tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10623146406142096602024-03-12T21:36:24.320-07:00Abnoy ChroniclesIngkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-51320550427470144922016-07-28T16:10:00.000-07:002016-07-28T16:10:26.424-07:00Statement of National Confederation of Labor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sa Unang SONA ni Pangulong Duterte:<br />
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<b>IGIIT ANG AGENDA NG URING MANGGAGAWA! <br />ITULAK ANG BURGESYA SA REPORMA NG KAPITALISTANG EKONOMIYA!</b><br />
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<i><b>Atrasadong Burgesya, Atrasadong Kapitalismo.</b></i> Ipinagmamalaki ng nakaraang Rehimeng Aquino na nagawa nitong maging matatag ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Marahil ang tinutukoy lang nito ay ang paghahatian ng mga lokal na kapitalista sa yaman mula sa Public-Private Partnership (PPP) sa industriya ng kuryente, tubig, edukasyon, pabahay, transportasyon, komunikasyon, atbp. Sa halip na angkinin at pagyamanin ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay serbisyo-publiko sa mahihirap na Pilipino ay ipinaubaya ito sa mga “di-industriyalisado at atrasadong” kapitalista na kampante na sa dambuhalang tubo sa negosyong ito. Kaiba sila sa mga “abanteng” kapitalista sa pagmamanupaktura (pagkain, damit, atbp.) na hindi permanente ang tubo dahil sa nagbabagu-bago ang pangangailangan (demand) ng publiko at laging naka-depende sa lawak o kitid ng pamilihan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ang mga dating malalaking lokal na kapitalista ay inilipat ang kapital sa pagni-negosyo sa serbisyo-publiko at tinalikdan ang pagni-negosyo sa pagmamanupaktura dahil sa masikip na pamilihan at hindi makampante sa tubo – ganito ang karakter ng atrasadong kaptitalismo sa bansa.<br />
<br /><b>Atrasadong Burgesya, Atrasadong Ekonomiya.</b> Ang pamamayani ng non-industrial na burgesya sa bansa ang ugat kung bakit marupok at di-istable ang ekonomiya. Ang malalaking lokal na kapitalista (Henry Sy, Jonh Gokongwei, Lucio Tan, atbp.) ay nakapundar sa economic fundamentals ng Service Oriented Economy (SOE) na siyang itinataguyod ng gobyerno. Ang mga atrasadong kapitalistang ito ang direktang nakikinabang sa paglago ng ekonomiya, hindi ang uring manggagawa!<br />
<br /><b>Service Oriented Economy, Marupok na Ekonomiya.</b> Ang patuloy na paghihikahos ng uring anakpawis ay epekto ng atrasado at marupok na ekonomiya bunga ng pagsasa-pribado ng mga pampublikong serbisyo, kung saan nagiging mataas ang presyo ng serbisyo (kuryente at tubig, gamot at ospital, edukasyon at iba pang gastusin sa araw-araw) kumpara sa sweldo ng bawat mahihirap na pamilya. Upang maibsan man lang ang bigat ng karalitaan nila, isinagawa ng gobyerno ang pamumudmod ng pera sa mahihirap na tinawag na Conditonal Cash Transfer (CCT) o 4Ps. Ito ay hindi para sa layuning ganap na wakasan ang kahirapan, kundi magamit pa sa layuning pulitikal na sa bawat eleksyon ay laging gamit ang pangako ng pag-ahon sa karukhaan ng tao, kung kaya CCT ang solusyon ng mga pulitiko. Kung seseryosohin ng gobyerno ang pagsugpo sa kahirapan, ang dapat gawin ay ang pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa trabaho at hindi ang limusan kada buwan ng gobyerno ang mahihirap.<br />
<br /><b>Trabaho at Makataong Sweldo.</b> Ito ang kailangan ng tao, ng mahihirap na pamilya. Pero ang ganitong pangarap ay hindi matatagpuan dito sa bansa, kundi sa ibayong dagat. Hindi sana isyu ang “contractualization” o "endo" kung maraming trabaho o ang trabaho ang naghahanap sa tao at hindi ang kabaliktaran nito. Ayon sa SWS, sa kasalukuyan ay nasa 9.1 milyong Pilipino (21.4% ng labor force) ang walang trabaho. Sila ang direktang nakakaranas ng kahirapan. Idagdag pa dito ang may mga trabaho ngunit kulang naman ang sweldo (wala sa minimum wage).<br />
<br /><b>AGENDA NG URING MANGGAGAWA: <br />CHARTER CHANGE PARA SA INDUSTRIALIZATION!</b><br /><br />Sa unang SONA ni Pangulong Duterte, hamunin ng uring manggagawa ang bagong luklok na Administrasyon na isulong ang adyenda ng manggagawa at lapatan ng polisiya sa pamamagitan ng Charter Change thru Constitutional Convention. Sa aksyong ito lamang mapapatunayan ni Digong ang islogan na “Change is Coming!” at “Tapang at Malasakit” para sa mamamayan.<br />
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Sa buod, ganito ang Adyenda ng Uring Manggagawa:<br />
<br />Bagong Patakarang Pang-ekonomiya para sa pagpupundar ng Industrialization bilang economic fundamentals ng bansa. Pangunahing layunin nito ang pagpu-produce ng mga kalakal para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng lipunang Pilipino at makasabay sa pandaigdigang kalakalan. Kaakibat nito:<br />
<br /><i><b>1. Pagtatayo ng mga Nuclear Power Plant.</b></i> Pagtitiyak na eco-friendly ang disenyo nito batay sa makabagong teknolohiya upang maiwasan na makapaminsala sa buhay at kalikasan. Sa pamamagitan nito, magiging istable ang suplay ng elektrisidad at mapapababa pa ang presyo ng kuryente para sa mga consumers. Higit sa lahat ay ang kapasidad nitong tugunan ang mataas na demand ng enerhiya (megawatts) na kinakailangan ng industriyalisasyon. Bahagi nito ang pagbabasura sa Epira Law, at sa halip ay ipatupad ang nationalization ng mga Power Plants sa bansa.<br /><br /><i><b>2. Shifting ng Kapital mula sa Negosyo sa Serbisyo Publiko tungo sa Industriyalisasyon.</b></i> Limitahan lamang sa piling serbisyo ang pamumuhunan ng mga negosyante, kung gayon, dapat akuin ng gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng batayang serbisyo sa mamamayan tulad ng edukasyon, kalusugan, pabahay, tubig, kuryente, transportasyon at komunikasyon. Ang PPP ay dapat ituon na lamang sa pagpupundar ng manufacturing/heavy industries at mining industry kung saan magkatuwang ang malalaking lokal/internasyunal na kapitalista at gobyerno. Ipatupad ang 100% ownership ng mga foreign investors na mamumuhunan sa bansa basta’t ito ay para sa pagpupundar ng mga Heavy/Technological Industries at ibabalik ang pagmamay-ari sa gobyerno makalipas ang 25 taon.<br /><br /><i><b>3. Itransporma ang Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).</b></i> Hindi ito ang pangmatagalang solusyon sa karalitaan ng maraming Pilipino. Trabaho at makatarungang sweldo ang lulutas sa kanilang kahirapan. Ang "pagbibigay limos" sa mahihirap ay hindi lang pangungunsinti sa pagiging “tamad” na kultura, kundi nagagamit din sa katiwalian at sa mga layuning pulitika. Sa halip na dole-out, dapat tumbasan ng paggawa ang salapi na tinatanggap nila kada buwan (cash for work). Kung gayon, ang 65 bilyong pisong budget kada taon na nakalaan sa CCT o 4Ps ay sapat ng kapital (capital investment) ng gobyerno para sa pagpupundar ng Heavy Indusries upang tugunan sa hinaharap ang mga pangangailangan sa Panlipunang Serbisyo at Produksyon ng Kalakal.<br /><br /><i><b>4. Ibasura ang Partylist Law, Ipalit ang 30% Direktang Representasyon ng Manggagawa sa Lehislatura. </b></i>Ang Party List ay tuluyan nang nasalaula sa pagkakaluklok ng mga di-tunay na kinatawan ng sektor at nagamit lang bilang “backdoor” ng masasalapi at pulitiko, kung kaya, dapat nang ibasura ang batas na ito. Sa halip, ipalit dito ang pagsasa-konstitusyon ng direktang pagtatalaga sa Kongreso at sa mga lokal na lehislatura mula sa 30% kinatawan ng uring manggagawa. Ang proseso ng pagtatalaga sa kinatawan ay dapat na tunay na ihinahalal ng mga lehitimong organisasyon mula sa mga lokalidad hanggang sa pambansang antas.<br /><br /><i><b>5. Cooperative Farming bilang Repormang Agraryo.</b></i> Ang “repormang agraryo” ay hindi dapat sa anyo ng indibidwal na pamamahagi ng lupa, sa halip ay ang kooperasyon ng buong myembro ng komunidad para sa Cooperative Farming. Mangyayari ito sa tulong ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng subsidyong kapital mula sa gobyerno na siyang pangangasiwaan ng mga kooperatiba sa kolektibong sistema.<br /><br /><i><b>6. Katiyakan sa Paninirahan ng mga Manggagawa.</b></i> Karamihan sa mga manggagawa sa lungsod ay umuupa na dagdag pasanin sa pang-araw araw na gastusin nila. Hindi lamang ang mga “informal settlers” ang dapat pagtuunan ng pampublikong pabahay ng gobyerno, kundi ang pagtitiyak din sa paninirahan ng mga industriyal na manggagawa na siyang tagapaglikha ng kalakal ng lipunan ngunit napagkakaitan na makibahagi sa tubo ng kani-kanilang employer. Kaugnay nito ang pagsagka sa patuloy na pagtaas ng renta sa residential, paglimita sa komersyalisadong negosyo sa pabahay, at pagpapataw ng mataas buwis sa institusyunal na mga simbahan upang ang estado ay magkaroon ng kongkretong rekurso para sa pampublikong pabahay.<br /><br /><i><b>7. Regularisasyon ng mga manggagawa sa sektor ng industriya, pampublikong serbisyo, at komersyo sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasura sa Herrera Law.</b></i> Ipatigil din sa mga LGUs ang paggawa ng ordinansa na nagbabawal na mag-unyon at pagkakait sa karapatan ng manggagawa sa mga Industrial Zones. Tiyakin ng gobyerno, sa pamamagitan ng batas, ang pagbibigay proteksyon (sa anyo ng subsidy) sa mga manggagawa sa panahong nahaharap sila sa pagkatanggal sa trabaho bunga ng krisis o pagsasara ng negosyo at/o pagbabawas sa trabaho. Ang paglilimita sa naglalakihang sweldo ng nasa managerial position (pribado at gobyerno) ay dapat limitahan sa pamamagitan ng batas na nagtatakda ng “wage cap” upang makapaglaan ng pondo sa mga manggagawang matatanggal sa trabaho. Kaakibat nito ay buwagin ang Regional Wage Board na nagdudulot ng diskriminasyon sa uring manggagawa at tiyakin ang makatarungang pasahod sa lahat. Ipagbawal ang mga Agency para sa mga domestic workers at OFWs, sa halip ay ayusin ang serbisyo ng DOLE at POEA at palakasin ang mga employment agency ng mga LGUs.<br /><br /><i><b>8. Isabatas ang Death Penalty sa mga Corrupt Officials sa Gobyerno.</b></i> Ang pangungulimbat sa kabang-yaman ng lipunan ay dapat isama bilang heinous crime. Ang pagsugpo sa katiwalian ay kongkretong magagawa sa pamamagitan ng ganitong parusa. Sa panukalang ito, maiibsan ang pangambang magiging gatasan lang ng mga tiwaling opisyal ang pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno sa mga Government Owned Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) sa sektor ng Pampublikong Serbisyo. <br /><br />~ Pahayag para sa Unang SONA ni Pangulong Duterte / 22 Hulyo 2016 ~<br /><b>National Confederation of Labor</b><br />ATU ° NFL ° KMM ° NUBCW ° KASAMA ° UFSW ° SOCIALISTA ° LAWIN ° CAW<b> </b></div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-84987739415860175382014-08-31T22:39:00.000-07:002014-08-31T23:35:30.490-07:00Lipa Declaration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last Wednesday, I was privileged to join close to a thousand brave souls who trekked to the Archbishop's House in Lipa City, Batangas to affirm and declare the call to end the moribund political and economic systems and effect a national transformation.<br />
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The delegates came from different religious groups and political persuasions and are united under <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-National-Transformation-Council/757143077686649" target="_blank">National Transformation Council</a>.<br />
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Former Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal laid down the role of the Catholic Church in previous EDSA Revolutions while Bishop Arguelles of Lipa gave a fiery speech calling for system change. Rev. Arturo Corpuz of <a href="http://www.uccphils.com/" target="_blank">United Church of Christ in the Philippines </a>and the Dr. Kamil Unda of the Bangsamoro community also gave equally spirited speeches.<br />
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Fr. Archie Archie Intengan of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Partido-Demokratiko-Sosyalista-ng-Pilipinas/105632252804500" target="_blank">Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas</a> read the call for a People's Truth Commission while former Biliran representative Glenn Chong gave a visual presentation on how PCOS machines were manipulated to ensure the election of Aquino's allies.<br />
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People's organizations and civil society groups from Baguio City to Davao City are in attendance. Evelyn Kilayko led the delegation of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TanggulangDemokrasya/" target="_blank">Tanggulang Demokrasya</a>. Former Cory Aquino cabinet member Heidi Sison represented <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gawin-ang-Tama-Movement/377500399497" target="_blank">Gawin ang Tama (GAT) Movement</a>. Also in attendance were Tess Baltazar of Konsensyang Pilipino, Kathy Cruz of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savethenationmovement" target="_blank">Save The Nation</a> and former congressman Seneres of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ddpgensan/" target="_blank">Democratic Party of the Philippines</a>. Presidential aunt, Tingting Cojuangco who is identified with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Council-on-Philippine-Affairs/136314826447259" target="_blank">Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA)</a> also attended the event.<br />
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Also in attendance is former PCGG Commissioner Camilo Sabio. Retired generals Cesar Tapia and Hermogenes Esperon led a small group of retired military men. Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales also attended.<br />
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Other groups represented are AKSA, Demokratiko Sosyalitang Kabataan ng Pilipinas, <a href="http://dswp.org.ph/" target="_blank">Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines</a>, Bantay Bayan Group, Bangsa,oro Transformation Council, members of the Royal House of the Sultanate of Sulu, Global Nation Community, St. Francis Seminary, Religious of the Assumption and Canossian Sisters. <br />
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Here is the entirety of the Lipa Declaration:<br />
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<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20295">
<i><b>We are Filipino citizens of different personal, professional social
and economic backgrounds and political persuasions and religious
beliefs. We have gathered here in Lipa City on this 27th day of August
A.D. 2014/ 2nd day of DHU AL-QA’DA A.H. 1435, under the auspices of the
National Transformation Council, to reaffirm our deeply held convictions
and beliefs about the common good and our highest national interests,
in the face of the most pressing challenges.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20299">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>We invite all our compatriots everywhere to reaffirm with us the same convictions and beliefs.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20301">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>We believe that:</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20301">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>A crisis of unprecedented proportions has befallen our nation. The life
of the nation is in grave peril from the very political forces that are
primarily ordained to protect, promote and advance its well-being, but
which are aggressively undermining its moral, religious, social,
cultural, constitutional and legal foundations;</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20301">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Unbridled and unpunished corruption and widespread misuse of political
and economic power in all layers of society have not only destroyed our
common conception of right and wrong, good and bad, just and unjust,
legal and illegal, but also put our people, especially the poor, at the
mercy of those who have the power to dictate the course and conduct of
our development for their own selfish ends;</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20301">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Far from preserving and defending the constitution, as he swore to do
when he assumed office, the incumbent President Benigno Simeon Aquino
has subverted and violated it by corrupting Congress, intimidating the
judiciary, taking over the treasury, manipulating the automated voting
system, and perverting the constitutional impeachment process; President
Benigno Simeon Aquino 3rd has also damaged the moral fabric of
Philippine Society by bribing members of Congress not only to impeach
and remove a sitting Supreme Court Chief Justice but also to enact a law
which disrespects the right to life of human being at the earliest and
most vulnerable stages of their lives, in defiance not only of the
constitution but above all of the moral law, the customs, culture, and
consciences of Filipinos.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20303">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Therefore, faithful to the objective moral law and to the universally
honored constitutional principle that sovereignty resides in the people
and all government authority emanates from them, we declare that
President Benigno Simeon Aquino 3rd has lost the moral right to lead the
nation, and had become a danger to the Philippine Democratic and
Republican state and to the peace, freedom, security and moral and
spiritual well-being of the Filipino people.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20305">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>We further declare that we have lost all trust and confidence in
President Benigno Simeon Aquino 3rd, and we call upon him to immediately
relinquish his position.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>And we call upon the National Transformation Council, (Hereafter the
council), to assume the urgent and necessary task of restoring our
damaged political institutions to their original status and form before
we begin to consider electing a new government under normal political
conditions.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>The role of the council will not be to succeed President Aquino, but
solely to prevent the total destruction of our political system, and to
rebuild and nourish its institutions back to health so that all those
interested could join the political competition later, without the dice
being loaded in anyone’s favor.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Like a crew whose task is to put everything in order before a
commercial carrier, which had earlier developed some problems in midair,
is cleared again for takeoff, the council’s duty will be only to repair
the battered tripartite system and to make sure that the people are
once again able to freely and intelligently elect their own leaders.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20313">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>In this connection, we welcome the council’s proposal to open broad
public consultations on the need to modify and strengthen the
presidential system or to shift from the Unitary / Presidential system
to a Federal / Parliamentary System, endowing such structure with:</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20313">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>A totally independent judicial department, free from any kind of
intimidation or bullying by either the Executive or the Legislative
Department, and with the sufficient wherewithal to clear the backlog of
the courts and fast-track all cases;</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20311">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>A merit-driven, professional civil and military service;</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20311">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Totally transparent government budgeting, procurement, disbursement, accounting and auditing systems and procedures; and</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20311">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>An irreproachably independent and completely dependable electoral
system, free from the virus that has corrupted the Automated Voting
System Since 2010.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20309">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Whatever the final form of government the citizenry decide to adopt,
absolutely indispensable are the integrity and independence of the
courts, and the existence of an incorrupt electoral system by means of
which we, the people, are able to freely and intelligently choose our
own leaders in free and honest elections. Without these, we cannot speak
of a normally functioning democratic and thus we fully support the
council’s position that until we have such a fraud-free electoral
system, we should refrain from holding any farcical election. But once
we have it, we should encourage the best qualified men and women in the
country to participate in the open electoral process so that together,
we could put an end to the stranglehold exercised by the corrupt and
incompetent political dynasties upon our elections.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20307">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Finally, we support the council’s proposal that with political reform
there must go hand in hand comprehensive economic reform. With one
strong voice, we must now say a vigorous “NO,” as Pope Francis has
suggested, to an economics of exclusion and inequality, coming from a
misguided vision of the human being and of society harmfully acted upon
through myopic laws, policies and programs.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20323">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>As the council prepares to embark upon the necessary reforms, we call
upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as the constitutional
“protector of the people and the state,” to extend its protective shield
to the council, and not to allow any armed group to sow violence,
disorder or discord into its peaceful ranks.</b></i></div>
<div class="yiv9400301823" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1409490745827_20325">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Adopted in Lipa City, this 27th day of August A.D. 2014 / 2nd day of DHU AL-QA’DA A.H. 1435.</b></i></div>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<br /></div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-12834794553333020192014-08-18T03:24:00.001-07:002014-08-18T05:37:51.204-07:00The Shrinekeeper's Prophecy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuCdKG1UZH8/U_HT5jq-KzI/AAAAAAAAAxs/e-uTlKqe55Y/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WuCdKG1UZH8/U_HT5jq-KzI/AAAAAAAAAxs/e-uTlKqe55Y/s1600/temple.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>Buddhist Temple in Fukian Province</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">In the spring of 1988, Cory went to China on a state visit. While there,
she made it a point to reconnect with her ancestral roots. She went out
of her way to travel to the southeastern fringe of China, to Hongjian
village of Fujian province where her forebears came from. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">In typical
chinese fashion of ancestor-worship and in violation of her Catholic
faith, Cory offered incense to her chinese forebears in a local shrine.
