Another witness in last Sunday’s post-Bar examinations explosion surfaced on Friday, claiming he saw a man act suspiciously just before the blast ripped through a crowd mostly composed of law students. In an exclusive report by GMA News’ Julius Segovia on “24 Oras", the witness, a 40-year-old pedicab driver and vendor, asked to be accompanied to San Beda College in Manila, his preferred venue for publicly revealing what he had observed. “Gusto kong sila [San Beda College students] ang unang makarinig ng aking kwento, kung ano ‘yung aking nakita ‘nung panahon na yun. Sila yung may maraming nasugatan, isa sila sa mga biktima," said witness “Roel" (not his real name).
I want San Beda College students to be the first to hear my story of what I had seen at that time. They are among the victim here, many of their students were among the injured.) According to Roel, he was riding his pedicab, going around Taft Avenue near De La Salle University where the Bar exams were held, selling beer in cans, when a man got onboard his pedicab at around 5 p.m. His pedicab was then left parked under the LRT station, he said. Roel said the man was a member of a fraternity, with the fraternity’s name printed on the shirt he was wearing. It was unclear, however, which fraternity he was referring to. "May tao na galing ‘dun sa isang grupo na nagsisigawan, pumasok sa loob ng pedicab ko, tapos mayroon siyang binuksang bag na dala niya," the witness narrated. (A man who came from a group of people who were cheering went inside my pedicab, and opened the bag he was carrying.) He said the man brought out sunglasses, a jacket and a cap, which he then wore.
Roel said he initially thought that the man may have only wanted to avoid getting wet in the post-exam celebrations. He said, however, that he lost track of the suspicious man after a customer bought beer from him. Had he not left to fetch more cans of beer, Roel surmised, he could have been among the explosion’s casualties. At least 47 people were injured in the grenade explosion, believed to have been perpetrated by persons involved in feuding law school fraternities. (See: Cops suspect law frats behind Bar exam blast) Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, however, said the National Bureau of Investigation has yet to ascertain if the explosion was indeed a case of fraternity-related violence. (See: Frat war may not have caused Bar exam violence – NBI) The San Beda College of Law said witnesses like Roel will greatly help in identifying the suspects and resolving the case. "[There are] unidentified persons, they would not want to reveal their identities as of the moment, [who are saying] they can help in the investigation," said Peter Joey Usita, head of the college’s legal aid office.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV
Saturday, October 2, 2010
News Update Slain Negros activist is 14th 'political killing' since July — rights group
Rene “Toto" Quirante, a peasant leader in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, was killed early morning Friday, in what human rights group Karapatan said is the 14th case of extrajudicial killings (EJK) under the three-month old Aquino administration. Quirante, 48, was gunned down in Sitio Amomoyong in Barangay Trinidad, reportedly by a group of soldiers, at around 2:00 am. He was the local chairman of Kaugma-on, a provincial chapter of militant farmers organization Kiluang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). “We condemn the murder of [Quirante], the latest in a series of politically-motivated killings under the Aquino administration," said Antonio Flores, KMP spokesperson. Witnesses cited by Karapatan said that Quirante, a father of five, was sleeping over in the house of one Romeo Gador for a KMP local consultation in the area when, at past midnight, around 30 armed men forced their way into Gador’s residence, taking Quirante and Gador outside. The victims’ relatives said that Quirante and Gador were tortured, Karapatan added. Quirante was shot in the head, but Gador was not killed in the encounter. Citing an initial report from its Negros chapter, Karapatan claimed that the killers of Quirante were “elements of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army."
Quirante was a former political prisoner, detained for rebellion in 2007. He was released after one and a half months of imprisonment, when the courts dismissed the case against him.
Members of Karapatan-Negros had earlier filed a number of administrative and criminal cases in 2008 and 2009 against officials of the same Army battalion, a local official of the Commission of Human Rights, and some local police and village officials as well. The said cases stemmed from charges of alleged human rights violations in the wake of the 11th IB’s intensified counter-insurgency campaign in the area.
However, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the cases last August 3, for “lack of evidence."
‘Just like Arroyo’
Of the 14 EJKs that Karapatan recorded since President Benigno Aquino III assumed office on June 30, it counted nine as peasant leaders, including Quirante. “Nangako si [Aquino] ng pagbabago, pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang killings, katulad lang din ni Arroyo," said Flores. (Aquino promised change, but the killings continue, just as they did under [former President Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo.) During Arroyo’s term, from 2001 to 2009, hundreds of political killings were recorded, with estimates ranging from over 300, as reported by human rights lawyer Al Parreño, to over 900 as reported by Karapatan. According to a study conducted by Parreño, less than one percent of these cases of EJKs have been solved. (See: Only 1 % of extrajudicial killings solved in last 9 years.) Another peasant leader in Negros Oriental was one of the victims of EJKs under the Arroyo administration. Kaugma-on chairman Fermin Lorico was gunned down after a rally in Dumaguete City on June 10 last year, according to KMP.—JV
Quirante was a former political prisoner, detained for rebellion in 2007. He was released after one and a half months of imprisonment, when the courts dismissed the case against him.
Members of Karapatan-Negros had earlier filed a number of administrative and criminal cases in 2008 and 2009 against officials of the same Army battalion, a local official of the Commission of Human Rights, and some local police and village officials as well. The said cases stemmed from charges of alleged human rights violations in the wake of the 11th IB’s intensified counter-insurgency campaign in the area.
However, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the cases last August 3, for “lack of evidence."
‘Just like Arroyo’
Of the 14 EJKs that Karapatan recorded since President Benigno Aquino III assumed office on June 30, it counted nine as peasant leaders, including Quirante. “Nangako si [Aquino] ng pagbabago, pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang killings, katulad lang din ni Arroyo," said Flores. (Aquino promised change, but the killings continue, just as they did under [former President Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo.) During Arroyo’s term, from 2001 to 2009, hundreds of political killings were recorded, with estimates ranging from over 300, as reported by human rights lawyer Al Parreño, to over 900 as reported by Karapatan. According to a study conducted by Parreño, less than one percent of these cases of EJKs have been solved. (See: Only 1 % of extrajudicial killings solved in last 9 years.) Another peasant leader in Negros Oriental was one of the victims of EJKs under the Arroyo administration. Kaugma-on chairman Fermin Lorico was gunned down after a rally in Dumaguete City on June 10 last year, according to KMP.—JV
News Update Changi makes $227m
CHANGI Airport Group has reported a profit of $227.3 million in the nine months from June 16 last year to March 31, on revenue of $961 million.
Before the corporatised entity was formed following a split of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in July last year, such numbers were not made public.
In its last pre-split annual report, the aviation authority reported a net surplus from operations of $239.17 million for the year ended March 31, 2009.
Analysts told The Straits Times that Changi's performance - reported in its annual report out yesterday - is satisfactory compared with its rivals'.
Mr Vincent Ng from Standard & Poor's Equity Research said: 'Changi's numbers look quite good, especially when you compare them with the performance of operators of airports in Malaysia and Thailand, as well as Beijing Capital International Airport.
'But when you compare with some other airports like Hong Kong airport, for instance, Changi still lags.'
Friday, October 1, 2010
News Update S'pore student killed
It was believed that the student was dragged from the Royal Free Hospital (above). -- PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA
A 20-YEAR-OLD Singaporean medical student, died on Thursday after being dragged for more than a kilometre by a hit-and-run driver.
The female student, who has not been formally identified, was mown down outside the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, an upmarket area of North London at about 2am, The Daily Mail reported.
She was found suffering serious injuries 1.5km away, outside the home of a former French rugby international. Paramedics were unable to save her and it is believed she died on her birthday. According to The Daily Mail, police said it was possible that the driver was not aware he or she hit the victim. The victim's handbag was found 150m from the body, outside Belsize Park Tube station.
The police were examining CCTVs to track down the driver. A resident in the area said that police thought the student might have been hit by a truck. Police also examined footage from a shop near the station which showed a black saloon car suddenly braking around the time of the incident.
The police also cordoned off a section of road stretching over a kilometre. A resident, Rosalind Turner-Wellman, told The Daily Mail: 'There is obviously more to this than a normal hit-and-run because they have cordoned off so much of the road.'
When contacted, an officer from Metropolitan Police Service told the straitstimes.com that police were in the process of verifying the identity of the victim and notifying her next-of-kin.
