Most presidential bets seek new mining code
by Roslyn Arayata
Alyansa Tigil Mina
Majority of the presidential candidates favor a revision of the country’s mining policy, a survey of a network of green groups revealed.
Conducted on the third week of February by the Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) led by EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace, the results showed that six of the seven candidates who responded to the GEI survey support the passing of an Alternative Mining Code.
Iloilo City candidates go for Cha-cha
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Iloilo City candidates go for Cha-Cha
by Melvin Purzuelo
Green Forum-Western Visayas
Iloilo City. —It’s yes to “Cha-cha” and to mining for all three congressional candidates here.
In a debate aired on Bombo Radyo last Saturday, Iloilo City Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and former Iloilo City Mayor Mansueto Malabor were asked about Charter change, specifically the lifting of restrictive provisions on land ownership and mining.
Nacionalista Party candidate Treñas said while he would like the Constitution amended—a move that could lead to allowing foreign companies to own land and invest freely on mining activities in the country–he would make sure these privileges would be limited and that environmental safeguards are put in place.
Independent candidate Malabor and Gonzalez Jr. (Lakas-CMD), son of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, agreed to do the same. Gonzalez Jr. has been a staunch supporter of Charter change since he first sat in Congress in 2004.
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Sira-ulo ninyong lahat na congressional candidates. Pagkakaperahan lang ang gusto ninyo at hindi kaligtasan ng mga residente. Tagal na ng mining wala pang environmental safeguards…promise na naman ng mga lintek. Kailangan pa ba ang eleksyon para pagtuunan ng pansin yan?
Hindi ko maintindihan itong mga mokong na ito re mining. Haven’t they researched at all and di their homework? Mining is mining—it’s leeching from the land, (underground) and the way the gold is cleaned out is always using mercury. They need lots of water and where is that continuing flow of water?—the fresh water-rivers going out to sea! Walang mga safeguards iyan!!! And the miners here in our place are said to have come na from Mindanao kasi saturated na duon ang miners. They have guns and even the seemingly poorest ones would not hesitate to kill or harm if they feel their “loots” or territory will be taken away from them. Maraming problema dulot itong mining…it’s even worst than illegal logging. We have a very tough time addressing this environmental issue hereabouts!
Heto na, basta bffs ni Gloria walang sala!
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DOJ orders prosecutors to drop murder raps vs 2 Ampatuans
Agence France-Presse | 04/17/2010 6:13 PM http://www.abs-cbn.com
Agra: No proof of conspiracy
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Philippine government said Saturday it would drop murder charges against two prominent members of a powerful Muslim clan over the massacre of 57 people last year.
Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan, initially alleged to be two of the key planners of the election-linked killings in the restive south, will be dropped from the list of those accused, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said.
gloria to the generals: you guys are all mine! hawak ko kayong lahat…you are all mine and I will explore and dig you all…