Then, we won't have someone doing this (I couldn't take a better shot, I was so pissed, took me sometime to shoot, but this lancer car guy was KAPAL!).
Friday, March 10, 2006
The man who could lead us
The man who could lead us. In the proper time. http://www.888.ph/
Then, we won't have someone doing this (I couldn't take a better shot, I was so pissed, took me sometime to shoot, but this lancer car guy was KAPAL!).
Then, we won't have someone doing this (I couldn't take a better shot, I was so pissed, took me sometime to shoot, but this lancer car guy was KAPAL!).
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Equal protection?
Male activists want 'say' in unplanned pregnancy
Lawsuit seeks right to decline financial responsibility for kids
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/08/fatherhood.suit.ap/index.html
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Posted: 9:23 p.m. EST (02:23 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Contending that women have more options than they do in the event of an unintended pregnancy, men's rights activists are mounting a long shot legal campaign aimed at giving them the chance to opt out of financial responsibility for raising a child.
The National Center for Men has prepared a lawsuit -- nicknamed Roe v. Wade for Men -- to be filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Michigan on behalf of a 25-year-old computer programmer ordered to pay child support for his ex-girlfriend's daughter.
The suit addresses the issue of male reproductive rights, contending that lack of such rights violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause.
The gist of the argument: If a pregnant woman can choose among abortion, adoption or raising a child, a man involved in an unintended pregnancy should have the choice of declining the financial responsibilities of fatherhood. The activists involved hope to spark discussion even if they lose.
"There's such a spectrum of choice that women have -- it's her body, her pregnancy and she has the ultimate right to make decisions," said Mel Feit, director of the men's center. "I'm trying to find a way for a man also to have some say over decisions that affect his life profoundly."
Feit's organization has been trying since the early 1990s to pursue such a lawsuit, and finally found a suitable plaintiff in Matt Dubay of Saginaw, Michigan.
Dubay says he has been ordered to pay $500 a month in child support for a girl born last year to his ex-girlfriend. He contends that the woman knew he didn't want to have a child with her and assured him repeatedly that -- because of a physical condition -- she could not get pregnant.
Dubay is braced for the lawsuit to fail.
"What I expect to hear [from the court] is that the way things are is not really fair, but that's the way it is," he said in a telephone interview. "Just to create awareness would be enough, to at least get a debate started."
State courts have ruled in the past that any inequity experienced by men like Dubay is outweighed by society's interest in ensuring that children get financial support from two parents. Melanie Jacobs, a Michigan State University law professor, said the federal court might rule similarly in Dubay's case.
"The courts are trying to say it may not be so fair that this gentleman has to support a child he didn't want, but it's less fair to say society has to pay the support," she said.
Feit, however, says a fatherhood opt-out wouldn't necessarily impose higher costs on society or the mother. A woman who balked at abortion but felt she couldn't afford to raise a child could put the baby up for adoption, he said.
'This is so politically incorrect'
Jennifer Brown of the women's rights advocacy group Legal Momentum objected to the men's center comparing Dubay's lawsuit to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling establishing a woman's right to have an abortion.
"Roe is based on an extreme intrusion by the government -- literally to force a woman to continue a pregnancy she doesn't want," Brown said. "There's nothing equivalent for men. They have the same ability as women to use contraception, to get sterilized."
Feit counters that the suit's reference to abortion rights is apt.
"Roe says a woman can choose to have intimacy and still have control over subsequent consequences," he said. "No one has ever asked a federal court if that means men should have some similar say."
"The problem is this is so politically incorrect," Feit added. "The public is still dealing with the pre-Roe ethic when it comes to men, that if a man fathers a child, he should accept responsibility."
Feit doesn't advocate an unlimited fatherhood opt-out; he proposes a brief period in which a man, after learning of an unintended pregnancy, could decline parental responsibilities if the relationship was one in which neither partner had desired a child.
"If the woman changes her mind and wants the child, she should be responsible," Feit said. "If she can't take care of the child, adoption is a good alternative."
The president of the National Organization for Women, Kim Gandy, acknowledged that disputes over unintended pregnancies can be complex and bitter.
"None of these are easy questions," said Gandy, a former prosecutor. "But most courts say it's not about what he did or didn't do or what she did or didn't do. It's about the rights of the child."
Lawsuit seeks right to decline financial responsibility for kids
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/03/08/fatherhood.suit.ap/index.html
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Posted: 9:23 p.m. EST (02:23 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Contending that women have more options than they do in the event of an unintended pregnancy, men's rights activists are mounting a long shot legal campaign aimed at giving them the chance to opt out of financial responsibility for raising a child.
The National Center for Men has prepared a lawsuit -- nicknamed Roe v. Wade for Men -- to be filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Michigan on behalf of a 25-year-old computer programmer ordered to pay child support for his ex-girlfriend's daughter.
The suit addresses the issue of male reproductive rights, contending that lack of such rights violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause.
The gist of the argument: If a pregnant woman can choose among abortion, adoption or raising a child, a man involved in an unintended pregnancy should have the choice of declining the financial responsibilities of fatherhood. The activists involved hope to spark discussion even if they lose.
"There's such a spectrum of choice that women have -- it's her body, her pregnancy and she has the ultimate right to make decisions," said Mel Feit, director of the men's center. "I'm trying to find a way for a man also to have some say over decisions that affect his life profoundly."
Feit's organization has been trying since the early 1990s to pursue such a lawsuit, and finally found a suitable plaintiff in Matt Dubay of Saginaw, Michigan.
Dubay says he has been ordered to pay $500 a month in child support for a girl born last year to his ex-girlfriend. He contends that the woman knew he didn't want to have a child with her and assured him repeatedly that -- because of a physical condition -- she could not get pregnant.
Dubay is braced for the lawsuit to fail.
"What I expect to hear [from the court] is that the way things are is not really fair, but that's the way it is," he said in a telephone interview. "Just to create awareness would be enough, to at least get a debate started."
State courts have ruled in the past that any inequity experienced by men like Dubay is outweighed by society's interest in ensuring that children get financial support from two parents. Melanie Jacobs, a Michigan State University law professor, said the federal court might rule similarly in Dubay's case.
"The courts are trying to say it may not be so fair that this gentleman has to support a child he didn't want, but it's less fair to say society has to pay the support," she said.
Feit, however, says a fatherhood opt-out wouldn't necessarily impose higher costs on society or the mother. A woman who balked at abortion but felt she couldn't afford to raise a child could put the baby up for adoption, he said.
'This is so politically incorrect'
Jennifer Brown of the women's rights advocacy group Legal Momentum objected to the men's center comparing Dubay's lawsuit to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling establishing a woman's right to have an abortion.
"Roe is based on an extreme intrusion by the government -- literally to force a woman to continue a pregnancy she doesn't want," Brown said. "There's nothing equivalent for men. They have the same ability as women to use contraception, to get sterilized."
Feit counters that the suit's reference to abortion rights is apt.
"Roe says a woman can choose to have intimacy and still have control over subsequent consequences," he said. "No one has ever asked a federal court if that means men should have some similar say."
"The problem is this is so politically incorrect," Feit added. "The public is still dealing with the pre-Roe ethic when it comes to men, that if a man fathers a child, he should accept responsibility."
Feit doesn't advocate an unlimited fatherhood opt-out; he proposes a brief period in which a man, after learning of an unintended pregnancy, could decline parental responsibilities if the relationship was one in which neither partner had desired a child.
"If the woman changes her mind and wants the child, she should be responsible," Feit said. "If she can't take care of the child, adoption is a good alternative."
The president of the National Organization for Women, Kim Gandy, acknowledged that disputes over unintended pregnancies can be complex and bitter.
"None of these are easy questions," said Gandy, a former prosecutor. "But most courts say it's not about what he did or didn't do or what she did or didn't do. It's about the rights of the child."
Spirit is willing?
Injured Cheerleader Didn't Want Squad, Team to Be 'Distracted'
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
NEW YORK — A cheerleader who continued to cheer for her team from a gurney despite tumbling 15 feet onto her head said Wednesday she was worried the accident would distract from the basketball game.
"My biggest concern was that I didn't want my squad to be distracted — so that they could continue cheering on the team — and I didn't want my team to be distracted from winning the game," Kristi Yamaoka, 18, told NBC's "Today" show.
Yamaoka, a Southern Illinois University sophomore from Springfield, Ill., suffered a concussion, a spinal fracture and a bruised lung when she lost her balance atop a human pyramid during a time-out in Sunday's game against Bradley.
She drew national attention as she was wheeled off the court. When the pep band fired up the school's fight song "Go Southern Go," Yamaoka gave a two-handed thumbs up from the gurney, then moved her arms — the only things not strapped down — in time to the music and cheered.
"I'm still a cheerleader — on a stretcher or not," Yamaoka told the "Today" show while wearing a neck brace and her cheerleading uniform. "So as soon as I heard that fight song, I knew my job and just started to do my thing."
Following Yamaoka's accident, the Missouri Valley Conference barred certain cheerleading stunts during this week's women's basketball tournament. Cheerleaders may not be launched or tossed and may not take part in formations higher than two levels during the tournament.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
NEW YORK — A cheerleader who continued to cheer for her team from a gurney despite tumbling 15 feet onto her head said Wednesday she was worried the accident would distract from the basketball game.
"My biggest concern was that I didn't want my squad to be distracted — so that they could continue cheering on the team — and I didn't want my team to be distracted from winning the game," Kristi Yamaoka, 18, told NBC's "Today" show.
Yamaoka, a Southern Illinois University sophomore from Springfield, Ill., suffered a concussion, a spinal fracture and a bruised lung when she lost her balance atop a human pyramid during a time-out in Sunday's game against Bradley.
She drew national attention as she was wheeled off the court. When the pep band fired up the school's fight song "Go Southern Go," Yamaoka gave a two-handed thumbs up from the gurney, then moved her arms — the only things not strapped down — in time to the music and cheered.
"I'm still a cheerleader — on a stretcher or not," Yamaoka told the "Today" show while wearing a neck brace and her cheerleading uniform. "So as soon as I heard that fight song, I knew my job and just started to do my thing."
Following Yamaoka's accident, the Missouri Valley Conference barred certain cheerleading stunts during this week's women's basketball tournament. Cheerleaders may not be launched or tossed and may not take part in formations higher than two levels during the tournament.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Something AdMU is not so well known: Grand Slam Football
This is something we do not hear about in relation to Ateneo de Manila sports. The UAAP seniors football team has scored a Grand Slam (2004, 2005, 2006). Can AdMU UAAP basketball match this?
