Month: August 2012

Mines forest

Published by Ellen on August 20, 2012

We were in Rio Tuba last month, in the southern tip of Palawan, for an overview visit of Nickel Asia Corporation’s oldest mine.

I was with three other reporters . The purpose of the trip, as JB Baylon, Nickel Asia’s new vice-president for communications told us, was to show us “responsible mining.”

JB, who used to be with Coca-Cola Export said, the reason he took the Nickel Asia job, at the time when the industry is getting a beating from environmentalists, was “ I believe there CAN be responsible mining operations like the Rio Tuba operation, and mining should be nothing less than responsible. “

Briefing us on Nickel Asia’s operations was no less than its president, Jerry Brimo.

Mas makakabuti ba sa bayan na payagan na si Arroyo lumabas ng bansa?

Published by Ellen on August 19, 2012

Arroyo out on bail waving to supporters — To allow her to leave or not

Mukhang mahirap na desisyon ang gagawin ni Pangulong Aquino sa kaso at kalagayan ni Gloria Arroyo.

Sinabi ng cardiologist ni Arroyo, si Dr. Roberto Anastacio, na delikado ang lagay ni Arroyo dahil sa paggalaw ng metal sa kanyang gulugud (spine).

Nang tinanong si Arroyo kung maaring ikakamatay ito, sabi niya “Oo.”

Mataas ang posibilidad na kapag naka-alis si Arroyo sa Pilipinas, hindi na ito babalik.
At bakit naman siya babalik? May kasong plunder at electoral sabotage siyang hinaharap at marami pang ang isasampa sa kanya. Habambuhay na kulong ang parusa sa mga krimen na kanyang hinaharap at haharapin.

Precious Lotilla-Javier, widow of Evelio Javier, dies in US

Published by Ellen on August 18, 2012

Cory and precious 2 — President Cory Aquino and Precious Javier at the wake of Evelio Javier in February 1986.

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

Inquirer Visayas

Precious Lotilla-Javier, the widow of slain Marcos-era opposition leader and former Antique Governor Evelio Javier, died in Los Angeles on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) after years of battling cancer. She was 67.

Precious died in her sleep, according to former Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez, a friend of hers.

Former Energy Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla, a nephew of Precious, also confirmed his aunt’s death.

Perez said the elder son of Precious, Francis Gideon, will be going to the United States to fetch his mother’s remains for burial in Antique beside the grave of her husband. Gideon’s younger brother David is based in the US.

The youngest of six siblings, Precious is a member of the prominent Lotilla clan of Sibalom town in Antique.

A former teacher, she worked at an organization in Los Angeles which researches on deafness and ear ailments.

Robredo, pilots missing after plane crashes off Masbate

Published by Ellen on August 18, 2012

robredo aug 23 2 — Robredo during the Rizal Park hostage taking crisis

ABS-CBNnews.com

A Cessna aircraft carrying Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo crashed in the sea off Masbate City Saturday afternoon, according to a Masbate official.

Masbate Vice Governor Vince Revil said the plane carrying Robredo and several others crashed 150 meters away from the Masbate airport.

“Nag-emergency call that they are going to have an emergency landing sa Masbate City Airport pero nag-crash ang plane about 150 meters away from the airport , nag-crash sa dagat,” Revil told “TV Patrol: Weekend.”

Road rage triggers online rage

Published by Ellen on August 16, 2012

Carabuena bullies a hapless traffic enforcer — David vs Goliath, Philippine version

Nobody enjoys a lopsided fight.

TV5 Interaksyon’s profile story of MMDA traffic enforcer Saturnino Fabros explains the online rage that the video of the incident generated compelling the multinational company Philip Morris to suspend its offending Human Resource officer.

Interaksyon wrote: “ Robert Blair Carabuena, tobacco firm executive caught on video mauling an MMDA traffic enforcer, could not have picked a more pitiful underdog to assault on national television.”

It was a revolting picture: an arrogant, plump,Volvo-driving, Ateneo-educated, multinational company executive berating and mauling a hapless traffic enforcer whose physique is typical of people of Payatas, where he lives and raises singlehandly six children on an P8,000 monthly salary.

The incredible abduction of Rolito Go

Published by Ellen on August 15, 2012

Maguan Family’s statement,Aug. 16:

The family does not believe the claims of convicted killer Rolito Go that he was abducted, then suddenly released. It is very much like a zarzuela that was very poorly-written. This mockery of justice should not be condoned by the authorities.

See full statement in comments.

Update: Rolito Go surfaces, now in police custody
ABS-CBNnews.com

Convicted killer Rolito Go is now in police custody after he went missing from the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City Tuesday night.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Nicanor Bartolome said Go and his nephew, Clemence Yu, are already in the custody of the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group in Camp Crame.

