By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 11/19/2009 5:22 PM
Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and the National Democratic Front on Wednesday urged the Philippine government to restart peace talks with communist rebels in the country before the May 2010 elections.
Madrigal and members of the NDF negotiating panel headed by chairman Luis Jalandoni signed a statement urging the government to undertake steps to resume peace talks with the communist movement.
The NDF is the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, which has been waging a Maoist rebellion in the Southeast Asian nation for the past 40 years.
Both sides underlined the urgency of starting peace negotiations on social and economic reforms to address the roots of the 40-year-old armed conflict and find practical solutions to the problems of widespread poverty and hunger.
"The GRP-NDFP peace talks must also address the worsening human rights situation in the country, characterized by gross and systematic human rights violations by the regime's military, police and paramilitary forces," the statement read.
The statement was signed by Madrigal, Jalandoni and NDFP chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison. Also present during the signing were NDF panelists Fidel Agcaoili, Julieta de Lima and Coni Ledesma.
Madrigal, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, met with the NDF panel in Utrecht, The Netherlands on November 16-17. In an interview, she said she found the NDF panel ready and willing to resume peace talks.
"The NDF is willing to talk. I doubt if the GRP side has the goodwill, the desire to start peace negotiations. As a Filipino, I will push my government to restart the talks because every day that it is delayed more people die. I hope that there will be peace and not wait for the elections," she said.
She said the resumption of peace negotiations could be President Arroyo's legacy before she steps down in 2010. "Even if there is no signing, it should start before the end of her term," she said.
Sison said it is up to the Philippine government to make the move towards a resumption of the peace negotiation.
“Laging handa ang NDF na makipagusap muli ng formal sa GRP or Manila government. Ang may pananagutan sa mahabang panahon na walang pag-uusap eh GRP. Sila ang gumawa ng pagsuspinde…sila ang mailap. Di lang mailap, sila yung gumagawa ng pambabara, “ Sison said.
Both sides also opposed the appointment of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales as secretary of national defense, whom they said may sabotage the talks. They noted that Gonzales is one of the chief implementors of Oplan Bantay Laya, a government operation bent on killing and persecuting members of legal organizations such as Bayan Muna and Anakpawis.
Madrigal said Gonzales is a militarist who believes in arms. On the other hand, Sison said human rights violations could only worsen under Gonzales and may even lead to the failure of elections.
“Gagawa ng milagro laban sa sovereign will ng masang Pilipino. May mga nagsasabi na baka ito signo ng pagpapanatilii ni GMA sa kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng failure of elections at pagpanimula o paggamit sa AFP sa ilalim nitong Norberto Gonzales,” Sison said.
as of 11/19/2009 5:22 PM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/19/09/ndf-wants-peace-talks-2010-polls
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Jamby on Loren: She changes like the climate
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 11/18/2009 12:39 PM
Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal likens fellow senator Loren Legarda to climate change, the latter's favorite advocacy of late.
In an exclusive interview, an irritated Madrigal said Legarda's decision to become Sen. Manuel Villar’s running mate after pushing for a Senate ethics investigation against the latter smacks of political opportunism.
Madrigal, who initiated the ethics probe against Villar over the alleged double insertion in the C-5 road project, said Legarda has a history of shifting allegiances.
"Well, she has a history. She used to be with Lakas, which is how she became senator. Then, when she thought that [actor] Fernando Poe Jr. would win [in the 2004 elections], she abandoned Lakas and joined FPJ. But then she and FPJ lost. She became an oppositionist because being pro-Gloria wasn't very popular. She was given an opportunity but now she's siding with Villar," she said.
“So mahal mo ba sarili mo o mahal mo ba ang taong bayan? Siya ang chairman ng oversight committee ng climate change. I know now why she loves climate change. She will always change to the climate that is favorable to her,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal said Legarda lacks conviction, which is why she finds it easy to shift alliances.
"Ako’y naaawa sa bayan. Sabi niya she will pray for me. I am also praying for her because I pity her na bawat ihip ng hangin tatalon na lang siya o sasampa siya,” she said.
On Tuesday Legarda said she had accepted Villar's invitation to become a guest vice-presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party for the 2010 elections.
Legarda said she and Villar had numerous discussions about the campaign and found that they had similar advocacies and platforms. She also denied that she was taking back her fiercest criticisms of Villar at the height of the Senate ethics investigation.
