by magnolia_eic | Jan 21, 2010 | National News
Manila(21 January) — the Senate and House of Representatives has harmonized the two versions of the MinDA bill, which are Senate Bill 3496 or MEDA and the House Bill 6958.
“An effective institutional mechanism shall be established to address the need for a coordinative and integrative approach for the formulation and implementation of various inter-regional and/or Mindanao-wide development plans, programs and projects” the declaration of policy states in describing MinDA.
The bicam meeting was chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara and Cong. Felix Alfelor of Bicol,who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Government Enterprises, and among others who attended where Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cong. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, Cong. Pedro Romualdo of Camiguin, and Cong. Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao.
The MinDA, as adopted by both houses, will focus on the economic development of Mindanao, as well as on the social, cultural and political aspects in the island.
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 21, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Davao City(21 January) — Widows and family members of the 13 slain journalists of the Maguindanao massacre went to the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao City last Tuesday, January 19. They filed criminal and administrative charges against Maj.Gen. Alfredo Cayton and Col. Medardo Geslani.
The group’s complaint was based on the statement made by journalist witness Joseph Jubelag who was supposed to join the group in the coverage.
The witness narrated his personal account with the two army officials as failing to provide an escort to the media group and giving a go signal to Bong Reblando, one of the slain journalists when asked if the area was safe and clear.
Upon hearing Jubelag’s statement,the survivors then found failure of responsibility shown by both army officials. They stressed that the massacre could have been prevented had it not been for both soldiers’ declaration that “there were no threats from the ground”.
Both army officers were charged for violating Sec 3(e) and (f) of RA 1319 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Section 4(e) of RA 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 20, 2010 | National News
Manila, Philippines — The Maguindanao policeman who pointed to Andal Ampatuan Jr. as the leader of the massacre has recanted and now says it was the prosecution’s star witness who had led the armed men that stopped the convoy of the Mangudadatus before being shot to death.
In his affidavit of recantation, PO1 Anwar Masukat tagged the prosecution’s witness, Ampatuan town Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki as the leader of some 100 militia and other security personel who blocked the Mangudadatu convoy on Nov. 23, 2009.
Masukat said the first affidavit was signed under duress. “Realizing the affidavit did not contain my truthful statement, I adamantly refused to sign it. It was then that (SPO2 Larry Diaz) and (lawyer Armando Fabros) told me murder cases would be filed against me for the killing and they could not prevent that from happening unless I signed the counter-affidavit they had prepared,” he said.
Masukat’s new affidavit, as well as one executed earlier by Sangki’s sister, Amina Sangki Ampatuan, prompted Ampatuan’s lawyer, Sigfried Fortun, to ask the Department of Justice to include Rasul as a respondent in the multiple murder charges filed against other members of the Ampatuan family.
Amina, married to an Ampatuan clan member said in her affidavit that it was her father, Zacaria Sangki and Brother Rasul who had planned the massacre.
Fortun has asked Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to include Zacaria and Rasul Sangki plus four others as respondents in the multiple murder case before the Department of Justice.
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by magnolia_eic | Jan 20, 2010 | Entertainment, World
from: the Asscociated Press
MOTION PICTURES:
_Picture, Drama: “Avatar.”
_Picture, Musical or Comedy: “The Hangover.”
_Actor, Drama: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart.”
_Actress, Drama: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side.”
_Director: James Cameron, “Avatar.”
_Actor, Musical or Comedy: Robert Downey Jr., “Sherlock Holmes.”
_Actress, Musical or Comedy: Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia.”
_Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.”
_Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel `Push’ by Sapphire.”
_Foreign Language: “The White Ribbon.”
_Animated Film: “Up.”
_Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air.”
_Original Score: Michael Giacchino, “Up.”
_Original Song: “The Weary Kind” (theme from “Crazy Heart”), (written by Ryan Bingham, T Bone Burnett).
TELEVISION:
_Series, Drama: “Mad Men,” AMC.
_Actor, Drama: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter.”
_Actress, Drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife.”
_Series, Musical or Comedy: “Glee,” Fox.
_Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock.”
_Actress, Musical or Comedy: Toni Collette, “United States of Tara.”
_Miniseries or Movie: “Grey Gardens,” HBO.
_Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance.”
_Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens.”
_Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: John Lithgow, “Dexter.”
_Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Chloe Sevigny, “Big Love.”
___
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Scorsese.
by magnolia_eic | Jan 20, 2010 | Election 2010
Manila, Philippines — Fomer President Joseph Estrada’s candidacy for this year’s elections has finally been approved by the Commission on Elections. The case filed by Evelio Pormento was dismissed Wednesday. Estrada’s camp believes that the decision of the COMELEC will help boost the former President’s ratings in surveys.
