PHNO-BE: MANUFACTURING GROWTH LOWEST IN 18 MONTHS / BARELY PASSING GRADE FOR NOY


 


MANUFACTURING GROWTH LOWEST IN 18 MONTHS / BARELY PASSING GRADE FOR NOY

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (MALAYA) Manufacturing output recorded its slowest growth in 18 months at 2.6 percent in April, data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed.

The advance in April's volume of production index, based on the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries, was also markedly slower than the revised 9.7 percent annual growth recorded in March this year and the 31.4 percent surge in April last year.

The previous low was in October 2009 when manufacturing output contracted 5 percent.

The NSO said the growth slowdown stemmed from the decline in production output of the basic metals industry, which posted a 0.6 percent growth for April, against 8.9 percent in March and the 54.2 percent growth in April last year.

Nine sectors, however, contributed to the growth in volume of production by posting double-digit growths, led by non-metallic mineral products with a growth of 22.6 percent.

The output decline was led by machinery except electrical with a 37.5 percent contraction.

On a monthly basis, growth in the volume of production slowed down to 4.3 percent, from 4.5 percent recorded in the previous month.

This was due to the double-digit contraction in output of six sectors, led by leather products at negative 34.8 percent.

Value of production also recorded a slower growth at 4 percent, compared with 8.5 percent in March and 24.5 percent in April 2010.

The NSO said that the slowdown may be largely attributed to the decline in production values of basic metals, which recorded a 7.3 percent growth from last year's 58.8 percent; and miscellaneous manufactures, with a growth of 5.9 percent against April 2010's 38.8 percent.

Double-digit growth, however, was seen in eight major sectors, led by non-metallic mineral products with 24.3 percent. Month-on-month, the value of production grew 4.7 percent.

Volume of net sales slowed to 6.6 percent from 11.9 percent last month and 28.8 percent in April last year.

Nine sectors contributed to the growth, while the remaining sectors posted output declines, led by machinery except electrical with negative 21.2 percent.

On a monthly basis, the volume of net sales grew 6.8 percent, with 10 major sectors posting double-digit declines.

The value of net sales also saw a slower growth of 7.9 percent, compared with 10.6 percent the previous month and 22 percent in April last year.

The growth was pushed by double-digit expansions in seven major sectors led by rubber and plastic products, which grew 33.9 percent.

Machinery except electrical led the decline in growth, posting a 16 percent contraction.

Month on month, the value of net sales slowed 7.2 percent, with 10 sectors posting double-digit declines, led by furniture and fixtures which contracted 26.5 percent.

A barely passing grade for Noy

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) yesterday gave President Aquino a barely passing mark in his first year in office, saying he has failed to deliver on his campaign promises.

"I don't see yet how we can be brought to the promised land," said Felino Palafox Jr., MAP president of, at the sideline of a press conference where he presented 220 recommendations for the Aquino administration to consider.

The recommendations are anchored on the three Cs: criminality, corruption and climate change.

Palafox said MAP is giving the President another year to act on these recommendations and improve on his 75 percent grade.

Palafox said while he believes President Aquino is honest and is a man of integrity, "people below him may not be on the same page."

"We believe he is sincere but implementation of his programs has to be monitored," Palafox said.

Palafox said Aquino started on the right path with his "no wang wang" policy but has not delivered on his "kayo and boss ko," "matuwid na daan" and "kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap" pronouncements.

MAP was hoping to see the Aquino government make a big stride in stamping out corruption but Palafox said that based on feedback from members, the fight against "corruption is not getting anywhere," and the problem is becoming worse than getting better.

"We urge the government to consider and support the anti-corruption measures being espoused by MAP," said Palafox, citing the Integrity Initiative which aims to promote accountability and integrity in business.

Palafox said in his industry alone, real estate and construction, corruption has never been more rampant.

He said developers still complain that it takes 44 signatories for construction permits to be released. They have to deal with government agencies and local government units which are notorious for charging "per square meter of corruption."

In infrastructure, Palafox said contractors complain that the "20 percent SOP (standard operating procedure)" or kickback is still there.

"The government should be the enabler and not the obstacle course," Palafox said.

Palafox praised the Department of Public Works and Highways for the improvements in the transparency in the bidding process but said "Secretary (Rogelio) Singson needs help."

"The DPWH should go beyond canceling contracts and acting on corruption and into ensuring competence. Private sector should not be subsidizing corruption and incompetence," he said.

Palafox said one other area that has problems is tourism.

"We don't see the vision," he said, adding that the government has yet to satisfactorily address as basic a need as an efficient airport, which is the first and last impression of a visitor.

MAP earlier signed agreements with the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to push its advocacies and is looking for similar ones with other government agencies.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-SB: MAR & KORINA: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT


 


MAR & KORINA: THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo -[PHOTO - Mar Roxas (the new DOTC head) and wife Korina Sanchez at their Australian 'honeymoon.']

Have they or haven't they? Split, that is.

That cliché question has been hounding Mar Roxas (the new DOTC head) and Korina Sanchez for months, partly fanned by a "kuryente" broadsheet report that a "third party" (said to be a highly-placed socialite) had caused their break-up.

True or not?

"What do you think?" Korina asked your columnist before she and Mar hied off "somewhere" (more on this in a while), her smiling face flashing that "naku, naniwala ka naman sa mga tsismoso at tsismosa," at the same time insinuating that their detractors are deadset on trying — in vain! — to destroy their marriage.

[PHOTO - The couple is celebrating their second wedding anniversary in October this year.]

What a fresh and welcome sight Mar and Korina were, hand-in-hand as candle sponsors at the recent 40th-wedding anniversary of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Jun Santiago. People were surprised to see both Mar and Korina so trim, wondering how they did it.

