MANILA, Philippines – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Friday said a total of 37,679 out of 91, 008 examinees passed the Nurse Licensure Examination that was given last July.
The exam was conducted in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last July 2010.
The members of the Board of Nursing are Carmencita M. Abaquin, Chairman; Leonila A. Faire, Betty F. Merritt, Perla G. Po, Marco Antonio C. Sto.Tomas (inhibited), Yolanda C. Arugay and Amelia B. Rosales (inhibited), Members.
The results of examination with respect to five (5) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examination.
Those who will register are required to bring the following
Duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal
Current Community Tax Certificate (cedula)
2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag)
1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag)
2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and
1 short brown envelope with name and profession;
and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2010-2013.
Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.
The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination in Manila as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on Monday and Tuesday, September 20 and 21, 2010, with morning (8:00 A.M.) and afternoon (1:00 P.M.) sessions at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
All must come in their white gala uniform, nurse’s cap, white duty shoes, without earrings, hair not touching the collar and without corsage.
Oathtaking tickets for the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby regions will be available at the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) at 1663 F.T. Benitez Street, Malate, Manila, from September 1 - 20, 2010 on a “first come first serve” basis.
All regional oathtaking schedules will be posted in the BON website: www.bonphilippines.org.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/27/10/37679-pass-nursing-board-ateneo-de-naga-student-tops-exam
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
41 killed in Benguet bus mishap
By Artemio Dumlao Jr. (The Philippine Star) Updated Aug 19, 2010 12:00 AM | Comments (32)
Forty-one passengers of a La Union-bound bus were killed when it fell into a ravine yesterday morning in what could be the worst highway disaster here.
› Neri out as SSS head; new sugar regulatory chief named
SABLAN, Benguet, Philippines – Forty-one passengers of a La Union-bound bus were killed when it fell into a ravine yesterday morning in what could be the worst highway disaster here.
Initial reports showed that the ill-fated ESO-Nice bus (AYB-549) lost its brakes before falling into a 30-meter ravine along sitio Guiwing, Banangan, Sablan at around 9:20 a.m.
Police identified some of the fatalities as Johnson Dimalanta, Frederick and Rose Quinos and their children Nicole and Michael, Berio Almasen, Carlos Angeles, Amethyst Calado, Enrique Hao, Renato Limid, Rex Arsichu, Constantino Casugay, Glen Lustica, Octavio Polon, Francisco Sales, Jon Laigo, Joy Combis, Pastora Daweg, Marlon Paleg, Gabino Pilay, Pablito Diocenes, Roger Torida and Karen Mae Piluden.
Romeo Subang Jr., driver of the bus, died while being treated in a hospital.
Thirteen others, four of them Filipino-Americans, were unidentified as of press time.
Seven people survived the mishap and were rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
They were identified as Sonny Ayaten, Desiree Jura, Arnel Paras, Juantri Gutcha, Jay Angelo, bus conductor John Patrick Flores and an unidentified man.
Flores said Subang was negotiating a sharp curve while trying to shift to second gear but lost control of the bus. He said the driver tried to prevent the disaster by ramming the bus on concrete barriers along the roadside to slow down its descent but failed.
Sensing danger, Flores said he jumped out of the vehicle before it fell into the ravine.
“The area where the bus fell is a sharp curve and the ravine was so deep,” said Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, Benguet Police Provincial Office, who went to the area to supervise and assist in the rescue and retrieval operations.
Mayor said one of the victims was pinned down in the wreckage of the bus, making it hard for operatives to retrieve the remains.
The police official said the bus could have avoided falling into the ravine if it hit the tree or a nipa hut on the edge of the road.
He said the skid mark of the vehicle showed the bus passed between the house and the tree.Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan immediately formed the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council and personally supervised the rescue and retrieval operations in the area that lasted for over six hours.
Mayor said over 50 people from the Provincial Government, local police and Philippine Army took part in the operations. “The victims were taken out of the wreckage through stretchers and most of them suffered severe bone fractures,” he said.
He said the incident will be investigated thoroughly to determine if it was an accident or caused by human error.