News Update Bill to require pregnancy test for women before cosmetic surgery
Knowing the risks a pregnant woman could face while undergoing cosmetic surgery, a lawmaker has re-filed her bill seeking mandatory pregnancy tests for women who intend to go under the knife. In filing House Bill 366, Caloocan Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon said such surgical procedures might not be life-threatening but their accompanying risks may be greater, especially for a pregnant woman. When she first filed the bill in 2008, the lawmaker disclosed that she underwent liposuction without knowing that she was already one week pregnant. “I was exposed to radiation through X-ray, general anesthesia and I was instructed to take antibiotics after my liposuction. I didn’t know I was one week pregnant then," Cajayon said. The proposed measure will require all cosmetic surgeons to conduct a mandatory pregnancy test on every female patient of child-bearing age prior to any surgical procedure that may be considered harmful to pregnant women and unborn children. Female patients who might be pregnant and about to undergo surgical procedure should get "proper medical attention and consideration," Cajayon said. Under the bill, considered potentially harmful cosmetic surgery are those that require the administration of general anesthesia using inhalational anesthetic gases and other types of sedatives given intravenously or orally. The lawmaker said the measure obliges the cosmetic surgeon to make a reasonable disclosure of available choices with respect to a cosmetic procedure. Cosmetic surgeons should tell their patients about the precise and potential risks for a specific cosmetic procedure, and the possibly added risks when the woman is pregnant, Cajayon added.
The bill requires cosmetic surgeons to give advice in lay terms that will help the patient give an informed or intelligent consent to such procedure, and to provide a consent form that will be signed by the patient before undergoing the procedure. Failure to tell the patient of the potential risks and performing cosmetic surgery without the required pregnancy test are among the offenses with corresponding penalties under the proposed law.
If the offense results in the mother’s death or miscarriage of her unborn child, the court may impose a fine of P50,000 or more and suspend the offender’s professional license for one year or longer. Cajayon said the state’s paramount interest is to protect unborn children who cannot defend themselves against the possible harm that may be caused by cosmetic procedures.—JV
The bill requires cosmetic surgeons to give advice in lay terms that will help the patient give an informed or intelligent consent to such procedure, and to provide a consent form that will be signed by the patient before undergoing the procedure. Failure to tell the patient of the potential risks and performing cosmetic surgery without the required pregnancy test are among the offenses with corresponding penalties under the proposed law.
If the offense results in the mother’s death or miscarriage of her unborn child, the court may impose a fine of P50,000 or more and suspend the offender’s professional license for one year or longer. Cajayon said the state’s paramount interest is to protect unborn children who cannot defend themselves against the possible harm that may be caused by cosmetic procedures.—JV
News Update Apache landing due to glitch
Military personnel inspect a RSAF AH-64 Apache helicopter as it sits in an open field after crash landing in Woodlands. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
PRELIMINARY findings show that a mechanical glitch caused a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Apache to make a forced landing in Woodlands field on Thursday afternoon, said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Friday.
Commenting on the incident involving an Apache AH-64, whose tail broke off as it hit the ground during an emergency landing in an open field between Woodlands Avenue 12 and Woodlands Drive 64, Mr Teo, who is on an official visit to India, said the two RSAF pilots had followed the designated flight routes and emergency procedures.
'I have been receiving regular updates from Singapore. Our preliminary findings are that a mechanical problem was the cause of the incident. We are conducting investigations together with the manufacturers of the aircraft,' he said.
Mr Teo added that the Defence Ministry and RSAF will carry out a thorough investigation to find the root cause.
'We will thoroughly inspect our Apaches and Seahawks before any decision is made to resume flying of these aircraft,' he said.
In the wake of the incident, Mindef has temporarily suspended all training for its fleet of Apache AH-64 helicopters pending the outcome of the investigation into the crash landing.
Training for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters, which have similar engines as the Apache AH-64 helicopters, has also been put on hold.
PRELIMINARY findings show that a mechanical glitch caused a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Apache to make a forced landing in Woodlands field on Thursday afternoon, said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Friday.
Commenting on the incident involving an Apache AH-64, whose tail broke off as it hit the ground during an emergency landing in an open field between Woodlands Avenue 12 and Woodlands Drive 64, Mr Teo, who is on an official visit to India, said the two RSAF pilots had followed the designated flight routes and emergency procedures.
'I have been receiving regular updates from Singapore. Our preliminary findings are that a mechanical problem was the cause of the incident. We are conducting investigations together with the manufacturers of the aircraft,' he said.
Mr Teo added that the Defence Ministry and RSAF will carry out a thorough investigation to find the root cause.
'We will thoroughly inspect our Apaches and Seahawks before any decision is made to resume flying of these aircraft,' he said.
In the wake of the incident, Mindef has temporarily suspended all training for its fleet of Apache AH-64 helicopters pending the outcome of the investigation into the crash landing.
Training for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters, which have similar engines as the Apache AH-64 helicopters, has also been put on hold.
Kopi Talk Lee Kuan Yew's Prayer
MANILA, Philippines - When I read Seth Mydans' piece "Founder of Singapore reflects on his journey" in the International Herald Tribune last September 11-12, 2010, I could not help thinking back to the years I studied at Harvard 50 years ago. In the late 1960s, there was still much talk in the Harvard community about a Catholic priest who was excommunicated by the Bishop of Boston then for refusing to stop teaching a heretical interpretation of the Biblical expression "Outside the Church there is no salvation." This priest, who for a while was the chaplain of the Harvard Catholic Club and who fortunately was reunited with the Catholic Church when he died, had angered the non-Catholics at Harvard by telling them in no uncertain terms that they were all going to hell. He did not take into account the Catholic teaching that those non-Catholics who try to live a good life can receive what is known as "baptism of desire." If there is a public figure whose actions and accomplishments merit his receiving a baptism by desire, it is Mentor Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who in Mr. Mydans' words "made Singapore in his own stern and unsentimental image" and transformed it into "a first-world oasis in a third-world region." Through his personal example of integrity and servant leadership, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has helped to build institutions and a culture of hard work and discipline that are unparalleled in the whole of Asia.
Contrary to the image projected by some sectors of the international press, he has sufficient humility to admit that he has made certain mistakes. As he told Mr. Mydans, "I'm not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honorable purpose. I had to do some nasty things locking fellows up without trial." Let me review here the doctrine about "baptism by desire." As Fr. John Flader wrote in his best-selling book "Question Time" (Sinagtala Publishers, 2008), "When we hear about the need for Baptism, though, we should not think only of the sacrament of Baptism, in which water is poured on the head of the recipient, making that person a Christian and member of the Church. The Church has always admitted that people can be saved by a 'baptism of desire,' which can be explicit in the case of catechumens who desire to enter the Church, or implicit in the case of people who perhaps do not even know the Church, but who strive to live a good life.... "The Second Vatican Council took up this teaching in Lumen gentium: 'Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.'
As the Catechism explains, 'it may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity."' There is enough outward evidence that in his 87 years of life, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has habitually followed the dictates of his conscience. Especially outstanding is his capacity for work, which as Pope John Paul II wrote in Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) is a sure way of doing God's will on earth. Although a self-proclaimed agnostic, Mr. Lee has demonstrated more than many so-called Christians that marriage is a sacred bond which should be indissoluble. One cannot but be moved by his devotion to his wife to whom he has been married for 61 years. Unable to move or speak for more than two years because of a stroke, "his wife, Kwa Geok Choo, 89, had been by his side, a confidante and counselor, since they were law students in London." It is not surprising that he is attracted to the Christian concept of marriage. He confided to Mr. Mydans that lately, he had been looking at Christian marriage vows and was drawn to the words: "To love, to hold,and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do us part." There is also evidence that his desire for baptism is more than implicit. At night, hearing the sounds of his wife's discomfort in the next room, he would find solace in meditating for some 20 minutes, "reciting a mantra he was taught by a Christian friend: 'Maranatha.' " As every reader of the New Testament would know, this prayer means: "Come to me, O Lord Jesus." At the end of his First Epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote: "I Paul greet you, with my own hand...Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love is with you all in Christ Jesus." May all Christians join Lee Kuan Yew in his prayer. May God reward him for all the good he has done by sending to him the one and only Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
or comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.
Contrary to the image projected by some sectors of the international press, he has sufficient humility to admit that he has made certain mistakes. As he told Mr. Mydans, "I'm not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honorable purpose. I had to do some nasty things locking fellows up without trial." Let me review here the doctrine about "baptism by desire." As Fr. John Flader wrote in his best-selling book "Question Time" (Sinagtala Publishers, 2008), "When we hear about the need for Baptism, though, we should not think only of the sacrament of Baptism, in which water is poured on the head of the recipient, making that person a Christian and member of the Church. The Church has always admitted that people can be saved by a 'baptism of desire,' which can be explicit in the case of catechumens who desire to enter the Church, or implicit in the case of people who perhaps do not even know the Church, but who strive to live a good life.... "The Second Vatican Council took up this teaching in Lumen gentium: 'Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.'