Go up to the HILL once more.
Celebrate Ateneo's historic grand slam football title.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Erenchun Field (Football Field #1)
Loyola Heights Campus
6:30 pm onwards
Mass. Bonfire. Party.
See you all at the land of the BRIGHT Blue Eagles.
The Ateneo Blue Booters
UAAP Champions
2004 * 2005 * 2006
ANIMO ATENEO!!!
What my brother and I have in common
My brother Mike fell off his bike last Sunday. He broke his left clavicle (years ago he also fractured his right arm -- that allowed him to learn to write with his left hand). They are giving him three months to heal, else they'll probably have to open him up. My friend Roy, a roadbiker himself, tells him: If he likes biking he can definitely ride again. This is fairly common to pro bikers ... he has become a pro!
I broke my left clavicle in a horseback riding accidemnt on November 28, 1999 in Tagum, Davao del Norte.
Here's a link to a previous blog. I found out too that RP's top equestrian team members Toni Leviste and Joker Arroy also had broken clavicles, but they still ride.
http://petermillan.blogspot.com/2005/08/what-madonna-and-i-have-in-common.html
I broke my left clavicle in a horseback riding accidemnt on November 28, 1999 in Tagum, Davao del Norte.
Here's a link to a previous blog. I found out too that RP's top equestrian team members Toni Leviste and Joker Arroy also had broken clavicles, but they still ride.
http://petermillan.blogspot.com/2005/08/what-madonna-and-i-have-in-common.html
International Women's Day
It is women, in the end, who even in very desperate situations, as attested by history past and present, possess a singular capacity to persevere in adversity, to keep life going even in extreme situations, to hold tenaciously to the future, and finally to remember with tears the value of every human life. (Ratzinger)
Give Women a break today! It's International Women's Day
Give Women a break today! It's International Women's Day
Just one of those problems that beset IVF
Woman loses frozen embryos fight
A woman left infertile after cancer treatment cannot use her frozen embryos to have a baby, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.
Natallie Evans started IVF treatment with her then partner Howard Johnston in 2001 but he withdrew consent for the embryos to be used after they split up.
Ms Evans went to the Strasbourg court after exhausting the UK legal process.
She now hopes to appeal to the Grand Jury of the European Court, but still wants her ex-fiancé to change his mind.
Ms Evans said: "I'm still as determined to do whatever it takes to have a child of my own."
She added: "Howard may feel it's too late for him to change his mind, but it's not."
But Mr Johnston said: "It seems that common sense has prevailed.
"The key thing for me was just to be able to decide when, and if, I would start a family."
But he added: "I'm not thinking about this in terms of a victory."
Ms Evans' legal team had asked the judges to consider whether the UK law, under which the six stored embryos would be destroyed in October this year, was in breach of her human rights.
Right-to-life
In the court's judgement, decided by a panel of seven judges, said: "The Court, like the national courts, had great sympathy for the plight of the applicant who, if implantation did not take place, would be deprived of the ability to give birth to her own child."
'I'm determined to have baby'
But it was ruled, in a majority verdict that, even in such exceptional circumstances as Ms Evans', the right to a family life - enshrined in article eight of the European Convention of Human Rights - could not override Mr Johnston's withdrawal of consent.
It also ruled unanimously that the embryos did not have an independent right to life.
Cancer diagnosis
The UK's Court of Appeal and High Court had both ruled that Ms Evans, who is in her early 30s, could not use the embryos and she failed in her bid to take the case to the House of Lords.
Ms Evans, from Wiltshire, underwent IVF treatment following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in which the embryos were created and placed in storage.
She has argued that Mr Johnston, from Gloucester, had already consented to their creation, storage and use, and should not be allowed to change his mind.
Current UK laws require both the man and woman to give consent, and allow either party to withdraw that consent up to the point where the embryos are implanted.
A Department of Health spokeswoman welcomed the European Court judgment.
She said the department recognised the distress caused to Ms Evans during the legal process, and added a review of the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which included the issue of the storage of embryos, was currently underway.
'Ticking clock'
Josephine Quintavalle of the pro-life group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said of the court's ruling: "It's an inevitable judgement, but a very sad one."
She said Mr Johnston had "become a father" when the embryos were created, and should have compassion for Ms Evans.
But Michael Wilks, of the BMA ethics committee: "It's the right verdict, but a terrible situation."
However Dr Wilks called for a change to the five year limit for embryos to be stored after one partner withdraws consent should be extended so there was less of a "ticking clock".
A woman left infertile after cancer treatment cannot use her frozen embryos to have a baby, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.
Natallie Evans started IVF treatment with her then partner Howard Johnston in 2001 but he withdrew consent for the embryos to be used after they split up.
Ms Evans went to the Strasbourg court after exhausting the UK legal process.
She now hopes to appeal to the Grand Jury of the European Court, but still wants her ex-fiancé to change his mind.
Ms Evans said: "I'm still as determined to do whatever it takes to have a child of my own."
She added: "Howard may feel it's too late for him to change his mind, but it's not."
But Mr Johnston said: "It seems that common sense has prevailed.
"The key thing for me was just to be able to decide when, and if, I would start a family."
But he added: "I'm not thinking about this in terms of a victory."
Ms Evans' legal team had asked the judges to consider whether the UK law, under which the six stored embryos would be destroyed in October this year, was in breach of her human rights.
Right-to-life
In the court's judgement, decided by a panel of seven judges, said: "The Court, like the national courts, had great sympathy for the plight of the applicant who, if implantation did not take place, would be deprived of the ability to give birth to her own child."
'I'm determined to have baby'
But it was ruled, in a majority verdict that, even in such exceptional circumstances as Ms Evans', the right to a family life - enshrined in article eight of the European Convention of Human Rights - could not override Mr Johnston's withdrawal of consent.
It also ruled unanimously that the embryos did not have an independent right to life.
Cancer diagnosis
The UK's Court of Appeal and High Court had both ruled that Ms Evans, who is in her early 30s, could not use the embryos and she failed in her bid to take the case to the House of Lords.
Ms Evans, from Wiltshire, underwent IVF treatment following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in which the embryos were created and placed in storage.
She has argued that Mr Johnston, from Gloucester, had already consented to their creation, storage and use, and should not be allowed to change his mind.
Current UK laws require both the man and woman to give consent, and allow either party to withdraw that consent up to the point where the embryos are implanted.
A Department of Health spokeswoman welcomed the European Court judgment.
She said the department recognised the distress caused to Ms Evans during the legal process, and added a review of the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which included the issue of the storage of embryos, was currently underway.
'Ticking clock'
Josephine Quintavalle of the pro-life group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said of the court's ruling: "It's an inevitable judgement, but a very sad one."
She said Mr Johnston had "become a father" when the embryos were created, and should have compassion for Ms Evans.
But Michael Wilks, of the BMA ethics committee: "It's the right verdict, but a terrible situation."
However Dr Wilks called for a change to the five year limit for embryos to be stored after one partner withdraws consent should be extended so there was less of a "ticking clock".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4779876.stm
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Gov. Rounds Signs Bill Banning Most S.D. Abortions
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,186961,00.html
Gov. Rounds Signs Bill Banning Most S.D. Abortions
Monday, March 06, 2006
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.
Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court.
Rounds issued a written statement saying he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the U.S. Supreme Court upholds it.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," Rounds said in the statement.
The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.
The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the U.S. Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.
South Dakota's abortion ban is to take effect July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.
Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.
Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.
Rounds previously issued a technical veto of a similar bill passed two years ago because it would have wiped out all existing restrictions on abortion while the bill was tied up for years in a court challenge.
The statement he issued Monday noted that this year's bill was written to make sure existing restrictions will be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman's health and safety.
About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics.
Gov. Rounds Signs Bill Banning Most S.D. Abortions
Monday, March 06, 2006
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.
Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court.
Rounds issued a written statement saying he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the U.S. Supreme Court upholds it.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," Rounds said in the statement.
The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.
The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the U.S. Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.
South Dakota's abortion ban is to take effect July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.
Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.
Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.
Rounds previously issued a technical veto of a similar bill passed two years ago because it would have wiped out all existing restrictions on abortion while the bill was tied up for years in a court challenge.
The statement he issued Monday noted that this year's bill was written to make sure existing restrictions will be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman's health and safety.
About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Tiger's third win
from SI.com
Survivor: Miami
Despite slipping down the stretch with two late bogeys, Tiger Woods closed the deal -- again, winning the Ford Championship by one for his 48th PGA Tour title and third win of the year.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/golf/03/05/bc.glf.doral.ap/index.html
Survivor: Miami
Despite slipping down the stretch with two late bogeys, Tiger Woods closed the deal -- again, winning the Ford Championship by one for his 48th PGA Tour title and third win of the year.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/golf/03/05/bc.glf.doral.ap/index.html
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Here's from the Jesuits in the Philippines
February 27, 2006
TO THE WHOLE PROVINCE
RE: Preliminary guidelines for the present situation of “national emergency”
In view of the confusing reports regarding the present situation, and the many calls on Jesuits, lay partners and Jesuit institutions to support various movements, I wish to share with the Province some information on our present situation and some responses for your discernment and guidance. As with the earlier Guidelines from the Province Commission on the Social Apostolate, these considerations are the fruit of discussion and discernment, understandably hurried given our circumstances, of an adhoc Province Committee on Crisis Response.
At a time when things remain fluid and unstable, these guidelines are presented, not as a total and final response to the situation and the problems of political legitimacy and reform, but as an initial response to very immediate concerns and questions. Moreover, they are offered for consideration and discernment, rather than as “positions” all are required to adhere to. Those who, after prayer and reflection, find that they can, in conscience, hold these positions, may share what is contained with others, who seek guidance in a time of confusion and heightened emotional responses.
Let us continue to beseech our gracious Lord for the light, courage and hope we need as we face these challenging times in our country’s history.
Sincerely in our Lord,
DANIEL PATRICK L. HUANG, S.J.
Provincial
Preliminary Guidelines for the Present Situation of “National Emergency”
A. The Situation:
There seem to be groups in the military who have seriously been engaged in attempts to seize state power. Part of the impetus for these coup plots appears to be legitimate grievances concerning the present state of the military under the present administration. But it does not seem that the ventilation of these grievances is the only agenda of the present movements among these groups. There also appears to be a genuine intent to take political control of the country. Transitional juntas, with civilians participating, appear to be envisioned. Some civilians, chiefly politicians and organized political groups, seem to know about these plans. Some, convinced that all constitutional means to oust the present administration have been exhausted, support these attempts.
