One day after this opinionated Inquirer gossipmonger was branded 'suspicious' by US authorities and denied a visa, a total news blackout was imposed on the media not unlike the blackout during the Ledesma kidnapping. That's typical of the treatment for class A and B citizens most of whom belong to a cult called civil society.
Of course Solita will not be denied her papers for long, she needs to enjoy the American way of life together with her family. With her claim to have travelled back and forth to the US for 40 years, one might even consider Solita an alien in the Philippines who has taken advantage of opportunities provided by both countries.
Anyday now, we should see her all packed up and ready to board a flight and not one soul will be able to look at her with a suspicious eye.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 3:18 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Granting visas to foriegners who wants to gain entry to the United States of America is not a right.......
it could be revoke or denied anytime ... it is a privilege granted. Let this Monsod stay where she belongs.
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 3:43 PM from IP address 192.245.204.154
in the Inquirer are very scathing and sarcastic at whoever she's targeting. She must have done something very disturbing to cause the US authorities some alarm. It sure looks like the news blackout is an attempt by some parties back home to protect her. Now that's another story, more people are involved.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 3:49 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
makes one wonder what makes it necessary for her, a news commentator, to regularly make trips between RP and US. If one can trace her local contacts in business and politics and her activities in the US, it's possible to discover what she was up to after all these years.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 3:54 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Monsod is anti american I was told. anyway, the US has a reason why she was considered a suspicious character. We not know what goods the US have against her. Only she knows it herself. Being a pro Pandak of course she gets every help from her. I was just wondering if she says her 2 children are US citizens,what are they doing in america being their mother an anti American..Just curious.
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 6:57 AM from IP address 12.13.238.140
There are lots of anti-American Pinoys in the US and they will never become naturalized because all they want is the advantage of prosperity and a better way of life, they don't care about being American. Her 40 years of travel between RP and US tells me there's more to her activities than meets the eye.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 9:07 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
I have never seen Monsod to be anti-American. Even at the height of the Balikatan controversy, she had not been categorically against it. What she wanted was for Arroyo to be more open with her intentions regarding Balikatan. There were concerns that Arroyo was making secret agreements with the U.S. Being pro-Philippines does not necessarily make a Filipino anti-American.
What is it with this thread? There have been expressions of disaproval regarding Monsod when all that happened was her visa was disapproved? Why even hint at a conspiracy at a news blackout? Filipinos gave the news item only minor attention. We understand perfectly well the paranioa, oooops, or should I say very deep concern, about possible terrorists.
Monsod already offered a possible explanation. Her anti-Marcos activist days could have put her into FBI or CIA records as an anti-government activist. Plausible enough in my opinion.
Even her forty years of traveling to the U.S. is plausible. She is and has been a very active person: an acclaimed academician, a broadcast and print journalist, a politician, and a former minister of economics. Constant traveling comes as no surprise.
The best you guys could come up with to mistrust her was that she is associated with Pandak (as if most Filipinos are not short by American standards. God forbid that people will think less of me because I am barely above 5 feet tall. Does one need a height of 6 1/2 feet to have a towering intelligence?) and that her forty years of going back and forth to the U.S. sounds fishy.
oh well, we have been provided an inkling of how well thought-out the Filam vote will be if this line of reasoning is typical.
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 9:34 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
Drilon's humiliation with US immigration became a nationwide sensation and it's still being talked about by the media after US declared Filipinos as high risk. The point is, not one word of protest was spoken any further after that news came out. This is an issue for the DFA, the citizen needs protection from such action of denial specially when the reasons for it are vague.
If you were branded suspicious, what would you do? Monsod's silence is not a good sign of her innocence.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 12:34 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Drilon was humiliated because he went overboard with his protests about the airport examination of his shoes. Furthermore, he was not per se a suspocious character. He was subjected to a suppossedly random check. And if you will note, he was further humiliated because of the media exposure which saw only saw his arrogant attitude and not the possibly biased profiling being done by the U.S.
In Monsod's case, she was branded as a suspicious character. She then accepted that calmly and even gave a reasonable explanation of why the U.S. would think she was one. The woman knows that if she blows her top, she will probably get the same media treatment that Drilon got. Is this another case of damned if you do and damned if you don't?
I will reiterate my views about this thread. We all have our opinions. But for me to respect anyone's opinion, I would prefer that person to back up his/her opinion with a reasonably sane explanation. To agree that a person is bad because some other person says he/she is suspicious smacks of deceit or gullibility. And to make matters worse, to say that a person is bad because he/she is in some way physically challenged is either puerile or downright malicious.
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 11:22 PM from IP address 202.57.88.155
You never bothered to answer my question, what would you do if you were branded suspicious? If you were innocent, wouldn't you raise hell about it because it's your person and reputation being attacked? Wouldn't you even want to know the basis for such a malicious allegation?
Come on! At least Drilon was half right about his uncalled for tantrum, he thought his integrity as a diplomat was beyond question.
You can justify Monsod's actions as her own business, but an innocent person will not react the way she did. So answer my question then so we can see if there's an iota of justification for her silence.
And BTW, she's still suspicious because no one has bothered to prove otherwise or even challenge the allegation.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 8:47 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Monsod gave her opinion. She challenged the allegation but she remained calm. She gave a plausible explanation without publicly scolding the U.S. embassy. We call that diplomacy and good manners. I will even speculate that she discreetly handled the affair with the U.S. embassy. She avoided public and media attention because that would be inviting undue attention that would probably blow everything out of proportion.
I am glad that you finally agreed that Drilon was half-right in that he had thought he had basis for complaining. That was my stance in one of our threads.
Anyway, Drilon’s very vocal and arrogant protest proved his undoing. The issue of whether the U.S. was correct in its airport procedures was buried by the public disavowal for this offcial’s shameful tantrums. Monsod simply chose not to go the same way.
Again, the two cases are different. Drilon was subjected to a “random” inspection. Monsod was not.
Now about the logic of reactions. I will make my example very mundane. I know many of the married men here in this forum will find themselves agreeing to my example.
The jealous wife will pester the husband with the third degree. Nothing will satisfy her. It will always be a lose-lose situation for the husband. If the husband remains calm, he is suspicious because he is calm in spite of the hassling. If he blows his top, he is also suspicious because he got nettled. This is not a generalization but it happens often enough so I use it as an example.
At this point the only reason you can give that Monsod is suspicious is because you found her reaction suspicious. How does that sound to you?
And about “she's still suspicious because no one has bothered to prove otherwise or even challenge the allegation.”
Someone may accuse me of something vague. The fact that I chose not to defend myself publicly should in no way mean that I agreed to the accusation. I could still be innocent. My public silence could mean that the public airing of the issue would be detrimental to my case.
We have a word for this kind of treatment where a person’s character is maligned based on one mere suspicion.
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 9:28 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
When the NCIC list a person as a suspicious character, this agency based it on reported information from different agencies worldwide. As I have said once before, only the person knows what she did. I do not or anyone here in this forum condemn her as suspicious, it is the intelligence agency that got her marked as a suspicious character. This is a very serious status because this is a US nationwide report.
I know of a senator being accused of money laundering, a drug Lord, a murderer etc etc, his name is not in the list of suspicious character. I believe Monsod should be investigated by Mr Corpus mainly because based on the US intelligence she is a very SUSPICIOUS character.
ATTN: Mr CORPUS you have a job to do. For security purposes, FIND out everything about MRS MONSODS activity in her 40 years back & forth in the US.
WHY is she branded as SUSPICIOUS?
Mr Corpus, you will do a great contributtion to the Filipinos because this woman might run again as a SENATOR, and she is suspicious. BUTI na lang TALO..Scary isn't it..
MR Corpus.. Get your intelligence fund from PANDAK.. she'll give it to you, pero meroon din siya sa bawat $$$$$ na ibibigay sa iyo. MIKEY Arroyo will get mad if you do not share..
Posted on Nov 4, 2002, 8:58 AM from IP address 12.13.238.141
Monsod, like Mike Arroyo, is IMMUNE to any investigation.
by Napanice (no login)
The bad thing being in the opposition nowadays is not only are they being targeted for harrassment and trumped up charges, but they also are powerless to retaliate because all the authorities are inside the pocket of the administration. So who's going to lift a finger to check up on a Pro-Gloria supporter?
Napanice
Posted on Nov 4, 2002, 4:47 PM from IP address 216.175.124.136
Too bad, Uncle Sam is on her behind. Kawawa naman siya, pero bakit nga ba SUSPICIOUS character siya?
NCIC is widely used in every port of the US territories
including Hawaii Alaska, etc.
You are right about The philippine government.
Posted on Nov 4, 2002, 7:57 PM from IP address 12.80.28.31
The US is in a very difficult position, RP is an ally and yet it's all the 11th most corrupt country on earth. So how can the relationship continue knowing that dealing with the leaders mean supporting the crooks, like what happened when they supported Marcos?
Gloria is equally smart, she knows the US cannot be the bad guy by exposing those people who supported her. So she's not going to let loose her dog Corpus to go after the criminal records of her friends.
I just hope a few more of these crooks are denied visas so the people will start smelling something rotten going on. Even friendship has its limits.
Napanice
Posted on Nov 4, 2002, 9:27 PM from IP address 216.175.124.136
Nowadays, Dogs are worth more than Terror Hostages.
by Napanice (no login)
The PNP plans to buy 100 new canines to add to its already large K9 squad. Each dog is reportedly worth P2.5 million and the new purchase is expected to reach some P250 million.
But that's not all, specially trained dogs also require special treatment. They're used to a lifestyle that comes close to the rich and famous, like high-protein diet that will put a middle-class dinner to shame. Then there's the regular vet visit to keep the parasites and fleas off their bodies, while the manicurist and pet groomer will sure have to visit the kennel for a nail and hairdo job.
But are they used to the sights, sounds, and smell of Filipinos?
Napanice
Posted on Nov 4, 2002, 5:12 PM from IP address 216.175.124.136
Workers back home are on Holidays. But some part of the globe are working during these holidays, like us we are too busy. But at least we are growing financially. Looks like growth in the Philippines is a turtle-pace, so slow. No wonder the economy is in brink of collapsing. Without those aids from the US and billion dollar remittances from the OFW's, the country will be begging to different nations.
But anyways, those 'trick or treat' kids last night were so happy roaming around with their big baskets. Darn! I ran out of chocolates.....
Posted on Nov 1, 2002, 11:25 AM from IP address 208.4.46.99
In the latest issue of Manila-Mail, a Fil-Am newspaper, an article about the US Govt watchlist came out saying that
"The list of suspicious persons came from the National Crime Information Center, an organization within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which keeps track of people with CRIMINAL RECORDS."
Now, this statement alone is very damaging to an innocent person who is allegedly tagged as 'suspicious'. But when someone has something to hide, the natural reaction is silence since questioning the allegation could force the US authorities to release someone's criminal record in the past.
Solita herself admitted to 40 years of travel between RP and US and in that period of time anything can happen.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 8:09 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Like I've said, Monsod gave the plausible reason that her anti-Marcos activist involvement may have placed her on Philippine criminal records. This happens. Remember that during the Marcos era, you can get a criminal record for making fun of the "royal couple". Remember Ariel Ureta who was imprisoned, made to cut grass, and bicycle around the inside of Camp Crame just because he joked about the Marcos slogan?
Let me say what I know personally of one case. My nephew was riding with his grandfather. Both were in the front seats. The grandfather was driving. They hit the car in fron of them. Damage was minor but the other car claimed that my nephew, 13 years old at that time, was the one really driving. So the other party filed a police complaint (report). Nothing came of it. My relatives thought it was a nuisance case and waited for the court summons. None came.
