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Human rights raised

2011-11-10T04:02:00.000-08:00

11/10/2011 -MANILA, Philippines — Allies of President-turned-Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the Senate are calling Malacañang’s cold shoulder to her request to be allowed to seek medicaltreatment abroad a “case of human rights.”

Sen. Joker Arroyo (not related to Mrs. Arroyo) said he finds it “worrisome and unfortunate” that the Department of Justice (DoJ), through its watch list order (WLO), is preventing the former president from seeking medical treatment abroad even without formal charges filed against her before the courts.

“Over and above the weighty constitutional issue of the right to travel, is the overriding issue of human rights, a universal battle cry. Human rights are akin to Christian charity. The human body is inviolable. The Constitution prohibits cruel, degrading or inhumane punishment,” said Sen. Arroyo.

“We have become a very litigious country. And strangely, the (Aquino) government encourages that unhealthy trend,” the senator added.

Sen. Edgardo Angara also said the ruling of DoJ Secretary Leila de Lima “rests on very shaky ground” considering that no formal case has been filed against Mrs. Arroyo.

“I think the hold order (of the DoJ) rest on very shaky ground because you know the right to travel is a Constitutional right of every citizen without even considering the status or position of the person,” Angara said at a weekly press conference in the Senate.

He said the government’s fear that Mrs. Arroyo would evade the charges leveled against her is very unlikely as she is apt to yield to international pressure.

“The probability of her leaving the legal processes of our country may be remote, especially because, at this time and era, there’s practically no place to hide. The arm of the law is longer now and you cannot hide anywhere you go,” Angara said.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said it is going to be a “waste of money” for the government to shoulder her medical expenses.

“Spend the money for the poor instead. Payagan na lang nila (They should just allow her to leave). (It is) so unwise (for government to foot the medical bill of Mrs. Arroyo),” Sotto said in a text message.

“Or are they washing their hands to pass the ball and blame it to the judiciary?” Sotto quipped.

As for Sen. Francis Escudero, an ally of Aquino, he hailed Malacañang’s offer to find a medical specialist to fly into the country to help Mrs. Arroyo, who is one of his godmothers in his marriage.

“(It was a) good and generous gesture which showed the kindness of President Aquino,” he said.

Government lawyers have opposed the plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would lift the watch list order (WLO) issued by the DoJ against Mrs. Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

In two urgent manifestations filed by Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz, the Supreme Court (SC) was asked to give the government reasonable time to respond to the two petitions filed by the Arroyos, to deny the plea for TRO, and to hold oral arguments on the cases.

“It is respectfully prayed that respondent (DoJ represented by the Office of the Solicitor General) be given reasonable time to comment on the present petition and the application for a TRO before any action on the said application for the issuance of a TRO is taken by the honorable court, or that this very urgent manifestation and motion be treated as an opposition to the said application and that the same be denied for utter lack of merit,” Cadiz said in his manifestations filed late Wednesday afternoon.

De Lima’s rejection of the request for the former First Couple to fly aboard prompted the Arroyos to elevate the issue before the SC on the ground of the alleged unconstitutionality of WLOs issued by the DoJ.

In opposing the plea for TRO and pleading for the eventual dismissal of the two petitions, Cadiz told the SC: “With petitioner’s travel abroad, any eventual decision on the petition would not bring back petitioner to the Philippines. No amount of judgment then will recompense the Philippine state for the irreparable injury caused to it with the flight from Philippine jurisdiction of herein petitioner.”

And with the TRO, Cadiz said the government would be “rendered powerless from compelling her to answer to criminal complaints and charges against her and which are already pending disposition at the preliminary investigation stage.”

In seeking the nullification of the WLO, the former President said she would suffer irreparable injury if the implementation of the WLO issued against her is not nullified immediately.

“The inability of petitioner GMA to leave for abroad to alleviate, or, at least, prevent the aggravation of her hypoparathyroidism and metabolic bone disorder has given rise to the danger that the said conditions afflicting petitioner GMA may become permanent and incurable,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a petition filed by former Justice Minister and Solicitor General Estelito P. Mendoza.

“Having been immobilized by a debilitating condition for the last few months, and having been subject to long operations and their complications, she seeks other experts’ perspective and to receive optimum care to ensure that she will not be disabled for the rest of her life and that her recovery will no longer be impeded by complications, which she has unfortunately experienced for the last few months,” the petition stated.

But Vice President Jejomar C. Binay supported President Benigno S. Aquino III's decision not to allow former President Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad for hypoparathyroidism. He said Aquino is constrained as President that the primordial interest of the government is not to allow Arroyo to leave the country because of the charges of plunder and electoral sabotage she is facing.

Meanwhile Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the government intends to tap its contingency fund to pay for the medical expenses of former President Arroyo should she accept the Palace offer to fly in foreign doctors to treat her in the country.

Abad also clarified that the public funds to pay for the foreign doctors will only be released to a government institution, and not to the former leader. (Manila Bulletin)

P-Noy believes in Santa

2011-11-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

11/04/2011 - The President made this admission in his first YouTube World View interview and expressed his early Christmas wish for more caring instead of hurling criticisms among people.

The President was asked by a seven-year-old boy named Joshua in a video posted on YouTube if he believes in Santa Claus and what his Christmas wish was.

“I believe in Santa Claus. Santa Claus perhaps is the personification of how people, best in people, their idea of generosity, their idea of caring. That comes out among Christians during this period most strongly," the President said in response to Joshua’s question.

His Christmas wish, Aquino said is people would care more for others even after the Yuletide season.

The President said people should consider contributing "towards the improvement of the whole rather than how we can concentrate on envy or ability to criticize daily ad infinitum that leads to nowhere."

"We really have to shift, those of us who is left in the criticize- everything-and-anything phase to transforming ourselves into how we can assist our neighbor, our sister, our brother or somebody we don't even know," the President said.

"Perhaps that idea of caring for everybody does not exist during the Christmas period but more so the facet of everyday life. There has to be looking out rather than looking purely at one's self-interest. That's our wish," he added.

Aquino also talked about his plans on job generation, improvement of the Manila airport, better social services, peace initiative in Mindanao, his views on responsible parenthood, among others during the hour-long interactive forum sponsored by YouTube and Google.

The President declined to name his favorite destination, food and activity. He said anybody can visit any place in the country and enjoy their trip.

"As one of the chief promoters of tourism in the country, I can look anybody in the eye and say you can go to practically any region in this country and there will be sites that will make your trip worthwhile," he said.

Aquino added that Filipino food have "more natural taste" compared to the food he tasted while travelling abroad.

"Once our transportation network and issues are more addressed, then even the inter-island transportation will be greatly enhanced and we will be able to expose more people to bounties of our country," he said.

Aquino, the first Asian leader to participate in the online interview series, was interviewed by Google policy director for Asia Pacific Ross LeJounesse.

The President also said he would prioritize peace in Mindanao over the territorial dispute in the Spratlys.

“I think the primary issue has to be the peace and order situation in the Philippines - assistance to the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) should be prioritized,” Aquino said.

“Embarking on external defense at this point in time is, I think, an unproductive way of utilizing the resources that we do have,” he said.

Aquino had always advocated peace instead of an all-out war with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) even after the Basilan clash last month that led to the death of 19 soldiers.

He said there is a need to “tackle the root cause” of the insurgency in Mindanao.

Aquino said his administration supports security forces by providing them with their basic needs such as equipment and housing.

“We have P10 billion for the modernization program,” he said.(Manila Bulletin)

RH bill's passage urged anew as country welcomes 7 billionth baby

2011-11-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

11/02/2011 - PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III should endorse the highly-divisive reproductive health (RH) bill if the government wants to provide a better future for Danica May Camacho, the Philippines' symbolic seven-billionth baby born earlier this week, a member of Congress said.

Alyansa ng mga Grupo ng Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (Agham) party-list Representative Angelo Palmones said Aquino’s endorsement will convince the majority bloc at the House of Representatives to fast track the approval of the RH bill.

House Bill 4244, which will provide families access to RH services, remains pending for second reading approval.

"Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must speed up the passage of the RH bill within 2011. President Aquino's endorsement of the bill to LP (Liberal Party) members will ensure its enactment," said Palmones.

He said that an RH law could be President Aquino's "greatest legacy for maternal care."

Sulu Representative Nur-ana Sahidulla, also a co-author of the RH bill, said the measure will solve the effects of the country’s booming population, which has been estimated to have reached more than 90 million.