"Lilinawin ko, wala akong tinatalikurang salita. Ang aking pagtulak ng anumang.. imbestigasyon ay ukol na rin sa proseso sa Senado at sa ating bansa. Demokrasya yan eh. Pag merong magsulong ng isang resolusyon ay tatayo ay susuporta sa proseso . Nobody is above the law, kung ako, si Senator Villar o sino man," she told reporters.
In a separate ABS-CBN interview, Legarda took issue with Madrigal's statement that joining Villar was a form of "political prostitution."
"Ang pag-aalyansa ng mga partido politikal at ayon sa plataporma ay hindi pagbibili ng boto o pagbibili ng katauhan ng tao. Walang pera sa pinag-uusapan. Ito'y alyansa ng plataporma ayon sa aming mga adbokasya," she said in an "Umagang Kay Ganda" interview.
She added that she would pray for Madrigal.
No surprise
Madrigal, who was in The Netherlands when the Villar-Legarda tandem was formally announced, said she wasn’t the least bit surprised by the team-up.
She said she and her fellow senators have long suspected that Legarda would go to Villar despite leveling harsh words against the senator at the start of the ethics investigation.
"[Legarda] hasn't been very visible lately maybe because she's busy negotiating or campaigning. But we in the majority know na talagang galit na galit siya kay Villar. Marami pa siyang unsavory names na sinasabi sa kanya,” Madrigal said.
She said Legarda even chided her and Sen. Panfilo Lacson that they might switch sides and not push through with the ethics investigation.
The senator said she does not see Legarda's decision as a personal affront but a betrayal of her fellow senators.
"She betrayed the institution of the Senate at nataksil din niya mga taong bayan na umaasa sa kanya na isang taong me prinsipyo,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal also leveled harsh words against her fellow senators who are allegedly seeking the dismissal of the ethics case against Villar.
She said the resolution sought to pre-judge the case against Villar especially since the Senate Committee of the Whole had yet to issue a final report on the case.
"Sasabihin ko na… nakakasuka. (It makes me vomit.) Parang sasabihan mo isang judge na maraming ayaw nito. Parang suhol ito. This is like bribery. Bago pa lumabas ang ebidensiya hahatulan mo na,” Madrigal said.
Villar, meanwhile, denied paying any money to the senators who signed the resolution clearing his name.
"Jamby thinks that everything I've accomplished is because of money. Maybe it's because that is her life. I worked hard for my money. I don't know where Senator Jamby got the idea but none of the senators who signed got a single peso from me. It's called pakikisama," he said.
No stopping presidential bid
Madrigal, meanwhile, said that unlike Legarda, her ambition to run for president in 2010 is fueled by a genuine love for country and the Filipino people.
She added that she wanted to give Filipinos another choice even if she doesn't win the election.
"If I love myself and only my career and ambition then I will not run because I'm a sure winner in the Senate. Yung pagmamahal sa bayan at sa taong bayan. Na mabigyan naman sila ng alternatibong plataporma, isusugal ko ang lahat para sa taong bayan,” she said.
as of 11/18/2009 12:41 PM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3527450582355285238
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/18/09/jamby-loren-she-changes-climate
Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal likens fellow senator Loren Legarda to climate change, the latter's favorite advocacy of late.
In an exclusive interview, an irritated Madrigal said Legarda's decision to become Sen. Manuel Villar’s running mate after pushing for a Senate ethics investigation against the latter smacks of political opportunism.
Madrigal, who initiated the ethics probe against Villar over the alleged double insertion in the C-5 road project, said Legarda has a history of shifting allegiances.
"Well, she has a history. She used to be with Lakas, which is how she became senator. Then, when she thought that [actor] Fernando Poe Jr. would win [in the 2004 elections], she abandoned Lakas and joined FPJ. But then she and FPJ lost. She became an oppositionist because being pro-Gloria wasn't very popular. She was given an opportunity but now she's siding with Villar," she said.
“So mahal mo ba sarili mo o mahal mo ba ang taong bayan? Siya ang chairman ng oversight committee ng climate change. I know now why she loves climate change. She will always change to the climate that is favorable to her,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal said Legarda lacks conviction, which is why she finds it easy to shift alliances.
"Ako’y naaawa sa bayan. Sabi niya she will pray for me. I am also praying for her because I pity her na bawat ihip ng hangin tatalon na lang siya o sasampa siya,” she said.
On Tuesday Legarda said she had accepted Villar's invitation to become a guest vice-presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party for the 2010 elections.
Legarda said she and Villar had numerous discussions about the campaign and found that they had similar advocacies and platforms. She also denied that she was taking back her fiercest criticisms of Villar at the height of the Senate ethics investigation.
