France's 2020 budget cuts taxes in bid to placate 'yellow vests'

PARIS - France's government unveiled a draft 2020 budget on Thursday with more than nine billion euros in tax cuts for households as it hopes to move on from on from roiling "yellow vest" protests while still cutting the deficit to within EU limits.

The "social crisis" brought on by the protests, as well as a slowdown in global economic growth, "led us to make decisions that encourage investment and consumption", Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said as he unveiled the draft 2020 budget.

The draft budget, which will be officially presented to the cabinet on Friday, will cut taxes for households by 9.3 billion euros ($10 billion) and businesses by more than one billion euros.

That includes five billion euros in tax cuts for some 12 million households already promised by President Emmanuel Macron, the result of a "great national debate" he held to try to address the ongoing protests.

Macron, who swept to the presidency in 2017 with a pledge to get the country back on a solid financial footing, was caught short by the "yellow vest" movement which accused the former investment banker of ignoring the day-to-day struggles of many French.

After months of street protests that often spiraled into rioting and battles with police, Macron unveiled tax cuts, wage increases and other measures for low-income households.

The measures are expected to push this year's deficit to 3.1 percent of gross domestic product, making France the only eurozone member to exceed the bloc's three percent limit -- even as countries like Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal are likely to post surpluses.

The government forecast next year's deficit ratio falling to 2.2 percent, still short of the previous goal of two percent.

And France's debt mountain will barely budge next year from 98.7 percent of GDP -- far above the 60 percent or less demanded of eurozone members.

The money for the yellow vests -- who are also demanding improved public services -- also makes it unlikely Macron will honour his campaign pledge of balancing the government's books in 2022.

"The government abandoned its strategy of reducing France's structural deficit in the aftermath of the yellow vests," Charles de Courson, an independent lawmaker respected on both the right and left for his public finance acumen, told AFP.

Nevertheless, the fiscal relief has helped sustain French growth, expected to reach 1.4 percent this year even as EU economic powerhouse Germany risks falling into recession. However the government revised its growth forecast for next year down to 1.3 percent.

GERMANY URGED TO INVEST

Le Maire called on Germany to invest to prevent the flagging eurozone economy from getting worse.

"Germany must invest and invest now, the sooner the better," he said.

"Do not wait for the economic situation to worsen to make the necessary decisions."

He also defended European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, who has come under heavy criticism in some circles, including Germany, for unleashing a huge stimulus package aimed at propping up the eurozone economy.

"We support the courageous decision made by the ECB and its president," he said.

Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin said this week that the creation of a pay-as-you-go income tax system, which did away with self-reporting months after the fiscal year-end, had brought a 2-billion-euro windfall to state coffers.

The government has already indicated that defense and security spending will increase next year, offset by cuts at the finance and budget ministries, and reduced funds for local authorities.

Yet Macron has abandoned his pledge of slashing 50,000 central government jobs during his five-year term, saying that only 10,500 would be now be cut.

"France has chosen the right economic policies, even if it was forced to do so" because of the yellow vest revolt, said Philippe Waechter, chief economist at Ostrum Asset Management in Paris.

"We have a European economy that's slowing quite rapidly, and you're not going to reverse this by cutting back even more," he told AFP.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Double trouble: Venezuelans and their two 'presidents'

CARACAS - Anibal Garcia chooses to make light of a situation which has left him and many other residents of Caracas unsure as to who is in charge of Venezuela.

"Brilliant! We have 2 of everything in this country: 2 parliaments, 2 presidents," says the street vendor, 63.

Prolonged economic crisis has now been joined by high-stakes political turmoil in the country whose official president is Nicolas Maduro, but where National Assembly chief Juan Guaido on Wednesday proclaimed himself in charge, on an acting basis. Guaido pledged to install a transitional government and hold free elections.

"I think we deserve a prize, don't we? The Guinness records!" Garcia says, counting the money he made during the day -- a rarity since cash has become almost impossible to find in an economy where inflation is forecast by the International Monetary Fund to hit 10 million percent this year.

The rivalry at the country's top is reflected at the legislative level.

The National Assembly is the sole institution controlled by the opposition, but the official regime has stripped it of its power since 2017, in favor of a Constituent Assembly made up of regime loyalists.

The doubling-up doesn't stop there, either.

Venezuela is home to a supreme court and an attorney general on the side of Maduro, but their equivalents are based in exile overseas, supported by the opposition.

On Wednesday Guaido said he would "formally assume national executive powers" to end the "usurpation" of power.

"Maduro is supposed to be president but he is not really liked by the Venezuelan people," Garcia said.

"My candidate is Guaido, whether or not that pleases certain people."

'WHO IS THE REAL ONE?'

In Chacaito district, residents have a lot to worry about in an economically-collapsed nation with hyper-inflation and shortages of food and medicines.

"It's madness," says one.

"Oh, that someone should come to free us," says another, while a third vows he won't accept "an unknown" as head of the country.

Each passerby has a different reply when asked who is president of Venezuela.

"Apparently there are 2: Maduro and Guaido, but who is the real one, nobody knows. Legally, it's Maduro but internationally it's Guaido," says Antonio Vera, 30, a computer scientist.

The United States, Canada and major South American governments have already recognized Guaido, and on Saturday the European Union and several of its member states said they, too, would endorse Guiado unless Maduro, in power since 2013, calls new elections within eight days.

Vera, shrugging his shoulders, says he prefers not to talk about the subject, "which we will settle among ourselves."

Guaido, 35, says he is acting according to the Constitution, after Maduro was sworn in on January 10 for a second mandate following an election dismissed by the US, EU and UN as a sham.

Maduro has accused Washington -- the first to recognize Guaido as president -- of being behind an attempted coup.

China, Russia, Cuba and Bolivia continue to back Maduro.

STILL JOKING

"Nicolas is the president of Venezuela but the country is doing so badly. It is in such a bad state, so sad," laments Maria Aurora Fuentes, 70, who thinks "it's not good" what Guaido did.

"It's because of that that everything isn't going well, because of others who don't want (Maduro). They have attacked him since he began his term," she says.

Yosmar Landaeta, 39, a nurse, is of the same opinion.

"Each has his version of the facts, but it's still Maduro" who is president, she said.

Jose Rodriguez, on the other hand, does not hesitate when asked who is in charge: Juan Guaido, says the musician, 22.

"He's the only one who did things according to the Constitution, who has not misled the people," Rodriguez said.

Some even have trouble remembering the name of the relatively young leader of the National Assembly, Guaido, who had been largely unknown to the public, but they still support him.

The president is the "gentleman who just launched himself, the one who they say proclaimed himself. I think we are going to give him a chance," said Thais Jiminez, 46, a hotel cleaner.

In the middle of this confusion, Venezuelans have not lost their sense of humor.

As the satirical website Chiguire Bipolar asked this week: "If I want to make fun of the president, which one do I choose?"

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Saudi king replaces top commanders in military shake-up

RIYADH - Saudi King Salman on Monday replaced top military commanders including the chief of staff, state media said, in a major shake-up of the kingdom's defense establishment.

