Archive for March, 2008
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‘Buko’ Juice from Aromatic Coconuts Gets Boost
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will promote the aromatic green dwarf (AROD) variety of coconuts as the principal source of sweet juice that is cherished by local and foreign consumers.
Known as Thai aromatic coconut, the variety is not actually new in the market since it had been grown since 1956 by Prof. D.G. Cendaña of [...]
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur C. Ocampo today assailed the 10-year old government’s Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 or Republic Act 8435 as a complete failure as exemplified by the looming rice crisis in the country.
Ocampo said that “the Filipino people are now bearing the burden caused by [...]
(Hong Kong, March 27, 2008) The Asian Human Rights Commission on
Wednesday has sought the intervention of a Catholic bishop in the
case of an ailing detainee, one of the Abadilla Five, who fears for
his life due to the inability of the authorities to provide medical
assistance.
Basil Fernando, AHRC executive director, had asked Bishop Pedro
Arigo, head of the [...]
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel,
Jr. (PDP-Laban) today questioned President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo’s veto of section 97 of the general
provisions of the GAA which states that the P1.227
trillion national budget shall take effect on Jan. 1,
2008 although she signed the GAA only on March 11.
Instead of following the congressional intent for a
retroactive application of the GAA, [...]
An immediate price cap on rice to avoid spiraling market prices
together with medium and long term policies to develop the domestic
rice industry will bring us out of the current crisis in rice supply
and prices, said the scientists group AGHAM in a statement today.
“The current crisis is a result of GMA’s policies that prefers imports
in addressing [...]
The Cebu City Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on 25 March 2008 in the trial of the suspected masterminds in the killing of a journalist. Cebu is a province approximately 562 km south of Manila.
A three-page resolution penned by Associate Jusitce Francisco Acosta and co-signed by Associate Justices Pampio [...]
On the eve of the 39th anniversary of the New People’s Army, the Communist Party of the Philippines calls for more attacks and for the guerrillas to expand their reach to cover every congressional district in the Philippines.
The first Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines at the UN Human Rights Council takes place on April 11.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged Chinese authorities to allow free media access to enter and report from Lhasa, Tibet following unrest that has plagued the region since March 14.
Chinese authorities have been selectively allowing foreign journalists to enter Lhasa from March 26 only by arrangement with the provincial government.
The IFJ welcomes this [...]
By Seymour Barros Sanchez
The author with Howie Severino (pinoypress photo courtesy of Seymour Barros Sanchez)
“Bago pa naging rebolusyon, highway lamang ang EDSA…” Thus starts Howie Severino’s voice-over in his documentary about the former Highway 54. Although several i-Witness episodes strike a chord in me, I prefer Howie’s “Biyaheng Edsa” over the rest, not only because [...]
Joey files writ of habeas data vs AFP, PNP, Abalos, JPE
Businessman Joey de Venecia III today filed a petition for writ of
habeas data before the Supreme Court to unearth all activities by the
military, the police, former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to illegally wiretap his phone conversations.
In his petition, Joey also [...]
We are greatly disappointed with the Supreme Court decision upholding executive privilege in the testimony of ChEd chair Romulo Neri.
The sheer number of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointees in the High Court has no doubt influenced this troubling decision. From attempting to kidnap witness Jun Lozada to packing the High Court with appointees based on loyalty [...]
Senator Loren Legarda urged today the anti-cyber crime units of the government to shut down the website thepinoytube.com for providing an unrestricted access to pornographic materials of Filipino women and children.
Legarda said that a complaint from a concerned citizen alerted her office about the website serving as a repository of lewd materials similar to boybastos.com. [...]
Debt activists say that one way to prevent corruption in the Philippines is “to plug the funneling of funds from loans and aid which is the source of kickbacks.”
The arrival of the USS Vandergrift warship in Cagayan de Oro for purportedly goodwill activities in the city is questionable as it is unwelcome. It comes only a month after the people of Mindanao waged widespread protests against the Balikatan exercises.
The US Navy ship’s arrival has surprised the people in Cagayan de Oro. It [...]
Reds seek activation of NPA hit squads in cities After Ampatuan Massacre, 2009 a Record Year for Journalist Killings Worldwide CHR to military: Respect and protect human rights during martial law in Maguindanao Maguindanao, its political elite and a culture subservient to corruption U.S. Must Improve Responsiveness to Mass Atrocities; Absent UN Action, Make Clear Willingness to Act on Its Own, Says New CFR Report Martial law dilutes the Philippines’s human rights and democratic gains Martial law in Maguindanao sets ‘most dangerous precedent’ Lawyers will wear black armbands, ribbons in courts Law group shall file plunder cases against President Arroyo et al. UN Experts: Maguindanao massacre must be the start of a major reform process
Arroyo’s oil-price control a publicity stunt, cries Ibon Political Bloodbath Continues: Widow of Slain Activist Shot Dead New Wave of Protests Against Charter Change Set in April Comelec’s Automation to Worsen Election Fraud — Watchdog 2008: Another Bad Year for the Philippine Press ‘Unemployment Figures Wrong; Number of Jobless Higher’ ‘Nicole Is Not the Enemy’ ‘Nicole’: ‘My Conscience Bothers Me’ Is the Call Center Industry a Bright Spot for New Graduates? 6 Great Ways to Vent Your Frustrations Eating Dirt Is Actually Good For Children Australia Offers 150 Scholarship Slots for Philippines, Asia-Pacific mamert dolera: The horrible maguindanao massacre displays the “crueltiest 221; act of political warlordism... Don Untalan: I am also interested to buy (AROD) and the tall hybreed variety. Pls advice where to buy from Manila,... scott: Sports and politics do not mix. But the economy of the Philippines relies on Pacqiao. How much money would a... Bernadine Ebo: nov.11,2009 4:45 my husband and i wants to adopt