"Lilinawin ko, wala akong tinatalikurang salita. Ang aking pagtulak ng anumang.. imbestigasyon ay ukol na rin sa proseso sa Senado at sa ating bansa. Demokrasya yan eh. Pag merong magsulong ng isang resolusyon ay tatayo ay susuporta sa proseso . Nobody is above the law, kung ako, si Senator Villar o sino man," she told reporters.
In a separate ABS-CBN interview, Legarda took issue with Madrigal's statement that joining Villar was a form of "political prostitution."
"Ang pag-aalyansa ng mga partido politikal at ayon sa plataporma ay hindi pagbibili ng boto o pagbibili ng katauhan ng tao. Walang pera sa pinag-uusapan. Ito'y alyansa ng plataporma ayon sa aming mga adbokasya," she said in an "Umagang Kay Ganda" interview.
She added that she would pray for Madrigal.
No surprise
Madrigal, who was in The Netherlands when the Villar-Legarda tandem was formally announced, said she wasn’t the least bit surprised by the team-up.
She said she and her fellow senators have long suspected that Legarda would go to Villar despite leveling harsh words against the senator at the start of the ethics investigation.
"[Legarda] hasn't been very visible lately maybe because she's busy negotiating or campaigning. But we in the majority know na talagang galit na galit siya kay Villar. Marami pa siyang unsavory names na sinasabi sa kanya,” Madrigal said.
She said Legarda even chided her and Sen. Panfilo Lacson that they might switch sides and not push through with the ethics investigation.
The senator said she does not see Legarda's decision as a personal affront but a betrayal of her fellow senators.
"She betrayed the institution of the Senate at nataksil din niya mga taong bayan na umaasa sa kanya na isang taong me prinsipyo,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal also leveled harsh words against her fellow senators who are allegedly seeking the dismissal of the ethics case against Villar.
She said the resolution sought to pre-judge the case against Villar especially since the Senate Committee of the Whole had yet to issue a final report on the case.
"Sasabihin ko na… nakakasuka. (It makes me vomit.) Parang sasabihan mo isang judge na maraming ayaw nito. Parang suhol ito. This is like bribery. Bago pa lumabas ang ebidensiya hahatulan mo na,” Madrigal said.
Villar, meanwhile, denied paying any money to the senators who signed the resolution clearing his name.
"Jamby thinks that everything I've accomplished is because of money. Maybe it's because that is her life. I worked hard for my money. I don't know where Senator Jamby got the idea but none of the senators who signed got a single peso from me. It's called pakikisama," he said.
No stopping presidential bid
Madrigal, meanwhile, said that unlike Legarda, her ambition to run for president in 2010 is fueled by a genuine love for country and the Filipino people.
She added that she wanted to give Filipinos another choice even if she doesn't win the election.
"If I love myself and only my career and ambition then I will not run because I'm a sure winner in the Senate. Yung pagmamahal sa bayan at sa taong bayan. Na mabigyan naman sila ng alternatibong plataporma, isusugal ko ang lahat para sa taong bayan,” she said.
as of 11/18/2009 12:41 PM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3527450582355285238
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/18/09/jamby-loren-she-changes-climate
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Rift almost affected Aegis concert in The Netherlands
by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 11/15/2009 7:44 PM
All's well that did not start well at the Holland concert of Aegis
The European tour of Pinoy band Aegis in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Belgium was a complete success but was almost a disaster in the Netherlands.
RP Ambassador Cardozo Luna and a couple of his staff were among the 200
Filipinos and Dutch who waited for two hours for the Aegis concert in The Hague to start.
The jam-packed concert was almost cancelled at the last minute which would have caused a major embarrassment.
The reason was a rift between the producer in Belgium and organizers in Holland.
Ligaya Gravidez, the Pinay producer in Belgium, was responsible for bringing Aegis to Holland.
She reportedly sought the assistance of Pinay Mia Van Eendenburg to organize the concert in Holland.
But on the night of the concert, the two Pinays did not meet eye to eye reportedly on money issues.
They kept pointing fingers at each other.
"Medyo may problema sa producer. Sabihin na natin sa producer, ‘yong pagma-manage at sa kakulangan ng sabihin na nating financial," Van Eendenburg said.
Van Eendenburg said that she scrambled at the last hour for the concert to push through just so she can protect her name.
“Ang nangyari naghanap ako ng paraan para ma-push through ito dahil alam ng mga tao ako ang producer which is hindi. Na ang Netherlands team which is sampu kami, nakasalalay ang aming pangalan," Van Eendenburg said.