"Mar lost 20 lbs.," said Korina. "I lost eight lbs. We combine yoga and dieting."

Except for that rare public appearance TOGETHER, the couple are hardly seen or heard of and that probably was what sparked rumors of a split.

"The tsismis persists despite those of us who know for a fact that it's all a figment of some people's nasty imagination," a Mar-Korina defender fumed.

The couple as candle sponsors at the recent 40th-wedding anniversary of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Jun Santiago.

Seconded Korina, half in jest, "Excuse me, sweet kami ha. And the weirdest rumors pa, fight daw kami nang fight, nag-alsa balutan daw ako, may third party daw. None of the above. Wishful thinking lang yan ng mga inggitera at kalaban ni Mar sa pulitika. We just laugh at it with a bit of disbelief."

Now, about the "somewhere" in the earlier part of this story: The couple "eloped" to Australia for a quick vacation before Mar starts his work as incoming DOTC Secretary.

"I'm just so very blessed to have a husband like Mar. He's so loving, thoughtful and demonstrative, a truly good man. I think some want to paint him as something else. Pero mahirap patunayan ang hindi totoo. We're both homebodies. Trabaho-uwi, so we don't get seen out a lot."

Anytime now, Korina should be back on the ABS-CBN newscast TV Patrol, fully-recharged.

Asked if she and Mar had a chance to start on their "joint venture" — you know, have a baby — during their Australian "honeymoon," Korina laughed. "That's another story. You will be the first to know kapag mayroon na."

And that, ladies and gentlemen — and tsismosos and tsismosas, ouch!!! — is the whole truth about Mar and Korina, and nothing but.

Next tsismis, please?

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-SB: POOR MARIAN RIVERA IS CLUELESS, THE LAST TO KNOW


 


POOR MARIAN RIVERA IS CLUELESS, THE LAST TO KNOW

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo- Marian Rivera: Is she the victim, or the 'victimizer'?

If she were stranded on an island, not really a temptation island but any god-forsaken island, what do you think Regal Matriarch Mother Lily would do…write post-dated checks?

Guess again.

"If I were in my 20s," said Mother Lily, "I would like to be with a hunk like Piolo Pascual."

But I'm sure that Marian Rivera and Heart Evangelista, two of the stars of Regal Films' remake of the Joey Gosiengfiao's campy classic Temptation Island, wouldn't be caught dead together on a deserted island — that is, if we were to take seriously the "issue" that they are feuding.

Believe it or not but poor Marian is clueless about the whole mess, she's the last to know that she's "quarreling" with Heart.

"As far as I know," said a tearful Marian at the presscon the other day, "wala kaming away ni Heart; walang issue between us. We're friends, or so I thought."

Imagine how shocked Marian was when, upon arriving at the NAIA from Ilocos after the shoot, she was, according to reports, met by Heart's irate mom, accompanied by 15 ("Only five," said the two's co-star Rufa Mae Quinto), who warned Marian to stay away from Heart.

Scary, isn't it? How can anyone not be scared if confronted by an angry mother who seemed to be so influential that she could tag along cops to "warn" somebody against whom not a case (of what???) has been filed, not even if there was.

"Ang lakas sa pulis ng Nanay ni Heart," commented a tab columnist.

That's why I'm careful not to offend Heart even unwittingly lest I incur the wrath of her cop-escorted mom.

[The other stars of Temptation Island (from left): Rufa Mae Quinto, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe. — Photos by ENIE REYES]

Marian, who is obviously the victim in this case, had to single-handedly defend herself at the presscon because her co-stars were either giving conflicting accounts or opting to keep mum. Unless they know what the real score is.

Anyway, here's the official joint statement of Regal Films and GMA Films, producers of Temptation Island:

GMA Films and Regal Entertainment acknowledge that there was a recent incident involving Marian Rivera and Heart Evangelista that happened during the shooting of Temptation Island in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. This unfortunate matter caused stress to both Marian and Heart and Heart made this known to her parents. However, the production team intervened and was able to put the issue behind them.

The producers would like to assure the fans that this minor incident did not in any way affect the shooting of Temptation Island and also request all their supporters and followers to put a closure to this episode.

We are excited for the showing of the movie and we encourage all the fans and moviegoers to watch the film on July 6.

[Mikael Daez and Tom Rodriguez. — Photos by ENIE REYES]

Heart was absent from the presscon. She and her boyfriend Daniel Matsunaga are visiting Daniel's folks in Brazil.

Anyway, back to the original question for the Temptation stars: Who would you want to be stranded on an island with and what would you do?

• John "Sweet" Lapus: I would love to be with Mikael Daez, my boyfriend in the movie. I would take his pictures naked so he doesn't have to do it himself. Hahaha!

• Solenn Heussaff: I would want to be with Michael Jackson and rewrite history.

• Marian Rivera: Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Siempre, si Dingdong (Dantes). Maglalabing-labing kami buong araw at buong magdamag. Hahahaha!

• Rufa Mae Quinto: Si Solenn, kasi okey kami together. Nag-bonding kami sa set. Survivor siya at ganoon din ako.

• Tom Rodriguez: Si Sweet. Marami siyang baong sandwich. Kakain kami nang kakain.

• Lovi Poe: Nobody in particular. I'll just do my best to survive.

• Mikael Daez: Si Solenn. She's cool, wala siyang paki, she's one of the boys.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-SB: WHO IS THE 'MYSTERY GIRL' WITH RICHARD?


 


WHO IS THE 'MYSTERY GIRL' WITH RICHARD?

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (STAR) FUNFARE UPDATE By Ricardo F. Lo - Richard Gutierrez has a good reason to be happy these days. Could it be the pretty girl in this photo with him?