Six years later, my nephew, who has since gone to the U.S. to join his parents who were already Americans, was in the process of being naturalized. One wrinkle though. The INS had made routine inquiries with the NBI, who forwarded the unresolved case. My nephew had to come back home to clear his name.
The U.S. is even more strict with screening now. They have become even more suspicious and paranoid.
So unless we get the official reason for that "suspicious" branding, my argument still stands.
Stop implying that veteran globe trotters are naturally suspect just because anything could have been done during that time.
lut recio
Posted on Nov 3, 2002, 3:24 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
if what you claim is plausable, the media would have no problem digging that record up in the govt archives, she could have done so herself in fact. but i keep mentioning her travel because it's just as plausible that she committed her crime in the US most recently because only now was her visa denied after all those years.
no, i never meant to imply that travellers are natural suspects. you focused on her explanation and disregarded the alternatives. look how many ofws get into trouble just because they've been living in those host countries long enough. unlike a tourist just passing through the chances of an encounter with the law is higher for these long term residents.
i doubt that her connection with the Marcoses is the reason because even Ramos who worked for him has no problem visiting the US.
it's true that background checks are now more stringent and meticulous because too many terrorists have entered the country in the past due to the laxity. and it's only sensible to expect Filipinos being targeted by immigration, they hold the record for being illegal in the first place and now the terrorist climate in the Philippines has compounded the problem.
Napanice
Posted on Nov 3, 2002, 1:01 PM from IP address 216.175.124.136
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
Say you love me, say you need me, 'till the end of time
Say those three little words I can't wait to hear
Say that you love me don't waste any time
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
With the kiss from your lips, even with a smile
With the touch of your hands, with a warm embrace
Say that you love me in every way
When we're all alone, I want to hold you close
Look in to your eyes and hear those three little words
Coming from you heart, from deep inside your soul
So you can prove to me that you won't let me go
I'll light the candle lights, and lay you on the floor
And kiss your body slowly from your head to your toes
As I can feel you shake and every breath you take
When I can vaguely hear every word as you say,
"Hold me Touch me 'cause this just feels so right
Kiss me love me, just love me through the night"
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
Say you love, say you need me, 'till the end of time
Say those three little words' I can't wait to hear
Say that you love me, don't waste any time
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
With the kiss from your lips, even with a smile
With the touch of your hands, with a warm embrace
Say that you love me in every way
As we are making love, I hold your body tight
Ain't looking at the clock, don't want to have sense of time
'Cause when I'm close to you, that's all I want to do
For I would be so lost if I didn't have you
Don't matter whose around, don't matter where the place
I just want to tell you that I love you always
You know you hold my heart, you know you hold the key
My door is open for you for always,
Hold me touch me 'cause this just feels so right
(this just feels so right)
Kiss me love me just love me through the night
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
Say you love me, say you need me, 'till the end of time
Say those three little words, I can't wait to hear
Say that you love me, don't waste any time
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
With the kiss from your lips, even with a smile
With the touch of your hands, with the warm embrace
Say the you love me in every way
Just say those three little words
(Just say)
The words I've been wanting to hear
(the words, babe)
Now don't waste any time
(mmm-hmmm)
Say it once. Say it twice. Say it a million times.
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
Say you love me, say you need, 'till the end of time
Say those three little words I can't wait to hear
Say that you love me, don't waste any time
Say it once, say it twice, or a million times
(Say you love me)
With the kiss from your lips, even with a smile
(Oh, say you need me, yeah, yeah)
With a touch of your hands, with a warm embrace
Say that you love me in every way
(yeah)
Posted on Nov 3, 2002, 2:59 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
Gloria's PHOTO OPS may have prompted US TRAVEL ADVISORY
by Napanice (no login)
She called the warning 'exagerrated'. But with all the criminals and dead suspects she paraded in the news headlines, maybe she forgot that the whole world including the Americans are also watching. She was actually advertising that crime rate in the Philippines is so high that it takes the president away from her real job just to solve the problem.
We can thank her for all the scare and concern that she has created just as the sniper attack news caused so much terror and fear among the American public.
Napanice
Posted on Nov 1, 2002, 6:24 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
OPPOSITION EDITOR'S CAR VANDALIZED BY PRO-GLORIA TERRORISTS!!
by Napanice (no login)
I waited one day to post this incident just to see who among the administration's newspapers will feature this incident in the headlines, but as expected not a single one had the guts to do it.
This is no doubt an act of terrorism to intimidate the people working in the Tribune into submitting to the will of the corrupt leaders. The act is a threatening message, the next one could be actual bodily harm if their protestations and vicious verbal attacks did not stop.
And what of the police, will they do anything about it? Based upon the lack of arrested and convicted suspects from the bombings, the perpetrators of this crime are probably assured that they can get away with anything like physical assault, or even murder.
Napanice
=====================
Tribune exec ‘harassed,’ car splotched with paint remover
Saturday, 11 02, 2002
A group of unidentified men messed up the paint job of Tribune publisher and editor-in-chief Ninez Cacho-Olivares' car using a paint remover last Thursday night, Halloween.
The trunk's hood of the car, which was parked in front of GLC (formerly Plywood Industries) Building on T.M. Kalaw and Mabini streets, Ermita, Manila, was blotched at the time when the editorial staff were putting the paper to bed.
According to police authorities, the paint job of the Tribune executive's white Honda Accord was scraped with the use of paint remover, splotching more than a foot in diameter of the trunk's hood.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. while the car was parked at the entrance of the GLC building, where the Tribune holds its offices.
The damage on the car's hood was discovered by Tribune employees Roy Saniel, company driver, and Lito Tugadi, circulation manager.
They immediately reported the matter to Olivares, who in turn alerted the Western Police District.
Police operatives conducted a routine check to make sure the vehicle was free of explosives.
"We had the car checked to make sure the suspects didn't leave anything else," one of the policemen said.
The unidentified vandals even left the paint remover in a plastic bag and sheets of newspaper they used on the left portion of the trunk's hood.
It was not known, however, whether the mischievous act was orchestrated by a group of individuals in Malacañang intending to harass Olivares because of her paper's perceived anti-government stance. Dennis Gasgonia
Posted on Nov 1, 2002, 4:12 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
I HOPE THE SPIRITS OF OUR DEAD ANCESTORS WILL SAVE US FROM EVIL DEEDS OF THE EVIL SOCIETY. I HOPE NO MORE EDSA RALLIES SINCE CARDINAL SIN IS VERY SICK. IHOPE THOSE FRIGGING ELITES WILL NOW REALIZE THEIR HUGE MISTAKE IN THE PAST. LET DEMOCRACY RULES IN ITS FINEST.
LET OUR CONSTITUTION BE FOLLOWED AND BE RESPECTED.LET THE TRUE JUSTICE REIGN.
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 3:10 PM from IP address 208.4.46.99
During the war a lot of grave robbers became wealthy because of a lucrative business, digging up corpses for gold filling and jewelries. That's the Halloween tradition left behind by some of our present day millionaires.
And they're still good at robbing and stealing.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 4:59 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Remember when this guy kept barking against Japan to recall its travel advisory? Now he's just a wimpish puppy with tail between his legs when it comes to US warnings of travel to the Philippines. As Morgan Stanley predicted, the recent spate of bombings both locally and elsewhere will have a devastating impact on the tourism industry and the economy as well.
This latest US warning along with Australia, Britain and Canada practically tells the whole world about the lack of performance and ability by Gloria's govt. to address the criminality and violence in our country.
Napanice
==================
US: terror threat high in Philippines through New Year
Posted: 11:30 PM (Manila Time) Oct. 31, 2002
Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON--The United States on Thursday warned of a high threat of terrorist bombings in the Philippines through the New Year holiday and urged its citizens there to take extra security precautions.
The warning, issued by the US embassy in Manila, came as Filipino Marines and elite military unites were deployed across the capital ahead of a long holiday weekend and follows last week's State Department advisory for Americans to avoid travel to some areas of the Philippines.
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 8:39 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Will they pay taxes to the Philippines? Or, will they be regarded as Overseas Foreign Workers? What about those whose grandfathers or grandmothers are Filipinos?
Will their divorce status be considered single, widow, annulled, separated, etc, etc.?
I know I am jumping here before the horse. Perhaps answers will be obtained in the course of time.
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 2:24 AM from IP address 202.183.228.67
When it comes to taxes and who collects them, the foreign investors have all the answers. Foreign companies in the Philippines like Intel and Texas Instruments derive income from their business and US-RP laws on taxation are very explicit as to the details. Similarly, the dual-citizen will need education when he/she decides to derive income from a second source.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 31, 2002, 8:15 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Instead of PRIMITIVE NAMFREL, RP should implement the NEW US VOTING SYSTEM.
by Napanice (no login)
And this will apply to both RP and OFWs as well because it is WEB BASED. Since COMELEC has been tasked to modernize the world war vintage manual system of voting and counting, this is the best time to network with the experts in the high-tech field since Gloria herself has just visited Silicon Valley to beg for investment money.
If the US can do it on the internet, surely the best thing for RP to do is follow the leader in technology and save a bundle of research money in the process.
Napanice
======================
Microsoft, Dell and Unisys To Create New Voting System
By Jay Lyman
NewsFactor Network
January 12, 2001
Under Unisys' lead, Compaq will provide computing infrastructure and Microsoft will contribute software. But will the system be too expensive and complex for local jurisdictions?
Technology titans Unisys, Dell and Microsoft plan to produce a new registration-to-tabulation voting system aimed at eliminating the confusion and confrontation that marked the recent U.S. presidential election.
The companies say the end-to-end system, called the e-@ction Election Solutions portfolio, will replace antiquated punch card and other voting systems with faster, more accurate management of voter registration and elections.
The triple-team effort joins other election initiatives from technology leaders such as IBM (NYSE: IBM) , Cisco and Compaq brought on by last November's unprecedented presidential election stalemate. Democratic candidate Al Gore contested the election results in Florida, arguing that faulty existing voting booth technology caused many votes to be discarded unnecessarily.
Better Balloting
Unisys and its two big partners tout the benefits of the integrated election system, which they say will include clear voter registration and identification, and a fast and accurate tabulation system that will decrease confusion and potential for fraud.
Unisys will head the effort, with Dell contributing its computing infrastructure and Microsoft handling the software, combining to create a voting system that can be customized for election officials, according to the companies.
"We can integrate end-to-end solutions that address all requirements, from registration and building voter information repositories, through voter identification and casting the ballot, to tabulating, consolidating and reporting the results," said Unisys vice president and general manager Kevin Curry. "Or, we can provide any of the discrete pieces of the process that states or counties want, in the way that will work best for them."
Unisys practice director Steve Hagan told the NewsFactor Network that the company has worked with government elections officials in creating the voting service, but would not specify exactly which city, county or state jurisdictions were involved.
"We see this as a large market evolving out of the recent election and it's certainly something we see that needs attention," Hagan said.
Election Experience
For the most part, the business of elections has been left behind by technology. Before the Florida fiasco focused attention on voting irregularities across the U.S., IBM was among the only technology companies involved; and that involvement centered mainly on the outdated and controversial voter punch cards.
Unisys recently partnered with the state of Minnesota to produce an experimental e-voting system for its state caucuses that might help election officials and the media in the future.
"It gave a flavor of the sort of full-fledged, Web-based election night reporting system we hope to develop," said Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer.
The U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) is keeping an eye on technology as it updates voting system standards that may be issued to the states later this year, an official told NewsFactor Network.
"We thought we could make them more user-friendly, so we're working on updating the standards," said Peggy Sims, a research specialist for the FEC's Office of Election Administration.
Can They Buy It?