Before leaving the shrine to return to official business, Cory was
approached by an elderly woman who appeared to be the shrinekeeper. </span><br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">With
only one good eye left, the squinting gray-haired lady took one close
look at Cory and gently raised her cupped hands to touch Cory's face. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">Before Cory could say anything, the old lady muttered something
incomprehensible. </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">An interpreter standing nearby inched in closer to
translate the message. Baring a few teeth plated in gold, the
shrinekeeper withdrew her hands except for a gnarled finger and warned
Cory never to let her only begotten son get into politics. The old lady
warned of dire consequences, not just to one person or one family but to
an entire nation. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">There was something else the old lady said in one
long breath which the interpreter appeared to be holding back from Cory
and those around her. After some hesitation, the interpreter rather
apologetically explained that the old lady likened Cory's only begotten
son to a <b>eunuch</b>, a eunuch who would become emperor and inflict a lot of
misery and sufferings on an entire nation. Worse, the eunuch emperor
would cause the undoing of Cory and the Filipino people, just as eunuchs
had caused the downfall of dynasties and empires in China, Ottoman and
Persia. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">Those of us who were standing around Cory froze in disbelief at
the awkward comparison. <b>Emily Abrera</b> couldn't help but blow a raspberry.
Dismissing the prophecy as hogwash, the entourage left the scene for a
tree-planting ceremony. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">No one knows how much Cory took the old lady's
advise to heart. What we do know is that Cory for many years thumbed
down Noynoy's desire to get into the senate until she relented in 2007. Late that same year, Cory was diagnosed with cancer that would
ultimately spread to her colon. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">26 years after that prophecy, the
Philippines is teetering on the brink of a constitutional crisis,
looming power crisis and the death of democracy. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">All because of Cory's
only begotten son.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61139" style="font-size: medium;">*Above was taken from blog written by Gerald Abueva </span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1408355452921_61153">
</div>
</div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-84150155630754128662014-08-05T02:57:00.000-07:002014-08-05T02:58:26.727-07:00Poverty Continues In the Philippines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--qXvS0QiXnE/U-CkFOT9FCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/pVtfXndgqYg/s1600/poor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--qXvS0QiXnE/U-CkFOT9FCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/pVtfXndgqYg/s1600/poor.jpeg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Under PeNoy, the gap between the rich and the poor widens</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other day, I got an email which is actually a transcription of an interview that TV5 with one Rosalinda Garcia, indigent in Tondo.<br />
<br />
I was so moved by the story. Her story is something that the whole nation should know. Poverty remains an issue after four years of Aquino rule.<br />
<br />
This made me thinking, there must be truth in Aquino's campaign slogan <b><i>"Kung Walang Kurap, Walang Mahirap." </i></b> The impoverishment of more Filipinos, which is at highest historical levels, is because of the prevalent corruption. All these news on PDAF and DAP and how Aquino and his allies have been stealing and misusing people's money are all but answers to the nagging question of why poverty continues in the Philippines.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This is the Aling Rosalinda's story:<br />
<br />
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2588">
MANILA, Philippines – How do Metro Manila’s poorest of the poor
manage to survive? Recently, InterAksyon.com talked to one of them -
Rosalinda Garcia – a street sweeper in Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2586">
Garcia, a widow, lives with her young daughter in a barely 2x2-square
meter room in one of the depressed communities in Parola Compound.
Their house has no source of water, electricity, and toilet. </div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2594">
Garcia says she and her daughter, who have no formal schooling, don’t
know how to read or write and can’t always eat three square meals a
day. “<i class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2595">Natutulog na lang kami ng maaga, para di na makaramdam ng gutom </i>[We just sleep early so that we don’t feel the hunger pains anymore].”</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3366">
Read InterAksyon’s no-holds-barred interview with Garcia below.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2596">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3377">
<b class="yiv1071408389">INTERAKSYON (IA):</b> Ano po ang natapos n’yo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2597">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3382">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Hindi ako nakapag-aral kahit Grade One.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2598">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2607">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang taon na po kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2599">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2600">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Kwarenta….Singkwenta…Hindi ako sigurado eh.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2608">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2601">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>May birth certificate po ba kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2609">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_2602">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Wala.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsJ_ELkfONw/U-CnTaRf6qI/AAAAAAAAAwM/3TUMc1O5dJM/s1600/rosalinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsJ_ELkfONw/U-CnTaRf6qI/AAAAAAAAAwM/3TUMc1O5dJM/s1600/rosalinda.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Aling Rosalinda, street sweeper, in Bgy. 20, Tondo, Manila</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3445">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3447">IA:</b> Nasaan po ang asawa ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3444">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3442">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3443">GARCIA:</b> Patay na. Matagal na. Napag-tripan ng mga
adik sa Pier 2, pinalo nang pinalo sa binti. Hindi na nakatayo. Tapos
nagkaroon ng diabetes.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3441">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3440">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> May anak po ba kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3439">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3438">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Oo, etong kasama ko, si Jennifer.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3437">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3436">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Ilang taon na po si Jennifer?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3435">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3434">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Onse…katorse…Di rin ako sigurado…</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3433">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3432">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Wala rin po s’yang birth certificate?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3431">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3430">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Wala, di ko naparehistro.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3429">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3450">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Nag-aaral po ba siya?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3459">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3451">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Hindi.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3452">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3458">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Kahit kailan po hindi nakapag-aral? Kahit Grade One?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3458">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKtTGyE6If8/U-CnxuhWeII/AAAAAAAAAwU/e7k4gTqSN6s/s1600/apo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKtTGyE6If8/U-CnxuhWeII/AAAAAAAAAwU/e7k4gTqSN6s/s1600/apo.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Jennifer, Aling Rosalinda's granddaughter</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3458">
<br />
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3475">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3479">GARCIA:</b> Hindi.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3476">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3477">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano po ang trabaho ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3478">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3482">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Nagwawalis ng kalsada</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3483">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3484">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang oras po ang trabaho n’yo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3485">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3486">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Mga…lima…</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3487">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3488">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Anong oras kayo nagsisimulang magwalis?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3489">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3490">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Alas kwatro (ng madaling araw).</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3491">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3492">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Anong oras natatapos?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3493">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Mga alas nuwebe (ng umaga).</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3494">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Magkano po ang kita ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3495">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawang libo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3496">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3508">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Kada buwan?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3497">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3498">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Kada tatlong buwan.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3499">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3500">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Sino po ang nagpapasweldo sa inyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3501">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3507">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Ang barangay.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3507">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0Go4OG1Lo/U-CoOLYwkwI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Fdb6J3brxvo/s1600/Rosalinda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0Go4OG1Lo/U-CoOLYwkwI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Fdb6J3brxvo/s1600/Rosalinda2.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Aling Rosalinda works 5 hours sweeping the streets of Parola</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_3507">
<br />
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4304">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4340">IA:</b> Ano po ang kadalasang almusal ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4303">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4302">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4339">GARCIA:</b> Monay at kape.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4301">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4300">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Magkano po ang gastos n’yo sa almusal sa isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4299">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4297">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Trenta pesos. </div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4298">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4338">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Sa tanghalian po, ano ang kadalasang kinakain?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4337">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4336">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Pakbet na gulay o kaya tuyo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4335">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4334">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Magkano po ang nagagastos sa ulam?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4343">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4344">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Mga kinse (pesos)</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4333">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4345">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Niluluto po n’yo ang ulam o binibili?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4346">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Binibili, luto na.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4347">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Paano po ang bigas?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4348">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> ‘Yong Iglesia ni Cristo ang nagbibigay sa amin. Tatlong kilong bigas kada Lunes.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4349">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Tatlong kilong bigas sa isang linggo kasya na?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4350">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Di kasya…Mga apat o limang araw lang nagtatagal ang bigas.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4351">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4355">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Eh Paano po pag wala nang bigas?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4352">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4354">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Tinapay na lang, o minsan wala.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4354">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMRrG3OJEfw/U-CorCeC6nI/AAAAAAAAAwk/x-DP9ukN1rI/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMRrG3OJEfw/U-CorCeC6nI/AAAAAAAAAwk/x-DP9ukN1rI/s1600/breakfast.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Aling Rosalinda and Jennifer having breakfast</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4354">
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4384">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4387">IA:</b> Teka, ‘yong bigas po ba ninyo kayo ang nagsasaing?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4383">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4382">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4388">GARCIA:</b> Hindi, nakikisaing na lang sa kapitbahay. Wala akong gamit sa pagluluto.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4368">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4367">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Nakakain po ba kayo palagi ng tatlong beses isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4381">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4380">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Siguro….mga tatlo o apat na araw lang tatlong beses ang kain sa isang linggo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4379">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4378">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Doon po sa mga araw na di kayo kumakain ng tatlong beses, ilang beses na lang po kayo kumakain?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4377">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4376">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawa o isang beses na lang.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4375">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4374">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano po kinakain n’yo sa mga natirang araw na di n’yo nakukumpleto ang pagkain ng tatlong beses isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4373">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4372">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Tinapay na lang. Pag may natirang kanin o may nagbigay ng kanin, toyo ang ulam.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4371">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Magkano po ang kadalasang budget n’yo sa pagbili ng toyo sa isang linggo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4390">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Apat na piso.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4391">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Pag nagugutom po at wala nang makain, ano po ang ginagawa n’yo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4398">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4392">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA</b>: Wala. Natutulog na lang kami ng maaga para di makaramdam ng gutom.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4392">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4392">
<div class="yiv1071408389">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Wala po kayong gripo sa bahay?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4431">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4430">GARCIA:</b> Wala.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4429">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4428">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Saan po kayo kumukuha ng tubig?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4427">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4434">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Umiigib sa kapitbahay.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4426">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4425">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Libre po ‘yon?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4424">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4423">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Hindi, may bayad. Piso isang galon.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4422">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4421">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Sa isang linggo, ilang galon po ang binibili n’yo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4435">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4420">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawa.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4419">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4436">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang beses po kayong naliligo sa isang linggo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4437">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4438">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawang beses.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4439">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Si Jennifer po?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4440">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4441">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawa rin, sabay kaming maligo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4441">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oe8JVxYkutE/U-CpIFFpx0I/AAAAAAAAAws/n1rFzSfc274/s1600/containers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oe8JVxYkutE/U-CpIFFpx0I/AAAAAAAAAws/n1rFzSfc274/s1600/containers.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Aling Rosalinda's water containers</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4441">
<br />
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4454">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4479">IA: </b>Nagsa-shampoo po kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4453">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4452">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Minsan, pag may pambili.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4478">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4477">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Eh pag wala?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4476">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4475">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sabon na lang.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4473">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4472">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano pong sabon?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4474">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4482">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Kadalasan ‘yong sabong panlaba, ‘yon na rin panligo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4483">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4484">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano po ang sabong panlaba n’yo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4485">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4486">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Champion.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4487">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4488">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang beses po kayong maglaba sa isang linggo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4489">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4490">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Isa.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4495">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4491">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Magkano nagagastos n’yo sa pagbili ng Champion sa isang linggo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4494">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4492">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sampu (piso).</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4496">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4497">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> May CR po kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4493">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4498">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Wala.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4499">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4500">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Saan po kayo dumudumi?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4511">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4501">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sa plastic o kaya sa damit na di na ginagamit.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4502">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4510">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Saan n’yo po tinatapon ang dumi ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4509">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4508">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sa basurahan o kaya sa imburnal.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4503">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4507">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Saan po kayo umiihi?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4504">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4505">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sa arinola.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4506">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4512">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Saan po ninyo tinatapon ang ihi ninyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4519">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4513">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sa imburnal din.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4513">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4513">