In recent years, barangay Banangan has been the site of numerous vehicular mishaps claiming scores of lives.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=604071&publicationSubCategoryId=63
Philippines still text messaging champ -US study
US-based technology and social media news blog Mashable.com today released an infographic detailing text messaging trends in the US and around the world, aggregated from various news sources. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Philippines continues to be the text messaging capital of the world.
Citing collated data from Reuters, the New York Times, CTIA.org, UPI.com, Pew Research, Kvue.com, Matzav.com, and Portio Research, the infographic showed that, in 2009, the average Filipino mobile subscriber sent an average of 600 text messages per month, or 43 percent more than their US counterparts.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198832/philippines-still-text-messaging-champ-us-study
Citing collated data from Reuters, the New York Times, CTIA.org, UPI.com, Pew Research, Kvue.com, Matzav.com, and Portio Research, the infographic showed that, in 2009, the average Filipino mobile subscriber sent an average of 600 text messages per month, or 43 percent more than their US counterparts.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198832/philippines-still-text-messaging-champ-us-study
Malacañang to enforce cap on GOCC salaries
Malacañang will issue an executive order enforcing a cap on the salaries of those in government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said Wednesday.
Aquino said in a press conference at the Palace that his administration would issue a new EO on the matter even though former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo had issued a similar directive in 2001 that was not enforced.
"It's only a question of enforcing the cap, but if need be we will reiterate the same in a new EO and perhaps modify as necessary to ensure that there is compliance," the president said.
The departments of Finance and Budget and Management worked on guidelines for the salaries and benefits of GOCC officials after Aquino revealed in his SONA that board members of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System received excessive benefits under the Arroyo administration.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima suggested that the new EO provide for new appointees in GOCCs to sign "a waiver of various rights due members of the board," Aquino said.
Aquino so far issued four EOs, three of which have been questioned before the Supreme Court. Aquino's EO No. 1 created the Truth Commission, to be led by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., which will investigate unresolved corruption controversies in the Arroyo administration. Allies of Mrs. Arroyo led by House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman questioned its constitutionality before the Supreme Court.
Justice assistant secretary Jose Arturo de Castro and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority director Eddie Tamondong also asked the Supreme Court to nullify EO No. 2, which revoked Mrs. Arroyo's so-called midnight appointments.
De Castro is also seeking to nullify EO No. 3, which revoked Arroyo's EO No. 883 that grants lawyers "occupying legal positions in the government executive service who have obtained graduate degrees in law and successfully passed their bar examinations" with the rank of Career Executive Service Officer III.
Malacañang earlier said it is ready to defend its controversial EOs before the court. The Supreme Court said Tuesday that it sees no pressing need to restrain Aquino from implementing the EOs. —VS, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198833/malacantildeang-to-enforce-cap-on-gocc-salaries
Aquino said in a press conference at the Palace that his administration would issue a new EO on the matter even though former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo had issued a similar directive in 2001 that was not enforced.
"It's only a question of enforcing the cap, but if need be we will reiterate the same in a new EO and perhaps modify as necessary to ensure that there is compliance," the president said.
The departments of Finance and Budget and Management worked on guidelines for the salaries and benefits of GOCC officials after Aquino revealed in his SONA that board members of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System received excessive benefits under the Arroyo administration.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima suggested that the new EO provide for new appointees in GOCCs to sign "a waiver of various rights due members of the board," Aquino said.
Aquino so far issued four EOs, three of which have been questioned before the Supreme Court. Aquino's EO No. 1 created the Truth Commission, to be led by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., which will investigate unresolved corruption controversies in the Arroyo administration. Allies of Mrs. Arroyo led by House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman questioned its constitutionality before the Supreme Court.
Justice assistant secretary Jose Arturo de Castro and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority director Eddie Tamondong also asked the Supreme Court to nullify EO No. 2, which revoked Mrs. Arroyo's so-called midnight appointments.
De Castro is also seeking to nullify EO No. 3, which revoked Arroyo's EO No. 883 that grants lawyers "occupying legal positions in the government executive service who have obtained graduate degrees in law and successfully passed their bar examinations" with the rank of Career Executive Service Officer III.
