Whats happening in the Philippines for 2005 [Archive]

ginapeterb

16th January 2005, 01:07

Palace rebuffs Salonga for warning on GMA impeachment

Malacañang yesterday rebuffed the warning of former Senate President Jovito Salonga that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo risks impeachment for her policy of “justice with compassion” for former President Joseph Estrada.

Confidently declaring that the President will finish her six-year term, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye insisted the President has never meddled with the rulings of the Sandiganbayan that hears Estrada’s plunder case.

"We respect the views of former Senate President Jovito Salonga, but we have to disagree that President Arroyo’s policy of justice with compassion violates the law," Bunye said in a statement.

"Moreover, the Chief Executive has never interfered with the Sandi-ganbayan on this issue," he said, adding the President merely wants humanitarian treatment for Estrada considering he once served as chief executive.

Bunye was reacting to the comments of Salonga that Arroyo would do anything to stay in power, including letting her predecessor to seek medical treatment abroad.

Salonga also said that since she assumed the presidency, Arroyo had always wanted to let Estrada off the hook. Estrada, who was ousted in office in January 2001 in a militarybacked takeover, continues to enjoy widespread support from the masses.

Bunye however assured that the plunder trial of Estrada would resume as soon as he returns to Manila this weekend from his knee operation in Hong Kong.

"We have taken care to insulate law from politics, and when former President Estrada comes home, he will continue to be tried," he said.
On talks about another destabilization plot to unseat Arroyo following the death of her fiercest rival, Fernando Poe Jr., Bunye said that the sitting President will be able to complete her entire term.

"The President is here to serve her mandate and she’s here to serve up to the end of her term and will fulfill her 10-point program," he said.

Supporters ready grand welcome for Estrada

Friends and supporters of former President Joseph Estrada, ecstatic over his return to Manila on Saturday following a successful knee replacement surgery in Hong Kong, are preparing a grand homecoming fit for a conquering hero.

Didagen Dilangalen, Estrada’s spokesman, said that the former chief executive will be greeted with hundreds of thousands of orange ribbons (Estrada’s signature campaign color in 1998) in various places in Manila.

"This is just one way of showing him the solidarity of his friends and supporters who continue to be by his side and who are now happy over the positive developments in his health," said Dilangalen.

Simultaneous motorcades will also be held along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including Ayala Avenue, in Makati, Quezon Ave. in Quezon City, and along EDSA.
Dilangalen said that Estrada’s supporters are also gearing up for a thanksgiving at the Ayala Avenue, Plaza de Carmen, People Power Monument on Ortigas, Quezon City and Welcome Rotunda also in QC.

Thanksgiving masses will also be offered at various churches in Metro Manila and in major cities around the country.
"We are all one in celebrating his return because it shows he is truly a man of his word and that there was never any cause to doubt that he would abide by what the court has decreed," said Dilangalen.

Police on full alert for Estrada’s return
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will implement full alert status for all its forces in Metro Manila tomorrow (Jan. 15) in anticipation of mass actions with the arrival of former President Joseph Estrada from Hong Kong.

NCRPO chief Director Avelino Razon Jr., however, said that the raising of alert status from normal to red alert was not connected with reports on destabilization against the Arroyo government.

"Wala naman, although maraming kuwentuhan at usap-usapan pero they remain as such," said Razon when asked by Camp Crame reporters on the report on destabilization.
Razon ssaid that the police were placed on full alert to ensure a full force especially during the weekend in anticipation of mass actions to be staged by Estrada supporters.

"Gusto ko lang pong i-clarify na ang paglagay natin sa full alert ay to generate personnel. Sa dami kasi ng binabantayan ng pulis kailangan nating i-maximize ‘yung tao natin," (for those who do speak some Tagalog- Filipino this shouldn’t be too difficult to translate)

the official said, adding that all off-duty policemen and those who are on leave will have to report for duty on Saturday.

He reiterated that the PNP has not monitored any destabilization plot from various groups nor has been tipped of any assassination attempt against Estrada, claiming that the declaration of alert status tomorrow "is just a normal procedure to provide security to known personality."
"In fact, noong umalis si dating Pangulong Estrada papuntang Hong Kong ay nasa full alert rin tayo," he said.

The police are expected to provide road and area security to Estrada upon his arrival tomorrow at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The policemen will also provide security at the Estrada residence in Greenhills, San Juan should the Sandiganbayan grant his motion to allow him to drop by his residence before going back to his rest house in Tanay, Rizal.

Wayward bird delays PAL flight to Cebu

CEBU CITY , Cebu, Philippines -- A small bird that flew inside one of the engines of PR 847 flight of Philippine Air Lines bound for Cebu from Manila on Friday resulted in mechanical trouble that forced the plane to return to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 25 minutes after it took off, this was due to the bird in the engine not doing its fair share of the flapping that is required to keep the aircraft in flight.

Among the 300 passengers was Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. who, as a result of the delay, came four hours late to the inauguration of the Visayas division of the Court of Appeals in Cebu.

