Ellen – Page 439 – ellen tordesillas

Investors beware, warns US investment risk analyst

Published by Ellen on August 25, 2006

(This is in Saturday’s (Aug. 26, 2006) issue of Malaya.)

Increase in terrorist activities, political instability, and deteriorating economic and credit fundamentals make the Philippines a high risk for foreign investors, a US-based investment risk outfit said in its analysis of the Philippine situation this week.

Condor Advisers’ Aug. 21, 2006, analysis said: “Terrorist strikes in the Philippines are likely to become increasingly frequent over the next 16 months. The alignment between the Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah is expected to fuel terrorism as is the growing relationship between these organizations and the Rajah Solaiman Movement.”

The threat of terrorism, Condor Advisers said, “will be further attenuated by weakening governance and increasing political and social instability.”

Joc Joc to become US investor?

Published by Ellen on August 25, 2006

The latest in the case of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante is that he could be requesting the United States government permission to invest there.

This is what Harry Roque, who filed an amicus brief in the US court opposing the Bolante’s petition for asylum, suspects based on yesterday’s report of ABS-CBN correspondent Ging Reyes who quoted Bolante’s immigration lawyer as saying that the fertilizer scam is “not germane to the immigration relief sought by him.”

Roque said: “This would imply that contrary to earlier reports and popular belief, Bolante may not be asking for asylum. Instead he may be asking for an adjustment of status because of an approved application for immigrant visa, which in any case could only be an investor’s visa.”

The gallant 32

Published by Ellen on August 24, 2006

It takes courage and honor to take a stand against overwhelming odds. We are proud of these 32 who voted to impeach Gloria Arroyo. It…

Mga pekeng nurses

Published by Ellen on August 23, 2006

Hands-off raw ang Malacañang sa isyu ng dayaan sa nursing exam noong Hunyo.

Siyempre naman. Ano naman ang karapatan o moral ascendancy ng numero unong mandaraya ang magbigay ng kaparusahan sa sumunod lamang sa kanyang ginawa.

Sabi siguro ng mga nursing students na nandaya, ay kung si Gloria Arroyo ay nakalusot sa kanyang pandaraya noong 2004 elections, at ngayon ay nasa Malacañang pa, bakit hindi namin pwedeng gawin yun.

Libel suits pile up as presidential spouse ‘defends rights’

Published by Ellen on August 23, 2006

(This article by Raissa Robles appeared in the Hongkong newspaper, South China Morning Post last Monday, August 21, 2006)

Presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo is a natty dresser and a man of many suits. But his critics are finding out his favourite is the libel suit.

Mr Arroyo has sued or is suing six politicians, two publishers, and 12 editors and writers. Two weeks ago, he threatened to sue three more journalists and, this weekend, another congressman.

The killings continue

Published by Ellen on August 22, 2006

As we were writing this piece, news came in that another person identified with a progressive organization was killed in Surigao del Sur.

Reports said Hermie Marqueza, a member of local farmers group Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao, was killed inside his home in barangay Maitum in Tandag by unidentified gunmen armed with M-14 rifles Monday night.

That was hours after Gloria Arroyo announced in front of the monument of Ninoy Aquino in Intramuros the names of members of a commission that she has created to “conduct an independent probe on killing of media practitioners and militant activists” which has become a daily occurrence while she continues to hold on to her stolen presidency.

Ang AFP at NPA

Published by Ellen on August 21, 2006

Hindi yata inisip ni Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, AFP Chief of Staff, na sa kanyang pagkukumpara ng military sa NPA ay ibinaba niya ang buong sandatahan ng Pilipinas.

Nagreklamo si Esperon sa report ng Amnesty International kung saan binatikos ang pamahalaang Arroyo sa maraming patayan lalo na sa hanay ng mga progresibong organisasyon.

Sabi ni Esperon, bias raw ang AI sa maka-kaliwa. Marami rin daw pinapatay ang mga NPA, ang army ng Communist Party of the Philippines.

The noose is tightening

Published by Ellen on August 20, 2006

Gloria Arroyo must be feeling the noose tightening around her neck.

It showed in the statement her spokesman issued last Saturday threatening Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano “full retribution” if he did not retract his exposé that some “immediate members” of her family maintain a bank account in Hypo- und Vereinsbank in Munich.

Bunye demanded a public apology from Cayetano to which the young congressman from Taguig-Pateros replied: “You should be the one to apologize to the Filipino public for cheating, lying, and stealing.”

It’s Arroyos who should apologize:Cayetano

Published by Ellen on August 20, 2006

News item in Malaya today (Aug. 21, 2006)

TAGUIG-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday. brushed aside Palace demands for an apology, saying it should instead be President Arroyo who should say sorry “for cheating, lying and stealing the (2004) elections.”

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye has demanded from Cayetano a “full and unconditional retraction” and a “public apology to the first family” after the latter accused the Arroyos of maintaining an account with a German bank.

Continue readingIt’s Arroyos who should apologize:Cayetano

2006 Philippine Bird Festival

Published by Ellen on August 20, 2006

The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) is sponsoring the the 2nd Philippine Bird Festival themed “Endemik: Dito Lang sa Pinas” to focus attention on conserving endemic bird species of the Philippines, the bird watching hobby and responsible appreciation of nature.

The Philippine Bird Festival, the only one of its kind in the country, will be held on September 22 and 23 at the Crossroad 77 Convenarium, Mother Ignacia Avenue corner Scout Reyes Street in Quezon City.

Author: Ellen