Malacañang earlier said it is ready to defend its controversial EOs before the court. The Supreme Court said Tuesday that it sees no pressing need to restrain Aquino from implementing the EOs. —VS, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198833/malacantildeang-to-enforce-cap-on-gocc-salaries
PPCRV warns vs SK being used by political dynasties
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK),or youth council, is fast turning from a vehicle for developing leadership skills among Filipino youths into a tool for extending political dynasties.
On Thursday, the Church-based poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said this trend is another reason to abolish the SK and instead have youth representatives in the barangay (village) council.
"Pinapasok na ng political dynasties ang kanilang [mga] apo, ang bata nilalagay doon para lalong lumawak ang political control sa grassroots level. 'Di magandang simula yan para sa ating future leaders. Natututo ng maling practice ng politics," PPCRV chairwoman Henrietta de Villa said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
(Political dynasties have infiltrated the youth councils. They place their children or grandchildren there to ensure their control at the grassroots level. And the youths are taught a warped sense of politics).
"Ang nangyayari masyadong politicized ang involvement ng kabataan sa SK (The involvement of youths in the SK has become too politicized)," she added.
She also noted that in many cases, SK members in the province have little time to look after their their duties because they attend schools in Metro Manila.
De Villa said the abuse of the SK is similar to some instances of misuse of the party-list system of representation, which had been turned from a vehicle for marginalized sectors into one for political families.
"Nakalulungkot, sa party-list ganyan din ang nangyari, maganda ang intention (It is sad that like the party-list system, the SK started with good intentions)," she said.
De Villa also reiterated her suggestion that youths still have a voice in the local level, but as elected youth representatives in the village council.
In the village council, she said youth representatives will be pressed to perform well.
"[Mabuti] magkasama sila sa barangay council para ang kabataan kasali sa policy-building ma-mainstream at di sila nakabukod. Walang mabisang nangyayari sa SK (It will be better if the youths learn about policy-building in the mainstream instead of in a council just for them)," she said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198892/ppcrv-warns-vs-sk-being-used-by-political-dynasties
On Thursday, the Church-based poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said this trend is another reason to abolish the SK and instead have youth representatives in the barangay (village) council.
"Pinapasok na ng political dynasties ang kanilang [mga] apo, ang bata nilalagay doon para lalong lumawak ang political control sa grassroots level. 'Di magandang simula yan para sa ating future leaders. Natututo ng maling practice ng politics," PPCRV chairwoman Henrietta de Villa said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
(Political dynasties have infiltrated the youth councils. They place their children or grandchildren there to ensure their control at the grassroots level. And the youths are taught a warped sense of politics).
"Ang nangyayari masyadong politicized ang involvement ng kabataan sa SK (The involvement of youths in the SK has become too politicized)," she added.
She also noted that in many cases, SK members in the province have little time to look after their their duties because they attend schools in Metro Manila.
De Villa said the abuse of the SK is similar to some instances of misuse of the party-list system of representation, which had been turned from a vehicle for marginalized sectors into one for political families.
"Nakalulungkot, sa party-list ganyan din ang nangyari, maganda ang intention (It is sad that like the party-list system, the SK started with good intentions)," she said.
De Villa also reiterated her suggestion that youths still have a voice in the local level, but as elected youth representatives in the village council.
In the village council, she said youth representatives will be pressed to perform well.
"[Mabuti] magkasama sila sa barangay council para ang kabataan kasali sa policy-building ma-mainstream at di sila nakabukod. Walang mabisang nangyayari sa SK (It will be better if the youths learn about policy-building in the mainstream instead of in a council just for them)," she said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198892/ppcrv-warns-vs-sk-being-used-by-political-dynasties
7 Pinoy prisoners in Maldives pardoned, come home
MANILA, Philippines - Seven overseas Filipinos imprisoned in the Maldives for credit card theft have returned to the country after being granted a presidential pardon, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported Thursday.
The DFA said the 7 were found guilty of credit card theft and using the stolen cards to purchase goods worth US$60,000 in February 2009. They were meted the maximum penalty of 63 years and 11 months but the court later reduced the penalty to 25 years imprisonment.
