Featured Post

3 Cost Effective Ways to Solve Metro Manila's Traffic Problem

Image
The Facebook page of ANC 24/7 is asking for its reader's suggestion on how to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem. This got me thinking, "what is the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem?" It's easy to make suggestions, what's hard is the implementation and the cost of implementation. So what is the the best way to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem and the most cost effective solution? Punitive Fines Add caption First of all, any implementation will definitely cost money, a lot of money. The cause of the traffic mess is the people themselves so it's only right that those causing the traffic problem should be fined and the fine should hurt. That way, the fines will pay for the cost of enforcing the law. The fines should start at P500 and goes up every week if you don't pay it within 15 days. To enforce this and prevent people from ignoring the fine. It will be tied to their driver's license or car registr...
6 comments

The other Garci walks free as well

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

THE PLEA bargain of retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, former comptroller of the Armed Forces, reminds us once again of a perennial Philippine problem, namely, our weak institutions of public accountability. Time and again, we have relied on foreign investigators to do our work for us, and the moment they pass the ball to us, we drop it.

Look at the historical record. Today, 24 years after Edsa 1, the Marcoses have not been held liable for any human rights violation by any Philippine court. So where instead did the victims file their class action suit? Before a Honolulu federal court which, in 1995, awarded $2 billion in damages to the victims of torture, summary executions and disappearances under the Marcos regime.

And when the victims, now called Claimants 1081 (after Proclamation 1081 under which Marcos seized emergency powers in September 1972), tried to collect these damages against the Marcos assets in the Philippines, guess who stood in their way? The Philippine government, because the Supreme Court meanwhile had forfeited Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth in favor of the government in 2003. So the victims had to sue before Philippine courts. Again, what impediment stood in their way? The extravagant filing fees required by the court. So the victims went to the United Nations, sought justice from its Human Rights Committee, which ruled in their (the victims’) favor. Accordingly, the Philippine courts recomputed the filing fees and reduced them to a negligible amount.

In all these, notice that only two institutions delivered: the US federal court in Honolulu and the UN human rights body. All the institutions that repeatedly frustrated the Filipino human rights victims were Philippine governmental institutions funded and in some cases elected by the Filipino people to protect their rights.

The Philippine Justice System is laughable isn't it?

Full article here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Manila - The most Beautiful City in Asia 1950's to the mid 1970's

Image
Welcome Google visitors! If you're looking for old Manila pictures from the 1950s to the 1970s, you've come to the right place. You'll see a collection of nostalgic photos when Manila was in its heyday. Just a quick note, I don't take credit for these photos. Somebody just sent them to me and I felt that it was important that I share it in the hopes that other people will see how beautiful Manila was and hopefully help bring it back to its former glory. Manila when it was the most beautiful city in Asia in the 1950s to 1970s The photos must have been taken in different years, from the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's, judging from the car models (though some cars are pre 1950'd). Where is O'Henry's Coffee and Donut shop in Plaza Sta Cruz (Plaza near Escolta & Reina Regente)? Can you recognize the cars? Chevy Bel-air 1958, Simca 1961-62s, Toyopet 1960s, VW Beetle 1960's, early 1960's Mercedez Benz 220... Take note, naka sapa...
Keep reading

Family Planning TVC 2014

Image
Ang Planadong Buhay ay Maayos na Buhay - Department of Health (Philippines) Please share to your friends! Follow us on Twitter @OfficialDOHgov http://twitter.com/OfficialDOHgov Pumili ng paraang hiyang sa iyo: Modern Natural Family Planning: LAM, SDM, BBT, STM, BOM Temporary: Pills, Condom, Injectables Long-Acting: IUD, Implant Permanent: Tubal Ligation, No Scalpel Vasectomy ------------------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: Isang taon palang ako, nasundan na ni Toto. Grade 2 walong taon palang, apat na bata ang inaalagaan. Grade 6 labing dalawa na ako, kasing dami na ng pamilya ko. Sabi mo pasensya na, walang pera kaya magdrop out ka. Ina ko sabi mo kami'y mahal nyo, aray ko bat di kayo nagplano. Sana di gutom at nag aaral pa, alaga't malusog ang buong pamilya.
Keep reading

Philippine Business Monopolies

Image
Just read this article on Inquirer.net about Globe complaining that the PLDT and Digitel merger would create a monopoly. PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan on Tuesday hit out at Globe, accusing the Ayala group of monopolistic business practices. “PLDT is not allowed to install phone services inside malls and real estate developments (owned by the Ayala group), despite the clamor from their tenants,” Pangilinan said, noting that Globe was allowed to offer telecom services in these areas. The Ayala group, through its Ayala Land unit, is one of the country’s largest property developers. It operates shopping malls in Metro Manila, Cebu and Pampanga. It's funny how these big companies fight don't they? They talk about the danger of having a monopoly but all these talk are just of course to protect their business interest. In the end, the consumer ends up with the raw end of the deal. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Monopolies have existed in the Philippi...
Keep reading