While cities and states across the U.S. want to avoid the controversy that hit Florida, they may not have the funding to do it, according to Sims. "In many cases, because elections are held infrequently, their priorities are elsewhere," she said.
Lawmakers are expected to provide some financial assistance, possibly in the form of grants, to municipalities or states that update and improve their voting systems. The degree of funding remains unclear, as does the price tag for new e-voting systems.
Hagan would not reveal how much the use of the system or its components might cost, saying only that the voting system is being developed with system integration in mind.
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 5:43 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
The less removed the people are from interference coming from the self-appointed rich folks, the better for democracy. If Gloria didn't know it yet, voters in the US don't rely on private organizations to count their votes, the govt. sets up the army of volunteer poll watchers and vote counters to do the job of conducting the election process. There are no police, no armed bodyguards, no military overseers that get in the way either.
What the people back home are trying to do here is contaminate the honest process already in place by their corruption-ridden system called Namfrel!
IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 5:28 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
JUAN LUNA'S PARISIAN LIFE WILL BE SOLD LIKE A WHITE SLAVE.
by Napanice (no login)
And the pimps are the following:
Deputy Director Cecilio Salcedo of the National Museum.
Collector Adelina Molina of the Bureau of Customs.
Ramon Nakpil, alleged owner with an affidavit.
The painting was brought back to the Philippines because it lack the necessary papers, and that means it was spirited out of the country illegally in the first place. But under the very noses of our leaders, at least three people conspired to treat this national treasure like they were in the business of white slavery. Under the cover of secrecy and haste, they managed to issue the proper papers to the foreigners in less than two hours. Such efficiency and promptness is seldom seen in Filipino civil servants unless there's a pot of money waiting for them.
Are we really a nation of hoods and traitors? Did our heroes die in vain, and is the Filipino destined to become a man without an identity and self-respect?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 26, 2002, 11:38 PM from IP address 216.175.120.243
with all these hullabaloo over the painting, is there no doubt at all about the authencity of the painting? Did anyone bother to check that first?
The reason I ask is because the Philippines has gotten into the habit of kuryente reaction. Everyone reacts to tsismis and media releases without bothering to check sources. I recall the few times we've been embarassed over official protests because some foreign dictionary or another purportedly listed Filipina as whores or domestics only to find out later that there have been misquotes.
Or how about the Malaysian rape case where nobody checked the girl's parents' nationalities? A diplomatic row and it turns out that the girl was not legally Filipino?
Geez, can you imagine the political backlash if the painting were a hoax? Not that I am saying that it is, only that no one in our government thinks of these things.
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 12:24 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
Christie is a world renowned auctioneer and they have the experience to prevent these kind of hoaxes from happening. Experts conduct authenticity tests through paint samples and carbon dating so if Christie says it genuine then chances are good that it is.
And besides, there was no guarantee that a Filipino will win it, if a Chinese or Japanese decided to grab that thing they certainly have all the money. If it was a fake, that will be broadcast worldwide and then what?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 6:41 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
A bit of clarification before I go on. My first concern was that Philippine authorities tend to react and overreact. This seems to be the case here also. In all probability the painting is authentic but I find our government negligent by not going through the process just to be on the safe side.
One would think that our government can verify that painting through the National Museum. Think again, the National Museum does not have sophisticated testing equipment, it uses physical and chemical examinations and background checking. And in a recent Carmelo forgery case, these proved to be inadequate. The National Museum had issued a “certificate” of authenticity that the fraudster used to sell the painting. Details in the ff: website.
So I doubt that Christie’s would go beyond that certificate and it wouldn’t waste money on expensive carbon dating and spectrograph tests.
And Christie’s is not 100 percent reliable either. There were instances where the courts had ordered it to return payments to buyers. There is also another case a few years back when it had 5 dubious Amorsolos on its programme.
Christie’s will sometimes find itself a party to a hoax. It may be the best but it won’t be perfect all the time as can be seen in the ff: clipping
Christie's sues collector over 'fake' painting
By Will Bennett, Art Sales Correspondent
A LEADING art collector is being sued by Christie's after a painting that sold for a record price was allegedly found to be a fake. Charles Tabachnick, a Canadian businessman, sold Spanish woman with a red shawl by the Expressionist painter Alexej von Jawlensky for UKPounds:540,000 at Christie's in October 1994. The price was then a world record for a painting by the Russian-born artist. But two years later, the work, thought to have been painted in 1912, was alleged to be a forgery, a verdict that has been accepted by experts at the London auction house. Christie's has issued a High Court writ for repayment of UKPounds:340,000, the amount not covered by insurance, against Mr Tabachnick, who lives in Toronto.
See the ff: website for another account of Christie’s being fooled. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/278413.stm
I’d want to be extra sure if I were in Gloria’s shoes. Won’t hurt a bit.
I also heard that 3 Filipinos tried to outbid each other. That's why the price went through the roof. Another case of overreaction. They could have worked it out amongst themselves.
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 8:51 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
fraud is definitely a factor here but like a said before, there are tests that can be applied to verify some basic data that will prove authencity to a comfortable degree. if the national museum lacks such techniques, that's their problem.
i appreciate your concern and someone who paid a large sum of money for a painting should be just as concerned and therefore a third party may be hired to conduct an independent test.
regarding the use of price boosters in an auction, that is almost a given since the urgency to reclaim the object was known beforehand. and the auctioneer does not mind that at all, more commission for him as well. keep in mind that auctions are like medicine shows where customers are given enough psychological hype to keep their interest at a high pitch.
therefore the price, whatever it came to, is always right for the bidder.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 9:12 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
A difference of opinion - S & P vs. Fitch and Moody.
by Napanice (no login)
One day after Standard & Poor slapped a negative tag on the Philippines, Fitch and Moody suddenly pronounced they were overriding the finding by slapping their own stable tags on top of that.
Of course the investment climate changes daily just like the weather so both findings should be accepted as gospel truths. The only bad thing about these financial crystal ball gazers is that some of them base their predictions on financial rewards from the paying customer.
If there was a contradiction, it was never explained satisfactorily.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 8:36 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
President Arroyo expressed confidence yesterday the Philippines will regain a stable ratings outlook from Standard and Poor’s by pursuing fiscal reforms, her spokesman said Wednesday.
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 9:01 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
It's not very often that Fil-Ams get a chance to meet and shake hands with the Philippine president just to express their support and appreciation.
Los Angeles, touted as the city with the highest concentration of Filipinos in the world with a population conservatively estimated at 641,000, was not such a good host to the lady president. Only 1,200 people attended a town hall meeting to listen to her speech which focused mostly on dual allegiance and an 'adopted country'.
Makes one wonder exactly how many votes she will get from the LA folks if the election was held today. Where's the survey?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 26, 2002, 2:19 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
I know that you meant to say that with 641,000, Los Angeles has the highest concentration of Filipinos in the world outside of the Philippines.
I am curious, though (yes, again) how many of these 641,000 Filipinos have become political leaders. With this huge number, it would be fairly easy to elect more than a handful of Pinoys into city councils.
Would it be fair to say that FilAms are interested in representing themselves in U.S. governance?
Also, does anyone here know of an instance where a Filipino running for office in a Filipino populated area lost to another of a different ethnicity?
I've read several reports that Filipinos have not been taking a more active role in having themselves represented. If these reports are true, it strikes me odd that Filams, who have little or no interest in governance in their locality, would think that their judgment of who should be the next Philippine leaders be valid. After all, they have been away for so long, they may have lost touch of what things really are at home. Reading about it in the news is different from living it.
lut recio
Posted on Oct 27, 2002, 2:16 PM from IP address 202.57.88.155
with close to 4 million people in Los Angeles, Pinoys are still an insignificant minority in this huge city. But in Hawaii where Asians predominate, both Senators and Governors are asians as well. Therefore it's not fair to say that Fil-Ams are not actively participating in governance, there are small towns and cities where Pinoy concentration are significant enough to elect Filipino candidates but for sure, they have practically no chance of winning in gubernatioral or senatorial elections unless they can walk on water.
Who knows, at one time Californians voted a Japanese to the US senate.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 27, 2002, 8:55 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
just a clipping from Philippine News online (Oct 16-22)
Editorial: The Power of the Pinoy vote (if only they would)
Lucky Chances in the city of Colma, Calif., is more than just a casino. To Filipinos and other immigrant minorities seeking a voice in mainstream America, it is an example of what political determination can achieve.
Rene Medina, the Arayat, Pampanga-native who owns and operates it, never tires of telling how he overcame the seemingly insurmountable odds that nearly derailed his dream. Several years ago, faced with the prospect of losing a referendum on the casino, he went from house to house of every Filipino in the small city.
There was a great deal of resistance, he recalled, because of the negative perception of gambling. But he persisted, stressing the taxes, jobs and other economic benefits that would be generated.
When the votes were counted, he had won ¾ by a margin of six. In other words, the Filipinos were the swing vote.
The number of Filipino American voters is difficult to determine, but as of the last official census, there are nearly two and a half million Filipino Americans, about half of whom are in California. To say that we’ve got real political clout is not a hard sell.
Problem is, if we were to go by Medina’s experience, Filipinos hardly exercise their right to suffrage. As Medina told it, he convinced Colma’s Filipinos to vote not by getting them to go to the polls, but by absentee voting. None could be bothered to go to the polling place.
He also said that if all FilAms in Colma’s neighboring city of Daly City took part either as candidates or simply as voters, Filipinos would be a majority in the city council. Often fog-bound Daly City has one of the biggest concentrations of Filipinos in the whole of America. Yet there are only two Filipinos in the council, although the current mayor, Mike Guingona, has served for several terms already.
Over in the 13th congressional district of California, a Republican Indo-Pakistani American is challenging the incumbent Democrat. This would not be so surprising were it not for the fact that the increasing number of Pakistanis and Indians in the district are a relatively recent development as compared to Filipinos who have been there much longer. It’s just fortunate that the candidate, Syed Mahmood, is very much conscious of the need for immigrant minorities to exercise their political power and has thus vowed to fight for, among other issues, veterans benefits.
It should be pointed out that more than political prestige and power is at stake here. Consider: if FilAms really wielded their political clout, the veterans would have been enjoying the medical and other benefits they are still fighting for; FilAm airport screeners would be secure in their jobs; and the Philippines would not be labeled a terrorist-active nation; and there’d be more Filipinos at the White House or the national and state legislatures to make sure Filipinos and other minorities don’t get screwed.
The tragedy, however, is Filipinos are not only pathetically politically indifferent; the few who say they care, the politically active ones, end up screwing each other ¾ not over issues but over egos. How else to explain the comedic proliferation of Filipino American groupings?
Those who think that voting is an exercise in futility should be reminded that they are no longer in the Philippines, and that the choice is not between traditional politicians and over-the-hill actors.
Rather Filipino Americans are being asked to decide whether they are willing to put some of their retirement money in the stock market; could keep assault weapons in their closets; would let the government dictate sexual behavior; or could stand to see their sons and daughters marched off to a war without knowing what the war is all about.
Medina named his gaming facility Lucky Chances. But he would be the first to say that luck or chance had little to do with the vote that allowed him to build it.
Certainly there is a lesson for Filipino Americans here.
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 9:06 AM from IP address 202.57.88.155
I really appreciate you posting articles like this, it adds to the enlightenment in the discussions. What you've just brought up is now a key issue that was never a factor before absentee voting and that is election campaign activities and funds.
If you notice, the normal reaction of voters is almost universal and that is they must be wooed by the candidates. That person who went house to house to get the casino measure passed did exactly that, he knew voters must be educated and encouraged to support it through their votes. We can see the same thing happening during a major election with candidates spending millions to crisscross the country and meet the average citizens.