The monarch replaced the heads of the ground forces and air defences, as well as civilian officials including several deputy ministers, in a series of late-night royal decrees.

No official reason was given for the sweeping overhaul, but it comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues military reform and a bloody campaign against Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels nears the end of its third year.

"Termination of the services of General Abdul Rahman bin Saleh al-Bunyan, Chief of Staff," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced, adding that Fayyad al-Ruwaili had been appointed as his replacement.

Al-Bunyan was retired after he inaugurated an arms exhibition this week in Riyadh by the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the state-owned defense company, which has drawn several global defense firms.

"A military transformation is underway in Saudi Arabia," Theodore Karasik, a senior advisor at the consultancy Gulf States Analytics, told AFP.

"The changes come on the heels of the SAMI exhibition, which is a critical part of the Prince Mohammed's reform plan to create an indigenous defence program," he added, 

Crown Prince Mohammed, the son of the monarch and heir to the throne, is the country's defense minister and has been consolidating his grip on power in recent months while pushing major economic and social reforms.

The young prince has pursued an assertive regional policy, including leading a military intervention in neighboring Yemen since 2015 that is seen as a proxy war with arch-rival Iran.

The Yemen conflict has led to what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. 

More than 9,200 people have been killed in the conflict and another nearly 2,200 Yemenis have died of cholera, according to the World Health Organization.

King Salman also decreed a series of civilian appointments that saw younger officials being elevated to key positions as deputy ministers, deputy provincial governors and royal court advisers.

Tamadar bint Yousef al-Ramah was appointed the deputy minister of labour and social development, a rare senior government post for a woman in the conservative kingdom.

Prince Turki bin Talal, the brother of billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, was appointed deputy governor of the southern Assir Province.

Prince Al-Waleed, dubbed the Warren Buffett of Saudi Arabia, was among princes, ministers and tycoons detained in Riyadh's luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel in an unprecedented crackdown on what the government calls elite corruption.

The Ritz-Carlton reopened for business on February 11, more than 3 months after becoming a gilded prison for Saudi elites.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

US government in shutdown as midnight deadline passes

WASHINGTON - The United States government officially shut down on Saturday, the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, after lawmakers failed to agree on a stop-gap spending deal.

Senators were still negotiating on the Senate floor as the clock turned midnight, but Trump's office issued a statement blaming opposition Democrats for the crisis.

Spokesperson Sarah Sanders said the Democrats' insistence that the interim measure include protection for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children killed the deal.

"Senate Democrats own the Schumer Shutdown," she declared, referring to the minority leader, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who met with Trump earlier Friday.

"Tonight, they put politics above our national security, military families, vulnerable children, and our country's ability to serve all Americans.

"We will not negotiate the status of unlawful immigrants while Democrats hold our lawful citizens hostage over their reckless demands," she warned.

US federal services and military operations deemed essential will continue, but thousands of government workers will be sent home without pay until the crisis is resolved.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

INC ends protest after 'win-win solution'

Iglesia sorry for traffic jams but stands ground

MANILA - The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is moving on after ending their nearly 5-day protest in Metro Manila. 

They begin with an apology to the public inconvenienced by the massive traffic jams caused by their protest.

INC Minister Adriel Meimban told ABS-CBN News that the decision to end the protest came about because of a "win-win solution" between government and the INC.

Meimban said the INC did nothing illegal and was merely imposing disciplinary measures on erring members.INC members started their protests with a call for government to respect the separation of church and state following the filing of an illegal detention charge against 8 members of the INC's highest governing body, the Sanggunian.

"Wala po sila mismo po. Balikan natin ang footage. Inamin mismo na walang abduction, walang pagdukot sa mga ministro. Iyung napabalitang na-abduct, lumitaw na misinformation... disinformation ng mga natiwalag. Fabrication, alegasyon at kung ano ano pa, kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa pamahalaan, sa wakas, after 4 days, nagkaroon ng win-win solution," Meimban said.

"Itinawalag ang ilan batay po sa Bibliya, [itinawalag] ang mga 'di sumusunod sa mga ipinatutupad sa loob ng Iglesia. May mga patakaran at aral ng Diyos, lalo na Doktrina Numero 21. Ang pagsunod, pagtalima, pagpasakop sa pamamahala...that the authority of the executive minister should be recognized. Hindi po ito sinunod ng mga natiwalag. It is an internal affair... 'di dapat pakialaman ng estado.

"Pagkat internal ang pagdidisplina ng mga hindi sumusunod, sa mga lumalaban, sa nagtataksil sa mga doktrina at sinusuway ang kalooban ng Diyos na ipinatutupad ng pamahala. There was no other recourse for the church administration but to impose discipline. Nasa Bibliya rin kasi, usapin ng magkakapatid, dapat pag-usapan sa loob, pero anong ginawa. They went to social media, inilabas sa YouTube... nagkasanga-sanga na po iyan, iyan ang nangyari."Meimban, however, did not talk about the details of their negotiations with government.

"Iyan po tungkol sa usapang negosasyon, 'di po namin alam iyon. Ang mahalaga sa amin, anong nahayag. Tanong niyo kanina, will we be the same? It will be more intensive. Nakita niyo ang pagkilos ng Iglesia from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. Nagkakaisa nang tawagan ng pamamahala ng kapatid Eduardo Manalo. Ang mga kapatid, tumugon sila sa puso't isip. Tama ang pasya at pasya ay nakabatay sa banal na aklat sa Bibliya."

CASE NOT CLOSED

Asked how he can explain why they decided to end their protests and if they got what they wanted, Meimban said, "Dapat masunod ang kalooban ng Diyos. Anong dapat mangyari dito, dapat una, separation of church and state, manatili iyan at igalang, respetuhin."

Pressed further if the INC got that, Meimban said, "Well, we're on that path. 'Di pa tapos ang kaso. Iyung inihain ng mga nagreklamo, they have to be addressed in the proper forum. Ang pamamaraan na ayon sa batas ay walang shortcut."

Meimban said the INC will abide by the law. "Oo siyempre. Ang gobyerno ay sinusunod ng Iglesia, panahon pa ni kapatid Felix Manalo, 49 years. Panahon ni kapatid Erano Manalo, 46 years, and now for the last 5-6 years sa pamahala ni kapatid Eduardo Manalo, we continue to be good, law-abiding citizens. We pay taxes, we follow rules and ordinances."

He was clear about appealing for public understanding.

"Importante doon, iyung kalooban ng Diyos natupad. Naiparating namin sa pamahalaan ang hinaing ng taumbayan at nirespeto ng otoridad ang karapatan magtipon sa mapayapang pamamaraan. Win-win situation. Kami po (ay) humihingi rin ng dispensa sa mga natrapik, umuwi ng medyo alanganin pero makakaasa po kayo mga kababayan na hangga't ang Iglesia Ni Cristo gumagawa ng anuman, ito'y laging salig sa kalooban ng Diyos. Ang mga lugar ng pinagdemonstratean maayos na malinis na. Ganiyan po tumrabaho ang mga kapatid sa Iglesia," he said.