"Para lang matuloy ito kailangan kong mapunuan ang kakulangan so kailangan kong maghanap ng pera, mag-withdraw ng sarili kong pera o manghiram sa aking mga kaibigan," Van Eendenburg added.
Gravidez on the other hand explained that the trouble stemmed from Van Eendenburg not handing her the full list of sold tickets.
"Ang hinihingi ko sa kanya ay ibigay niya ang listahan ng sold-out tickets and reserve tickets. Sa tingin niya ba ngayon ba ay naglabas ako ng pera. Hindi ako naglabas ng pera. Wala akong nilabas," Gravidez said.
"Kasi kulang ang communication niya ng listahan niya ng tickets. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko alam kung ilan ang pumasok. Ilang tao ang pumasok, hindi ko alam. Ilang tao ang nagbayad hindi ko alam. Magkano ang binayad niya. Alam niya kulang na kulang para ipambayad sa artist," Gravidez added.
Van Eendenburg explained that she withdrew money from her personal account in order to complete the payment for Aegis, who were instructed by their handlers not to go on stage unless their talent fee has been fully paid.
Gravidez was convinced she has been shortchanged based on her own headcount of the almost Standing Room Only crowd.
According to the Aegis, they had nothing to do with the delay and added that that the poor sound system which they tried to fix in vain that night also contributed to the delay.
"Actually hindi kami iyong problema. Kung may problema man hindi namin alam.iyon. Basta kami naghihintay kami ng signal sa producer," Aegis keyboard player Stella Galindo said.
After the two-hour wait, Gravidez and Van Eendenburg settled their issues and Aegis finally went on stage much to the relief and delight of the very patient crowd.
As soon as the Sunot sisters Juliet and Mercy sang their popular songs, all the anger and discontent of the concert goers disappeared.
For the Pinoys, it was worth all that wait.
Their trademark "birits," non-stop gyrations and down-to-earth jokes proved that the Aegis are total performers who can always bring the house down.
by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
as of 11/15/2009 7:44 PM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/15/09/rift-almost-affected-aegis-concert-netherlands
All's well that did not start well at the Holland concert of Aegis
The European tour of Pinoy band Aegis in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Belgium was a complete success but was almost a disaster in the Netherlands.
RP Ambassador Cardozo Luna and a couple of his staff were among the 200
Filipinos and Dutch who waited for two hours for the Aegis concert in The Hague to start.
The jam-packed concert was almost cancelled at the last minute which would have caused a major embarrassment.
The reason was a rift between the producer in Belgium and organizers in Holland.
Ligaya Gravidez, the Pinay producer in Belgium, was responsible for bringing Aegis to Holland.
She reportedly sought the assistance of Pinay Mia Van Eendenburg to organize the concert in Holland.
But on the night of the concert, the two Pinays did not meet eye to eye reportedly on money issues.
They kept pointing fingers at each other.
"Medyo may problema sa producer. Sabihin na natin sa producer, ‘yong pagma-manage at sa kakulangan ng sabihin na nating financial," Van Eendenburg said.
Van Eendenburg said that she scrambled at the last hour for the concert to push through just so she can protect her name.
“Ang nangyari naghanap ako ng paraan para ma-push through ito dahil alam ng mga tao ako ang producer which is hindi. Na ang Netherlands team which is sampu kami, nakasalalay ang aming pangalan," Van Eendenburg said.
"Para lang matuloy ito kailangan kong mapunuan ang kakulangan so kailangan kong maghanap ng pera, mag-withdraw ng sarili kong pera o manghiram sa aking mga kaibigan," Van Eendenburg added.
Gravidez on the other hand explained that the trouble stemmed from Van Eendenburg not handing her the full list of sold tickets.
"Ang hinihingi ko sa kanya ay ibigay niya ang listahan ng sold-out tickets and reserve tickets. Sa tingin niya ba ngayon ba ay naglabas ako ng pera. Hindi ako naglabas ng pera. Wala akong nilabas," Gravidez said.
"Kasi kulang ang communication niya ng listahan niya ng tickets. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko alam kung ilan ang pumasok. Ilang tao ang pumasok, hindi ko alam. Ilang tao ang nagbayad hindi ko alam. Magkano ang binayad niya. Alam niya kulang na kulang para ipambayad sa artist," Gravidez added.
Van Eendenburg explained that she withdrew money from her personal account in order to complete the payment for Aegis, who were instructed by their handlers not to go on stage unless their talent fee has been fully paid.
Gravidez was convinced she has been shortchanged based on her own headcount of the almost Standing Room Only crowd.