But lo and behold, 7 million Filipinos are spread all over the globe. How will they be involved in the process of decision-making unless the candidates reach out to them? And exactly how much will be needed to desseminate campaign materials or even trips to high concentration of ofw voters?
Keep posting Lut, and stick around.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 12:15 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Whoever has the leverage to reach out to the ofws wherever they are stands a better chance at capturing their votes. In this case Gloria, by being the president, has that leverage by way of the foreign service personnel who work for her. This is the political machinery that will give her the ofw vote on a silver platter. And guess who will be the anchorman to do the campaigning for her? Her appointed secretary of course!
I bet the absentee voting law is severely lacking in provisions which are critical to the success of any candidate except the incumbent. I hope they're not caught by surprise when the time comes and they find that they're totally handicapped to win votes.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 10:09 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
I agree with you that the incumbent president would be the one benefiting most from the absentee voting bill. Many of us here had expressed the opinion that Gloria was pushing this bill for selfish purposes. Nevertheless, if that was the price we had to pay in order to get this overdue bill passed, so be it. Very few objected.
On the other hand, many of us continue to put forward the same objection every time Gloria makes similar decisions. The objective is to implant in everyone's awareness that Gloria is not out to do the supposedly right things for the people's benefit. Many of the supposedly good projects were often flawed because of her involvement in fast tracking them. The kuryente reaction is the natural result of these hasty preparations.
Fewer and fewer Filipinos believe that Gloria is striving because of the goodness of her heart. More and more of us see that the bottom line is 2004. Come election time, she will lose to anyone who can project a minimum of credibility.
Gloria will not benefit from any project that can be tied to 2004. On the contrary, if she continues to pursue this tack, she will further degrade her credibility.
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 11:50 PM from IP address 202.57.88.155
In the power grabbing business, one does not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity to do the competition in. It would be extremely embarrassing were she to lose in 2004 because she will be branded as a usurper who never received the people's mandate. Her winning will legitimize her actions in the past.
But are you really willing to swallow the price for what the Constitution guarantees in the first place? I just don't understand how the people, specially those so-called leaders, allowed the law of the land to be violated ever since the ofws started deploying.
That's the problem with Philippine democracy, it's farcical at best.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 30, 2002, 8:22 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Since our illustrious president accepted the US allegation that Filipinos are dangerous and high-risk, it has been interpreted as a blanket statement by the world. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain are countries with great influence all over the world and their warnings against travel in a corrupt-ridden, violence prone country will get a lot of attention. Sadly, it's not those who demonstrate incompetence and poor governance who will suffer since they have all the authority to do further damage to the country's blackened image.
Napanice
=======================
NEWSFLASH
PHNO
Reported by Sol Jose Vanzi
NEW ZEALAND: DON'T GO TO RP
MANILA, October 26, 2002 (STAR) By Aurea Calica - The New Zealand government advised its citizens yesterday to get out of harm’s way by avoiding travel to certain parts of the Philippines considered as high-risk areas due to possible terrorist attacks.
The advisory came on the heels of similar warnings issued earlier by the governments of the United States, Australia, Great Britain, Japan and Canada which all cited rising incidents of terrorism in Southeast Asia.
"Following the terrorist attacks in Bali (Indonesia) on Oct. 12, there is a heightened threat to Western interests throughout Southeast Asia. There has recently been an upsurge in bombings in the Philippines and in some areas, there is also a history of terrorism, insurgency and kidnapping," the New Zealand advisory stated.
"New Zealanders traveling throughout the Philippines, including Manila should remain alert, take sensible precautions for their personal safety, be extra-vigilant in public places, try to avoid any means of public transport and only use taxis that are recommended by people you can trust or fleet vehicles that can be booked inside international airports, or those recommended by Western-type hotels. Avoid places where Westerners are known to gather such as bars and nightclubs," it added.
The advisory indicated that travel to Sulu and southern and western Mindanao should be avoided due to subversive activities in those places.
Except for essential business trips to Maguindanao, it also discouraged visits to the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Palawan.
"Review the security where you are staying, maintain a low profile and avoid behavior that might provoke or offend local sensitivities. Avoid crowds and public places, especially those frequented by Westerners and anywhere there is an indication that trouble is involved. Avoid traveling alone at night," the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Alarmed by the spate of bombings and other terrorist attacks sweeping the country, United States authorities also warned Americans against traveling to certain areas of the Philippines.
In issuing the advisory, the US State Department cited a number of security-related incidents that highlight the risk of travel in the Philippines.
It only makes it ugly because of our corrupt leaders.
One time, I watched it on TV the Sultan Kudarat Festival. The folks there were rejoicing because they have abundant harvest. Ang daming kanduli. Lumulukso pa sa lambat. Grabe ang dami. Ang gaganda rin ang ani nilang mga gulay and I think every Barangays have their cultural shows. It's beautiful.
I hope one day, the expatriates could return home and see the beauty of the Philippines. And I hope by then, those termites in the government will be fumigated.
It's nice to live in a country that is trouble free, corrupt free and no termites.
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 5:47 PM from IP address 208.4.46.99
A lot of foreigners are scared to visit, their countries have warned them of the danger lurking in the dark. In Manila if a foreigner ventures into the malls and come back late at night, their chances of being robbed goes way high. The streets are not as safe as they used to be because the police are now making money in the kidnapping business.
Maybe it's better that way so the land will not be lost to the wealthy visitors who buy property at prices 53 times less than their money is worth.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 29, 2002, 1:46 PM from IP address 216.175.123.11
There is no price for Heritage and Identity. Rather than throwing away National Treasures, the young Filipino should make every effort to restore them to their rightful place.
We can learn a thing or two from these two ladies, their nationalism and love for their ethnicity and heritage is heroic at the least.
Owners ask to stop sale of Juan Luna painting
THE PRICELESS Juan Luna painting to be put up for auction in Hong Kong on Sunday has only been "borrowed" from its ancestral home, the matriarch of the Nakpil clan said Tuesday. Francisca Nakpil-de Lange, 96, and her sister, 88-year-old Mercedes Nakpil-Zialcita, called on concerned parties to stop the sale, appealing to them not to sell "our Filipino heritage.''
The 110-year-old painting, "Parisian Life," is estimated to fetch a price of 1.8 million to 2.0 million Hong Kong dollars (under 14 million pesos) at the Christie's auction house.
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 11:41 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Sa mundong ito, may mga taong sakim
Walang pakundangan kung maghasik ng lagim
Sa mga taong punong-puno ng panimdim
Hay, naku, sarap buhusan ng sukang maasim.
Mga kayamanan ng ating bayan
Unti-unting nawawala, di natin namamalayan
Nagdudulot ng hinagpis sa ating kalagayan
Mga mandarambong mawala na sana ng tuluyan.
Kay ganda sana ang ating Inang bayan
Kung ang mga ganid ay mawala na ng lubusan
Sila ang sumasakal sa mga taong bayan
Dios na maawain, kailan mo sila parurusahan?
MY
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 12:47 PM from IP address 208.4.46.99
In person, I joke a lot in my place of work. Of course, at my expense, just to let out some frustrations over issues which I could have controlled but did not. They always came back to haunt me. There are lots of them! I have 2 this morning!
This is the price of having the power to decide and the authority to implement. This goes with the position.
Jokes sometimes could a balm for frustrations. Keep on joking, Moonyeen......
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 3:54 PM from IP address 192.245.204.154
My initial reaction was to get ahold of my rear, then the second wave of rationality hit me. And now you have to confirm my doubt by clarifying what PUWITABLE really conveys.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 1:12 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
She's a decision maker, not a two bit money changer or box office teller who must think about nickels and dimes. But that P1B can sure go a long ways to fund an election campaign. And with that $30 million from Bush as good as done, the military and police can wait a few more months.
So that's why she was so furious when Bush vetoed the doleout, her intel fund will be noticed.
Napanice
================
Palace won't let go of P1B intel funds
Boncodin: Let Gloria dispense the money
By REGINA BENGCO
Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin yesterday brushed aside discussions on which agency should handle the P1 billion intelligence fund allocated this year.
She said it would be better if the intelligence fund is with the Office of the President.
"Kasi kapag nilagay mo sa Army, sila lang ang puwedeng gumamit. Kapag nilagay mo sa PNP, sila lang ang puwedeng gumamit. Samantalang sa OP, the President can put it where it is needed most at that time," she said.
About half of the annual intelligence budget is allocated to the OP.
The OP got P667 million in intelligence funds in 2001. This year it got P595 million.
Boncodin said the President does not use the intelligence fund, but gives it to the intelligence community.
Boncodin said the big intelligence funds were "traditionally" given to the Armed Forces, PNP and NBI until 1999 when the administration of Joseph Estrada was faced with problems in peace and order and security.
She said during that time, Congress, including Sen. Rodolfo Biazon moved to raise the intelligence fund and give most of it to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force then headed by now Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
"At that time, naalala ko, that was the first time na umabot ng more than P1 billion ang intelligence fund. Nagpatuloy na iyon, so na-carry over iyon ... Noong 2002, sinunod na rin namin at saka sa 2003. Siguro ngayon karamihan ay ngayon lang nila nakikita kaya akala nila under this administration na lumaki ang intelligence fund," she said.
Senators last week proposed that intelligence funds be directly handled by operating units of the military and the police following a meeting of the chiefs of intelligence units.
They said the Palace anyway is not involved in intelligence operations.
This after the intelligence chiefs said they do not have the money to hire "deep penetration agents" inside rebel and terrorist organizations.
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 11:04 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
BIG TRANSPORT GROUP ON STRIKE WILL STRAND COMMUTERS.
by Napanice (no login)
Pure politics is the reason for this, the govt allows the oil cartel to keep on raising the price of fuel while clamping down of fare prices which naturally translates to less profit for the operators but at least the voters will not feel the pain.
Unfortunately these strikes may just be the beginning should tension in the Middle East keep up, the US is not showing any signs of backing off completely from its threat to Iraq.
With a budget deficit almost sure to reach P200 billion, these events will only deepen the economic crisis besetting the country. I expect the peso to slide even faster as the yearend approaches.
Napanice
====================
Manila Times
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Jeepneys stay off Metro streets today
By Eric Estrada, Jean Fernando and Mer Layson, Correspondents with Joshua Dancel, Reporter
A STRIKE by two big transport groups today over rising fuel prices and government’s refusal to allow them to raise fares threatens to paralyze the major routes in Metro Manila.
The strike coincides with the launching of a caravan of trucks scheduled by the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners Organizations (ACTOO) to protest the decision of the Muntinlupa City government to ban 10-wheeler trucks from using the Alabang viaduct from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily, except during holidays.
Ricardo Papa, ACTOO chair and president, said the caravan, consisting of from 80 to 100 trucks, will start from the Manila piers and end in Alabang. The protest will continue up to the first week of November until the Muntinlupa government lifts the ban, he said.
The transport strike will be led by the Pinag-Isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) and the Philippine Confederation of Drivers’ Organizations and Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (PCDO-ACTO).
The groups are denouncing the unabated fuel price increases and the alleged failure of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to live up to its commitment to allow a P1 fare hike once the diesel price hits P15 per liter.
Medardo Roda, Piston national chair, said the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. strike, called “Tigil Pasada,” will affect major routes like Cubao in Quezon, Taft Ave., Sta Mesa, Rizal Ave., Espana Ave., Kamuning, Aurora, Muñoz market, Projects 2,3,4,5,6, 7 and 8 as well as Antipolo City, Taguig, Marikina City and Mandaluyong City.
Their affiliates in the urban centers of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have manifested their intention to join the strike, Roda said.