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4544" style="text-align: left;">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4548">IA:</b> May kuryente po kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4545">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4541">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4547">GARCIA:</b> Wala.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4540">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4539">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4546">IA:</b> Ano po ang ginagamit n’yong pampailaw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4538">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4537">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Kandila.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4536">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4535">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Magkano ang budget n’yo sa kandila sa isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4534">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4533">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Tatlong piso.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4532">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4531">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Nakakabili kayo ng kandila araw-araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4530">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4529">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA</b>: Hindi. Pag walang pambili, di na lang nagkakandila.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4528">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4527">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang beses po kayong nagsisipilyo sa isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4526">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4525">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Isa.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4551">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4552">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Isang beses isang araw?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4557">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4553">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Hindi, minsan isang linggo, pero wala akong sipilyo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4556">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4555">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Paano po kayo nakakapaglinis ng ngipin kung wala kayong sipilyo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4554">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4558">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> ‘Yong tela o bimpo, kinukuskos lang sa ngipin.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4559">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> ‘Yong bimpo po nilalagyan n’yo ng toothpaste?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4560">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4561">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Wala kaming toothpaste. Di kami nagko-Colgate.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4566">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4562">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Eh ano po ang pinanlilinis n’yo ng ngipin?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4563">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4564">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> ‘Yong tela o bimpo pinangkukuskos sa ngipin nilalagyan ng Champion.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4565">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4567">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ahhh…so ang toothpaste n’yo po ‘yong Champion….Si Jennifer po gano’n din?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4568">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4574">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Oo. Ang dami na ngang sira ng ngipin n’ya.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4574">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4574">
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4599">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Ano po ang ginagamit n’yo na panlinis ng tenga?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4600">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4601">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4602">GARCIA:</b> Palito ng posporo.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4597">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4596">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Nireregla pa po ba kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4595">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4594">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Hindi na.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4617">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4618">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Kailan pa po kayo huling nagkaregala?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4619">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4620">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Matagal na…di ko na matandaan…</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4621">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4622">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Noong nireregla pa po kayo, nakakabali po kayo ng menstrual pad o napkin?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4623">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4624">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Pag may pambili. Pag wala, pasador na lang. ‘Yong tela o kaya lumang damit na di na ginagamit.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4625">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4585">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> May sapatos po ba kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4584">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4583">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Wala…step-in lang.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4582">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4581">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ilang buo o maayos pa pong panty meron kayo?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4580">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4626">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Dalawa.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4626">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4626">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjaeNYXHCoc/U-CpwxxBCqI/AAAAAAAAAw0/ZZflbPNTTDc/s1600/slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjaeNYXHCoc/U-CpwxxBCqI/AAAAAAAAAw0/ZZflbPNTTDc/s1600/slippers.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><b>Aling Rosalinda's worn out slippers</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4637">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4662">IA:</b> Anu-ano po ba ang gamit n’yo sa bahay?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4661">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4659">
<b class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4660">GARCIA:</b> Wala.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4658">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4657">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Wala? Kahit kutsara?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4656">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4655">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Ah meron…kutsara, tinidor, pinggan.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4654">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4653">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano pa?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4652">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4651">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Kumot, unan, hanger.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4650">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4649">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano pa po?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4648">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4647">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA: </b>Wala na.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4665">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4666">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA: </b>Kung magkapera po kayo pambili ng pagkain, ano po ang gusto n’yong kainin?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4677">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4667">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Gusto kong kumain ng baboy. ‘Yong adobo. Matagal na akong di nakakain no’n.</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4668">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4676">
<b class="yiv1071408389">IA:</b> Ano po ang nararamdaman n’yo pag sobra kayong nagugutom?</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4669">
</div>
<div class="yiv1071408389" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407230847459_4675">
<b class="yiv1071408389">GARCIA:</b> Sumasakit ang ulo ko. Masakit ang tiyan…maasim ang sikmura.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-36849372572056487112014-07-22T06:39:00.000-07:002014-07-22T06:39:14.066-07:00Scrap CCT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7VSlqNwnrI/U80isPKjwMI/AAAAAAAAAvc/y7-PfY-_qVE/s1600/dinky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7VSlqNwnrI/U80isPKjwMI/AAAAAAAAAvc/y7-PfY-_qVE/s1600/dinky.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: purple;">DSWD's Dinky-Doo</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was long boring day at the office. I was browsing the Web for news related to DAP, DBM and those pertaining to or referencing Aquino and Abad. I came across DBM’s National Expenditure Program for 2014.<br />
<br />
I’ve always been critical of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program which was immensely expanded under this administration. I am curious to see how much of taxpayers’ money were allotted to this wasteful program.<br />
<br />
For FY 2014, the expenditure program for CCT is as follows:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4SuwfsDmAY/U80oC-33OzI/AAAAAAAAAvs/nP5Bw4v7gho/s1600/cct.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4SuwfsDmAY/U80oC-33OzI/AAAAAAAAAvs/nP5Bw4v7gho/s1600/cct.JPG" height="141" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>2014 CCT Budget</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Section 3(1) of the department’s expenditure program provides that “DSWD shall submit, either in printed form or by way of electronic document, to the DBM. Copy furnished the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance, quarterly reports on the releases and utilization of CCT funds, status of implementation per program component, and the list of beneficiaries per LGU.” My guess however, is that, we the people, will never be granted access to these reports.<br />
<br />
I’ve been hearing complaints from beneficiaries that they are not getting their allocations regularly. Cash grants sometimes arrive after every month or quarterly. Another information I got said that it took 2 years for some beneficiaries in Sta. Maria, Bulacan to receive their first cash grants. Worse, they only got cash grant equivalent to 1 year or half of what they are supposed to get. If these are true, then it’s about time to rethink that effectiveness of CCT, better still, scrap it altogether.<br />
<br />
Going back to the breakdown of CCT Program allocation, why is there a specific item for “Salaries and Wages” in the amount of 3.379 billion pesos? Does this mean that salaries and wages of DSWD come from the CCT allocation and not from DSWD budget for personnel? How many DSWD employees are directly working for the CCT? Isn’t Ps 3.379 billion pesos too much? As of 2014 the total number of employees of DSWD is 2,388. If we assume that all of them are involved in CCT, average salary will be Ps. 117,915 per month!<br />
<br />
Also, what's "Bank Service Fees" for? How come it will eat up Ps. 550 million of the budget allocated for the program? <br />
<br />
I also find dubious are the allocations for "Monitoring/Evaluation" and "Administrative Expenses", totalling almost Ps. 730 million.<br />
<br />
Dinky Soliman has a lot of explaining to do on this one.</div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-52774540559472928652014-04-07T07:08:00.003-07:002014-04-07T07:17:43.943-07:00PeNoy Big Brother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uP3BtgpGL-I/U0Kq1Tr7KHI/AAAAAAAAAus/lN0PrlklNy8/s1600/rohde@scwarz.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uP3BtgpGL-I/U0Kq1Tr7KHI/AAAAAAAAAus/lN0PrlklNy8/s1600/rohde@scwarz.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>German company to supply surveillance gadgets to RP</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the news headline is busy with DAP scandal, Supreme Court deliberation on the constitutionality RH Law, the controversial Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsa Moro, the wily PeNoy managed to conclude a negotiated purchase of intelligence and surveillance equipments from a German company, Rohde & Schwarz.<br />
<br />
<br />
The equipments and peripheral gadgets codenamed Spectrum will cost a staggering Ps. 135 million of taxpayers' money. You can just imagine how many classrooms could have been constructed with such amount.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The purchase which did not undergo the process of bidding, was done in the guise of fighting terrorism. But in the past 4 years of this administration, we've seen that PeNoy has the propensity to break laws, destroy legal decora and undermine independence of other branches of government just to be able to annihilate those he perceives to be his political enemies. There is no assurance that those equipments will be solely used to counter terrorism.<br />
<br />
These equipments and gadgets are capable to sifting personal emails and text messages, thus posing as threat to one's privacy. This alone should cause great concern on the part of political opposition, leaders of cause-oriented and progressive organizations.<br />
<br />
PeNoy is the big brother that Krissy promised to look after when Aling Coring died. Now, it seems that PeNoy has convinced himself to play Big Brother to a country he's struggling to manage and rule.</div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-55525084176596743892013-01-12T04:20:00.000-08:002013-01-12T04:23:16.831-08:00My Choices for Governor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's officially 2013, an election year. Instead of listing down my New Year's resolution, I will deviate from this tradition and post a list of candidates that I want to win.<br />
<br />
Here are the gubernatorial candidates that I would like to win:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ilocos Sur - Ryan Singson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
La Union - Tomas Dumpit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pangasinan - Amado Espino, Jr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Batanes - Telesforo Castillejos</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cagayan - Alvaro Antonio</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabela - Faustino Dy III</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nueva Vizcaya - Pedro Algeria, Sr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Abra - Cecilia Seares Luna</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Benguet - Nestor Fongwan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ifugao - Denis Habawel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Aurora - Gerardo Noveras</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bataan - Albert Raymond Garcia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bulacan - Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nueva Ecija - Josefina Joson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pampanga - Lilia Pineda</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tarlac - Pearl Pacada</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Zambales - Hermogenes Ebdane</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cavite - Junvic Remulla</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quezon - David Suarez</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rizal - Casimiro Ynarez, Jr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Marinduque - Jose Antonio Carrion</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Occidental Mindoro - Ma. Amelita Villarosa</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Palawan - Jose Alvarez</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Romblon - Bernie Fondevilla</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camarines Norte - Renato Unico, Jr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camarines Sur - Luis Villafuerte</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Catanduanes - Araceli Wong</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Masbate - Antonio Kho</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorsogon - Raul Lee</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Antique - Exequiel Javier</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Guimaras - Felipe Hilian Nava</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Iloilo - Fernejel Brion</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cebu - Pablo John Garcia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Negros Oriental - Gary Teves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Siquijor - Orville Fua</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Northern Samar - Jose Ong, Jr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Samar - Sharee Ann Tan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Southern Leyte - Roger Mercado</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camiguin - Jurdin Jesus Romualdo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lanao del Norte - Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Misamis Occidental - Herminia Ramiro</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Misamis Oriental - Yevgeny Vincent Emano</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Davao del Sur - Marc Douglas Cagas IV</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
South Cotabato - Arthur Pingoy, Jr.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Agusan del Sur - Adolph Edward Plaza</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dinagat Islands - Glenda Ecleo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surigao del Norte - Sol Matugas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surigao del Sur - Johnny Pimentel</div>
</div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-23578258365960236962012-12-13T05:55:00.001-08:002012-12-13T05:55:38.365-08:00Truth About Pills and Abortifacients<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZvOH_Z69m8/UMnPOdJXgsI/AAAAAAAAAic/qpAdiLHhWK0/s1600/no_to_rh_bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="185" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZvOH_Z69m8/UMnPOdJXgsI/AAAAAAAAAic/qpAdiLHhWK0/s320/no_to_rh_bill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Stand up for life; No to RH Bill</span></em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday, the House of Representative passed on second reading the controversial RH Bill on a vote of 113-104.<br />
<br />
One of the most contentious provisions of the bill is government subsidy on contraceptives, many of most are considered as abortifacients.<br />
<br />
Below is an interesting Q & A regarding birth control pills, their abortifacient effects and long-term effects on a woman's body:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>The Pill – How it works and fails.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Q. I have been prescribed the pill by my doctor. I have read there are different types – could you explain these to me. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The commonly used name of ‘the pill’ is made up of two ‘styles’ of formulations; the progesterone-only pill (POP) and the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). The COCP contains an oestrogen, most frequently ethinyl oestradiol, and a progesterone, either levonorgestrel or norethisterone. Fixed formulations of the combined pill contain the same levels of oestrogen and progesterone for 21 days, followed by an optional 7 sugar tablet. Newer versions have hormonal levels which vary two or three times during the month (hence the bi- and tri-phasic names some of these products carry). Within the last few years, the combined pill has been released containing gestodene or desogestrel as the progesterone component. These products are known as third-generation progesterones. They are made as either a fixed dose formulation eg. Minulet®, or as a triphasic formulation eg. Tri-Minulet®. They are not very popular because they double the risks of a woman developing a blood clot. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds2gziN2_70/UMnSinkFnQI/AAAAAAAAAis/qjXGLCxcB6w/s1600/anti-rh_bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ds2gziN2_70/UMnSinkFnQI/AAAAAAAAAis/qjXGLCxcB6w/s400/anti-rh_bill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><strong><em>Pro-life rally at EDSA Shrine</em></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Q. How does the pill really work? </strong></span></span><br />