Meimban is confident the INC will thrive. "Kumpara natin noon at ngayon, lalo na siguro na-intensify ngayon ang pagsunod at pagtalima ng mga kapatid namin sa Iglesia."

He also defended their rights to freedom of assembly amid criticisms regarding public inconvenience.

"We tried to present [our case] to the government. We did it peacefully. Wala anuman po na naging kaguluhan, pati kalinisan, inayos po namin iyan. Pero yun pong traffic situation, normal naman po iyon," he said.

"May permit po ang Iglesia, hindi naman po lahat naiinis o totoo sa social media. Meron po hindi Iglesia, mababasa nyo po, ang Katoliko, Muslim na sabi igalang ang pagtitipong ito ng Iglesia... Dapat maintindihan, itong ginawa ng Iglesia 'di lang po bilang Iglesia Ni Cristo members [but it's also] our spiritual duty, our right as citizens."

BLOC VOTING

Meimban explained the obedience of the flock to their leadership. "Lahat po iyan ay batay sa aral ng Diyos, all Biblically sourced."

Asked about allegations that the government is forcing the INC into supporting administration candidates for the elections, Meimban said, "Iyan dapat prubahan ng Malakanyang. Ang sinumang nagsasabi, wala po kami. We're not privy to that."

Meimban, however, doesn't deny that politicians have generally sought INC support for a long time. "Ang totoo, they come to court the church in various ways. Everybody is welcome."

Asked about perceptions that the INC votes as a bloc during elections, Meimban said, "As a bloc, dapat ituwid. Nasa Bibliya, magkaisa. Ang bloc voting ay pagkakaisa. Bawa't isa natuto, naunawaan, 'di panatisismo, 'di dinidikta."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gov't to receive smaller grant from US MCC

MANILA – The Philippine government will receive a smaller grant from US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compared to the first compact, which amounted to $434 million worth of grants.

MCC-Philippines resident country director John Polk said the country’s second compact from the US government will prioritize projects engaged in efforts to reduce poverty.

Polk said providing a reduced amount of grant to nations that already have an existing compact with the US government is part of the MCC process.

Ma. Victoria Añonuevo, the managing director and chief executive at Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines, said the Department of Finance (DOF) will issue “call to paper” to implementing agencies early next year.

Añonuevo said the DOF has formed a task force that will draft a new proposal to MCC.

The DOF earlier announced the country’s eligibility in developing its second compact grant from the US.

“The Philippines’ eligibility adds to the virtuous cycle we began with good governance in our bid to promote inclusive, sustainable growth,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.

“We welcome how our development partners and the international community are positively responding to our hard work by empowering even more reforms to happen. Every recognition we earn from our partners is ammunition in the good fight we started last 2010,” he added.

The Philippines is currently in the latter stage of implementation of the first compact with MCC. The implementation is scheduled to be completed in May 2016.

The funds aim to support projects involving the rehabilitation of the Samar Road of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Kalahi-CIDSS community-driven development projects, and revenue reform and anti-corruption efforts of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Revenue Integrity Protection Service.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PH seeks custody of US Marine charged with murder

The Philippine government sought formal custody Tuesday of a US Marine charged with murder over the death of a Filipino transgender woman after a court ordered his arrest.

In a case that has fanned anti-American feelings and tested close military ties, Joseph Pemberton was charged Monday with murdering a transgender woman who was found dead at a cheap hotel in the northern port city of Olongapo in October.

A lower court in Olongapo ordered the defendant's arrest Tuesday and ruled he will not be entitled to post bail, court officials said.

"We welcome the progress made so far on the case, and as we stated earlier, we will now formally seek custody over the accused," foreign department spokesman Charles Jose said in a statement.

Pemberton has remained under official US custody even after he was transferred from a US warship off Olongapo to the Philippine military headquarters in Manila amid a public outcry.

Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old transgender woman also known as Jeffrey, was found dead on October 12 in a cheap hotel in a red light district of the port city of Olongapo.

Pemberton, 19 at the time, had just finished taking part in US-Philippine military exercises near Olongapo and checked into the hotel with Laude. He was the last person seen with her, police said.

Murder is punishable by up to 40 years in jail.

The US embassy issued a statement Tuesday on the murder charge against Pemberton, but made no mention of the court order for his arrest.

"In accordance with the US-Philippine Visiting Forces Agreement, the United States has a right to retain custody of a suspect from the commission of the alleged offence until the completion of all judicial proceedings," it said.

"The United States will continue to work closely with the Philippine government to help ensure justice is served and the rights of all persons are protected."

A US embassy spokeswoman did not immediately reply to requests for comment by AFP on the arrest order and the foreign department's request to seek custody of Pemberton.

Laude's death sparked street protests in the Philippines, a former US colony that gained independence in 1946 but has retained a close alliance.

The United States closed down two major military bases in 1992, but the allies in 1998 signed a Visiting Forces Agreement that allowed US troops to take part in war games on Philippine soil.

Military exercises involving thousands of US soldiers have since taken place each year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

84 children killed in Taliban attack on Pakistan school

PESHAWAR - At least 84 children were killed in Pakistan on Tuesday when Taliban gunmen stormed a military-run school in the city of Peshawar, taking hundreds of students and teachers hostage in the bloodiest insurgent attack in the country in years.

They were among the 126 people killed. with 122 others injured in the attack, a Pakistani provincial official said.

Troops surrounded the building and an operation was under way to rescue the remaining children, the army said. A Reuters journalist at the scene said he could hear heavy gunfire from inside the school.

Pervaiz Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province of which Peshawar is the capital, said 84 children had been killed.

"In CMH (Combined Military Hospital) there are around 60 and there are 24 dead in Lady Reading (hospital)," he told local television channels.

It was not immediately clear whether some or all of the children were killed by the gunmen or in the ensuing battle with Pakistani security forces trying to gain control of the building.

Outside, helicopters hovered overhead and ambulances ferried wounded children to hospital.

An unspecified number of children were still being held hostage in the school, a provincial official said, speaking some three hours after the attack began.

The Pakistani Taliban, who are fighting to topple the government and set up a strict Islamic state, have vowed to step up attacks in response to a major army operation against the insurgents in the tribal areas.

They have targeted security forces, checkpoints, military bases and airports, but attacks on civilian targets with no logistical significance are relatively rare.

In September, 2013, dozens of people, including many children, were killed in an attack on a church, also in Peshawar.

"WE WANT THEM TO FEEL THE PAIN"

The hardline Islamist movement immediately claimed responsibility.

"We selected the army's school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females," said Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani. "We want them to feel the pain."

The army said in a statement that many hostages had been evacuated but did not say how many.

"Rescue operation by troops underway. Exchange of fire continues. Bulk of student(s) and staff evacuated. Reports of some children and teachers killed by terrorist," the army said in a brief English-language statement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and said he was on his way to Peshawar.

"I can't stay back in Islamabad. This is a national tragedy unleashed by savages. These were my kids," he said in a statement.