The DFA said it sought avenues for the release and deportation of the 7 Filipinos through the recently-approved “Clemency Law,” which empowers the President to grant pardons to prisoners.
Philippine Ambassador to Dhaka Bahnarim Guinomla said the 7 Filipinos were released on condition that they do not return to Maldives during the initial sentence period of 25 years.
They arrived in Manila on August 13, and were met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by representatives of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The wife of one of the repatriates sent a letter to the Philippine Embassy thanking them for their efforts to secure the pardon for her husband.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for all the help you have done for them [repatriates]. And also to the good Ambassador Rabago for being an instrument for their early repatriation,” she said.
“It was a painful experience, but great lessons would be learned from this. We are looking forward and putting this bad experience behind us. We are thankful for a second chance and grateful for a new beginning,” the wife added.
Thursday. Article:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/19/10/7-pinoy-prisoners-maldives-pardoned-come-home
The DFA said the 7 were found guilty of credit card theft and using the stolen cards to purchase goods worth US$60,000 in February 2009. They were meted the maximum penalty of 63 years and 11 months but the court later reduced the penalty to 25 years imprisonment.
The DFA said it sought avenues for the release and deportation of the 7 Filipinos through the recently-approved “Clemency Law,” which empowers the President to grant pardons to prisoners.
Philippine Ambassador to Dhaka Bahnarim Guinomla said the 7 Filipinos were released on condition that they do not return to Maldives during the initial sentence period of 25 years.
They arrived in Manila on August 13, and were met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by representatives of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The wife of one of the repatriates sent a letter to the Philippine Embassy thanking them for their efforts to secure the pardon for her husband.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for all the help you have done for them [repatriates]. And also to the good Ambassador Rabago for being an instrument for their early repatriation,” she said.
“It was a painful experience, but great lessons would be learned from this. We are looking forward and putting this bad experience behind us. We are thankful for a second chance and grateful for a new beginning,” the wife added.
Thursday. Article:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/08/19/10/7-pinoy-prisoners-maldives-pardoned-come-home
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
89 workers were killed and 48 workers were injured in 40 fatal workplace incidents in the Philippines in January – August 2010
89 workers were killed and 47 workers were injured in 40 fatal workplace incidents in the Philippines in January – August 2010 – a TUCP compilation of newspaper reports show.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Luisita farmers wake up early, set march to SC
After holding a peaceful vigil in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office in Quezon City Tuesday night, farmers from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac woke up early Wednesday to prepare for their march to the Supreme Court in Manila.
Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported the farmers woke up past 5 a.m. and prepared to march from the DAR office to the high court's premises.
The farmers are opposing the 1989 stock distribution option (SDO) and a compromise agreement reached earlier this month between some farmers and the hacienda management.
Also, the farmers were scheduled to attend a mass at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) along Taft Avenue in Manila Wednesday morning.
Wednesday's Mass aims to give the farmers strength as the Supreme Court tackles oral arguments on the validity of the SDO agreement farmer-beneficiaries entered into with Hacienda Luisita, Inc. and the Tarlac Development Co. in May 1989. [See: Luisita case in SC to focus on 1989 farmers' stock option]
On Tuesday night, the United Luisita Workers' Union (ULWU) and Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid ng Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) attended a solidarity Mass at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. — LBG, GMANews.TV
Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported the farmers woke up past 5 a.m. and prepared to march from the DAR office to the high court's premises.
The farmers are opposing the 1989 stock distribution option (SDO) and a compromise agreement reached earlier this month between some farmers and the hacienda management.
Also, the farmers were scheduled to attend a mass at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) along Taft Avenue in Manila Wednesday morning.
Wednesday's Mass aims to give the farmers strength as the Supreme Court tackles oral arguments on the validity of the SDO agreement farmer-beneficiaries entered into with Hacienda Luisita, Inc. and the Tarlac Development Co. in May 1989. [See: Luisita case in SC to focus on 1989 farmers' stock option]
On Tuesday night, the United Luisita Workers' Union (ULWU) and Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid ng Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) attended a solidarity Mass at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. — LBG, GMANews.TV
Celebrity surgeon Frank Ryan killed in car crash
The California Highway Patrol says Ryan's 1995 Jeep Wrangler went off the side of Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu and landed on its roof Monday afternoon.