Curtain-raisers:

First, a clarification: Yesterday's item about Taylor Lautner being "tapped" as Bench endorser didn't come from Bench but from Funfare Update's deeply-embedded source. The story didn't say that there was any negotiation at all. But like Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick for Penshoppe, Lautner would be a perfect model for any brand.

The guys behind a singer-actress are peeved with her. As part of the promo for her concert, she was lined up as guest in talk shows but she said no, and agreed only to sing in some other shows. Shoot? Nope! She said yes but she was a no-show. "Akala niya sikat pa siya," said one of the PRs. "She's so maarte."

There's a baby boom in showbiz or haven't you noticed? Eight actresses are expecting the stork's visit towards the end of the year or the start of the next year, namely: Manilyn Reynes, seven months; Regine Velasquez, three months; Angelu de Leon, four weeks; Danica Sotto; Kristine Hermosa; Carlene Aguilar; Glydel Mercado; and Sherilyn Reyes, eight months.

[Phillip Salvador plays Mon Tulfo (left) in June 15th edition of Star Confessions, hosted by Cristy Fermin on TV5]

"Must-see" on TV5 tonight at 9:30: Phillip Salvador playing Mon Tulfo in Star Confessions hosted by Cristy Fermin, after Nagbabagang Bulaklak. Also in the cast are Anyka Asistio as Mon's first wife, Carmi Martin as Mon's second wife and Ricardo Cepeda as Mon's father.

And finally, a picture landed (I wonder from whom or from where) on my table showing Richard Gutierrez with a very pretty girl. It wasn't accompanied by any information about who the "mystery girl" is, except that she's half-Filipino/half-German and is taking up a course in filmmaking. Is she Richard's "friend only" or somebody "more than just his friend?"

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-P-NOY: NOY'S FIRST YEAR: THE GOOD AND THE BAD / PDP: NOY AQUINO'S ROADMAP


 


NOY'S FIRST YEAR: THE GOOD AND THE BAD / PDP: NOY AQUINO'S ROADMAP

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (MALAYA) BY ELLEN TORDESILLAS - ONE area where the year-old Aquino government has made reforms, slow it may be, is in the fight against graft and corruption through reforms in the justice system.

This is not to say that Aquino has eliminated graft and corruption or there is no graft and corruption being committed by his own appointees. I merely recognize some reforms made in the justice system that could help in the fight against graft and corruption that was the campaign battle cry of Aquino -"Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap."

Number one 'achievement' is the removal of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and her subordinates either through dismissal, resignation or suspension. As long as Gutierrez was head of the anti-graft body, her benefactor Gloria Arroyo, her husband and members of her family could feel safe from prosecution.

Not making Arroyo accountable for the violations of the law that she committed would be an injustice to the Filipino people.

Last March 22, Aquino's allies in the House of Representatives showed they have the numbers when they approved the impeachment of Gutierrez. The trial which would have been conducted by the Senate was aborted when Gutierrez resigned.

A new Ombudsman will soon be named that will preside over the plunder charges that have been filed against Arroyo. So far, former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez, who has declined the nomination for Ombudsman, has filed two. Chavez said that would not be the last.

Aquino has correctly linked graft to poverty that characterizes the lot of a third of the more than 90 million Filipinos. Reducing graft and corruption in government would redirect the billions that are diverted to the officials' pockets to much needed funds for education, health and other social services to improve the lives of the underprivileged Filipinos.

Aquino should also be credited for encouraging participation of officials in congressional hearings on anomalies particularly involving military funds unlike during Arroyo's time when her infamous Executive Order 464 prohibited Cabinet members and subordinate officials from testifying in congressional hearings without presidential clearance.

By encouraging transparency, the Aquino government helps in empowering the people with information that is needed for them to participate in governance.

Based on his still-high, although declining satisfaction and trust ratings, the public has a good sense of Aquino's good intentions. But it is his capability in carrying out his intentions that is in doubt.

Aquino has not been helpful in erasing this doubt with his appointment of friends and shooting buddies in important positions. He even stood by them when they faltered in their jobs. The most controversial of them are Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, a pathetic figure during the Aug. 23, 2010 hostage crisis and Land Transportation Chief Virginia Torres, who continues to remain in her position despite results of investigations of questionable actions in the controversy involving Stradcom, the Information Technology provider.

In his inaugural speech last year, Aquino declared that "from presidential appointees chosen mainly out of political accommodation to discerning selection based on integrity, competence and performance in serving the public good: a civil service based on merit and not political patronage."

This is where Aquino has fallen short and it is a major stumbling block in his governance.

FROM MALAYA

You need a roadmap? Aquino gives it today BY REGINA BENGCO

[PHOTO - President Benigno Aquino III is congratulated by congressmen after delivering his First State-Of-The-Nation-Address at the opening of the Joint session of 15th Philippine Congress at the Lower House at suburban Quezon city north of Manila on Monday July 26, 2010.]

ON his first year in office today, President Aquino will launch the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan and renew the commitments he made to the Filipino people when he launched his candidacy in 2009.

The PDP, which took almost a year to be formulated, is supposedly the road map and comprehensive program of action of the Aquino administration.

"We are affirming the spirit of people power and volunteerism that gave President Aquino an overwhelming mandate to lead the country last year," said Presidential Communication Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Coloma said Aquino will lead the launching of the Pilipinas Natin program, a campaign for renewed volunteerism and unity and partnership between government and the Filipino people, at the Philippine Sports Complex in Pasig City.

Asked why there is a need to renew Aquino's commitments, Coloma said the President is confident that he could still command respect and positive response from majority of the Filipinos.

