No Bystanders

Janet Napoles with Sen. Revilla and Sen Estrada. Photo by Rappler.com

Janet Napoles is out of the country, according to an employee of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed on Wednesday night that a warrant of arrest has been issued against Napoles and her brother for the alleged serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, who first exposed the P10 Billion PDAF scam that Napoles allegedly masterminded. However, before the National Bureau of Investigation was able to serve the warrant of arrest, Napoles and her brother was able to board a flight to Vietnam. The same BI source claimed that Napoles flew on Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight 5J 506 at 4:35 in afternoon, well before de Lima announced the decision of a Makati court to issue the warrant of arrest.

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A few days ago, I read the story of Reynaldo Cacillar - a pedicab driver who "died a tragically lonesome death on June 21, going largely unaided and unattended despite suffering an apparent heart attack or stroke in front of many passersby right outside a university." (Full story here.)

After reading his story, I resolved I would do things differently if presented with the same situation.

Today, as I was walking home, I passed by an elderly woman lying unconscious on the sidewalk. I pass on the same street often and I know it's not the usual spot where homeless people would rest or sleep. Looking at her position, and the fact that one of her slippers was off and on the main road, it seemed she passed out or there was an accident. Foamy saliva was flowing out of her mouth and I wasn't even sure if she was breathing.

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Copy of budget proposal. Photo by Grace Bandoy

A visit to Baguio will show you that the City of Pines has lost its charm. And it's easy to see why. Mayor Mauricio Domogan has sold the city's soul to the highest bidder - one of them is Henry Sy of SM.

When concerned residents of Baguio were up in arms against SM's plan to cut/earth-ball more than a hundred pine trees to give way for the construction of a parking lot, Mayor Domogan was  their only chance to have the proposal blocked after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) indicated it was outside their mandate given that the concerned trees were on a private property.

But they were told not to hold their hopes high. The Mayor has been paid Sixty Million Pesos (PhP 60,000,000) to approve the project, they alleged.

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A search of Jack Enrile on Google produces some interesting suggestions.

I've only heard of Jack Enrile's role in the death of Alfie Anido and Ernest Lucas from news reports, and while these continue to be a "he said, she said" scenario, there is one story I've heard that I have no reason to doubt. While discussing the upcoming election with my dad, me mentioned there  is one candidate he would never vote for.

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I recently saw a story in Facebook that reminded me of various personal experiences while traveling, and it reminded me that indeed, racism is alive. And that's a sad thing, considering that it's the 21st century already, the age of internet and world travel. But the good thing is, the more people talk about this and the more people speak up and act when they witness it, like in the story below, we are a step closer to a just world.

Here's the story:

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The problem of solid waste is in the headlines again.

With stories like the Baguio (Irisan) trash slide, the Olongapo trash slide and the flooding in Metro Manila and central Luzon aggravated by the fact that our rivers and canals are full of trash, the problem of solid waste is being confronted once again, both at the local and national level.

Sadly, instead of promoting ecological alternatives (there are plenty of success stories out there), certain groups and even media personalities are promoting fake solutions to something that is not even a problem in the first place.

The things that we throw away are not waste, they are resources if we only manage them properly.

Sadly, people are after quick "solutions" like incineration. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he is open to reviving incineration as a way to address the problem of waste. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje is said to be to open to discussing it (thou he claims he was misquoted).

Ms. Karen Davila of ABS-CBN has been promoting it as a "practical solution," calling groups against it as "idealist." But are groups who are against incinerators really just idealist?

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21 September 2011, Quezon City.  Environment health leaders commended the Manila City Council for unanimously passing yesterday a resolution that effectively nipped in the bud proposal to burn Metro Manila’s trash.

Through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Numero Lim of Manila’s second district, councilors from various political blocs  expressed "strong and vehement opposition" to the use of incinerators as proposed by the Metro Manila Development Authority for  garbage disposal.  

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Sept 5, 2011, Quezon City- A week after the tragic “garbageslide” in Baguio City that claimed six lives and left houses in disrepair, residents from different communities affected by existing dumps, together with health and environmental groups, gathered in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to demand the immediate closure and rehabilitation of more than 1,000 illegal, toxic dumpsites all over the country.

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Tukayo (variation: tokayo)
English Definition: (noun) namesake; person having the same first name as one's self
(Source)

You share a name, now know his story.

I first saw the website as a Google ad on my blog, but since I can't click on my own ads, I wasn't able to visit it at that time. And then, while watching GMA News TV this morning, I saw the ad again and I finally visited the site.

