miniZibaldone

Philippine Star  "A foothold for ISIS?" Relatives and friends mourned the soldiers who died from gunfire and improvised explosive devices set off by the Abu Sayyaf in clashes that started Saturday morning  in Basilan. The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday reported killing 13 more bandits, but the AFP’s own death toll of 18 is among the highest ever in its  decades-old battle with the terrorist group.  Among the enemy casualties was Ubalda Hapilon, identified as a son of top terrorist Isnilon Hapilon, who has a $5-million prize on his head. An intriguing casualty  was Mohammad Khattab, described by military intelligence as a Moroccan instructor in producing IEDs and a preacher of Islamic jihad.   [full text] Sun.Star Cebu  "Suspension as political weapon" THAT the Office of the President would order the suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama isn't totally unexpected. The Aquino administration has been accused of  using the suspensi...

Philippine Star  "Recipe for conflagrations" This is the season for renewing business permits, and the hawkers of fire extinguishers are again busy with their moneymaking activity rather than the work for which they are being paid by taxpayers. Combined with the inadequacy of firefighting capabilities and low public awareness of fire prevention measures, you have a recipe for more deadly conflagrations.   [full text] Sun.Star Cebu "Burying Marcos" If the sacrifices of the victims of the Marcos dictatorship are to be extolled, wouldn't it be awkward if the perpetrator would be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? That is the essence of Poe's stance, which is a roundabout way of saying no. But she couldn't say it because she was dealing with a big bloc of voters loyal to the Marcoses—an act that exposes a chink in her leadership armor.  Although to be fair, some other presidential bets possess that leadership flaw.   [full text] Mindanao Times   ...

The Freeman's Lastimosa Bisan inosenteng panagsungi sa negosyo di luwas atol sa martial law sa diktadura ni Ferdinand Marcos. Tungod sa koneksiyon sa kakostablehan ug kapolisan (kay PC/INP  pa man niadto) sa usa ka negosyante dinhi sa Sugbo, nakugang na lang ang iyang gikalalis nga duha ka negosyante nga mga dinakpan na sila ug gida sa Kampo Sotero  Cabahug (karon headquarters sa Cebu City Police Office). Giingnan sila sa imbestigador nga gidakop sila pinasikad sa Arrest, Search and Seizure Order (ASSO). Pasabot  nga wa pay kaso nga napasaka batok nila sa korte, gani way klaro unsay ilang kaso, apan di sila makapiyansa ug padayong matanggong hangtod nga mahusay ang ilang  problema. Ang biktima nga mga politiko nga nakalingkawas sa kalbaryo sa ASSO nakaasoy sa pait nilang kasinatian ug napasidunggan nang mga bayani sa pakigbisog sa  ngiob nga katuigan sa diktadura. Apan ang ASSO mahimong nakabiktima sab sa mas daghang kasarangang sibilyan. Nga mahimong wa makas...

Philippine Star   Those who lived through that dark period in the nation’s history lament that Filipinos, particularly the youth, appear to have forgotten the struggle to end the  abuses of a despotic regime. But young Filipinos don’t have a short memory. When it comes to martial law and the struggle to end a dictatorship, the memories simply  aren’t there. Thirty years is a long time, and a generation has grown up with no personal experience of the days when people lived in fear of their own government.   Freedom, it is often said, is like air – taken for granted and missed only when it is taken away.   [full text] Mindanao Times   In the ever widening urban sprawl, the need for green spaces has taken a more urgent need no matter what real estate companies claim. We are still blessed with nature  but this cannot be sustainable if we turn a big portion of our land to buildings and other commercial complexes. For  residential areas, open sp...

Philippine Star   There’s some good news as the nation marks Forestry Week starting today and hosts a five-day international gathering to mark the event. Studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization show that the quality of forest management in the Asia-Pacific region has generally improved, resulting in growth in planted and protected forest areas along with an increase in forestry products to meet growing demand.  [full text] Manila Bulletin The US-ASEAN Summit may have drawn considerable attention in the light of the ongoing South China Sea maritime dispute with China. But the economic plans discussed at the Summit, particularly the US-ASEAN Connect, may have been the most important important part of the two-day Summit in California last week. Along with the ongoing ASEAN integration process, the new US economic initiative could help bring about the long-awaited inclusive growth that will touch the lives of the masses of our people.  [full text] ...

Inquirer  on  Imelda Marcos and wealth It was 1975, the fourth year of martial law, and Ferdinand Marcos was at the zenith of his power. All his opponents were in jail, Congress had been padlocked, and media offices were either shuttered or under new management by his cronies. [...]  While belonging to a distinguished clan, her family was not known to be particularly wealthy. Where did all that fabulous new wealth come from? There could only be one logical explanation: The Marcoses were using the Philippine treasury as their private account, and on such a scale that they would. [full text] Sun.Star Cebu   about Duterte, presidential elections, and criminal law DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has declared his candidacy for president in the 2016 elections, although the Commission on Elections (Comelec) still has the final say on that.  [...]  “If I become president, I advise you people to put up several funeral parlor businesses because I am aga...

Inquirer  on  Duterte and presidential elections For months on end, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte kept the public guessing, claiming a lack of interest in the No. 1 post as well as fatigue and a wish to retire. [...]  Now, barely a month later, he announces that he has “crossed the Rubicon” and is firmly in the running. He says he changed his mind as a matter of principle because he cannot stand the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal to junk the disqualification suit against presidential candidate Grace Poe. He invokes the law, saying that the Philippines under a president who is not a natural-born Filipino is a violation of the Constitution. [...]  That politicians continue to try the tricks in the books does not bode well for the nation’s future. And neither does the sight of voters lapping up the bombast and drama, the fireworks and swagger that politicians offer in lieu of a platform. The circus has truly come to town. [full page] Sun.Star Ce...