff over Panatag Shoal to test US-PH defense treaty

By Florante S. Solmerin
Manila Standard Today

DEFENSE and military officials said Friday they will use the countrys decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States to modernize the countrys Armed Forces in the face of Chinas aggression in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the Philippines recent standoff with China over the Panatag or Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands will be a test of the US governments willingness to come to the aid of a small nation against Chinese aggression.

Most importantly, it shall further enhance our security relations and, most importantly, demonstrate our unequivocal resolve to support each other against the threats of external aggression and the enemies of freedom and liberty, Gazmin said in a speech read for him by Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta during the closing ceremonies for the Balikatan exercises in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City [...]

Read the full story >> Standoff over Panatag Shoal to test US-PH defense treaty

**************************

China pushing us closer to the United States

BABES EYE VIEW
By Babe Romualdez
The Philippine Star

The increasingly belligerent posture of China over Scarborough Shoal has put the Philippines in a rather precarious position, placing us in a damned if you do, damned if you dont situation. During the state visit of President Noynoy Aquino to China in September last year, it looked like we were headed for greater heights in terms of bilateral relations especially on the economic front. With the coming change of leadership in China, things seem to have turned from bad to worse as we find ourselves having to abandon a balancing act characterized by developing special ties with both China and the United States, at least economically.

Historically, the relationship between the Philippines and the United States has always been especially close, even describing the US as our big brother. Even to this day, many Filipinos revere General Douglas MacArthur whose great promise of I shall return kept Filipino hopes of liberation alive during World War II with the image of the American Caesars dramatic landing in Leyte perceived as proof of the special bond between the Philippines and America.

On the other hand, wariness and distrust of foreigners have been inured in the Chinese since ancient times, embodied by the Great Wall which they started building in 7th century BC, constructing bigger and thicker portions especially between 220-206 BC during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (many of the collapsed portions were later rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty). The Opium War between 1839-1842 is also a bitter chapter in Chinese history, with the British dumping [...]

Read the full story >> China pushing us closer to the United States

**************************

Corona asked: Explain $10M bank accounts

By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Aside from his peso accounts and real estate properties, impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona allegedly has at least $10 million in bank accounts that the Ombudsman is now asking him to explain.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, acting on several complaints filed with her office, asked Corona to explain in writing within 72 hours how he acquired several peso and dollar accounts, allegedly grossly disproportionate to his salary, in different banks.

The order was dated April 20 and served on Corona on April 23.

This office finds that there is reasonable ground to proceed further with the conduct of an inquiry vis--vis the charges that you, during your incumbency as a public officer, accumulated wealth that is purportedly grossly disproportionate to your salary and other lawful income, Morales said in the April 20 order, a copy of which was obtained by the Inquirer [...]

Read the full story >> Corona asked: Explain $10M bank accounts

**************************

Enrile Cautions Binay On Alliance Binge

BY HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
MANILA BULLETIN

MANILA, Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binay has to limit the entry of political parties joining the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) coalition to avert any chances that the coalition may be ruined, especially on the local level during the May, 2013 elections.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he personally wants to advise Binay, who heads the Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) not to expand the coalition too much and to refrain from fielding common candidates in the senatorial slate.

Mahirap yung namamangka sa dalawang bangka, mabubukaka, eh, Enrile told reporters after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.

Enrile is part of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), which supported Binays vice presidential bid in the 2010 elections.

As far as Im concerned, this is my personal position. If they will ask my advice, I will advise our coalition not to engage in expanding the coalition to involve other parties. Why? Because it will be very messy in the local level if you have so many [...]

Read the full story >> Enrile Cautions Binay On Alliance Binge

**************************

UNA part of constructive opposition, says Estrada

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines Vice President Jejomar Binays United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will be part of the political opposition, though a constructive one, according to former President Joseph Estrada.

But Estrada, one of the three senior leaders of the alliance, said President Benigno Aquino III should not take it against senators identified with UNA if they would vote against the removal of Chief Justice Renato Corona in the impeachment trial.

That will not destroy our relationship with [the President's] LP [Liberal Party], Estrada told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview at his residence in San Juan last Friday.

But what if the President did not feel the same way? Estrada replied: So what? Were not Liberals.

The former president was asked about the fact Mr. Aquino had been openly campaigning for Coronas removal. While the impeachment trial was in recess, news about UNA mobilizing its forces broke out, apparently in preparation for Binays presidential run in 2016 [...]

Read the full story >> UNA part of constructive opposition, says Estrada

**************************

Referendum 74: The Catholic Churchs Present Day Inquisition of Gays and Lesbians in the State of Washington

A Cup O Kapeng Barako
By Jesse Jose

I am a Knight. No, not that Knight in Shining Armour. I am done with that role. Iverescued enough damsels in distress in my lifetime.

I am a Knight of the Knights ofColumbus of our Holy Family Catholic Church here in Auburn, Washington. And a heateddebate rages between my fellow Knights and myself. I am being ganged-up, in fact, like its me against the world kind of thing,within thisbrotherhood of knights thatI ama member of for many years.
And that anytime now, Ill be captured, tied to a stake and BURNED as a witch and a heretic! [...]