“We are left with no other option but step up transport protests,” Roda said. The continuous increase in oil prices has greatly distressed jeepney drivers, small operators and ordinary consumers.
He added the protest movement should serve as a strong warning to “greedy” oil companies which increased their fuel prices by at least 30 centavos per liter over the weekend.
Roda also assailed the government for its alleged lack of political will to stop the unabated oil price increases. “Despite widespread opposition, the foreign-controlled oil cartel amassed huge profits with the consecutive price hikes they imposed,” he said.
However, Dante Lantin, chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), stood firm and refused to approve the P1 fare increase sought by the jeepney drivers.
Lantin stressed that unless all transport groups unite and demand a fare hike at the same time, the petition would have to wait.
He added that 20 buses would be on standby to ferry stranded commuters in the major routes to be affected by the strike. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is also set to help affected passengers, he said.
Lantin warned strike leaders not to coerce other jeepney drivers into joining the protest movement under pain of “severe penalties,” like revocation of the drivers’ licenses or the operators’ franchises.
However, Roda said DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza allegedly reneged on an agreement which he signed last month with major transport groups to allow a fare hike once the diesel price reaches P15 per liter.
According to Roda, the successive fuel price hikes are slowly eating into their already meager earnings.
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 9:23 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
Like the CBCP, Gloria also 'leading the way' for absentee voters.
by Napanice (no login)
CBCP, civil society, wealthy bankrollers, are among the parties who will partake of the movement to ensure the absentee voting system is implemented with 'honesty' and 'integrity'.
And now Gloria, in her Hawaiian hula speech, dropped a few more names. Citing the possible problem of financing, she went ahead and cited OFW leaders like Loida Nicholas and Alex Exclamado who are willing to put up the money to 'implement' the law. So obviously money is a big factor when it comes to ensuring that the absentee voting bill gets off the ground.
But that's not all, and this is where shoe meets the road. Without a hint of authorization from the Comelec, she went ahead and started talking about private-organized mechanism for counting the votes. OFW leaders can be deputized and allowed to fund their own Namfrel-type counters. In fact she expects the local Filipino communities to bear all the expenses in carrying out the functions of the govt.
But after putting the horse before the cart, she was careful enough to say that "it is up to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to work out this mechanism in order to 'implement' the law".
And just in case Comelec didn't get the message, she emphasized further that
"Then it will be the Comelec, I suppose, who can make a judgment on what is allowed and not allowed by law. The role that they’re going to play, while not specifically as Comelec officials, is one similar to Namfrel which is deputized by the Comelec in some functions to reduce some expenses," she clarified.
So finally after much pondering, a third party with a well-known "Tried and Tested" method for counting votes and establishing Election Result trends has surfaced once more. In the coming days, we will also hear his input into this new and novel way of electing officials in govt. And we shall be waiting and contemplating what surprises he has in store for the 7 million ofws out there.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 26, 2002, 10:54 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Remember that CBCP is not a solid vote unlike the INC, it is not only the Pandak the candidate, there are also others that the CBCP has to consider. Besides the INC is not competing with other group, it is their act of being one in union with Christ, this is their doctrine, one head(which is Christ) and one body,the church.
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 7:18 AM from IP address 12.13.238.140
That's the reason why, there are 7 million voters out there and they want to solidify that. Of course they're not all catholics but they are all Filipino citizens under one govt. With the pandak dependent upon the church for guidance, and with the solid backing of the civil society, we should see the church becoming more active in politics very soon.
And they don't want a solid vote, just a big majority enough to win the election.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 28, 2002, 9:02 AM from IP address 216.175.123.11
RP-US Alliance: You give me money, I support your war.
by Napanice (no login)
Manila Times
Saturday, October 26, 2002
President asks US: Restore vetoed $30M military aid to RP
By Joshua Dancel, Reporter
President Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday reminded the US government officials that while she is fully committed to the American war on terrorism, the Philippine military badly needs the $30-million aid vetoed by US President George W. Bush.
The President was in Honolulu, Hawaii, on her way to the Los Cabos, Mexico, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting there.
While in Honolulu, she discussed with US Sen. Daniel Inouye and Adm. Thomas Fargo, Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Command, security cooperation issues between the US and the Philippines.
The President stressed to the two American leaders that the Philippines’ campaign against terrorism requires huge funding.
The $30 million is part of the $5-billion US military supplemental budget approved by the US Congress, but which was voted down by President Bush because of fiscal restraints.
Pakistan, Egypt, and Israel got substantial military aid from the US. There were perceptions that the three countries were being rewarded by Washington for not signing the resolution creating the International Criminal Court (ICC), and punishing the Philippines for being a signatory.
The ICC, once established, can go after American troops committing criminal acts
overseas.
Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo said the war against terrorism is part of the Philippines-United States alliance.
“The current Philippines-US alliance is a moral partnership. We offered political, security, and humanitarian assistance to the US in pursuit of her most vital interest against terrorism, which coincides with our own,” the President said.
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 7:58 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
The GRP is now running deficit mode, all P166 Billion of it in less than a year. And we can see the results, the coffers are running dry and therefore the hungry will not be fed. Is it any wonder that Gloria is out there begging for 'aid' from her American master?
But who's raising the issue of mismanagement, maybe eveyone got their share of the loot already and the remaining whiners are just victim of their own principles? Isn't it about time that aspiring candidates like Roco, Lacson, Angara, and even Poe rise up and point out the reasons why Gloria should never become a president again?
Napanice
===============
DBM broke, no funds released
By Gerry Baldo and Dona Policar
Saturday, 10 26, 2002
There are no funds being released by Secretary Emilia Boncodin's Department of Budget and Management (DBM), a situation which irked congressmen sitting in the House appropriations committee.
The DBM was again the object of congressional ire over its failure to release funds intended for schoolbuildings in 22 depressed provinces.
Rep. Jacinto Paras said the DBM failed anew to release funds for a government agency due to fiscal mismanagement.
"It all boils down to DBM's usual excuse that the government has no money," Paras said.
The national government has incurred a total debt of P2.695 trillion by end August, an 18-percent increase from a year ago debt. (See related story on page 10)
Irked members of the House appropriations committee yesterday deferred budget deliberations on the Department of Education (DepEd) on account of the DBM's failure to release funds and also charged the DepEd of alleged corruption and immorality.
Paras, quoting Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus said the education department has not released its funds for the construction of school buildings because the agency has not received the budget allocation from the DBM.
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 11:49 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
As the budget deficit goes up, so does the INTEREST PAYMENT FOR DEBTS.
by Napanice (no login)
Lakas Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said that with the peso sliding down towards 54 to 1, that the national government would have to cough up P4.4 billion more in interest payments on its foreign loans next year. That's another nail that will dig deep into the measly revenues, another agency will surely feel the lack of funding and consequently the lack of public service!
Andaya said a weak peso will spell bad news for the government as it would mean increased spending for interest payments. By this calculation, a $1: P54 exchange rate will increase the P223.2-billion allotment for interest payment to P227.5 billion.
We are talking here only of the interest payments. If we add the impact on the principal amortization, we will have to cough up an additional P5.7 billion,” Andaya said. Next year’s allocation for principal payments, which is considered an off-budget item, will increase from P86 billion to P91.7 billion.
He said a loss of about P10 billion due to a weak peso would bore a big hole in the ALMOST DRY COFFERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
“That [P10 billion] is twice the budget for new classrooms nationwide. Higher interest expense and principal amortization will also elbow out needed investments in agriculture, health and education,” Andaya said.
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 7:39 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
JUAN LUNA PAINTING SMUGGLED OUT THROUGH THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS!!
by Napanice (no login)
Clearly, it's a violation of existing law to allow the unauthorized shipment of cultural properties out of the country. But when we have a govt. agency who cannot even tell a 110 year painting from yesterday's comic magazine, that's when the implementation of a law becomes a serious problem.
But the laws we have do not seem to be enough in scope and enforcement clout to address the other issues such as those private owners who make it a sport to steal an conceal national treasures.
It would have been different had the country been left alone by the colonists, we see the rich culture of Japan largely due to its independence from blood sucking invaders.
The Filipinos don't have much left in the way of heritage and indigenous culture, they were mostly delegated to the trash by the colonial masters. This painting by Juan Luna may not mean much to some more inclined to materialistic values, but such values were not the reason for the sacrifices of our heroes and ancestors.
They wanted to preserve the legacy, whatever is left of it, and we can do no less.
Napanice
=====================
Implement law
HCS executive director Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the National Museum should be empowered to fully implement the law protecting cultural properties.
Cruz-Angeles said the Bureau of Customs "must pay closer attention to cultural property that routinely leaves the country."
"We rarely know what we have until we lose it; the Luna painting is only one example," she said.
Cultural property is "stolen from museums and churches and homes, while antique houses and buildings are routinely destroyed," she added.
"Our cultural protection laws are like our traffic laws, observed more in the breach or completely unknown and unenforced. Time to take action."
Concerned Artists board member Alexander Umali said: "We cannot depend on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration to be decisive on matters such as the sale of a Juan Luna painting. It has consistently been stingy with funds for arts and culture, a reflection that, for the national government, arts and culture is not of national interest."
Umali said many cultural artifacts have "reached a pathetic state" through the years.
"With globalization's unhampered momentum, everything in our country is up for sale: our tribal lands, government corporations, mineral resources, our women, our cheap labor, our dignity. And now, the highest bidder aims his investment for a Luna painting," he said.
"While the floodgates of the international market remain wide open, we stand to lose not only this Luna painting," he added.
He said the future generation would be "condemned to perpetual ignorance for we have denied them the opportunity to glimpse into the history of our nation."
"We cannot allow the past to be just a blank stare, for the future will emerge into nothingness. There is still time. We must act now," he said.
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 11:19 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
All these money for terrorism, or is it for the 2004 CAMPAIGN FUND?
by Napanice (no login)
Ever since Sep 11, the RP president has done nothing for her country except put it in the Terrorist's Most Wanted List. After the claimed elimination of the Abus, she even went so far as to cause the bombings due to her uncalled for support of war on Iraq!
Obviously the economy is not her main concern, the people can fend for themselves. What's more important is how to figure out ways to accumulate the billions that will be needed for her 2004 election campaign.
So after stealing the Disaster fund money meant for disaster victim assistance, she now wants to sucker even the US in this gimmick of war against terrorists. But to even a neophyte politician her empty calls and demand for money while the military and police authorities are engaged in nothing but guesswork without a single evidence of tangible results, will immediately see through her smoke and mirror antics.
Bush had deemed it wise to veto that $30M 'military aid', he knew the real issue in RP is not terrorism but festering CORRUPTION and Gloria is no exception.
Napanice
===============
ABS-CBN
Saturday, October 26, 2002 1:42:27 a.m.
GMA seeks U.S. financial aid vs terrorists
President Arroyo appealed to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye for financial help to strengthen Manila's fight against terrorists, radio dzMM reported Friday.
Arroyo is in Honolulu, Hawaii, to meet with U.S. officials, including Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the United States Pacific Command. Arroyo and Fargo discussed security defense cooperation between the two countries.
Arroyo will fly later to Los Cabos, Mexico to attend the 10th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting on October 26 to 27.
The United States has earlier committed $30 million in supplemental assistance fund to the Philippines, but U.S. President George W. Bush thumbed it down.
Jorge Cariño/Radio dzMM
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 10:54 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Long time I visited this site but I see this site is still only Napanice, Napanice, Napanice, Napanice, Napanice... Is this some private site of Napanice?
No need to answer, this site is so **** anyway.
By the way, The Philippine Army and Police are so ridiculous, when they can´t get rid of the **** gangs in Basilan or Zamboanga. Do they train the Philippine army soldiers, as well ass the police, in some play school or how do they train, if they train at all?
