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Month: February 2008

Lozada to gov’t: Account for $1.4B loans

Published by Ellen on February 29, 2008

Whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada urged Filipinos tonight to demand from the Arroyo government an accounting of the $1.4 billion loans it obtained from China last year.

Speaking at around 6:30 p.m, Lozada said the $329 million NBN deal financed from a loan from the Chinese government was just the tip of the iceberg. The government, he said, borrowed from China last year a total of $1.8 billion.

Lozada had earlier told a Senate inquiry the contract was overpriced, with former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos supposedly seeking a $130 million cut with the Palace’s knowledge.

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Makati rally draws huge crowd

Published by Ellen on February 29, 2008

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More than 50,000 people are gathered at the heart of Makati’s central business district for the interfaith prayer rally, most of them demanding President Arroyo’s resignation following damning allegations of corruption over the aborted NBN-ZTE Project.

Ayala Avenue is packed with people from all walks of life and of different political persuasions. The mass began at 4:30 p.m.

Reminiscent of the pre-EDSA 1 protests here, confetti rained from buildings. When the student contingents arrived, they were wildly applauded.

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Arroyo Spratlys deal impacts on balance of power in Asia

Published by Ellen on February 28, 2008

Last Tuesday, as Filipinos were glued to their radio and TV sets following the latest development in the great rip-off, which is the NBN/ZTE deal, detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed Resolution No. 309 asking the Senate to investigate the agreement signed by Gloria Arroyo with China in September 2004 to explore areas in the South China Sea including parts belonging exclusively to the Philippines.

Trillanes’ resolution directs the Committees on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon), National Defense and Security, and Environment and Natural Resources to undertake the investigation after Malaya came out with a report last week that what Malacañang once dubbed as a “landmark” agreement to jointly explore parts of the disputed islands in the Spratlys is actually a “treacherous sellout of Philippine interest and Philippine sovereignty in exchange fro overpriced loans for anomalous projects which include the ZTE-NBN deal, the North Rail and South Rail projects, the Department of Education’s Cyber-Ed project among others.”

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Ateneo vs La Salle for Sanctuary Fund on March 16

Published by Ellen on February 28, 2008

March 16 is the new date for this game for the Sanctuary Fund.

Blue against Green. Eagles against Archers. Ateneo versus La Salle.

At almost every turn, people recognize that these three statements could only spell one thing: competition. Arguably the most storied rivalry in the country, a game that has “La Salle” in the same line as “Ateneo” always draws interest from people who get to know about it because they are sure to catch a highly spirited, tension-filled, and exciting game. People recognize that “Blue” is never a good combination for “Green”.

But in the light of the current turmoil our country faces today, when lies, excuses, and cover ups fill our television sets, radios and even newspapers, that line that separates the “Green” from the “Blue” disappears to show strong, united force seeking one thing: TRUTH.

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Lawyer warns Esperon of contempt of court

Published by Ellen on February 28, 2008

Lawyer Ernesto Francisco, jr. yesterday said he will be filing contempt of court charges against AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. for the unlawful interference by the ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the AFP) in the ongoing hearing on the writ of Amparo filed by the relatives of participants in the Nov. 29 activity who are included in “Wanted” posters”

Here’s Atty. Francisco’s statement:

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Failure of Leadership, Failure of Command

Published by Ellen on February 28, 2008

Cong. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III of the 2nd District of Bukidnon, calls on Gloria Arroyo and AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon to resign in a privilege speech delivered on Feb. 27, 2008.

jason-with-daughter-ches.JPGJason and Fe Aquino have been happily married for 14 years now. Jason Aquino is a Major of the Philippine Army, assigned at Fort Bonifacio. He is no ordinary soldier, for he is the class baron of Philippine Military Academy Class ’91 and former Operations Chief of the elite Scout Rangers. His wife, Fe, is a housewife who hails from Cagayan de Oro. They are blessed with four daughters; Chen, who is 13 years old, a first year high school student; Chel who is 12 years old, a grade six student; and Chez who is 8 months old. All of them study at the Holy Spirit School at New Manila, Quezon City. Last year, the couple was blessed with another baby girl.

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