by magnolia_eic | Feb 17, 2010 | Headlines, National News
TO mark the 24th anniversary of the first People Power Revolution on February 25, Malacañang announced that classes would be suspended on February 22, the Monday nearest the historic celebration.
The Office of the Press Secretary said that according to Proclamation No. 1841, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in July 2009, February 22 is only a special holiday for schools. This means it will be a regular working day on February 22.
Every year, the country celebrates the first EDSA Revolution that ended the 20-year rule of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Corazon Aquino to the presidency.
For this year’s commemoration of the historic event, the government would inaugurate the Light Rail Transit-Metro Rail Transit closing the loop project, said Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council chair Edgardo Pamintuan. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Feb 16, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — Leiutenant General Raymundo Ferrer took the witness stand Tuesday, to present before a local court, documents and intelligence reports to justify the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.
The documents he presented included a chronology of events and operations in relation to the declaration of the state of emergency and martial law in Maguindanao; intelligence reports and graphic situation in the province; location of planned attack against government troops; and inventory of firearms confiscated by government troops from November 24 to 29.
The hearing is presided by Judge Vivencio Baclig at Camp Crame.
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by magnolia_eic | Feb 16, 2010 | Headlines, National News, World
Manila, Philippines — Today, Feb 16, 2010 is the deadline for filing of Filipino World War II Veterans of their application for a one-time lump-sum payment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In a video message posted by the director of the US Department of Veteran Affairs, Jon Skelly, he encouraged relatives of ailing veterans to help them meet the deadline for the filing of claims.
He said that there have been many questions lately about having to attach documentations in the application letter. “This is not necessary.” Skelly said. “Simply fill out the one-page application and my office will take care of the rest and will contact you if we need more information.” Skelly added in the video.
He also stressed that the law did not provide benefits for widows and children or any other heirs of veterans. However, certain widows of veterans who filed their applications but died while the papers were being processed were qualified to receive payments.
The law, signed by US President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, authorized the release of a one-time payment to eligible Filipino veterans to be made through the US Department of Veterans Affairs from a $198-million appropriation established for this purpose.
Click here for full article from Inquirer.net
by magnolia_eic | Feb 16, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines –The topic on free condoms emerged in a presidential forum held last Monday after the Department of Health distributed free condoms at the Dangwa market to people buying flowers for their valentine.
The seven presidential candidates during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) presidential forum, were all not in favor of such campaign by the DoH.
Sen. Richard Gordon of the Bagumbayan Party said giving away condoms was useless unless its purpose was properly expalined. “Because of poor education, Filipinos cannot even discern whether they need a condom or not,” Gordon said.
Sen. Madrigal added in agreement to Sen. Gordon, that it should have been an information-driven campaign.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party pointed out that Congress, not Malacanang, had the power over the government purse, meaning, the President had no authority over funds for the DoH, or for the condoms.
Nicanor Perlas said he was not against the use of condoms per se, but was rather concerned of why DoH was distributing them.
Meanwhile, administration bet Gilbert Teodoro said use of family planning methods, whether natural or artificial, remained the moral choice of the person concerned.
Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Bangon Pilipinas Movement said his group maintained its opposition to the use of “all forms of abortion because it is murder per se.”
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by magnolia_eic | Feb 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Despite the Supreme Court’s issue of a writ of habeas corpus, the military and the police failed to present before the Court of Appeals Friday the 43 health workers arrested on February 6 on suspicion of being members of the communist group, New People’s Army (NPA).
Col. Aurelio Balalad, representative of the military during the habeas corpus hearing told the CA that there was no time to coordinate security measures for the health worker’s transfer from Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, to Manila.
Associate Justice Normandie Pizarro said the “essence” of the writ was “immediacy,” and that the failure of the respondent military and police officers to comply with the Supreme Court’s order might set a dangerous precedent on how habeas corpus orders would be dealt with in the future.
“You are the biggest armed group in the country. That is your job. That is your problem. You have to produce the living bodies,” Pizarro told Baladad.
The First Division chaired by acting Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Portia Alino-Hormachuelos is hearing the habeas corpus case. The other member aside from Pizarro is Associate Justice Francisco Acosta.
Balalad explained that the directive issued on wednesday was received only on thursday, and that because the detainees were “high risk” setting security measures for their transport would have to take time.
The “Morong 43”—including 62-year-old Dr. Alex Montes and Dr. Merry Mia-Clamor—were taking part in a health training seminar at a rest house in Morong, Rizal, on Feb. 6 when a military and police team raided the premises and arrested them.
Click here for full article from Inquirer.net
by magnolia_eic | Feb 11, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
Malacañang doused water on speculations that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has supported Sen. Manuel Villar and the Nacionalista Party’s presidential candidate instead of the administration’s own standard-bearer.
Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesperson, said Ms Arroyo remained a strong supporter of former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the presidential candidate of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Moreover, the Palace spokesperson advised presidential candidates to leave Ms Arroyo out of the picture, arguing that she has her own campaign to run in the second district of Pampanga.
Olivar said the president is not campaigning for that level and asked politicians not to run their campaign the President’s expense.
He urged candidates to focus on issues and not drag the President into their campaign. (PIA)
