Month: December 2010

Aquino orders dropping of charges vs jailed health workers

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2010

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Radyo Inquirer

President Aquino ordered the Department of Justice to withdraw the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against 43 health workers arrested in Morong, Rizal, on suspicion of being members of the communist New People’s Army.

“The medical workers were arrested in the waning days of the Arroyo administration on the suspicion that they were aiding NPA insurgents. These are valid concerns. Nevertheless, we recognize that their right to due process was denied them,” President Aquino said in a brief televised speech on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

“As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand. Therefore, I have ordered the DOJ to withdraw the informations filed before the court,” Aquino added.

Thank China for the lighthouse

Published by Ellen on December 9, 2010

From Vietnamese website — Subi Reef in 2007, from Vietnamese website

We perfectly understand why the military has to deny VERA Files story about their discovery of a lighthouse that China has constructed on Subi Reef in the hotly-contested Spratly islands.

At this time, when the wound created by the Aug. 23 tragedy has not healed as shown by the rejection by Beijing three times of request of a meeting by President Aquino with either the Chinese premier or the president, the Philippines does not want to ruffle further Chinese feelings.

Just to regain China’s favor, the Philippines has joined the boycott tomorrow of the awarding ceremony for Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in Oslo, Norway.

Philippines draws vs Myanmar, off to ASEAN semis

Published by Ellen on December 8, 2010

From ABS-CBN:

The Philippine national football team advanced to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-final for the first time by holding Myanmar to a goalless draw in Vietnam on Wednesday.

Myanmar dominated offensively in the first half, but the Azkals’ defense stayed solid throughout the match held at the Hien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh.

Philippine coach Simon McMenemy’s squad, however, was dangerous after the half-time break, with at least 3 scoring attempts rattling the uprights and the crossbar.

The Myanmar goalkeeper was also kept busy by long-range strikes.

The Myanmar players were aggressive in the first half, but gradually lost steam.

President Aquino on SC decision declaring Truth Commission unconstitutional

Published by Ellen on December 8, 2010

reporting first 100 days — Matter of accountability

Marami ang nadismaya sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ipawalang-bisa ang Truth Commission. Bilang inyong pinuno, tinatanong ako kung ano ang mga susunod kong hakbang.

Link to the SC decision; cuncurring and dissenting opinions: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/toc/december.htm

Kasalanan ba ang maghanap ng katotohanan? Di ba obligasyon kong tuklasin ang katotohanan? Di ba obligasyon ko rin na maparusahan ang mga lumabag sa batas? Di ba tungkulin nating malinis ang pangalan ng mga inakusahan nang walang base?

Nanumpa po ako bilang inyong Pangulo: ipagtatanggol ko ang konstitusyon; ipatutupad ko ang mga batas; at magbibigay ako ng hustisya sa bawat Pilipino. Sino mang alagad ng katarungan ay sumusumpa rin sa kanilang tungkuling kumapit sa kung ano ang totoo.

Ang hinahabol po natin dito ay katotohanan. Itinatag natin ang Truth Commission upang isara ang sinasabing isa sa mga pinakamadilim na kabanata sa ating kasaysayan—at malinaw na makakamtan lamang natin ito kung patuloy nating tutuklasin at kakapitan ang katotohan.

China builds lighthouse on PHL-claimed territory in Spratlys

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2010

By Tessa Jamandre
VERA Files

subi-reef1 — Chin aexpands territory with new lighthouse over disputed islets.

China has constructed a lighthouse on Subi Reef in the disputed areas in the South China Sea which Chinese troops are occupying but is being claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.

Aerial shots taken in October by the Philippine Air Force on routine reconnaissance flights show the 20-by-20-meter structure complemented by parabolic antennas and domes on the reef, which the Philippine government calls “Zamora” and lies only 26 kilometers southwest of Pag-asa that is part of Kalayaan town.

The lighthouse is intended to expand and fortify China’s claim over the hotly contested Spratly group of islands, experts said.

Envoy’s account of PHL win over Vietnam in Asean Football Suzuki Cup tournament

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2010

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Jerril Santos has an exhilarating account of the PHL-Vietnam football game last Sunday in his Facebook wall. He has granted me permission to use it here.

He first wrote in his wall: “PHL-2, VN-0! great game! The local support for the defending champion,Vietnamese team, was just amazing but the Philippine team’s performance induced My Dinh Stadium into a stunned silence. What an achievement!”