"(The) RH bill should be passed here at the House of Representatives. This will be the best solution," Sahidulla said.

The Department of Health welcomed the Philippines' seven billionth symbolic baby at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Medical Center in Sta. Cruz, Manila Sunday midnight.

Danica May was the second child of Camille Galura and Florante Camacho.

Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay, for her part, said the country’s huge population should not be seen as a problem as long as the government "implements good programs and policies which can help people get the proper education and skills to make them marketable for employment".

"The government should put the necessary infrastructure to attract investors. With both ingredients being the 12th most populous has no effect at all," she noted. (Sun Star)

PAL seeks better government protection vs 'harassment'

2011-11-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

11/02/2011 - National carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) called on the country's leading business groups to seek quicker and decisive government response against supposed harassment of private enterprises.

PAL conveyed its sentiments to business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI), among others.

"The recent incident where PAL's catering truck was blocked by protesting former workers armed with truncheons and planks with nails is one clear example of this kind of harassment seemingly tolerated by police authorities," the airline said, referring to the October 29 incident at PAL's in-flight center in Pasay City.

This has prompted PAL to say that it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect themselves against harassment like illegal blockades by former workers who have been validly and legally dismissed.

Sun.Star tried to reach MAP president Felino “Jun” Palafox for comment but he has yet to give a reply as of this posting Wednesday.

For its part, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed the call of PAL for “unholy alliance” among employer’s organizations.

“PAL’s Halloween appeal for help is a call for the forces of darkness to unite against the forces of good. In tagging Palea’s protest camp as harassment, PAL wants to subvert labor rights in favor of property rights,” PM chairperson Renato Magtubo said.

Some 2,300 workers from the catering, airport services and call center departments of the Lucio Tan-led carrier were forced to retire early last October 1 as part of the company’s outsourcing plan.

However, the affected ground workers who belong to the PAL Employees Association (Palea) rejected the plan and they have been occupying the in-fight center’s perimeter since September 28.

So far, PAL has been legally unsuccessful in dismantling the protest camp as it chided Palea for accusing them of hiring goons to violently disperse the protesters.

Leftist sectoral representatives have also been accusing PAL of harassing former workers while turning a blind eye on their “documented transgressions” such as denying exit to one of the company’s catering trucks last week.

Lawmaker seeks probe of incident

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño said he will file a House resolution “to get to the bottom” of last week’s scuffle.

PAL, however, finds the upcoming congressional probe with “no clear legislative intent” and with a plain objective of embarrassing PAL resource persons in attendance.

Casiño meanwhile expressed disbelief regarding accusations of PAL management, which is now preparing libel charges and property right violations against the protesters.

"PAL is projecting itself as being the victim here and they even have the gall to call for help from business groups. While PAL is only protecting their profits their retrenched employees are fighting for their lives and livelihood,” the party-list lawmaker said.

According to Casiño, PAL also refused to fly Palea members who had been issued airline tickets as part of their employee benefits before they were retrenched.

The airline confirmed the report, saying it has the right to “refuse conveyance to those who make false and malicious claims that the airline is unsafe and whose ultimate goal is to bring down the company." (Sun Star)

Giant crocodile captured alive in Philippines

2011-09-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

09/06/2011 - MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Villagers and veteran hunters have captured a one-ton saltwater crocodile which they plan to make the star of a planned ecotourism park in a southern Philippine town, an official said Monday.

Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said dozens of villagers and experts ensnared the 21-foot (6.4-meter) male crocodile along a creek in Bunawan township in Agusan del Sur province after a three-week hunt. It could be one of the largest crocodiles to be captured alive in recent years, he said, quoting local crocodile experts.

Elorde said the crocodile killed a water buffalo in an attack witnessed by villagers last month and was also suspected of having attacked a fisherman who went missing in July.

He said he sought the help of experts at a crocodile farm in western Palawan province.

"We were nervous but it's our duty to deal with a threat to the villagers," Elorde told The Associated Press by telephone. "When I finally stood before it, I couldn't believe my eyes."

After initial sightings at a creek, the hunters set four traps, which the crocodile destroyed. They then used sturdier traps using steel cables, one of which finally caught the enormous reptile late Saturday, he said.

About 100 people had to pull the crocodile, which weighs about 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms), from the creek to a clearing where a crane lifted it into a truck, he said.

The crocodile was placed in a fenced cage in an area where the town plans to build an ecotourism park for species found in a vast marshland in Agusan, an impoverished region about 515 miles (830 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Elorde said.

"It will be the biggest star of the park," Elorde said, adding that villagers were happy that they would be able to turn the dangerous crocodile "from a threat into an asset."

Despite the catch, villagers remain wary because several crocodiles still roam the outskirts of the farming town of about 37,000 people.

They have been told to avoid venturing into marshy areas alone at night, Elorde said. (news@yahoo.com)

US war vets rely on alms to keep Philippine graves

2011-07-03T01:10:00.000-07:00

07/03/11 - CLARK, Philippines (AP) — Walking along the rows of tombstones here offers a glimpse of the wars America has fought and the men and women who waged them. But most of the grave markers have been half-buried for 20 years, and there is little hope that the volcanic ash obscuring names, dates and epitaphs will be cleared any time soon.

Clark Veterans Cemetery was consigned to oblivion in 1991, when Mount Pinatubo's gigantic eruption forced the U.S. to abandon the sprawling air base surrounding it. Retired U.S. soldiers, Marines and sailors volunteer to keep watch, relying on donations to try to maintain the grounds, but they lament that they're helplessly short on funds to fix things, and that Washington is unwilling to help.

"It's the veterans' cemetery that America forgot," Vietnam War veteran and ex-Navy officer Robert Chesko said.

Workers at the cemetery north of Manila recently dug to fully expose a gravestone for an Army sergeant who died in World War II in the Philippines. They discovered his wife's name engraved under his and a long-hidden tribute: "Daughter, sister, wife and mother of veterans."

It's impossible to say what else remains hidden at the 17-acre (seven-hectare) cemetery. It holds the remains of 8,600 people, including 2,200 American veterans and nearly 700 allied Philippine Scouts who saw battle in conflicts from the early 1900s to the resistance against brutal Japanese occupation troops in WWII.

Clark's dead also include military dependents, civilians who worked for the U.S. wartime government and at least 2,139 mostly unidentified soldiers whose marble tombstones are labeled "Unknown."

As America marks Independence Day, the veterans caring for the cemetery renewed their calls for Washington to fund and take charge of the work.

"People celebrate on the Fourth of July but they forgot the 8,600 who helped make that freedom happen," said former Navy Capt. Dennis Wright, who saw action in Vietnam and is now a business executive.

"We're trying to get the U.S. government to assume responsibility for maintaining the cemetery so we can get it up to standards ... not on nickels and dimes and donations and gifts," said retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Larry Heilhecker, who served as cemetery caretaker for five years until last month.

Clark was a U.S. base for nearly a century, and was once the largest American Air Force installation off the U.S. mainland. It served as a key staging area for U.S. forces during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The Clark cemetery, which can accommodate at least 12,000 remains, was developed between 1947 and 1950, when it was used to collect the remains and tombstones from four U.S. military cemeteries as American officials sorted out their dead from WWII and previous wars.

An American cemetery at the then Fort McKinley in Manila became the exclusive burial ground for all Americans and allied Philippine Scouts who were killed in WWII combat. The 152-acre (61-hectare) Manila cemetery collected 17,202 dead, the largest number of American casualties interred in one place from the last world war.

Now closed to burials, the stunningly landscaped Manila cemetery became one of 24 American burial grounds outside the U.S. mainland. Nearly 125,000 Americans who perished in WWI and WWII and the Mexican War are interred in those U.S.-funded overseas cemeteries, regarded as among the most beautiful war memorials in the world. The overseas burial sites are administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission, or ABMC.

The dead at Clark are not limited to World War II casualties — they date as far back as 1903. Also unlike the Manila cemetery, it continues to accept burials. One U.S. veteran who lives in the area had his son buried here after he was killed in Iraq in 2005. But Clark is not administered by the ABMC.

The Air Force managed Clark cemetery from 1947 to 1991, when it abruptly left after nearby Pinatubo roared back to life from a 500-year slumber. Even before the eruption, negotiations with the Philippine government for a new U.S. military lease on Clark had bogged down after nearly a century of presence in the Philippines, according to the veterans.

Philippine authorities failed to look after the cemetery. In 1994, American veterans were shocked to find it had become an ash-covered jungle of weeds, overgrown grass and debris. Half of its old steel fence had been looted.