As the Catechism explains, 'it may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity."' There is enough outward evidence that in his 87 years of life, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has habitually followed the dictates of his conscience. Especially outstanding is his capacity for work, which as Pope John Paul II wrote in Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) is a sure way of doing God's will on earth. Although a self-proclaimed agnostic, Mr. Lee has demonstrated more than many so-called Christians that marriage is a sacred bond which should be indissoluble. One cannot but be moved by his devotion to his wife to whom he has been married for 61 years. Unable to move or speak for more than two years because of a stroke, "his wife, Kwa Geok Choo, 89, had been by his side, a confidante and counselor, since they were law students in London." It is not surprising that he is attracted to the Christian concept of marriage. He confided to Mr. Mydans that lately, he had been looking at Christian marriage vows and was drawn to the words: "To love, to hold,and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do us part." There is also evidence that his desire for baptism is more than implicit. At night, hearing the sounds of his wife's discomfort in the next room, he would find solace in meditating for some 20 minutes, "reciting a mantra he was taught by a Christian friend: 'Maranatha.' " As every reader of the New Testament would know, this prayer means: "Come to me, O Lord Jesus." At the end of his First Epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote: "I Paul greet you, with my own hand...Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love is with you all in Christ Jesus." May all Christians join Lee Kuan Yew in his prayer. May God reward him for all the good he has done by sending to him the one and only Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
or comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.
News Update Official: 6 soldiers hurt in Misamis Occ clash
Six Army soldiers were wounded following a clash with suspected communist insurgents in Misamis Occidental on Wednesday afternoon, a local military commander said.
In a text message sent Friday, Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the clash occurred at 1 p.m. in Brgy. Bagampasan in Don Victoriano Chiongbian town when patrolling government forces chanced upon an undetermined number of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the area.
He said six soldiers sustained injuries mostly on the feet when a M203 grenade exploded during the one-hour firefight. He said the soldiers were out to investigate massive extortion reports in the area when the ecounter ensued.
Lustestica identified the injured soldiers as: Staff Sgt. Ricardo Delena, Pfc. Josie Galong, Pfc. Michael Masal, Pfc. Tatoy, Pfc. Mark Lloyd Sayson and Pfc. Junrie Tabas.
All have been brought to the 1st ID Hospital in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, he said.
Recovered during the clearing operations were containers of rice, leaving military officials to believe that the suspected NPA rebels were camping out in the elevated portion of the area.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) have been stalled since August 2004. — with Kimberly Tan/RSJ
In a text message sent Friday, Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, said the clash occurred at 1 p.m. in Brgy. Bagampasan in Don Victoriano Chiongbian town when patrolling government forces chanced upon an undetermined number of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the area.
He said six soldiers sustained injuries mostly on the feet when a M203 grenade exploded during the one-hour firefight. He said the soldiers were out to investigate massive extortion reports in the area when the ecounter ensued.
Lustestica identified the injured soldiers as: Staff Sgt. Ricardo Delena, Pfc. Josie Galong, Pfc. Michael Masal, Pfc. Tatoy, Pfc. Mark Lloyd Sayson and Pfc. Junrie Tabas.
All have been brought to the 1st ID Hospital in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, he said.
Recovered during the clearing operations were containers of rice, leaving military officials to believe that the suspected NPA rebels were camping out in the elevated portion of the area.
The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) have been stalled since August 2004. — with Kimberly Tan/RSJ
News Update Palace gives itself passing mark for first 100 days
Malacañang is giving itself a passing mark for the Aquino administration's first 100 days, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Friday.
At a press briefing, Lacierda answered "oo naman (of course)" when asked whether the Palace thinks it has passed the 100-day test for every new administration. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who took his oath last June 30, will spend his 100th day in office next week.
"We have two programs, and that is poverty alleviation and eradication of corruption so we’re on track on those two levels," Lacierda said.
"As you know we have started also our poverty alleviation program so andun po yun. Pati pag waksi ng corruption, we have been filing cases on a weekly basis with respect to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and Bureau of Customs so tuluy-tuloy po yun," he said.
The Budget Department proposed to allot P21 million for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) conditional cash transfer program, an amount nearly double the P12 million allotted for the program for this year.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration is on track towards achieving its goals even though it was "sidelined a bit" by the August 23 hostage crisis, where eight tourists from Hong Kong and the hostage-taker, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, were killed. The administration's poor handling of the incident was widely criticized both here and abroad.
Failing mark
But for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Aquino administration got failing marks on 10 issues.
"The mystique whipped up around Aquino is fast being blown away by the realities of the socio-economic and political crises of the ruling state and system," the CPP said in a statement on its website.
The CPP listed 10 issues that it claimed show the "pro-imperialist, elitist, superficial, incompetent, militarist and rotten-to-the-core character" of Aquino's government:
1. Lack of drive in the criminal prosecution of former President now incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
2. No intent to implement agrarian reform, as shown by the Aquino-Cojuangco clan's tightened monopoly hold on Hacienda Luisita.
3. Unbridled US interventionism in exchange for US political, military, economic, financial and other support, via strings attached to the $464-million fund grant from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
4. No serious interest in the peace process.
5. Extension of the Oplan Bantay Laya "terror campaign" against the New People's Army.
6. Counterinsurgency, neoliberal, mendicancy, anti-people budget.
7. Massive push for more denationalization and privatization.
8. Increase in charges of public utilities and additional taxes.
9. Collossal incompetence in handling the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis.
10. "Rotten appointees" and political factions.
"These outstanding issues serve as a yardstick in projecting the further sufferings of the mass of the Filipino people in the next six years under the Aquino regime. With the emptiness of Aquino's promises and the shallowness of his political gimmicks exposed one after the other, the people are faced with no other option but to wage revolutionary and militant struggle in order to defend and advance their interests," the CPP said.
Contrary to some of the CPP's claims, however, the Aquino administration has created the Truth Commission which will investigate corruption scandals in the Arroyo administration. It will be headed by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
The government is also working on the resumption of its peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Aquino has also previously said a panel that will resume negotiations with the CPP will be formed. — RSJ,
At a press briefing, Lacierda answered "oo naman (of course)" when asked whether the Palace thinks it has passed the 100-day test for every new administration. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who took his oath last June 30, will spend his 100th day in office next week.
"We have two programs, and that is poverty alleviation and eradication of corruption so we’re on track on those two levels," Lacierda said.
"As you know we have started also our poverty alleviation program so andun po yun. Pati pag waksi ng corruption, we have been filing cases on a weekly basis with respect to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and Bureau of Customs so tuluy-tuloy po yun," he said.
The Budget Department proposed to allot P21 million for the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) conditional cash transfer program, an amount nearly double the P12 million allotted for the program for this year.
Lacierda said the Aquino administration is on track towards achieving its goals even though it was "sidelined a bit" by the August 23 hostage crisis, where eight tourists from Hong Kong and the hostage-taker, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, were killed. The administration's poor handling of the incident was widely criticized both here and abroad.
Failing mark
But for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Aquino administration got failing marks on 10 issues.
"The mystique whipped up around Aquino is fast being blown away by the realities of the socio-economic and political crises of the ruling state and system," the CPP said in a statement on its website.
The CPP listed 10 issues that it claimed show the "pro-imperialist, elitist, superficial, incompetent, militarist and rotten-to-the-core character" of Aquino's government:
1. Lack of drive in the criminal prosecution of former President now incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
2. No intent to implement agrarian reform, as shown by the Aquino-Cojuangco clan's tightened monopoly hold on Hacienda Luisita.
3. Unbridled US interventionism in exchange for US political, military, economic, financial and other support, via strings attached to the $464-million fund grant from the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
4. No serious interest in the peace process.
5. Extension of the Oplan Bantay Laya "terror campaign" against the New People's Army.
6. Counterinsurgency, neoliberal, mendicancy, anti-people budget.
7. Massive push for more denationalization and privatization.
8. Increase in charges of public utilities and additional taxes.
9. Collossal incompetence in handling the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis.
10. "Rotten appointees" and political factions.
"These outstanding issues serve as a yardstick in projecting the further sufferings of the mass of the Filipino people in the next six years under the Aquino regime. With the emptiness of Aquino's promises and the shallowness of his political gimmicks exposed one after the other, the people are faced with no other option but to wage revolutionary and militant struggle in order to defend and advance their interests," the CPP said.