<br />
A. There are four ways the pill acts to stop sperm reaching an egg (ovum). First, the hormones in the pill try to stop an ovum being released from your ovary each month. This is known as the suppression of ovulation. Research has shown that neither the progesterone-only pill<sup> </sup>nor the combined progesterone-oestrogen formulations <u>always</u> stop ovulation. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Second, all formulations of the pill cause changes to the cervical mucus that your body produces. The cervical mucus may become thicker and more difficult for sperm to fertilize an ovum.<br />
<br />
Third, all formulations of the pill cause changes to the lining of the womb (properly known as the endometrium). Under the influence of the chemicals in the pill, the lining of the womb doesn’t grow to the proper thickness. You will notice that your periods are lighter when you are on the pill. This is because the lining of the womb has not developed properly. But this change also means that the womb is not in the right stage of development to allow a fertilized egg to attach properly (this attachment process is known as implantation). This action of the pill will be discussed again in this booklet. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Fourth, the pill causes changes to the movement of the Fallopian tubes. This effect may reduce the possibility of the ovum being fertilised. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It is very important for you to understand that none of these ways the pill works is completely reliable. Ovulation is not always stopped, cervical mucus does not always stop the movement of sperm the damage to the lining of the womb sometimes allows for implantation to occur, and Fallopian tube activity does not always stop sperm and ovum from joining to create a new human person.<br />
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<b><span>Q. I think you may be right because my girl friend had a baby even though she took the pill each day. The doctor said that it will stop me from becoming pregnant and I hope this is correct, but I am a little concerned. </span></b><br />
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<b><span>A</span></b><span>. Your concern is quite reasonable. Your friend’s pregnancy is the most obvious and simplest proof that the four inter-connected pill actions do not always operate ‘successfully’ in every woman. In theory, almost no women should have a baby whilst on the pill. The theoretical success of the combined pill is 99.66%. This means that only 0.34% or 34 women in 10,000 should have a diagnosed pregnancy. But the reality is that the combined pill only prevents a diagnosed pregnancy is 90-96% of women. In other words, 4-10 women in every 100 using the pill for one year do have a diagnosed pregnancy</span><span>. </span><span>Australian medical and science journalist Melissa Sweet has published ‘get-real’ figures in the same range.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span>Q. O.K., if the pill is not quite as successful as promised, why does it fail?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A</span></b><span>. One part of the answer to this question is some women forget to take a tablet each day. Missing a single tablet may be all that is needed for ovulation to occur. Even the drug companies agree that missing a single dose is significant. Ovulation may occur, which could lead to a diagnosed pregnancy. That is why the leaflet inside the pill packet recommends using something like a condom or diaphragm, even if you are <i>only 12 hours late</i> in taking your daily pill tablet. The pill manufacturers also suggest that a condom or diaphragm should be used <i>for seven days</i> because of the risk of ovulation and pregnancy. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Another reason some women have a diagnosed pregnancy whilst on the pill can be due to stomach illness such as vomiting or diarrhoea. These illnesses may prevent the full dose of the pill being absorbed into the woman’s body.</span><span> </span><span>The effect of less-than-complete drug absorption is the same as missing a dose – ovulation could occur. Again, the pill manufacturer recommends condom or diaphragm use for a full 7 days to prevent sperm and ovum joining. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>A third reason for a diagnosed pregnancy whilst taking the pill could be because of a drug interaction with antibiotics (such as amoxycillin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, erythromycin and amphotericin), or large doses of vitamin C, or anti-epileptic medication, barbiturates and rifampicin (used for T.B</span><span>.). </span><span>The effect of the drug interaction is to reduce the quantity of hormones absorbed. Therefore ovulation might occur.</span><br />
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<span><b><span>Q. But none of these things happened to my girl friend. She always took her tablet at breakfast time, has not had any stomach upset and hadn’t taken any other medicines. How come she is now pregnant?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A.</span></b><span> One possible answer is that your girl friend had what is known as ‘<i>break-through ovulation</i>’. As the name suggests,<b> </b>a woman ovulates <u>even though</u> she always takes her daily dose of the pill, is not sick, and is not taking any other medications. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Proof that break-through ovulation (sometimes also called ‘escape-ovulation’) does occur even under perfect health conditions was first shown by Dr. Nine Van der Vange, State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, Dept. of Obstetrics. & Gynaecology in 1984. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Dr Van der Vange’s research used high resolution ultra-sound which visually showed that women ovulate on the popularly prescribed low dose pill.<b> </b>A blood test confirmed that ovulation had occurred. The pill can have a break-through ovulation rate that can be as high as 17 ovulations per 100 women who used the pill for one year. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Other researchers have shown that the low dose pill has an even higher rate of break-through ovulation of almost 27 ovulations per 100 women per year.<sup> </sup><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: purple;">The State is responsible to uphold human life</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<b><span>Q. I have heard some people say the pill has an abortifacient capacity. What does this word mean, and is it really true anyway? <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A.</span></b><span> Before answering this question it is very important that we all have a correct understanding of the key biological terms related to pregnancy. The following definitions have been accept by major medical texts for decades. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i><span>'Conception'</span></i><span> refers to the moment at which the sperm penetrates and fertilises the ovum to form a viable zygote. It does <u>not</u> refer to the process of implantation of the newly created human embryo, which is a separate event, occurring about 7-8 day’s <i>after</i> conception. A woman is pregnant because conception has occurred, not because implantation has occurred. This distinction is important. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>At the precise and unique moment of conception, a woman is<i> 'pregnant'</i> with "a new individual ". This is an accurate and informed medical description. It is the same terminology used by Prof. John Dwyer, pre-eminent Australian AIDS expert and researcher, who has described the moment that the sperm enters the ovum as the creation of a "new and unique individual".<b> </b>Well known medical writer, Professor Derek Llewellyn-Jones, author of <i>Everywoman</i>, has also written that when the male genetic material from the sperm joins with the female genetic material in the ovum, " a new individual is formed".<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>To stop conception occurring, that is, to stop sperm and ovum joining, is <i>contraception.</i> Condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, vasectomy and tubal ligation are accurately described as methods of contraception. Obviously any drug or device used<b> </b><i>after</i> conception has occurred cannot be termed a contraceptive. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>The correct term to describe any interference with the pregnancy after conception has occurred is <i>‘abortifacient’.</i> This is the precise biological description for any drug or device that acts to end a pregnancy once it has begun at conception. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>You might be interested to know that many major medical dictionaries have definitions of ‘conception’, ‘pregnancy’ and ‘contraception’ that are the same as those listed above.</span><span> </span><br />
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<span>It is medically dishonest to break from these definitions. And yet, this is precisely what some scientists have recently started to do. They seek to define pregnancy as beginning with implantation, not fertilization. But as I mentioned ealier, implantation occurs 7-8 days <i>after </i>the new human person has come into existence. The pregnancy, and the new human person, are already many days old by the time implantation has occurred.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Therefore, what these scientists are trying to doing is get people to think that abortifacient drugs such as the pill are really just contraceptive drugs. Do you see the clever shift in definitions these scientists are trying to make? Redefine when a pregnancy and new human life begins, and you redefine the key characteristic of the drug – how it works! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Obviously many people object to abortifacient drugs because they can cause a loss of human life. Not so many people object to methods of contraception (condoms, diaphrams etc), because these methods prevent new human life being created. Hence, if scientists succeed in convincing people that human life begins <i>after</i> implantation, eventually most people will have no objection to the pill. They will have been tricked into believing that human life had not begun when the pill exerted its anti-implantation effect. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Q. So how do you prove that the pill acts as an abortifacient? <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>A.</span></b><span> The answer to this question can be found by comparing the rate of break-through ovulation and the detected pregnancy rate. The ovulation rate has been reported to be about 27 ovulations in 100 women using the pill for one year. But the detected pregnancy rate is much lower at around 4 pregnancies per 100 women using the pill for one year. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see, there is a big difference between the number of women who ovulation (27) and the number of detected pregnancies (4). What has happened within the woman’s body to reduce the high ovulation rate to such a low number of detected pregnancies? I suggest that one answer to this important question is that pregnancies have begun, because ovulation and fertilization have occurred, but some of these pregnancies are terminated because implantation cannot take place. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The pill has damaged the lining of the womb, stopping implanation.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Va4-tHvoCFs/UMnbrizbs8I/AAAAAAAAAjM/6taa08a-WL8/s1600/Anti-RH-Rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Va4-tHvoCFs/UMnbrizbs8I/AAAAAAAAAjM/6taa08a-WL8/s400/Anti-RH-Rally.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Anti-RH rally in Cebu City</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Q. You talk about the pill causing damage to the lining of the womb, but what does this really mean? <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A.</span></b><span> The process of implantation of the human embryo into the lining of the womb is a very complex and delicate process. Proper attachment and successful implantation is under the guidance and control of a vast array of ‘implantation factors’.<sup> </sup>These chemical factors, with names such as interleukins, PAF and LIF, actually cause what is referred to in medical journals as "cross-talk" between the embryo and the cells which line the womb. That is, the cells of the new human embryo and the cells of the lining of the womb chemically speak to each other. The purpose of this chemical communication is so the womb will be fully prepared and ready to bind with the human embryo when it attempts to implant. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>The pill’s role in all of this is that it alters the levels of these implantation factors. Too much estrogen and progesterone, via the pill, causes harmful changes to the levels of these implantation factors. Recent research has shown that implantation fails if the levels of estrogen and progesterone are too high. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>It is because the levels of these two hormones are wrong that the week-old embryo cannot attach to the womb. Cell talk fails, the proper development of the womb doesn’t occur, and the embryo dies from a lack of nutrition normally supplied to it from the lining of the womb. In fact, wrong levels of artifical progesterone have been shown to cause a very thin lining of the womb, making implantation impossible. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>You can understand this concept more fully by considering the example of a space shuttle, low on fuel and oxygen, which urgently needs to dock with the space station. The mother ship and the shuttle communicate with each other so that the shuttle knows which docking bay to go to. Importantly, the mother ship knows which bay to make ready. If this electronic communication fails – disrupted "cell-talk" --, the shuttle may go to the wrong docking bay, fail to attach to the mother ship, drift away, and the crew dies from a lack of food and oxygen. Or it might go to the right bay but not find all the docking apparatus in place. Again, the attachment between the two fails due to faulty communication and the crew dies. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>As well, there are a special group of molecules found both on the lining of the womb and on the 7-8 day old human embryo known as integrins. Integrins are referred to as ‘adhesion molecules’. Researchers have shown that these adhesion molecules greatly assist the process of implantation. Going back to our example of the docking process between a space shuttle and the mother ship, integrins could be thought of as grappling hooks that ‘hold’ the human embryo onto the womb whilst the process of implantation is completed. The artifical hormones in the pill have been shown to damage the ability of integrins – the implantation ‘hooks’— to function properly. Because of this damage to the proper functioning of integrins, the limited amount of time the human embryonic person has for attached, known as the ‘window of implantation’, is closed. As a result, the human embryonic person dies. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span>As you can see, the pill acts as the great communication wrecker. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span>Q. O.K., but I think that all this talk about ‘human life’ beginning when the sperm and the ovum join is just a bit weird. Isn’t it just a bundle of cells?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A.</span></b><span> This is a very important issue. Consider the following: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span>Given that it was human sperm and human ovum that joined together, you would agree that the result would have to be a human <i>something</i>. But what is that ‘something.’ Is it a human person even though it starts out looking just like a lump of cells? To answer this question, think about what is added to this clump of cells that attaches to the lining of the womb and grows over 40 weeks to be a born baby. This clump of cells receives only three things from its mother; somewhere to live, food and oxygen. If you say that the clump of cells isn’t human at its beginning, then you need to show that there is something magical about where you live, what you eat, or what you drink that can convert you from being non-human to human. I think you would agree that there is nothing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span>Hence the only logical conclusion can be it is always human because of where it came from – two human parents. It is very easy to be tricked by the appearance of the human embryo (‘it just looks like a lump of cells’) or its ‘address’ --floating in or newly attached to the lining of the womb. But these superficial features are irrelevant. We must look to <i>what it</i> <i>is</i>, not <i>what it looks like</i>. Human in origin means it is human in nature. It is a human person just like you or I; the <i>only</i> difference is that it just hasn’t fully grown up yet. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span>Q. What about the morning-after pill? Doesn’t it work by stopping pregnancy?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span>A.<i> </i></span></b><span>The morning-after pill is a very high dose of the two female hormones called oestrogen and progesterone. A woman takes a dose of progesterone in the ‘morning-after pill’ which is 10-20 times the amount of progesterone she would get via her daily birth control tablet. The dose of oestrogen from the morning-after pill is also very high: about 5 times the amount she gets from her daily birth control tablet. As you can see, these doses are much greater than the daily birth control pill dose. Now if the birth control pill can act as a chemical abortifacient in low doses, it would seem reasonable that the morning-after pill would also act as an abortifacient.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><em>Source: </em></strong><a href="http://www.pfli.org/faq_oc.html"><strong><em>http://www.pfli.org/faq_oc.html</em></strong></a></span>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-46664402294150203942012-04-12T22:43:00.001-07:002012-11-23T01:56:14.808-08:00Batangas Solon Expresses Support for CJ Corona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOVB9RcW6kQ/T4e8HrL_cpI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xah8Pv66USc/s1600/mandanas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOVB9RcW6kQ/T4e8HrL_cpI/AAAAAAAAAcc/xah8Pv66USc/s320/mandanas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Rep. Mandanas of Batangas</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Disrespect and defiance to Supreme Court order strengthened Cebu school not to follow TRO.”<br />
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Chief Justice Renato Corona particularly cited the now infamous Facebook bikini case involving a Cebu school’s decision to ignore a TRO issued by a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge allowing five (5) female students and parents from taking part in their high school graduation after their so-called “bikini photos” were uploaded in social networking site Facebook.<br />
<a name='more'></a>This defiance in sum highlights the weakening of the judiciary as a consequence of the challenges currently facing the Supreme Court.<br />
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Chief Justice Corona said the weakening of the courts would lead to the destruction of the judiciary in an event organized by the Batangas RTC Judges Association, Batangas First-Level Court Judges Association, Inc., and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Wednesday afternoon.<br />
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In a discussion-forum hosted by the University of Batangas with the theme, “Kalayaan at Katarungan,” the Chief Justice underscored that the rule of law, separation of powers and judicial independence are paramount to a free judiciary and strong democracy.<br />
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Quoting former American Bar Association President William Gosset, Corona stressed that “if respect for the courts and for their judicial process is gone or steadily weakened, no law can save us as a society.”<br />
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Batangas accorded its most famous justice-son a warm welcome as the audience composed of more than 800 judges, lawyers and law students boosted the spirit of the chief magistrate as he bared his heart out that his house had been under surveillance and his mode of communication tapped as parts of the harassment he and his family endured during the course of his impeachment.<br />
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Batangas 2nd District Representative Hermilando I. Mandanas echoed the same sentiment recalling the earlier House impeachment move as “political harassment.” <br />
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Mandanas, one of the three original House Liberal Party stalwarts, lamented such application of superior force.<br />
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“The Constitution, a sacred document (banal na kasulatan), has been exploited for partisan politics and the first victim of the administration in this impeachment process is the House of Representatives (referring to the 188 congressmen who signed),” Mandanas emphasized. <br />
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The Batangas congressman then rallied the audience not to vote for these congressmen in next year’s election to express the fight for truth and justice.<br />
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Mandanas had earlier been stripped of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee chairmanship immediately a day after not signing the impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice. He had been replaced by a member of the ruling party, Rep. Isidro Ungab of Davao City.<br />
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Corona described this harassment, quoting famed historian Gregorio Zaide, as “ambitious, no mercy, no-conscience presidency” aimed at establishing dictatorship with powers concentrated in the same hands.<br />
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“As an elected member of the people, our nation is faced with a crisis of true leadership,” Mandanas said. “The straight path is a straight path headed towards slough (putikan).”<br />