Jerril related how it was to be in “enemy” territory:

“The few Pinoys in the stadium – three of us in the grandstand area we were in – couldn’t cheer as much as we wanted. It would be foolish to do that in a sea of 40,000 fans who were lustily cheering their team…cheering that turned to anger and frustration at their team’s inability to beat an underdog Philippines.”

SC decision should not be hindrance to make Arroyo accountable

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2010

I’m not surprised that the Supreme Court slammed President Aquino’s Truth Commission, 10-5.

I’m bothered, of course, that we have a Supreme Court, beholden to a person who held power illegally for nine years, plundered taxpayers money and destroyed democratic institutions.

But even if the Truth Commission were declared “constitutional”, I was not really optimistic that Gloria Arroyo would be held accountable because Aquino chose to head it former Supreme Court Hilario Davide, who is also beholden to Arroyo.

I also believe that even without the Truth Commission, Aquino can make Arroyo accountable for her crimes against the Filipino people. What is needed is political will and a brilliant and efficient team to implement that “will.”

SC declares Truth Commission unconstitutional

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2010

From ABS-CBN:

In another blow to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration, the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional the much trumpeted Truth Commission.

Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court ruling effectively bars the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other officials and parties involved in alleged scandals under the previous administration.

The 5 who dissented were: Associate Justices Antonio Nachura, Antonio Carpio, Conchita Carpio Morales, Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Roberto Abad dissented.

The high court apparently gave credence to the petition of minority lawmakers led by Rep. Edcel Lagman, who sought to have the executive fiat that created the Truth Commission quashed.

House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman praised the Supreme Court for junking the Truth Commission, a move that, he said, signals the triumph of the rule of law. Negros Rep.Ignacio Iggy Arroyo also approves of SC decision.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/07/10/lagman-sc-decision-triumph-rule-law

The commission, tasked to investigate the anomalies during the 9-year term of Mrs. Arroyo, was created with too much power that it has already stepped on the rights of constitutionally-created bodies, they had said.

The commission, headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., has already actually convened. It has not started investigations, however, absent a ruling from the high court.

This decision comes in a string of setbacks for the Aquino administration.

Gloria Arroyo must be happy with De Lima

Published by Ellen on December 5, 2010

I applauded Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for the excellent job she did in the investigation of the Aug. 23 hostage-taking tragedy.

I admired her for standing her ground with the recommendations of the Incident Investigation Review Committee even as President Aquino did not adopt them to protect persons close to him.

But I am disturbed by De Lima’s eagerly executing the assignment Gloria Arroyo had given to the Department of Justice which was to make sure that Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is put behind bars. It’s implementation was not carried out when Lacson went underground towards the end of her term.

What crime has Lacson committed against the Filipino people that he should be behind bars? None.

But Lacson has exposed various government anomalies involving Arroyo and her husband Mike . While in power, the Arroyos were able to stall investigation of the scams which were leading to them.

Swiss-based tenor misses Filipino Christmas

Published by Ellen on December 4, 2010

By Pablo A. Tariman
VERA Files

Espiritu in La Scala Cosi fan tutte2 — Espiritu in La Scala's production of Cosi fan tutte

Inspired by the success of his first homecoming concert last August, Switzerland-based Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu will be home before Christmas for a special engagement at the Philamlife Theater with soprano Rachelle Gerodias and the Manila Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 14.

This will be his first Christmas season engagement in the Philippines since he made it in the international circuit, including a stint at the renowned La Scala in Milan.

Espiritu’s wish is to spend Christmas here because to him, there is nothing like a colorful Philippine Christmas. He recalls: “I used to do Christmas caroling at rich peoples’ houses first and dress up with my new pair of shoes and clothes! I miss going door to door asking for piso around my neighborhood. Those were the happiest days for me.”

To him, an ideal Christmas is still spending it with all members of his family. “I miss the noche buenas and the array of food my mom used to cook in Tanay, Rizal. I miss them so much; I wish I can spend Christmas with them this year,” he says.

The Espiritus had lived in New Orleans for 16 years. But two years before his La Scala debut in 2007, the tenor’s family home in Chalmette, Louisiana was destroyed by hurricane Katrina, forcing them to move to Phoenix, Arizona.

Born in Morong, Rizal, and raised in Tanay, Rizal, with four brothers and two sisters, Espiritu’s father sold fire extinguishers for a living while his mother was a secretary at the Philippine Constabulary before they migrated to the United States.