There appears to be a crucial difference between the events of EDSA 1986 and the present. EDSA was a civilian-led initiative against dictatorship that received support from the military. What we are witnessing these days is quite different: a military-led effort seeking civilian support and legitimation.
The response of the government is the declaration of a state of National Emergency, through Proclamation No. 1017. The column of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., in today’s Philippines Daily Inquirer, explains the constitutional basis for and scope of emergency powers in the Proclamation. But Fr. Bernas also points to the disturbing inclusion of what seem to be martial law powers in the President’s declaration, particularly in its appeal to Article XII, Section 17 of the Constitution, concerning the temporary takeover of privately owned businesses and utilities, a move that seems aimed at government control of the press and media.
B. Some Guidelines:
1. The crisis of political legitimacy and the crying need for reform of the military are real. Nonetheless, any attempt by factions in the military to seize state power, however well motivated, cannot be supported. Such attempts overstep the noble task of the military in a democracy. The consequences of such actions that threaten civilian supremacy over the military will be extremely difficult to reverse and would be seriously harmful for the country’s future. The experience of countries in which a politicized military has taken state power—what we often refer to as “banana republics”—gives sobering illustrations of these consequences. Once having captured the state, military forces have not given up power easily. A cycle of constant struggles for state control among military elements begins, to the detriment of political stability, democratic freedoms and national development.
Democracy demands the rule of civilians who are legitimately chosen from and by the people, and not simply kept in power by military might. It is important to recall the principle articulated by the CBCP in its pastoral statement of January 2006: actions that “condone violence or counter-constitutional means in resolving our present crisis” are not acceptable, especially since they “would only bring about new forms of injustice, hardships, and greater harm in the future.”
2. The serious threat to democratic freedoms involved in Proclamation No. 1017 should be exposed, questioned, and resisted. Even constitutionally mandated emergency powers can be abused if they are exercised disproportionately, to the point of undermining basic rights. It is alarming that, even now, there seem to be indications of this abuse, such as the arrest of civilians without clear bases and charges. This is a serious and unacceptable violation of civil and political rights.
Furthermore, the present administration’s actions towards controlling the media must be resisted. Not only are these moves of questionable constitutionality, but state takeover of media seems morally unjustified, as such a measure would violate the freedom of expression which is a fundamental tenet of democracy.
- We must not be naïve and uncritical. Many groups have taken and will continue to take advantage of the present confusion. We, especially religious and Church groups, must be wary about which groups we identify with, lest we indirectly legitimate and support antidemocratic groups with vested interests. The question of the future governance of the country, should the present administration collapse, is not a matter of indifference, but a serious moral consideration. Who assumes power, with what mandate and what agenda, are questions that we must seek answers to from those who would solicit our support.
- The present administration’s actions to frustrate legitimate constitutional means of reform and accountability must be held largely responsible for the present crisis. Government’s constant attempts to evade accountability and true reform have made the military solution seem attractive and inevitable to some.
Thus, it is necessary that the following be addressed with greater urgency: the search for truth on the many controversies of the recent past; the revamp of COMELEC and other necessary electoral reforms; reforms in the military; and the continuing search for solutions to the problems of poverty and inequality that beset most of our people.
C. Some Immediate Courses of Action:
In this situation, the following are appropriate immediate courses of action:
· Gatherings of prayer for peace and a non-violent resolution of the crisis;
· Gatherings to exchange reliable information, and to discern collectively in the light of emerging developments;
· Expressions and actions of protest against the curtailments of democratic freedoms in Proclamation No. 1017.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Another take
Get Real : Keeping the flame of Edsa alive
First posted 01:14am (Mla time) Feb 25, 2006
By Solita Collas-Monsod
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=67398&col=62
Editor's Note: Published on Page A10 of the February 25, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
COUNT ME OUT of the protest actions at the Edsa Shrine and Makati City disguised as a peaceful celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolt. It is not because I don't want to celebrate it -- that event showed not only us, but an admiring world, the best of the Filipino spirit, and is therefore worthy of recall. But I refuse to celebrate it with people who are cynically using the occasion to further their own political or personal agendas by invoking "the greater good." Truly the last refuge of scoundrels.
By doing so, they are destroying all that the Edsa revolt stands for: the spirit of self-sacrifice for the motherland, with no thought of personal benefit. And what is more, they are encouraging military adventurism that may end up at first with a military/civilian junta, but will, if world experience is any indication, surely metamorphose into a military dictatorship, a la Myanmar with its 44-year-old military rule. That will truly be the height of irony:
They want to change Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (with assertions of her "illegitimacy" that so far has not been substantiated), and will end up with a regime that they may not be able to change at all. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
Those who are calling loudest for Ms Arroyo to make the "supreme sacrifice" and step down for the "good of the country," what kind of sacrifice are they willing to make, if at all? Take the leftists with the red flags who sat out Edsa People Power I and are trying to exploit the event to set up their own government without benefit of elections (to be held only after 1,000 days, if at all). Like the proposed governing council or junta, were they not expecting to be in that self-same governing council themselves?
Take those who resigned their Cabinet positions. Was that really a sacrifice, considering that they seemed to be maneuvering to be in the incoming government (what was that visit to Hong Kong all about, after all)? Or take those who supported them. Weren't they also expecting, and bargaining for plum positions in the successor government?
Take those supposed military "idealists" who want change. What were they doing playing footsies with the New People's Army, whose sworn objective is the violent overthrow of any government that is not theirs? Or people like Scout Ranger Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who has been in I don't know how many coup attempts, pretended to have reformed and thus rose through the ranks, and now resurfaces as the head of a breakaway group.
Have these people bothered to ask themselves what benefit, or rather, damage, the country has incurred from their activities to supposedly save it?
What about all the hysterical reactions to the so-called "state of emergency," which does not add any powers to the President that she does not already have? It is like the "state of rebellion" declared during -- was it the Oakwood incident? -- that some people immediately described as undeclared martial law. The fact is that there is an emergency situation because there was an attempt by a faction of the military to withdraw support from the government and to solicit participation through the chain of command.
And it is likely that the attempt was made with the support, tacit or material, of others. And it is likely that a few (certainly not all) elements of those participating in the street celebration may want to exploit the situation for their own ends. Provided that the police act with maximum tolerance, what is wrong with taking the necessary precautions to make sure that the assemblies are indeed only peaceful celebrations of a glorious moment in our history?
After all, the spirit of Edsa People Power is not dead, as some people say, perhaps to excuse their inability to mobilize a critical mass in the streets. It is very much alive -- not in those with self-serving agendas or who think of it in the narrow sense of street protests -- but in the quiet heroes engaged in the noble task of nation-building, especially in their own communities, who exercise people power as an instrument to make a better life for themselves, like the parents who work with local officials to improve the education of their children (i.e., Synergeia, about which I have often written), or who make sure that their local officials are accountable for the internal revenue allotments, or who strive to make the justice system work in their "barangay" [villages or neighborhood districts], or who even resort to the recall of non-performing local officials, or who resist projects that endanger their environment.
There are other manifestations of people power at a broader level. Like the private initiative, Gawad Kalinga, that is so purely unselfish in spirit that it has drawn countless people to help build not only homes but thriving communities for the underprivileged. Like government officials both low and high (Gem Carague at the Commission on Audit, and Karina David at the Civil Service Commission) who are engaged in institution-building despite the distractions and politicking around them.
Take those who are disappointed with the impeachment proceedings but know that the ultimate sanction in the accountability process in a democracy lies in elections. Hence, they object to the "no-el" [no-election] scenario and advocate truly credible elections in 2007. A Congress with a different composition can pursue the "closure" of the issue of national leadership.
There are thousands more like them around the country. This year I am celebrating Edsa People Power with them, because of them, for keeping the flame of Edsa People Power alive for all of us.
First posted 01:14am (Mla time) Feb 25, 2006
By Solita Collas-Monsod
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=67398&col=62
Editor's Note: Published on Page A10 of the February 25, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
COUNT ME OUT of the protest actions at the Edsa Shrine and Makati City disguised as a peaceful celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolt. It is not because I don't want to celebrate it -- that event showed not only us, but an admiring world, the best of the Filipino spirit, and is therefore worthy of recall. But I refuse to celebrate it with people who are cynically using the occasion to further their own political or personal agendas by invoking "the greater good." Truly the last refuge of scoundrels.
By doing so, they are destroying all that the Edsa revolt stands for: the spirit of self-sacrifice for the motherland, with no thought of personal benefit. And what is more, they are encouraging military adventurism that may end up at first with a military/civilian junta, but will, if world experience is any indication, surely metamorphose into a military dictatorship, a la Myanmar with its 44-year-old military rule. That will truly be the height of irony:
They want to change Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (with assertions of her "illegitimacy" that so far has not been substantiated), and will end up with a regime that they may not be able to change at all. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
Those who are calling loudest for Ms Arroyo to make the "supreme sacrifice" and step down for the "good of the country," what kind of sacrifice are they willing to make, if at all? Take the leftists with the red flags who sat out Edsa People Power I and are trying to exploit the event to set up their own government without benefit of elections (to be held only after 1,000 days, if at all). Like the proposed governing council or junta, were they not expecting to be in that self-same governing council themselves?
Take those who resigned their Cabinet positions. Was that really a sacrifice, considering that they seemed to be maneuvering to be in the incoming government (what was that visit to Hong Kong all about, after all)? Or take those who supported them. Weren't they also expecting, and bargaining for plum positions in the successor government?
Take those supposed military "idealists" who want change. What were they doing playing footsies with the New People's Army, whose sworn objective is the violent overthrow of any government that is not theirs? Or people like Scout Ranger Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who has been in I don't know how many coup attempts, pretended to have reformed and thus rose through the ranks, and now resurfaces as the head of a breakaway group.
Have these people bothered to ask themselves what benefit, or rather, damage, the country has incurred from their activities to supposedly save it?
What about all the hysterical reactions to the so-called "state of emergency," which does not add any powers to the President that she does not already have? It is like the "state of rebellion" declared during -- was it the Oakwood incident? -- that some people immediately described as undeclared martial law. The fact is that there is an emergency situation because there was an attempt by a faction of the military to withdraw support from the government and to solicit participation through the chain of command.
