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Category: Foreign Affairs

Daniel Smith acquitted

Published by Ellen on April 23, 2009

‘Romantic episode,’ not rape, says CA

by Tetch Torres, Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Court of Appeals has acquitted an American marine of raping a Filipina, saying the soldier and his accuser shared a “spontaneous, unplanned romantic episode.”

In a 71-page decision, the appellate court said Lance Corporal Daniel Smith and the victim, identified in court only as Nicole, were both intoxicated after a night out and were “carried away by their passions.”

The court also said Nicole flirted with Smith and led him on with “reckless abandon” and that there was “no evidence” that she was forced into sex.

Continue readingDaniel Smith acquitted

‘What lures Arroyo to Dubai?’

Published by Ellen on April 15, 2009

Opposition says reasons for frequent visits ‘flimsy’
Malaya

WHY the frequent trips to Dubai?

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay yesterday said Dubai should be one of the last countries in President Arroyo’s Middle East travels if her aim, as Malacañang claims, is to secure jobs for Filipinos.

“Recruitment agencies are saying that there are no jobs available in Dubai, which has been one of the hardest hit by the financial crisis. But why insist on flying to Dubai at every opportunity?” said Binay, president of the United Opposition (UNO).

San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, chairman of UNO-National Capital Region, said Malacañang should come clean on reports of Arroyo’s “personal side trips” to attend to her personal finances.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde dismissed the reports.

Continue reading‘What lures Arroyo to Dubai?’

Pagwawaldas ng pera sa Dubai

Published by Ellen on April 13, 2009

Kunwari sa mga press release ng Malacanang ay inaasikaso ni Arroyo ang paghihirap ng mamayang Pilipino sa gitna ng krisis pang-ekonomiya kung saan libo-libong OFW ang nawawalan ng trabaho.

Pero sa totoo lang patuloy ang pagwaldas ng pera ng taumbayan sa sariling luho kasama na ng kanyang mga alagad.

Sumulat sa aking blog si Ares Gutierrez, isang Pilipinong manunulat na nagtatrabaho sa XPRESS sa Dubai, tungkol sa bisita ni Arroyo. Sabi ni Ares, inis na inis raw siya nang pinakilala ni Arroyo ang sangkaterba niyang kasama.

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RP files claim over Benham Rise with UN

Published by Ellen on April 12, 2009

by Tessa Jamandre
VERA Files

THE Philippines has filed before the United Nations a claim over Benham Rise, an extinct volcanic ridge off the east coast of Luzon, beating the May 13 deadline for states to submit claims over their extended continental shelves.

The Philippine delegation deposited the claim with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in New York on April 8, making clear it was only a “partial submission.”

This means that other submissions, including those over disputed territories, would be made later. The disputed Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), also known as the Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal are also said to be part of the country’s extended continental shelf and are believed to contain oil, natural gas, minerals and polymetals.

By filing the claim over Benham Rise, which is undisputed territory, the government has stopped the clock on the UN deadline and buys time to sort out border issues with its neighbors over the KIG and Scarborough.

Continue readingRP files claim over Benham Rise with UN

Why Arroyo frequents Dubai

Published by Ellen on April 12, 2009

Gloria Arroyo is becoming a frequent visitor of Dubai in recent months, especially since the financial crisis in the United States that hit hard her family’s favorite investment firms, Lehman Brothers and Merryl Lynch.

Serge Remonde’s spin is that Arroyo is on a two-day visit to Dubai to “ seek more job employment for the country’s expatriate workers.” What has become of her labor officials that taxpayers are subsidizing with billion of pesos in salaries and allowances?

After fleeing Thailand’s protesters, Malacañang said Arroyo went to Dubai accompanied by “ Press Secretary Serge Remonde, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, among other Cabinet members, and some congressmen.”

Continue readingWhy Arroyo frequents Dubai

ASEAN summit aborted

Published by Ellen on April 12, 2009

Protesters storm Thai hotel; Arroyo, leaders flee
Philippine Daily Inquirer

PATTAYA, THAILAND – Helicopters evacuated foreign leaders out of this beach resort city after anti-government protests forced the Thai government to postpone the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders Summit.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo boarded a civilian helicopter which landed on the roof of the luxury Royal Cliff Grand Hotel, where the meeting was being held, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said by telephone from Pattaya.

“She’s very safe, and very OK,” said Remonde, adding that Ms Arroyo and the other leaders were never in any danger. “The protesters were not rowdy,” he said.

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Coming full circle in one year

Published by Ellen on April 5, 2009


VERA Files started with Spratlys, baseline and extended continental shelf. One year after, it’s again Spratlys, baseline and extended continental shelf.

On March 25 last year VERA Files came out with a two-part special report on the government’s scrambling to meet the deadline set by the United Nations for the submission of the Philippine claim of its extended continental shelf, the underwater extension of the land.

The deadline set by the Convention of the Law of the Sea, which the Philippines ratified 24 years ago, for coastal states to declare their extended continental shelf is May 13, 2009.

Continue readingComing full circle in one year