Sen. Ralph Recto, an Aquino ally, said the President should accelerate his reform programs.

"Like a giddy married couple fresh from a sizzling honeymoon, the Aquino government now begins the more serious task of housekeeping like 'hanging out the wet laundry' to dry and 'paying the utility bills,'" he said.

He said the laundry list, which is composed of problems the country is facing and which the Aquino administration promised to solve, "has long been soaking, while the utility bills are the mounting expenditures requiring revenues."

At the House, minority leader Rep. Edcel Lagman said Aquino continues to fail to deliver on promises after a year in office.

Lagman said the electorate should be blamed for putting Aquino in power.

"The people should be prepared to expect the worst because their mistaken choice is the big problem. Blunder begets disaster."

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, reacting to Lagman, said Lagman was "playing fast and free with the facts, making assertions that are obsolete, misleading, or patently false. Here he goes again, because this is not the first time in what is turning out to be a litany of misrepresentations by him."

Coloma said Aquino's audience at the Philsports Arena will be composed mostly of volunteers, citizens and people's organizations all over the country who will affirm their support for the President and his program of government. He said mood is expected to be "upbeat and positive."

Coloma said the PDP will be explained in the coming weeks by the Cabinet secretaries who are in charge of each of the Cabinet clusters.

On the celebration of his first year in office, Aquino will also sign into law the bill postponing the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He will also witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement among the Department of Education, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and Gawad Kalinga for the construction of 1,000 new school buildings nationwide.

Coloma said under the MOA, Pagcor will channel some of its resources to finance the construction of 1,000 additional classrooms. The classrooms will be turned over to the DepEd immediately after completion.

He said Gawad Kalinga will provide manpower or "sweat equity" for the construction of the public school buildings.

Another administration ally, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, said Aquino deserves a better grade than the "pasang-awa" grade of 75 percent given by business group Management Association of the Philippines.

"Ang pag-upgrade ng credit ratings ng Pilipinas mula sa Fitch and Moody's ay isang patunay na mali o hindi accurate ang 75 o pasang-awa na grade nila kay Pnoy. Maaaring hindi pa ramdam ng mga negosyante ang impact ng pagtaas ng ating credit ratings dahil bago pa lamang inilabas ito," Lacson said.

Sen. Francis Escudero said more than simply grading Aquino, the business sector "should express and show their approval by investing more and showing confidence in our economy and country." – With JP Lopez and Wendell Vigilia

Just 'ad-libbing,' Palace says of Noy remarks in Cebu BY REGINA BENGCO MALAYA

MALACANANG yesterday said President Aquino was just resorting to ad-libs last Monday when he remarked that he might find love in Cebu.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters that the President is a jovial person. "I'm sure you've seen how palabiro si Pangulong Aquino," he added.

"If he's serious in anything that would involve the affairs of his heart, it would be something that he would keep to himself and obviously that was spoken in jest in appreciation of the beauty of the Cebuanas which is not disputed," Lacierda said.

He said the President's humor is "kinda dry," something that Filipinos are not very used to but should familiarize themselves with.

Aquino, in his speech at the inauguration of the 200-megawatt Kepco power plant in Cebu Monday, said, "Kailangan buhayin na ang Malacañang de Sugbu. Baka dito na rin tayo magkatuluyan."

One of the emcees, TV-radio personality Grace Lee, who was born in Korea, apparently caught the eye of President Aquino who he referred in his speech as "our guest."

"I thought she's Pinay, but she is Korean. Even the Koreans here (in Cebu) are beautiful," he said.

Aquino also praised Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia "for looking even more beautiful every time I visit Cebu."

In another development, Lacierda said President Aquino will not terminate Cabinet members who are bearers of bad news.

"The President is not allergic to bad news. It's part and parcel of his work to receive all news, whether good or bad," he said.

Aquino has said he considers two or three Cabinet secretaries as his "penitence" because they always give him bad news when they see him.

"It's not a ground to terminate someone based on the fact that he provides bad news. Incompetence would be one but not certainly a bearer of bad news," he said.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-HL: WEBB IN PHL DURING MASSACRE, SAYS 6 WITNESSES / DE LIMA, RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE


 


WEBB IN PHL DURING MASSACRE, SAYS 6 WITNESSES / DE LIMA, RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE

[PHOTO - HUBERT WEBB- RELEASED & ACQUITTED LAST YEAR]

MANILA, JUNE 30, 2011 (STAR) By Edu Punay and Sandy Araneta - Hubert Webb was in the Philippines during the Vizconde massacre, six witnesses have told authorities, but he can no longer face trial.

Webb's father, former senator Freddie Webb, yesterday slammed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for claiming that Hubert concocted an alibi to make it appear that he was out of the country during the massacre in 1991.

"I can't imagine they (NBI) can do such a wicked, evil act and get away with it. This is incredible," Webb remarked.

Webb vowed to fight the NBI, which in its report said his son Hubert could have committed the crime and concocted the alibi as a defense.

Webb pointed out that no less than the Supreme Court (SC) last year acquitted his son, along with six others, of the crime for lack of evidence.

"This is painful to us – what they are doing. But we will fight back. We've been aggrieved and what they are doing is disrespectful to the decision of the Supreme Court. Does it mean they're better than the Supreme Court?" Webb lamented.

The NBI released yesterday its reinvestigation report of the celebrated case, two days before the 20-year prescription period lapses.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima presented the inter-agency report made by the NBI, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The inter-agency report revealed Hubert Webb was in the country when the family of Lauro Vizconde was massacred inside their house in Parañaque City on June 30, 1991.

De Lima said they have six witnesses who saw Webb and the other accused in Parañaque in the months before the massacre.