Besides Montag, Ryan's celebrity clientele included musician Vince Neil, actor Lorenzo Lamas, reality stars Lisa Gastineau and Adrianne Curry and several models and beauty queens.
Montag, who underwent 10 procedures in one day with Ryan late last year, took to Twitter to share her reaction to his death.
"I am devastated," the 23-year-old wrote on the micro-blogging site Tuesday. "He was the most amazing person I have ever known. He was an angel and changed my life and the lives of everyone he met. He was the most brilliant talented surgeon who will ever exist. Dr. Frank Ryan changed the world."
The Ventura County medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be performed Tuesday. He said no cause of death has been established.
Ryan's friend and client, model and reality star Janice Dickinson, was "deeply, deeply anguished" after hearing of the doctor's death, her publicist said.
"She is stunned and wants the world to know what a genius Dr. Ryan was," publicist Brad Taylor said Tuesday. "Her love goes out to his mother and the rest of the family."
Curry said in a statement Tuesday that she and Ryan shared "in-depth conversations about him wanting to start a family of his own, now that he had a very successful career."
Ryan operated on her twice, she said, adding, "I considered him a friend."
Ryan was a close friend of boxer Oscar De La Hoya, and attended all his fights from 2002 until De La Hoya's retirement last year.
"After any fight in which I was cut or suffered an injury, Dr. Ryan was always there for me from the time I left the ring until I was fully healed, even going so far as to accompany me to the hospital following a fight if necessary," De La Hoya said in a statement.
As a promoter, De La Hoya requested that Ryan be ringside whenever possible so boxers fighting as part of Golden Boy events were under his immediate care should they get injured.
"He was an outstanding physician, a wonderful and charitable person as well as a good friend," the boxer said.
According to his website, Ryan graduated from the University of Michigan in 1982 and from the Ohio State University College of Medicine four years later.
Ryan opened his private practice in 1994, the same year he established his namesake charitable foundation that provides free removal of gang-related tattoos and hosts day and overnight camps for children at Malibu's Bony Pony Ranch.
Ryan is survived by his mother, Mary Kate Ryan, and by many cousins, aunts and uncles, according to estate representative Melanie Sims Frank.
His family is grieving and asks for privacy, she said, adding that a candlelight vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Malibu's Zuma Beach. — AP
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198775/celebrity-surgeon-frank-ryan-killed-in-car-crash
Lawsuits over proposed Bruce Willis film dismissed
LOS ANGELES – Court records show dueling lawsuits between Bruce Willis and three film companies over a failed film project have been dismissed.
The companies sued Willis for $4 million in March 2009, alleging he broke a contract to direct a film titled "Three Stories About Joan." Willis countersued for nearly $9 million a few days later, claiming the companies failed to show they had the money for the project on time.
Court filings in Los Angeles show the cases were dismissed Monday. No additional details were provided, and attorneys for Willis and the companies, Foresight Unlimited, Signature Entertainment Group and Three Stories Productions, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. — AP
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198782/lawsuits-over-proposed-bruce-willis-film-dismissed
The companies sued Willis for $4 million in March 2009, alleging he broke a contract to direct a film titled "Three Stories About Joan." Willis countersued for nearly $9 million a few days later, claiming the companies failed to show they had the money for the project on time.
Court filings in Los Angeles show the cases were dismissed Monday. No additional details were provided, and attorneys for Willis and the companies, Foresight Unlimited, Signature Entertainment Group and Three Stories Productions, did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. — AP
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198782/lawsuits-over-proposed-bruce-willis-film-dismissed
CPJ to govt: Nail Maguindanao massacre suspects this time
Encouraged by the relatively quick-paced handling of the case, an international media watchdog urged Philippine authorities Wednesday to ensure the conviction of the masterminds of the Maguindanao massacre on Nov. 23, last year.
But New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the "breakthrough" Tuesday, where the judge handling the case set a September 1 trial date, will still be the start of a long process for justice for victims and their families.
"It is encouraging to see the trial for the Maguindanao massacre move ahead quickly. Because of the scope of the killings and the complexity of the case authorities must work hard to maintain the momentum," Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator, who attended the pre-trial hearing, said in an article on the CPJ website.