Contrary to some of the CPP's claims, however, the Aquino administration has created the Truth Commission which will investigate corruption scandals in the Arroyo administration. It will be headed by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
The government is also working on the resumption of its peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Aquino has also previously said a panel that will resume negotiations with the CPP will be formed. — RSJ,
News Update Travel ban could cost Filipinos their Afghan jobs
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government, which bans citizens from traveling to or working in Afghanistan, said Friday it would review the security situation in the war-torn country after Filipino workers already there pleaded with the government to lift the restriction.
Although the travel ban is likely to remain in place to prevent more people from going to Afghanistan, the review raises the possibility that thousands of Filipinos already there will be allowed to stay. Manila offered such a hybrid solution for Filipinos in Iraq.
An estimated 2,500 to 4,000 Filipinos work in Afghanistan despite their government's 2005 ban, most of them employed in military bases by U.S. contractors, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. A Filipino workers' group there says they number as many as 5,000.
U.S. military authorities in Afghanistan last month ordered contractors there to send home any workers who are in violation of their home country's rules.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has now recommended that President Benigno Aquino III convene a high-level committee to assess the security situation in Afghanistan and the implications of the U.S. Central Command order on Filipinos already in the country.
Filipino workers in Afghanistan have pleaded with Aquino to lift the deployment ban, saying they stand to lose jobs they took fully aware of the risks involved.
The workers said in a letter to Aquino earlier this week that their employers have stringent security arrangements for their staff and written assurance that such measures are in place should be enough.
When the U.S. previously issued a similar order for contractors in Iraq, the Philippines allowed its nationals to remain in that country until their contracts ended but refused to let more people travel there.
Nearly 10 percent of the Philippines' more than 90 million people work abroad, sending back billions of dollars that prop up the economy.
Although the travel ban is likely to remain in place to prevent more people from going to Afghanistan, the review raises the possibility that thousands of Filipinos already there will be allowed to stay. Manila offered such a hybrid solution for Filipinos in Iraq.
An estimated 2,500 to 4,000 Filipinos work in Afghanistan despite their government's 2005 ban, most of them employed in military bases by U.S. contractors, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. A Filipino workers' group there says they number as many as 5,000.
U.S. military authorities in Afghanistan last month ordered contractors there to send home any workers who are in violation of their home country's rules.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has now recommended that President Benigno Aquino III convene a high-level committee to assess the security situation in Afghanistan and the implications of the U.S. Central Command order on Filipinos already in the country.
Filipino workers in Afghanistan have pleaded with Aquino to lift the deployment ban, saying they stand to lose jobs they took fully aware of the risks involved.
The workers said in a letter to Aquino earlier this week that their employers have stringent security arrangements for their staff and written assurance that such measures are in place should be enough.
When the U.S. previously issued a similar order for contractors in Iraq, the Philippines allowed its nationals to remain in that country until their contracts ended but refused to let more people travel there.
Nearly 10 percent of the Philippines' more than 90 million people work abroad, sending back billions of dollars that prop up the economy.
Kopi Talk Thai Express set meals - set for good meals
I mentioned a few posts back that I’m not normally a fan of Thai food because, with my embarrassingly low spiciness threshold, I’ve never been able to fully appreciate the full range of cuisine it offers (especially the ubiquitous tom-yum soup). Still, though, I’ve been heading to Thai eating outlets quite often recently at the suggestions of friends and have come to really love the cuisine (or at least whatever of it I can eat).
Thai Express, which has always been one of the Thai outlets I frequent (due to its decent prices and decent food), has recently come out with a new promotional set menu and I headed there with friends to try it. There are three sets on the menu and my friend tried the tom-yum set meal while I went for the seafood pineapple rice set (the final one we didn’t order was a green-curry set).
The seafood pineapple rice set was most excellent, with a flavourful, generous helping of yellowed rice with slices of fried fish, a few prawns, raisins and even some crunchy (albeit tasteless) pineapple bits at the side. The combination was a easy-on-the-palate mixture that ensured that every bite of rice was accompanied by at least one other ingredient.
The meal also came with fried tofu drenched in sweet chilli sauce. The fried tofu was done just right, without too much grease or oil and it was still steaming hot when it arrived on my table. The sauce, too, was tasty without being too spicy or overly cloy like most artificial chillis are.
The tom-yum set came with a large bowl of soup (with fresh, although slightly sparce, seafood ingredients), white rice and two large slices of Thai fishcake. While I found the tom-yum a tad too spicy and throat-irritating, the Thai fishcake was fantastic, chewy and tasty without being too oily.
Both sets came with a bowl of tapioca slices in coconut milk which were surprisingly not that overwhelming nor filling, even at the end of the meal. The tapioca had a satisfyingly solid texture and provided a sweet end to the meal.
At around $8.80 for both meals, they were large both in serving and taste and were both worth the money (especially considering that this combina
Thai Express, which has always been one of the Thai outlets I frequent (due to its decent prices and decent food), has recently come out with a new promotional set menu and I headed there with friends to try it. There are three sets on the menu and my friend tried the tom-yum set meal while I went for the seafood pineapple rice set (the final one we didn’t order was a green-curry set).
The seafood pineapple rice set was most excellent, with a flavourful, generous helping of yellowed rice with slices of fried fish, a few prawns, raisins and even some crunchy (albeit tasteless) pineapple bits at the side. The combination was a easy-on-the-palate mixture that ensured that every bite of rice was accompanied by at least one other ingredient.
The meal also came with fried tofu drenched in sweet chilli sauce. The fried tofu was done just right, without too much grease or oil and it was still steaming hot when it arrived on my table. The sauce, too, was tasty without being too spicy or overly cloy like most artificial chillis are.
The tom-yum set came with a large bowl of soup (with fresh, although slightly sparce, seafood ingredients), white rice and two large slices of Thai fishcake. While I found the tom-yum a tad too spicy and throat-irritating, the Thai fishcake was fantastic, chewy and tasty without being too oily.
Both sets came with a bowl of tapioca slices in coconut milk which were surprisingly not that overwhelming nor filling, even at the end of the meal. The tapioca had a satisfyingly solid texture and provided a sweet end to the meal.
At around $8.80 for both meals, they were large both in serving and taste and were both worth the money (especially considering that this combina
News Update Exodus to Cavite Noted
MANILA, Philippines - More than half of the population of Cavite are migrants from Metro Manila and nearby provinces, the Provincial Population Development Office (POPDev) confirmed Thursday. Filipina V. Samson, POPDev officer, said that of the three million population of Cavite, 1.8 million are migrants and that 1.2 million are natives of the province. With the number of people, the National Statistics Office (NSO) tagged Cavite as the most-densely populated province in the country. Samson said that unless something is done, the population of Cavite may boom from three million to nine million in the next five years. She made her forecast as she cited the 5.4% population growth rate of the province during the last five years. "The population of Cavite may increase from more than three million to nine million in 2015, particularly with the influx of migrants in the province," said Samson, who has been the POPDev officer for 38 years. He said migrants preferred to live in Cavite because of low-cost housing projects; the existence of job sites, schools and other establishments; and its proximity to Metro Manila.
News Update PDEA Tests Laguna Drivers CAMP LIM, Laguna
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) based here conducted random drug test and lectures to some 500 bus drivers, conductors, and dispatchers of Southern Bus and Operators Association (SOLUBOA) in four bus terminals in Laguna. PDEA 4-A Regional Director Randy Pedroso said these activities was personally requested by SOLUBOA President Homer Mercado for intercession of the agency in order to prevent members from using illegal drugs.