Today, a pair of U.S. and Philippine flags flutter in the wind over the graves. A recently restored marble obelisk, pockmarked by World War II gun and artillery fire, venerates the unknown dead. A small sign at a new steel gate ushers in visitors with a tribute to the war dead: "Served with honor."

All the improvements came from donations. Wright's company spent $90,000 to construct a new concrete and steel fence and a parking lot and make other improvements. An old veteran, confined to a nursing home in Florida, sent one dollar in a touching act, Heilhecker said.

Still, the Clark gravesites look forlorn compared to the American cemetery in Manila.

A U.S. government decision to take control of the Clark cemetery could shed light on the fate of still-missing Americans, Wright said, citing the case of a U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hershel Lee Covey, whose name is on a Clark cemetery tombstone that declared him as having died on July 17, 1942 in the Philippines.

A check by The Associated Press showed ABMC lists Covey as "missing in action or buried at sea."

Dashing the hopes of the American veterans, the ABMC and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which manages 131 U.S. mainland cemeteries through an agency, both said Clark was outside their mandate.

"Whether the U.S. government should take on responsibility for maintaining such a foreign, private cemetery is a veterans' benefits issue outside the scope of our authority," ABMC public affairs director Michael Conley told the AP in an e-mailed reply to questions.

U.S. Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas, who has visited the Clark cemetery twice, praised the American veterans for looking after the burial grounds, which he said volunteer embassy staff and visiting U.S. sailors have helped clean up. But he said the U.S. Congress only appropriates funds for official cemeteries overseas through the ABMC, Thomas said.

Philippine officials have authorized an American veterans' group led by Chesko to manage the Clark cemetery up to 2030, and have said they are open to allowing any U.S. agency to manage it.

"Without them, we wouldn't have this freedom now," said Felipe Antonio Remollo, president of the state-run Clark Development Corp., which oversees the former base, now a industrial and commercial hub.

Once developed and possibly turned into a war memorial, the cemetery could draw in tourists, Remollo said.

Clark's elderly veterans, some of whom become teary-eyed when reminiscing days with fallen comrades, worry about who will look after the cemetery as their ranks dwindle. Two passed away and were buried last week.

"We're getting old. We can feel it in our bones, you know, in mind and everything," said 65-year-old Chesko. He has wondered whether fallen soldiers' sacrifices still matter to young Americans.

"What bothers me sometimes is, will they still remember?" Chesko said.

The new cemetery caretaker, John Gilbert, said the veterans were not trying to pass the responsibility.

"We're proud to do it, don't get me wrong, but we do not have the resources to do it," said Gilbert. They would have no choice if Washington ignores their pleas, he said.

"We are not ready to let this cemetery be taken back by the jungle," he said. "If we have to do it ourselves, we will do it."

"We don't leave our brothers behind." (seattlepi)

Manila Sharks secure top spot heading into playoffs

2011-07-03T01:08:00.000-07:00

07/03/11 - THE DEFENDING champions Manila Sharks will take the top seed heading to the playoffs of the Baseball Philippines Series 8 after they blasted the Alabang Tigers, 13-6, at the Rizal Memorial baseball stadium yesterday.

The win, the Sharks’ ninth against one loss, also foiled the Cebu Dolphins’ bid for the No. 1 berth despite the latter’s 4-2 victory over the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers, 4-2, in Clark Field, Pampanga also yesterday.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Harry Tomas will deliver the ceremonial pitch, kicking off today’s Pepsi Fil-Am Friendship Day All-Star Game at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa City.

The leading and rising stars in Baseball Philippines will showcase their wares in the game set at 11 a.m. with the US envoy, a noted sports buff, gracing the festivities marking the Fil-Am Day celebrations.

The Red All-Star team is composed of Charlie Labrador, Chris Canlas, Christian Galedo, Deo Remollo, Ernesto Binarao, Francis Candela, Jonjon Robles, Justin Zialcita, Mike Gante, Pelos Remollo, Romeo Jasmin, Rommel Roja, SJ San Juan, Vio Roxas and Vlady Eguia.

Adrian Bernardo, Alfredo Olivarez, Carlos Laurel, Carlos Munoz, Christian De Leon, Darwin Dela Calzada, Denver Largo, Fulgencio Rances, Jonash Ponce, Matt Laurel, Miggy Corcuera, Richard Gamble, Tino Ubungen, Wilfredo Hidalgo and Lorenzo Ubungen make up the Blue All-Star squad to be handled by Isaac Bacarisas of Cebu. (Inquirer)

New storm will not make landfall: weather bureau

2011-06-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

06/22/2011 -JUST like its predecessor, Tropical Depression "Falcon" will not hit any part of the Philippines, state weather forecasters said, although it will be strong enough to enhance rain-producing clouds in Luzon.

Tropical Depression "Egay" left the country last Monday, but its replacement Falcon came immediately on Tuesday carrying winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center as of 10 a.m.

Moving west northwest at 19 kph, Falcon was spotted 670 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar and is expected to tread its path until it leaves the country for Japan by Saturday.

Both the Japanese Meteorological Agency and the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning System in Hawaii also showed a similar west-northwesterly track.

No storm signals have been raised as of this posting since it is too far to affect the country, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

“Widespread rains (due to enhanced southwest monsoon) are expected over the western section of Luzon including Metro Manila starting Wednesday, which may last until the weekend,” weather forecaster Sonny Pajarilla said.

While hovering at sea, Falcon is expected to gain strength and develop into a tropical storm, packed with winds of at least 65 kph near the eye, Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said in a separate interview.

By Wednesday morning, it is located 440 km east of Virac, Catanduanes.

By Thursday morning, it will be 420 km east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora. On Friday morning, it is expected to be 350 km east of Basco, Batanes.

Egay leaves 1 dead, 2 missing

In another report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said Egay left one person dead and two missing.

A three-old girl named Mary Joy Reyes died due to drowning while five-year-old Dorina Reyes and Ariel delos Santos went missing in Bataan and Olongapo City, respectively.

Some classes in the cities of Malabon, Valenzuela and Angeles were also suspended on Tuesday due to flooding.

On Monday, a landslide occurred in the villages of Kalaklan, Mabayuan, and Gordon Heights in Olongapo City, the NDRMMC said.

Egay is now on its way to Hong Kong, where the local weather agency predicted heavy rains for the bustling Chinese territory from Wednesday to Thursday. (Sun Star)

Aquino to consider Ramos’ views on Marcos burial

2011-06-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

06/14/2011 - PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will be considering the opinion of former President Fidel Ramos regarding the disputed burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The President is taking a long time to decide on the matter because he is studying all sides of the issue including Ramos’ view, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Earlier, Ramos revealed that the Marcos family failed to fulfill one of the three preconditions he had set in exchange for bringing the late strongman’s remains back to the Philippines from Hawaii where he died after being exiled.

The three preconditions include “direct transport of the body to Ilocos without passing Manila; military honors for an army major; and the immediate burial of the body”.

Ramos said the first two preconditions were met but the last was not fulfilled since Marcos was never been buried.

“We will certainly inform the President about former President Ramos’ statement so that he could include it in his assessment,” Lacierda said.

“The statement of former President Ramos will be part of the deliberative process of the President on the issue,” he added.

Aside from Ramos’s view, the Palace official said President Aquino is also considering the sentiments of the human rights victims during Marcos time.

"There have been other people who have also mentioned their sentiments on that matter so the president is looking at all the angles on this Marcos burial…Sentiments have also been raised by human rights victims through intermediaries," Lacierda said.

He said he is not aware of any communication between the Marcos family and the President regarding the matter.

Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos was spotted in Malacanang last Sunday attending the Independence Day vin d' honneur but Lacierda refused to comment whether the former First Lady was able to talk to Aquino.

He meanwhile noted that the preference of the Marcos family regarding the burial has already reached Malacanang. As a result, further consultation with them is no longer necessary.

The Marcos family earlier supported the recommendation of Vice President Jejomar Binay that late dictator be buried with full military honors in his hometown in Ilocos Norte.

Aquino inhibited himself from making a decision regarding the matter to avoid bias since his father Ninoy Aquino was a known political rival of the late dictator.

Binay submitted his recommendation to the President two weeks ago, but Aquino has yet to decide whether to fully adopt the proposal.

The proposal for Marcos burial at the heroes cemetery was revived after the late Defense Secretary and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes was buried there after committing suicide in February after it was reported that he received P50 million in "send-off" money.