And it is likely that the attempt was made with the support, tacit or material, of others. And it is likely that a few (certainly not all) elements of those participating in the street celebration may want to exploit the situation for their own ends. Provided that the police act with maximum tolerance, what is wrong with taking the necessary precautions to make sure that the assemblies are indeed only peaceful celebrations of a glorious moment in our history?
After all, the spirit of Edsa People Power is not dead, as some people say, perhaps to excuse their inability to mobilize a critical mass in the streets. It is very much alive -- not in those with self-serving agendas or who think of it in the narrow sense of street protests -- but in the quiet heroes engaged in the noble task of nation-building, especially in their own communities, who exercise people power as an instrument to make a better life for themselves, like the parents who work with local officials to improve the education of their children (i.e., Synergeia, about which I have often written), or who make sure that their local officials are accountable for the internal revenue allotments, or who strive to make the justice system work in their "barangay" [villages or neighborhood districts], or who even resort to the recall of non-performing local officials, or who resist projects that endanger their environment.
There are other manifestations of people power at a broader level. Like the private initiative, Gawad Kalinga, that is so purely unselfish in spirit that it has drawn countless people to help build not only homes but thriving communities for the underprivileged. Like government officials both low and high (Gem Carague at the Commission on Audit, and Karina David at the Civil Service Commission) who are engaged in institution-building despite the distractions and politicking around them.
Take those who are disappointed with the impeachment proceedings but know that the ultimate sanction in the accountability process in a democracy lies in elections. Hence, they object to the "no-el" [no-election] scenario and advocate truly credible elections in 2007. A Congress with a different composition can pursue the "closure" of the issue of national leadership.
There are thousands more like them around the country. This year I am celebrating Edsa People Power with them, because of them, for keeping the flame of Edsa People Power alive for all of us.
Monday, February 27, 2006
AC Milan's Big 20!
Twenty years with Silvio Berlusconi at the helm . . .PIPPO AND SHEVA ON THE MARK (acmilan.com)
Milan recorded their first league win at Palermo for thirty years as Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko were on the mark to maintain the Rossoneri in second place in the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s side controlled the contest at the Barbera stadium and opened the scoring on 72 minutes when Inzaghi rose to head home Johann Vogel’s floated pass and Shevchenko put the game beyond doubt on 83 minutes from a penalty after a swift counter-attack ended with the Ukrainian being tripped by goalkeeper Mariano Andujar. The only black mark on an otherwise positive afternoon came when Jaap Stam was sent-off for a second yellow card.
Getting narrower?
"You see, the place where Filipinos can move around is getting narrower. The people are not enjoying freedom. It is instead getting even more curtailed." Reaction to Proclamation 1017 and the recent events in Metro Manila?
If some people continue to "do whatever they want" without regard to decency and the law, they are only limiting themselves by their own doing. There are also a lot of free space in other parts of the country, for your information
If some people continue to "do whatever they want" without regard to decency and the law, they are only limiting themselves by their own doing. There are also a lot of free space in other parts of the country, for your information
Abortion in South Dakota and Jamaica to get first woman leader
PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) -- State lawmakers voted Friday to ban nearly all abortions in South Dakota and sent the measure to the governor, who said he is inclined to sign it.
Under the legislation, doctors in South Dakota would face up to five years in prison for performing an abortion unless it was necessary to save the woman's life.
Read on: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/24/dakota.abortion.ap/index.html
The Caribbean island of Jamaica is to have a female prime minister for the first time. Portia Simpson Miller, 60, was elected president of the governing People's National Party in an internal vote. She will automatically become prime minister when the incumbent, PJ Patterson, steps down in the next few weeks after 14 years in the post.
Read on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4752192.stm
Under the legislation, doctors in South Dakota would face up to five years in prison for performing an abortion unless it was necessary to save the woman's life.
Read on: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/24/dakota.abortion.ap/index.html
The Caribbean island of Jamaica is to have a female prime minister for the first time. Portia Simpson Miller, 60, was elected president of the governing People's National Party in an internal vote. She will automatically become prime minister when the incumbent, PJ Patterson, steps down in the next few weeks after 14 years in the post.
Read on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4752192.stm
Media afraid of 1017
Afraid of 1017? Read this: http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=67693
What the heck, here it is in full (apologies for cut-and-paste, Sir Doronilla and INQ7):
ANALYSIS
1017: Press main target
First posted 06:13am (Mla time) Feb 27, 2006
By Amando Doronila
Inquirer
Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Feb. 27, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
What the heck, here it is in full (apologies for cut-and-paste, Sir Doronilla and INQ7):
ANALYSIS
1017: Press main target
First posted 06:13am (Mla time) Feb 27, 2006
By Amando Doronila
Inquirer
Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Feb. 27, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's proclamation of a state of national emergency on Friday has pushed the Philippines into the twilight zone of a failed democracy.
The failure of democracy was starkly highlighted by the swift crackdown on targeted political "enemies of the state" following the announcement of Proclamation No. 1017 on Friday morning.
Before ink of the President's signature on the proclamation had dried, police arrested two on the government's list of at least 10 people alleged to be part of the "tactical alliance" of mainstream opposition politicians, "military adventurers" and communist rebels "engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy to bring down the duly constituted government elected in May 2004 and raided the offices of the Tribune newspaper critical of the administration. Those arrested were former Philippine Constabulary chief Ramon Montaño and Representative Crispin Beltran, a leftist congressman representing the Anakpawis party-list group.
police actions left little doubt that the press has become a main target of the crackdown and the raids signaled a direct assault on the freedom of the press guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.
The raids have created apprehension in the media over what media organizations would be raided next, but the proclamation and general orders issued by the President to the national police to implement the proclamation have clearly indicated that press freedom has not been effectively curtailed in a degree not seen since President Ferdinand Marcos shut down newspapers and media networks in a total clampdown of the press following the declaration of martial law in September 1972.
The media should not have any illusion that Proclamation No. 1017 has effectively ended freedom of the press as they have known it.
Although the Marcos clampdown on media was total and sweeping, the Arroyo crackdown, which is being done incrementally, piecemeal and selectively, is no less a fatal body blow to press freedom, the first freedom to go under when a dictatorship is established. With the proclamation, Philippine democracy has lost one of its key underpinnings of political liberty.
More than the politicians and the members of the extreme Right and the extreme Left, the first victim of the crackdown is the media, accused by the administration of allegedly fueling political conspiracies aimed at overthrowing the government.
President Arroyo issued the proclamation in response to what it claimed was a systematic conspiracy of a tactical alliance of opposition politicians, military groups involved in coup plots and of communist rebels to overthrow the government. The thwarting of the plot triggered the proclamation.
The proclamation followed claims by the government that it had uncovered and aborted a plot to topple the government. The foiling of the plot led to the arrest last week of two senior officers – Brigadier General Danilo Lim and Colonel Ariel Querubin, brigade commander in Lanao del Sur.
The government claimed that Lim had planned to announce withdrawal of support of his unit for the government, that he had tried to persuade other military leaders to support the withdrawal, and that the withdrawal would have been the signal for the rebellious military units to join a general uprising together with civilian groups that had been demanding ouster of the Arroyo regime.
In announcing the thwarting of the plot, President Arroyo said, some officers had "tried to break out of the Armed Forces chain of command ... and establish a regime outside of the Constitution." The involvement of the press in the conspiracy, according to the President, is that the claims of "these elements" of the conspiracy as a tactical alliance of the "historical enemies of the democratic Philippine state" have been "recklessly" magnified by certain segments of the media.
To counter this conspiracy, the President invoked constitutional emergency powers that authorize her to call out the Armed Forces "to prevent and suppress rebellion" and authorize her to "temporarily take over or direct operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interests."
The President ordered the Armed Forces "to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or rebellion, and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction."
The proclamation gave a blanket authority to the military and national police in the implementation of the proclamation and in compliance of all presidential decrees and orders.
It is on the basis of these instructions that the Philippine National Police carried out the crackdown of the press. General Order No. 5 issued by the President last Friday gave the police and the military powers to carry out "necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism."
PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao warned on Saturday the PNP would take over any media organization that would not follow "standards set by the government" during the national emergency. The setting up of standards defined by government in effect establishes censorship.
Lomibao said a government team would examine the editorial contents of newspapers and the news or views aired by broadcast stations to see if these conform to these standards. He said, "we will recommend (action) based on our evaluation." He said, "If they (the news groups) do not follow the standards -- and standards are if they would contribute to instability in the government, (or) if they do not subscribe to what is in General Order No. 5 and Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 -- we will recommend (a takeover)".
Violations of standards will be "left to the judgment of the PNP and other agencies that are empowered to implement the order. "Appropriate actions" refer to "actions which are hurting the Philippine state by obstructing government, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government, and their faith in the future of this country."
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye has said the government would issue guidelines on stories that "contribute to the exacerbation of the national emergency. So far the guidelines have not been issued, but these would clearly amount to censorship. It was not clear yesterday whether the Tribune would be taken over by the government or whether its editors would be arrested. The presidential chief of staff, Michael Defensor, issued a yet another chilly warning to the media about the risks they faced in publishing stories that might be deemed inflammatory by the government. He said the raid on the Tribune offices was meant to show a "strong presence, to tell media outlets not to connive or do anything that would help the rebels in bringing down government."
The general order and these statements point to the takeover by government of a broad range of discretionary powers in deciding whether to take over media outlets, arresting journalists and stories are offensive to the State. Defensor said, while the government did not want to stifle press freedom, "This is an abnormal situation ... there is a possibility of an armed takeover of the government. A government has a right to protect itself."
The proclamation has forced the press to define how it would operate within these restraints in the exercise of freedom of the press on behalf of the people.
--http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=67693
The failure of democracy was starkly highlighted by the swift crackdown on targeted political "enemies of the state" following the announcement of Proclamation No. 1017 on Friday morning.
Before ink of the President's signature on the proclamation had dried, police arrested two on the government's list of at least 10 people alleged to be part of the "tactical alliance" of mainstream opposition politicians, "military adventurers" and communist rebels "engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy to bring down the duly constituted government elected in May 2004 and raided the offices of the Tribune newspaper critical of the administration. Those arrested were former Philippine Constabulary chief Ramon Montaño and Representative Crispin Beltran, a leftist congressman representing the Anakpawis party-list group.
police actions left little doubt that the press has become a main target of the crackdown and the raids signaled a direct assault on the freedom of the press guaranteed by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.