"This is my loss. This is the nation's loss. I am leaving for Peshawar now and I will supervise this operation myself."

Military officials at the scene said at least six armed men had entered the military-run Army Public School. About 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside.

"We were standing outside the school and firing suddenly started and there was chaos everywhere and the screams of children and teachers," said Jamshed Khan, a school bus driver.

One student inside the school at the time of the attack told a private television channel: "We were in the examination hall when all of sudden firing started and our teachers told us to silently lay on the floor. We remained on the floor for an hour. There was a lot of gunfire.

"When the gunfire died down our soldiers came and guided us out."

Originally the Taliban said the attackers, including a number of suicide bombers, had been instructed not to target children and shoot only adults. (Additional reporting by Mehreen Zahra-Malik and Syed Raza Hassan in Islamabad and Saud Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan; Writing by Katharine Houreld and Maria Golovnina; Editing by Mike Collett-White)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Binay bought seaside property in Aurora: Mercado

MANILA - Aside from his property in Batangas, Vice President Jejomar Binay also bought seaside property in Dingalan, Aurora when he was still mayor of Makati, his former ally said Friday.

Speaking to Radio DZMM, former Makati vice-mayor Ernesto Mercado said he was instructed by Binay to purchase 7 hectares of land in Barangay Matawi in 1998-1999 after learning that there would be a port there.

He said Binay used to raise chickens there but stopped because the area was not ideal for that type of business.

"Ang manok hindi pwede sa tabi ng dagat," he said.

Mercado earlier told the Senate that Binay used to raise fighting cocks.

Binay also told journalist Raissa Robles in a 2010 interview that he used to raise chickens with breeds coming from Australia and the United States.

In a separate interview with ABS-CBNnews.com, Mercado said he and Binay bought the property for P800,000 per hectare or over P5 million.

"Wala pang titulo nuon, kami pa ang nagpatitulo noon. Nakapangalan sa mga taong naglakad," he said.

"Ang sabi niya: 'Pare, bili tayo para pang retirement.'"

Mercado said the titles for the property remained in his possession until he had a falling-out with the Binays before the 2010 elections.

Mercado ran for mayor of Makati against Binay's son in 2010 and lost.

After the election, he said Binay's daughter, Abigail, asked for the titles of the property in Dingalan.

He said he gave up the four titles to Binay's daughter to see if the vice president would honor his word that they would split ownership of the land.

"Para matesting kung parehas siya ng pakikituring sa akin, pinadala ko lahat ng titulo kahit ang usapan ay hati kami. Pero hindi na ako kumib, wala namang binalik sa akin. Hanggang nayong nasa kanila pa rin yung apat na titulo duon," he said.

He said he also received word that Binay's lawyer, Martin Subido, had visited Dingalan this year in an effort to transfer the titles.

"Hindi kasi nakapangalan sa kanila yung lupa pero sa mga taong nandun sa Dingalan. Hindi nila alam kung paano papipirmahin," he said.

Mercado said he is willing to divulge everything he knows about the Dingalan property if it is raised at the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearing.

The former vice-mayor earlier accused Binay of pocketing millions of pesos in kickbacks for various infrastructure projects in Makati including the P2.2 billion Makati City Hall Building II.

NO HOSPITALIZATION

In his radio DZMM interview, Mercado again denied the claims of Binay's spokesmen that he was confined at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay (UERM) Memorial Medical Center on Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City earlier this month.

The former vice-mayor said he has never been confined at the UERM and that he does not have a heart ailment.

"Sa harap nang buong media, payag akong magpa examine para malaman natin kung ako'y may sakit sa puso," he said.

Mercado said he stands by his earlier challenge that he would ask the Senate to strike out his testimony from the record if the Binay camp could show proof that he is lying about his hospitalization.

Binay spokesmen earlier said a certain Ernesto Mercado was confined at UERM last October 1 and October 4 based on medical records they obtained. They also claimed that Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas visited Mercado on those dates.

Mercado, however, said the Binay camp could simply ask for the CCTV footage at UERM during those dates to show if he was indeed confined there.

"Pag nagsisinungaling, madaling sabihin ang pangalang Ernesto Mercado. Patunayan muna nila na ako yung Ernesto Mercado na sinasabi nila," he said.

The former vice-mayor said he has always gone to Makati Medical Center to get blood work done.

He also said he is willing to be cross-examined by Binay if the vice-president decides to accept the invitation and attend the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon mother committee.

"Ako ay nakahandang mag face-to-face kay VP Binay. Hindi ko lang alam kung may question and answer. Payag din akong ma cross-examine sa lahat ng aking sinabi kung kailangan," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pro-gov't group threatens to surround HK protest sites

HONG KONG - A Hong Kong pro-government group said Saturday demonstrators occupying main roads to protest for full democracy would find themselves surrounded if the city's administration failed to clear the barricades.

The Blue Ribbon Movement said the authorities should dismantle three sites the protesters have closed to traffic by Tuesday night or they would encircle them, as the city's political deadlock enters its third week.

"If the HK government will not do that, we're planning to surround those people who occupy Mong Kok, Causeway Bay and Admiralty," Tsoi Hak-kin, vice chairman of the pro-government movement told AFP.

"Hong Kong people have suffered too much," Tsoi said, without giving further details of how or when the group would surround sites that have attracted tens of thousands in the past two weeks, far outnumbering the turnout of counter-protesters.

In August a network of pro-Beijing groups organised an anti-Occupy protest march that drew tens of thousands -- although there were allegations that some protesters were paid or bussed in from the mainland.

Crunch negotiations between protesters and Beijing-backed city officials were scheduled for Friday but fell apart Thursday after the government pulled out, blaming protesters for threatening to expand their campaign.

"The meeting and the dialogue should be based on the decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on August 31," chief secretary Carrie Lam told reporters in Guangzhou where she is attending a trade forum.

Lam's comment referred to a decision adopted by China's rubber stamp parliament that candidates would have to be preselected by a committee of fewer than 1,200 people dominated by Beijing loyalists in order to appear on the ballot paper.

More than 1,000 protesters and around 100 tents were seen in the Admiralty region of Hong Kong early Saturday night after 15,000 took part in a mass rally on Friday.

But tempers are fraying in the semi-autonomous territory, with shop owners losing lucrative business and commuters voicing irritation at their disrupted journeys to work.

- 'We treat this place as home' -

Pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong have made yellow ribbons a symbol of their movement, while opposing groups have distinguished themselves with blue ribbons, a nod to the blue colour of police officers' uniforms.

Under plans unveiled by China in August, Hong Kong's citizens will be able to vote for the chief executive in 2017, but only two-to-three vetted candidates will be allowed to stand -- something detractors have dismissed as a "fake democracy".

Yeung Hoi-ki, a 22-year-old university student, said she borrowed a tent from a friend and is planning to sleep on the roads of Admiralty, the main occupation site for the movement.

"In the past few days I couldn't see hope (for the movement). But suddenly Carrie Lam spoke (of collapsed talks) then more people came out," Yeung told AFP of protesters regrouping on Friday.