Read the full story >> Referendum 74: The Catholic Churchs Present Day Inquisition of Gays and Lesbians in the State of Washington

**************************

5 years of search, 5 years of hope

By Ellen Tordesillas
Malaya

On April 28, 2007, past noon, Jonas Burgos was at Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City waiting for friends. Before his friends came three military agents, one was a woman, approached him and forcibly brought him out to a waiting vehicle. Jonas was never seen after that.

Jonas mother, Edita, wife of press freedom fighter Jose Burgos, Jr. (founder of Malaya) issued the following statement yesterday:

April 28, 2012 marks the fifth year of the disappearance of my son, Jonas Burgos. Jonas family commemorates this day by looking back at the five years of search. We recall how we have exhausted every possible peaceful means available to us within the limitations of resources and information.

We have encountered numerous attempts at individual and institutional cover up and confronted these with more determination to uncover the truth. The denials, the stone-walling, the labeling, all the lies and even the indifference have only encouraged us to pray some more and to look at others with the eyes of a Christian heart. Undeterred, our search must go on.

At every turn of the uphill path of the search, something and someone would somehow turn out to be His Providence supplying what was needed for the moment. The particular grace would always be on time just enough, and would, in spite of the pain and seeming helplessness fuel a renewed vigor to search for the lost son, the lost brother, the lost husband, the lost father [...]

Read the full story >> 5 years of search, 5 years of hope


Visit www.GlobalBalita.com for more news andupdates.

DISCLAIMER: Commentaries or articles may be submitted for publication. However, the commentaries and articles submitted by writers and readers for publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Balita and its Editor. The Editor does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of writers and readers exercising their right to free expression. Global Balita and its Editor reserve the right to reject any commentary or article submitted for publication.

END



#3706 From: Perry Diaz <PerryDiaz@...>
Date: Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:51 am
Subject: GLOBAL BALITA: South China Sea: Scareborough/Karburo
perrydiaz2001
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Welcome to Global Balita


Global Balita

Global Filipinos in perspective --

"From Manila Bay to San Francisco Bay"


FEATURED

South China Sea: Scareborough/Karburo

BY FIDEL V. RAMOS
Former Philippine President
Manila Bulletin

The South China Sea which connects to the Gulf of Thailand and the Java Sea in the east flows into the most complex series of maritime crossroads in the world. This is Southeast Asias maritime heartland National Security Council Report, 15 February 1995

TO many concerned citizens, the Philippine team playing in the Scareborough tournament appears to be losing in the shadow-boxing bout with China with time running out. Yet, our side has fielded top national players, starting with President Benigno Aquino III himself as Captainball, plus Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, SND Gazmin, and other officials.

In contrast, the Chinese have put out only their B team, mainly: Embassy Spokesman Zhang Hua in Manila, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing (who is a strong-willed lady), and Beijing underlings.

Chinas rigid U-Line stand on Spratly/Scarborough issues and Chinas maritime maneuvers replicate obsolescent gunboat diplomacy accompanied by soothing double-speak. This way, Beijing maintains a laid-back stance (as if uninvolved). In reality, Chinas Central Government is calling the shots from behind dragon curtains, in accordance with a strategic gameplan forged back in July, 1992, when the Manila ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea was promulgated.

P-Noy and Cabinet, on the other hand, have become embroiled almost daily in clarifying Philippine actions re that hotpotato [...]

Read the full story >> South China Sea: Scareborough/Karburo


ALSO IN THE NEWS

More useful insights on dealing with China

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star

George is my Ateneo schoolmate. He classifies himself as a Chinoy (Chinese-Filipino). George described that hes treated as a Filipino when hes in China and as Chinese when hes in the Philippines. George has been frequenting China since 1980 and saw its transformation.

George told me: I saw the change through the years brought about by sheer political will and a system where there is no TRO at the drop of a hat to stop or drag a project until it becomes expensive or unviable for the proponent. Although I dont believe the system can be transplanted here entirely, there are many things that we can pick up and apply here. But we can do this only if we embrace humility over abilidad (one-upmanship).

George liked my April 26 column (Factor these when dealing with China) and shared his own insights, which proved to be spot on. We will honor the request of George not to mention his surname. After all, his insights are what we can use in this row with China over the Scarborough Shoal.

George wrote: I must take my hat off to you for a very well written piece. Allow me to make this rejoinder, with my two cents [...]

Read the full story >> More useful insights on dealing with China

**************************

Preparing SALNs

With Due Respect
By: Artemio V. Panganiban
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Tomorrow, April 30, is the last day for all public officials and employees to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) required by the Constitution, Anti-Graft Law (Republic Act 3019) and Ethical Standards Law (RA 6713).

Acquisition cost. Yet, due to many questions raised during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, many government workers are still at a loss on how to fill out the two-page, back-to-back SALN form prescribed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) since 1994.