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This is Rep. Hermilando Mandanas’ first public appearance with the Chief Justice after the latter was impeached to the House of Representatives on December 12, 2011.</div>
Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-26309035766414278562012-03-01T17:30:00.001-08:002012-03-01T17:38:06.426-08:00Tiongson Should Be Cited for Contempt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZcfU5GQe-M/T1AfF5OZf7I/AAAAAAAAAXM/zv0J8uWCMbg/s1600/tiongson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZcfU5GQe-M/T1AfF5OZf7I/AAAAAAAAAXM/zv0J8uWCMbg/s320/tiongson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>Tiongson lied when she said she doesn't know Tupas</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>PS Bank Katipunan branch manager Annabelle Tiongson lied to the impeachment court when she declared under oath that she doesn't know lead prosecutor Niel Tupas, Jr.<br />
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Tiongson, like Tupas, hails from Iloilo. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada even emphasized that Tiongson's uncle who served as vice-governor, was a known political ally of the Tupases. When pressed by Estrada if Tiongson has met Tupas prior to her taking the witness stand, she answered in the negative. Estrada, unconvinced, simply gave an irritated grin.<br />
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It was also believed that Tupas maintains account in PS Bank's Katipunan branch. It is therefore unthinkable that Tiongson hasn't met the congressman.<br />
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The picture in this post shows that Annabelle Tiongson and Niel Tupas, Jr. have met years ago when they stood as wedding sponsors.<br />
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Presiding Officer Juan Ponce-Enrile and majority of the senator-judges have tried their best to keep the proceedings in order and impartial. It is important, therefore, that such perjury by Tiongson be dealt with. If the impeachment court will not slap contempt charges against Tiongson, this will be a major dent on the credibility of the whole impeachment process.<br />
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</div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-33217050304755735572012-03-01T01:49:00.000-08:002012-03-01T01:49:41.351-08:00THE FACE-OFF, SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE LONG WEEK OFF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZN6HB32X3I/T09E8YIE4ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/BasXXKu7AOw/s1600/vitallano_aguirre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZN6HB32X3I/T09E8YIE4ZI/AAAAAAAAAXA/BasXXKu7AOw/s320/vitallano_aguirre.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Childsh Aguirre earned the ire of Sen. Defensor-Santiago</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL - DAY 26, FEB. 29, 2012<br />
by Wilfred Avila<br />
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A quarter past two in the afternoon, the Senator-Judges filed into the Senate Hall to begin the 26th day of the longest impeachment trial ever. Well, to be precise, the only impeachment trial ever in Philippine historywith Senator-Judge Pia Cayetano leading the prayers for a wisdom filled afternoon. Twenty Senator-Judges were present for this hearing.<br />
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As the trial began, Minority Floor Leader Sen. Alan Cayetano stood first and said that he undertook some research related to immunity of Supreme Court Justices. He wanted the Senate, as a body, to further discuss the Supreme Court's resolution barring employees from testifying in the impeachment hearings and releasing of documents required in the deliberations. He further said that he prepared a legal study based on cases he researched. He ended by stating that this could be taken up in a caucus.<br />
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Senator-Judge Loren Legarda stood next and informed the prosecution that there was no testimony given to prove that the Supreme Court office hours were extended. "We spent minutes trying not to fall asleep to watch video (that were presented from the testimony of the ABS-CBN network) but no testimony on the time," she said! The prosecution tried to rectify this mistake by stating the time for the actual press-conference and delivery of the bond of the Arroyos but Cayetano rebuttted that there was no actual time given to the court.<br />
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Presiding Judge and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile addressed both the defense and the prosecution. He strongly reminded them not to make sweeping statements outside the court claiming victory. He further said that a winner has yet to be decided and that the SenatorJudges themselves, as a Court, would render the judgment. He deliberately said that when the outcome of the trial has been decided, that the losing party not to accuse the Senator-Judges of being bribed to vote a certain way. The web has been filled with stories of monies being exchanged for the Senator-Judges to vote one way or the other.<br />
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The postponed cross-examination of ABS-CBN cameraman Danny Piedad was continued by Lead Defense Counsel Justice Serafin Cuevas. Piedad said he was already feeding stories back to ABS-CBN from his coverage earlier in the day through the network's Filed Unit Van and thiught that his day's chores were over when ABS-CBN reporter Zen Hernandez informed him that they might need to stay on at the NAIA for another coverage. Piedad said he did not know GMA was leaving and where she was going and that, in fact, turned out to be their new coverage assignment. Cuevas asked additional details of the assignment but merely to clarify the time of the events as they transpired at the airport. No further questions and the witness was released by the court.<br />
<br />
Senator-Judge Miriam Defensor Santiago took to the podium and said that the prosecution's dropping of more than half the Articles of Impeachment wass unprecedented. “You are prejudging the case. What are you doing, conducting trial by publicity?” She accused the prosecution of misleading the court. “Ang yayabang ng nagsasalita ng ganyan, gago naman.” This is where I noticed that most of the members of the prosecution belonging to the House of Representatives were not seated at the Prosecutions table but at the VIP Section ff the hall. Most of those who sat at the prosecution table were the private prosecutors and Prosecutor Representative Colminares who led them on Article 7.<br />
<br />
Santiago then turns her anger from the prosecution to a recent University of the Philippines survey. Addressing the University, she said, “Please do not try these little dirty tricks on us. We are old people here.” She added, “People who machinate the press releases on the UP survey should be kicked out! Shame on the university.”<br />
<br />
Not known to Santiago was the fact that one of the private prosecutors deliberately covered his ears and seemed to be mouthing invectives at her was being feasted on by all the networks. The contrast in the video was very powerful. On the one hand was the Senator-Judge in her usual feisty mood and on the other, a private prosecutor who seemed so immersed in his own thoughts which one could deduce as being not so nice towards Santiago. Finally, Senator-Judge Santiago ended her rant asking the Senate Secretary to put on record that she said the word, “Wah!”<br />
<br />
“Yesterday, we were struck by a lightning bolt. I have never heard where the lawyer suddenly says to the judge, 'I'm sorry I made a mistake.' In my entire career as judge, I've never seen a lawyer withdraw a case. This is unprecedented!” Santiago said. “What are you doing? Ano kayo naglalaro? Now all of a sudden there's a complete turnaround?! Nagbibiro ba kayo?” <br />
<br />
The Senator-Judge further accused the House panel of misleading the court and falsely declaring a “victory.”<br />
<br />
“You've been misleading the court! I'm very concerned that the prosecution has been in bad faith all along. You've been saying to media, 'Panalo na kami.' Kami ang magdedesisyon niyan, hindi kayo. Ang yayabang niyo! Mga gago naman!” Santiago said. “You are prejudging the case! Are you conducting trial by publicity? This is not a direct democracy and we are not in Athens! The people are not going to decide this case. It is the Senate alone!” she added. Santiago rebuked that even if the prosecution is intending a trial by publicity, the Senator-Judges will not be swayed. “The entire capacity of tsunami waves at Manila Bay can fall upon this court but we'll not be affected by what you say in public!”<br />
<br />
“When I heard this news, I felt like creeping back into bed and adopting a fetal position. I no longer know what universe I'm in. I have never seen such a parody of justice in my entire adult life. I want to leave a legacy that when presented with this anomaly, in trials like this, I rose to condemn it,” she stressed. Santiago concluded her manifestation saying, “I request the secretary to record in journal that I said 'Waah!'”<br />
<br />
Lead Prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., however, clarified that their claim on winning the case is just a “stand for their advocacy” and not a prejudgement of the case.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero noted that the withdrawal of the five articles of impeachment is equivalent to amending the complaint. "Did prosecutors consult with complainants of the case? This is a substantial amendment. It's not purely prosecutorial decision to just drop the five articles of impeachment," Escudero told the prosecution.<br />
<br />
"We did not have a formal consultation with the 188 signatories but we consulted with the House speaker and majority leader," Tupas replied. He also stated that while they were terminating the presentation of evidence, they have not as yet received a formal reply from Supreme Court Justice Sereno and would like to reserve their right to present her as a witness if she agrees should she accept their invitation to come to the Impeachment hearings to testify on her dissenting opinion and the actual deliberations on the TRO issued against the Department of Justice.<br />
<br />
Presiding Judge and Senate President Enrile immediately interjected that the prosecution could not close presentation of evidence if they still wanted to present a witness. The proper thing to ask is for a continuance, he added. Tupas submitted. When JPE asked him to clarify whether they were going to ask Justice Sereno to still testify, “no more,” Tupaz replied with finality. He then continued to ask two days to file formal offer of evidence. This was granted.<br />
<br />
Enrile went further and gave the Defense five days to accept or reject the offer of evidence. “We will work to make a quick ruling on offer of evidence so be ready. Both sides must be ready everyday for trial,” he added. Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto II announced that the resumption of trial would be on March 12, 2012.<br />
<br />
Senator-Santiago took to the floor again. She rebuked the prosecution another time and asked them why they needed time to file offer for evidence. “What’s the big deal? It’s clerical.” She reminded everyone that they should be ready all the time. More shots of the private prosecutor covering his ears were shown on television.<br />
<br />
Prosecutor Representative Rodolfo Fariñas asked the Senate to strike out the term “gago” used by Senator-Judge Satiago from the records and Presiding Judge Enrile agreed as Santiago did not object. “Baka pwede matanggal yung salitang ‘gago’ sa record. Ang pangit kasi na tatawagin ang prosekusyon ng ganoon,” Farinas said.<br />
<br />
Senator Jinggoy Estrada castigated private prosecutor Aguirre who was caught covering his ears while Senator Santiago was speaking. Aguirre responded that Senator-Judge Santiago’s voice was painful to listen to. Sen. Santiago takes the podium and said that, “you cannot make contemptuous gestures and get away with it.” Tired of Santiago's tirades against the prosecution, Aguirre covered his ears while Santiago was at the podium.<br />
<br />
“Totoo po 'yon sapagkat nasasaktan ang tenga ko,” Aguirre told Senator Jinggoy Estrada who admonished the prosecutor for covering his ears while Santiago was speaking.<br />
<br />
“Mula nang tumayo at natapos si Senator Miriam sa pagsasalita ay nakatakip ang inyong tenga. Kabastusan ho iyon,” Estrada said.<br />
<br />
Santiago then took the stand and moved to cite Aguirre for contempt, “You cannot make those contemptuous gestures and get away with it!”<br />
<br />
Aguirre pointed out, “This is the first time I've experienced in my 40 years of practice that a judge lectures lawyers. Hindi po tama yung ganun.” “Kung ayaw mo pakinggan, umalis ka sa korte!” Santiago told Aquirre.<br />
<br />
“Aalis na nga po ako eh,” the prosecutor replied, to which the senator agreed, “Go ahead!”<br />
<br />
But Aguirre continued debating, “Kung nagdedemand ka ng respeto, dapat respetuhin mo rin yung mga abogado. Walang ng human dignity...”<br />
<br />
“Now you're lecturing me? Naghahamon ka talaga eh!” an irked Santiago answered. Immediately thereafter, Santiago proceeded to the lectern occupied by Aguirre and had a face-off and a stare down with the equally vehement Aguirre. It totally reminded me of a Manny Pacquia championship fight in the ring!<br />
<br />
Santiago, who has hypertension, was then led to her seat by her co-Senators as she tried to regain calm. Aguirre was meanwhile led outside the hall to the prosecution's waiting room.<br />
<br />
Try as he might, Presiding Judge Juan Ponce Enrile could not pacify the two. He even suggested that everyone keep calm so as not to disrupt the proceedings. Yet, Aguirre further asked to continue and said that he did what he did on purpose because it was true that the voice of Senator-Judge Santigo was shrill and was hurting his ears. He continued to say that the lowly prosecutors find that repsspect was the most important and if the Senator-Judges required respect they, too, should give respect. <br />
<br />
Senator-Judge Miriam Defensor Santiago Asked that Aguirre be cited for contempt and this was seconded by Senator-Judge Pia Cayetano. This prompted JPE to suspend the trial and with the resumption of the hearing he decided to hold Aguirre for contempt. Enrile said they will discuss Aguirre's penalty in a caucus. “I cannot tolerate disrespect of this court and to any member of this court. If you do not believe in the dignity of this court or jurisdiction over you, if you think you’re better than us, you are entitled to your opinion but we’ll enforce rules of procedure,” Enrile commented.<br />
<br />
Prosecutor Representative Fariñas rose on behalf of the prosecution and apologized for Aguirre. Presiding Judge Enrile ordered him not to interrupt the Chair and to sit down. After finishing his comment, Enrile said that the Impeachment Court accepted the apology but will continue to enforce respect for the Court.<br />
<br />
Immediately the Presiding Judge banged his gavel for adjournment without any of the usual niceties. See you all on March 12, the continuation of the trial. It was truly, at least to this poster, the most exciting day of the 26 day hearings by far. <br />
<br />
In a later television interview Senator-Judge Santiago said, "In hindsight, it appears that the lawyer who committed contempt by covering his ears and later directly attacked me by his remarks on the floor, might have been part of a deliberate plot to <br />
provoke me. The provocation could have been intended to raise my hypertension to an even higher level, precipitating either a stroke or a heart attack. Or, the provocation could have been intended to make me deliberately lose my temper and make a spectacle of myself. According to my office staff, that particular private prosecutor was always seated, not with the prosecution panel, but in the gallery. Every time I spoke, he would sneer at me very loudly, intending to make him heard by those around him."<br />
<br />
"All of a sudden, today, he sat smack dab in the middle of the front row of the prosecution panel. He very conspicuously raised each hand against each ears. The TV news service of a TV station known to be partial to the administration deliberately panned over this lawyer so that he could be seen on nationwide TV. With these tactics, the usual suspects are up to their dirty tricks. I very humbly submit that I have been effective in educating the public whenever I make a comment on the proceedings. Therefore, to assure conviction of the defendant I have been specifically targeted for character assassination and other forms of self-destruction by the culprits. The more my enemies try to persecute and intimidate me, the more I will continue with my present mode of behavior in the impeachment court. Today, all my colleagues in the Senate have unanimously supported me, and I take heart," she ended.<br />
<br />
There was a face-off, Aguirre vs. Santiago. There was a stare down, Estrada vs. Aguirre and now we, have a long week off courtesy of Sotto and Enrile.<br />
<br />
There is one thing to look forward to in any case. The defense is next up and with that, we pray to see the entire picture of this case unfold. So far, we have been feasted by the case presented by the Prosecution based on the complaint of 188 Congressmen collectively known as the complainants. <br />
<br />
Lead Counsel Serafin Cuevas is now expected to take his defense to a new level as he presents counter evidence to defend his client Chief Justice Renato Corona! If at all, Cuevas has the charisma to handle himself and the legalese to assure himself of not being scolded by the Court for ineptness and of being unprepared. He has had a lot of practice, after all. <br />
<br />
There are still a lot of issues to be resolved with the Supreme Court with a number of cases filed before it regarding the Impeachment trial. Also, there is the problem of <br />
whether all of the evidence to be offered by the Prosecutor will be accepted by the Impeachment Court. The main issue here would be the spurious origin of the PSBank documents and the various properties of the Chief Justice. We shall see.<br />
<br />
Collectively, the nation awaits the continuation of this trial and its natural conclusion - guilty or not guilty! The very person, integrity and honor of one man lies on the balance. That man, the Chief Justice of the Spreme Court, His Honor, Renato C. Corona!</div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-77269537678571196482012-02-18T23:12:00.004-08:002012-02-19T04:43:36.042-08:00Dear ABS-CBN Advertiser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvSmOtAM1mA/T0Cc_F-cbRI/AAAAAAAAAWw/M5aPzsso8_Q/s1600/abs-cbn-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvSmOtAM1mA/T0Cc_F-cbRI/AAAAAAAAAWw/M5aPzsso8_Q/s320/abs-cbn-logo.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>In disservice to the Filipino</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dear ABS-CBN News Programs Advertiser:<br />
<br />
I am a sensible and patriotic Filipino, and, as such, I am making the informed decision not to support companies that advertise on any news and public affairs programs of ABS-CBN network, which include ANC. I feel that you have the right to know why you may be losing my business.<br />
<br />
The hosts, news anchors and reporters on ABS-CBN public affairs and news programs are notoriously partisan and biased. At times, it can even be considered offensive and prejudicial. While ABS-CBN network slogan may be “In service to the Filipino,” their reporting is anything but. The truth is that ABS-CBN news and public affairs programs are helping to further the political and economical divide amongst the Filipinos by shamelessly editorializing news in favor of one political group.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Until these issues are addressed and remedied, I will not watch ABS-CBN news and public affairs program. Furthermore, until your company discontinues your relationship with ABS-CBN network, I will not purchase your products or services.<br />
<br />
Please consider severing your ties with ABS-CBN network and/or its news and public affairs programs and spending your advertising budget in areas that will help build a better Philippines. It is never acceptable for a company to support the intentional distribution of misinformation and bias to the Filipinos.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
Abnoy</div><br />
I sent this to Unilever Philippines' website. You can also send this by clicking <a href="http://www.unilever.com.ph/resource/contactus-form/index.aspx">here</a>. If you prefer to send this letter by mail, you may address it to:<br />
<br />
<i><b>Unilever Philippines<br />
1351 United Nations Ave.,<br />
Paco Manila 1007<br />
</b></i><br />
Tomorrow I will be mailing this same to Proctor & Gamble Philippines:<br />
<br />
<i><b>Procter & Gamble</b></i><br />
<i><b>Distributing Philippines Inc.</b></i><br />
<i><b>6750 Ayala Office Tower</b></i><br />
<i><b>Makati 1226</b></i></div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-87645155073670304982012-02-17T18:33:00.000-08:002012-02-17T18:33:39.242-08:00Chief Justice Corona Fights Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgbcq4Iith4/Tz8Gzk60BeI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Ed1vabHX_bo/s1600/cjcorona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgbcq4Iith4/Tz8Gzk60BeI/AAAAAAAAAWM/Ed1vabHX_bo/s320/cjcorona.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: purple;">SC Chief Justice Corona dares Noynoy Aquino</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><span style="color: blue;">CJ Renato C. Corona</span></b><br />
<i><b><span style="color: blue;">17 February 2012</span></b></i><br />
<br />
I am calling on our President not to meddle, pre-empt and influence the Senate Impeachment Court. There is a process to these impeachment proceedings, and that is written in our Constitution and the Rules of the Senate.<br />
<br />
Wasn't it you who chose this step and brought it to the Senate? Let us not allow this hearing to go far from the Impeachment Court and use media to judge me. Let us allow the case to move forward based on the Rule of Law and its rightful process. As you once said, "it is best if we all watch and keep silent first."<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
As to what you said (at La Consolacion) "It would seem that we are being led astray so we can lose interest in the case." There is no one else to blame but your very own Prosecution team who continuously bring out false lists of my properties, print out my salary to show that I do not have the capacity to purchase, yet, not including the overall situation, and in the end, brought out falsified documents from the bank. Who, then, is the one responsible for fooling the people?<br />
<br />
