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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.

Congress holds joint session on 1959

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2009

by VERA Files

Congress convened Wednesday its historic joint session to discuss the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao following the Nov. 23 massacre that left 57 people dead, including 30 journalists, in the country’s worst election-related violence.

Legislators grilled Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Versoza on the basis for Proclamation 1959 signed by President Gloria Arroyo last week.

The joint session, which started shortly after 4 p.m., lasted six hours. Outside Congress, opponents of martial law held a rally urging the revocation of Proclamation 1959.

Click here for VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio’s photos.

“Where is the President?”
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Lawmakers Wednesday cited the glaring absence of the commander in chief, who declared martial law in Maguindanao province, during the first joint session of Congress.

Day of mourning, indignation

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2009

by VERA Files

Never again to martial law. Justice for the victims of Maguindanao massacre. Stop killing journalists.

These were the resounding messages in Wednesday’s media-led indignation rally at the Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) Bridge held to demand justice for victims of the Nov. 23 massacre in Maguindanao and protest the imposition of martial rule in the province.

Black was the color of the day. Participants from different sectors mostly wore black clothes and arm bands to assail the attacks on the media, rule of law, and accountability.

VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio and trustee Chit Estella share their photos:

Click here (VERA Files).

A portion of the statement by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility:

Nakakabahalang kalakaran sa Comelec

Published by Ellen on December 9, 2009

Makalintal: Padaca victim of Comelec clique

Matindi itong si Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.

Si Ferrer and presiding commissioner ng second division ng Comelec.Noong Lunes, sa isang nakakagulat na desisyon, idineklara nina Ferrer na si Benjamin Dy, kandidato ng Lakas- Kampi, raw ang nanalo laban kay Grace Padaca (Liberal Party) sa 2007 na eleksyun para gubernador ng Isabela.

Nakakagulat kasi nanalo si Padaca, isang Ramon Magsaysay awardee, noong 2007 na may 237,128 na boto laban kay Dy na nakakuha lamang ng 220,121 na boto. Kaya lamang ng 17,007 na boto.

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