Various sectors in the country ever since have differing opinions regarding the late dictator’s burial.

Since 1993, Marcos’s remains still lies inside a glass box in an air-conditioned crypt in the family's ancestral home in Batac, Ilocos Norte Province. (Sun Star)

Manila Directory Hotline

2011-06-03T06:05:00.000-07:00

24-Hour Hotline Telephone Numbers in Manila

Police & Fire: 757 or 116
Emergence No.: 501- 650 or 501- 728
Directory Assistance: 114
National Operator: 109
International Operator: 108
Direct Dialing Assistance: 112
NOTE: It is advisable to always have the telephone number and the address of your embassy or consulate with you.

Important Phone Numbers in Manila

Police Departments
Makati 899-9039/899-9008
Mandaluyong City 532-2145/532-2318
Muntilupa City 842-2611
Pasig City 641-0436
Quezon City 921-4554/921-7474
San Juan 702-515/790-404
Fire Departments
Makati City 818-5150 (hotline 844-8663)
Mandaluyong City552-2189
Muntilupa City 842-2201
Pasig City 641-1939 (hotline 641-2815)
San Juan 79-20-79
Deptartment of Tourism
T.M. Kalaw Street, Rizal Park, Metro Manila, P.O. Box 3451
Tel: (02) 5267652, 5267653, 5267655
Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporatiom
4th Floor, Suites 10-17, Legasi Towers, 300 Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila, P.O. Box EA-459
Tel: (02) 5256635, 5257268, 5257312
Department of Tourism
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Tel: (02) 5510698
US Embassy
Main Switchboard 523-1001
American Services Branch loc:2246, 2530, 2567
Regional Services Branch loc: 2290
Community Liason Office loc: 2845
Security Recording 521-9261 to 62
Makati City Hall
895-4001 to 10
Makati SWAT Bomb Disposal Team
168 896-7468 168 896-7468
Makati Anti-Car Napping Team
895-4001 loc:568 895-4001 loc:568
Association of Philippine Volunteer Fire Brigades
244-4141, 244-5151 244-4141, 244-5151
Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the Philippines
160-16 160-16

Owners of company in coral smuggling nowhere to be found

2011-06-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Customs officers show to photographers rare black corals as they are presented to media in Manila on Monday. AP

Philippines—The owners of the company reportedly behind the seized illegal shipment of corals and other marine species worth about P35 have made themselves scarce.

A worker for Olivia Li of Li and Lim Trading on Magay Road here told the Inquirer that she and her husband left for Manila last week.

The worker, who refused to give his name, said they had no idea what their employers were doing in Manila or when they were coming back.

Ahadulla Sajili, director of the Western Mindanao office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, (BFAR), said they have been trying to locate Li, “but no one is providing us information of her whereabouts or that of her husband.”

A source who asked not to be named told the Inquirer that the Lis may have been trying to get out of the country if they have not done so yet.

Elmer Apolinario, deputy city administrator, said he got information that the Lis were actually Taiwanese.

Asis Perez, national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said charges for violation of the Fisheries Code were filed against Li and several others on Friday. He said Li and her associates could also face charges of smuggling.

On Friday, Western Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Elpidio de Asis ordered the city police to immediately secure Li’s warehouse and buying station here.

“We are under instruction to secure and prevent any possible entry or exit of any marine products,” said Senior Supt. Edwin De Ocampo, acting city police chief.

He said policemen were deployed to guard Yacom Bldg. in Barangay San Roque and Li’s office on Magay Road.

Demetrio Escoto, BFAR legal officer, said that aside from Li, several other persons have been charged for violating the fisheries laws.

They included Exequiel D. Navarro, listed in the shipment’s manifest and bill of lading as the consignee of the seized marine items; Kim L. Atillano, owner of the Zamboanga-based JKA Transport System, the alleged cargo forwarder; and an Ireneo Penuliar.

De Ocampo said despite the cases filed against those allegedly behind the illegal trade in marine species, there had been no instruction for them to search or seize anything from either Li’s warehouse or office.

Apolinario said Li and Lim Trading has a permit to operate and is engaged in “exporting seashells.”

Meanwhile, another source who was trying to help the Inquirer get as much information on Li and Lim Trading, said Friday he had warned against asking too much about the smuggling activities.

The source said that among those who warned him were from the Chinese-Filipino community here.

“I’ve been asking around about this (company) but everybody was mum and all of them told me to go slow as it could be dangerous, that a big syndicate could be behind this (smuggling),” the source said.

The existence of a syndicate in the illicit marine trade was earlier brought to the Inquirer’s attention by Rosella Contreras of the BFAR’s Fish Inspection and Quarantine Services here.

Contreras said the smuggling of corals and other marine species had been going on since 2008 without any meaningful seizures or arrests made.

“Smuggling is a non-stop activity at the Zamboanga City Port. Syndicates abound,” she said.

Contreras said that as much as the BFAR wanted to inspect cargoes to ensure they did not include protected marine species, they could barely move inside the port.

“If we receive positive reports, we immediately act on them. But sometimes, armed men would confront us. We could only take notes and make reports,” she said, without saying who the armed men were.

Contreras said while there had been seizures in the past, no one actually went to jail for smuggling protected marine species.

“There were several apprehensions but they could easily get away after paying certain dues,” she said.

During a meeting with local and other government officials, Asis said he was informed that the stuffed turtles and other species confiscated in Manila last week had come from waters around Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“These were being collected by deep sea diving and the use of air compressors and were mostly done by ordinary fishermen, who were not so aware of the laws,” he said.

Sajili said buyers of marine species go around these provinces and tell fishermen what types of corals they need.

The collected marine items are then shipped to the buyers through small wharfs and ports, Perez said.

Mayor Celso Lobregat said the city has about 28 mini-ports and wharves and most are not licensed. (Inquirer.net)

Manila dormitories undergo inspections

2011-06-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

06/01/2011 -The city government of Manila has stepped up its inspection of dormitories and boarding houses in preparation for the return of students for the new school year.

On Wednesday, city hall administrator Jesus Mari Marzan led inspections of dorms and boarding houses along Recto, España and Taft avenues.

Inspections have been ongoing since January, Ernesto Cuyugan, chief of the Manila city hall electrical engineering, told reporters.

Aside from electrical setups, the city hall personnel also checked the dormitories’ fire exits, fire extinguishers, and sanitation conditions.

Even the city’s lawmakers have pitched in for the preparations, with a councilor urging for inspections of the “fire-safety compliance and structural integrity of all dormitories, boarding houses and bed space establishments” around Manila’s 700 schools.

In a resolution, councilor DJ Bagatsing called on the city engineering office to check on electrical wirings in particular, because “3,700 of the 4,850 fire incidents in the country in 2010 were caused mainly by faulty electrical installations.”

He underscored the importance of the inspections especially in light of recent earthquakes, which could have compromised the structural integrity of buildings in the city.

He enjoined building owners to undertake their own inspections, saying that while the city government was responsible to protect the lives and properties of students and tenants, it is also “the obligation of owners and operators of dormitories, boarding houses, and bed space establishments to ensure their student-tenants are safe from fire and building collapse.

(Inquirer News)

2 more Maguindanao massacre suspects fall; 91 now in jail

2011-06-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

06/01/2011 - Two more suspects in the 2009 massacre of 57 persons, including more than 30 journalists, in Maguindanao fell into the hands of the authorities on the same day the alleged mastermind entered a plea of innocence to the brutal crime.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday the capture of former policeman Tanny Dalgan, 35, and Rakim Amil, alias Ramil Kenog, 25, brought to 91 the number of people arrested in connection with the massacre. A total of 195 have been charged.

Members of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Army arrested the two at about 5 a.m. in Sitio (settlement) Dansalan, Barangay (village) Panadtaban, Raja Buayan in Maguindanao, on the strength of warrants issued by a Quezon City court.

Dalgan, a resident of Sultan Sa Barongis and a former security escort of Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal, and Amil of Datu Paglas each carried a prize of P250,000 for their arrests.

The CIDG director, Chief Superintendent Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., said the two suspects were put in the custody of the CIDG in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City.

Upon interrogation, Dalgan “admitted that he was with Vice Mayor Badal during the actual killing of the victims at Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan town,” the CIDG said in a statement.

Amil, on the other hand, confessed that he had served the Ampatuans as a member of their Civilian Volunteer Organization, the CIDG said.

Pagdilao described the twin arrests as another highlight in the Aquino government’s “commitment to account for all the responsible in the said killing and to bring them to the bar of justice.”