As President of our country, you do not need "to lighten up and straighten out the issue that is determinedly derailed by some." That is the duty of the Senate Impeachment Court. Your duty is to seek solutions to the worsening poverty and hunger of our people, the never-ending rise of gasoline and other prime commodities, the continued demolition of the houses of the poor and the slow response to aid for those who have been hit by calamaties brought about by disregard for our environment. This is what you must focus on, sir!<br />
<br />
Why do you teach the youth to judge when they do not know the whole truth, when only one side is still being heard? Is this the "justice and fair play" you teach the young? Give me, sir, the opportunity to give my side, present my evidence, answer your baseless charges, and to bring out the truth. This is true justice and based on our Constitution.<br />
<br />
If you find the hearing of the case you brought against me to be slow, the solution is in the hands of your prosecutors!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmPt8BFOuzI/Tz8LTbzMZ2I/AAAAAAAAAWY/NQdhE1LOx7w/s1600/tinancj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmPt8BFOuzI/Tz8LTbzMZ2I/AAAAAAAAAWY/NQdhE1LOx7w/s320/tinancj.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b>The wind beneath Corona's wings</b></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I bring out my SALN. I have not hidden this. My not having this printed out is based on a ruling of the Supreme Court of over two decades now, I was not even a magistrate then. I will explain my SALN when my time and opportunity comes, as dictated by the process of the impeachment proceedings.<br />
<br />
Probably, it would be best if you, Mr. President, bring out your SALN, and explain it to the people. Maybe, bring out your bank accounts and psychological records that have been an issue for so long. We have the duty to show our people that we are of sound mind!<br />
<br />
Now, regarding what you said on the case of Rabe v. Flores, where the court interpreter was removed from service, maybe your brilliant lawyers should have explained that Ms. Flores was removed not only for non-declaration of her SALN and her renting out. She was removed because of her "double compensation," or salaries primarily, or receiving salary twice, one from the town of Panabo, Davao, and the other from the court! <br />
<br />
I am with you in stating that we should not allow to "continue a system where one is oppressed." I have only abut 20 in my defense that serve me for free, against 188 congressmen and 60, more or less, private prosecutors, who are all paid from the cofferes of the country. Let's add to this the BIR and LTO Commissioners, LRA Administrator, Registers of Deeds, BID Commissioner, and many mor officials and men of government that is sent out to look for more wrong-doings of myself and my family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12O4IYpRidE/Tz8MzpMhZ8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/vHlvKjfZi-U/s1600/scrally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12O4IYpRidE/Tz8MzpMhZ8I/AAAAAAAAAWk/vHlvKjfZi-U/s400/scrally.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>CJ Corona addresses supporters</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
You are using the power and might of the entire government machinery to abuse, coerce and humliate me and my family. Is this fair play? Is this the "Daang Matuwid?"<br />
<br />
I am also calling on our people. The President controls the entire Executive Department. He also controls the House of Representatives. Let us not allow him to also handle the Senate. Let us not permit him to handcuff the Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary. This is for our democracy. This is for all of us.</div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-47064489032588681732012-02-14T01:45:00.000-08:002012-02-14T01:58:10.353-08:00Vote on SC TRO Draws the Line<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4a7JkZc6aY/TzoLWWNP_VI/AAAAAAAAAV4/cJ7NYO28ZpM/s1600/psbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4a7JkZc6aY/TzoLWWNP_VI/AAAAAAAAAV4/cJ7NYO28ZpM/s320/psbank.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>PS Bank's petition for TRO on FCDU was granted by SC</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Last February 9, 2012, the Supreme Court en banc decide to grant PS Bank's petition for temporary restraining order (TRO) on the public disclosure of Chief Justice Corona's dollar accounts with the bank.<br />
<br />
The issuance of TRO triggered a debate among senator-judges on whether the Supreme Court can exercise its innate power to do judicial review on matters being discussed by the impeachment court. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The impeachment court decided to settle whether or not the TRO issued by the Supreme Court should be honored in a close-door caucus. The result of the voting is quite insightful as I think this is more or less how the final voting is going to be, with CJ Corona's acquittal.<br />
<br />
As expected close Palace ally Franklin Drilon voted not to honor the TRO. The senator from Iloilo has consistently showed his political bias by ably helping and propping up the ragtag prosecution panel.<br />
<br />
Kiko Pangilinan's vice-presidential ambition is well-known. He believes that his chances will be better if he will run under the administration ticket. This explains why he has religiously followed Noynoy Aquino.<br />
<br />
TJ Guingona's nephew, Francis Javier is married to Noynoy's cousin, so I expected him to vote against the TRO.<br />
<br />
The business interests of the Lopezes semmed to be seamlessly sewn with the political fortune of Noynoy Aquino. Serge Osmena, who is married to Bettina Lopez, voted to defy the Supreme Court TRO.<br />
<br />
It is a well-known fact that it was Dante Tinga who really won as mayor of Taguig City. His victory was however, snatched by Lani Cayetano, wife of Allan Peter Cayetano. Tinga has filed an electoral protest and prayed that actual ballots be recounted manually. Should this happen, Cayetano will surely be ousted. I received information that Sen. Peter Cayetano sought Noynoy Aquino's intervention so that the such manual recount will not occur. In exchange for his vote, Aquino betrayed the Tingas who supported his presidential campaign.<br />
<br />
Lito Lapid's wife entangled herself in a dollar-smuggling controversy in the United States. Malacanang recently stated that they will extend legal and other assistance to Mrs. Lapid. Now, you do the math.<br />
<br />
Edong Angara, Ping Lacson and Pia Cayetano voted to defy the SC TRO but they will surprise us once they cast their final vote.<br />
<br />
As for putschist-for-hire Antonio Trillanes, well, I don't think anyone should take him seriously.<br />
<br />
Manong Johnny Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Greg Honasan and Tito Sotto all voted to respect the TRO. Please note that these four always vote as one.<br />
<br />
Pro-Binay senators Chiz Escudero and Koko Pimentel voted to respect the TRO. There's talk that once Chief Justice Corona is replaced by Carpio, Roxas' electoral protest will be decided on his favor, thereby unseating VP Jojo Binay.<br />
<br />
Joker Arroyo, Ralph Recto and Manny Villar, all members of the Tuesday group voted as one in favor of the SC TRO.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sqVunledP4/TzorZfa3QgI/AAAAAAAAAWE/9IhYaON63H0/s1600/Senator-Miriam-Defensor-Santiago1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sqVunledP4/TzorZfa3QgI/AAAAAAAAAWE/9IhYaON63H0/s400/Senator-Miriam-Defensor-Santiago1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">The feisty yet sensible Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Miriam Defensor-Santiago's manifestations never fails to excite and enthrall those who closely follow the impeachment. Her position on the SC TRO is by far the best. Below is Sen. Santiago's explanation of her vote:<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: purple;">Dear Senator Sotto:<br />
<br />
This is to respectfully request you to relay the following message to our colleagues in caucus on Monday, February 13. <br />
<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />
<br />
My Vote:<br />
<br />
I vote to obey the Supreme Court TRO on the foreign currency deposits of the Chief Justice, on the following grounds. These six grounds are based on the ideology that the impeachment court is not almighty, not absolute, not illimitable, and not more supreme than the Supreme Court.<br />
<br />
<br />
First Ground:<br />
<br />
Last Clear Chance Doctrine Obedience to the TRO preserves governmental stability, while disobedience precipitates a constitutional crisis. If we have a choice between stability and crisis, the wiser choice is always national stability.<br />
<br />
This solution is analogous to the legal doctrine of "last clear chance" in the law of torts. A tort, as distinguished from a crime, means a civil wrong, for which the remedy is damages. Under this doctrine, the most common example is an automobile collision. If plaintiff was negligent, nonetheless he will win over the defendant, if the defendant had the last opportunity to prevent the harm, but failed to use reasonable care to do so.<br />
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In the present impeachment case, it is the Senate which has the last clear chance to avoid a crisis, by obeying the TRO.<br />
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Second Ground:<br />
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Judicial Power Includes both Justiciable Questions and Political Questions<br />
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Under the Constitution, the judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court. This judicial power has two components:<br />
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1. Justiciable questions, which the Court defines as "actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable;" and<br />
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2. Political questions, which the Constitution defines as "grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction."<br />
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Thus, the "political question doctrine" no longer applies under the 1987 Constitution. Under this discarded doctrine, a court should refuse to decide an issue involving the exercise of discretionary power by the executive or legislative branch of government. Assuming that the power to issue subpoena concerning foreign currency deposits is discretionary with the impeachment court, still the Supreme Court has power over this political question.<br />
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Because the US Court has no provision similar to ours, American cases on impeachment and the political question doctrine do not apply in this country<br />
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Third Ground:<br />
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This Impeachment Court is not Authorized to Violate the Law<br />
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The law on secrecy of foreign currency deposits describes this secrecy to be "absolute," except ONLY AND ONLY WHEN the depositor consents. Congress made this law. The lawmakers should not be the lawbreakers. Instead, the lawmakers should, if necessary, amend the law.<br />
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Fourth Ground: <br />
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The Theory of Checks and Balances Prohibits this Impeachment Court from Claiming an Exception for Itself<br />
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Under the theory of checks and balances, each branch of government has the ability to counter the actions of any other branch, so that no single branch can control the entire government. The Constitution allows one branch to check the excesses or choices of another branch. Do we mean to say that this impeachment court is free of any check or balance? Then it becomes almighty! Under the Constitution, this impeachment court has no authority to study its own navel.<br />
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When the impeachment court obeys the Supreme Court TRO, this does not mean that one is superior over the other. It merely means that the Constitution is supreme over all branches and agencies of the government.<br />
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The Constitution provides that: "The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment." The phrase "sole power" means only that impeachment shall not be conducted by any other branch or agency. The phrase "to try and decide" means only that the Supreme Court cannot try or decide the impeachment case.<br />
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Some people seem to be confused that judicial review of impeachment procedures is equivalent to judicial determination of the outcome. But this does not mean that the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review over all constitutional questions. It only means that the SC cannot exercise full judicial review, but it retains the power of the most minimal judicial review. This is a result of the theory of checks and balances.</span></i><br />
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Fifth Ground:<br />
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Disobedience to the TRO Violates the Defendant's Human Rights<br />
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Separation of powers was conceived to protect individual rights. Judicial review is an integral part of separation of powers. Accordingly, minimum judicial review of the exercise of the impeachment power is observed, in order to ensure that no individual right is being violated. It has been said that the individual right at risk in an impeachment trial is a federal judge's potential loss of position, including the independence he or she is guaranteed.<br />
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Sixth Ground:<br />
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In at Least Two Previous Cases, The Supreme Court Ruled That It Has Power of Judicial Review Over Impeachment Cases.<br />
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The two cases are: Francisco v. Nagmamalasakit, 415 SCRA 44 (2003) and Gutierrez v. House of Representatives, 643 SCRA 198 (2011).<br />
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Francisco involved the filing of the second impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. The Supreme Court ruled: "The Constitution did not leave the matter of impeachment to the sole discretion of Congress - it provided for certain well-defined limits or "judicially discoverable standards" for determining the validity of the exercise of such discretion, through the power of judicial review."<br />
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Gutierrez concerned the impeachment of the Ombudsman by the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court ruled: "The Court finds it well within its power to determine whether public respondent committed a violation of the Constitution or gravely abused its discretion in the exercise of the functions and prerogatives that could translate as lack or excess of jurisdiction, which would force corrective measures from the Court."<br />
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Sincerely yours,<br />
<br />
MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO<br />
</b><br />
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</div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-28601342645820199242012-02-12T20:42:00.000-08:002012-02-12T20:42:35.027-08:00Onslaught of Democratic Institutions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gocv8_3oqfU/Tzhgx9P4zHI/AAAAAAAAAVU/me2eFmBWX20/s1600/juan-ponce-enrile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gocv8_3oqfU/Tzhgx9P4zHI/AAAAAAAAAVU/me2eFmBWX20/s320/juan-ponce-enrile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>The fools at the Palace shifted full gear its attack on our democratic institutions. After prostituting and undermining the independence of the House of Representative and besmirching the Supreme Court, the path of destruction of democratic institutions now points to the Senate.<br />
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And the specific target of the onslaught - Senate President himself, Juan Ponce Enrile.<br />
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Enrile has ably steered the Senate in its regular function as a law-making body to be productive. As an impeachment court, the Senate President has exhibited has been "fair and even-handed" as politial columnist <a href="http://www.polbits.com/">Belinda Olivarez-Cunanan</a> observed.<br />
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Maybe it's this fairness and even-handedness of Senate President Enrile that prompted Aquino and his yellow marauding horde to exert political pressures and threats to the veteran senator. Because if only every senator sitting as judge in the impeachment court will follow Manong Johnny's objectivity and fairness, Chief Justice Corona is sure to be acquitted. So far, the prosecution panel has yet to provide compelling evidence that will warrant conviction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWOxTfK1xAs/Tzh80zG6hDI/AAAAAAAAAVg/NC-p-0BZRcs/s1600/presscon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWOxTfK1xAs/Tzh80zG6hDI/AAAAAAAAAVg/NC-p-0BZRcs/s400/presscon.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Press con of Corona's defense panel</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>At last night's press conference of Corona's defense panel, it was revealed that the Palace is offering senators at least Ps. 100 million to effect a revamp of the Senate leadership. The information apparently came from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who relayed it to defense panel chief Serafin Cuevas. As expected, many senators, including Estrada himself, came forward to disprove that there was such bribery attempt. But as we all know, in Philippine politics, oftentimes a denial means no less than a confirmation.<br />
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How important Enrile's ouster as Senate president is for Noynoy Aquino? Last Thursday, the Supreme Court, in a heated en banc session, tackled PS Bank's petition for TRO regarding Corona's dollar accounts. The High Court decided favorably on PS Bank's petition and this could very well serve as an impediment on the impeachment court to look into the controversial accounts.<br />
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Aquino and his lackeys are hellbent in their desire to open Corona's dollar accounts to predicate allegations of ill-gotten wealth under Article 2.4 which the Enrile impeachment court earlier set aside for lack of merits. With Enrile out, Aquino and his allies see the dollar accounts opened, Article 2.4 reconsidered and the chief justice convicted.<br />
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If Aquino and his allies believe that ousting Enrile is a short-cut to Corona's conviction, they are darn mistaken! Doing so will completely take away the remaining mantle of political decency. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gv6WhCZzXc/TziRvOIyaII/AAAAAAAAAVs/7NXz8YK3Vz8/s1600/enrile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Gv6WhCZzXc/TziRvOIyaII/AAAAAAAAAVs/7NXz8YK3Vz8/s400/enrile.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Enrile and Cagayan 200 led by Honasan</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
Senate President Enrile commands respect and sizeable following especially in the military. Ousting him could very well turn the tide against Aquino and finally stop the rape of Philippine democracy.</div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-2635139344758344952012-02-08T04:11:00.000-08:002012-02-08T04:11:51.303-08:00Bank on this - Osmena Makes No Sense<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sVwglBEEkU/TzJVBLcGMYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/nB2U-ameDbM/s1600/osmena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sVwglBEEkU/TzJVBLcGMYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/nB2U-ameDbM/s320/osmena.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Senator Osmena</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Day 14 of the Corona impeachment hearing included the testimony of PS Bank president Pascual Garcia III on the subpoenaed alleged deposit accounts of the chief justice. <br />
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The bank president was asked by the impeachment court to present documents pertaining to 10 deposit accounts. However, Garcia came with information on five of the accounts. Apparently, the other five are foreign currency deposit accounts.<br />
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Garcia explained that there are two laws that separately govern peso and foreign currency deposit accounts, with the latter being more stringent when it comes to confidentiality. <br />
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Sen. Joker Arroyo made a manifestation of sort that during the impeachment of then Presiden Estrada, Citibank representative testified that such stringent regulations on the confidentiality of foreign currency deposits tied the bank's hands into revealing information. Sen. Arroyo reminded the Corona impeachment court that it was a precedent that ought to be observed and considered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ji-L1qwHx4g/TzJZfBj_a3I/AAAAAAAAAUM/HgBH1Y80t10/s1600/Joker-Arroyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ji-L1qwHx4g/TzJZfBj_a3I/AAAAAAAAAUM/HgBH1Y80t10/s320/Joker-Arroyo.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>The venerable Senator Joker Arroyo</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Senator Drilon, a known Aquino ally, took the floor and threatened PS Bank president with contempt unless he is able to provide the impeachment court with an acceptable and plausible explanation. But the Iloilo senator was forced to soften his stand when Sen. Arroyo passionately pointed out the injustice that such threat would result to.<br />
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Then along came the wily Senator Osmena who after directing clarificatory questions to witness Garcia, moved to subpoena PS Bank's board of directors and executive and management board which is headed by Arthur Ty. I would understand if in the future the Lopezes (Osmena's in-laws) won't be able to avail of bank loans from PS Bank and Metrobank.<br />
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I know that all Osmena wants to do is please his political master, Noynoy Aquino. But still it makes me wonder if the Senate committee chairman on banks and financial institutions is aware of the repercussions of his motion. Then again, for Noynoy Aquino and his minions like Osmena, everything and everyone is dispensable wnen it comes to the persecution of his perceived political enemies.<br />