The raids have created apprehension in the media over what media organizations would be raided next, but the proclamation and general orders issued by the President to the national police to implement the proclamation have clearly indicated that press freedom has not been effectively curtailed in a degree not seen since President Ferdinand Marcos shut down newspapers and media networks in a total clampdown of the press following the declaration of martial law in September 1972.
The media should not have any illusion that Proclamation No. 1017 has effectively ended freedom of the press as they have known it.
Although the Marcos clampdown on media was total and sweeping, the Arroyo crackdown, which is being done incrementally, piecemeal and selectively, is no less a fatal body blow to press freedom, the first freedom to go under when a dictatorship is established. With the proclamation, Philippine democracy has lost one of its key underpinnings of political liberty.
More than the politicians and the members of the extreme Right and the extreme Left, the first victim of the crackdown is the media, accused by the administration of allegedly fueling political conspiracies aimed at overthrowing the government.
President Arroyo issued the proclamation in response to what it claimed was a systematic conspiracy of a tactical alliance of opposition politicians, military groups involved in coup plots and of communist rebels to overthrow the government. The thwarting of the plot triggered the proclamation.
The proclamation followed claims by the government that it had uncovered and aborted a plot to topple the government. The foiling of the plot led to the arrest last week of two senior officers – Brigadier General Danilo Lim and Colonel Ariel Querubin, brigade commander in Lanao del Sur.
The government claimed that Lim had planned to announce withdrawal of support of his unit for the government, that he had tried to persuade other military leaders to support the withdrawal, and that the withdrawal would have been the signal for the rebellious military units to join a general uprising together with civilian groups that had been demanding ouster of the Arroyo regime.
In announcing the thwarting of the plot, President Arroyo said, some officers had "tried to break out of the Armed Forces chain of command ... and establish a regime outside of the Constitution." The involvement of the press in the conspiracy, according to the President, is that the claims of "these elements" of the conspiracy as a tactical alliance of the "historical enemies of the democratic Philippine state" have been "recklessly" magnified by certain segments of the media.
To counter this conspiracy, the President invoked constitutional emergency powers that authorize her to call out the Armed Forces "to prevent and suppress rebellion" and authorize her to "temporarily take over or direct operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interests."
The President ordered the Armed Forces "to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or rebellion, and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction."
The proclamation gave a blanket authority to the military and national police in the implementation of the proclamation and in compliance of all presidential decrees and orders.
It is on the basis of these instructions that the Philippine National Police carried out the crackdown of the press. General Order No. 5 issued by the President last Friday gave the police and the military powers to carry out "necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism."
PNP Director General Arturo Lomibao warned on Saturday the PNP would take over any media organization that would not follow "standards set by the government" during the national emergency. The setting up of standards defined by government in effect establishes censorship.
Lomibao said a government team would examine the editorial contents of newspapers and the news or views aired by broadcast stations to see if these conform to these standards. He said, "we will recommend (action) based on our evaluation." He said, "If they (the news groups) do not follow the standards -- and standards are if they would contribute to instability in the government, (or) if they do not subscribe to what is in General Order No. 5 and Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 -- we will recommend (a takeover)".
Violations of standards will be "left to the judgment of the PNP and other agencies that are empowered to implement the order. "Appropriate actions" refer to "actions which are hurting the Philippine state by obstructing government, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government, and their faith in the future of this country."
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye has said the government would issue guidelines on stories that "contribute to the exacerbation of the national emergency. So far the guidelines have not been issued, but these would clearly amount to censorship. It was not clear yesterday whether the Tribune would be taken over by the government or whether its editors would be arrested. The presidential chief of staff, Michael Defensor, issued a yet another chilly warning to the media about the risks they faced in publishing stories that might be deemed inflammatory by the government. He said the raid on the Tribune offices was meant to show a "strong presence, to tell media outlets not to connive or do anything that would help the rebels in bringing down government."
The general order and these statements point to the takeover by government of a broad range of discretionary powers in deciding whether to take over media outlets, arresting journalists and stories are offensive to the State. Defensor said, while the government did not want to stifle press freedom, "This is an abnormal situation ... there is a possibility of an armed takeover of the government. A government has a right to protect itself."
The proclamation has forced the press to define how it would operate within these restraints in the exercise of freedom of the press on behalf of the people.
--http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=67693
Noise in Metro Manila
While the rest of the Philippines was working hard to continue pushing for national unity and development, some in Metro Manila have made noises again. Naman! Why can't they push for change silently yet effectively? Everyone knows their moves. What is this, a pool game? They should play it like chess.
Last Friday and again yesterday (Sunday), ABS-CBN and ANC were the only tv stations making blow-by-blow accounts of the activities of those days. And they were saying many times that media was not sleeping, was watching every move. True, perhaps. But why only them, doing the blow-by-blow? Are they the only ones in media then? Or don't they have any other show in their schedules. Oh, right, Wowowee has stopped airing for some time, so they might really have open time slots. And Sunday? Maybe Korina didn't have any show produced on her Balitang K, a friend of mine speculated. And why no show produced? We wonder.
Were the other media outlets afraid that government will take over their operations, especially that we are under the state of emergency, if they do this type of broadacast? Or are they only doing what is prudent? or right? or do they just don't care? or simply that the events did not merit more that the usual hourly updates and the local evening news broadcasts? You tell me.
The fact that ABS-CBN and ANC were not taken off the air should say something about the state of things, right?
Did anyone get to watch the premier telecast of the new Sharon Cuneta show on ABS-CBN last night? Or was it pre-empted by the "special coverage"? I don't know. I turned off the tv set when the scheduled start of Sharon's show passed, with ABS-CBN not saying anything about it. Perhaps I missed any announcement made. And I missed Shawie's show. Naman!
Last Friday and again yesterday (Sunday), ABS-CBN and ANC were the only tv stations making blow-by-blow accounts of the activities of those days. And they were saying many times that media was not sleeping, was watching every move. True, perhaps. But why only them, doing the blow-by-blow? Are they the only ones in media then? Or don't they have any other show in their schedules. Oh, right, Wowowee has stopped airing for some time, so they might really have open time slots. And Sunday? Maybe Korina didn't have any show produced on her Balitang K, a friend of mine speculated. And why no show produced? We wonder.
Were the other media outlets afraid that government will take over their operations, especially that we are under the state of emergency, if they do this type of broadacast? Or are they only doing what is prudent? or right? or do they just don't care? or simply that the events did not merit more that the usual hourly updates and the local evening news broadcasts? You tell me.
The fact that ABS-CBN and ANC were not taken off the air should say something about the state of things, right?
Did anyone get to watch the premier telecast of the new Sharon Cuneta show on ABS-CBN last night? Or was it pre-empted by the "special coverage"? I don't know. I turned off the tv set when the scheduled start of Sharon's show passed, with ABS-CBN not saying anything about it. Perhaps I missed any announcement made. And I missed Shawie's show. Naman!
Stand down
Here are some words that could probably be meaningful for those who advocate for the destruction of the legitimate governments through viloent means, and those who want to usurp or cling to power as if they have the patent for it. Stand down.
The Way 151
Detachment. How hard it is! Oh, to be fastened by nothing but three nails and to have no more feeling in my flesh than the Cross
The Way 151
Detachment. How hard it is! Oh, to be fastened by nothing but three nails and to have no more feeling in my flesh than the Cross
Thursday, February 23, 2006
On censorship
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Supreme Court declined Tuesday to decide whether university administrators can censor campus newspapers by insisting they be approved before publication.
Read on:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/02/22/college.newspaper.reut/index.html
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Peter.
We pray more fervently to God for the Pope.
Here are some words of St. Josemaria Escriva that we can find useful this day:
The Forge 638
Our Holy Mother the Church, in a magnificent outpouring of love, is scattering the seed of the Gospel throughout the world; from Rome to the outposts of the earth.
As you help in this work of expansion throughout the whole world, bring those in the outposts to the Pope, so that the earth may be one flock and one Shepherd: one apostolate!
We pray more fervently to God for the Pope.
Here are some words of St. Josemaria Escriva that we can find useful this day:
The Forge 638
Our Holy Mother the Church, in a magnificent outpouring of love, is scattering the seed of the Gospel throughout the world; from Rome to the outposts of the earth.
As you help in this work of expansion throughout the whole world, bring those in the outposts to the Pope, so that the earth may be one flock and one Shepherd: one apostolate!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Here's how VDay is celebrated in Japan
Valentine's Day and White Day in Japan
By: Billy Hammond
The Japanese celebrate St. Valentine's day in a rather unique fashion. Women give the men gifts of chocolate as well as other gifts.
These gifts of chocolate are divided into two types: giri choco (obligatory chocolate) and honmei choco (chocolate for the man the woman is serious about). Giri choco is given by women to their superiors at work as well as to other male co-workers. It is not unusual for a woman to buy 20 to 30 boxes of this type of chocolate for distribution around the office as well as to men that she has regular contact with.
Needless to say, the approach of Valentine's Day is something that department stores and shops look forward to and promote with zeal because of its potential for increased sales. Large displays featuring chocolate usually with heart-shaped displays start to grace the floors of department stores from mid-January or so.
A woman will normally purchase boxes of giri choco in the several hundred yen range and may purchase an expensive box of honmei choco and another gift such as a necktie for her "special someone".
While all of this may seem quite one-sided, confectioners in Japan - never ones to miss an opportunity to sell more - took advantage of the Japanese feelings of obligation and created "White Day" in 1980 to help assuage the guilt feelings of those poor obligated males who received chocolate on Valentine's Day. On March 14th, exactly one month after Valentine's Day, men who were lucky enough to receive gifts of chocolate have the chance to return the favor by giving the women who gave them gifts of chocolate a more expensive box of chocolate or sweets (for some reason or other, these return gifts seem to be priced slightly higher than those the women purchase). Again, the stores provide plenty of reminders of the approach of this day so that even the most forgetful man cannot say that it slipped his mind. The gifts of chocolate that men buy are in white boxes (after all, it is "White Day") and come with separate shopping bags to put them in.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Tiger is the man
Tiger Woods over the weekend officially opened his $25M Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. See, Tiger isn't all golf. He is truly one of the greatest.