Pagdilao assured the families of all the victims that the CIDG, together with its field operatives in Maguindanao province, would relentlessly hunt down all of the 104 remaining suspects.

The CIDG is the lead agency tasked by PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo to investigate the Maguindanao massacre and to run after all the suspects.

In November 2009, armed men stopped the six-vehicle convoy carrying the family members of then Buluan Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, as they were about to file his candidacy, along with supporters and journalists.

The whole group was massacred in a hilly area. (Inquirer)

'Chedeng' may be out of Philippines Sunday

2011-05-27T01:32:00.000-07:00

05/27/2011 - The weather bureau on Friday said Typhoon Chedeng (international codename: Songda) may be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility as early as 8 a.m. Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Chedeng has maintained its strength as it moves closer to Batanes area.

With this, storm signal no. 2 has been placed over Batanes Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands.

Storm signal no. 1 is still up in the provinces of Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Aurora.

In its 11 a.m. Friday bulletin, Pagasa said Chedeng packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Chedeng was spotted 210 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan and is moving north northwest at 19 kph, Pagasa added.

Pagasa said Chedeng will be 290 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning and at 100 kilometers south of Okinawa, Japan by Sunday morning.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone.

Chedeng is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao including Metro Manila.

Pagasa also officially declared Friday the start of rainy season.

Meanwhile, disaster officials recorded one fatality due to Chedeng.

In a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the fatality, idetifed as Jaime Torillos, 70, of Barangay Biong, Gigmoto town in Catanduanes province, died on May 25 due to drowning (Sun Star)

US: Phl government prepared to stop terror attacks

2011-05-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

05/06/11 - MANILA, Philippines - United States Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. is confident that the Philippines is capable of dealing with possible retaliatory attacks from local terrorists sympathetic to slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

“We have full confidence in President Aquino and his national security team. We know that they work every day to protect every one who lives here, most importantly the Filipino people but also those of us who are guests in this country, and we know that they have been vigilant over the last few days, not only at our embassy but also the airports and other ports,” Thomas told reporters yesterday at the House of Representatives.

The US ambassador was at the House for the completion ceremony for the 11th batch of the Congressional Internship Program for Young Mindanao Leaders, a project of the US Agency for International Development.

He said the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001 also killed several Filipinos.

National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia earlier said embassies of countries that support the US global war on terror are likely targets of retaliatory attacks by sympathizers of bin Laden. He said the Philippine National Police has deployed additional security personnel to these embassies.

“The government has nonetheless deemed it prudent to upgrade security for critical infrastructure and other places deemed likely targets of a terrorist attack,” Garcia said, as he assured the public that there is no “immediate threat in Metro Manila.” Commandos belonging to the elite US Navy SEALs killed bin Laden in a daring raid in his hideout in Pakistan last May 1.

Tighter security

American troops in Mindanao have tightened security in the face of possible retaliatory attacks from bin Laden’s sympathizers.

“Their security, their force protection program is so tight,” said Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, spokesman of Western Mindanao Command, referring to the US military personnel’s security preparations following the killing of the al-Qaeda leader.

The US forces – numbering around 600 – were part of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) based in Zamboanga City and headed by US Navy Capt. Robert Gusentine.

Despite the rigid security measures, US military personnel continue to train their Filipino counterparts in anti-terror operations, according to Cabangbang.

The US forces also help the Philippine military in carrying out development projects in areas where the Abu Sayyaf and other militant groups operate.

Four US servicemen have died in terror attacks since the beginning of the Balikatan exercises in 2002.

On Oct. 2, 2002, two US Special Forces members were killed when a motorcycle bomb exploded near a restaurant outside Camp Enrile training base in Barangay Malagutay in Zamboanga City. Dozens of civilians were also wounded in the attack believed staged by the Abu Sayyaf.

Two more US soldiers and a Filipino Marine were killed by a roadside bomb also in October seven years later in Barangay Kagay, Indanan town, Sulu.

The Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) were blamed for the attacks.

The price of closeness

For Sen. Miriam Santiago, being a target of terrorist attack is a price the Philippines may have to consider for its close relations with the US.

Santiago said that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines shows both the benefits and the downside of being close with a superpower like the US.

“We are looked upon in the world community as a bastion or a forward operating base of the United States,” Santiago said.

“That is to say we have allowed them to come here with their military personnel and equipment because they are in effect an advance party so that when necessary, the full force of the American military can occupy Philippine territory, these forward operating bases are ready to receive them,” she added.

Santiago is pushing for the termination of the VFA, citing its supposed flaws and failures.

Possible retaliatory attacks by terrorist organizations linked to al-Qaeda and its slain leader bin Laden have become a serious concern for nations allied with the US.

Santiago said that such a relationship, reinforced by the VFA, would make the Philippines a prime target of terrorist organizations.

“Naturally, in a strategic campaign against America, the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, will be one of the prime targets,” Santiago said.

“That is the biggest handicap inflicted by the VFA,” she added.

In earlier statements, Santiago noted that the “fatal flaw” of the VFA is its failure to specify the period of stay of the visiting forces and to define what activities they are allowed to engage in while in Philippine territory.

“It calls itself a visiting agreement, but it has been in force for some 10 years. Its flaws and failures warrant its termination,” Santiago said.

Santiago has filed a resolution calling for the termination of the VFA.

The resolution directs the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to give a notice of termination to the US government.

Santiago argued that the VFA, just like any other law of the land, can be terminated by Congress unilaterally through a joint resolution.

“The Executive’s role is to give notice of termination to the United States, although the decision itself is one for Congress to make,” she added.

She said that under the VFA, the “agreement shall remain in force until the expiration of 180 days from the date on which either party gives the other party notice in writing that it desires to terminate the agreement.”

“I’ve already said that in my view it is unconstitutional. We’ll have to be able to convince the President to give notice to the other party pursuant to the terms of the VFA, so that we can terminate it. All we have to do is to give them notice, I think six months in advance,” Santiago said.

Malacañang, for its part, has opted for a review of the VFA with the intention of renegotiating the terms of the agreement in order to address the concerns over its supposed flaws.

In an earlier hearing on the VFA at the Senate, officials of the executive branch stressed the importance of the VFA to the country’s interest as it facilitates sharing of military and technical expertise. It is also through the VFA that the US provides much needed military equipment to the Philippines, officials said.

“However, it has very dire consequences for our country. The US will definitely, let’s say, rethink its priorities in giving away surplus equipment and military hardware to developing countries like us and giving military assistance and grants to its allies,” Santiago said.

“In other words, if we terminate VFA, we get cut off from American largesse. Grants and aids… everything. That’s very difficult,” she added.

Prelates’ concern

While the death of bin Laden may have been a setback for terrorists, it might also trigger more and deadlier terror attacks, according to some Roman Catholic bishops.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said Mindanao is certainly prone to attacks since high-profile terrorists are known to be staying in the region.

“Mindanao areas are very vulnerable to terrorist activities because these places are their hideouts,” he said.

“The threats are always present and our worry is it could be exacerbated with the death of Osama bin Laden,” he said. “We are really worried of the impending retaliation.”

“Terror threats in Mindanao are real. Bin Laden and the Jemaah Islamiyah have strong supporters based in Mindanao. They have done terrorism before and they can possibly do them again,” Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said.

“There is really a possibility (for retaliatory attacks) with the presence of al-Qaeda here in Mindanao,” Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said.

Jumoad said that the military should be placed on full alert considering the possibility of retaliatory strikes even on civilian targets.

He also asked the faithful to cooperate with the authorities.

“We call on everyone’s cooperation. We are all vulnerable for terrorism. We need to pray to defeat evil,” Bagaforo added.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee chairman Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said that with the possible retaliation by bin Laden’s followers, security at churches especially during Masses should be beefed up.

“There should be security because they are afraid of some negative reaction,” he said.

“The public should also be observant. We should warn our ushers and usherettes to keep their eyes open and if someone sees a bag unattended, they should inform the authorities immediately,” Iniguez added. (philstar)

Amid criticisms, Palace defends Labor Day package

2011-05-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Monday defended the Labor Day package unveiled by President Aquino from the stinging rejection of some labor groups, saying these are “doable measures” to ease the burden of the people in the face of rising oil and food costs.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the early release of the salary increase and mid-year bonuses of state workers, rice subsidies for farmers and fishermen, among other Labor Day gifts are what the government could afford to give the workers.

Lacierda, speaking to reporters in the Palace, insisted that the administration will not make promises it cannot deliver.