De Lima, however, admitted the investigation could not place Webb and the rest of the accused "in the scene of the crime."

De Lima was also quick to add that Webb and co-accused Antonio Lejano, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Miguel Rodriguez, and Peter Estrada cannot be charged with the same offense under the double jeopardy rule.

The Supreme Court acquitted Webb and co-accused from the charges in December 2010. Former Parañaque policeman Gerardo Biong, who was charged as an accessory, was also acquitted. They were all released after over a decade in prison.

'False'

De Lima declared as "false" the defense of alibi put up by Webb. She noted the SC anchored the acquittal of Webb and his co-accused on the alibi but lamented they can no longer run after them because of double jeopardy.

"We believe that the evidence that is now (with us) rebut, negate, destroy or shatter the defense of alibi," De Lima told the news conference.

De Lima said the findings of the task force relied heavily on the six witnesses interviewed by the NBI.

Notwithstanding the report, De Lima said the task force was mandated to "ferret out the truth" behind the massacre.

"That's all that it has established so far," she said.

President Aquino had ordered a reinvestigation of the case following the SC acquittal of Webb and the other accused.

The task force was created by De Lima with orders to fast-track the probe, noting the prescriptive period of 20 years in which to file a case.

De Lima admitted that despite serious efforts by the task force's three teams, they found no "credible and confirmed evidence" that would place Webb and the other co-accused at the scene of the crime.

She said no witness came out to place any of the suspects at the scene of the crime at the time of the incident.

But these witnesses attested to the fact that Webb was in the country during the material period, she said.

De Lima said four new witnesses even claimed they saw Webb in the country during the months of April, May and June of 1991.

This contradicted the stamp of departure on the passport of Webb which indicated that he left the country on March 9, 1991, or a few months before Estrellita Vizconde and her daughters Carmela and Jennifer were stabbed inside their BF Homes residence in Parañaque early on June 30, 1991. There was also evidence that Carmela was raped.

"These are real witnesses – we know their names, addresses. We talked to them except for one who was sick. We talked to them to further verify what they claimed in their respective sworn statements. But for security reasons, we decided just to give them aliases," said De Lima.

De Lima identified them as alias Pitong, George, Rey, Mario, Jerry and Jack.

She also added the witnesses do not know each other before they were traced by the task force.

She assured the public that the new witnesses have no reason or motive to fabricate their respective statements.

De Lima said the evidence that showed Webb and any of the co-accused were in the country came from the magnetic reel tape (MRT) of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

The MRT is a magnetic tape of the BI where all records of incoming and outgoing passengers from the Philippines are recorded.

She said the MRT showed no Hubert Webb or any of the accused going out the country before or during the massacre.

"And no entry also appears in any of the computer printout of MRT for entire year 1991. There was entry of (former senator) Freddie Webb leaving the country in March 1991 but no Hubert Webb," De Lima said.

She said the same MRT provided data that several Webbs arrived in the country, including Hubert, sometime in October 1992.

"It is hard to believe this – there is a record of supposed arrival from other country but no record of departure in 1991 or in any month of 1991," she said.

'Black Maria'

De Lima revealed the first breakthrough in the re-investigation of the case was the discovery of a woman they called "Black Maria."

The woman was supposedly in the company of Webb and the other accused on the night of the massacre.

Based on the testimony of Black Maria, it was not then NBI star witness Jessica Alfaro who was at the crime scene.

De Lima, however, lamented Black Maria denied being at the scene during the time of the massacre, although there were other witnesses who pointed to her.

The descriptions given by these witnesses of the woman who accompanied Webb and the other accused at the time of the massacre jibe with the looks of Black Maria, De Lima said.

De Lima also mentioned the findings of the PNP led by Superintendent Joel Coronel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Coronel said their findings point to another set of suspects, namely Dong Villadolid and his brother Bing.

He said a witness "Dang" had named Gatchalian and Rodriguez as among the suspects.

De Lima believed Dong Villadolid is the same person as Dong Ventura, one of the co-accused who fled to the US following the massacre. Another accused, Joey Filart also fled to the United States.

De Lima said they could still go after Filart and Ventura, as well as the Villadolid brothers, since the prescriptive period of 20 years for homicide does not apply to them because they were abroad.

She explained the prescriptive period of a crime is suspended if the suspect flees the country.

"But the problem is that Dang was never also at the scene of the crime," De Lima lamented.

Face saving

On the other hand, Webb disputed the findings in his belief that the new witnesses were created by the NBI as a face saving effort.

Webb said Alfaro, the NBI's former star witness, had been branded by the SC as incredible.

"What happens to NBI now that they have witnesses saying Jessica was not there (in the crime scene)? This is all NBI's fabrication," Webb said.

Webb said he would immediately meet his lawyers to plan their move, including the possibility of challenging the NBI's new witnesses.

"Where are these witnesses? We have to cross examine them before the NBI can say they are credible," he said.

Webb also questioned why authorities would still question results of the forensic test that showed the passport used by Hubert in leaving for the US before the crime was authentic.

"There's record of my son's arrival in the US. They should have checked that. Why did these people (new witnesses) come out just now?" he insisted.

Webb's lawyer Demetrio Custodio also disputed the findings of the NBI.

Custodio said the findings that claimed his client could have been in the country at the time of the massacre were intended to sow intrigue.

Custodio said the younger Webb was "very sad" and became upset about the NBI findings.

"To us the findings (were) completely wrong. There was evidence that Hubert arrived in the US on March 9. How come he never left?" Custodio said.

He said the evidence showing that Webb was in the US was even certified by the US immigration service.

He also questioned the motive of the investigation's new witnesses, who claimed seeing Webb in the country before and after the crime was committed.