"Now we treat this place as home. We are staying in tents and we are as determined as ever," she said.

But in an apparent setback to the energetic student base of the movement, 17-year-old Agnes Chow of the group Scholarism said she was stepping down from her position as a spokesperson due to "heavy stress".

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Chris Christie keeps low profile as Dems attack

WASHINGTON - Moving cautiously to repair his image, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is maintaining a low profile this weekend as the nation's governors gather in Washington.

Republican officials have been eager to change the subject as Democrats link Christie's troubles to vulnerable GOP governors in a challenging election season.

The usually outspoken Christie is scheduled to attend just one public event over the three-day annual meeting. He avoided a media-sponsored forum on Friday, wasn't granting interviews, won't attend a White House dinner and was skipping a news conference hosted by the Republican Governors Association, an organization he heads.


Christie is leaving Washington early to celebrate his daughter's birthday and focus on an upcoming budget address, according to his office. Advisers privately acknowledge a larger effort to reduce media coverage of ongoing abuse-of-power investigations in New Jersey that threaten to derail his ambitious political future. When elected to his second term last fall, Christie was considered one of his party's strongest prospective presidential candidates.

"Governor Christie may be hiding under a bridge somewhere or stuck in traffic, but the fact that he's a liability for Republican governors remains readily apparent this weekend," said Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.

Scandal erupted in New Jersey six weeks ago when internal emails revealed that senior members of the Christie administration ordered traffic lanes closed near the George Washington Bridge, perhaps to punish a Democratic mayor. The closures created days of gridlock that ensnared commuters, schoolchildren and emergency responders.

Federal authorities are conducting a criminal investigation, while state lawmakers are pursuing their own civil probe. Christie has denied personal involvement, but five people close to him have been fired or have resigned.

Republican governors seemed keen on avoiding questions about Christie's leadership of the organization responsible for electing GOP governors. Republicans face a challenging political map going into the November midterm contests. They are defending 22 of the 36 governor seats up for election, including six in states that President Barack Obama carried twice.

Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who faces his first re-election this fall, said he appreciates Christie's support as chairman of the governors association but declined to say whether he wanted Christie to visit Michigan on his behalf.

"I have a good relationship with Governor Christie," Snyder said when asked whether he would campaign alongside Christie. "If he's probably coming it's probably in the context of fundraising."

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said that she and other governors are trying not to "get distracted by all this noise."

Next week Christie is scheduled to lead his second New Jersey town hall-style meeting in as many weeks. He is also set to maintain an aggressive national travel schedule in the coming months.

The Republican Governors Association already announced his plans to travel to Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut and Utah and the association's executive director, Phil Cox, said that's just the beginning.

"I know we've got 10 to 12 trips planned over the next two to three months," Cox said. "You're going to see Governor Christie and many of our governors out across the country campaigning for our candidates."

Of the New Jersey scandal, Cox said, "I don't see it as an issue."

Democrats are using Christie's struggles, along with the recent indictment of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, to undercut the message of Republican governors acting as change agents. Party officials also jumped on the disclosure this week of tens of thousands of emails that appeared to mix official and campaign business while Wisconsin's Scott Walker was serving as county executive and running for governor in 2010, a campaign he won.

"Especially as other Republican candidates and governors bring Christie in to campaign for them, we're going to continue to talk about how he got things done in New Jersey," said Michael Czin, spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.

source: newsday.com

Ukraine President agrees truce with opponents as West prepares sanctions

KIEV - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said late on Wednesday that he had agreed a "truce" with opposition leaders after 26 people were killed in street clashes, ahead of meetings with EU foreign ministers who are threatening to impose sanctions for the violence.

A statement on the Presidential website announced an agreement for "the start to negotiations with the aim of ending bloodshed, and stabilizing the situation in the state in the interests of social peace".

A tense stand-off between protesters and riot police continued on Thursday morning in Kiev, where the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Poland will later meet Yanukovich before returning to Brussels for a meeting of all 28 European Union foreign ministers to decide on targeted sanctions for Tuesday night's violence.

Yanukovich, backed by Russia, had denounced the bloodshed in central Kiev, where protesters have been dug in for almost three months since he spurned a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer Russian ties, as an attempted coup.

His security service said it had launched a nationwide "anti-terrorist operation" after arms and ammunition dumps were looted.

The violence, the worst since Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union 22 years ago, provoked a chorus of condemnation from Europe and the United States.

EU ambassadors discussed a series of possible steps including asset freezes and travel bans in talks on Wednesday.

"The European Union will respond to the deterioration on the ground, including via targeted measures," European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement, while holding out the possibility of trade and political agreement with Ukraine if it meets goals agreed with the EU.

In consultation with the EU, Washington is also considering the use of sanctions against those responsible for the violence, a senior U.S. official said.

YANUKOVICH EXCEPTED

While EU officials said they were considering targeted sanctions for the "unjustified use of excessive force by the Ukrainian authorities", they said Yanukovich himself would be excluded from such measures, in order to keep channels of dialogue open.

As well as asset freezes and visa bans, ministers will discuss measures to stop riot gear and other equipment being exported to Ukraine and could consider arms restrictions.

The United States, going head to head with Russia in a dispute heavy with echoes of the Cold War, had urged Yanukovich to pull back riot police, call a truce and talk to the opposition.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren warned the Ukrainian armed forces to stay out of the conflict, as "participation would have consequences in our defense relationship".

The sprawling nation of 46 million, with an ailing economy and endemic corruption, is the object of a tug-of-war at a global level between Moscow and the West. But the struggle was played out at close quarters, hand to hand, in fighting through Tuesday night on Kiev's Independence Square, or Maidan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed the West for encouraging opposition radicals "to act outside of the law".

Fires are still blazing along the barricaded frontline between the protesters and riot police, but there was no immediate sign of a repetition of Tuesday's violence.

Moscow had announced on Monday it would resume stalled aid to Kiev, pledging $2 billion just hours before the crackdown began. The money has not yet arrived, and a Ukrainian government source said it had been delayed till Friday "for technical reasons".

Ukraine's hryvnia currency, flirting with its lowest levels since the global crash five years ago, weakened to more than 9 to the dollar for the second time this month.

PRESSURE ON THE PRESIDENT

Yanukovich said he had refrained from using force during three months of unrest but was being pressed by "advisers" to take a harder line: "Without any mandate from the people, illegally and in breach of the constitution of Ukraine, these politicians - if I may use that term - have resorted to pogroms, arson and murder to try to seize power," he said.

He declared Thursday a day of mourning for the dead. The state security service said it had opened an investigation into illegal attempts by "individual politicians" to seize power.

One opposition leader, former world champion boxer Vitaly Klitschko, had walked out of talks with Yanukovich over Tuesday night, saying he could not negotiate while blood was being spilt.

Apparently with an eye to possible sanctions that might have consequence for big business interests, three of Ukraine's richest entrepreneurs have stepped up pressure on Yanukovich to hold back from use of force and make every effort to solve the crisis through negotiation with the opposition.