Posted on Oct 25, 2002, 4:38 AM from IP address 192.89.125.162
If he is not a high-risk Filipino, Rep. Apolinario Lozada has nothing to fear.
by Napanice (no login)
Lozada, the chair of the House on Foreign Relations, is causing an unnecessary commotion by challenging US authorities to publicly present a list of high-risk Filipinos. Maybe he should be the one to do that, the local jails are filled with them as well as those who are engaged in bigtime corruption and crime in the govt. At latest count, P22B are being lost through loopholes exploited by corrupt officials.
Now why can't he demand that corruption be exterminated first so the US don't have to make a list of high-risk Filipinos?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 2:48 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
CPBP WANTS TO 'LEAD THE WAY' FOR 7 MILLION ABSENTEE VOTERS
by Napanice (no login)
Not to be outdone by the INC, the Catholic Church is now about to lunch a well-financed, high-pressure, political campaign to convert the absentee voters into one solid block for the upcoming presidential campaign. And we all know, the future of their beloved protege' is in danger of getting snuffed out.
We can expect a flurry of political propaganda in the coming months from this religious organization in the form of 'educational and moral' political material that will brainwash the voters into thinking that this priests are the guiding lights of salvation through blind obedience and beliefs.
They might as well remember that the road to hell is paved tempting apparitions and rosy promises of glorious grandeur.
Napanice
=================
NEWSFLASH
PHNO
Reported by Sol Jose Vanzi
CBCP: FOCUS ON OVERSEAS VOTES
MANILA, October 24, 2002 (STAR) Calling all poll watchdogs: It’s time to focus on the overseas vote.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) called yesterday on all civil society organizations to join them in monitoring and assuring the proper implementation of the Absentee Voting Bill approved the other day by both chambers of Congress.
The new measure grants all overseas Filipinos the right to vote in national elections in the Philippines from the countries where they work and live.
"I call on all civil society organizations to join CBCP-ECMI in monitoring and assuring the proper implementation of the (absentee voting) bill so that the whole country, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, will benefit richly from it," ECMI chairman Bishop Ramon Arguelles said in a statement.
The landmark measure allows, for the first time in Philippine history, some 7.41 million overseas Filipinos to exercise their right to vote.
ECMI recognizes the genuine concerns aired by lawmakers in granting overseas Filipinos the right to vote and the means through which their ballots can be cast.
"After so many years of vain promises and failed assurances, (the legislature has) finally registered in favor of the OFWs and, certainly, their families," Arguelles said.
It took 15 years for the legislature to finally pass a law that upholds the 1987 Constitution’s provision granting overseas Filipinos the right to cast their votes from their host countries.
"It may not be as perfect as many wanted it to be," Arguelles said of the new measure, "but, at last, the long journey of lobbying and advocating has finally borne fruit." – Sandy Araneta
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 10:25 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Whom they are kidding? They cannot fool people anymore with their evil ways and politicking. OFW's have their own mind. Akala siguro nila ay yung 7 million OFw's ay puro catholics....daming mga born again christian doon na long ago they have denounced already their catholic faith.
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 12:36 PM from IP address 208.4.46.99
The civil society, the church, the corrupt, the generals and chiefs, the judges, they all want to make sure their commander in chief stays in power for another ten years. And beyond!
There's a good reason why they're coming out this early, so that they can get organized with all the foreign services that are loyal to Gloria. The CBCP is also putting up a nationwide, or even worldwide, internet based communication system. And guess what that is for, besides providing sermons and collection portals?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 1:23 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Malversation of DISASTER FUNDS by President Gloria.
by Napanice (no login)
With all the Intelligence Fund money coming out the ears of numerous govt agencies, justifiable or not, the Palace politican has deemed it much more convenient to deprive the people of money reserved for their safety and welfare in times of calamity and disaster. Someone concerned should bring this up but so far it seems no one has any idea what kind of disaster to expect. The idea of an insurance is probably foreign in this part of the world where emergent crises dictate the next course of action.
It makes sense politically, the deficit is ballooning, the GLUs want to keep their intelligence funds, and the people are not in any position to prevent the loss of their insurance against disastrous events. Maybe they should just keep on praying for salvation.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 12:53 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Gloria is reportedly has a P6 billion pesos for her 2004 campaign kitty. And no wonder also that the survey said, corruption under La Gloria is more rampant than the time of Ramos and Estrada.
She desperately needs the mandate of the people for her presidency but can she buy her seat?
The filipino people should not trust anymore this woman.
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 1:05 PM from IP address 208.4.46.99
It's very easy to do more photo ops with pre-paid criminal suspects standing in the background, then she can say the money was well spent, criminals were caught! Yup, that campaign fund is getting fatter than the First Gentleman alright.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 1:17 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Marcos, & Estrada put together still di pahuhuli si Pandak. Mas maraming nakurakot si Pandak at si Batsoy Mike Arroyo.She's only in office less than 2 years, Billion na ang nakurakot nilang mag asawa.
Imagine wala ng pera sa kaban ng Pilipinas, humihirit pa rin sila ng todo todo bukod pa sa kurakot ni Ramos.
Pati mga generals at mga sipsip na sneadors, cabinet members etc mga cronies me kaparti rin. So far wala pang lumilitaw na pagnanakaw ni Erap sa kaban ng Pilipinas. Kung meroon man, sana lumitaw na agad.
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 9:49 PM from IP address 12.80.29.234
How did the demonstrations go, it seems there's always a news blackout whenever the protest is against Gloria's administration. Or maybe it's not focused enough because the militants keep attacking the US Embassy.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 7:20 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
There were different groups, some were at Mendiola, some in front of US embassy. News from DZEC net 25 there were about 10,000 who went to malacanang and US embassy to denounce GMA and wanted her out of office. The police used their riot gears and dispersed the crowd. About 300 demonstrators were hurt because they were clubbed by the PNPs you can listen to a live newscast from DZEC net 25 radio station everyday and they broadcast the actual happening. DZEC is owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo and as you know they are non partisan. Gloria can not control the church organization. you can listen to that station website is
www.net-25.com
about Marcos and Estrada, I meant their corruption. estrada & marcos money put together, marami pa rin si Gloria in a span of 2 years in office
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 9:38 PM from IP address 12.80.68.179
Even the oppositionist media have been muzzled by the government, there is evidence that harrassing tactics are being employed in order to keep them from telling the whole world of the growing unrest and discontent in the country. It is obvious that the freedom of the press is slowly getting choked by the authorities who see every protest as destabilizing acts against the govt.
Gloria cannot beat up the INC unlike the others because of their solid vote, I just wish that more of the opposition politicians would join them to form a united stand against the repressive tendencies of Gloria and her goons.
Take care RP and stick around.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 10:54 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
There are many INC members overseas and Gloria knows this. When Mr Templo sent his resignation, I believe it was the Supremo Mr Erano Manalo who ordered him to resign and Gloria rushed to get him back. She gave Mr Templo vacation time. She knows that once the big guy on top of the INC go against her, she has the whole Philippines and abroad against her. As you know there are lots of military INC members in uniorm who will not listen to her generals, they will listen to their supremo.
This is not just in Metro Manila, The INCs are scatterred from Aparri to Jolo and in 78 countries.
she should behave well.
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 11:43 AM from IP address 12.13.238.141
The passage of the absentee voting bill will make the INC vote block a minor force if the CBCP manages to solidify the absentees into something that follows the Catholic church in the upcoming elections. The civil society knows that both INC and CBCP will be very crucial in the election results and getting their support will almost ensure a victory.
This means the INC cannot just sit back, their ministers must be aware of what the other side is doing or else their influence may not even be of any consequence in the polls.
Yes, right now Gloria has to walk a tighrope when it comes to dealing with potential political supporters and her arrogant ways seem to get her in trouble most of the time. Who needs a leader without ethics, a sexual degenerate and a big headed braggadocio? I think the Filipinos should be asked if they want this kind of leadership to continue putting the country in further misery through uncontrolled spending, borrowing, kidnapping, bombing, and worsening poverty!
Napanice
Posted on Oct 24, 2002, 12:10 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Nani says ok to use calamity fund for manmade calamity. What a crock!
by Napanice (no login)
Because there are more casualties and injuries to account for in Basilan as a result of the Abu Sayyaf manmade calamity, per Nani's definition. But apparently there was enough money to finance a year long campaign by the military and police to go after the terrorists.
So are they saying that the pot of money for the fight against terrorism has run out and Gloria has not dipped into sources meant for the public in times of natural calamity and disaster? What will happen when thousands of people must be evacuated because of flooding, volcanic eruption, and fire?
The people should not be made to suffer and pay for somebody's incompetence in managing. We have seen that demonstrated by the previous administration who signed onerous contracts because of another manmade calamity.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 11:04 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
I hope this bill gives the Fil-Ams the right to hold public office and also engage in business without the need for local partners whose only interest is to bleed them dry of their hard-earned money.
If dual citizens are allowed to run for election, it could lead to the creation of new political parties composed of members who adhere to the principles of an honest and corruption free govt.
Napanice
==============
Senate passes dual citizenship bill
Posted: 11:05 PM (Manila Time) | Oct. 23, 2002
By Rocky Nazareno
Inquirer News Service
THE SENATE on Wednesday passed on third and final reading the bill granting Dual Citizenship.
With only opposition Sen. Rodolfo Biazon abstaining, the Senate approved Senate Bill 2130 that is expected to benefit the more than 1.7 million naturalized Filipinos in the United States alone.
"Once a Pinoy, always a proud Pinoy,'' declared principal author Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Under the new law, Filipinos who have already acquired foreign citizenship need only to present evidence that his or her father or mother is Filipino to be able to acquire dual citizenship.
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 1:40 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Those of us who are U. S. citizens have pledged "allegiance to one flag". Now, who has the right to bestow dual citizenship - the U.S or the Philippine government?
While this bill is welcomed but not thought of very well by our legislators.
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 2:56 PM from IP address 192.245.204.154
The question is valid but I believe the allegiance of a dual citizenship will only be raised when a conflict of interest exists, there can be no charge unless a violation has been committed. The US itself is guilty of allowing migrants in this country to enjoy the benefits of the way of life and prosperous economy without making it illegal to remain an alien for as long they want. That means there's no need to demonstrate allegiance on their part.
It's military and govt service where this issue is normally brought up so majority of dual citizens will not have to worry, at least for now.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 4:47 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Obligatory ID System is SUBVERSIVE and UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
by Napanice (no login)
The whole idea of a government is to serve the public and the constitution provides the rights of the citizens and the duties of public officials. When the govt creates a situation wherein citizens are denied their rights under the conditions an obligatory system of identification, this becomes a constitional issue. This can mean that when a citizen refuses to voluntary submit to the identification process, that the govt. cannot only deny any service requested but worse one can even be declared a non-entity and therefore be considered an alien whose whereabouts are unknown.
If every person in the country has not been accounted for through birth records, legal affidavits, or naturalization documents, then something is seriously amiss. This brainchild of that midget is another waste of time and money, using terrorism and criminality as justification for implementing an order that has never been proven beneficial to the public interest.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 2:18 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
It looks like the DOJ Sec. has some kind of hidden charm or a choke hold on the chief executive, she just cannot muster any strength to go after this official who sports a bottlebrush under his nose.
What's the reason for such an avid desire to protect this individual unless he's special in more than one way? Can he actually beat Chavit Singson in terms of an expose' that will condemn Gloria as well?
Everyone has a price and Nani sure looks like he does not need plenty to bite.