“The early implementation of the Salary Standardization Law 3 is a huge help to government employees especially with the payment of tuition fees. We will also receive early our mid-year bonus. These are measures that are doable, which the government can do,” Lacierda said in Filipino during a Palace news conference.

“Like the President said, we don’t implement measures that will make us look good. These are the things that are doable, these are the things we can afford to do,” he said.

The opposition in the House of Representatives belittled President Aquino’s “gift” to the country’s labor force, saying that the benefits offered were “a mere compendium of patched up palliatives.”

In a press statement, Minority Leader Edcel Lagman noted that despite being in office for ten months now, Aquino remained unresponsive to the problems of workers and has failed to present a “concrete, resolute and progressive labor policy.”

“After 10 months in office, the administration of President Aquino does not have a concrete, resolute and progressive labor policy other than a mere compendium of patched-up palliatives,” said Lagman.

The President earlier announced that government workers can get the third tranche of their salary adjustment a month earlier in June under the Salary Standardization Law 3.

Aquino likewise urged regional wage boards to speed up the deliberations on wake hike petitions within the month, saying “we cannot remain deaf to the pleas of our minimum wage earners.”

The government also plans to distribute rice stocks to small farmers and fishermen under the P4.2 billion subsidy plan. Another P2 billion has been set aside to distribute seeds, fertilizer and other farm inputs to farmers.

Lacierda said the President prefers the regional wage boards to set the salary adjustment for private workers rather than Congress. He noted that wage boards are aware of the prevailing economic condition in the provinces.

(With a report from Ben Rosario - Manila Bulletin)

DoH sets free cervical cancer screening this May

2011-05-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines -- The health department is set to give free cervical cancer screening to women in observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this May.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that the Department of Health (DoH) will give free cervical cancer screening to women aged 30-45 years old in its 58 accredited hospitals nationwide.

Citing data from the World Health Organization, DoH said that the target age group for cervical cancer screening was 35-45 years. Ona said that screenings would be held once a week for the whole month of May.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month will be launched by the health department on the following dates and places: May 2 at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center; May 4 at the Bicol Regional Training and

Teaching Hospital; May 5 at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and May 6 at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

Ona said that free cervical cancer screening would be given every Monday of May for those in Metro Manila while Luzon hospitals have designated all Wednesdays for the free cervical cancer screenings.

Free screenings for women in Metro Manila will be available at the following hospitals every Monday: Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Valenzuela General Hospital, San Lorenzo Ruiz Memorial Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, and Jose Rodriguez Memorial

Hospital.

Cervical cancer screening will be conducted every Thursday in Visayas and every Tuesday in Mindanao.

Ona stated that the National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Program addresses the cervical cancer issue in the country in three different levels: (1) promotion of healthy lifestyle, (2) early

diagnosis to detect pre-cancerous lesions and other abnormalities, and (3) immediate treatment to prevent pre-cancerous lesions from developing.

The DoH said that cervical cancer has been ranked second as the most common kind of cancer among women, and nine out of ten cases occur in developing countries.

Last year, DoH recorded the highest incidence of cervical cancer in Manila, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, and Taguig, while the lowest was recorded in Rizal. (Inquirer)

RH bill worse than Martial law--ex-Manila mayor

2011-04-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

04/27/2011 -MANILA, Philippines - The Reproductive Health bill should not be passed by Congress because it is "unconstitutional" and "anti-life ", former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said today.

Speaking before a weekly media forum in Greenhills, San Juan City, Atienza said the proposed measure compels women to take drugs that would destroy their bodies.

"Local government officials would be removed from office if they would not implement it," he added.

Congressmen who support the passage of the measure would be expecting an extra P10 million on their countrywide development fund or pork barrel, Atienza said.

"It will be P10 million more to what I call their condom development fund," he said, citing a provision in the statute.

People who would not practice the contraception stand to be jailed from one to six months, Atienza said.

"This is worse than Martial Law," he noted.

He expects that the controversial bill would be passed at the House of Representatives as the Speaker himself has already expressed support for the measure.

"It would have probably have a fairer deal in the Senate," Atienza said.

If the bill passes, anti-RH bill advocates would be going to the courts to question its legality.

"The next battle will be in the courts," he said. (philstar.com)

Salary increases in Central Visayas, North Mindanao set

2011-04-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

04/15/2011 -A LABOR group on Thursday welcomed the decision of the National Wages and Productivity Board to fast-track the deliberations on the adjustment of minimum wage in Metro Manila.

As a result, it has spurred the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) plans to file separate wage petitions in some Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

"We haven't decided on the exact date yet but in the next few days, TUCP will file wage petitions ranging from P75 to P100 in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 4A (Calabarzon), 7 (Central Visayas) and 10 (Northern Mindanao)," TUCP spokesperson Rafael Mapalo told Sun.Star.

Data from the NWPC show that as of last year, workers in the said regions get the following minimum wage rates: P303 (Central Luzon), P337 (Calabarzon), P285 (Central Visayas), and P256 (Northern Mindanao).

TUCP, which filed a P75 across-the-board increase for Metro Manila's private employees last March, is hoping that the new rate will be sufficient to help the workers.

"We remind the wage board that a new salary increase should also attempt to raise workers' standard of living and not to merely address their reduced purchasing power," Mapalo said.

On Wednesday, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the NWPC has established a "supervening condition" in Metro Manila, which paved the way for hearings and deliberations on the wage hike petition.

Under the law, regional boards are barred from entertaining wage petitions within one year unless there is a "supervening condition" or an extraordinary increase in prices of basic commodities.

Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila started to receive P404 last July 2010, when the NWPC decided to raise salaries by P22.

Meanwhile, a radio report quoted NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad III as saying the regional wage board in Region 6 (Western Visayas) also declared a "supervening condition" in the area.

"Oil price hike was primarily the basis for the wage board's decision to declare a supervening condition in Western Visayas," he said.

"If the wage board in a certain region ruled that there was no supervening condition today, tomorrow is another day and the situation could be different," Lagunzad added.

Bleak prospects under Aquino

Militant labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), on the other hand, believed that workers face an even bleaker prospects under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

"Though absolutely necessary, a wage hike in the country does not necessarily lead to enjoying a happy life for a worker's family as wages in the Philippines remain at starvation level while working conditions deteriorate further," PM chair Renato Magtubo told Sun.Star.

Unless the government complies with its constitutional mandate to provide workers a family living wage (FLW), PM said "wage levels in the country shall remain as such - a starvation wage just enough to make workers available for work the following day."

PM has been proposing that the current wage fixing mechanism is replaced by a new system that would institutionalize living wage based on the current cost of living as the principal basis for determining the basic minimum wage.

Living wage is defined as the amount of family income needed to provide for the family's food and non-food expenditures, including a 10 percent proportion of "other components" to allow for savings or investments, according to the NWPC.

The latest figures (September 2008) posted at the NWPC website puts the FLW in the Metro Manila at P917 a day to as high as P1,322 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

PM's own estimate in 2009 puts it at P1,000, higher than the current minimum wage in NCR at P404. This means that the P125 or P75 proposed wage hikes can in no way cover the cost of living and income gap.

"There is clearly a mismatch between the actual needs of workers and their level of income. This is because the present system puts more premium on the 'capacity to pay' of an employer rather than the 'capacity to buy' of a worker," explained Magtubo in a separate statement.

And even if there is no strong correlation between wage hikes and impact on productivity, Magtubo said employers usually threaten the government to defer any wage adjustments or file unnecessary exemptions to avoid compliance.

Another problem, the former partylist representative said, is that wage hikes cover only less than half of the 36.3 million employed Filipinos, and a quarter of them get part-time jobs, based on the January data of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The other half of employed persons lives on their own either as self-employed or as unpaid laborers.

On the other hand, around 2.91 million Filipinos are completely out of work, notwithstanding the entry of returning overseas Filipino workers who are expected to swell the rank of the country's unemployed this summer.

Aquino hands off wage issue

Meanwhile, discussions regarding salary increases will be left to regional tripartite wage boards, which set pay rates, President Benigno Aquino III said on Thursday, two weeks before Labor Day.

In an in interview in General Santos City Thursday, Aquino stressed that salary adjustment is not normally dictated by the President but determined by the regional and national tripartite wage board.

"There are regional tripartite wage boards that are mandated by law to discuss and to determine the appropriate wage hike. If I would say a specific figure, I'm influencing the process that is dictated by law," he said.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said there is no need for the President to intervene in the discussion of salary adjustment, insisting that it is the mandate of the wage board.