"I don't know what to call it but the result is undesired. This, despite the final ruling of the Supreme Court. Now, Hubert has to defend himself again," Custodio said.

Custodio said the NBI evidence should have been presented during the trial.

"Now how can Hubert defend himself?" he asked.

Vindicated

For his part, Lauro Vizconde said the findings proved his belief that Webb and his group were behind the killing of his wife and children. He said he was not wrong in accusing Webb.

Although admitting they can no longer run after Webb and the other accused in the case, Vizconde said he is only after the truth to come out. He said he is vindicated and happy with the results of the reinvestigation.

"I am very happy. We would like to tell the public that I did not make a mistake in pointing to Hubert and his group," Vizconde said.

"I cannot see any motive for other people who might have done that to my family. But I cannot see any motive or reason except for Hubert who has the motive to do this to my family," he said.

Vizconde also announced a Mass would be held Thursday at the scene where his family was killed 20 years ago. With Aie Balagtas See

FROM MALAYA

Senators rake De Lima over the coals on Webb BY JP LOPEZ and ASHZEL HACHERO

SEVERAL senators yesterday criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for "crucifying" acquitted murder suspect Hubert Jeffrey Webb and his group in the 1991 Vizconde massacre, and the Webb family said it is considering moving for De Lima's disbarment.

Webb lawyer Demetrio Custodio called De Lima "completely reckless and irresponsible."

"What happened yesterday (Tuesday) is something we can't let pass. It is unprecedented in so far as the government and its branches are concerned…It was a public declaration that to our mind completely subverted the authority of the Supreme Court," Custodio said in a press conference in Makati City attended by Webb, his father former senator Freddie Webb, mother Elizabeth and brother Fritz.

Freddie Webb challenged the NBI to name the new witnesses in the name of fair play.

"Bigyan n'yo naman kami ng pagkakataon, bigyan ninyo kami ng mga pangalan at kami naman ang magpapa-imbestiga," he added.

De Lima on Tuesday said findings of Task Force Vizconde, which includes the NBI, show Webb was in the country when the killing of Estrellita Vizconde and daughters Carmela and Jennifer occurred in June 1991, shattering his defense that he was in the US during the killings.

She said there were also testimonies from six new witnesses who said Webb was in the country at that time. But she was quick to add that there is "no credible and confirmed evidence, whether testimonial or otherwise," that would place Webb at the scene of the crime."

Senators asked why she had to make the disclosures when Webb and his co-accused, acquitted with finality in December last year by the Supreme Court, could no longer be charged.

Under the statute of limitations, the government has only up to today to take action on the case,

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said De Lima achieved nothing but "to be seen on TV and in the newspapers at the expense of the same people who cannot be prosecuted anyway under the principle of double jeopardy."

Sen. Francis Escudero said he did not see the "logic" of wasting government resources in coming out with information that could not be used in court.

He said that aside from wasting efforts and government resources, what the justice department actually achieved was to give "false hopes" to those seeking justice, and "besmirch the reputation of some people…for what purpose and to what end, I honestly don't know and understand."

Senate majority leader Vicente Sotto III said De Lima's action would affect her confirmation when she faces the Commission on Appointments.

Lacson said he himself suffered from De Lima's "insatiable thirst for publicity" when the justice secretary maintained that Lacson could still be held accountable in the murders of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito more than a decade ago.

This despite the ruling of the Court of Appeals junking the charges against Lacson because of uncorroborated statement of former police officer Cesar Mancao II.

Lacson has vowed to grill De Lima when her appointment is tackled by the Commission on Appointments.

Freddie Webb, at the press conference, showed his son's passport and US driver's license, which was stamped June 14, 1991. He said a United States driver's license will not be issued if the person is not physically present.

The Webb family also questioned the magnetic reel tapes used by investigators that allegedly did not have the name Webb in the passenger manifest for his departure. However, the same reel showed Hubert did arrive in 1992.

"If he arrived, then tell us when he (Hubert) left for the US, tell us. Give us the date of his (Hubert's) departure,"" Freddie said.

Hubert said they are too tired to go through the process again.

"I am trying to love a normal life and up to now these cruel and evil people have been doing the same thing…they have destroyed our family. I hope they will stop their lies and have pity on themselves," he said.

"These people have destroyed our family. Saan kami ngayon pupunta para sa hustisya?" he added.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they are prepared to defend De Lima against those accusing her of electioneering, dishonesty, and laziness when she is merely doing her job of getting the truth of the Vizconde massacre.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte dismissed allegations she is only preparing for her possible political bid in 2013. – With Jocelyn Montemayor

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-HL: GMA NO DESIRE TO ENGAGE NOY IN WORD WAR / NOY DOUBLE-TALKS GMA


 


GMA NO DESIRE TO ENGAGE NOY IN WORD WAR / NOY DOUBLE-TALKS GMA

MANILA, JUNE 30, 2011 (STAR) By Paolo Romero - Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not engage President Aquino in a word war after the two exchanged barbs last week over the current state of the nation, her spokeswoman said yesterday.

Former congresswoman Maite Defensor, Arroyo's spokesperson, said the former president would not comment on Aquino's statement that being tagged as the former leader's exact opposite was the best compliment he ever received.

"Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not even say that President Aquino is her exact opposite. But learning what the President said, she will not even dignify it with a comment," Defensor said.

The latest exchange between the two began last week when Arroyo warned of "danger signs" in the country's economy due to what she described as lack of leadership in government.

She said she turned over to the Aquino administration an economy that had broken the boom-and-bust cycle in the face of a global recession.

Poor economic policies

She said the hard-fought gains are being eroded by poor economic policies and lack of leadership.