According to the Aegis, they had nothing to do with the delay and added that that the poor sound system which they tried to fix in vain that night also contributed to the delay.
"Actually hindi kami iyong problema. Kung may problema man hindi namin alam.iyon. Basta kami naghihintay kami ng signal sa producer," Aegis keyboard player Stella Galindo said.
After the two-hour wait, Gravidez and Van Eendenburg settled their issues and Aegis finally went on stage much to the relief and delight of the very patient crowd.
As soon as the Sunot sisters Juliet and Mercy sang their popular songs, all the anger and discontent of the concert goers disappeared.
For the Pinoys, it was worth all that wait.
Their trademark "birits," non-stop gyrations and down-to-earth jokes proved that the Aegis are total performers who can always bring the house down.
by Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
as of 11/15/2009 7:44 PM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/11/15/09/rift-almost-affected-aegis-concert-netherlands
Monday, November 2, 2009
Holland TFC subscribers spare ‘coins’ for Sagip Kapamilya
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
10/24/2009 11:23 AM
Subscribers of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in The Netherlands held a fundraising activity for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya.
A small silver box became a symbol of the Dutch Pinoys’ unity with the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that hit the Philippines recently.
TFC subscribers that receive regular updates on the relief efforts of Sagip Kapamilya thought that a fundraising activity would be a big help to typhoon-affected Filipinos back home.
The fundraising activity called “Patak Patak Para sa Sagip Kapamilya” was held during the Aegis concert in The Hague.
Even the Philippine envoy to the Netherlands who attended the concert with some of his staff was impressed by the Filipinos’ gesture.
“Gusto kong pasalamatan in the name of all the Filipinos here in the Netherlands ang mga organizers at promoters nitong activity na ito lalung-lalo na ang Aegis band na sa pamamagitan ng kanilang talento ay magfa-fund raising sila upang makalikom ng pondo at matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo,” said Ambassador Cardozo Luna.
At the Aegis concert, a silver box was passed around to all Pinoys and Dutch who came from the different parts of Holland.
“Nakakalumo talaga. Nakita ko yung nangyari. I have part of my family as well na nasalanta. Nakakaawa yung mga taong nagmamakaawa na bigyan sila ng konting panahon na mag-stay sa evacuation center dahil wala naman silang mapupuntahan,” Mary Perez, a student said.
One euro, which is equivalent to around P70, can already buy one or two kilos of rice in the Philippines.
“What is three euros, five euros, 10 euros? Parang barya na sa atin yun di ba? Pag lalabas tayo 10 euros parang barya lang. Five euros eh pambili ng sigarilyo. Yung five euros na yon pwede nating ibigay sa Pilipinas. Pambili ng bigas, pambili ng delata,” TFC subscriber Maribeth Saturno said.
From the coins, the “Patak Patak Para Sa Sagip Kapamilya” raised 1,200 euros (P80,000).
as of 10/24/2009 11:23 AM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/10/24/09/holland-tfc-subscribers-spare-%E2%80%98coins%E2%80%99-sagip-kapamilya
10/24/2009 11:23 AM
Subscribers of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in The Netherlands held a fundraising activity for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya.
A small silver box became a symbol of the Dutch Pinoys’ unity with the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng that hit the Philippines recently.
TFC subscribers that receive regular updates on the relief efforts of Sagip Kapamilya thought that a fundraising activity would be a big help to typhoon-affected Filipinos back home.
The fundraising activity called “Patak Patak Para sa Sagip Kapamilya” was held during the Aegis concert in The Hague.
Even the Philippine envoy to the Netherlands who attended the concert with some of his staff was impressed by the Filipinos’ gesture.
“Gusto kong pasalamatan in the name of all the Filipinos here in the Netherlands ang mga organizers at promoters nitong activity na ito lalung-lalo na ang Aegis band na sa pamamagitan ng kanilang talento ay magfa-fund raising sila upang makalikom ng pondo at matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo,” said Ambassador Cardozo Luna.
At the Aegis concert, a silver box was passed around to all Pinoys and Dutch who came from the different parts of Holland.
“Nakakalumo talaga. Nakita ko yung nangyari. I have part of my family as well na nasalanta. Nakakaawa yung mga taong nagmamakaawa na bigyan sila ng konting panahon na mag-stay sa evacuation center dahil wala naman silang mapupuntahan,” Mary Perez, a student said.
One euro, which is equivalent to around P70, can already buy one or two kilos of rice in the Philippines.