Especially problematic is the requirement to declare three kinds of values for real estate properties: assessed value, current fair market value and acquisition cost. In Republic vs. Sandiganbayan (Jan. 30, 2002), the Supreme Court, speaking through Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr., held that the acquisition cost, not the market or assessed value, should be used in computing whether public functionaries had amassed ill-gotten wealth or property that is manifestly out of proportion to their lawful income. Under RA 1379, unexplained wealth shall, after due process and hearing, be forfeited in favor of [...]

Read the full story >> Preparing SALNs

**************************

Defense team: CJ does not have $10M

By Ira Pedrasa
ABS-CBNnews.com

Jurisdiction of Ombudsman over case questioned

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) The defense team of Chief Justice Renato Corona raised the issue of jurisdiction of the Ombudsman over his supposed bank accounts, even as they debunked allegations he has $10 million.

In a phone interview, defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador told ABS-CBNnews.com that they stand by their answer that Corona does not have $10 million as alleged by several petitioners who sought to bring the case before the Office of the Ombudsman.

He said the timing of the order has raised speculations among stakeholders and observers in the trial of Corona, which would resume May 7.

He said the issue could be used to push the Chief Justice to sit on the witness stand to supposedly explain the $10 million when no such funds or accounts actually exist. [...]

Read the full story >> Defense team: CJ does not have $10M

**************************

How Ombudsman got access to CJs dollars

By Carmela Fonbuena
Rappler

NEW BATTLEGROUND: Ombudsman asks Chief Justice Renato Corona to explain $10-M dollar deposits
NEW BATTLEGROUND: Ombudsman asks Chief
Justice Renato
Corona to explain $10-M dollar
deposits

MANILA, Philippines Now it is out, courtesy of the Office of the Ombudsman. Chief Justice Renato Corona allegedly has at least US$10-million worth of dollar deposits or nearly half a billion pesos, based on current exchange rates.

The Chief Justice is denying the money exists, but the Ombudsman said these are supposedly deposited in various banks.

There are several bank accounts in PSBank and several other banks in your name, including those denominated in US dollars the aggregate value of which amounts to at least US$10,000,000, reads the April 20, 2012 order of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales for Corona to explain his wealth that purportedly grossly disproportionate to your salary and other lawful income. The Philippine Daily Inquirer revealed this order in its top story on Sunday, April 29.

The order was sent barely two weeks before the May 7 resumption of the Corona impeachment trial. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has heeded an earlier Supreme Court order stopping the Philipine Savings Bank (PSBank) from disclosing Coronas alleged dollar accounts [...]

Read the full story >> How Ombudsman got access to CJs dollars

**************************

Is There a Way Out?

Noynoy Must Lead; Everyone Must Do Their Part

By Leandro D. Quintana


My last article urging reforms vis--vis the Philippine culture of graft and corruption drew considerable interest. Many vowed to do their part. Others expressed frustration. More still seemed resigned to what they see as our way of life in the Philippines. Desperate indeed. The question is, is a way out really possible? Is reform a realistic expectation? Is it too late? Have we missed our opportunities for societal and cultural reform?

Many (this writer included) rued the failure of Corazon Aquino to carpe diem when she assumed the presidency after EDSA I in 1986 and use her immense mandate at that time to fundamentally alter the course of Philippine history and initiate true and lasting reforms. She could have ruled by decree for a couple of years and the people would have backed her because of her husbands ultimate sacrifice and her own personal honesty and integrity. What they wanted to see were results. None came. Hope fizzled. In due time the failed and discredited institutions, the empty shells of democracy, so to speak, were restored and as a result the oligarchy is back, established and stronger (and viciously destructive) than ever [...]

Read the full story >> Is There a Way Out?

**************************

Chiz: LP to coalesce with NPC for 2013 polls

By Danny Dangcalan
The Philippine Star

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines The ruling Liberal Party (LP) is set to coalesce with the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC) in preparation for the 2013 elections, Sen. Francis Escudero said.

LP and NPC, I believe, are in coalition with each other. Kanya-kanyang coalition yan (Each of them will have their own coalition), Escudero said here Thursday.

According to Escudero, the LP-NPC coalition and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay are both inviting him to join their senatorial lineup for the 2013 elections.

UNA is a coalition of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of Binay and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada [...]

Read the full story >> Chiz: LP to coalesce with NPC for 2013 polls

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Abadilla 5 call on Aquino to sign release papers

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

After languishing in prison for 16 years, one of the five men convicted for the 1996 killing of Col. Rolando Abadilla is puzzled why President Aquino still hasnt acted on a September 2011 recommendation commuting their sentence.

Lenido Lumanog, who is confined at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute for treatment of kidney ailment, said he and the rest of the Abadilla 5 cant wait forever for approval of the commutation, which would pave the way for their release.

He said they had lost 16 good years of their lives, and were growing old and sick behind bars.

I hope they will do some action on this matter at least before I die, Lumanog, who was rushed Wednesday from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa to the NKTI due to a weak kidney, said in an interview Friday afternoon.

In September 2011, the Board of Pardons and Parole recommended to the Office of the President the commutation of the sentence of the Abadilla 5 to 16 years. Since they had served 16 years, they would be released as soon as the commutation [...]

Read the full story >> Abadilla 5 call on Aquino to sign release papers


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