Go told police that he and his nephew were supposedly released by their alleged kidnappers in Tanauan, Batangas.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/15/12/rolito-go-surfaces-now-police-custody

Statement from the Maguan Family

We are deeply saddened and grieved by the latest news that convicted killer Rolito Go disappeared from the New Bilibid Prison last night and successfully escaped prison. This is his second escape.

Rolito Go was convicted for shooting and killing our brother Eldon in 1991. Eldon, the third in our family, was a 25-year old engineering student from De La Salle University. He was seated in his car when Rolito Go, in an attempt to alter the traffic, broke a one-way portion of Wilson St., San Juan and mercilessly shot Eldon in the head in a road rage fit. Our brother, who just bought pizza, was killed. News of Go’s escape has brought back the family’s grief and trauma over Eldon’s unjust death.

Contrary to statements that Go was believed to have been abducted, our sources say he is presently with his daughter, who is an intern at the Chinese General Hospital. The family finds it difficult to believe that Go can be kidnapped or abducted and even held for ransom while he was safely inside the Bureau of Prisons in Muntinlupa.

Concerned citizens urge Philip Morris to fire executive who mauled MMDA traffic enforcer

Published by Ellen on August 15, 2012

Carabuena mauls Fabros — Philip Morris’ poster boy in action

Update: Philip Morris announced today that it has “has suspended Mr. Carabuena pending the outcome of the investigation.”

” PMFTC reiterates that it does not condone inappropriate conduct by any of our employees,” the statement said.

Concerned citizens are asking multinational cigarette company Philip Morris to fire one of its executives who was caught on video mauling a Metro Manila traffic enforcer.

The appeal is being done through an online petition initiated by University of the Philippines professor Prospero de Vera and concerned citizen Malou Tiquia. The petition was given the title “Robert Blair Carabuena is Bad for your Corporate Health.”

“Whether it (Philip Morris) likes it or not, ROBERT BLAIR CARABUENA has now also become the poster boy of Philip Morris International. His behavior is a disservice to the corporate image of PMI and the global goodwill it has earned all these years. We call on PMIU to immediately act on this unforgiveable incident and accordingly fire him,” the petition said.

Appeal to lawmakers: please pass the FOI bill

Published by Ellen on August 14, 2012

There is no overstating that only when the citizenry is informed can they be empowered to be partners in nation building.

A vigilant citizenry is the most effective check against an abusive government.

That’s why the right of the people to information is enshrined in the Constitution. The Bill of Rights provides that “Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decision, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.”

Two years into the Benigno Aquino III presidency, the optimism for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill has waned and has become a cause of concern for media practitioners.

There was supposed to be meeting by the House committee on public information chaired by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone last Aug. 7 but it was cancelled. Instead it was decided to get the sense of the House majority coalition man on the bill.

Huwag tularan: Motorist mauls MMDA enforcer

Published by Ellen on August 14, 2012

Carabuena, the jerk, manhandling the poor MMDA enforcer — Ano ang nararapat sa mga tarantadong tao katulad ni Carabuena?

Caught on video by InterAksyon.com

Click here: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40433/caught-on-video–motorist-mauls-mmda-enforcer

Update, Aug. 15, 2012:

MMDA files case against abusive motorist who attacked a traffic constable

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will file criminal charges today against a Philip Morris executive who beat up a traffic constable in Quezon City last Saturday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he has directed the Legal Service to file direct assault charges against Robert Blair Carabuena, recruitment officer of the multinational tobacco company, on behalf of Traffic Constable Saturnino Fabros.

The criminal complaint will be filed today at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City.

Malayo pa ang eleksyun, dumanak na ang dugo sa Basilan

Published by Ellen on August 14, 2012

Medics trying to revive Kinazo — Kinazo being brought to the hospital. Photo by Richard Falcatan.

Noong Sabado, habang atensyun ng bansa ay sa baha sa Metro Manila at Central Luzon, may malagim na nangyari sa Isabela City sa lalawigan ng Basilan.

Binaril si Daryll Kinazo, 45, election officer ng Isabela City pagkatapos ng registration para sa mga may kapansanan (Persons with Disabilities). Namatay siya sa speedboat na sana ay yun ang magdadala sa kanya sa ospital sa Zamboanga City, mga dalawang oras ang layo sa Basilan.

Ayun sa report ng Mindanews, mga 3 ng hapon, katatapos lang ng pagsupervise ni Kinazo ng registration para sa PWD sa gym ng lungsod. Sumakay ang Comelec opisyal sa kanyang motorsiklo pauwi sa kanyang bahay sa Barangay Balobo sa Lamitan City nang tinabihan siya ng motorsiklo na may sakay na dalawang tao (riding in tandem) at binaril.