“What is three euros, five euros, 10 euros? Parang barya na sa atin yun di ba? Pag lalabas tayo 10 euros parang barya lang. Five euros eh pambili ng sigarilyo. Yung five euros na yon pwede nating ibigay sa Pilipinas. Pambili ng bigas, pambili ng delata,” TFC subscriber Maribeth Saturno said.
From the coins, the “Patak Patak Para Sa Sagip Kapamilya” raised 1,200 euros (P80,000).
as of 10/24/2009 11:23 AM
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/10/24/09/holland-tfc-subscribers-spare-%E2%80%98coins%E2%80%99-sagip-kapamilya
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
RP post warns Dutch Pinoys against scammers
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 10/13/2009 6:17 PM
Ambassador Cardoza Luna said there have been reported cases of scammers in the Philippines and other countries who are using the tragedy to collect money that go directly to their own pockets.
To Luna's knowledge, there is no such case yet reported in The Netherlands but he is already warning the Pinoys now not to immediately fall for those who are soliciting donations for the victims of the two typhoons.
There are several organizations and groups soliciting relief efforts for typhoon victims in the Philippines.
In fact, Luna said he has already been flooded with emails and phone calls from organizations and individuals asking for advice as to where they can send their money.
“Sa pamamagitan ng isang guidance na galing sa Department of Foreign Affairs, pinakalat natin yung mga channel ng pagpapadala ng donation whether in cash or in kind pero atin pong ine-encourage yung in cash dahil madaling makakarating agad ang tulong na binibigay nila,” Luna said.
“Pagtiwalaan natin ang ating pananampalataya sa isa’t-isa at sana ay yung pagiging Filipino natin ay buhayin natin, yung spirit ng pagtutulungan, bayanihan spirit,” Luna said.
People may also send their help through Sagip Kapamilya of the ABS-CBN Foundation.
as of 10/13/2009 6:17 PM
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
Amid the overflowing of support from Filipinos around the world for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands warned them to be on the lookout for scammers.
Ambassador Cardoza Luna said there have been reported cases of scammers in the Philippines and other countries who are using the tragedy to collect money that go directly to their own pockets.
“Ang tawag sa mga ganun bwitre. Yung nagkakaron ng pagsasamantala doon sa mga sakuna na nangyayari sa ating kababayan gagamitin pa nilang pagkakataon iyun upang gumawa ng pakinabang na pansarili,” Luna said.
To Luna's knowledge, there is no such case yet reported in The Netherlands but he is already warning the Pinoys now not to immediately fall for those who are soliciting donations for the victims of the two typhoons.
There are several organizations and groups soliciting relief efforts for typhoon victims in the Philippines.
In fact, Luna said he has already been flooded with emails and phone calls from organizations and individuals asking for advice as to where they can send their money.
“Sa pamamagitan ng isang guidance na galing sa Department of Foreign Affairs, pinakalat natin yung mga channel ng pagpapadala ng donation whether in cash or in kind pero atin pong ine-encourage yung in cash dahil madaling makakarating agad ang tulong na binibigay nila,” Luna said.
Luna directs the Pinoys and other donors to the Embassy’s website at http://www.philembassy.nl/ for the list of government agencies and legitimate organizations which are accepting donations.
He discourages would-be scammers and called for unity among Pinoys in these desperate times.
“Pagtiwalaan natin ang ating pananampalataya sa isa’t-isa at sana ay yung pagiging Filipino natin ay buhayin natin, yung spirit ng pagtutulungan, bayanihan spirit,” Luna said.
People may also send their help through Sagip Kapamilya of the ABS-CBN Foundation.
as of 10/13/2009 6:17 PM
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Joma happy with EU court decision
Jose Maria Sison has scored a victory with the decision of the European Union Court of First Instance in Luxembourg that could result in his name being taken off the EU terrorist list.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair said he is very happy to have finally received the justice that he has longed for in seven years.
The court ruled that the EU had based its move on legal procedures in the Netherlands -- where Sison has lived since 1987 -- assessing his eligibility for refugee status, instead of basing it on a "terror" probe.
"The national decisions relied upon by the (EU) in order to freeze the applicant's funds did not relate either to the instigation of investigations or prosecution or to a conviction for terrorist activity, contrary to the requirements of (EU) law," the Luxembourg-based Court of First Instance said.
“Siyempre nagagalak ako at tinatanggal na ang pangalan ko sa terrorist blacklist sa EU. Mismong EU court nagsasabi na walang batayan iyong terrorist blacklisting sa akin. May consequence iyan. Pwede ko nang habulin iyong tinerminate na social benefits sa akin, iyong kaunting fund namin ni Julie ma-unfreeze. What's more substantial eh iyong more than seven years akong di binigyan ng subsistence allowance, insurance pati old age pension eh isasauli iyon,” Sison said.