"Wage hikes are determined by different wage boards. We have NCR wage board and regional wage boards...The increase is determined depending on the situation in their respective regions," Lacierda said.

He denied that the wage increase is "metro-centric" since other regions could also discuss adjustment depending on the wage boards.

He also clarified that the President did not order the wage board to reconvene, saying that the wage boards themselves have their own mechanism.

"The President does not involve himself in the determination. The best persons to determine the proper wage would be those in their respective regions because they themselves would know the working conditions, the business conditions in those areas," he said.

Militant group Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) is also demanding for a new round of salary increase saying that third tranche of salary increase in July is "too minimal and could hardly make a dent."

Lacierda said government employees should comply with the law as they are governed by the Salary Standardization Law.

"We're limited by what the law says, the executive branch is bound [and] the Department of Budget and Management is bound by what the law says and the Salary Standardization Law provides a percentage increase there so we have to respect that," he said.

He also downplayed the proposal to issue an executive order for the salary adjustment.

He reminded workers who are planning to stage protest actions to observe the rules of their respective departments and be wary about their obligations.(Sun Star)

Philippines orders repatriation of 2,000 Pinoys from Japan

2011-04-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

04/15/2011 -AROUND 2,000 Filipinos are expected to return to the Philippines beginning Sunday following the mandatory repatriation order of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said the forced repatriation of Filipinos living within the 50-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant came after the Japanese government raised the nuclear emergency in Japan to a maximum level of seven.Del Rosario added that the Philippine government has also decided to conduct repatriation efforts in the next 50-kilometer radius.

“As a precautionary measure, the Philippines would additionally be declaring a voluntary repatriation for those from the 50-kilometer to 100-kilometer radius,” said del Rosario.

He clarified that the government would respect the decision of some people to remain in Japan.

He assured that the Philippine government will shoulder the full cost of repatriation of the Filipino nationals, including the charting of flights that may cost them about $200,000 (P8.6 million).

Japanese nationals who have Filipina wives and children may also join the flight to the Philippines but would have to shoulder their own fares, said del Rosario.

“…Or he may have to sign something so that there is some indebtedness that we can pursue at a later date with him,” he added.

The DFA chief said the first batch of repatriation would be made on Sunday. The estimated 2,000 Filipino nationals do not include children.

He also said the Foreign Affairs department is already coordinating with concerned government agencies to ascertain that those repatriated will undergo proper health screening.

Meanwhile, relocation of Filipinos from the affected areas would also be made sooner, said del Rosario, adding that relocation sites are located in Tokyo and in the south of the capital city, such as Nagoya.

Japanese authorities on Tuesday have upgraded the nuclear crisis alert from five to seven, which is equivalent to a "major accident" on the International Nuclear Event Scale, after a review of the amount of radiation released showed unsafe levels for humans.

The alert level seven is similar to that of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, which killed 32 plant workers and firefighters due to radiation exposures.

Since the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan last March 11, Philippine Embassy staff has been sneaking Filipinos out of the radiation-affected communities in Fukushima.

Buses fetch hundreds of Filipinos as emergency response teams continue to bring relief goods such as bananas, canned goods, bread, rice balls, mango juice, and chocolate milk drinks.
(Sun Star)

Manila orders nationals out of Japan nuclear plant zone

2011-04-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

04/12/2011 - The Philippines on Tuesday ordered the mandatory repatriation of around 2,000 Filipino citizens from within a 50-km (30 mile) radius of the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant after Japan raised the accident's severity to the highest level.

Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency raised the severity of the incident to level 7 from 5 -- the same as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster -- based on cumulative quantities of radiation released.

"We are initiating action to repatriate on a mandatory basis Filipinos who are within the 50-km radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told a news conference.

However, the order would be optional for Filipinos who were married to a Japanese citizen.

For those between 50 km and 100 km from the plant, the Philippines is offering voluntary repatriation, he said.

The first batch of Filipinos to return would fly out from Tokyo's Niigata airport on Sunday and will undergo "proper health screening", he said.

In February, the Philippines began organising an evacuation of workers in Libya, but less than half of estimated 26,000 people there have returned (reuters.com)

'Manila hostage-taking lessons helped in Agusan case'

2011-04-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

04/06/2011 - MANILA - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima saw positive steps taken by the local crisis management committee (CMC) in the resolution of the Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur hostage drama due to lessons learned from the botched 11-hour August 23, 2010 Manila hostage-taking incident that resulted in a bloodbath.

All 16 hostages in the Agusan hostage crisis were released unharmed, while the August 2010 crisis left 8 Hong Kong tourists and hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza dead.

Now that it can be told with the crisis over, the justice chief, in an ambush interview with reporters, said national officials including the president himself, were closely monitoring as the drama unfolded.

"Even if the local crisis management committee ang nakatutok doon because that is what the manual, that is what the rules and regulations provide, national authorities were closely monitoring that incident from day 1. That even includes the president. That includes me, that includes [Interior and Local Government] Secretary Jesse Robredo," de Lima said.

Though the official recommendations of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) which probed the August 2010 hostage-crisis have not been formally adopted, de Lima said she saw improvements in the handling of the Agusan incident.

"This one is a local crisis pero ang talagang ideal arrangement is that even if it is the local CMC which directly handles or which is on top of local crisis situations such as this, yung national authorities - yung nga member naman ng national crisis committee - ay naka-standby o naka-alalay sa background to make sure na nai-implement yung mga nagiging desisyon ng local CMC and that is exactly what happened in this Agusan hostage crisis," she said.

Malacañan meeting

De Lima confirmed information obtained by ABS-CBN News that a meeting regarding the Agusan hostage-taking incident took place in Malacañan last Monday where President Aquino was briefed on the Agusan hostage crisis.

The ABS-CBN News source said de Lima, Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin, Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa, Presidential Management Staff Julia Abad, Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban, Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations (J3) Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and major military service commanders were present in a meeting.

"Yes, there was a meeting. And then after the meeting I had to direct local prosecutors to also help out, pina-review ko yung cases involving the Ondo Perez gang... there are issues of alleged injustice kasi may kalaban silang katribu rin, part of their tribe, the Manobo tribe," de Lima said.

Ondo Perez group cases

Ondo Perez is a Manobo tribal leader arrested and held since 2009 for holding hostage 75 people in the same municipality in connection with a land dispute with another tribal group. He is also awaiting trial for murder.

The latest hostage drama was perpetrated by gunmen, some of them Perez's relatives, who demanded his immediate release. The group seized 15 teachers and children on Saturday,

De Lima said an initial study by state prosecutors on cases involving the Ondo Perez group showed there may be cases which may be provisionally dismissed.

"Mayroon nga doon mga kaso... na pwede na ma-provisionally dismiss kasi walang witnesses. Mayroon ding kaso o mga kaso na hindi pwede i-dismiss so itutuloy pa rin yung mga kaso na yan," she said.

Partial media blackout a welcome development

Media blackout, crime does not pay

The justice chief was also pleased with the media blackout put in place in the Agusan crisis.

Information released to the media was carefully filtered while the hostage drama was in progress to prevent the situation from getting worse following an observation by the Philippine National Police’s CARAGA regional office that the hostage-takers were monitoring media reports.

"Nagkakaroon naman ng mga updates pero yung mga details o mga particulars ng mga nagiging action nung CMC, until the whole thing or the whole episode was finished, hindi dinisclose. That is the ideal setup. There are things in an ongoing crisis na dapat wala muna ang media dyan, hindi muna yan alam ng publiko.

The Justice Department maintained those responsible for the latest Agusan hostage crisis should be held accountable.

"Mananagot din sila because they violated the law so I think tutugisin sila," she said.

(Abs - Cbn News)

Philippines 'third most-disaster prone country'

2011-03-30T05:29:00.000-07:00

03/30/2011 -THE Philippines placed third among countries in the world most frequently pummeled by natural calamities last year, a report from a non-government disaster monitoring agency said Tuesday.

Citing records of the Belgium-based Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (Cred), the Citizens' Disaster Response Center said the Philippines was hit 14 times by natural disasters last year, behind India and China.

However, this number was down by as much as 46 percent compared to the 2009 data -- from 26 (year 2009) to 14 (year 2010). The Philippines used to top the list in 2009, when the country was visited by disastrous storms Ondoy and Pepeng.

In late September 2009, Tropical Storm Ondoy lashed parts of Luzon, bringing unprecedented rains. Ondoy was shortly followed by Typhoon Pepeng.