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This is a case of amputating both legs just to get rid of a small wound. If you think this makes no sense at all, then the Yellow horde is, no doubt, a bunch of idiots!Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-56856538173948033622012-02-06T05:42:00.000-08:002012-02-06T05:51:47.959-08:00Changing Winds; Changing Views<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNFc_agcDk0/Ty_CZzAw8XI/AAAAAAAAATo/LGmfVYn7pl4/s1600/bobdylan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNFc_agcDk0/Ty_CZzAw8XI/AAAAAAAAATo/LGmfVYn7pl4/s200/bobdylan.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>The Times They Are A-Changin'</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Come writers and critics</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Who prophesize with your pen</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>And keep your eyes wide</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>The chance won't come again</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>And don't speak too soon</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>For the wheel's still in spin</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>And there's no tellin' who</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>That it's namin'</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>For the loser now</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>Will be later to win</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b>For the times they are a-changin'.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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Much has obviously changed from the time that Malacanang lackeys in the House of Representatives railroaded the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. When the people learned of the maneuverinsg that Noynoy Aquino and his allied employed to be transmit the impeachment complaint to the Senate, it was when they finally realized that all the talks about fighting corruption are nothing more than lip service.</div></div><br />
Now, we are seeing the political winds changing direction in favor anti-Aquino forces. All of a sudden, the people view Noynoy Aquino and the motivations of his actions with distrust and contempt. <br />
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First, the filing of the impeachment complaint is conspicuously done after the Supreme Court handed a final and executory decision to distribute the Hacienda Luisita to the tenant-farmers. Of course we all know that Aquino's family currently owns the single biggest hacienda in the country. Majority of the Filipino people viewed the impeachment of the chief justice as a reprisal for the decision detrimental to the Cojuangcos. No matter how hard Aquino tries to explain himself, the people believe that what he is doing is saving his family's interest. The result? A survey commissioned by the Palace showed that Corona's popularity shot up by 20%, while Noynoy's declined by the same percentage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAkMsx4r2fY/Ty_LqIHPRiI/AAAAAAAAAT0/i0nMlhakSoU/s1600/tupas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AAkMsx4r2fY/Ty_LqIHPRiI/AAAAAAAAAT0/i0nMlhakSoU/s320/tupas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Tupas' multi-million house in Loyola Heights</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Second, the members of the House prosecution panel aren't exactly the ideal representatives of good governance.<br />
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Take for example the panel's head, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas. Many are wondering how Tupas was able to afford a multi-million house in a posh Quezon City village on a Ps. 25,000 salary? Even Tupas' fellow Ilonggos have lots of story of how the Tupases mishandled provincial funds and abused their powers. In fact, Tupas' father have pending graft cases at the Ombudsman's office.<br />
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Then there's Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo who used to head PAG-IBIG. It was during his term when the agency incurred losses running into billions due to questionable deals entered with Globe Asiatique owned by businessman Delfin Lee. Rep. Quimbo certainly has a lot of explaining to do to members of PAG-IBIG.<br />
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Lastly, people are now sure that realizing that Noynoy Aquino's priorities (i.e. persecution of political enemies and his love life) are not what the people really wanted and needed.<br />
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Because of these, anti-Aquino sentiments on the Internet and media keep on growing each passing day. On an online survey by <a href="http://www.inquirer.net">Inquirer</a> showed that 64.84% are saying Corona won't be convicted. That's almost twice who said the chief justice will be convicted. <br />
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Not to be outdone <a href="http://www.philstar.com">The Philippine Star</a> put up it's own online poll. Those who said that Corona will be convicted initially dominated. But sympathy for the chief justice are now pouring in.<br />
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But what surprised me most was when I bumped into someone last Saturday at Jollibee Katipunan. He is a well-known personality who ran but lost in the 2010 elections as representative of a controversial party-list. His party openly supported Aquino but now, he is singing a different tune. Just like majority of Filipinos, he is disappointed wth what Aquino is doing (or not doing). His parting words to me - "Sige na kung pababagsakin niyo, bilisan niyo na. I support you."<br />
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And something in the wind is telling me that more disgruntled sectors will be coming out with their opposition to Aquino.<br />
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I think Noynoy and his allies should really listen to Bob Dylan's warning:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Come senators, congressmen</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Please heed the call</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Don't stand in the doorway</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Don't block up the hall</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">For he that gets hurt</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">Will be he who has stalled</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">There's a battle outside</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">And it is ragin'</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">It'll soon shake your windows</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">And rattle your walls</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: blue;">For the times they are a-changin'.</span></i></b></div>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-41444246774357735612012-02-02T20:19:00.000-08:002012-02-02T20:21:20.448-08:00DAY 11 - IMPEACHMENT TRIAL - February 2, 2012<b><i><span style="color: blue;">by Wilfred Avila</span></i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gunu3WMw7Y/Tyte5pDLo-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/v_NJcNAmc_s/s1600/day11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gunu3WMw7Y/Tyte5pDLo-I/AAAAAAAAATQ/v_NJcNAmc_s/s320/day11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Day 11 of Corona impeachment</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>What a day this has been.<br />
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I'll put the end of this post right here at the beginning. It was dud for the Prosecution! Having established that, let's move on!<br />
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The trial began at 2:04 pm. It began with the sun shining so brightly outside the Senate building and the air was totally humid. The Prosecution must have felt the heat enveloping them.<br />
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Even before it started, Akbayan partylist Representative Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, the lead prosecutor for Article 3, claimed that the Coronas owned Platinum Cards that they used for their travels. He further said that the PAL Platinum Card is “given only to the friends of the boss.” The PAL website does not have information on the Platinum Card.<br />
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In a text message, Bag-ao also said that Corona got free tickets for his trips. Article 3 in the impeachment complaint against the Chief Justice deals with Corona’s alleged “failure to meet and observe the stringent standards under the Constitution that provided that a member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence in allowing the Supreme Court to act on mere letters filed by a counsel which caused the issuance of flip-flopping decisions in final and executory cases; in creating an excessive entanglement with Mrs. Arroyo through her appointment of his wife to office; and in discussing with litigants cases pending in the Supreme Court.”<br />
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The said article will be tackled next week in the impeachment court. So, we already are being treated to a preview of what this red-tainted congressman will be doing and, again, they use the media to pre-condition the minds of the people.<br />
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The peacocking Niel Tupas started with trying to insinuate a new witness to the hearing without affording the Defense a chance to cross examine two other witnesses. The Defense Lead Attorney, Justice Serafin Cuevas jumped in so fast, despite his age, to counter by saying that the prosecution was moving too fast and not not giving the defense a chance to cross the Prosecution's witnesses. Apparently, these two witnesses has been there everyday for the past two weeks without being called by the Prosecution for the cross examination of the defense.<br />
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Presiding Judge, Juan Ponce Enrile, ruled that the cross must be first in the hearing of that day. The two witnesses, the QC Register of Deeds and the representative of Ayala Land were called. <br />
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Atty. Esguerra took the lead for the Defense and underlined a few items that were skimmed over by the prosecution when they presented the witnesses. More markings and clarifications.<br />
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Why do I get a feeling that the defense really does not want to go into details so as to enable them to deal the fatal blow at the final offer of the evidences? Serafin Cuevas has a naughty glint in his eye every time his team makes a point and seems to say, "Watch us, and learn, Amateurs. There's more to come!"<br />
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That it was fast turning into a really bad day for the prosecution was signaled by the turning of the sun into an actual Neil Tupas, the lead Prosecutor, called A Gregg Grigornia, VP of Burgundy to the stand and introduced his private prosecutor, Atty. Clarence Handok!<br />
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From the moment Handok started speaking, my ears hurt. He had a special gift of murdering the English language. His diction was even worse. People cringed, I cringed! <br />
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In trying to "hasten the proceedings," he manifested most of what the witness was there for to say. This did not pass the geriatric ears of Cuevas! He cried foul and the Presiding Judge went back to basics again for the penultimate time. He taught Handok how to conduct himself in court and how to present evidence to the court.<br />
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It took almost three hours of the court's time just to get over petty receipts of P15,000.00 to P50,000.00 monthly payments for a parking lot. When asked if he was actually the witness subpoenaed to the hearings, he admitted that he was not. He was sent there on the authority of a Board Resolution and a Secretary's certificate to represent the President of the company. After a lengthy discussion he was allowed to continue.<br />
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Most of the papers he showed were unsigned documents and even the receipt of a transfer deed was never signed by Corona! After establishing that point the witness was excused by the Defense's Cross. I believe there is more to this when the evidences are offered finally. This Cuevas is really sneaky.<br />
<br />
Senator-Judge Joker Arroyo, gently nudged the Prosecution and reminded them that private prosecutors were NOT ALLOWED to argue cases and or points but just to present evidence. Again, they had to eat humble pie.<br />
<br />
A Senator-Judge, Chiz Escudero, stood up and asked exactly what the the level of culpability can bring about an impeachment of the Chief Justice, the prosecution waxed poetic but never gave a solid answer. The Prosecution and defense were asked to submit memoranda on this point.<br />
<br />
This is the point were the fireworks began. It was AS IF (all caps because I don't take anything at face value) all the Senator-Judges ganged up on the prosecution panel. On the side, Senator-Judge Loren Legarda was busy fiddling with her cellphone. <br />
<br />
Senator-Judge Gringo Honasan. He brought up the point of media being "mas mabilis ang trial sa labas thru media kaysa sa loob ng senado!" While the senate was still discussing matters, the media already shows the evidences and the people are forced to make false assumptions (maybe even this poster, hahaha). He plead that this should stop. he also asked the Presiding Judge, Enrile, to put more teeth on the gag order. An immediate recess was called.<br />
<br />
After the recess, Senator-Judge Jinggoy Estrada took the podium and said napanood nya sa ANC na ipinakikita ni Tupaz sa MEDIA ang isang dokumento purportedly release by LRA stating that the registered properties of the Coronas are 45...<br />
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It will be recalled that last January 12, 2012, thru a PRESS CON, the Prosecutors led by Niel Tupaz presented to MEDIA the documents that came from LRA showing specifically the Bellagio Towers papers. <br />
<br />
On the first day of the trial, Prosecutor Miro Quimbo proudly waved files and papers supposedly from the Land Registration Authority purporting to prove that the Coronas had 45 properties to answer for. <br />
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Asked further who leaked all these to media, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. flatly denied that the prosecutors claimed that Corona has 45 real estate properties. "We just want to put on record that the 45 did not come from the prosecution. It was a letter..." he said before being cut off due to loud groans from spectators inside the Senate. An all "who you kidding" grin broke out from Estrada. <br />
<br />
Tupas said the 45 properties was included in a list issued by the Land Registration Authority. He said the prosecution will be presenting titles to 24 properties instead of 45 since the other real estate titles were canceled or sold.<br />
<br />
As if on cue, across the hall in the briefing room, the prosecution panel called a hasty Press Conference. That was a bad mistake! <br />
<br />
A lady reporter looking very angry said she was "very clear" when she asked Quimbo, on the first day of trial, if the prosecution stood by their information from the Land Registration Authority that Corona has 45 real estate properties.<br />
<br />
"We will have to make that reckoning insofar as that recollection but that is not my recollection. If that is your recollection but be that as it may, we were very specific when we said that the violation by which the Chief Justice is accused for is the fact that there are properties that we have found out that he did not declare," Quimbo said.<br />
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The reporter stood her ground and insisted Quimbo did announce it on the first day of hearings press conference. It took Quimbo a hell of a lot of explaining but to no avail. You could see the snickers of ALL the reporters in the room. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha ng mga ito. They just went on as if nothing wrong has happened.<br />
<br />
The fight was solidly on media's ground.<br />
<br />
Back to the Senate Hall, the Prosecution tried to pull a fast one by asking permission from the Court to call in witness for Article Three of their complaints. Justice Cuevas rebutted that there were pending cross examinations before the court. Specifically, he was speaking of BIR Commissioner Kim Henares. he also stated that the Prosecution was trying to confuse them by jumping from one article to the other.<br />
<br />
This served to remind Enrile that the BIR Commissioner still owed the Court the law she cited for undertaking all her actions against the Chief Justice where, if not produced, all her earlier testimony would be stricken off the record. JPE ruled that the Prosecution produce Kim Henares on Monday of next week.<br />
<br />
So, how was the past three weeks of the Impeachment Hearings? The following is now obvious to this poster:<br />
<br />
1. The evidences presented so far prove nothing.<br />
2. That the trial is really not in the Senate Hall but out in the media.<br />
3. That the Prosecution Panel is made up of dismal failures in the legal world.<br />
4. That the Defense Panel (all of them to a man) know what they are doing and act with finesse at all times. Should I say breeding?<br />
5. I will not place my bet on any of the Senator-Judges, no matter what they say, to vote according to their conscience. Let us not forget that this is more of a political ploy rather than a legal fight.<br />
6. This hearing will be long and protracted and everyday is an opportunity for the Prosecution to persecute the Chief Justice in media.<br />
7. The turn of the Defense is still far away and meanwhile we are getting impatient.<br />
<br />
IMPEACHMENT TRIALS . . . ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES!Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-41582887714304949892012-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:002012-01-28T09:39:32.542-08:00PALEA Takes Case to USTR<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Etg7jKt0iMU/TyQxssr1V_I/AAAAAAAAAS4/TZijrX_HSKs/s1600/palea-dole-picket-refusal-to-bargain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Etg7jKt0iMU/TyQxssr1V_I/AAAAAAAAAS4/TZijrX_HSKs/s320/palea-dole-picket-refusal-to-bargain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>PALEA picket line</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Philippine Airlines Employees' Association (PALEA) scored the Aquino government at a hearing of the United States Trade Representative Office in Washington DC. At the said hearing, PALEA officers faced-off with Labor Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz.<br />
<br />
PALEA charged that the Aquino government "has abused its power to assume jurisdiction of strikes thereby curtailing workers’ rights to freely organize and bargain collectively."<br />
<br />
Below is PALEA's press statement:<br />
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<b><i>PALEA testifies at Washington DC on labor rights in the Philippines</i></b><br />
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<i>The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) president Gerry Rivera testified at Washington DC at dawn today (noon January 24 EST) on the suppression of labor rights by the Philippine government. Rivera faced-off with government officials led by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz at the hearing held by the US Trade Representative (USTR).<br />
<br />
<br />
“PALEA presents a significant case in reviewing whether or not the Philippines have taken or taking steps to afford workers their internationally recognized rights. We submit that Philippine government has abused its power to assume jurisdiction (AJ) of strikes thereby curtailing workers’ rights to freely organize and bargain collectively. PALEA was not allowed to strike on two crucial occasions to protest the mass termination of some 2,600 workers and yet Philippine Airlines (PAL) was permitted to proceed with the layoff despite a pending case at the Court of Appeals,” Rivera argued before the USTR subcommittee on the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).<br />
<br />
<br />
This is not the first time that the government, specifically Sec. Baldoz, had to face inquiries abroad on the handling of the PAL-PALEA labor row on outsourcing and contractualization. Last December 7, Baldoz was questioned by a delegate to the International Labor Organization regional meeting in Kyoto, Japan on PALEA’s protest.<br />
<br />
<br />
Aside from Rivera, Josua Mata of the Alliance of Progressive Labor and Brian Campbell of the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) also spoke before the hearing to corroborate PALEA’s testimony and paint the “big picture” on the state of labor rights. On the government side, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. and other Philippine embassy officials accompanied Baldoz.<br />
<br />
<br />
At stake at the hearing are trade benefits accorded by the United States government to countries which it deems respects core labor rights and standards. The GSP subcommittee which held the hearing for the “review of country practices” includes representatives of the USTR, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Department of State and Department of Treasury. The Philippines was put under scrutiny based on the petition filed by the ILRF, a DC-based advocacy organization.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rivera also met with the top union officials of the AFL-CIO and its constituent organizations to solicit support for its fight against contractualization and boycott campaign. Among those which expressed concern and solidarity was the Association of Flight Attendants which will include PALEA’s plight in its upcoming “Occufly” protest in California on February. US-based unions and Fil-Am groups are spearheading boycott campaigns in the West Coast cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Vancouver where PAL has its most profitable flights.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rivera’s testimony came on the heels of renewed protests by PALEA yesterday. Members of PALEA together with Partido ng Manggagawa held a motorcade from the protest camp to PAL’s offices at the airport, PNB Building in Macapagal Ave. and Allied Bank Building in Ayala.<br />
<br />
</i>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-20349504156235470162012-01-25T11:23:00.000-08:002012-01-25T11:28:43.707-08:00TanDem's Statement on Corona Impeachment<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYFC23QHReI/TyBQwoKkLeI/AAAAAAAAASU/LU0U-It7Idw/s1600/tandem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYFC23QHReI/TyBQwoKkLeI/AAAAAAAAASU/LU0U-It7Idw/s400/tandem.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Tanggulang Demokrasya</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There's been a growing number of organizations voicing out their opposition against the railroaded impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. Among these organizations is <a href="http://www.tandem.org.ph">Tanggulang Demokrasya</a> or TanDem.<br />