"There are no circumstances which justify the use of force towards the peaceful population," steel and coal magnate Rinat Akhmetov said in a statement issued late on Tuesday. Akhmetov, who partly bankrolled Yanukovich's election campaign in 2010 and whose wealth is put by Forbes at more than $15 billion, said: "People's deaths and injuries on the side of protesters and the security forces in street battles are an unacceptable price for political mistakes."

Viktor Pinchuk, another steel billionaire well known in the West for his philanthropic activity, said: "A peaceful solution must be found. It is imperative to refrain from the use of force and find a compromise … It is time for all sides to take courageous steps towards compromise."

Dmytro Firtash, a gas and chemicals magnate who is part owner of a popular TV channel Inter, in a statement on Wednesday also called for a political settlement to be found which avoided use of force. "We, through our joint actions, must end the bloodshed. We are against radical actions by whomever it might be."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Iraq forces free hostages as January toll tops 900

BAGHDAD - Iraqi forces killed four militants and ended a hostage crisis after attackers stormed a Baghdad government building Thursday, as nationwide violence took January's death toll past 900 with elections looming.

The brazen assault on a building in the northeast of the capital comes as security forces grapple with intensifying violence and an extended standoff with anti-government fighters in the western province of Anbar.

It is likely to raise fresh concerns about the capabilities of Iraq's security forces amid fears the April 30 polls could be partially delayed, as was the case for provincial elections in April 2013.

Six militants wearing suicide vests initially attempted to storm the building, which houses a transport ministry state-owned company, by blowing up a minibus rigged with explosives at the main gate, according to police at the scene.

When the explosion did not go off, one of the attackers blew himself up to clear the way for his fellow militants, followed by a second bomber who set off his vest at an inner gate.

The four remaining fighters then took hostages in the building for several hours before they were eventually killed by security forces, interior ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan said.

At least two people were killed in the attack overall, including a policeman, and eight others wounded, according to Maan.

A police colonel and an interior ministry official confirmed the account and the toll.

"At the time of the attack, the employees in the building behaved very wisely and shut all their doors," Maan told AFP. "They kept all the employees inside."

"The whole operation is now finished, everything is under control."

Security forces had sealed off the surrounding area, which is home to other government offices, including the headquarters of the transport ministry and a human rights ministry building.

Elsewhere in the Iraqi capital on Thursday, bombings near a market and a restaurant in the Shiite-majority neighbourhoods of Kasra and Talbiyah killed six people, officials said.

They struck hours after car bombs ripped through Baghdad Jadidah, Shuala and Talbiyah, which are predominantly Shiite, leaving nine people dead on Wednesday evening.

Attacks on Wednesday also hit the capital's outskirts, as well as the northern cities of Mosul and Tuz Khurmatu, killing seven others.

Toll three times higher

Violence has killed at least 911 people in Iraq this month, more than three times the toll for January 2013, according to an AFP tally based on reports from security and medical officials.

No group claimed responsibility for the ministry assault and the bombings, but Sunni militants affiliated with the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have mounted similar attacks in Baghdad.

Iraqi officials on Wednesday, meanwhile, published a rare photograph purportedly of ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the first of its kind released by an official source.

The black-and-white picture, which provides a rare glimpse of the man leading a militant group blamed for killing countless Iraqis, shows a balding man with a beard wearing a suit and tie.

The latest bloodletting comes as security forces are locked in battles with militants, including those affiliated with ISIL, in Anbar, a mostly-Sunni desert region west of Baghdad that shares a border with Syria.

It is the first time militants have exercised such open control in Iraqi cities since the peak of violence that followed the 2003 US-led invasion.

Security forces have been locked in battles in Ramadi, where militants hold several neighbourhoods, and have carried out operations in rural areas of Anbar province.

Anti-government fighters also hold all of Fallujah, on Baghdad's doorstep.

ISIL has been involved, and witnesses and tribal leaders in Fallujah say the group has tightened its grip on the city, but other militant groups have also taken part in the battles.

The standoff has forced more than 140,000 people to flee their homes, the UN refugee agency said, describing it as the worst displacement in Iraq since sectarian conflict in 2006-2008.

Washington has provided Baghdad with weaponry to help it combat militants and also plans to sell Iraq 24 Apache attack helicopters, but diplomats and analysts say the Shiite-led government must do more to reach out to the disaffected Sunni community in order to undercut support for militancy.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

28 hurt in Bangkok blast

An explosive device wounded 28 anti-government protesters in the Thai capital on Friday and other violence was reported after several days of relative calm when the movement appeared to be running out of steam.

Police said the device was thrown at protesters marching with their leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, near Chulalongkorn University in the city centre and the estimate of the number of injured came from the Erawan Medical Center, which monitors Bangkok hospitals.

Protesters broke into a building under construction near MBK shopping mall in the capital, to search for those responsible for throwing the device.

One Bangkok resident said he saw someone he believed was responsible run into the construction site and called for police to help them search.

"The suspect was running up into the building and I shouted for security guards to capture that guy. I believe that he is still in the building," Pheeradej said.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible. None of those who sustained injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

The political unrest flared in November and escalated January 13 when the demonstrators led by former opposition politician Suthep brought parts of the capital to a standstill and forced many ministries to close.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Hackers deface Ombudsman, other gov't websites

The group calling itself “Anonymous Philippines” defaced on Sunday the websites of the Office of the Ombudsman and other government offices in what it called a preview of things to come.

Unnoticeable at first, the defacement can be seen on the press releases section of the website of the Ombudsman.




Other websites, meanwhile, showed the message on their welcome pages. These include: candoncity.gov.ph,
3rddistrictoflaguna.com, www.pasigcity.gov.ph, www.pateros.gov.ph, www.insurance.gov.ph/UserPictures/index.html, bansud.gov.ph, gloria.gov.ph, kalingaprovince.com, kalinga.tabuk.gov.ph, tabuk.gov.ph, vigancity.gov.ph

The message reads: “Greetings citizens of the Philippines. We are Anonymous. We apologize for this inconvenience, but this is the only easiest way we could convey our message to you, our dear brothers and sisters who are tired of this cruelty and this false democracy, tired of this government and the politicians who only think about themselves.”

The group further went on to say that a "revolution" is happening.

“On the fifth day of November, 2013, we will try to be a part of the history,” Anonymous Philippines said.

The group asked the public to join them, saying: “If you see what we see, if you feel as we feel, and if you would seek as we seek... then we ask you to stand beside us, this fifth of November outside the gates of Batasang Pambansa and let us march our way to freedom -- a freedom from the shackles of the Government.”

This is not the first time that the group announced the so-called “Million Mask March.” A week ago, Facebook accounts of several personalities were also defaced with the same message.

The group said it is part of a November 5 event happening worldwide.

“We are legion. On the 5th of November, Government - Hear and understand us, or EXPECT US!” the hackers said.
The message at the Ombudsman website also went on to say: “To the ‘incorrupt’ officials of the government, we are challenging you! Join us! The Corrupt - Fear us. The Honest - Support us. The Heroic - Join us.”