"President Aquino's government must make sure that all sides stay focused on a fast but fair trial, and strive to bring the people who plotted these killings — not just the triggermen — to justice," he added.
Dietz said the Sept. 1 trial date for several defendants in the Maguindanao massacre highlights a "positive development in what has been a very ugly story." (See: 'Litmus test' begins in Maguindanao prosecution)
He said Quezon City Regional Trial Court Justice Jocelyn Solis-Reyes appeared determined to move the case forward and, for now, seemed able to keep the large legal teams in line.
Likewise, he said that President Benigno Aquino III and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had made it clear they grasp the importance of building a dynamic legal system to match their aspirations for national growth.
Still, the CPJ noted that in 66 journalist murders since 1992, Philippine prosecutors have won only five convictions, with most of those convicted mere hitmen or "guns for hire who didn’t know their victims beyond recognizing their faces, skilled at carrying off drive-by killings, often while mounted on motorcycles."
"None of the plotters – the powerful people with the money to pay someone to do their dirty work – has been brought to justice. The most glaring example is the March 2005 murder of Marlene Garcia-Esperat, in which two prominent public officials accused of masterminding the crime have remained free. Only the gunmen have been tried and convicted in the Garcia-Esperat killing, which also occurred in Mindanao," Dietz noted.
On the other hand, CPJ’s Impunity Index, an annual assessment that calculates unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population, ranks the Philippines as the third worst country in the world in bringing the killers of journalists to justice.
It said only Iraq and Somalia, two war-torn nations, are worse.
"The problem in the Philippines is not unique to journalist killings; the country’s judicial system has an abysmal overall conviction rate in murder cases. Detlev Mehlis, who heads the European Union’s Philippine Justice Support Program, puts the Philippines murder conviction rate at 10 percent," the CPJ said. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV
But New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the "breakthrough" Tuesday, where the judge handling the case set a September 1 trial date, will still be the start of a long process for justice for victims and their families.
"It is encouraging to see the trial for the Maguindanao massacre move ahead quickly. Because of the scope of the killings and the complexity of the case authorities must work hard to maintain the momentum," Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator, who attended the pre-trial hearing, said in an article on the CPJ website.
"President Aquino's government must make sure that all sides stay focused on a fast but fair trial, and strive to bring the people who plotted these killings — not just the triggermen — to justice," he added.
Dietz said the Sept. 1 trial date for several defendants in the Maguindanao massacre highlights a "positive development in what has been a very ugly story." (See: 'Litmus test' begins in Maguindanao prosecution)
He said Quezon City Regional Trial Court Justice Jocelyn Solis-Reyes appeared determined to move the case forward and, for now, seemed able to keep the large legal teams in line.
Likewise, he said that President Benigno Aquino III and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had made it clear they grasp the importance of building a dynamic legal system to match their aspirations for national growth.
Still, the CPJ noted that in 66 journalist murders since 1992, Philippine prosecutors have won only five convictions, with most of those convicted mere hitmen or "guns for hire who didn’t know their victims beyond recognizing their faces, skilled at carrying off drive-by killings, often while mounted on motorcycles."
"None of the plotters – the powerful people with the money to pay someone to do their dirty work – has been brought to justice. The most glaring example is the March 2005 murder of Marlene Garcia-Esperat, in which two prominent public officials accused of masterminding the crime have remained free. Only the gunmen have been tried and convicted in the Garcia-Esperat killing, which also occurred in Mindanao," Dietz noted.
On the other hand, CPJ’s Impunity Index, an annual assessment that calculates unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population, ranks the Philippines as the third worst country in the world in bringing the killers of journalists to justice.
It said only Iraq and Somalia, two war-torn nations, are worse.
"The problem in the Philippines is not unique to journalist killings; the country’s judicial system has an abysmal overall conviction rate in murder cases. Detlev Mehlis, who heads the European Union’s Philippine Justice Support Program, puts the Philippines murder conviction rate at 10 percent," the CPJ said. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV
Victorious Nietes arrives in Manila
After his successful title defense in Mexico last weekend, Filipino boxing champ Donnie "Ahas" Nietes returned to the Philippines before dawn Wednesday.