Davide told reporters that their aircraft promptly left the NAIA 2 at 7:30 a.m. for the 45-minute flight to Cebu.

But about 25 minutes into the flight, while the aircraft was above Lucena City, the passengers were informed that they had to return to Manila because of mechanical trouble caused by a bird objecting to its own workload, straying into the plane's engine, where it was a bit warmer, than its usual perch on the outer wings.

Davide said he and the other Cebu-bound passengers had to wait for another three hours, to allow the airline's maintenance crew to refill the bird box with seed, and thoroughly check the plane and clear it with the bird, before they were allowed to board the same aircraft for Cebu.

Philippine airlines have been known in the past to ask passengers to flap their arms in a bird like motion during take off, however more recently, they have tried the services of birds to allow their planes to fly, this is part of the austerity measures put in place to save on aviation fuel, passengers have also been asked in the past to flap their arms in a bird like motion during take off, to give the aircraft extra lift when the aircraft reaches stick speed, on banking to the left, passengers on the port side were asked to shift their weight over in a banking like motion, when the aircraft turns to starboard, passengers were asked on the right hand side to do the same, Philippine Airlines has also told passengers in Fiesta class, that the privilege of reading the daily newspapers does not mean that passengers can take the newspapers with them on leaving the aircraft, the daily newspapers are required to be returned so that other passengers who are boarding these aircraft throughout the day can also read them, if passengers want to read the newspapers and keep a copy, copies can be purchased in the airport terminal.

Most child-sensitive TV personalities honored

Spotlight on Celebrities (Christine Bersola-Babao)

Expectedly, soon after the winners of the most family friendly TV programs were announced and honored at the modest Anak TV Seal awards presentation recently at Café Misckha, the winning networks lost no time drum beating their victories. The awards were in the nighttime news and the weekend show biz talk shows. It was the FPJ wake, however, that eclipsed all other news, including Anak TV, in import, breadth and length.

Also expectedly, the two major networks chose to highlight the awards received by their home talents, rather than the station’s winning programs, knowing that the Pinoy TV audience is irretrievably star-struck. Hence, Gary Valenciano, Julius Babao, Aga Muhlach, Korina Sanchez, Christine Bersola and Bernadette Sembrano were toasted not only in the ABS-CBN news but in their own home programs as well.

Ditto GMA Network’s own winners, Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez and Paolo Bediones.

The results from the national poll showed that the multi-sectoral Anak TV jurors wanted the said TV personalities to be the models for Filipino children. The selection process was introduced after many discussions about the wholesomeness of TV programs invariably led to discussion about stars featured on TV. An informal survey was then introduced which eventually took a life of its own.

From field of over a hundred names nominated beginning in June, the list was whittled down to the top eight in either male or female categories. The four highest vote getters from over 2,000 jurors were declared winners. There was no cash prize attached; only a simple certificate that underscored the honor coming from the people. The accolade and the distinction of besting the rest and the singular honor of being looked up to by adults as well as by children as paragons of child-sensitivity is more than enough to send the winners rushing to Cafe Mishcka even on moment’s notice. (Tabulation was finished only three days prior to awarding.) And as is wont in the last five Anak TV Seal awards presentations, the ceremonies were on time, brief and simple. The frills were eliminated deliberately so that the award, rather than the ceremony and the glitz behind the presentation, would stand out.

The hosts were the well-loved puppet Arn-Arn and Zoe Broadcasting’s public affairs anchor Kata Inocencio.
In fact even the main guest speaker was neither TV celebrity nor politician. He was a twelve-year-old grader from Kamuning Elementary School, Jesse Julienne Factora, handpicked to represent the millions of children hooked on television. The foundation’s chair emeritus and founder Gina Lopez responded with humility and equal candor to the child’s straightforward speech.

Top winner was Mel Tiangco (16.8%) who was tying early in the race with runner up Korina Sanchez but pulled away convincingly during the MegaManila vote. (Sanchez ended up with a still impressive 15.1%) Gary V is the top choice among male personalities with 12.9%, a lead he kept since the derby began in June. Runner up for males is newscaster Mike Enriquez with 8.3% of the votes.

The other honorees were Christine Bersola (8.2%), Julius Babao (7.9%), Aga Muhlach tying with Paolo Bediones at 7.1% and Bernadette Sembrano with 6.4%. Surprisingly, most winners were news anchors or public affairs hosts.

It was Mel Tiangco and Christine Bersola-Babao’s messages that touched the most sensitive cords in the audience. Both were one in saying that of all awards they have received thus far, nothing beats the recognition given by a fickle TV audience, not only because of the sheer number of voters but also because the wide cross section of jurors represented is difficult to please, much less impress. In the end, it can be said that the winners succeeded in convincing the jurors that they represented respectability, integrity and sincerity on TV.
With a medium so transparent and unforgiving as television, that is a difficult feat to do.