The venue of the random drug test was held in two bus terminals in Sta. Cruz, one each in cities of Binan and Calamba. Pedroso said the activity aimed to inoculate the minds of the bus drivers and conductors the danger posed in taking an illegal drugs perceived to have enhancing effects and the awareness of the alarming incident of different road accidents where several drivers were under the influence of drugs and in consonance with the demand reduction program of the agency. (Ferdinand F. Castro) Bataeño in Palace BALANGA CITY, Bataan - Bataeños thanked Thursday President Aquino for his trust and confidence in giving a chance to Antonino P. Roman be part of his Cabinet in an administration determined to institute positive change in government. Vice Governor Efren Pascual, Jr. said the people of Bataan are confident that one of their own will serve as the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer (PLLO). Roman is a former member of the House of Representatives and former Undersecretary of Finance. "Secretary Roman was appointed not on the basis of his political affiliation but on his skills and qualification being a former law maker and finance officer and we are proud that he was given the chance by the president to serve in the Cabinet and in the country," Pascual said. (Mar T. Supnad)
The venue of the random drug test was held in two bus terminals in Sta. Cruz, one each in cities of Binan and Calamba. Pedroso said the activity aimed to inoculate the minds of the bus drivers and conductors the danger posed in taking an illegal drugs perceived to have enhancing effects and the awareness of the alarming incident of different road accidents where several drivers were under the influence of drugs and in consonance with the demand reduction program of the agency. (Ferdinand F. Castro) Bataeño in Palace BALANGA CITY, Bataan - Bataeños thanked Thursday President Aquino for his trust and confidence in giving a chance to Antonino P. Roman be part of his Cabinet in an administration determined to institute positive change in government. Vice Governor Efren Pascual, Jr. said the people of Bataan are confident that one of their own will serve as the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer (PLLO). Roman is a former member of the House of Representatives and former Undersecretary of Finance. "Secretary Roman was appointed not on the basis of his political affiliation but on his skills and qualification being a former law maker and finance officer and we are proud that he was given the chance by the president to serve in the Cabinet and in the country," Pascual said. (Mar T. Supnad)
News Update PRO-CAR Gets Guns, Equipment
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet - Director-General Raul Bacalzo, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, turned over the other day firearms and civil disturbance management equipment to the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (PNP-CAR). Bacalzo said it was part of the integrated transformation program (ITP) to help improve their efforts in curbing criminality and instilling peace. He reminded all commissioned and non-commissioned police officers to embark on seminars to "help improve foundations of force as well as bring back discipline and decency in the uniformed service." (Dexter A. See) Baby Rescued MARIVELES, Bataan - Police rescued a baby girl unharmed from her alleged kidnapper on Wednesday night in Zone 5, Barangay Camaya, this town. Senior Superintendent Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan police director, said the baby had been returned to her mother. Supt. Romell Velasco, chief of police of this town, said he and his men rescued the victim from 22-year-old suspect Romnick Camansi of Bonifacio, Mariveles town. Gunnacao said Camansi was immediately subdued and overpowered by his men in a swift anti-kidnapping operation in his hideout in Camaya. He said Camansi allegedly took the baby from her nanny, Glowin Manayan. Velasco said Camansi is the former live-in partner of the baby's mother. (Mar T. Supnad)
News Update Health Services Assurance Made
COTABATO CITY - The recent gang-rape of and slay-attempt on a nurse-trainee in Maguindanao will not disrupt health services in the province in particular and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in general, authorities have assured. "We will continue to strengthen our health services in the autonomous region especially in the countryside through the NARS Program," Norma C. Lidasan, focal person of the Nurses Assistance for Rural Services (NARS) Program, told journalists at the weekly Tapatan sa ARMM media forum. However, Lidasan said the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) office in ARMM has opted to pull out momentarily the four other NARS trainees from South Upi town in Maguindanao where the tragic assault on a 21-year-old nurse took place last Saturday.
The NARS program, which provides a P8,000 monthly stipend to each nurse-trainee, is subsidized by the DoLE and implemented by the Department of Health (DoH) in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and Marawi City, all component areas of ARMM. (Ali G. Macabalang) World Teacher's Day on Oct. 5 PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur - Public elementary and secondary schools in Western Mindanao have prepared appropriate activities to mark World Teachers' Day on Oct. 5, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 9 office here said. Dr. Walter O. Albos, regional director of DepEd, said the date is a memorable day as it gives the country a rare opportunity to recognize the major task given by society to teachers - that of molding the mind of Filipino children. Quoting Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro's latest memorandum, Albos said the first Tuesday of next month "is a day to honor our teachers who play a critical role in guiding our children and in providing them life long learning." (T. Pe. Rimando) Comelec Lists 5 Areas of Concern
The NARS program, which provides a P8,000 monthly stipend to each nurse-trainee, is subsidized by the DoLE and implemented by the Department of Health (DoH) in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces and Marawi City, all component areas of ARMM. (Ali G. Macabalang) World Teacher's Day on Oct. 5 PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur - Public elementary and secondary schools in Western Mindanao have prepared appropriate activities to mark World Teachers' Day on Oct. 5, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 9 office here said. Dr. Walter O. Albos, regional director of DepEd, said the date is a memorable day as it gives the country a rare opportunity to recognize the major task given by society to teachers - that of molding the mind of Filipino children. Quoting Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro's latest memorandum, Albos said the first Tuesday of next month "is a day to honor our teachers who play a critical role in guiding our children and in providing them life long learning." (T. Pe. Rimando) Comelec Lists 5 Areas of Concern
News Update De Lima calls for law to regulate frats
MANILA, Philippines - Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima called on Congress yesterday to pass a law that would regulate fraternities in the country’s colleges and universities following a post-Bar exam grenade attack that wounded close to 50 persons, mostly from her alma mater, the San Beda College of Law.
“It’s okay to regulate these (organizations) for as long there is reasonableness – as long as you don’t curtail rights like freedom of expression of these fraternities. So that’s okay,” she told reporters in a press conference.
De Lima, who co-founded the Lambda Rho Sigma sorority when she was in law school, said she believes fraternities are not “untouchables” and could be penalized for violations, or even crimes, they commit.
De Lima said she is hopeful that the investigation of the grenade attack initiated by the Supreme Court (SC) would result in positive changes that would prevent similar incidents in the future.
“I think it’s a question of putting up safeguards,” she commented, calling on leaders of fraternities and sororities who may be called in the probe to cooperate as “part of their legal and moral duty.”
The SC panel, chaired by Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr., will meet today to officially start the probe.
‘Too early for frat war angle’
De Lima said it is still too early to conclude that the grenade attack outside the De La Salle University (DLSU) last Sunday was caused by a war between fraternities.
She said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which she has tapped to probe the incident, still does not have a clear lead after holding a case conference yesterday morning.
“Nothing is clear yet - not even that fraternity war angle. At this point, the NBI is not willing to state with certainty that it’s frat war,” she revealed.
Still, De Lima said the NBI is pursing this angle and “has started interviewing some frat members already.”
The SC earlier received initial information showing that most of the victims are students of the San Beda College of Law and members of Alpha Phi Beta fraternity and sorority, which strengthens the possibility that a frat war could be behind the attack.
The APB has a “long-standing rivalry” with another fraternity also in San Beda College, Lambda Rho Beta (LRB), which is the fraternity of De Lima’s sorority.
A frat member who witnessed the incident, however, told The STAR that a scuffle between LRB and Sigma Rho fraternities ensued prior to the incident.
“The Lambda and Sigma Rho threw bottles at each other. A Lambda (member) was stabbed,” the source said.
Police reports, however, state that the one who threw the explosive device was wearing a shirt that bore the Greek letter emblem of Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho), which was allegedly at odds with members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
She said the NBI has also received an information that five young men “who did not look like law students” were spotted near the scene of the explosion shortly before the incident.
Asked if there is a possibility that the attack was done by street thugs, she replied: “Why not?”
As for the angle that the real target of the attack was Bar examinee Datu Mohammad Abdul, a member of the Ampatuan clan, De Lima said it “seems that it was just coincidence that he was there.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said yesterday it will provide medical assistance to victims of the grenade attack.
Pagcor spokesman Jay Santiago said they will give law student Raissa Laurel prosthetic legs. Laurel, 25, had both her legs amputated and is confined at the Philippine General Hospital.
Chief Justice Renato Corona visited Laurel yesterday and offered her a job with SC after she graduates from law school. She is currently in her second year. – With Helen Flores - By Edu Punay
“It’s okay to regulate these (organizations) for as long there is reasonableness – as long as you don’t curtail rights like freedom of expression of these fraternities. So that’s okay,” she told reporters in a press conference.
De Lima, who co-founded the Lambda Rho Sigma sorority when she was in law school, said she believes fraternities are not “untouchables” and could be penalized for violations, or even crimes, they commit.
De Lima said she is hopeful that the investigation of the grenade attack initiated by the Supreme Court (SC) would result in positive changes that would prevent similar incidents in the future.
“I think it’s a question of putting up safeguards,” she commented, calling on leaders of fraternities and sororities who may be called in the probe to cooperate as “part of their legal and moral duty.”
The SC panel, chaired by Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr., will meet today to officially start the probe.
‘Too early for frat war angle’
De Lima said it is still too early to conclude that the grenade attack outside the De La Salle University (DLSU) last Sunday was caused by a war between fraternities.
She said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which she has tapped to probe the incident, still does not have a clear lead after holding a case conference yesterday morning.
“Nothing is clear yet - not even that fraternity war angle. At this point, the NBI is not willing to state with certainty that it’s frat war,” she revealed.
Still, De Lima said the NBI is pursing this angle and “has started interviewing some frat members already.”