Napanice
================
GMA orders Impsa probe but exempts Nani
By Sherwin C. Olaes and Angie M. Rosales
Thursday, 10 24, 2002
Citing the need for transparency and good governance, President Arroyo yesterday directed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to investigate National Power Corp. (Napocor) officials over the alleged anomalous contract with Impresas Metalurgicas Perscarmona Sociedad Anonima of Argentina (Impsa), an independent power producer, and accusations of $14 million in kickbacks.
The President, however, shielded Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Hernando Perez from the investigation despite the fact that he had approved the deal only four days after Mrs. Arroyo grabbed the presidency from now detained President Joseph Estrada.
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 12:36 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
I don't know what kind of gimmick the RP authorities are trying here, can any civilian
feel comfortable at seeing someone who looks just like a terrorist?
Obviously this ploy is not meant to keep the country safe and sound but to scare the hell
out of innocent civilians because they can no longer tell if they were bieng shot at
by their own protectors.
Posted on Oct 23, 2002, 11:25 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
NEWSFLASH: TWO AMERICAN WOMEN AND ONE FILIPINA KIDNAPPED IN MANILA!!
by Napanice (no login)
I hope to God that this news is wrong, this is really getting serious! And I also hope that this is not just a ruse by the authorities to justify the declaration of a national emergency which will lead to martial law.
Napanice
================
2 American women snatched
By Mike Frialde
The Philippine Star 10/22/2002
Two American women and their Filipina balikbayan friend were abducted by burly-looking men who introduced themselves as Manila policemen while they were walking behind the ShoeMart mall in Ermita, Manila last Saturday night.
Western Police District sources said a certain Lhea de la Cruz called the WPD general assignments section to report that her balikbayan-sister, Diwa de la Cruz, 38, was abducted along with tourists Catherine Smith and Christine Scott.
However, WPD director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong denied there was any kidnapping and dismissed the incident as a case of missing persons. He did not elaborate.
De la Cruz told police that she received a telephone call from an unidentified man who demanded a ransom of P3 million in exchange for the victims’ safe release.
Investigation revealed that De la Cruz, Smith and Scott were walking along Concepcion street near the Manila City Hall at around 7 p.m. Saturday when they were accosted by two men who introduced themselves as policemen.
The women, who are supposedly billeted at the Heritage Hotel at EDSA and Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, were on their way to a money-changer in Sta. Cruz, also in Manila.
Advising the women they would be brought to the Malate police station, the men told the victims to board a cream Toyota Hi-Ace van with license plates WNU-522.
But WPD sources could not officially confirm the report as the incident was already turned over to the Police Anti-Crime and Emergency Response (PACER).
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 8:36 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Kidnapping of US women a 'hoax' Posted: 11:29 PM (Manila Time) | Oct. 22, 2002 By Norman Bordadora, Jerome Aning and TJ Burgonio Inquirer News Service
THE UNITED States Embassy dismissed as a hoax the reported kidnapping of two American women and their Filipina friend in Manila over the weekend.
US Embassy spokesperson Karen Kelley admitted receiving a report of the alleged kidnapping of Americans Catherine Smith and Christine Scott but dismissed it as inaccurate.
"The whole story's a hoax," Kelley said in a telephone interview.
The spokesperson said that the embassy came to this conclusion after it verified the details of the alleged abduction with local authorities.
"We came upon this determination after going through the particulars of the case and they just couldn't be verified," Kelley said.
The Western Police District dismissed the alleged abduction as a mere missing persons case.
WPD director Senior Supt. Pedro Bulaong said that Lhea de la Cruz, who reported the incident, faces charges of giving false information and wasting police time.
Bulaong told reporters that the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Reaction office had interrogated De la Cruz and found that she had merely concocted the story.
"The entire incident and the people involved were all invented," he told reporters in an interview.
De la Cruz, of Paliparan, Dasmarinas, Cavite, told police that her sister Diwa, a nurse, and Diwa's American friends Catherine Smith and Christine Scoths (sic) had been abducted by the latter's "policemen escorts" at the SM Manila mall.
An intelligence official said that De la Cruz admitted during investigation that she had been paid to invent the story.
She also admitted having reported that she had received a ransom demand from the kidnappers for 1 million pesos.
The official declined to identify the person who allegedly paid De la Cruz to concoct the kidnapping story, saying the case was still under investigation.
Bulaong said the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, where De la Cruz said her sister and the Americans were staying, had denied the victims were their guests.
But immigration sources told the Inquirer said that a Catherine Smith and a Christine Scott did arrive from the US in September. They were still in the country, they said.
"Their address in the Philippines is usually given in their immigration cards but we can't verify that immediately in our database," the sources said.
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 11:53 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
There's more to this than meets the eye, merely charging Lhea de la Cruz with false information and wasting police time is not enough since she confessed to being paid by someone to invent the story.
This whole thing smells of a plot either to destabilize the current govt. or to provide another motive to declare a national emergency.
Who that someone is must be identified and brought to trial for the criminal offense of sowing terrorism against the state.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 12:38 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Monsod in US list of 'suspicious characters' "The US government is paranoid."
This was the accusation hurled by GMA-7 television talk show host Winnie Monsod against the United States government after she was denied visa by its embassy.
Embassy personnel reportedly said her name appeared in the list of persons with "suspicious characters."
She was fingerprinted and embassy officials were embarrassed because she was made to undergo certain procedures but stressed they were merely following rules in such cases.
Monsod, who ran and lost in last year's senatorial elections, said she could not understand why she had been denied visa since she had been in and out of the US for the past 40 years.
She added three of her children are even American citizens.
When Monsod asked embassy officials why they denied her a visa, they reportedly said, "We are not at liberty to divulge."
US Embassy spokesman Karen Kelley could not be reached for comment.
Posted on Oct 22, 2002, 10:07 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
What it's telling the RP authorities is that any significant findings will most likely be treated as sensitive material and will not be shared with the locals. It's also telling our military and police that they can continue with their own guesswork investigation and if their findings happen to conflict with the Americans, that they will be kept in the dark if by chance the Filipinos were wrong.
But I'm sure the Americans will have their noses prying into the progress of the local investigators just in case they turn up something useful.
Napanice
================
US starts own probe of latest bombings
Posted: 11:23 PM (Manila Time) | Oct. 21, 2002
By Alcuin Papa and TJ Burgonio
Inquirer News Service
For internal use
AMERICAN security experts are in town to examine the bus bombed on Friday in Quezon City, even as a US intelligence official on Monday interrogated the chief aide of slain Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Abu Sabaya, who was arrested on the eve of the attack.
The US probers are looking into the possible connection between the bus bombing and Sunday's explosion at the Fort Pilar Shrine in Zamboanga City that killed a Filipino Marine guarding the place.
A highly placed source in the intelligence community told the Inquirer that the US experts were not out to assist local law enforcers.
"Their investigation is only for their own internal use for the purpose of monitoring terrorist acts worldwide," the source said.
The inquiry, conducted by representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Regional Security Office, the Marine Corps and other American security units, started Monday.
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 11:51 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
The Philippine leadership has shown in the past that they can not be trusted with classified information passed to them by others. They earned such attitude and deserved such treatment!
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 3:28 PM from IP address 192.245.204.154
Security leaks could result in disaster costing critical resources and worse, lives. Apparently RP officials are more motivated by politics than the value of human lives to appreciate the need to keep their mouths shut.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 3:49 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Airport plans found in Box along with Coffee, Creamer and Sugar.
by Napanice (no login)
In Makati and Muntinlupa cities, shoppers reported two suspicious looking packages at the parking lots of two upscale malls.
In Makati City, detailed plans of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 were among the things found in a box initially believed to contain a bomb at the parking area of Oakwood Suites, an upscale apartment-hotel located beside Glorietta 4 at the Ayala Center.
Makati City police chief Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez said that the airport plans were found under bottles containing coffee, sugar, and creamer placed inside a box measuring 18" x 18". Inside it was a smaller box that contained computer hardware pieces.
The box was placed beside a white Toyota Corolla with license plates XAD-264, which was at the parking lot’s E-11 slot.
The car also had sticker passes of the NAIA 3 on its windshield, said investigator Police Officer 2 Ricky Tan.
Gutierrez said they were still tracing the owner of the car and who could have placed the box at the Oakwood parking lot, which is a gated portion of the mall parking area.
"The question remains why somebody left the box there, with all these airport plans and other stuff. Obviously, it is for the purpose of creating fear and havoc," Gutierrez said.
The box was discovered at around 1:30 p.m. by security personnel who immediately reported it to the Ayala Center security group.
Mario Delabja, officer-in-charge of the Glorietta 1 security, said business went as usual at the mall despite the report. He said the mall’s security officers immediately informed the police, who dispatched their bomb squad to the site.
On the other hand, the Muntinlupa City bomb squad also received a report at around 11:30 a.m. that a suspicious looking plastic bag was found at the parking deck 2 at the Ayala Town Center.
But bomb expert PO1 Jose Felipe Grijaldo said the bag only contained garbage.
According to Grijaldo, the huge crowd of shoppers did not panic even after seeing members of the Special Weapons and Tactic group, the Explosives and Ordnance Division, and a mobile patrol car arrive at the scene.
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 12:18 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Let me just say that your posts are a joy to read, a breath of fresh air. I hope you continue to participate in this forum and as such encourage others to participate as well. A bit more variety is what this forum needs, methinks.
Hello to the rest of the posters - the indefatigueable Napanice, Jess Hu, my best bud Coel (got tired of KK did you?) and the singer Moonyeen. BoyetJR, JustJT, Feling...where are you guys? BTW, does anyone have any idea where Red Angel and Jek have gone?
Just a thought, if we could all show a bit more respect towards each other then perhaps more people will be happy to participate in this forum. In the end this will benefit all of us as we will be privy to a diverse range of thoughts and opinions. Let's forget about the "us versus them" mentality (or Erap versus Gloria, FPJ versus Gloria or whatever you might want to call it).
Posted on Oct 20, 2002, 10:40 PM from IP address 47.153.252.69
The fact that bombings and terrorism are happening only tells us that life is not just having fun and partying all nigh long. As there is life there's also death, happiness is balanced by sadness, and the world goes through day and night every 24 hours.
Only God can be perfect because He didn't want the rest of the universe to forever exist in boring perfection.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 8:23 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
and post as we please at the very edge of the issue to deride others without personal animosity. I have always avoided discussing political issues concerning my homeland because I can not make a difference that will count. If by chance I happen to delve on it, it sound more ubiquitous insincerity and would culminate to subtle cynicism.
When time warrants, I am here to enjoy.
Good to see you again.
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 9:20 AM from IP address 192.245.204.154
I'm just addressing that part because it applies to every contributor here. I know how busy you are both at work and otherwise, you have an excuse. But make no mistake, whatever is said here will be read by someone else out there.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 9:34 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Maybe it's more convenient to blame terrorism for the lack of investor and tourist interest but since the issue here involves money, it's reasonable to expect that a major part of the scare is the widespread culture of pandhandling politicians, profiteering business partners and an unsavory group of justices who cater to their corrupt patrons.
Napanice
=================
NEWSFLASH
PHNO
Reported by Sol Jose Vanzi
RP 11TH MOST CORRUPT AMONG 102 NATIONS - SURVEY
MANILA, October 21, 2002 (STAR) By Des Ferriols - The Philippines is the 11th most corrupt nation on the planet, according to the 2002 survey of 102 countries conducted by Transparency International, a global coalition against corruption.
With a population of 80 million, the Philippines is notorious in the international community for a wide range of scams perpetuated by both public officials and private businesses, even entrepreneurs eager to squeeze money out of any loophole, the survey showed.
In the Transparency International survey, the Philippines shared the 11th spot with such countries as Pakistan, Romania and Zambia, only 10 notches away from Bangladesh which was tagged as the most corrupt nation in the world.
