Sunday, July 21, 2013

ANC: Anti-SONA demonstrators break PNP's first line of defense. They're now on Don Antonio Commonwealth. The protesters vow to reach the Batasan at all costs.
INQUIRER EDITORIAL: TIME'S RUNNING OUT
We hope Mr. Aquino or his adviser are not lulled into thinking that because he remains personally popular, the public is not growing frustrated. As the turmoil sweeping through economically vibrant economies like Brazil and Turkey has shown, public impatience in the other side of high public expectations. And one mishandled issue can turn IMPATIENCE INTO FURY.
INQUIRER: 'DAANG MATUWID' FACES SERIOUS TEST'
As he delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, Pres Aquino's "daang matuwid" (straight path) policy against corruption is under close scrutiny in the wake of allegations that transportation officials tried to extort $30 million from a Czech train supplier and that bogus NGOs funneled P10 billion in pork barrel into ghost projects.
INTERAKSYON TV 5: With P120B for 6 years, CCT barely dented poverty levels, says NGO alliance - According to Marivic Raquiza, co-convener of Social Watch Philippines, "since 2008, the budget of Pantawid Pamilya has increased dramatically every year without the benefit of a clear evaluation of the program. Today, that evaluation exist and it shows that on the poverty front, CCT beneficiaries are no better off than non-beneficiaries."
MANILA TIMES: '3 YEARS OF EMPTY PROMISES' -
Prof. Bobby Tuazon, CenPEG director for policy studies - "Three years of empty promises nuanced by vacillations and inaction only point to an "ampaw presidency" - deceptively solid outside but only hot air inside," Tuazon said. "In the end, Aquino's vaunted 'Kayo ang boss ko' [the masses are my boss] shibboleth is hypocritical and meaningless. Such deceptive phrase has been repeated over and over again a la Goebbels the motive being to hide the truth. And the truth is that Aquino's real bosses are his fellow political oligarchs, big business, and the Obama administration."
MLA STANDARD: KIT TATAD - A BUNGLED PRESIDENCY
Prado's reported presence in the company of Balssy and Eldon Cruz when the alleged extortion was reportedly attempted may have been completely coincidental. But his previous involvement in the procurement of Czech trains for the first LRT (now MRT) projects and his presence in the conversation when the $30-million facilitation fee was reported to have been proposed raises questions that are not easy to ask or answer. PRADO IS BELIEVED TO BE A BUSINESS PARTNER OF MR. CRUZ.
MLA STANDARD: IBON WARNS OF 'DEEP SIGNS OF REGRESSION'
The research and analysis outfit warned that there were "deep signs of a regression" in the national condition that "a recycled Aquino agenda" for the last half of its term will not remedy. The Aquino administration was serving "one nation in two worlds," said Ibon Executive Director Sonny Africa, pointing to the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Citing official government records, Africa said the country's JOBS AND POVERTY CRISIS HAS WORSENED UNDER THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION.
ANC: Bishops tell PNoy to make poor Filipinos feel the so-called economic gains. Ex-Budget Sec. Ben Diokno believes economic momentum can't be sustained and that govt must solve unemployment; while the National Union of Lawyers of the Phils. says PNoy failed in judicial reforms and in addressing human rights problems in the country.
ANC: CENPEG gives PNoy failing grade in handling economy, says many Filipinos still do not feel PH economic gains. "Dumami pa rin ang unemployed, underemployed, at mga mahihirap," CENPEG's Ben Lim said. The group also hits PNoy's national security policy, particularly his response to the South China Sea dispute.
ANC: Activists gearing up for anti-SONA rallies Monday. Militant groups day three years into office Aquino fell short in fighting poverty and corruption.
BLOG: batangsulpok . 3 hours ago  -
Siyempre walang laban yun Czech Ambassador dahil Pilipinas yan dahil di pa naiimbestigahan ay cleared kaagad  kay Abaya ang kapatid ni Pnoy kasi naging aide siya ni Balsy nang nasa serbisyo pa, ika nga, may utang na loob siya.
PHILSTAR: The volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) called on the Czech ambassador and Inekon executives to come out in the open and file a complaint against those involved in the alleged shakedown attempt. "Ti's corruption season, it's payback time," VACC founding chairman and president Dante Jimenez told The STAR. "I appeal to the contractor to expose the documents and lay everything out in the open," he said.
INQUIRER: CATHOLIC BISHOPS: 'DO MORE FOR THE POOR' - CULTURE OF CORRUPTION - "He should address the culture of corruption, but I wonder if he will consider that," former Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñigues said. Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said Mr. Aquino should announce how he intended to reform the graft-ridden pork barrel. "The pork barrel should be used for the common good. There must be honestly and transparency in reporting its use," Lagdameo said.
TRIBUNE: The New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement that Aquino should use the Sona to flesh out his commitments by outlining specific measures to tackle ongoing human rights problems.
Brad Adams, HRW Asia director, said Aquino should put on top of his Sona list the holding for accountability abusive members of state security forces.
NINEZ CACHO OLIVARES:
Now, even before a probe Abaya says he will conduct, he has already vouched for the integrity of his executives.
What else can be expected of the result of the probe, when Lacierda, who speaks for the president, already states that there is no ban on Inekon, and who absolves Roxas, while Abaya absolves his executives?
One thing is very clear: Here is yet another proof of Malacañang's crooked path.
MLA STANDARD: PNoy dared: Give up your 'pork' too
"Malacañang should take the lead by removing its discretionary lump-sum funds," said Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr., a member of Mr. Aquino's Liberal Party. Reacting to a suggestion from presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda that lawmakers voluntarily give up their pork, Baguilat said that would only happen if the Palace moves first.
MLA STANDARD: EMIL JURADO
A high growth rate remains meaningless to the greater bulk of our people. Note that manufacturing and agriculture indicators continue to remain low. These are economic sectors that could fuel employment. The Pres will also deny that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. The World Bank also found that the Phils remains a laggard in terms of foreign investments. Pres Aquino is fond of saying that there's no clear and present danger in not amending the 1987 charter framed during his late mother's incumbency since investors will come anyway. BUT WHERE ARE THEY?
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In news, palace Lacierda denies blacklist of Inekon and dares Amb Rychtar to prove Shake down govt!

Interview to Rychtar: how did he meet Eldon, Balssy, Pete Prado and Steve Psinakis? What was the Agenda with them, tsismis society "bes-beso"?? Did Amb Rychtar introduce Balssy, Eldon et al to Czech Society? If yes, where? In Czech Embassy Makati? Or in Prague, Czech? When or what dates dis Balssy et al visit Prague? What was the role of Prado or Steve Psinakis when these 2 visited Rychtar in Manila and Prague? Is Steve Psinakis or Pete Prado a Consultant of Inekon? Did Pete Prado or Steve Psinakis even metion (mention lang ang question, not "discuss") Inekon or MRT 3 and MRT 7? Did Eldon or Pete Prado introduce Inekon to Salvador Buddy Zamora, awardee of MRT 7?? Is it not true that Pete Prado or Steve Psinakis talked to Buddy Zamora about buying Inekon Trams?