The September 30 annulment of the EU Court of First Instance of all the EU Council decisions blocking Sison’s assets could now result in his name being taken off the list.
It’s because the EU Council has used the terrorist list as the main basis for freezing Sison’s assets since October 28, 2002.
According to Sison’s lawyer Jan Fermon, there is only one listing and it is a list for freezing assets.
“The court decided to annul all the decisions including him [Sison] in the list and that means that the decision of the court is that he [Sison} should not be in the list. It’s very simple,” Fermon told Balitang Europe in an exclusive interview.
“The list is in fact an asset freezing list. The purpose of the list is to freeze assets and the only effect of the list, the only legal effect…there is of course the aspect of labeling somebody, criminalizing and vilifying a person. The legal effect of the list is freezing assets so the decision [EU Court] is that all decisions including Sison in the list are cancelled, annulled. The result of that is that there is no more asset freezing. So there is no more discussion possible. The fact that his assets are not frozen anymore is only the result of the fact that he's taken off the list. There is no discussion, the court decided, that Sison can be included in the terror listing,” Fermon explained.
”The court says that he [Sison] cannot be in this list. His name cannot be in the previous lists that have been adapted. His name can't be there,” Fermon reiterated.
The EU Court’s decision favored Joma because it said that all of the Council’s acts to block Sison’s funds were not supported by any investigation or conviction related to his alleged terrorist activity.
Sison is one of the 59 individuals listed on the EU terrorist list and the CPP is also one of 47 groups listed.
However, even with the decision, Sison’s name will still remain on the blacklist for two months and ten days while the EU council decides if it will appeal the court’s decision.
And if the latter decides to do so, Sison’s name will still remain on the list for the duration of the appeals process.
Asked if the EU Council will appeal court decision, the Council responded, “For the time being, the only reaction by the Council of the EU is that the Council is currently examining today's EU Court of First Instance Decision."
For Fermon, there are still pending cases to be solved such as their claim for compensation.
“We agreed that the Court would now decide on the merit of the case and the question of compensation will be pleaded at a later stage. Question of compensation is still pending. It will be possible that the Council launches a frivolous appeal but I think that will be quickly dismissed. Or they may come up with something.. invent,” Fermont said.
Sison said that even if he suffered for seven long years, he know that in the end he will conquer those that want to oppress him.
“Yang Arroyo regime, siya [ang] pursigidong mag-supply ng false charges in connection with this terror listing so masasabi ko sa kanila palpak ang pagiipit nila although pinahirapan ako for 7 years. Eh ano yan sabi ko kahit me prospect akong mang-collect ng accumulated benefits, madami na kong inutang kaya konti na lang pang blow-out ko sa mga kaibigan,” Sison joked.
With a report from Agence France Presse
as of 10/01/2009 6:29 PM
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
Friday, September 25, 2009
New RP envoy to The Netherlands passes initial scrutiny of NDF
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 09/25/2009 2:12 AM
Contrary to the expectations of many, the National Democratic Front (NDF) has reacted positively to the appointment of the new
Philippine ambassador to The Netherlands, even if the new appointee is a former military general.
Filipino migrants’ organization Migrante Netherlands had earlier condemned retired Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna’s appointment for his alleged “military mindset.”
But the NDF didn’t doubt him for a second…also because of the military.
Apparently, the NDF has connections too in high-ranking places in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Contrary to the expectations of many, the National Democratic Front (NDF) has reacted positively to the appointment of the new
Philippine ambassador to The Netherlands, even if the new appointee is a former military general.Filipino migrants’ organization Migrante Netherlands had earlier condemned retired Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna’s appointment for his alleged “military mindset.”
But the NDF didn’t doubt him for a second…also because of the military.
Apparently, the NDF has connections too in high-ranking places in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Hindi ako nai-intimidate. Nakakatanggap naman ako ng comments sa mga kaibigan kong military officers. Hindi ko na babanggitin ang pangalan. May mga rango. General din. Brigadier General. Sinasabing si Luna as a person eh mabait, intelihente, gentleman at kung gayon hindi ako natatakot na me extraodinary na gawin,” Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison said in an exclusive interview with Balitang Europe.
Sison, also chief political consultant of the NDF’s negotiating panel in peace talks with the Philippine government, said he is also not alarmed at President Arroyo’s appointment of a former AFP vice chief of staff as the Philippine’s envoy.