Nietes arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 5:37 a.m., on a Philippine Airlines PR-103 flight, dwIZ radio reported.
Nietes was welcomed by his manager Antonio Aldeguer and some members of media.
Only last Sunday (Manila time), Nietes defended his World Boxing Organization minimumweight title by pummeling Mario Rodriguez in Mexico.
Nietes said he will leave to Aldeguer the decision to pick his next opponent.
"Depende sa aking manager (It depends on my manager)," he said when asked who his next opponent will be.
The dwIZ report quoted Aldeguer as saying he is considering having Nietes hold his next bout in Bacolod City in his home province of Negros Occidental.
Aldeguer is also considering a fighter from Nicaragua or Thailand as Nietes' next opponent. — LBG, GMANews.TV
Nietes arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 5:37 a.m., on a Philippine Airlines PR-103 flight, dwIZ radio reported.
Nietes was welcomed by his manager Antonio Aldeguer and some members of media.
Only last Sunday (Manila time), Nietes defended his World Boxing Organization minimumweight title by pummeling Mario Rodriguez in Mexico.
Nietes said he will leave to Aldeguer the decision to pick his next opponent.
"Depende sa aking manager (It depends on my manager)," he said when asked who his next opponent will be.
The dwIZ report quoted Aldeguer as saying he is considering having Nietes hold his next bout in Bacolod City in his home province of Negros Occidental.
Aldeguer is also considering a fighter from Nicaragua or Thailand as Nietes' next opponent. — LBG, GMANews.TV
Authorities seize 14 kg of shabu from Malaysian at NAIA
Authorities seized 14 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) from a Malaysian at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) early Wednesday.
Radio dzBB’s Denver Trinidad reported the Malaysian, initially identified as Cho Che Kyong, yielded seven packs of shabu inside two trolley bags.
The suspect and his companion, a certain Richard Oh, arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight (PR-733) from Bangkok, Thailand.
Oh managed to elude arrest, the report said.
A separate report on dzRH radio said Customs officials found the drugs in the luggage during an inspection, and held Kyong for questioning after K-9 units confirmed the bags contained illegal drugs.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado cited initial reports indicating that Richard Oh fled when he saw airport authorities accosting Kyong.
Honrado said they are now reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the airport to identify Kyong's Manila-based colleagues.
“Siguro akala makalulusot sila, pero nasabat ng tauhan ng MIAA personnel.... Tayo [ay] nagpapasalamat, talaga naman very attentive ang nagtatrabaho sa Customs natin. Nang suriin ang kanilang luggage nakita ang shabu (They thought they can slip the drugs past us. But our Customs personnel are very attentive and they found the drugs in the luggage)," he said in an interview on dzRH radio.
"Our theory for now is that there were two suspects. When one of them was arrested, his companion fled," he added.
The next step now is to identify and go after the Malaysians’ Manila-based colleagues, Honrado said.
“Masyadong malaki ang consignment na ito. Posibleng may kasabwat siya at sasalubong sa kanya (The drug shipment was too big. It is likely the suspects had someone waiting for them in Manila)," he said.
He also said the seizure was a result of closer coordination among law enforcement agencies at the NAIA. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
Radio dzBB’s Denver Trinidad reported the Malaysian, initially identified as Cho Che Kyong, yielded seven packs of shabu inside two trolley bags.
The suspect and his companion, a certain Richard Oh, arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight (PR-733) from Bangkok, Thailand.
Oh managed to elude arrest, the report said.
A separate report on dzRH radio said Customs officials found the drugs in the luggage during an inspection, and held Kyong for questioning after K-9 units confirmed the bags contained illegal drugs.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado cited initial reports indicating that Richard Oh fled when he saw airport authorities accosting Kyong.
Honrado said they are now reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the airport to identify Kyong's Manila-based colleagues.