The so-called hacktivists have long been defacing government websites to put across warnings against corruption. They made their presence felt especially during the debates on the Cybercrime Prevention Law.

The group further went on to say: “We are Anonymous. We are ONE. The government, you are NONE.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Hillary Clinton hits campaign trail, endorses McAuliffe

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Hillary Clinton returned to the campaign trail on Saturday to endorse old friend Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race, urging voters to reject the "scorched earth" politics that led to the recent government shutdown.

At her first overtly political appearance since leaving her post as secretary of state in February, the former Democratic senator and first lady said the outcome of the bitter governor's battle would show whether voters were ready to choose common sense over ideology.

She received a hero's welcome from the packed crowd in a theater in Falls Church, a Washington suburb, during an appearance certain to heighten speculation about a possible 2016 presidential bid.

Clinton focused on praising McAuliffe, the former national Democratic party chairman and a longtime friend, as a strong leader who could rise above the divisive politics of the federal shutdown and debt ceiling fight.

While she never mentioned McAuliffe's Republican opponent, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a staunch anti-abortion and social conservative, Clinton said the Republican agenda was being driven by its most conservative members.

"When politicians choose scorched earth over common ground, when they operate in what I call the evidence-free zone with ideology trumping everything else, we see that families in Virginia and across the country have felt the consequences," Clinton said.

"The whole country is watching this election, watching to see whether the voters of Virginia lead the way of turning from divisive politics and getting back to common sense and common ground," she said.

McAuliffe, a close ally of Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and co-chairman of Hillary Clinton's failed 2008 presidential campaign, holds a solid lead over Cuccinelli in recent polls before the Nov. 5 election.

That lead has been fueled by a commanding double-digit advantage among women - an edge that Clinton's appearance at a 'Women for McAuliffe' rally in the politically moderate northern Virginia suburbs was designed to exploit.

The free tickets to the rally were snapped up quickly and the crowd of more than 700, many wearing "Ready for Hillary" buttons, began lining up hours before the event.

'A ROLE MODEL'

"It's been my dream to see Hillary," said Kerry Tousignant, a recent college graduate and a volunteer coordinator at a domestic violence non-profit in Alexandria, Virginia. "She's a role model for all women, no matter your politics."

Attorney Ali Anwar obtained the tickets for his wife, Tara McCluskey, whom he described as "a huge Hillary fan."

"Hillary has faced a lot of adversity, politically and personally, and she's handled it very well," McCluskey said. "She's a leader."

For his part, McAuliffe was happy to take a back seat and introduce the headliner, calling Clinton an "inspiration" and saying he was "proud to call her a friend."

Campaign aides for Cuccinelli, who has portrayed McAuliffe as an ethically challenged political huckster, called McAuliffe "the booking agent for the Lincoln Bedroom" during his days as a fundraiser for Bill Clinton.

"If there was any doubt that Terry McAuliffe would bring Washington D.C., big-government politics to Richmond, today is your proof," said Richard Cullen, the communications director for Cuccinelli.

Clinton has said she is not ready to start thinking about a possible White House bid in 2016. While she has appeared in public frequently since leaving the State Department, she had not hit the campaign trail for political rallies until Saturday.

She enthusiastically pitched in on McAuliffe's message of the day, holding up a card and encouraging supporters to fill it out to help the campaign turn out voters.

"I've been in a lot of elections," Clinton said, drawing cheers. "I know at the end of the day it all comes down to who takes the time to show up and vote."

She added, "Terry has always been there for me and I'm pleased to be here for him."

(Editing by Peter Cooney)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Million People March organizers want DAP scrapped

MANILA - Organizers of the Million People March in Makati City on Friday said they will renew their call to scrap all pork barrel funds including the controversial disbursement acceleration program (DAP) of the Department of Budget and Management.

Patricia Tan, spokesperson of the Scrap Pork Network, said the DAP is a form of pork barrel because of the discretionary power given to President Aquino and lawmakers over the fund.

"We consider that as pork. Kasama siya sa pork kasi isang definition of pork for us would be kailangan mo pa siyang ibigay sa legislators. Sinabi nga nila the P50 million for each senator came from DAP," she said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda.

Tan, however, said there is no proof that the DAP fund releases were used to bribe senators to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona during his impeachment trial.

"Mahirap kasi siya i-connect na eksaktong ganun yung nangyari. Sinasabi lang nila pero sa ngayon wala pa naman lumalabas na pruweba o witness. Sana kung may isang senador na sinasabi niya pinangakuan ako ng P50 million para bumoto ng convict siguro yun masasabi natin na na-impluwensiya. Pero kahit si Jinggoy sinasabi niya na tinanggap niya na nakatanggap ako ng pondo pero hindi nakaimpluwensiya ng boto ko," she said.

"Maybe if somebody comes out and says: 'Yes, I voted to convict because I was promised P50 million.' Nobody has said that," she added.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada first revealed the DAP after saying in a privilege speech that he got an additional P50 million in funds after he voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona in his Senate impeachment trial.

Estrada said the additional funds did not influence his vote in the Corona trial.

Budget Secretary Butch Abad earlier said the DAP was established to ramp up government spending after sluggish disbursements caused the country's GDP growth to slow down to just 3.6% in 2011.

He explained that aside from savings of agencies, the DAP is also comprised of unprogrammed funds due to revenues generated beyond the target such as GOCC (government-owned and controlled corporation) dividends, and budgets for slow-moving items or projects that have been realigned to support faster-disbursing projects.

Atty. Michelle Estor, a government employee, said participants in the anti-pork rally want to remove the discretionary powers of officials over public funds. She said it would be better to identify which projects would be funded by taxpayers' money before the funds are disbursed.

"What we want to remove is patronage politics, where people feel indebted because they were given money and projects," she said.

She said protesters will continue to call on government to scrap all kinds of pork barrel funds, punish those who pocketed the priority development assistance funds and make an accounting of how much pork has been spent.

The organizers also said they do not support calls for the ouster of President Aquino but said they cannot prevent people who have that agenda from joining the march.

"Hindi natin mapi-prevent 'yan. We have to be realistic na posibleng mangyari 'yan either a genuine push for that kind of call, which the Million People March does not share or may gustong manggulo," Estor said.

She said volunteer organizations joining the march have agreed that any call for Aquino's ouster will not be supported.

“Wala 'yan sa usapan. We will do everything in our power not to turn the rally into that situation. Linawin natin na walang call for PNoy to resign. Hindi 'yan ang panawagan ng Million People March. Ayaw naming magkaganun ang mangyayari mamaya,” she said.

She added that a change in leadership is not the solution to the problem about the pork barrel.

The Million People March will start at 3 p.m. at the Ayala corner Paseo de Roxas. A program will follow at 5 p.m., where several personalities including former National Treasurer Leonor Briones, Church leaders and Justice stakeholders will commit to “scrap pork.”