Here's a link to SI.com story:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/golf/02/10/tiger.learning.center.ap/index.html
Here's a link to SI.com story:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/golf/02/10/tiger.learning.center.ap/index.html
Monday, February 06, 2006
Wowowee
We want to find the cause of accident that caused the death of 70 plus before a game show in Manila last Saturday. There cannot be just one to be blamed. The organizers could have not prepared well for crowd control and people themselves were not prepared to form their lines and wait their turn. In the Philippines, I believe we do not have the culture of waiting patiently in line. If we want to be first, we have to line up first. Last Thursday, I was second in the line waiting to have my ticket checked before entering the pre-departure area for Superferry 12 (at Pier 4 terminal), and what do we see? Someone actually wanting to get ahead of me. I could have let it pass, but he looked me in the eye, and he caught my gaze, so he backtracked. It happens many times. Really.
Funny though, some have already concluded that it is the President (GMA) who is a fault. C'mon. Sure, I did not vote for her in 2004, but to put the blame on her for this tragedy is too much. Of course, it is not surprising also that she'd be blamed, for she has also been blamed for the rise of the world market price for crude oil. C'mon. C'mon.
Funny though, some have already concluded that it is the President (GMA) who is a fault. C'mon. Sure, I did not vote for her in 2004, but to put the blame on her for this tragedy is too much. Of course, it is not surprising also that she'd be blamed, for she has also been blamed for the rise of the world market price for crude oil. C'mon. C'mon.
Tiger Tiger
Tiger Woods has so far won 2 out of 2 tournaments he entered. Woods won the Dubai Desert Classic over Ernie Els on Sunday, forcing a one-hole playoff against the defending champion with birdies on the last two holes of regulation.
I was happy that Martina won over Masha (6-3, 6-1) in the semis at Tokyo. Too bad she lost on a rout in the finals by Elena Dementieva's big serves and returns, falling 6-2, 6-0.
The Steelers went on the win SB 40, their fifth SB win.
I was happy that Martina won over Masha (6-3, 6-1) in the semis at Tokyo. Too bad she lost on a rout in the finals by Elena Dementieva's big serves and returns, falling 6-2, 6-0.
The Steelers went on the win SB 40, their fifth SB win.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
ACMilan out of the Italian Cup
MILAN BOW OUT OF CUP
1/31/2006 11:03:00 PM
1/31/2006 11:03:00 PM
Milan waved goodbye to this season’s Italian Cup following a 3-0 defeat at Palermo. The result sent the Rossoneri out of the competition 3-1 on aggregate and handed new Rosanero coach Giuseppe Papadopulo a debut victory. After almost scoring inside the first eight minutes through Kakà, Milan were undone in an eight-minute goal-spell, as first Nicolas Mariano Gonzalez and then Andrea Caracciolo turned the tie around in the Sicilian side’s favour. A further goal from Gonzalez earlier in the second half left Carlo Ancelotti’s side with a mountain to climb and despite a number of goalscoring chances, home goalkeeper Mariano Andujar was in fine form and the first piece of silverware has gone by the wayside.
--http://www.acmilan.com/index.aspx
Monday, January 30, 2006
Sports update
Tiger. All about Tiger. He wins his first title this year at the Buick Invitational. From seven off the leaderboard going into the last day, he makes a birdie on the 18th (his first on the 18th in four tries), for a play-off with Olazabal and Green. It ended in the 2nd play-off hole.
Fed Express won in four sets over Baghdatis in the Australian Open, after losing the first set. Mauresmo on Saturday won her first Slam against Justine, who retired down 2-0 in the second set. Justine had stomach cramps. She lost the first set 1-6. The press scathing of Justine's retirement in the finals has not let down. One writer called it "disgraceful". Martina Hingis won the Aussie mixed doubles 6-3, 6-3.
Oh, Masha is seeded #1 at the Toray Pan Pacific in Tokyo, where she is defending champion.
Fed Express won in four sets over Baghdatis in the Australian Open, after losing the first set. Mauresmo on Saturday won her first Slam against Justine, who retired down 2-0 in the second set. Justine had stomach cramps. She lost the first set 1-6. The press scathing of Justine's retirement in the finals has not let down. One writer called it "disgraceful". Martina Hingis won the Aussie mixed doubles 6-3, 6-3.
Oh, Masha is seeded #1 at the Toray Pan Pacific in Tokyo, where she is defending champion.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Bye Kim
It's bye-bye Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open. She was forced to withdraw because of an ankle injury while down 2-3 in the third set against Amelie Mauresmo. So it's Justine vs. Amelie.
Masha loses
Maria Gruntapova loses to Justine Henin in three sets after taking the first set 6-4. If Kim wins against Amelie in the other semifinal, Australian Open '06 will be the 45th Grand Slam where the two women finalists come from the same nation (in this case Belgium). Win or lose, Kim gets the #1 ranking again.
He says, She says
Former Sen. Sonny Osmeña described Gov. Garcia’s move (meet with barangay captains) as “ilad” (deception) and her trips to the different towns as “paigat-igat.”
Kay kadtong meeting niya kagahapon, ilad kadto kay si Governor Garcia maghisgut man ug projects apan mangutana ko, hasta karon unsa may iyang projects gyud nga matudlo nga iyang nahimo, pulos man lang yaw-yaw, wa man gihimo (That meeting was a sham. She would have kept talking about projects when, to date, she has not done anything).
Wa gyu’y bili. Yawyaw-yawyaw, yawyaw-yawyaw, unya paigat-igat, unya larga. Unya inig larga niya, saad ug mga projects.
Unya unsa ma’y nahitabo? Wala.
But then, Gov. Garcia says:
“I had not realized nga ang akong paigat-igat dunay nasakit nga laing igat. Naanad na man ta nianang iyang outlandish remarks. I will not even dignify the ranting of this lonely man."
Then again:
“It takes one (igat) to know one. Ang mga tawo ang pasulti-a, dili siya.”
Kay kadtong meeting niya kagahapon, ilad kadto kay si Governor Garcia maghisgut man ug projects apan mangutana ko, hasta karon unsa may iyang projects gyud nga matudlo nga iyang nahimo, pulos man lang yaw-yaw, wa man gihimo (That meeting was a sham. She would have kept talking about projects when, to date, she has not done anything).
Wa gyu’y bili. Yawyaw-yawyaw, yawyaw-yawyaw, unya paigat-igat, unya larga. Unya inig larga niya, saad ug mga projects.
Unya unsa ma’y nahitabo? Wala.
But then, Gov. Garcia says:
“I had not realized nga ang akong paigat-igat dunay nasakit nga laing igat. Naanad na man ta nianang iyang outlandish remarks. I will not even dignify the ranting of this lonely man."
Then again:
“It takes one (igat) to know one. Ang mga tawo ang pasulti-a, dili siya.”
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tennis updates
Unseeded seed-killer Marcos Baghdatis continues on to the semis against David Nalbandian.
No. 1 seed Lindsay Davenport lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne in three sets at the Australian Open. This loss could jeopardize her #1 ranking. Justine goes up against grunt-queen Masha in the first semifinals match (Maria won in two sets -- 1st set tie-break -- against Petrova).
Swiss miss Martina Hingis plays Kim Clijsters and Patty Schnyder goes up against Amelie Mauresmo today. Kim and Amelie may get the number one ranking if they win this tournament.
No. 1 seed Lindsay Davenport lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne in three sets at the Australian Open. This loss could jeopardize her #1 ranking. Justine goes up against grunt-queen Masha in the first semifinals match (Maria won in two sets -- 1st set tie-break -- against Petrova).
Swiss miss Martina Hingis plays Kim Clijsters and Patty Schnyder goes up against Amelie Mauresmo today. Kim and Amelie may get the number one ranking if they win this tournament.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
In my book she's a hero, but a little weird. They ought to change the way they do things.
Texas Firefighter Gives Birth, Takes Exam
By PAM EASTON, Associated Press Writer Tue Jan 17, 11:05 PM ET
HOUSTON - A firefighter took a promotion exam just 12 hours after giving birth because of a state law requiring all promotion candidates to be tested at once.
Beda Kent gave birth Jan. 10, slept for a little more than two hours and popped some painkillers before taking the exam. She scored 104 out of 110 and expects to return from maternity leave in March as a captain with a $6,000 raise.
"I wanted that promotion," Kent said of the job she had sought for two years. "I feel I was overdue for this promotion."
When she was six months' pregnant, Kent learned the test would be given on Jan. 11 — just four days after her due date.
She asked if a proctor could administer the exam at the hospital if necessary, but was told there could be no exceptions, except for firefighters on active military duty.
Kent's doctor tried to induce labor on Jan. 4, but discovered doing so could cause complications and force a Caesarean birth, with a longer recovery that would take away from Kent's time to study.
After her daughter was born, Kent left the infant named Brina Sue at the hospital within hours. Houston Fire Chief Phil Boriskie had an ambulance on standby at the test site in case Kent needed it, she said. "After a while, it did get to be uncomfortable, and thank God they did give us 2 1/2 hours to take the test because I had to readjust and refocus," Kent said.
After the exam, Kent's insurance did not allow her to be readmitted to the hospital so she and her husband returned every four to five hours to nurse the new baby. "We made the best of it for the next 36 hours," Kent said.
"It was tough." Houston Fire Capt. Gilbert Bennett said the rules are intended to ensure that firefighters don't gain an unfair advantage by learning about the exam from test-takers, then taking it later.
But Bennett said the fire department would likely evaluate the regulation. "By all means, we want what is best for the child and the mom," he said.
Terese Floren, executive director of Women in the Fire Service Inc., acknowledged that the fire department was probably powerless because of the law, but said women shouldn't be forced to choose between having a family and a career.
Kent, who has worked for the Houston Fire Department for 12 years, opted to take the test because missing it would have meant waiting at least two years before the next promotion exam. But, she said, the department should accommodate those with legitimate medical excuses.
"The law said that they didn't have to, but they could have sent a proctor," Kent said. "The test is in a sealed envelope. It shouldn't have been a problem."
HOUSTON - A firefighter took a promotion exam just 12 hours after giving birth because of a state law requiring all promotion candidates to be tested at once.
Beda Kent gave birth Jan. 10, slept for a little more than two hours and popped some painkillers before taking the exam. She scored 104 out of 110 and expects to return from maternity leave in March as a captain with a $6,000 raise.
"I wanted that promotion," Kent said of the job she had sought for two years. "I feel I was overdue for this promotion."
When she was six months' pregnant, Kent learned the test would be given on Jan. 11 — just four days after her due date.
She asked if a proctor could administer the exam at the hospital if necessary, but was told there could be no exceptions, except for firefighters on active military duty.
Kent's doctor tried to induce labor on Jan. 4, but discovered doing so could cause complications and force a Caesarean birth, with a longer recovery that would take away from Kent's time to study.