<br />
TanDem is a network of different people's organizations and Netizens. It has been on the forefront of unearthing the cheating and manipulations done in the country's first automated election system.<br />
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TanDem recently raised valid concerns like the obliteration of the rule of law and the undermining of our democratic institutions.<br />
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Below is Tanggulang Demokrasya's statement. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Defend the Supreme Court, the Last Bulwark of Democracy </span></div><br />
<b><i>We stand for the equal rule of law. <br />
<br />
We oppose the arbitrary rule of one man. <br />
<br />
We stand for the separation of the political and non-political branches of government. <br />
<br />
We oppose the dictatorial control of all branches of government.<br />
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We stand for democracy that respects the power of the people. <br />
<br />
We oppose the oligarchy that vests power in the self-chosen “elite” few.<br />
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We are Tanggulang Demokrasya (Tan Dem), adherents of democracy and citizens of the Republic.<br />
<br />
We condemn the emerging trend of administration-backed attacks against the social institutions that hold our country and democracy together. <br />
<br />
We condemn the baseless attack against the Church under the slogan “Pajero Bishops.” As we now know, no Pajero whatsoever was involved but only 4x4 off road vehicles utilized to deliver goods and services to the poor. But for this incumbent administration the truth was not important. Its main intent was to humiliate and discredit the Church.<br />
<br />
We condemn the baseless attack against the military under the slogan “pabaon Generals.” As we now know, the anomaly has long been investigated and the guilty parties prosecuted. But again for this incumbent administration the truth was not important. Its main intent was to humiliate and discredit the military. <br />
<br />
Now we condemn the blitzkrieg impeachment of Chief Justice Corona, coming so quickly after the Supreme Court decision declaring Hacienda Luisita subject to agrarian land reform.<br />
<br />
The sad truth is that if you side with the farmers, the presently dominant mass media will portray you as a demon. If however you side with the hacienderos, the same media will portray you as a saint.<br />
<br />
As adherents of democracy and citizens of the Republic, we say that neither President Noynoy Aquino nor his 188 Congresspersons are entitled to throw the first stone. They must first come clean of the plunder and human rights cases involving their “kamag-anak”, “kapamilya” and “kabarkada.” Otherwise they would not have the moral right to present themselves as good and to point to others as evil.<br />
<br />
We call on the people of our beloved country to rise up and resist the looming dictatorship of the oligarchy of hacienderos. <br />
<br />
We call on the people to defend and come to the aid of the besieged Supreme Court, the last bulwark of our democracy.</i></b>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-48484292652969416322012-01-15T09:01:00.000-08:002012-01-15T09:09:56.279-08:00UGAT - Taking Roots; Breaking Grounds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMsN-isD3Dc/TxMDMh5dIsI/AAAAAAAAASI/E3ysbyzNJ3o/s1600/ugat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMsN-isD3Dc/TxMDMh5dIsI/AAAAAAAAASI/E3ysbyzNJ3o/s1600/ugat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>UGAT was formed by various online groups</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Below is the official statement of UGAT (Unified Groups for the Advancement fof Truth) on the Corona impeachment.<br />
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UGAT is composed of Netizens from various Facebook groups and online communities and forums.<br />
<br />
Many of UGAT's members are veterans of the cyber rally that was launched late last year on the occasion of Noynoy Aquino's online interview. On that day they "occupied" various Facebook pages including Aquino's official page. Last Friday, many of the went out of their comfort zone to personally express their support for Chief Justice Corona.<br />
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<b><i>Katotohan Para sa Pagkakaisa at Demokrasya</i></b><br />
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Nakasalalay sa pambansang pagkakaisa ang katatagan ng ating gobyerno at demokrasya. Ang tangi nating hangarin ay isang gobyerno na kung saan batas ang naghahari. At demokrasyang patuloy na pinatitibay ng mga legal na proseso at paggalang sa mga demokratikong institusyon.<br />
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Ngunit paano tayo makakaasa ng pagkakaisa ng mamamayan kung ang mismong pinakamataas na pinuno ng Pilipinas ang pangunahing naghahasik ng pagkakahati-hati ng sambayanang Pilipino? Para kay Noynoy Aquino siya ay pangulong handa lang maglingkod sa kanyang mga kaibigan, kaklase at kabarilan, subalit mabangis na taga-usig sa kanyang mga inaakala niyang hindi kapanalig.<br />
<br />
Maaari ba tayong mangarap ng isang tunay na demokrasya kung ang mismong pangulo ng bansa ang sumasalaula sa mga legal na proseso at batas na dapat sana’y siya ang tagapagpatupad? Sa mga mahahalagang usapin paulit-ulit na binale-wala at binabaluktot ng administrasyong ito sa pangunguna ni Noynoy Aquino ang mga batas para sa kanilang bentahe.<br />
<br />
Anong klase ng demokrasya mayroon tayo kung ang nakikita ng sambayanan ay ang marahas na demolisyon ng mga demokratikong institusyon kagaya ng Korte Suprema? Ang gobyernong Aquino ay mala-Sendong na winawasak at sinasalanta ang institusyon ng hudikatura at ang integridad nito.<br />
<br />
At ang pinakamasaklap sa lahat – ang mga bagay na ito ay nagagawa ni Noynoy Aquino sa pamamagitan ng paglalako ng takot, panlilinlang at kasinungalingan!<br />
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Naipuslit sa Kongreso ang impeachment complaint kahit hindi ito verified. Pikit-matang lumagda sa impeachment complaint laban kay Chief Justice Corona ang karamihan sa mga mambabatas dahil sa pananakot, pamimilit at panunuhol ng Malacanang.<br />
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At kahit ngayong malapit na dinggin ng Impeachment Court ang reklamo laban kay Chief Justice Corona patuloy pa din ang Malacanang at mga alyado nito sa mapang-hating gawain na pagpapakalat ng mga malisyosong impormasyon at kasinunggalingan.<br />
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Ngayon ang panahon para manindigan ang lahat na nagmamahal sa demokrasya. Sa tuwid na daan ng kasinunggalin ni Noynoy Aquino, tanging katotohanan ang ating sandata. Katotohanan lamang ang pupuksa sa mapanirang panloloko at kasinunggalingan pilit na nagwawasak sa paghahari ng batas at kaayusan. Katotohanan ang kalasag ng ating mga institusyon.<br />
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Sa banding huli, tanging katotohanan ang magpapalaya sa atin tungo sa isang matatag at demokratikong Pilipinas.<br />
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Manindigan para sa katotohan at demokrasya!<br />
Ipagtanggol ang wastong proseso at ang rule of law!<br />
Sagipin ang Korte Suprema at iba pang mga demokratikong institusyon!Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-63726013108789751752011-12-26T09:36:00.000-08:002012-01-19T18:45:30.250-08:00Dark Thoughts and Twisted Minds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRW0clMDQ38/Tvgb5kYZl_I/AAAAAAAAARE/IOlVoLFW5cY/s1600/richardiii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRW0clMDQ38/Tvgb5kYZl_I/AAAAAAAAARE/IOlVoLFW5cY/s320/richardiii.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Shakespeare's Richard III</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><i>And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds<br />
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries,<br />
He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber<br />
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.<br />
But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks<br />
Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass;<br />
I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's majesty<br />
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;<br />
I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion,<br />
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature,<br />
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time<br />
Into this breathing world scarce half made up,<br />
<br />
... And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover<br />
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,<br />
I am determined to prove a villain<br />
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.<br />
Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,<br />
By drunken prophecies, libels, and dreams, </i><br />
<br />
Nope. The above words are not the musings of a Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino the Third. Students of Shakespeare could easily recognize the lines are part of Act One, Scene One of "The Tragedy of King Richard The Third."<br />
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But I won't fault someone should he or she attribute the words as Noynoy Aquino's. For like Richard III, BSA III has proven that he can be "subtle, false, and treacherous."<br />
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What made Richard III particularly interesting is Shakespeare's attempt to bring the audience into the villain's twisted mind and see his dark thoughts. Through asides, Richard III revealed to the audience his dark plans.<br />
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Aside is a theatrical device wherein the character reveals his thoughts to the audience, expressed in a form of a monologue. This is, of course, different from a public speech like ones where someone cleverly weaves his desires or what's going on through his mind like when BSA III hinted that his predecessor will be locked before the end of the year. Or when he charged that the Supreme Court is standing on the way of his reform agenda (if there's any) so that a change in its leadership is necessary.<br />
<br />
In the beginning of the play, Richard III made known his plot to disrupt the line of succession by having Clarence, King Edward's successor, murdered. During medieval times, democracy and the principle of co-equal branches of government are still non-existent. Richard III has no choice but to leave to modern-day sickos the business of messing up democratic processes and institutions.<br />
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Ambitious and scheming he believed that it was his fate to rule over the land. He walked in a way many find awkward. Women did not find him physically attractive. But he did used a woman to gain political power only to subsequently discard her. And I am still referring to Richard III, not someone else.<br />
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So, is Richard III deranged? A mad man? Lunatic? It's hard to tell for throughout the story, despite the darkness of his thoughts, Richard III has shown clear vision of what he wanted to happen and accomplish, until Richmond ended his life and rule.<br />
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If Richard III isn't twisted what about BSA III? Same answer - hard to tell. Only a shrink who has actually held sessions with him can ascertain.<br />
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But here's something that's been drawing attention in the Internet for quite some time now:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FeDxHtMIyo/TvqMhKEU7iI/AAAAAAAAARo/rupGWL4Z1Rc/s1600/I-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8FeDxHtMIyo/TvqMhKEU7iI/AAAAAAAAARo/rupGWL4Z1Rc/s640/I-1.jpg" width="448" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Portion of Noynoy Aquino's alleged psychiatric record</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA7dA9M1CH0/TvqNEsf35nI/AAAAAAAAAR0/F70J4ODQnQk/s1600/1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MA7dA9M1CH0/TvqNEsf35nI/AAAAAAAAAR0/F70J4ODQnQk/s640/1-2.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>This alleged psychiatric record is dated 1979</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yljO1r_gAB0/TvqNarWl8vI/AAAAAAAAASA/yKcfDVKucXc/s1600/1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yljO1r_gAB0/TvqNarWl8vI/AAAAAAAAASA/yKcfDVKucXc/s640/1-3.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Findings of Noynoy Aquino's alleged psychiatric record dated 1979</i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-38583447690991919422011-12-25T21:33:00.000-08:002011-12-26T07:32:31.762-08:00House for Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3ekIWSUOmc/TupBHHxpfLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/gD6i-pLgqaM/s1600/for-sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3ekIWSUOmc/TupBHHxpfLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/gD6i-pLgqaM/s200/for-sale.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The United States of America is still reeling from the economic disaster brought about by the credit crunch that resulted to record number of houses foreclosed. This housing crisis not only stripped many American families of their houses as those who were able to keep theirs are stunned as they see the value of their houses plummeted. Worse even at their historical low prices, there were hardly any buyers.<br />
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Back here, a crisis was brewing; one that threatens democratic ideals as we know them. Unlike the economic crisis in the United States, ours is a political one. It's not like the housing crisis, but a crisis that a Philippine legislative house started. It was when the lower house agreed to be assimilated by the executive branch and became willing pawn in assaulting a co-equal branch of government - the judiciary by impeaching Chief Justice Renato Corona.<br />
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Like many Filipinos, I was shocked and awed by the way the members of the lower house allowed themselves to be used by Malaacanang in its deadly political game. As expected, the leadership of the House of Representatives came out one by one trying hard to convince that the impeachment of CJ Corona is their initiative, and that Noynoy Aquino did not have a hand on it.<br />
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Everybody knows that Noynoy Aquino was on top of everything from the planning stage up to the time that the impeachment complaint was passed by his surrogates. We know that there was this meeting between Noynoy Aquino and his Congress allies in a Japanese restaurant. It was also reported that after this meeting House members proceeded to Rep. Boyet Gonzales' residence where they discussed how they will railroad the impeachment complaint to make sure that Corona will be impeached before the Congress recess.<br />
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We also know how key House leaders rounded up members of the majority to force them sponsor and sign the complaint so that it could reach the 1/3 of the body's memberships so it could bypass the Justice Committee. <br />
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And of course there's Speaker Belmonte's admission that he "reported" to Noynoy Aquino that the impeachment was successful. <br />
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The public knows that Corona''s impeachment was Aquino's way of getting back at the Supreme Court for stripping his family of its most treasured Hacienda Luisita. And by dangling pork barrel at the congressmen Noynoy Aquino got he wished for.<br />
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Many are still dumbfounded at the lower house's action. But what's in a name? It's precisely called lower house because it is composed of low-life political prostitutes who are willing to get laid as long as they will get paid.Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-75541400549786260092011-12-18T10:39:00.000-08:002011-12-18T10:49:25.205-08:00Sense and Sensibility<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1208Xgt98mY/Tu4rSHstpyI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/XFl96Cnecd8/s1600/tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1208Xgt98mY/Tu4rSHstpyI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/XFl96Cnecd8/s320/tweet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Screen shot of Valerie Conception's tweets</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><i>As rescuers are having a hard time searching for still missing bodies . . .</i></b><br />
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<b><i>As relief goods are hard to come by and arrive in trickle amount . . .</i></b><br />
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<b><i>As Mindanaoans affected by Sendong are trying to pick up the pieces of their ravaged lives . . .</i></b><br />
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<b><i>As many Iliganons and Cagayanons are mourning the loss of family members . . .</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Noynoy Aquino was having a great time last night at the PSG Christmas Party in Malacanang!</i></b><br />
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This was discovered through the tweets of actress Valerie Concepcion who was invited as one of the two guest performers. The other one is sultry songstress Jessa Zaragoza.<br />
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According to one of Ms. Concepcion's tweets:<br />
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<blockquote>Done w/ work.. Tnx for having me.. :) It was nice to see Pres. P-Noy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance..ü #Malacañang #PSGNight</blockquote><br />
Malacanang did some damage control and asked the actress to delete her tweets as it put Noynoy Aquino in a bad light.<br />
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Christmas is generally a season of parties and merriments. But under the present circumstance that a great part of northern Mindanao was devastated by a calamity common sense dictates that the country's leader show sympathy.<br />
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It is insensible for a president to party and have a great time when a good number of your constituents are mourning loss of family members.<br />
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As of posting time, Red Cross reported that death toll due to Typhoon Sendong's fury rose to 632 while 808 are still missing. <br />
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It is my fervent wish that Noynoy Aquino will have the sense and sensibility of a leader of a nation.Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1062314640614209660.post-21213376758987984662011-12-17T22:23:00.000-08:002011-12-17T22:32:44.943-08:00Weather-Weather Lang Yan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuyA3337vqU/Tu16IkgqygI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7X62b4Giyw0/s1600/sendong2.bin" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KuyA3337vqU/Tu16IkgqygI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7X62b4Giyw0/s320/sendong2.bin" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">Sendong dumped 50 mm/hr of rainfall </span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Makes me wonder what kind of preparation the government did on Sendong. As early as Monday last week regional directors of OCD from Regions VI to XII were sent back to their respective offices. They were not able to attend the agency's Xmas party last Friday so they can have time to prepare for Sendong. The amount of destruction and number of lives lost speak of an inferior disaster response management system.<br />
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One of the things that can get into Noynoy Aquino's nerve is critique of his zero-casualty disaster management program, if there is even one.<br />
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Noynoy Aquino and his cohorts politicized Ondoy and used it against administration candidate Gibo Teodoro who was in an unfortunate predicament of being head of the national disaster response agency by virtue of being Department of National Defense secretary. Pro-Aquino propagandists and the powerful yellow media focused on the devastation and not on the quality of response that was done.<br />
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PeNoy politicized PAG-ASA when he booted out Dir. Prisco Nilo. And on the pretext that the weather agency failed to do an accurate reading on Typhoon Basyang kicked poor Dir. Nilo and replaced with USec. Graciano Yumul. While as able and competent as his predecessor, Yumul got the position because DOST Sec. Mario Montejo has "irreconcilable differences" with then PAG-ASA chief, Dir. Nilo. Of course we all know that there's no qualitative improvement after Dir. Nilo's departure from PAG-ASA. It's all stinking politics! <br />
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After Pedring and now Sendong, Noynoy Aquino should have learned by now that weather knows no political master. If Aquino gained votes by heartlessly turning a disaster like Ondoy into a political fortune, it could be a natural calamity that will bring him down. As the popular Filipino saying goes - weather-weather lang yan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGEvU3YVec0/Tu18E08MrTI/AAAAAAAAAQU/n5I2QT_Tgs8/s1600/sendong1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGEvU3YVec0/Tu18E08MrTI/AAAAAAAAAQU/n5I2QT_Tgs8/s400/sendong1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: purple;">Sendong swept vehicles into a canal in Cagayan de Oro City</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORv5R4CYWEI/Tu196u9VZbI/AAAAAAAAAQg/nG8ir-M848s/s1600/iligan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ORv5R4CYWEI/Tu196u9VZbI/AAAAAAAAAQg/nG8ir-M848s/s400/iligan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: purple;">The death toll due to Sendong is comparable to that of Ondoy's</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAlcRa_dIE/Tu1_DBbvBFI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Xru7NJNjgTI/s1600/iligan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxAlcRa_dIE/Tu1_DBbvBFI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Xru7NJNjgTI/s400/iligan2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"><b><i>Dead bodies of Sendong's victims littered the streets of Iligan City</i></b></span></td></tr>
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You can see more images of Sendong's wrath <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wfSq-Zn_RI&feature=share">here</a>.Ingkay Garutayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08213413239602562817noreply@blogger.com0