The project is called "Tukayo Campaign Against Impunity" and their website is at http://speakup.com.ph. When you go to the site, you'll see a listing of names. You can click on a name to know the story behind it. Or, you can enter your name and see if you share a name with anyone of them. I entered  my name and I got to know Atty. Froilan Siobal.

This is his story:

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Below are some of the government agencies and non government organizations working on child's rights and the prevention of child abuse. Telephone numbers, fax, email and website are provided when available.

Please leave a comment if you know of any group that should be added on this list. Thank you!

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1.  To be born. To have a name and nationality.
2.  To be free. To have a family who will take care of me.
3.  To have a good education.
4.  To develop my potentials.
5.  To have enough food, shelter, a healthy and active body.
6.  To be given the opportunity for play and leisure.
7.  To be given protection against abuse, danger and violence brought by war
     and conflict.
8.  To live in a peaceful community.
9.  To be defended and assisted by the government.
10. To be able to express my own views.

Patuloy na umiibig sa Pilipinas,
At naniniwala sa galing ng Pilipino,

Froilan Grate | GreenMinds
www.NoBystanders.net

Proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 1386 (XIV) of 20 November 1959

DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Preamble

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,

Whereas the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth,

Whereas the need for such special safeguards has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924, and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the statutes of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children,

Whereas mankind owes to the child the best it has to give,

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Q: What is the Price Tag Law under R.A. 7394?

A: The Price Tag Law, as embodied in R.A. 7394, requires that all consumer products sold in retail to the public shall bear an appropriate price tag, label or marking indicating the price of the article. Such consumer products shall not be sold at a price higher than that stated therein.

Q: Why is there a need for Price Tag?
          
A: The price tag is need for the following reasons:
- To provide buyers with adequate information and guide to enable them to compare quality and prices of goods and patronize stores selling quality products at low prices.
- Its presence will discourage and minimize haggling which is a waste of time, money and energy of both buyer and seller.
- It also expedites transactions and enables both the buyer and the seller to use the time and energy for more productive endeavors

Q: What is a Price Tag?

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1.    The Right to Basic Needs

The first consumer right is the right to basic needs which guarantees survival, adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, and sanitation.

You may look forward to:
The availability of basic and prime commodities to consumers at affordable prices and of good quality.

What to do:
* Prioritize your needs;
* Look for quality, not quantity;
* Be quality conscious, not brand conscious;
* Do not engage in panic-buying; and
* In time of crisis / calamity, be vigilant in ensuring that basic commodities are available in the market.

If you are not satisfied:

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Two seconds from impact, and all I can think of is "Is this it?" 

I was at peace.

A few minutes after 12 noon today, July 24, 2011, as I was riding a jeepney from Katipunan to UP, I was looking at a white L300 van going on full speed towards the jeep I was riding as we were making a left turn towards UP.

Then it was all a blur. Sounds of metal hitting each other, aluminum twisting and glass breaking. It was as if time stood still for a brief moment. I remember being thrown on the floor, a hand or an elbow hit my left eye, and I felt weight on top of me.

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Below is a compilation of statements and documents related to the child abuse incident on the March 12, 2011 episode of the show Willing Willie by Mr. Willie Revillame on TV5.

In the said episode, also posted on YouTube (now deleted) , a six-year-old boy named Mike (not his real name) was shown dancing “ala-macho dancer," much to the delight of the host and the studio audience. As seen in the video, however, the boy was clearly distressed and humiliated by the said experience as evidenced by his crying while supposedly “entertaining” Mr. Revillame and his audience.

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Last July 8, 2011, I met with the representatives of Unilever Philippines to discuss what they have done and what they plan to do in the coming weeks with regards to protecting the rights of children (and women) as contestants and viewers of live game shows on Philippine TV. The points discussed during this meeting is summarized in their recent statement. (Click here to read their statement.)

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with this story, allow me to share some of the highlights:
(Note: A complete timeline can be found on this GMA News piece.) 

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This incident happened four years ago, July 2, 2007.  I am re-posting this to remind myself, and again share with everyone, the lesson that I have learned from this experience. 

***********************

I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it was all happening. The fellow behind me told me to go up the stairs. When I reached the second floor, the other guy pulled out something from his pocket and pointed it at my face. A gun.

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Two days ago, I wrote Globe and asked them three things:

1. Is Globe ready to commit that it will not advertise on Wil Time Big Time, at least until the KBP has ruled on the issue and the criminal case filed against Mr. Willie Revillame has been decided by the courts? I mean, would you be willing to risk your company’s reputation into someone (and a show) who will eventually be found guilty of child abuse?

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