After her daughter was born, Kent left the infant named Brina Sue at the hospital within hours. Houston Fire Chief Phil Boriskie had an ambulance on standby at the test site in case Kent needed it, she said. "After a while, it did get to be uncomfortable, and thank God they did give us 2 1/2 hours to take the test because I had to readjust and refocus," Kent said.
After the exam, Kent's insurance did not allow her to be readmitted to the hospital so she and her husband returned every four to five hours to nurse the new baby. "We made the best of it for the next 36 hours," Kent said.
"It was tough." Houston Fire Capt. Gilbert Bennett said the rules are intended to ensure that firefighters don't gain an unfair advantage by learning about the exam from test-takers, then taking it later.
But Bennett said the fire department would likely evaluate the regulation. "By all means, we want what is best for the child and the mom," he said.
Terese Floren, executive director of Women in the Fire Service Inc., acknowledged that the fire department was probably powerless because of the law, but said women shouldn't be forced to choose between having a family and a career.
Kent, who has worked for the Houston Fire Department for 12 years, opted to take the test because missing it would have meant waiting at least two years before the next promotion exam. But, she said, the department should accommodate those with legitimate medical excuses.
"The law said that they didn't have to, but they could have sent a proctor," Kent said. "The test is in a sealed envelope. It shouldn't have been a problem."
--http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060118/ap_on_re_us/firefighter_childbirth
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Hurray Petra Schneider!
Craig Neff in "Inside Olympic Sports" at SI.com says:
"... former East German swimmer Petra Schneider, an Olympic champion in 1980, recently told a German TV network that she wants her national record in the 400-meter individual medley nullified because it was aided by doping. How about some applause for Schneider for a show of integrity?
--http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/craig_neff/01/16/hot.list/index.html
"... former East German swimmer Petra Schneider, an Olympic champion in 1980, recently told a German TV network that she wants her national record in the 400-meter individual medley nullified because it was aided by doping. How about some applause for Schneider for a show of integrity?
--http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/craig_neff/01/16/hot.list/index.html
Friday, January 13, 2006
Golf update
Last week, Stuart Appleby went to win his third straight victory in the Mercedes Championships, this time around in a play-off with still-putting disaster Vijay Singh (he actually led one shot going into the last three holes). Tiger Woods did not play.
Michelle Wie shot a 79 at the first round of the Sony Open, happening in Hawaii, leaving her with very little hope of making the cut in his 4th attempt in the PGA. If she misses the cut, then she'll have more time to prepare for her first LPGA tournament in 2006, the Kraft Nabisco, which will be played March 30-April 2 at Mission Hills Country Club. Morgan Pressel gets to play too.
Michelle Wie shot a 79 at the first round of the Sony Open, happening in Hawaii, leaving her with very little hope of making the cut in his 4th attempt in the PGA. If she misses the cut, then she'll have more time to prepare for her first LPGA tournament in 2006, the Kraft Nabisco, which will be played March 30-April 2 at Mission Hills Country Club. Morgan Pressel gets to play too.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Only in the Philippines: A New President, by personal acclaim
AMID persistent reports of coup plots to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a retired general proclaimed himself president of a transition government shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
General Fortunato Abat described his action as peaceful takeover, even as he called on police and military forces to withdraw support from President Arroyo and "protect the sovereign right of the people."
The 80-year-old retired general made the announcement before an audience of about 300 people at the Club Filipino in the municipality of San Juan, in Metro Manila.
Arroyo, attending a summit of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, has been haunted by a monthslong drive to remove her from power, and coup rumors rose to a new crescendo in the days before her departure Sunday.
Addressing a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, the President declined to comment on the reported coup plot.
But security officials in Manila dismissed the supposed military takeover as "blind rumors" even as Philippine police chief General Arturo Lomibao on Tuesday placed police forces on a full alert status, convened the crisis committee, and directed the intelligence services to validate the reports.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Generoso Senga said the soldiers remained loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command.
Abat, a former Army chief and defense secretary, is convener of the right-wing Coalition for National Solidarity which has been calling on Arroyo to step down.
When the wiretaps scandal broke out in June, Abat called for the establishment of a civilian-military junta and offered himself to head it.
The 117,000-strong military has a history of unrest and played key roles in the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and jailed former president Joseph Estrada in January 2001.
Two years ago, about 300 soldiers, led by young officers, occupied the ritzy Oakwood Hotel and a nearby shopping mall in the capital's financial district and rigged the area with bombs. They surrendered peacefully after about 20 hours.
The coup rumors have been swirling since June, when vote-rigging allegations against Arroyo prompted several cabinet members to resign and key political allies and left-wing groups to call for her resignation.
She survived an impeachment attempt in September when her majority allies in the House of Representatives junked three impeachment bids on a technicality. Opponents continue to call for her resignation and hold occasional small street protests.
--http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=59883
General Fortunato Abat described his action as peaceful takeover, even as he called on police and military forces to withdraw support from President Arroyo and "protect the sovereign right of the people."
The 80-year-old retired general made the announcement before an audience of about 300 people at the Club Filipino in the municipality of San Juan, in Metro Manila.
Arroyo, attending a summit of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, has been haunted by a monthslong drive to remove her from power, and coup rumors rose to a new crescendo in the days before her departure Sunday.
Addressing a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, the President declined to comment on the reported coup plot.
But security officials in Manila dismissed the supposed military takeover as "blind rumors" even as Philippine police chief General Arturo Lomibao on Tuesday placed police forces on a full alert status, convened the crisis committee, and directed the intelligence services to validate the reports.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Generoso Senga said the soldiers remained loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command.
Abat, a former Army chief and defense secretary, is convener of the right-wing Coalition for National Solidarity which has been calling on Arroyo to step down.
When the wiretaps scandal broke out in June, Abat called for the establishment of a civilian-military junta and offered himself to head it.
The 117,000-strong military has a history of unrest and played key roles in the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and jailed former president Joseph Estrada in January 2001.
Two years ago, about 300 soldiers, led by young officers, occupied the ritzy Oakwood Hotel and a nearby shopping mall in the capital's financial district and rigged the area with bombs. They surrendered peacefully after about 20 hours.
The coup rumors have been swirling since June, when vote-rigging allegations against Arroyo prompted several cabinet members to resign and key political allies and left-wing groups to call for her resignation.
She survived an impeachment attempt in September when her majority allies in the House of Representatives junked three impeachment bids on a technicality. Opponents continue to call for her resignation and hold occasional small street protests.
--http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=59883
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
One more for the family (Stan Van Gundy)
Stan Van Gundy resigned as Miami Heat coach. The "legendary Pat Riley" will coach the Heat again. But what is amazing is Van Gundy's reason to "go home." Great!
from SI.com
from SI.com
Van Gundy has always professed to being a family-first man, someone who abhors road trips and the idea of spending holidays away from his wife and four children. He said that because of travel, games and practices, he would have seen his children at home only 49 days out of 170 this season.
"That's just not enough any more for me. It's just not enough," Van Gundy said. "I mean, it's been like that for my kids' entire lives. I've got a 14-year-old daughter and it started to hit me when I started thinking about her birthday, which was last month. I've got four more years left with her. Four. And then she'll be off to college and I'm just not willing to sacrifice any more of those four more years."
Van Gundy said he began wrestling with the balance between job and family during the preseason, and told Riley after the regular-season opener at Memphis that they needed to talk about the future.
"I can't believe people have that big a problem actually believing that someone would actually want to spend time with their family," Van Gundy said. "I don't know why that's so hard for people to buy into."
"That's just not enough any more for me. It's just not enough," Van Gundy said. "I mean, it's been like that for my kids' entire lives. I've got a 14-year-old daughter and it started to hit me when I started thinking about her birthday, which was last month. I've got four more years left with her. Four. And then she'll be off to college and I'm just not willing to sacrifice any more of those four more years."
Van Gundy said he began wrestling with the balance between job and family during the preseason, and told Riley after the regular-season opener at Memphis that they needed to talk about the future.
"I can't believe people have that big a problem actually believing that someone would actually want to spend time with their family," Van Gundy said. "I don't know why that's so hard for people to buy into."
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Tiger wins his 7th PGA POY
Tiger wins his 7th PGA Player of the Year award. Go Tiger!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/golf/12/06/bc.glf.woods.award.ap/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/golf/12/06/bc.glf.woods.award.ap/index.html
Monday, December 05, 2005
SI's Alan Shipnuck says it well
Alan Shipnuck says it well.
My Sportsman Choice: Jack Nicklaus
In 1980, Jack Nicklaus was honored by SI as Sportsman of the Year. The then-40-year-old Bear had just completed a season during which he won the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, quieting talk that his epic career was entering its twilight. That Sportsman was a celebration of his golf. Now Nicklaus deserves the award again, and it has nothing to do with birdies and bogies. In the past year no athlete has displayed more grace or humanity. Nicklaus has long been known not only as golf's greatest champion, but also its most dignified loser. As Jack has said his goodbyes this year it has been a reminder of how much he has meant to golf, and how much he will be missed.
Nicklaus's game may have rendered him a ceremonial golfer, but he can still command the spotlight. This year he stole the show at two of sports' grandest stages, Augusta National and the Old Course. His final Masters was particularly wrenching because only five weeks earlier Nicklaus's grandson Jake had drowned in a hot tub. Most athletes come into view during their youthful prime and then disappear before they fade away. But generations have grown up watching Nicklaus as he has evolved from overpowering prodigy to doting father to middle aged warrior to dignified elder statesman. We are in an era in which the game's best player has built a fortress around his inner-self, but throughout his life and career Nicklaus always let the public in. When he teared up striding his final fairway at the Masters, a nation cried along with him.
His final British Open was no less emotional. The putt of the year in golf may have been Nicklaus's birdie on his last hole at the Old Course, which was witnessed by dozens of players who ringed the green in a showing of appreciation and respect. You may not root for any of them, but Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els all have class, a precious commodity in pro sports. It's no accident that all of them grew up idolizing Nicklaus and have been mentored by him throughout their careers.
The true measure of Nicklaus is not his unprecedented 18 major championships, but his relevance in a sport that he has been shaping since 1960. In September, at the Presidents Cup, a U.S. team that has long been ripped for its apathy played its collective heart out for Capt. Jack, bringing him a victory that he claimed was the most satisfying moment of his career. A second Sportsman would be a nice way to end this momentous year. Only one other person has won two Sportsmans, and for a change wouldn't it be nice to see Jack tying one of Tiger's records, and not the other way around?