“Siguro akala makalulusot sila, pero nasabat ng tauhan ng MIAA personnel.... Tayo [ay] nagpapasalamat, talaga naman very attentive ang nagtatrabaho sa Customs natin. Nang suriin ang kanilang luggage nakita ang shabu (They thought they can slip the drugs past us. But our Customs personnel are very attentive and they found the drugs in the luggage)," he said in an interview on dzRH radio.
"Our theory for now is that there were two suspects. When one of them was arrested, his companion fled," he added.
The next step now is to identify and go after the Malaysians’ Manila-based colleagues, Honrado said.
“Masyadong malaki ang consignment na ito. Posibleng may kasabwat siya at sasalubong sa kanya (The drug shipment was too big. It is likely the suspects had someone waiting for them in Manila)," he said.
He also said the seizure was a result of closer coordination among law enforcement agencies at the NAIA. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Privatization of RPN 9, IBC 13 seen after 2 years
The Aquino administration is eyeing the privatization of sequestered television stations RPN 9 and IBC 13 after two years at the earliest, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) secretary Herminio Coloma said Sunday.
“It’s clear the sequestered government television stations should be privatized... But it won’t happen immediately because we have to face the reality that they are not as financially viable as they used to be," Coloma said.
He said what the government will do first is improve the two stations’ financial status.
He said Malacañang will nominate to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) a new set of board of directors for the two stations pending their privatization.
RPN 9 and IBC 13 were sequestered after the late President Corazon Aquino, mother of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, took over in 1986, replacing Ferdinand Marcos.
As for state-owned National Broadcast Network 4, Coloma said a new board of directors would be constituted and better programming would be developed.
He said he wants to see the former People’s Television 4 develop into something similar to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC).
He said changes would also have to be implemented in the government-owned Radyo ng Bayan and its stations in Metro Manila and the provinces.
“We need to make changes, including in the communications sector such as the television stations and even Radyo ng Bayan. We are all covered by the policy changes that the President wants to implement," he said.
Coloma last week made the rounds of the agencies under the PCO, or the former Office of the Press Secretary, after the release of Executive Order No. 4, which delineates the functions of President Aquino’s communications team.
He said he has toured the offices of the Philippine Information Agency and the Bureau of Broadcast Services, which are located on Visayas Ave. in Quezon City. He said he was given an update of the activities of the agencies and he briefed the concerned officials about the communications thrust of the Aquino administration. - KBK, HS, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198624/privatization-of-rpn-9-ibc-13-seen-after-2-years
“It’s clear the sequestered government television stations should be privatized... But it won’t happen immediately because we have to face the reality that they are not as financially viable as they used to be," Coloma said.
He said what the government will do first is improve the two stations’ financial status.
He said Malacañang will nominate to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) a new set of board of directors for the two stations pending their privatization.
RPN 9 and IBC 13 were sequestered after the late President Corazon Aquino, mother of incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, took over in 1986, replacing Ferdinand Marcos.
As for state-owned National Broadcast Network 4, Coloma said a new board of directors would be constituted and better programming would be developed.
He said he wants to see the former People’s Television 4 develop into something similar to the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC).
He said changes would also have to be implemented in the government-owned Radyo ng Bayan and its stations in Metro Manila and the provinces.
“We need to make changes, including in the communications sector such as the television stations and even Radyo ng Bayan. We are all covered by the policy changes that the President wants to implement," he said.
Coloma last week made the rounds of the agencies under the PCO, or the former Office of the Press Secretary, after the release of Executive Order No. 4, which delineates the functions of President Aquino’s communications team.
He said he has toured the offices of the Philippine Information Agency and the Bureau of Broadcast Services, which are located on Visayas Ave. in Quezon City. He said he was given an update of the activities of the agencies and he briefed the concerned officials about the communications thrust of the Aquino administration. - KBK, HS, GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198624/privatization-of-rpn-9-ibc-13-seen-after-2-years
'Whistle-blowers' vs Filipino doctor in US settle suit
Two Texas nurses have agreed for a $750,000 settlement in connection with the lawsuit they filed against the Winkler Country hospital that fired them for accusing one of its doctors of improper medical treatment.
Article:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198633/whistle-blowers-vs-filipino-doctor-in-us-settle-suit
Article:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198633/whistle-blowers-vs-filipino-doctor-in-us-settle-suit
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