The SC earlier received initial information showing that most of the victims are students of the San Beda College of Law and members of Alpha Phi Beta fraternity and sorority, which strengthens the possibility that a frat war could be behind the attack.
The APB has a “long-standing rivalry” with another fraternity also in San Beda College, Lambda Rho Beta (LRB), which is the fraternity of De Lima’s sorority.
A frat member who witnessed the incident, however, told The STAR that a scuffle between LRB and Sigma Rho fraternities ensued prior to the incident.
“The Lambda and Sigma Rho threw bottles at each other. A Lambda (member) was stabbed,” the source said.
Police reports, however, state that the one who threw the explosive device was wearing a shirt that bore the Greek letter emblem of Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho), which was allegedly at odds with members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
She said the NBI has also received an information that five young men “who did not look like law students” were spotted near the scene of the explosion shortly before the incident.
Asked if there is a possibility that the attack was done by street thugs, she replied: “Why not?”
As for the angle that the real target of the attack was Bar examinee Datu Mohammad Abdul, a member of the Ampatuan clan, De Lima said it “seems that it was just coincidence that he was there.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said yesterday it will provide medical assistance to victims of the grenade attack.
Pagcor spokesman Jay Santiago said they will give law student Raissa Laurel prosthetic legs. Laurel, 25, had both her legs amputated and is confined at the Philippine General Hospital.
Chief Justice Renato Corona visited Laurel yesterday and offered her a job with SC after she graduates from law school. She is currently in her second year. – With Helen Flores - By Edu Punay
News Update CBCP head: Aquino might be excommunicated for contraceptive stance
resident Benigno Aquino III might face excommunication from the Catholic Church for supporting the use of contraceptives for artificial birth control, a leading bishop said Thursday. Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, speaking as president of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said in a radio interview that the Catholic Church can “possibly" subject Aquino to religious censure if the President insists on his stance that Filipino couples should be given the choice to use artificial contraceptives. “That [excommunication] is a possibility, [because] right now, it is a proximate possibility. But right now, we are open for dialogue," Odchimar said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Thursday.
Despite the possibility of excommunication, President Aquino said hours after Odchimar’s statement that he is not changing his position on contraceptive use. "We are all guided by our consciences. My position has not changed. The state's duty is to educate our families as to their responsibilities and to respect their decisions if they are in conformity to our laws," Aquino said in a statement on Thursday. The President likewise maintained his stance on “responsible parenthood," saying that the state should respect the choices couples make on the kind of birth control method they want to utilize. (See: Aquino opposes Church on birth control issue) During a meeting with a Filipino community in San Francisco last week, the president said the government "is obligated to inform everybody of their responsibility and their choices, at the end of the day government might provide assistance to those who are without means if they want to employ a particular method."
Consider Church’s position Odchimar however advised Aquino to “consider the position of the Catholic Church" before making his stance on reproductive health issues. “Abortion is a grave crime. As a matter of fact, excommunication is attached to those who commit abortion… This is a violation of God’s commandment," he said in the radio interview. The bishop from Surigao del Sur likewise reiterated that the Catholic Church is “consistent with its position" against artificial means of birth control. Another CBCP official, Fr. Melvin Castro, also earlier threatened to stage protest actions over the government’s plan to distribute condoms and pills to Filipino couples. (See: Church threatens to launch protests over Aquino’s contraceptive policy)
The Catholic Church promotes only natural family planning and is opposed to the use of artificial birth control methods such as condoms and birth-control pills, saying these could lead to promiscuity and a rise in abortion cases.
Despite these, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said on Thursday that he will ask the President to certify as “urgent" House Bill No. 96, or the controversial Reproductive Health bill. (See: Belmonte to ask PNoy to certify RH bill as 'urgent')
Open to dialogue Although the President is not keen on changing his position on contraceptive use, he is still open to dialogue with bishops over the controversial reproductive health issue, his spokesperson said. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is willing to talk with Church officials to discuss his stand on reproductive health.
Lacierda, however, did not indicate that the government will be making a formal invitation to hold a dialogue, pointing out that the CBCP still has the letter Aquino sent during the campaign period wherein he asked to discuss the issues with them.
Lacierda reiterated that Aquino's stand on family planning does not mean he automatically supports the controversial reproductive health bill in Congress. He said Aquino has yet to study the proposal.—JV,
Despite the possibility of excommunication, President Aquino said hours after Odchimar’s statement that he is not changing his position on contraceptive use. "We are all guided by our consciences. My position has not changed. The state's duty is to educate our families as to their responsibilities and to respect their decisions if they are in conformity to our laws," Aquino said in a statement on Thursday. The President likewise maintained his stance on “responsible parenthood," saying that the state should respect the choices couples make on the kind of birth control method they want to utilize. (See: Aquino opposes Church on birth control issue) During a meeting with a Filipino community in San Francisco last week, the president said the government "is obligated to inform everybody of their responsibility and their choices, at the end of the day government might provide assistance to those who are without means if they want to employ a particular method."
Consider Church’s position Odchimar however advised Aquino to “consider the position of the Catholic Church" before making his stance on reproductive health issues. “Abortion is a grave crime. As a matter of fact, excommunication is attached to those who commit abortion… This is a violation of God’s commandment," he said in the radio interview. The bishop from Surigao del Sur likewise reiterated that the Catholic Church is “consistent with its position" against artificial means of birth control. Another CBCP official, Fr. Melvin Castro, also earlier threatened to stage protest actions over the government’s plan to distribute condoms and pills to Filipino couples. (See: Church threatens to launch protests over Aquino’s contraceptive policy)
The Catholic Church promotes only natural family planning and is opposed to the use of artificial birth control methods such as condoms and birth-control pills, saying these could lead to promiscuity and a rise in abortion cases.
Despite these, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said on Thursday that he will ask the President to certify as “urgent" House Bill No. 96, or the controversial Reproductive Health bill. (See: Belmonte to ask PNoy to certify RH bill as 'urgent')
Open to dialogue Although the President is not keen on changing his position on contraceptive use, he is still open to dialogue with bishops over the controversial reproductive health issue, his spokesperson said. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is willing to talk with Church officials to discuss his stand on reproductive health.
Lacierda, however, did not indicate that the government will be making a formal invitation to hold a dialogue, pointing out that the CBCP still has the letter Aquino sent during the campaign period wherein he asked to discuss the issues with them.
Lacierda reiterated that Aquino's stand on family planning does not mean he automatically supports the controversial reproductive health bill in Congress. He said Aquino has yet to study the proposal.—JV,
News Update Chinese govt ‘impressed’ by IIRC probe on hostage-taking
The Chinese government on Thursday said that it was “impressed" by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC)’s probe on the August 23 hostage-taking incident in Manila’s Rizal Park, which left eight Hong Kong tourists after a botched rescue attempt.
Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said the IIRC put a “tremendous amount of work" in its week-long investigation of what really happened during the hostage crisis. “We are impressed by the professionalism and the sense of responsibility of the investigating team headed by Secretary [Leila] de Lima. It was with a short period of time but tremendous amount of work was put in," Liu said in a press conference on Thursday. This page requires a higher version browser The Chinese ambassador added that his government found that the initial report produced by the IIRC on the hostage-taking tragedy was “comprehensive and responsible." “With a comprehensive, thorough and fair report in place, I think that will bring consolation to the people in China, including Hong Kong," he said. The Chinese ambassador, however, refused to comment further on the report, since President Benigno Aquino III is still reviewing the findings presented in the document. “Malacañang is also doing a review on the report so we’re following with interest the development of this investigation," he said. On August 23, dismissed Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza hijacked a Hong Thai bus carrying 21 tourists from Hong Kong and four Filipinos. After an 11-hour hostage drama, nine people died—Mendoza and eight Hong Kong tourists. (See: Massacre in nation's heart: Timeline of Manila bus siege) Days after the tragedy, Malacañang immediately formed the IIRC to look into the incident. The IIRC, after a week-long inquiry into the hostage-taking, recommended in a report the filing of charges against 13 government and police officials “liable" for the bloody outcome of the incident. (See: Ombudsman, Puno liable for hostage tragedy - IIRC) The Philippine government sent a copy of the IIRC report to Chinese authorities immediately after it was released, supposedly as an act of diplomatic courtesy.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV
Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said the IIRC put a “tremendous amount of work" in its week-long investigation of what really happened during the hostage crisis. “We are impressed by the professionalism and the sense of responsibility of the investigating team headed by Secretary [Leila] de Lima. It was with a short period of time but tremendous amount of work was put in," Liu said in a press conference on Thursday. This page requires a higher version browser The Chinese ambassador added that his government found that the initial report produced by the IIRC on the hostage-taking tragedy was “comprehensive and responsible." “With a comprehensive, thorough and fair report in place, I think that will bring consolation to the people in China, including Hong Kong," he said. The Chinese ambassador, however, refused to comment further on the report, since President Benigno Aquino III is still reviewing the findings presented in the document. “Malacañang is also doing a review on the report so we’re following with interest the development of this investigation," he said. On August 23, dismissed Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza hijacked a Hong Thai bus carrying 21 tourists from Hong Kong and four Filipinos. After an 11-hour hostage drama, nine people died—Mendoza and eight Hong Kong tourists. (See: Massacre in nation's heart: Timeline of Manila bus siege) Days after the tragedy, Malacañang immediately formed the IIRC to look into the incident. The IIRC, after a week-long inquiry into the hostage-taking, recommended in a report the filing of charges against 13 government and police officials “liable" for the bloody outcome of the incident. (See: Ombudsman, Puno liable for hostage tragedy - IIRC) The Philippine government sent a copy of the IIRC report to Chinese authorities immediately after it was released, supposedly as an act of diplomatic courtesy.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV
News Update China, ASEAN states begin talks on 'code of conduct' for disputes
ignaling increased efforts at maintaining peace in the region, China and Southeast Asian countries have initiated discussions to draw up a code of conduct to better prevent South China Sea territorial disputes from becoming full-blown armed conflicts.