Gloria welcomes a united opposition

President Arroyo is convinced that a united opposition would do more good than harm to the country, her spokesman said Saturday.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye also expressed confidence that at this time there is no way any destabilization plot against the government could succeed.

“The administration views Erap’s attempts at unifying the opposition as a positive rather than a threatening development. We have a democracy and it would be beneficial if we have a credible opposition provided only peaceful and legitimate means are employed,” Bunye said.

“They [the people] would be able to see what the present administration is doing and the promises made by this so-called united opposition and see for themselves the truth of the matter,” he added.
Bunye said Estrada’s plan is better said than done. Judging by “the way leaders of the opposition are throwing brickbats at one another, Erap’s attempt might just be an impossible dream,” he said.

“We have it on good authority that the nonpoliticians among Erap’s former Cabinet are discouraging him from taking any active political role at this time. Better for Erap to just concentrate on some self-help and other charitable programs for the poor.”
Estrada had vowed to unite the fractious opposition by patching things up between Senators Panfilo Lacson and Edgardo Angara, supporters of the late Fernando Poe Jr. and other groups critical of the Arroyo administration.

Estrada’s move coincides with the signature campaign to continue Poe’s electoral protest before the Supreme Court. The surveys show Mrs. Arroyo’s approval ratings plummeting to record lows and reports of a coup plot.

Bunye would not confirm or deny if there was any truth to talk of destabilization and a coup. But he was confident the President’s performance is enough to thwart attempts to overthrow her.

“President Arroyo stands on solid ground because she runs the government well,” Bunye pointed out, citing, among others, the improving economy and the good performance of the peso and the stock market.

“There are more positives than negatives and there would be no room for any destabilization at this time to succeed,” Bunye said.

AFP warns renegade Muslim rebel chief

THE Armed Forces on Saturday warned a renegade Muslim rebel commander, who led an attack against an Army outpost that killed six soldiers, he would be “fair game” if he refuses to surrender.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Yano’s warning came as a 72-hour deadline for leaders of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front to hand over Abdulwahid Tondok expired.

Rebels overran the outpost in Mamasapano in Maguindanao on Tuesday, leaving six soldiers and 17 guerrillas dead. Troops, backed by mortars and helicopter gunships, retook the outpost later in the day. Yano, who is co-chair of the government-rebel cease-fire committee, said murder charges have been filed against Tondok and his men.

According to military officials in Mindanao, MILF commander Abdul Rahman Binago led the attack in violation of a cease-fire agreement signed by the MILF and the GRP panel in 2002.

The military said the attack was an apparent retaliation for the killing of Binago’s brother, who was a member of the Abu Sufia, earlier this month.

“Our police actions will be directed against the group alone and not the entire MILF,” Yano told DZRH radio. “If he insists on being a fugitive… he will be fair game for our [military] and police forces.”

Eid Kabalu, spokesman for the guerrilla, said the attack was not sanctioned by the MILF leadership and came in retaliation for the killing by the military of another rebel commander.

MILF vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar said rebel leaders will investigate the attack and impose “disciplinary actions” against those involved.

“This is the first time this has happened, that is why we want to dig deeper into this to find out the real reasons why our commanders did this, especially since the government and the MILF continue to hold talks,” he told DZRH radio.

Party-list Rep. Joel G. Virador of the left-leaning Bayan Muna has called for an investigation into the bloody assault on an Army outpost launched by an MILF group led by Tondok.

Virador said the probe would determine the cause of the conflict that resulted in the violent incident even as he cited the need to also look into the displacement and forced evacuation caused by the attack.

The activist lawmaker cited the January 7 attack in Sultan Kudarat by government troops, which triggered thousands to flee in panic as a result of intense firepower.
But Virador doubted the reports that the raid was in reprisal for the death of suspected Abu Sofia leader Bides Binago, saying that “there could be more than vengeance that triggered the members of the MILF to launch the strike.”

“Abu Sofia is reportedly a small kidnap for ransom group. If it is true that some 100 MILF men launched the strike to avenge a brother’s death, then there could be more that seek to avenge someone for some reasons,” Virador said. Rep. Faysah Dumarpa of Lanao del Sur also called on the International Monitoring Team to act decisively and immediately on the violent clash between soldiers and MILF fighters that resulted in the death of 23.

Dumarpa said those behind the attacks should be dealt with severely even as she said that the International Monitoring Team should immediately come into play. The members of the International Monitoring Team are from Brunei, Malaysia and Libya.
“Those responsible for the attack should be punished or executed publicly,” Dumarpa said.
Dumarpa, chair of the House Committee on Social Service and Development, said violent incidents such as this could eventually jeopardize the peace talks.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye had said the MILF should impose sanctions on those responsible for the “treacherous” attack.

Well that’s it folks, I always like to sign off by saying that what is not mentioned here is the usual level of muggings, shootings, kidnappings, and the like, such is life in the Philippines.

Best wishes and enjoy your weekend.