Transparency International surveyed business people and risk analysts on their perceptions in the degree of corruption. A score of 10 in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) meant that the nation was perceived as "clean" while a score of zero meant it was seen as highly corrupt.
In the 2002 survey, Finland emerged as the most corruption-free country, scoring 9.7 points on the 10-point scale. In contrast, Bangladesh got a 1.2 score while the Philippines got 2.6.
The Philippines slipped from the CPI score it had in 2001 and its overall ranking slid from No. 65 in 2001 to No. 77 in the 2002 survey.
Transparency International had a total of 15 surveys used by nine independent institutions. To be included in the CPI rankings, at least three surveys had to be administered to locals and expatriates in a country.
Transparency International explained that its definition of corruption involved the abuse of "public office for private gain." The questions asked included the misuse of public power for private benefit with a focus on bribe-taking of government officials.
Transparency International also publishes the Bribe Payers Index which ranked exporting countries according to their propensity to offer bribes.
"It appears that we slid in the ranking. That is the perception in doing business with our agencies. It means we are not addressing enough these corruption incidences," said Judge Dolores Español, Transparency International Philippines president.
Earlier, Procurement Watch Inc. estimated that the Philippines loses P21 billion a year to corruption in the procurement of government goods and services alone.
Procurement Watch program director Kristina Pimentel said about 15 percent of the cost of all government contracts is lost to corruption.
Procurement Watch and Transparency International are both lobbying for the passage of a bill that would improve transparency in government, improve competition and limit discretion in public biddings for government contracts.
Dubbed as the Government Procurement Reform Bill, the proposal was intended to substantially shorten the time spent on procurement with the bidding for goods estimated to be reduced to less than three months from the current seven.
This is a big scandal.. your letters were mailed to
different people. Most of the church members knows
what you did to that woman... a married woman.... you
even wanted to get her as your personal
secretary....how dare you .... why dont you answer
your cellphone? the receptionist in Christ The King
told us youre not there..out of town.... are you
avoiding something? Remember Antipolo? Tagaytay?
MIMISIMU...Motels? Camera in the Elevator? the
Letters? The Cards? The Voiced Tape Massages? and
DADDY? do we make sense? why are you using God to lure
woman.... FLESH? remember what you said " GOD LOVES
YOU AND I LOVE YOU" and "LET THE WILL OF GOD PREVAIL"?
"let it be done according to gods will"? its in your
messages... remember.... ALL THE FAMILY MEMBER KNOWS
EVERYTHING.....YOU RAPED HER YOU BASTARED!!!! YOU
BLACKMAILED HER YOU MANIAC!!!!!
YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER WEAKNESS.... YOU CANNOT GET
AWAY FROM THIS.... YOU WILL PAY!!!!!
They are just waiting for the proper time..... DO YOU
STILL HAVE A PEACE OF MIND? CAN YOU SLEEP NOW?
ROMAN Catholics in the Philippines were urged Thursday
to report priests who commit sexual offenses to
prevent scandals similar to those that have shaken the
US Church.
In issuing the call, Archbishop Oscar Cruz said sexual
scandals buffeting US Catholicism were a "clear and
loud wake-up call, particularly for the (Philippine
Church) hierarchy."
"The laity should not only pray for their priests.
They should also help them live holy lives," Cruz, a
senior member of the influential Catholic Bishops'
Conference of the Philippines, said.
Pader Kidz..... PUKI NANG INA MO.... MAKAKANTOT DIN
ANG INA MO NG ISANG PARENG MANYAKIS NA TULAD MO......
puki nang ina mo........ PUKI NANG INA MONG MAY
UUOD.......
===========Nagsalsal ka lang sana hayop ka..... di ka
dapat nag pare...... PUKI NANG PUKI NANG INA MO...
hayooooooooooopppppp!!!!!!Pati may regla gusto mong
patulan...... MANYAKIS KANG ALAGAD NI
SATANAS!!!!!!!Puking ina mo........ hayop ka......
nalalapit ka na rin putang ina mo Father Kidz
Manyakis!!!!!!
Posted on Oct 21, 2002, 7:33 AM from IP address 66.122.132.136
Sincere Condolences to 750 dead Filipino soldiers , 3,000 wounded.
by Napanice (no login)
The double standards of the government in dealing with insurgents, communists and rebels are not helping our soldiers in dealing with the growing problems of terrorism. It puts the individual out there in a state of confusion when he can see the atrocities being committed by both sides, govt. and terrorist alike. He sees corruption in high places, he sees a total like of attempts to settle peacefully, and he sees policies that lead to more death and violence.
The loyalty and patriotism of those who died in the service of their country is beyond question or doubt, the only remaining question is whether they committed the ultimate act in vain. When leaders commit such as as the usurpation of power, the coddling of criminal cronies, the creation of policies inimical to the citizens, and the consistent demonstration of a less than serious leadership, we can only expect results that lead to more chaos and discontent.
Their sacrifices need not be in vain if only those who govern will show competence, sincerity and adherence to principles that address the real problems of the country.
Napanice
=====================
FROM JANUARY 2000 to JULY 2002 750 dead, 3,000 troops hurt in war vs insurgents: Palace
Posted: 4:19 PM (Manila Time) | Oct. 17, 2002
By Fe Zamora
INQ7.net
NEARLY 750 troops - mostly Scout Rangers, Special Forces, Marines and infantrymen - have died while 3,000 have been wounded in the government's anti-insurgency campaign from January 2000 to July this year.
Records from Malacañang showed that almost 90 percent of the casualties were reported during battles with Muslim rebels in Mindanao, particularly in Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao Sur. The rest were victims of encounters with the New People's Army in Northern Luzon, Bicol, Samar, Mindoro, Bohol, Pampanga and Davao.
At least 80 million pesos in financial aid to wounded soldiers and families of slain troopers have been released by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, during his incumbency.
Estrada's all-out war policy accounted for the most number of dead soldiers. From January 2000 to January 2001 when he was ousted in a peaceful popular revolt, Estrada's insurgency campaign in Mindanao had claimed some 2,300 casualties with almost 400 soldiers dead and the rest wounded.
The whole month of May 2000 turned out to be the "bloodiest" with almost 700 casualties, including 108 officers and men killed during fierce battles to seize control of Camp Abubakar, the stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and 45 other MILF camps.
The most number of dead and wounded was recorded on May 3, 2000, with 110 casualties, 18 of them killed in Maguindanao and Lanao Sur provinces.
Almost 350 soldiers were killed while some 1,100 troopers were wounded since Ms Macapagal became president in January 2001 and launched her own anti-insurgency campaign. Most of the victims saw action against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu.
The military reported 36 dead and wounded on November 19, 2001, when Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members loyal to its founder, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Nur Misuari, attacked the Army brigade headquarters in Jolo.
Seven soldiers were also reported killed while 10 others were wounded when NPA rebels ambushed a military convoy in Davao Oriental on April 4, 2002.
At least three Army divisions are based in Mindanao to fight MILF in Central Mindanao, the remnants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Sulu, the smaller but notorious Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu and the NPA.
Three Marine brigades, two Scout Ranger battalions and Special Forces units are also based in Sulu, Basilan and Maguindanao to support the Army battalions. About two-thirds of the Air Force and Navy are also deployed as support for the ground troops.
The figures do not include the casualties in the ongoing Oplan Endgame in Sulu and Basilan, which has claimed the lives of 40 soldiers from August to October this year.
It does not also include the soldiers and policemen who were killed in the spate of attacks on government posts by the communist New People's Army in September.
Posted on Oct 20, 2002, 10:51 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
10-19-02
Our sincerest condolences, and prayers are extended to the victims, and to the families of the recent senseless bombings in Philippines. Our thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Posted on Oct 19, 2002, 7:38 PM from IP address 198.81.27.7
"enjoying plenty of sex in the face of lawless violence." - Deputy speaker Raul Gonzales.
by Napanice (no login)
That was the sarcastic remark of the lawmaker from the Visayas. Gonzales who is Gloria's partymate, was worried that the opposition could make such an accusation if she was not granted emergency powers to tackle to growing menace of terrorism.
Another option was also mulled, declaring martial law in the face of a national emergency which does not even require Congressional approval.
If she figures the timing right, meaning waiting for the terrorism level to worsen and at the last minute declare a national emergency, her supporters will recognize the opportunity to bypass the presidential elections by putting it on hold until the peace and order situation returns to normal.
And who can really tell when terrorism will stop?
Napanice
Posted on Oct 19, 2002, 2:09 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Cimatu wants to train OFWs on biological and chemical weapons attack.
by Napanice (no login)
His intention is good, the idea of setting up a command center, just like Gloria, could mean another political empire is in the wind here. With votes and remittance money at stake Gloria is once again traying to appeal on the emotions of the ofws out there since in reality the GRP is almost powerless to implement any contingency plan that involves billions in cost, unless of course it uses the OFW funds held by the OWWA.
But this ex-military should focus more on training that counts, the Filipino casualties of terrorism died from suicide bomb attacks. The citizens should be educated in recognition of dangerous situations that could harm them, they should be thoroughly briefed on how to avail of the information system being setup by the govt. in order to take advantage of early warning.
But wait, shouldn't these functions be delegated to the DFA under Mr. Ople? For the most part, they're the ones who handle all the paperwork and communications between the citizens and the GRP, so I wonder if Cimatu is merely supplementing the foreign service agencies here. He reports to the president, just like Victor Corpus, and therefore unless his activities get out to the press through his own volition one might consider his function as clandestine one.
He's turning out to be another Man in Black and his authority is only defined by what his boss tells him to do, and that could be anything since he's not even part of any govt. organization.
Napanice
================
ABS-CBN
Saturday, October 19, 2002 10:25:37 p.m
Tension subsides in Middle East, Cimatu reports
The tension in the Middle East appeared to have considerably subsided, according to Ambassador Roy Cimatu, head of the Philippines Middle East Preparedness Team (MEPT).
The relaxation came after the US was reported to have reconsidered its tough demands for a new United Nations resolution on Iraq.
Cimatu said Saturday of Philippine preparations that, “The contingency plan is aimed at preparing Filipino workers in the Middle East countries against terrorist attacks either from Iraq or terrorist groups.”
He said the team plans to establish a command center to monitor the implementation of security measures by the Arab countries and the preparation of the Filipino workers.
Cimatu said Kuwait remains the most critical country in the Middle East and the Philippines must strengthen security measures for some 60,000 Filipino workers there.
"In my report [to President Arroyo], I even volunteered to go to Kuwait to strengthen our security preparations. I also recommended that we bring in chemical experts to train the Filipinos on what to do in case of biological and chemical weapons attacks,” added Cimatu.
He cited Oman where 25,050 Filipino workers face threats of terrorist attacks because of the presence of US facilities.
"Israel is also under threat from Palestinian terrorists. Riyadh has been receiving threats of car bombings and Turkey has received similar threats,” said Cimatu. E. Torres
Posted on Oct 19, 2002, 1:43 PM from IP address 216.175.123.231
Gloria very CALM, but arms Barangay Tanods anyway.
by Napanice (no login)
I wonder what her army of presidential advisers are doing, or maybe she doesn't even bother listening to them anymore? They're just a bunch of EDSA 2 awardees anyways.
Ok, so now we've just raised the number of people carrying deadly weapons, does that mean these BTs are now law enforcement officers as well? Are they trained in the methods of identification, apprehension, warning, and arrest of a suspect?
Or were they told to just shoot and ask questions later? It appears a dead suspect is always a triumph of justice in this current administration.
Napanice
Posted on Oct 19, 2002, 9:48 AM from IP address 216.175.123.231