In a press briefing, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchai said concerned parties are discussing the code of conduct at the working level,
He, however, did not give further details. “They have worked on some of the outlines of the document and I think that consultations are still going on. (China) is ready to work with the other parties concerned on this document," Liu said. He added that the inclusion of sanctions against claimant states that will be found to have violated the code is likewise under consultation. China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), however, have yet to set a deadline for the ongoing negotiations. The South China Sea territories – which include islands, shoals, islets, atolls, cays and reefs – are believed to be rich sources of minerals and oil reserves. The territories are considered as one of the major sources of dispute in Asia, as it is being claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. Southeast Asian states such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and China signed in 2002 a landmark yet non-binding code to reduce the tension among the territories’ claimants. The code seeks to maintain the status quo and temporarily put ownership issues aside. The code likewise prohibits any activity that might worsen the situation in the area, and instead encourages activities that build mutual trust and cooperation among the claimants. China previously rejected a formal regional code of conduct drafted by the Philippines and Vietnam in 1999, saying it legitimizes the claims of other states in the territories. The People’s Republic, however, is now “open to different formulas and initiatives in preserving peace, prosperity and stability in this region," according to Liu. “Anything that is conducive to such goal will be welcomed by the Chinese side," he said. “The most important thing for us is that everybody should move forward in the spirit of cooperation." Beijing has consistently maintained “indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea territories. Liu likewise said China wants concerned countries to “seriously consider" its proposals on cooperation in the area.—JMA/JV
In a press briefing, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchai said concerned parties are discussing the code of conduct at the working level,
He, however, did not give further details. “They have worked on some of the outlines of the document and I think that consultations are still going on. (China) is ready to work with the other parties concerned on this document," Liu said. He added that the inclusion of sanctions against claimant states that will be found to have violated the code is likewise under consultation. China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), however, have yet to set a deadline for the ongoing negotiations. The South China Sea territories – which include islands, shoals, islets, atolls, cays and reefs – are believed to be rich sources of minerals and oil reserves. The territories are considered as one of the major sources of dispute in Asia, as it is being claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. Southeast Asian states such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and China signed in 2002 a landmark yet non-binding code to reduce the tension among the territories’ claimants. The code seeks to maintain the status quo and temporarily put ownership issues aside. The code likewise prohibits any activity that might worsen the situation in the area, and instead encourages activities that build mutual trust and cooperation among the claimants. China previously rejected a formal regional code of conduct drafted by the Philippines and Vietnam in 1999, saying it legitimizes the claims of other states in the territories. The People’s Republic, however, is now “open to different formulas and initiatives in preserving peace, prosperity and stability in this region," according to Liu. “Anything that is conducive to such goal will be welcomed by the Chinese side," he said. “The most important thing for us is that everybody should move forward in the spirit of cooperation." Beijing has consistently maintained “indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea territories. Liu likewise said China wants concerned countries to “seriously consider" its proposals on cooperation in the area.—JMA/JV
News Update Tonyboy vouches for Puno in jueteng mess
Businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco assured the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday that Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno was not capable of receiving jueteng payola as alleged by retired Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz.
"I told Archbishop Cruz that I know the character of Usec. Puno and his close friendship with President Aquino, and it was therefore inconceivable that Usec. Puno would be taking jueteng money," Cojuangco, President Benigno Aquino III's second cousin, told the Senate in a letter.
Senate blue ribbon committee head Senator Teofisto Guingona III said Cojuangco had asked the Senate to excuse his absence during the hearing on the illegal numbers game because he is currently out of the country.
Despite his show of support for the beleaguered undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Cojuangco however denied that he told Cruz to "go easy" on Puno by not including him in the list of jueteng beneficiaries.
"I categorically deny that," Cojuangco said.
He added that the archbishop's list of alleged jueteng lords, operators, and payola recipients was useless because it is "unsubstantiated" and is "lacking" in solid evidence.
Cojuangco narrated that he met with Cruz on September 17 to secure a copy of the list in order to "alert" Aquino about the issue. "I was emboldened to seek an appointment with Archbishop Cruz in view of his past association on religious affairs with my mother," he said.
He said that when he received a copy of the list, the only names he recognized were those of Puno and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa.
Cojuangco said he then asked Cruz whether the list was substantiated, to which the archbishop reportedly answered "No" and clarified that he was merely relying on his "network of informants."
"I then knew and concluded that I could not and would not submit the list to President Aquino as all reports to him should be validated and have solid basis and evidence," the businessman said.
Cojuangco likewise said he was surprised when Cruz revealed the list at the first Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on jueteng because the archbishop had earlier insisted that the list remain confidential.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV
"I told Archbishop Cruz that I know the character of Usec. Puno and his close friendship with President Aquino, and it was therefore inconceivable that Usec. Puno would be taking jueteng money," Cojuangco, President Benigno Aquino III's second cousin, told the Senate in a letter.
Senate blue ribbon committee head Senator Teofisto Guingona III said Cojuangco had asked the Senate to excuse his absence during the hearing on the illegal numbers game because he is currently out of the country.
Despite his show of support for the beleaguered undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Cojuangco however denied that he told Cruz to "go easy" on Puno by not including him in the list of jueteng beneficiaries.
"I categorically deny that," Cojuangco said.
He added that the archbishop's list of alleged jueteng lords, operators, and payola recipients was useless because it is "unsubstantiated" and is "lacking" in solid evidence.
Cojuangco narrated that he met with Cruz on September 17 to secure a copy of the list in order to "alert" Aquino about the issue. "I was emboldened to seek an appointment with Archbishop Cruz in view of his past association on religious affairs with my mother," he said.
He said that when he received a copy of the list, the only names he recognized were those of Puno and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa.
Cojuangco said he then asked Cruz whether the list was substantiated, to which the archbishop reportedly answered "No" and clarified that he was merely relying on his "network of informants."
"I then knew and concluded that I could not and would not submit the list to President Aquino as all reports to him should be validated and have solid basis and evidence," the businessman said.
Cojuangco likewise said he was surprised when Cruz revealed the list at the first Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on jueteng because the archbishop had earlier insisted that the list remain confidential.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV
News Update AMLC powerless vs 'jueteng' operators
MANILA, Philippines - The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) yesterday admitted it is helpless in going after big-time illegal gambling operators since no criminal cases have been filed.
AMLC secretariat officer Richard David Funk II said efforts to go after the bank accounts of suspected jueteng and masiao operators are difficult as law enforcement agencies have failed to file criminal cases against them.
Funk made the revelation during the second hearing of the Senate yesterday on the proliferation of jueteng.
Although Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile argued that the AMLC has the power to file a case and prove the existence of probable cause without police help, Funk said their hands were bound by a Supreme Court decision that requires the AMLC to inform a suspect beforehand that the council is looking into his account.
“We are empowered only insofar as the money laundering aspect,” Funk told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee members led by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III.
Funk said the AMLC could proceed to file a case if there is probable cause to freeze the assets of the suspect.
Asked why the AMLC did not act on leads provided during Senate public hearings and on news reports that illegal gambling operators have stashed high value assets abroad, Funk quoted Enrile himself as saying some five years ago that “all those exposés are hearsay; how can that constitute probable cause in a court of law?”
