December 2009 – Page 3 – ellen tordesillas

Talim

Published by Ellen on December 15, 2009

The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) led yesterday the launching of a broad united legal front to press for justice for the victims Ampatuan massacre and to counter a perceived whitewash in the multiple murder cases against the suspects now being handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Called the Tactical Alliance of Lawyers Against Impunity in Maguindanao (TALIM), the coalition also noted with trepidation moves by some politicians to offer legal assistance to victims’ families.

Organizers of TALIM (literally, a knife’s sharp edge in English) said they seek to put a stop to the current overlapping and incoherent efforts to assist the victims’ families in their quest for justice.

Pagbabayad sa biyayang natanggap

Published by Ellen on December 14, 2009

Nasa krisis ngayon ang career ng sikat na Amerikanong golfer, si Tiger Woods, dahil sa kanyang nabulgar na pambabae.

Kahapon binitawan siya ng isa niyang sponsor, and consulting at outsourcing na kumpanya na Accenture. Ang produktong Gillete ay unti-unti raw na alisin na rin si Tiger sa kanilang mga advertisements. Dumistansya na rin ang Proctor & Gamble at ang inuming Gatorade.

Malaking pera yan kasi umaabot daw ng $110 milyon sa isang taon ang kinikita ni Tiger sa product endorsements lang.

Ngunit sabi ng Nike, loyal pa rin daw sila kay Tiger.

Tiger’s world is crashing down; dropped as Accenture spokesman

Published by Ellen on December 14, 2009

When it rains, it pours.

From US Magazine

Two days after announcing he’ll take an indefinite break from the sport of golf to focus on his marriage, Tiger Woods has lost his first major endorsement deal as a result of his alleged infidelities.

Global consulting firm Accenture announced they were cutting all ties with Woods Sunday, confirming he is “no longer the right representative” after the “circumstances of the last two weeks.” Woods served as pitchman for the last six years, appearing in the company’s “Go ahead, be a Tiger” ad campaign.

However, another of Woods’ major backers, Nike, is willing to retain him as a spokesman.

“Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade. He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf,” the sportswear and equipment supplier tells Usmagazine.com in a statement. “He and his family have Nike’s full support.”

Foreign service officers protest midnight appointments

Published by Ellen on December 13, 2009

While everybody was busy with preparation for the 2010 elections, Maguindanao massacre, and Martial Law, two opportunists were able to wangle midnight appointments from Gloria Arroyo which will further undermine the country’s foreign service.

Last week, the 300-strong Union of Foreign Service Officers wrote Arroyo, through their president Vicky Bataclan, protesting the appointment of two Rep. Antonio Cuenco as ambassador to Italy and Ambassador Francisco Benedicto as ambassador to China.

Unifors said they have two fundamental concerns about the appointments of Cuenco and Benedicto, both Cebuanos:

“First, if ever the appointment of these persons is confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, the appointee will only be able to serve as ambassador for less than six months. Such duration in our view does not justify the additional expense for their deployment and transfer.

Capitol of second poorest province has jacuzzi

Published by Ellen on December 13, 2009

Here are two articles by Carol Arquillas of Mindanews:

Capitol of second poorest province has jacuzzi

The way to the office of the governor of the country's 2nd poorest province. By Mindanews

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao – The Office of the Provincial Governor of the country’s second poorest province on the third floor of this peach and pink palatial building with an “ala CCP” driveway that leads to the second floor, has three living room sets, a conference table for 16, a huge executive desk with a leather swivel for the governor and leather chairs for guests, a toilet exclusively for the governor’s use, a center table for flowers and a door that leads to a room with a bed (and a refrigerator with several bottles of softdrinks), that leads to an alley where you can find to your left, a bathroom with a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub.

Click here (Mindanews) for the rest of the article and more photos.

The Ampatuans’ mansions and millions””We have vast landholdings”, says daughter

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao (MindaNews/11 December) – The man who owns the mansion on the right side of the highway from Cotabato City, that one with the mosque, is the governor of the country’s second poorest province while the man who owns the mansion on the left side is his son, the governor of the country’s poorest region.

Chainsaw gang

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2009

Nilabas ni Chairperson Leila de Lima ng Human Rights Commission ang sulat ng Concerned People’s Organization kay Gloria Arroyo Agosto ng 2008 pa.

Doon sa sulat, isinumbong ng CPO ang mga kalabisan ng mga Ampatuan. Ikinuwento nila ang nangyari sa dating asawa ni Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.

Ang kwento, at ito ay kalat na kalat sa Maguindanao, ay itong asawa ni Andal Sr (hind sinasabi kung ilan ang asawa nng mga Ampatuan na ito) ay na-inlove sa iba. Siguro bata pa itong babae kasi matanda na itong si Andal Sr. Ang anak niya, si Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., ang tinuturong namuno sa Nov 23 massacre at ngayon ay nakakulong sa NBI.

Arroyo lifts martial law in Maguindanao

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2009

Martial law will be lifted in Maguindanao at 9 p.m. Saturday, eight days after it was imposed by President Gloria Arroyo.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo lifted Proclamation No. 1959 on the recommendation of the Cabinet which concluded that the government has met its main objectives in placing Maguindanao under martial rule and suspending the writ of habeas corpus following the Nov. 23 massacre that left 57 people dead.

Ermita said, however, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City will remain under a state of emergency.

VERA Files Video: Baraybar’s initial observations on Maguindanao massacre

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2009

Peruvian forensic anthropologist Jose Pablo Baraybar on Wednesday briefed the Foreign Overseas Correspondents Association of the Philippines on his initial findings on the Nov. 23…

Santiago hits, Locsin defends martial law

Published by Ellen on December 11, 2009

by Carmela Fonbuena,
abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

Biazon slams Devanadera for poor defense

An apparent debate between Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin on martial law in Maguindanao stood out in the second day of Congress’ joint session.

Santiago opposed while Locsin defended Proclamation 1959 declaring martial law and suspending the writ of habeas corpus in Maguindanao.

“It is not without irony that I stand here defending martial law. But I do defend it. Nowhere and at no time has martial law been justified nor based more sufficiently or incontrovertible facts…. Look at the bodies. Look at the arms stockpiles,” Locsin told the plenary.

Isabela politics and “Hello Garci”

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2009

As of yesterday, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, now with the Liberal Party, her lawyers and supporters are going through the 12,000 (twelve thousand!) page decision of Comelec’s second division headed by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer nullifying her victory over Benjamin Dy of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Padaca said they have five days since last Tuesday to file a motion for reconsideration. That would be on Monday, Dec. 14.

Padaca said she feels that the preposterous length of the decision was probably a strategy to prevent her from filing a motion for reconsideration so that they can execute the order for Dy to take over the reins of the Isabela provincial government.

Month: December 2009