Performers include Lolita Carbon, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Jograd dela Torre, Darryl Shy and others.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PH econ managers unfazed by US govt shutdown

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine economic managers were unfazed by the US federal government's partial shutdown on Tuesday.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said it is "highly unfortunate for the rest of the world, as even countries like the Philippines are taken on a wild economic ride because of the political game of chicken in Washington."

"Fortunately for the Philippines, we enjoy a strong fiscal position, a structural current account surplus economy whose growth is led by consumption, and a young, educated population. This will allow the Philippines to ride out this situation better than other emerging markets - whose economic models are exports and extractives-based," he said.

However, the Finance chief expressed concern about the possibility of the US defaulting on its debt.

“What is more worrisome to the Philippines is if the US political stalemate cause America to default on its debt by failing to pass a measure on the debt ceiling. A US default, unimaginable for most of history yet now in the realm of the possible because of current political circumstances, can only lead to unprecedented chaos in the global financial markets," Purisima said.

At the same time, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the central bank will maintain a presence in the markets if the US government shutdown results in excessive volatility.

"We will continue to watch how the developments in the US will pan out. We will, as is our policy, maintain a presence in the markets if the domestic market reaction leads to excessive volatility," Tetangco said.

"The immediate impact would be on global and domestic financial market volatility, as investors may move away from risk assets to traditional safe haven assets," he added.

Tetangco said the Philippines' macroeconomic fundamentals would cushion any effects from market volatility.

"The domestic economy has sources of resilience owing to the buffers we have built," he said.

The U.S. government began a partial shutdown on Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, potentially putting up to 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects.

Federal agencies were directed to cut back services after lawmakers could not break a political stalemate that sparked new questions about the ability of a deeply divided Congress to perform its most basic functions.

After House Republicans floated a late offer to break the logjam, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected the idea, saying Democrats would not enter into formal negotiations on spending "with a gun to our head" in the form of government shutdowns. - With Reuters

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fil-Ams mark Martial Law anniversary with protests

LOS ANGELES - Forty-one years ago, martial law was implemented in the Philippines. The human rights violations eventually sparked a revolution.

But while it had since been abolished, Filipinos are still fighting to end corruption, holding a vigil to call for an end to the pork barrel system.

While the numbers have dwindled since the last anti-pork protest, even non-Filipinos are joining the fight against corruption.

"This issue itself very much relates to issues we face here in the United States -- the example of public funds money that should be going to the people, being stolen and summed up to these very corrupt politicians," Mike Prysner of the Answer Coalition said.

Last week, 38 people including 3 senators were charged with plunder, the misuse of public funds.

Activists are expecting more lawmakers to also face raps.

"We are making progress because the plunder charges has been filed. But we are following (the issue) and our demand is still President Aquino should finish this job within 100 days because if not it will just be like Maguindanao massacre case," said Arturo Garcia
US Action Against Pork Barrel

In the meantime, Fil-Am activists commemorated martial law with recently returned missionaries.

They said they got a first hand look at the effects of the pork barrel scam, as they visited impoverished communities in Mindanao.

"It was obvious when the money was not getting to the people who need it especially the indigenous tribes," Pastor Frank Wulf of Panaghiusa said.

"To know that if the funding was going to social services to the people instead of to these scams being wasted through the pork barrel, they would have what they need," Theresa Jaranilla of Bayan USA said.

The annual Panaghiusa International Solidarity Mission brought over 30 people from around the world to the Philippines, focusing on educational, livelihood and medical needs.

Basic necessities that they believe the government should be funding.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Netizens want gov't to find 'pork scam' respondents

MANILA— Six respondents who are allegedly involved in the "pork barrel scam" have left the country. Netizens weigh whether or not the government should find them.

According to reports, former Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Galido Plaza left the country on September 11.

A former staff member of Senators Enrile, Estrada and Ruby Chan Tuason also left the country last August 26.

Enrile’s chief of staff, Jessica "Gigi" Reyes left last August 31, bound for Macau.

A staff of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Richard Came, also left the country last May.

Former executive Dennis Cunanan of the Technology Resource Center (TRC) and head of theCountrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation Inc. Mylene Encarnacion, are also no longer in the Philippines.

Thirty-five out of 38 respondents who were charged in the pork barrel scam are on the lookout bulletin, therefore, their travels should be coordinated with the Department of Justice.

In line with this issue, TV Patrol asked the question last Friday, “Tiwala ka bang mahahabol ng gobyerno ang mga nadadawit sa pork barrel scam na nakaalis na ng bansa?”

On Facebook some people agreed, while some people said they do not believe that justice will not prevail in this type of situation.

Litz B. Alico said, “Naniniwala akong maibalik sila pero mahabang panahon pa bago sila maibalik sa pinas. Dapat silang tugisin at hanapin dahil sila’y nagnanakaw sa kaban bayan! Tuonan sana ng pansin ng ating gobyerno para sila’y maibalik at mabigyan ng parusa! Sana mabuwag na yang pork barrel.”

Joan Magno Kostakis said, “Malabo na, kahit man matagpuan sila sa ibang bansa babayaran na lang nila yun mga naghahanap sa kanila. Sagad sa buto yun at kakapalan ng mga mukha ng mga yan. Mga makasarili kala nila madadala nila yun mga perang NINANAKAW nila sa hukay. Pera pera labanan nila sa dami nilang nanakaw tyak di makukulong yan mga walang kaluluwa na yan.”

Lorena Viana agreed and said, “Oo nman dahil hindi naman kurakot at may tiwala ako sa Gobyerno ngayon kesa sa dati.”

Ruben C. Saarenas said, “Mahahabol nila yung mga sangkot sa pork barrel. Kaso hindi na nila makukuha pa ang mga pera na nakuha ng akusado.”

EvhiieLyn Villafuerte said, “Sa tingin ko ay malabo na silang mahabol. Nung nasa bansa pa nga natin sila hindi na nagawang habulin ngaun pa kayang nasa ibang bansa na sila.”

On Twitter, netizens had less hope that the respondents who left the Philippines would be found.

Jason L. ‏(@bacchus2482) said “Hindi. Hindi na bago sa atin ang anomalya. Taon taon meron, saglit lang natin kinokondena ang mga sangkot, hahabulin pa?”

Vonn Liwag ‏(@Liwagerz20) shared the same sentiment as Jason and said “Hindi na, sa liit nga ng pilipinas kung hindi pa susuko si napoles hindi pa makikita, yung nasa ibang bansa pa kaya?”

Kathleen Ynzon ‏(@kathleenynzon20) also said “NO! Hindi nga mahuli yong nasa Pilipinas lang, paano pa yong nasa ibang bansa na mas mayaman at maimpluwensya?”

Marilousyj ‏(@assiprofm20) agreed and said “Mahirap habulin yon. Pero siguraduhin na lang na yung mga prominenteng kawatan ang maparusahan at magsilbing leksyon.”

Lawrence Vida ♫ (‏@Lawrencium0320) commented “Hindi na mahahabol yan! Lalo na kung pati ang gobyerno kasabwat!”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com