Enrile later said the AMLC should have followed up the leads from the current exposes and Senate investigations.
“We have been looking into jueteng lords your honor since the time of the creation of the AMLC,” Funk assured.
Bureau of Internal Revenue deputy commissioner Estela Sales also told the committee that they took the initiative to check out the assets of suspected jueteng operators.
Sales said the BIR has started checking the tax compliance and records of the persons named by retired archbishop Oscar Cruz and in the privilege speech of Sen. Miriam Santiago.
“Since these people are engaged in unauthorized form of gambling, they would not normally report any income derived from illegal activity… so we are using the net worth or expenditure method,” Sales said.
“We started and we shall continue, except that we are encountering roadblocks since the names that we were given are aliases and pseudonyms,” she added.
Watchlist
Guingona led the Senate Blue Ribbon committee in delving into the revelations of Cruz and Santiago in naming some personalities allegedly receiving payoffs from illegal gambling operations.
At the same time, Guingona called on the Bureau of Immigration to put former national police chief Jesus Verzosa in the watch list for failing to attend the last two hearings over the issue.
Verzosa was among the personalities named by Santiago.
Verzosa’s camp, however, said the former national police chief was in Singapore when the Senate notified him.
Verzosa had submitted the letter along with two folders of documents in explaining how he had tried to address the problem of jueteng during his term.
Businessman Antonio Cojuangco also submitted a letter to the Blue Ribbon committee denying the allegations made by Cruz against him.
Even while Guingona was keen on having Verzosa at the Senate hearing, he took it easy on Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo during yesterday’s hearing.
Guingona noted the statements of Robredo tasking Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno and Verzosa to intensify the campaign against jueteng.
Robredo told the committee that he was personally directed by President Aquino to address the problem of jueteng.
Robredo also defended Verzosa and Puno on allegations that they were on the take.
When asked by the committee on what he had done following the allegations, Robredo said he ordered an investigation and confronted Puno who denied the allegations.
“We were being tagged that we were part of the jueteng payola, and there were certain names that were mentioned. I wrote them, I told them that if you won’t do something people might tend to believe these reports,” Robredo said.
Robredo said he had an agreement with Puno to address the issue and urged Napolcom to suggest a better option to address the jueteng problem.
“Probably like most of us, you go to a blank wall. Aside from the reports that have been received, aside from the news clippings, it’s essentially what they say, there are no evidence, no hard facts to prove these allegations,” Robredo said.
During the hearing, Guingona ordered the issuance of invitations to the people mentioned by Cruz and Senator Santiago “so that they can air their side.”
Guingona said the resource person could merely send a letter to explain their side.
Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the committee on public order and illegal drugs, took the opportunity to call on PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to submit recommendations on how to address the problem on jueteng.
Bacalzo told the committee that gambling operations other than jueteng have gone down to about 50 percent, citing reports from ground commanders.
He said jueteng operations were reduced by about five to seven percent following the exposes.
Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said there is a need to dismantle criminal organizations that operate illegal gambling before taking on the proposal to legalize jueteng.
“It is absolutely imperative that we continue to the very end, and we can say in good conscience that we have examined everything, turned every rug… talked to every witness,” Marcos said when Guingona ventured on asking Robredo on how to address the problem of jueteng.
“More and more we want to hear the various methods in making legal the illegal numbers game,” Marcos said, stressing his stand that there is a need to continue with the hearings beyond discussing the merits of legalization of jueteng.
Robredo defended the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL), pointing out the lottery draw is the only viable alternative of the government to neutralize the illegal numbers game.
“Between the time that it was legalized and now, I think we should come out with a better STL and work on it,” Robredo said.
“With the enforcement of STL, I don’t think we need to legalize jueteng,” he said.
Robredo recommended the STL should be localized in the municipal and city level and just give royalty to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). – With Jess Diaz, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu, Teddy Molina - By Christina Mendez
AMLC secretariat officer Richard David Funk II said efforts to go after the bank accounts of suspected jueteng and masiao operators are difficult as law enforcement agencies have failed to file criminal cases against them.
Funk made the revelation during the second hearing of the Senate yesterday on the proliferation of jueteng.
Although Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile argued that the AMLC has the power to file a case and prove the existence of probable cause without police help, Funk said their hands were bound by a Supreme Court decision that requires the AMLC to inform a suspect beforehand that the council is looking into his account.
“We are empowered only insofar as the money laundering aspect,” Funk told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee members led by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III.
Funk said the AMLC could proceed to file a case if there is probable cause to freeze the assets of the suspect.
Asked why the AMLC did not act on leads provided during Senate public hearings and on news reports that illegal gambling operators have stashed high value assets abroad, Funk quoted Enrile himself as saying some five years ago that “all those exposés are hearsay; how can that constitute probable cause in a court of law?”
Enrile later said the AMLC should have followed up the leads from the current exposes and Senate investigations.
“We have been looking into jueteng lords your honor since the time of the creation of the AMLC,” Funk assured.
Bureau of Internal Revenue deputy commissioner Estela Sales also told the committee that they took the initiative to check out the assets of suspected jueteng operators.
Sales said the BIR has started checking the tax compliance and records of the persons named by retired archbishop Oscar Cruz and in the privilege speech of Sen. Miriam Santiago.
“Since these people are engaged in unauthorized form of gambling, they would not normally report any income derived from illegal activity… so we are using the net worth or expenditure method,” Sales said.
“We started and we shall continue, except that we are encountering roadblocks since the names that we were given are aliases and pseudonyms,” she added.
Watchlist
Guingona led the Senate Blue Ribbon committee in delving into the revelations of Cruz and Santiago in naming some personalities allegedly receiving payoffs from illegal gambling operations.
At the same time, Guingona called on the Bureau of Immigration to put former national police chief Jesus Verzosa in the watch list for failing to attend the last two hearings over the issue.
Verzosa was among the personalities named by Santiago.
Verzosa’s camp, however, said the former national police chief was in Singapore when the Senate notified him.
Verzosa had submitted the letter along with two folders of documents in explaining how he had tried to address the problem of jueteng during his term.
Businessman Antonio Cojuangco also submitted a letter to the Blue Ribbon committee denying the allegations made by Cruz against him.
Even while Guingona was keen on having Verzosa at the Senate hearing, he took it easy on Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo during yesterday’s hearing.
Guingona noted the statements of Robredo tasking Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno and Verzosa to intensify the campaign against jueteng.
Robredo told the committee that he was personally directed by President Aquino to address the problem of jueteng.
Robredo also defended Verzosa and Puno on allegations that they were on the take.
When asked by the committee on what he had done following the allegations, Robredo said he ordered an investigation and confronted Puno who denied the allegations.
“We were being tagged that we were part of the jueteng payola, and there were certain names that were mentioned. I wrote them, I told them that if you won’t do something people might tend to believe these reports,” Robredo said.
Robredo said he had an agreement with Puno to address the issue and urged Napolcom to suggest a better option to address the jueteng problem.
“Probably like most of us, you go to a blank wall. Aside from the reports that have been received, aside from the news clippings, it’s essentially what they say, there are no evidence, no hard facts to prove these allegations,” Robredo said.
During the hearing, Guingona ordered the issuance of invitations to the people mentioned by Cruz and Senator Santiago “so that they can air their side.”
Guingona said the resource person could merely send a letter to explain their side.
Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the committee on public order and illegal drugs, took the opportunity to call on PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo to submit recommendations on how to address the problem on jueteng.
Bacalzo told the committee that gambling operations other than jueteng have gone down to about 50 percent, citing reports from ground commanders.
He said jueteng operations were reduced by about five to seven percent following the exposes.
Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said there is a need to dismantle criminal organizations that operate illegal gambling before taking on the proposal to legalize jueteng.
“It is absolutely imperative that we continue to the very end, and we can say in good conscience that we have examined everything, turned every rug… talked to every witness,” Marcos said when Guingona ventured on asking Robredo on how to address the problem of jueteng.
“More and more we want to hear the various methods in making legal the illegal numbers game,” Marcos said, stressing his stand that there is a need to continue with the hearings beyond discussing the merits of legalization of jueteng.
Robredo defended the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL), pointing out the lottery draw is the only viable alternative of the government to neutralize the illegal numbers game.
“Between the time that it was legalized and now, I think we should come out with a better STL and work on it,” Robredo said.
“With the enforcement of STL, I don’t think we need to legalize jueteng,” he said.
Robredo recommended the STL should be localized in the municipal and city level and just give royalty to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). – With Jess Diaz, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu, Teddy Molina - By Christina Mendez
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