“I don’t know kung si Gloria [Arroyo] sa kanyang remaining months nilagay si Luna diyan para pagawin ng special mission. I don't think so. I have no basis na anticipating na si Luna may gagawing masama. Alerting lang porke sa kanyang background,” Sison said.
“At the same time, alam ko naman na batay sa hindi ko alam, hindi ako sigurado, batay sa words ng nirerespeto kong military officers, hindi siya barumbado, sibilisado [siya] at may pride siya sa kanyang ginagawa. Hindi siya basta gagawa ng masama alinsunod sa utos mula sa isang presidente na paalis na sa kapangyarihan,” Sison added.
The NDF however indicated however that it is puzzled at the process of Luna’s appointment.
“Ang katakaka eh iyong method ng pag-appoint sa kanya [Luna]. Na si Gilbert Teodoro, Secretary of Defense. At saka mukhang hindi napaalam through protocol ways sa Dutch government. Pero sa tingin ko naman, makikita natin sa performance niya,” NDF Negotiating Panel chair Luis Jalandoni said.
But Jalandoni has high expectations of Luna.
“’Andyan iyong Filipino community. Makikita rin ng taong bayan dito sa Netherlands, iyong mga overseas workers dito kung paano ang performance niya. Kaya doon na lang namin ibabatay at sa tingin [ko], wala naman kaming prejudice against him. We hear quite good things about him from his fellow military and so will await the way he performs his tasks and we hope that it will be in accordance with his function as ambassador,” Jalandoni said.
The NDF hopes that the new ambassador will maintain the group’s good relations with the Philippine Embassy.
“We had good relations with Ambassador [Ramon] Arguelles. Friendly and civil relations. We hope the same type of relations could be achieved between his office as ambassador and the international office of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,” Jalandoni said.
However, according to the NDF, it will be on guard as to Luna’s keeping his promise of supporting the peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDF.
The peace talks, which was supposed to take place in Oslo, Norway in August, was once again stalled because the NDF cancelled it, complaining that the Arroyo regime refuses to release its jailed negotiators, consultants and staff.
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
as of 09/25/2009 2:12 AM
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/24/09/new-rp-envoy-netherlands-passes-initial-scrutiny-ndf
Sison, also chief political consultant of the NDF’s negotiating panel in peace talks with the Philippine government, said he is also not alarmed at President Arroyo’s appointment of a former AFP vice chief of staff as the Philippine’s envoy.
“I don’t know kung si Gloria [Arroyo] sa kanyang remaining months nilagay si Luna diyan para pagawin ng special mission. I don't think so. I have no basis na anticipating na si Luna may gagawing masama. Alerting lang porke sa kanyang background,” Sison said.
“At the same time, alam ko naman na batay sa hindi ko alam, hindi ako sigurado, batay sa words ng nirerespeto kong military officers, hindi siya barumbado, sibilisado [siya] at may pride siya sa kanyang ginagawa. Hindi siya basta gagawa ng masama alinsunod sa utos mula sa isang presidente na paalis na sa kapangyarihan,” Sison added.
The NDF however indicated however that it is puzzled at the process of Luna’s appointment.
“Ang katakaka eh iyong method ng pag-appoint sa kanya [Luna]. Na si Gilbert Teodoro, Secretary of Defense. At saka mukhang hindi napaalam through protocol ways sa Dutch government. Pero sa tingin ko naman, makikita natin sa performance niya,” NDF Negotiating Panel chair Luis Jalandoni said.
But Jalandoni has high expectations of Luna.
“’Andyan iyong Filipino community. Makikita rin ng taong bayan dito sa Netherlands, iyong mga overseas workers dito kung paano ang performance niya. Kaya doon na lang namin ibabatay at sa tingin [ko], wala naman kaming prejudice against him. We hear quite good things about him from his fellow military and so will await the way he performs his tasks and we hope that it will be in accordance with his function as ambassador,” Jalandoni said.
The NDF hopes that the new ambassador will maintain the group’s good relations with the Philippine Embassy.
“We had good relations with Ambassador [Ramon] Arguelles. Friendly and civil relations. We hope the same type of relations could be achieved between his office as ambassador and the international office of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,” Jalandoni said.
However, according to the NDF, it will be on guard as to Luna’s keeping his promise of supporting the peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDF.
The peace talks, which was supposed to take place in Oslo, Norway in August, was once again stalled because the NDF cancelled it, complaining that the Arroyo regime refuses to release its jailed negotiators, consultants and staff.
By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
as of 09/25/2009 2:12 AM
SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/24/09/new-rp-envoy-netherlands-passes-initial-scrutiny-ndf
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