Former budget chief Joaquin Lagonera meanwhile scored Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for making erroneous claims on the country's fiscal position left by the previous administration.

Abad said when the new government took over in July 2010, less than 40 percent was left of the P1.541-trillion budget for 2010.

He also stressed the need to replenish the P2-billion calamity fund because the previous administration had already used up 70 percent of the fund.

Practicality

"As a practical matter, more than half of the budget is disbursed in the first half of a fiscal year because that is the only way to fund the actual cash outlays needed to start the second half," Lagonera said.

He said salaries for the bureaucracy for the entire year are disbursed in the first half, because of their priority status.

"On a cash basis, the outlays in the first half of 2010 were only slightly above 50 percent. This can be confirmed from the report of the Treasurer of the Philippines on the cash releases made during the first half of 2010."

He said the calamity fund spending is authorized not only in anticipation of future typhoons, but also for repair and rehabilitation of damage caused by previous ones.

"Nobody can foretell the future as to when, where, and how much damage will come from typhoons and other calamities," he said.

Lagonera said in 2010, the government still had to repair the damage left behind by typhoons "Ondoy," "Pepeng," and "Frank" the previous years.

FROM THE TRIBUNE

Noy double-talks GMA 06/30/2011 MALAYA BUSINESS INSIGHTS

The Aquino administration yesterday offered its hand of reconciliation to former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo and the political opposition while reassuring that the government will stop at nothing in its effort to dig and pursue more cases against them.

At a press briefing last Tuesday, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said the Aquino administration is doing everything possible to rally the public, including members of the Arroyo

family and the political opposition, to unite behind President Aquino and his program of government.

Coloma said this call for unity and reconciliation is the central message of the Aquino administration's "Pilipinas Natin" campaign which will be launched today at the Philippine Sports Arena to mark the President's first year in office.

"Pilipinas Natin is both a call and a challenge. It is a call to take part in nation-building, a call for bayanihan but at the same time it is a challenge for solidarity. Because this will also test the maturity of each and every Filipino. Are we willing to work together?Are we mature enough to cross the lines that divide us?" Coloma said as he called on the critics of the Aquino administration to stop "staying in the corner and look and wait and see and criticize."

He added this call for unity includes Arroyo and the members of opposition who have criticized the Aquino government for its alleged incompetence and inefficiency.

And while asking the Arroyos and the opposition to stand in solidarity with the administration as it pursues the so-called Philippine Development Plan, Coloma, however, quickly clarified that the Aquino administration's call for unity and reconciliation does not preclude efforts to run after them in relation to alleged massive misuse of government funds.

"The important principle here is reconciliation with justice. The President or his administration has no other agenda, nor has the intention to pick a fight with anyone. Our engagement with the opposition as all in the spirit of democratic discourse," Coloma said.

"We cannot just sweep things under the rug," he added.

With the Pilipinas Natin campaign, Coloma said the Aquino administration wishes to mobilize the citizens anew to "become active participants in nation-building."

"Tomorrow's (June 30) event is about revisiting the vision and renewing the commitment. From the social contract with the Filipino people that was presented by the President when he launched his candidacy. The vision for the Philippines is a country with a reawaken sense of right and wrong through the living examples of our highest leaders. An organized and widely shared rapid expansion of our economy through a government dedicated to honing and mobilizing our people's skills and energies. As well as the responsible harnessing of our natural resources," Coloma said.

Members of the House minority bloc, however, continued their tirades against Aquino, cautioning that with the President's ineptitude and lack of leadership Filipinos should brace for the worst in the coming days.

In a press briefing, Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay said contrary to Aquino's campaign promise of daang matuwid (straight path), the country, under his leadership trekked a baluktot na daan (crooked road) under Aquino's brand of governance.

"One year after Aquino assumed office, gross mismanagement and a turn for the worse for our country and our countrymen, is what we have all been witness to," Magsaysay in a prepared statement said. "Instead of a straight path, we have witnessed a crooked path of governance."

She noted that Aquino has yet to fulfill his 16 promises contained in his so-called "Social Contract with the Filipino People."

"Sixteen disparate promises — covering the wide areas of governance, justice and security, economy, environment and social issues — and yet, as we shall recount to you, today and in the coming weeks, the very indicators of the Aquino administration's dismal one year performance," Magsaysay said.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, who was also present during the press briefing, called on Aquino to accept bad news and even criticisms from the other end.

"The President should learn the experiences of the past administrations as well as learn from the history in order to focus on the most appropriate programs for the people," he said.

For his part, House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said it would not be worth grading the Aquino administration as it had failed in almost aspects anyway.

"It is not advisable to grade the President on a scale of one to 10. A periodic report card with graded achievements and failures is for school kids and students, not for the nation's Chief Executive," he stressed.

"It would be better to send regular wake-up calls to the President on his performance versus his campaign promises and on the state of the economy and governance versus the current data on prime economic and social indicators. This way, the President could grade himself if he has sufficient discernment of crucial data and a serious commitment to his exalted position," he added. "Otherwise, no amount of faltering grades will jolt him to reality and action, and no diminishing marks from critics will convince him to abandon an offensive agenda of vindictiveness and a defensive aura of braggadocio."

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda countered Lagman's accusations, accusing Lagman of "playing fast and free with the facts, making assertions that are obsolete, misleading, or patently false" in his opinions.

He said the lawmaker was merely embarking on another fishing expedition by raking up old numbers.

"Lagman has tried to characterize this administration's first year in office as, "365 Days of Sound and Fury" when it has been a year of solid, painstaking, and conscientious rebuilding of our gutted and shattered institutions. Such statements show the current lack of standing of Rep. Lagman whose career as Minority Floor leader can be characterized as a year of bluster and bluffing," concluded Lacierda in his statement.