The combined effects of the two typhoons resulted in widespread flooding that left a trail of destruction worth P50 billion and killed 1,000 people.

In the same report, the Philippines ranked fifth in the list of countries most affected by natural disasters in 2010 with 3.9 million people affected.

On the other hand, China topped the list with 145 million people affected. In 2009, the Philippines placed second on that list, with 13.6 million people affected.

CDRC is a partner of Cred, a World Health Organization collaborating center based in Brussels, Belgium, which maintains the Emergency Events Database.

CDRC executive director Carlos Padolina, however, said the total number of disaster occurrence in 2010 will reach 202 if man-made disasters such as armed conflicts are included.

This was a slight increase from the previous year's 191. These resulted in death toll of 239 people, displaced 1.29 families or 6.75 million people, and caused over P25 billion in economic damages.

But Padolina admitted that human impact was indeed lower last year even if natural and human-induced disasters were combined, with only 6.75 million persons affected compared to the 13.6 million in 2009.

This is a 50 percent decrease from the 2009 figures, primarily because the country did not experience disasters as destructive as Ondoy and Pepeng, the CDRC said.

Padolina said despite the obvious decrease in disaster figures last year, the challenge to be stricken from the top 10 list of countries most affected by natural disasters still remains.

"We shouldn't be content with just a slight decrease in the number of affected population. We should in fact strive to be taken off the list completely," Padolina said. "And we can do this by being prepared." (Sun Star)

3 Pinoys executed in China

2011-03-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

03/30/2011 - Vice President Jejomar Binay confirmed Wednesday the three Filipino drug convicts were executed in China.

Binay, in a television interview, said that Sally Ordinario, Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain had undergone lethal injection before Wednesday noon.

Credo and Ordinario-Villanueva were executed in Xiamen while Batain in Shenzhen.

No other details were available as of this posting.

Meanwhile, in a statement of Presidential Edwin Lacierda read by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, the Philippine government expressed sympathies to the families of the three Filipino drug mules, noting the incident should serve as a lesson to every overseas Filipino worker to be vigilant and not let themselves be victimized by illegal drug trafficking.

"Our government had taken every available opportunity to appeal to the authorities of China for clemency in their cases, to which the Chinese government responded with a postponement of the execution. In the end, however, the sentence was imposed," the statement said.

"The nation sympathized with the families of the condemned, sharing their sense of looming loss. We sympathize with these families now. Their deaths are a vivid lesson in the tragic toll the drug trade takes on entire families."

"We are resolved to ensure that the chain of victimization, as pushers entrap and destroy lives in pursuit of their trade, will be broken. Those who traffic in illegal drugs respect no laws, no boundaries, and have no scruples about destroying lives. Our response must be relentless, with the government and the citizenry working together must be relentless, with government and citizenry working together to ensure vigilance and mutual support to prevent our countrymen from being used by drug pushers as sacrificial pawns, whether at home or abroad," it added.

Valte said the government will be giving assistance to the families of the three.

Ramon Credo, 42, was arrested at the Gaoji International Airport in Xiamen for carrying 4,113 grams of heroin; Elizabeth Batain, 38, was apprehended at the Shenzhen Airport with 6,800 grams of the same substance; and Sally Villanueva, 32, was nabbed for carrying some 4,410 grams of the prohibited substance.

The three were previously scheduled to be executed on February 20 and 21 but was eventually postponed after Vice President Binay made a personal appeal to the Chinese government last February 18. (Sun Star)

Phl tsunami alert lifted

2011-03-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

03/21/2011 -

MANILA, Philippines - Tens of thousands of residents in coastal areas returned to their homes after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lifted the tsunami alert close to midnight Friday.

“The current trend of observed wave heights suggests that the threat of a hazardous tsunami has passed,” Phivolcs said in its final bulletin at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the advisory warned the public not to go to the beaches and sail out to sea, but these warnings had been recalled since yesterday.

Information gathered from the National Mapping Resources Information Authority (Namria) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves were monitored in at least six of their stations located in San Vicente, Cagayan; Virac, Catanduanes; Baler, Aurora; Mati, Davao Oriental; Davao City; and Legazpi City, Albay.

Of the data they received, it appeared that the maximum waves were 70 centimeters in Virac, Catanduanes at around 7:50 p.m. and Baler, Aurora at 8 p.m., while Mati, Davao Oriental registered two minimum waves at 20 centimeters.

Solidum said there is a possibility that other waves hit the shorelines of the country, particularly in provinces facing the Pacific Ocean, but have not yet been reported.

“These waves might not be that apparent because they measured less than one meter. But there might be people who would report about them in the coming days,” he said.

The waves were triggered by the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck near the coast of Honshu, Japan at 1:46 p.m. (Philippine time), causing the tsunami that affected several countries, including the Philippines.

This prompted Phivolcs to issue Tsunami Alert Level 1 in 19 provinces on the eastern side of the country.

Among those alerted for the possible effects were the provinces of the Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.

At 3:30 p.m. Friday, the tsunami alert was raised to Level 2, advising the public to be on alert for unusual tsunami waves.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) executive director Benito Ramos said 31,000 people who voluntarily left their communities are now back in their homes.

Back to normal

In Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, elementary schools located near the shorelines immediately suspended classes Friday afternoon as parents rushed to school to pick up their children, but no untoward incidents were reported.

Residents of isolated coastal towns in Ilagan, Isabela came back down from the mountains after the regional civil defense office lifted the alert.

Dinapigue Mayor Renato Candido said they are used to conducting mass evacuation in his town since typhoon “Kabayan” struck in 2007.

Dinapigue, which is adjacent to Baler, Aurora province, is on a typhoon path where brewing weather disturbances in the Pacific Ocean develops and enters Luzon.

Candido said they have not noticed the effects of the tsunami in their coastline, which is located in the southernmost part of the Isabela eastern seaboard.

At the northern part, local government radio operator Eugene Pasana said the tsunami was felt in the shores of Palanan but it was not huge enough to cause a disastrous effect.

In Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos ordered yesterday the return of evacuees to their homes, but not before the provincial government undertook relief and food distribution in the evacuation centers.

Most of the affected families were from the tourist-drawing Pagudpud town, provincial disaster control staffers said.

One hundred families were evacuated from Barangay Pancian, 50 from Saud and 51 from Balaoi, all in Pagudpud.

Other coastal towns threatened were Burgos, Bangui, and Currimao.

Local officials in northern Ilocos Sur towns, though not included in the list of affected areas, also alerted their residents on the tsunami and prepared evacuation centers for them.

In Legazpi City, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said a resident of Tiwi town died of heart failure during the tsunami evacuation Friday afternoon.

Salceda identified the fatality as Santiago Clutario, who was among the 90,836 coastal residents from the towns of Manito, Legazpi City, Bacacay, Sto. Domingo, Tabaco City and the island towns of Rapu-Rapu, Batan and Cagraray who were ordered to leave their homes after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office raised the tsunami warning.

Salceda said thick debris was swept into the coastal barangays of Victory Village, Puro, Lamba, Sabang and Dapdap, forcing the Coast Guard, police and local government units to clean up.

Panic in Mindanao

Residents living near the shorelines in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte were forced to flee their homes after Tsunami Alert No. 2 was raised by Phivolcs in the Caraga province.

Evacuation was done in the municipalities of General Luna, San Isidro, Del Carmen, and Pilar, all in Siargao Island.

General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon ordered government and private evacuation teams to bring residents to places far from the shorelines.

Siargao Island is about four hours by motorboat from Surigao City. It has seven municipalities under the province of Surigao del Norte and is known internationally as a surfing destination.

Surigao del Sur, on the other hand, has the longest shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean among the provinces in the Caraga region.

Residents along the shorelines of Tandag City in Surigao del Sur voluntarily evacuated to the provincial capitol, causing massive traffic.

Coastal towns in Butuan City and the Agusan provinces were not included in the tsunami alert.

In Davao City, business establishments closed earlier than usual and Mayor Sara Duterte immediately put on alert the city’s 911 emergency response center to ensure that evacuation would be implemented should the need arise.

The provincial government of Davao Oriental also advised residents to seek safer places following the tsunami alert, especially since the coastal area of the province faces the Pacific Ocean.

An hour after the quake struck, Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat called an emergency meeting of the city disaster coordinating council to implement measures for evacuation in areas that could be hit by the tsunami.

Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon ordered the evacuation of those along coastlines. Several towns in the province are facing the Pacific Ocean. --Philstar--