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Impending storm
Rain was about to come. It poured a few minutes after these shots were taken. But it was short-lived.
Sunset at Bantayan Island
I was waiting for the Manila Bay sunset type all week. It came on Friday, but I was so far out into the water that I had no time to take a shot. I settled for these shots on other days.
Back again
Came back from Kota Beach, Sta. Fe, Bantayan. Took charge of a seminar. It was work. The sun and sand were too good to pass. I had my tan (burns, actually!)
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Tiger's 2005 golf year
Here's SI's Chris Lewis in Inside Golf ... The Year In Review: The Tour season's over, so time to hand out awards. He gives Tiger Woods 6 "awards" in 20 categories.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods (tie)
There's no arguing with two majors in a single year, but in 2005 two players got it done. Annika had three more total victories (9 vs. 6), but Tiger balanced the scales by virtue of the resurgence factor, bouncing back from his worst-ever season.
MOST MEMORABLE SHOT OF THE YEAR: Surprise! Tiger's chip-in at the 16th at Augusta
My favorite thing about the videotape is how the picture shudders after the ball drops in. Folks, that camera was fixed to the ground. The usually reserved Augusta patrons went so bonkers that the earth actually moved.
HAIRDO OF THE YEAR: Tiger's Presidents Cup leopard spots
Which leads directly to another category -- Unasked Question of the Year: Tiger, if you lost that bet, who won it?
UNSHAKEN LEGACY OF THE YEAR: Tiger's 2000
Watching how hard Woods had to work to earn two majors this year made the idea of winning three virtually inconceivable -- and therefore made his 2000 season even more mind-boggling. Woods hates it when we compare him to his old self, but he shouldn't blame us -- he's a victim of the magic he made five years ago.
FREAK OCCURRENCE OF THE YEAR: Notah Begay and Tom Pernice throttle friends (and playing partners) Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh at the Funai Classic
It was like Robin beating up Batman twice in the same comic book.
TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR: The Masters
It wasn't just the pairing of the game's best player (Woods) and the only guy who rivals him in the category of Refusal to Give Up (DiMarco). It was the depths they rose from --Tiger putting off the 15th green on Thursday, and DiMarco finishing his third round on Sunday morning with a slew of bogeys. But most of all, it was the way it ended, with Tiger's tearful dedication of the victory to his ailing father. It was the most emotional we may ever see Woods, and retroactively seated the entire event in a more profound, almost mythic context.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods (tie)
There's no arguing with two majors in a single year, but in 2005 two players got it done. Annika had three more total victories (9 vs. 6), but Tiger balanced the scales by virtue of the resurgence factor, bouncing back from his worst-ever season.
MOST MEMORABLE SHOT OF THE YEAR: Surprise! Tiger's chip-in at the 16th at Augusta
My favorite thing about the videotape is how the picture shudders after the ball drops in. Folks, that camera was fixed to the ground. The usually reserved Augusta patrons went so bonkers that the earth actually moved.
HAIRDO OF THE YEAR: Tiger's Presidents Cup leopard spots
Which leads directly to another category -- Unasked Question of the Year: Tiger, if you lost that bet, who won it?
UNSHAKEN LEGACY OF THE YEAR: Tiger's 2000
Watching how hard Woods had to work to earn two majors this year made the idea of winning three virtually inconceivable -- and therefore made his 2000 season even more mind-boggling. Woods hates it when we compare him to his old self, but he shouldn't blame us -- he's a victim of the magic he made five years ago.
FREAK OCCURRENCE OF THE YEAR: Notah Begay and Tom Pernice throttle friends (and playing partners) Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh at the Funai Classic
It was like Robin beating up Batman twice in the same comic book.
TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR: The Masters
It wasn't just the pairing of the game's best player (Woods) and the only guy who rivals him in the category of Refusal to Give Up (DiMarco). It was the depths they rose from --Tiger putting off the 15th green on Thursday, and DiMarco finishing his third round on Sunday morning with a slew of bogeys. But most of all, it was the way it ended, with Tiger's tearful dedication of the victory to his ailing father. It was the most emotional we may ever see Woods, and retroactively seated the entire event in a more profound, almost mythic context.
Keeping our fingers crossed
Experts: 12% VAT to unleash bull run, P52:$1
First posted 01:21am (Mla time) Nov 10, 2005
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer News Service
First posted 01:21am (Mla time) Nov 10, 2005
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Nov. 10, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
RAISING the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 10 percent to 12 percent by January next year will ignite a three-month rally of the peso and the stocks, according to market experts.
"Raising the VAT to 12 percent will solidify investors' view that this government is committed to putting its fiscal house in order and erase lingering doubts about the President's political resolve," said Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, treasurer of HSBC Philippines.
The British banking giant is the world's fifth largest in terms of assets.
"It will unleash a bull run across the board for at least three months," he said.
In the three-month burst of investor exuberance, Veloso expects the peso to hit the 52 to the dollar mark and interest rates on T-bills to go down by as much as one percentage point, or equivalent to P25 billion.
The VAT law, the centerpiece of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's economic reform program, contains a provision empowering the President to raise the tax rate to 12 percent by Jan. 1 should the VAT collections as a percentage of the previous year's gross domestic product (GDP) exceed 2.8 percent or the national government deficit as a percentage of GDP exceed 1.5 percent.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves had said that based on current performance, it was inevitable that Ms Arroyo would increase the tax rate. The tax is aimed at reducing the government's massive budget deficit.
'Flood of funds'
At the stock market, raising the VAT to 12 percent would jack up the Phisix, the key Philippine stock market barometer, by at least 25 percent to the 2,600 level or back to the bourse's peak in 1999, according to former Philippine Stock Exchange chair Wilson Sy.
"The move will unleash a flood of funds from portfolio managers hungry for a recovery play in the region. Investors will look at the Philippines in a different light," Sy said.
Largely because of the implementation of the expanded VAT on Nov. 1, Philippine stocks are now back on portfolio managers' radar screen after six years, according to Sy.
The stock market yesterday hit its highest level in eight months because of heavy foreign buying.
The imposition of the VAT on fuel and power and the increase in corporate income tax from 32 percent to 35 percent have buoyed up Swiss banking giant UBS' outlook on the Philippines.
It projects the peso to hit 54 by the end of the year and 53 by the end of the next. It also expects interest rates on Philippine foreign debt to drop nearly 2 percentage points.
Long ride on bull's back
The market euphoria could extend beyond three months, according to Veloso.
"After three months, investors would know by then whether the 12 percent VAT has translated to higher revenue collections. If it has, then the Philippines will be up for a very, very long ride on the back of the bulls."
Veloso said the market's exuberance could peak in the first full year of implementation of the 12 percent VAT when investors would have confirmed whether the tax was indeed the panacea for the government's chronic budget deficit.
"We expect a significant change in the market outlook, an inevitable upgrade in the country's credit rating," he said.
RAISING the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 10 percent to 12 percent by January next year will ignite a three-month rally of the peso and the stocks, according to market experts.
"Raising the VAT to 12 percent will solidify investors' view that this government is committed to putting its fiscal house in order and erase lingering doubts about the President's political resolve," said Jose Arnulfo "Wick" Veloso, treasurer of HSBC Philippines.
The British banking giant is the world's fifth largest in terms of assets.
"It will unleash a bull run across the board for at least three months," he said.
In the three-month burst of investor exuberance, Veloso expects the peso to hit the 52 to the dollar mark and interest rates on T-bills to go down by as much as one percentage point, or equivalent to P25 billion.
The VAT law, the centerpiece of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's economic reform program, contains a provision empowering the President to raise the tax rate to 12 percent by Jan. 1 should the VAT collections as a percentage of the previous year's gross domestic product (GDP) exceed 2.8 percent or the national government deficit as a percentage of GDP exceed 1.5 percent.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves had said that based on current performance, it was inevitable that Ms Arroyo would increase the tax rate. The tax is aimed at reducing the government's massive budget deficit.
'Flood of funds'
At the stock market, raising the VAT to 12 percent would jack up the Phisix, the key Philippine stock market barometer, by at least 25 percent to the 2,600 level or back to the bourse's peak in 1999, according to former Philippine Stock Exchange chair Wilson Sy.
"The move will unleash a flood of funds from portfolio managers hungry for a recovery play in the region. Investors will look at the Philippines in a different light," Sy said.
Largely because of the implementation of the expanded VAT on Nov. 1, Philippine stocks are now back on portfolio managers' radar screen after six years, according to Sy.
The stock market yesterday hit its highest level in eight months because of heavy foreign buying.
The imposition of the VAT on fuel and power and the increase in corporate income tax from 32 percent to 35 percent have buoyed up Swiss banking giant UBS' outlook on the Philippines.
It projects the peso to hit 54 by the end of the year and 53 by the end of the next. It also expects interest rates on Philippine foreign debt to drop nearly 2 percentage points.
Long ride on bull's back
The market euphoria could extend beyond three months, according to Veloso.
"After three months, investors would know by then whether the 12 percent VAT has translated to higher revenue collections. If it has, then the Philippines will be up for a very, very long ride on the back of the bulls."
Veloso said the market's exuberance could peak in the first full year of implementation of the 12 percent VAT when investors would have confirmed whether the tax was indeed the panacea for the government's chronic budget deficit.
"We expect a significant change in the market outlook, an inevitable upgrade in the country's credit rating," he said.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Singapore
I'll be in Singapore for two weeks beginning tomorrow. Let's see if I can spend time to do some blog while there. Training/workshop. Killer schedule
Updates
It's been a long time. Been busy with trips and other stuff that made blogging very difficult.
So what's up?
The Rossoneri: 6th (quotient) in Serie A (1-1); 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in their Champions League group stage opening game. They have new shirt designs this season.
Tiger is still number 1. That's for sure.
Masha lost to KimC at the semis of the US Open, who eventually won her first grand slam event against Mary Pierce. Davenport is still number 1, I think.
The US got back the Solheim.
PGMA sneeked past her impeachment complaint (158-51).
So what's up?
The Rossoneri: 6th (quotient) in Serie A (1-1); 3-1 win over Fenerbahce in their Champions League group stage opening game. They have new shirt designs this season.
Tiger is still number 1. That's for sure.
Masha lost to KimC at the semis of the US Open, who eventually won her first grand slam event against Mary Pierce. Davenport is still number 1, I think.
The US got back the Solheim.
PGMA sneeked past her impeachment complaint (158-51).
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