Meanwhile, at least three party-list representatives revealed that more plunder cases are being readied against Arroyo.

"The current plunder case is just a harbinger of things to come," Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus said. "She (Arroyo) should wait, more plunder cases await her."

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares said the alleged anomalies in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) are also being considered as another plunder case that could be filed against the former president. Virgilio J. Bugaoisan, Aytch S. de la Cruz, Charlie V. Manalo and Gerry Baldo

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more

PHNO-HL: U.S. SENATE DEPLORED CHINA'S USE OF FORCE / PHL REDS: U.S. BEHIND SPRATLYS ROW


 


U.S. SENATE DEPLORED CHINA'S USE OF FORCE / PHL REDS: U.S. BEHIND SPRATLYS ROW

MANILA, JUNE 29, 2011 (MALAYA) BY VICTOR REYES - THE US Senate on Monday deplored China's "use of force" in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and urged a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes there.

The resolution was adopted in response to recent incidents involving Chinese vessels and those of the Philippines and Vietnam, which also claim the Spratly Islands in the potentially resource-rich waters.

Aside from China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei are also claiming the islands.

Democratic Sen. Jim Webb said Southeast Asian countries were worried about China's "pattern of intimidation." He said the US has a strategic interest in facilitating multilateral negotiations to settle the disputes.

Webb led a bipartisan group of four senators who introduced the resolution.

In Beijing Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Senate resolution "doesn't hold water" and that the senators who sponsored it should look for better ways to promote regional peace and stability.

Hong Lei told reporters that territorial disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully through talks between "directly concerned parties," a criticism of what Beijing considers meddling by Washington.

The Obama administration also supports multilateral negotiations but has been less strident in confronting China on the issue. The administration has still irked Beijing by saying that peaceful resolution of disputes in the sea, home to key shipping lanes, is in its national security interests.

The Philippines accuses Chinese vessels of making repeated intrusions into Philippine-claimed waters in recent months, while Vietnam says Chinese vessels have hindered its oil exploration surveys in an area 200 nautical miles off its central coast that it claims as its economic exclusive zone.

China claims it has sovereign rights over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), and has said all territorial disputes should be settled one-on-one with its Asian neighbors and that the United States should not be involved.

The Armed Forces said it was expected of China to declare that it has no intention of invading the Philippines.

"That is actually a statement that is expected of any country at this time because invasion is a thing of the past. As I said, no statesman in his right mind will want to invade another country. Imagine, you will feed 80 million people. I don't think that is in the agenda and it's not to anybody's interest to invade you," said AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez (photo at right).

On Monday, President Aquino expressed reservation over China's statement that it will not invade the Philippines, and asked why China had to make such statement.

On Thursday last week, US Secretary of the State Hilary Clinton said Washington is committed to help defend the Philippine interest amid the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea.

The following day, Qu Xing, president of the China Institute of International Studies, said insinuations that China would invade the Philippines are "totally groundless." He said, "We have never sent troops to invade other countries and we have never used forces against other countries."

Rodriguez said despite China's statements, the military is not letting its guard down.

Rodriguez made the statements as the RP and US navies formally opened yesterday the annual Cooperation Afloat and Readiness Training (CARAT) east of Palawan or at the Sulu Sea. The Spratlys is situated west of Palawan.

Three US ships – guided missile destroyers USS Chung Hoon and USS Howard and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard – and two Philippine Navy ships – the World War II vintage patrol ships BRP Rizal and Pangasinan – are taking part in the exercises which will last until July 8.

About 800 American servicemen and 457 Filipino sailors are joining the event which authorities said is aimed at improving the interoperability of the two navies in times of emergency.

An official of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines asked government to heed the call of Chinese officials to limit the Spratly Islands row to claimant-countries.

Fr. Harley Flores, Military Ordinariate spokesman, said he believes that there is not enough reason to include "external" parties in the brewing dispute, such as the US. http://www.ucanews.com/diocesan-directory/html/dps-pr_military.php

He said his opinion is being shared by Military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak.

Flores added that involving other parties such as the US would only escalate the tension and increase the possibility provoking clashes. – With Gerard Naval and AP

FROM ABS-CBN NEWS

PH communists claim US behind Spratlys row abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 06/29/2011 9:52 PM | Updated as of 06/29/2011 10:48 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) accused the United States on Wednesday of being behind the row between the Philippines, China, and other countries over ownership of the Spratly Islands.

The CPP, in a statement on the first year in power of President Benigno Aquino III, said Washington wrote a "script to whip up diplomatic and military tensions in the South China Sea."

"Aquino's role in the current brouhaha over the Spratlys was assigned to him when he boarded the USS Carl Vinson in May," the underground group said.

It added that the US aims to to deploy its reconnaissance and naval hardware in the South China Sea "in the guise of 'supporting the defense the Philippines' and 'modernizing' the AFP as a foil against what it perceives as the growing strategic threat posed by China to US global hegemony."

The CPP also lashed at the the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Mutual Defense Treaty and other treaties between the US and the Philippines.

"It continues to allow the permanent stationing of the 700-strong Joint US Special Operations Task Force-Philippines in Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City which serves as its base for its interventionist military operations in the country. It has allowed one nuclear-powered US carrier ship after another to enter Philippine waters and unload thousands of American servicemen," the CPP said.

The communist movement also claimed that the Aquino government's poverty alleviation program is part of the a counter-insurgency plan designed by thr Palace's American military advisers under the US State Department's Counter-insurgency Guide of 2009.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved

----------------------------------------------------------

PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet

This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.

To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/

(c) Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
.

__,_._,___
Read more
 

PH Headline News Online. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved