Saturday

MANILA PRIDE 2010: ONE LOVE

Saturday
THANK YOU TASK FORCE PRIDE PHILIPPINES FOR THE NEW INFO.


join manila pride!be in..be counted..
spead ONE love!

Good day everyone, Task Force Pride will be moving the 2010 LGBT Pride March to Tomas Morato in Quezon City on December 4, 2010. The decision came after the QC Mayor's Office and Social Hygiene Clinic expressed interest to support the LGBT community's annual celebration.

The 2010 LGBT Pride March will be observed in the light of HIV AIDS World Awareness Day. The theme "One Love: Stop AIDS, Promote LGBT Human Rights, Keep the Promise" acknowledges the LGBT Community's proactive role in advocating HIV AIDS awareness.

The Manila Pride March gathers LGBT groups and individuals once a year to promote solidarity within and outside the community. It creates a safe space where LGBTs and their supporters can raise pressing issues. By tradition, Manila Pride March coincides with Human Rights week, to affirm the specific rights claims of the LGBT community.

This year’s theme, “One Love”, pushes for unity. The diversity of the LGBT community is apparent, but this diversity comes at the price of political differences as well. However, this year’s March encourages everyone to view those differences as celebratory instead of damaging; that those differences are merely proof of the community’s dynamism. “One Love” also looks at how it is still possible to see points of convergence and collaboration despite differences.

The schedule for December 4 will be as follows:

2:00 pm - registration
3:00 pm - formation
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Pride March
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - HIV AIDS awareness and Diversity Advocacy
9:00 pm onwards - Solidarity and Pride celebration


For More info, visit http://www.taskforcepride.blogspot.com
For inquiries, please email us at taskforcepride@gmail.com

-TFP







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Filipino student kicked out of Korean school for being gay. STOP THE DISCRIMINATION!

SOURCE: http://www.asiancorrespondent.com/

END DISCRIMINATION NOW!

His light purple eyeshadow glowed softly over his long eyelashes. He has neat bobbed hair. He is 24 year-old "P", a gay (homosexual) man from The Philippines who appears to be a woman. He has been attending a Catholic graduate school in Seoul since September.

However, at the end of month the school expelled him from the men's dormitory because he is gay. Baseless rumors about him had circulated in the dormitory, such as that he "has women's underwear" and "uses the women's bathroom", and eventually they came to the attention of the school. An employee of the school went to him and demanded that he leave the dormitory.

He protested that "the rumors are not true and no student has been harmed" but to no avail. The school told him that "your actions are immoral, violate the rules of the dormitory, and do not comport with Korean culture". In the end "P" picked up his bags. "I didn't do anything wrong, but I guess they thought that it seemed other students had been harmed because of me."

However, he was unable to sign the letter of academic withdrawal the school placed in front of him. He could not agree to cease his studies because he is gay. He said, "I majored in communications at university in The Philippines, and I strongly desire to do my graduate studies in Korea and be a cultured person." He went to a Catholic university in The Philippines. His sexual identity caused no problems there. His mother understands her son's sexual identity and calls him "a beautiful gay man". In May he went for an admissions interview with the same physical appearance as today, and it went unremarked.

But now his situation is grim. Just three months after entering the school he is to be unfairly expelled. The scholarship that paid for all of his tuition is to be cut off. The school, which establishes the rules for the English dormitory, had promised him a full scholarship for his English ability. The school explained, "the scholarship is dependent on residence in the dormitory, so after leaving it he cannot receive the scholarship." Without a scholarship he cannot continue his studies.

"P" went to the Philippine Embassy at the end of last month to try and resist academic withdrawal, but was told "just say you will withdraw from the school." The school said, "students in the dormitory were upset and so he was expelled from it, and it has not been decided whether he will be expelled from the school."

He said, "I didn't know that my dream of studying in Korea could crumble because of my sexual identity... I feel so sad when I think of how Korean sexual minorities are treated so badly." He added, "if you say I can be expelled from a Korean school for being gay, well, I am happy to fight that."

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Friday

INTERESTING PROBLEMS ON WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: Because they said being gay is an abomination!

Friday
(I read this from a site http://findarticles.com/ which I find very amusing. This is a debate about religion and the status of gays in the Bible. The writer was such a prolific humorous person and surely, he knows the Scripture by heart. Read on and enjoy, or better yet, be enlightened. JUNE)

Laura Schlessinger is a U.S. radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. One time on her show she said that, for her as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination, according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter which was posted on the Internet to Dr. Laura.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev. 15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev. 1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. 1 know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev. 24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

Homer Simpson-Caldwell


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Thursday

Gay Coffins?

Thursday
BERLIN | Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:44pm EST
 


BERLIN (Reuters) - Two undertakers in the northwestern German city of Cologne are trying to tap into the gay market by selling coffins adorned with images of male nudes.

The prize piece in their display window is a coffin decorated with images of mostly naked, muscular young men in athletic poses inspired by Italian Renaissance paintings.

"We believe you should be able to have a coffin that lets you embark on your last journey in a way that reflects how you lived your life," undertaker Thomas Brandl told Reuters on Thursday.

The unconventional coffin, which costs 1,650 euros ($2,300), has aroused fascination among customers, said Brandl: "People are really interested because it's so unique. Reactions have been very positive so far."
Brandl, 32, and his 34-year-old business partner Michael Koenigsfeld, said they had branched out into the gay market in order to satisfy the increasing number of special requests they received.

"Even though the Lord Mayor of Berlin, the vice-chancellor and many others openly admit to being homosexual nowadays, marginal groups still face prejudices and bureaucratic hurdles," the pair said in a statement.

They said they provided an individual and different service which offered "a warm and fantastical departure for same-sex couples."

The gay couple also sell coffins and urns in rainbow colors -- the international symbol of the gay and lesbian movement -- and offer burials around a tree reserved exclusively for homosexuals.

Given estimates which suggest that around one in ten of Cologne's population is homosexual, Brandl and Koenigsfeld are well placed to serve the gay community.

The pair also cater for the heterosexual market in an unconventional way, giving customers the opportunity to get involved in designing coffins for their loved ones.

"You can choose different colors and designs," Brandl said. "You could go for Cologne's skyline or lots of women on your coffin. A grandmother might like images of her grandchildren on hers -- there are loads of possibilities."


(Editing by Paul Casciato)

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AN OPEN LETTER TO PNOY: Walk the tak! End the extra judicial killings in the Philippines

This is an open letter for the President, who should walk the talk, regarding the Maguindanao Massacre and how slow the trial has been progressing. This is from Reverend Canon Barry Naylor, Chairman of the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (UK). SLOW JUSTICE, DENIED JUSTICE.



President Benigno Simeon Aquino III

Malacanang Palace
Manila
Republic of the Philippines

23 November 2010

Dear President Aquino,

It is now one year since 57 people were massacred in Magindanao in the Philippines by a local private army. Among the victims were 32 journalists, making this the worst massacre of journalists on record.

Disappearances, torture and murder remain a constant threat to community activists, church workers, lawyers, journalists and trade unionists in the Philippines. Since 1991 there have been over 1200 political killings in the Philippines and the level of killings and abuses shows no sign of abating following your election. The complicity of the Philippines armed forces in these abuses of human rights has been placed on record by among others Philip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

There is hope and expectation from all those around the world concerned with human rights that a new government in the Philippines will usher in a new concern for human rights. However, the first 100 days following your coming into office witnessed 16 further political killings. This surpasses the rate of killings of the last months of the previous president Mrs Arroyo. On 12 November the president of the Calamba Water District Union was gunned down by masked men on motorcycles. We have similarly seen disappearances continue with the recent cases of Agusto Ladera and Reanato Deliguer, two farmers who were abducted by soldiers in Surigao del Sur in August.

We call upon your government to bring the suspected perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre to justice speedily; to bring to justice all those responsible for torture, murder and disappearances in the Philippines; to end the climate of impunity which allows political killings and disappearances to take place; and to ensure a safe environment for journalists and all those who work to defend a free society.

Yours sincerely


Reverend Canon Barry Naylor
Chairman
Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (UK)

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Wednesday

What actually happened at Manila Cathedral: Revealing the lies and bigotry of Eric Manalang and Pro-Life Philippines

Wednesday
from: http://filipinofreethinkers.org/

Here is an interesting read about the very talked about "battle" between Catholics at the Manila Cathedral. Again, I am pro- RH.
-----------
In TV interviews and several published articles, Pro Life Philippines President Eric Manalang lied about the events at Manila Cathedral, when members of Pro-Life Philippines harassed RH Supporters. Hopefully, this post (and the attached video) adds some clarity and reveals the lies Anti RH groups (including the CBCP) have been publishing — despite photos and videos that clearly shows what actually happened.1. We were invited to this event.


Or at least we weren’t told that we couldn’t attend. There were invites posted on bulletin boards with the words, “Everyone is cordially invited.” The organizers did not say that the event was exclusively for anti-RH bill Catholics only. We were even given invitation flyers outside Manila Cathedral, despite the fact that we were visibly wearing Damaso shirts.

2. We were told to stay — at least initially. We weren’t asked to leave at once.

Marita Wasan, executive director of Pro-Life Philippines, told us we could wait outside until the mass was over. So we waited peacefully near the steps to the Cathedral — until Eric Manalang, president of Pro-Life Philippines attacked us, forcing us to leave.

3. Members of Pro-Life Philippines attacked us. We didn’t fight back in any way.

We were respectful — we kept calm, even as they repeatedly insulted us and eventually resorted to violence. They called us Satan. They asked us to tell our mothers that they should have aborted us. They pushed us and tried to grab our cameras. The media has made it seem that there was an exchange of harsh words. There was no exchange. We have videos proving that all the violence came from the Pro-Life side.

4. Eric Manalang is bigoted — even toward fellow Catholics.

When a Catholic mother said that she was still a Catholic despite her support for the RH Bill, Manalang said, “That’s an oxymoron.” Manalang was saying that you cannot both be a Catholic and a supporter of the RH Bill. If that is the case, then the Church should stop claiming that 85% of all Filipinos are Catholics, because recent surveys show that most Filipinos support the RH Bill.

But aside from claiming to know what it means to be a True Catholic, Manalang insults supporters of the RH Bill by calling them Satan. What’s worse, he — and other Pro-Life members — asked them to tell their mothers that they should have been aborted. Is he saying that he prefers RH Bill supporters were never born? Or worse — if abortion is killing — that they were murdered?

5. The Catholic Church Hierarchy and Pro-Life Philippines are liars.

In addition to expressing our support for the RH Bill, we attended the event to learn why the Anti-RH groups opposed the RH Bill. We found out that their opposition was based on nothing but lies.

They distributed pamphlets claiming, among other things, that even mere condoms — which they wrongly consider abortifacients — could give cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and disabilities to the user and their offspring. They claimed that there was universal evidence that condom use increased the spread of AIDS. There is absolutely no evidence that supports any of these claims — and plenty of evidence that contradicts them.

6. The writers of CBCP Online are liars:

In their retelling of the incident, they said that we “forced” to get inside the Church. We have video of the conversaton with Marita Wasan showing that there was no force — we simply asked if we could go in. When she said we should wait, we simply waited.

They said that the pro-RH group were mostly teenagers from the Filipino Freethinkers. Of the more than twenty people there, only two were teenagers. And more than half were members of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines.

They lied about what Manalang said. They quoted him saying the following:
Manalang never said any of this — neither did any of the other members of Pro-Life — while we were leaving the cathedral. What they actually said was harsh beyond imagination — “Satan!” “Your mother should have aborted you!.” Fortunately, we have the video to prove it.
“You are Catholics but you are dissidents. We are Catholics but we follow God’s commandment to protect life strictly,” shouted Manalang as the rallyists were leaving the cathedral.

* * *
The Church has repeatedly said that it is open to have a dialogue on the RH Bill.

But it’s now clear that not only are they unwilling to have a conversation, they are going to use lies, harsh words, and even violence to ensure that only their monologue is heard.

Catholics believe that Satan is the prince of lies. When Manalang shouted for Satan to stay out of the Church, it may have been too late. He was already inside.


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Tuesday

PNOY'S LETTER TO THE SUPREME COURT REGARDING THE MAGUINDANAO TRIAL

Tuesday
 
Letter
of
Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
To Chief Justice Renato Corona
In support of the petition for the liver media coverage of the Maguindanao Massacre trial
[November 22, 2010]
Hon. Renato C. Corona 

Dear Mr. Chief Justice:

As you know, there are citizens and groups who have asked the Supreme Court to lift the ban on media coverage of trials, specifically, to make possible the live media coverage of the Maguindanao Massacre trial. I have stated publicly that I support the petition filed before the Supreme Court for this purpose.
You and I, and the respective independent branches of government we head, are duty-bound to uphold the Constitution and our laws. We are all bound to ensure that justice is done, and her interests served. Furthermore, we need to make people aware of, and convinced that, justice is being done and her interest served.  This can be done by making the trial of important and sensational cases such as the Maguindanao Massacre case, public.

Permitting the trial to be broadcast and covered fully by media would be a great consolation to the relatives of the massacre victims and our fellow citizens who might otherwise have no opportunity to see justice taking its proper course. A trial conducted in full public view, with the entire nation and the world allowed to witness the proceedings, sends the message that justice can and will be dispensed without fear or favor and in the full light of day.

The trial will also teach us the important lessons of history. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” as Santayana warned.  So it will be educational for the rest of the people to find out what actually transpired, the reasons behind the atrocity, and what steps should be done to prevent the same from happening again. The more who participate in this great teaching and corrective experience, the faster and the greater the chances will be, of this tragedy never being repeated again.

It is with these considerations in mind and fully aware of the existing policy of the Court on live coverage, that I have added my voice in support of those who have petitioned the Supreme Court to permit television and radio broadcast of the trial.

It is my earnest hope that the Supreme Court will, within the many considerations that enter into such a historic deliberation, attend to this petition with the dispatch, dispassion and humaneness, such a petition merits.
Respectfully yours,
(Sgd.) Benigno S. Aquino III,  President of the Philippines

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Monday

FYI: Patients' rights in hospitals at a glance

Monday
As a patient at the hospital, it is important to realize that you have both rights and responsibilities. This summary of patients' rights and responsibilities describe how you can participate in receiving quality care.
Respect
          Your Rights
 · To be treated with respect and courtesy
 · To receive safe, considerate, ethical and cost effective medical care
 · To have your individual cultural, spiritual and psychological needs respected
 · To have your privacy and personal dignity maintained
 · To expect that information regarding your care will be treated as confidential

Your Responsibilities
           · To respect hospital personnel
           · To respect care givers’ effort to provide care for other patients
           · To respect hospital property
           · To be considerate of other patients and to see that your visitors do the same

Treatment
         Your Rights
           · To receive treatment regardless of race, religion or any other discrimination prohibited by law.
           · To receive emergency treatment regardless of ability to pay
           · To expect reasonable continuity of care and to be informed of available and realistic care
             options when hospital care is no longer appropriate
           · To have your needs for pain management addressed and treated
           · To be free from the use of restraints and/or seclusion unless clinically necessary.

         Your Responsibilities
           · To follow your caregivers’ instructions and help them in their efforts to return you to health.
           · To inform your caregiver if you think there may be problems in following their instructions
           · To participate in decision making about your medical care
           · To recognize the impact of lifestyle on your personal health

Information
         Your Rights
           · To understand your diagnosis and treatment, as well as the possible outcomes, risks and
             benefits of your care.
           · To have information regarding your medical treatment explained to your family member or
             other appropriate individual when you are unable to participate in decisions about your care.
           · To be advised of hospital policies, procedures, rules and regulations that may affect your care.
           · To understand that your caregiver may both be teachers and students
           · To know the names/ titles of your caregiver.
           · To see your medical records (in accordance with hospital policy and/or the law)
           · To review your bill and to have any questions or concerns you have adequately addressed.

         Your Rights
           · To provide the hospital with accurate and complete information about your medical history
           · To ask your doctors for more information if you d not understand your illness or treatment
           · To provide the hospital with necessary payment and/or insurance information

Involvement
        Your Rights
          · To be involved in decisions concerning your care
          · To have your family members and/or others from participating in decisions about your care
          · To discuss any treatment planned for you
          · To give your informed consent or informed refusal for treatment
          · To leave the hospital or request a transfer (in accordance with hospital policy and/or the law)

Your Responsibilities
· To abide by hospital rules and regulations
· To keep your appointments
· To pay your bills on time (But if you can't. you must be willing to sign a promissory note that you will make
   good your payments at the agreed stipulations, hospitals cannot refuse your discharge should non-payment
   of bills is the reason.)
· To inform the hospital management if you believe your rights have been violated

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Condom remarks may alter AIDS fight, pope's legacy

VATICAN CITY – Vatican officials insist it's nothing "revolutionary," but to many other people Pope Benedict XVI's recent comments regarding condom use mark an important moment in the battle against AIDS and an effort by the pontiff to burnish his image and legacy.

Just a year after he said condoms could be making the AIDS crisis worse, Benedict said that for some people, such as male prostitutes, using them could represent a first step in assuming moral responsibility "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."

The Vatican's ban on contraception remains, but Alberto Melloni, an Italian church historian, said Benedict "opened without a doubt a crack that cannot help but have consequences."

Benedict stepped where no pope has gone since Paul VI's famous 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae" barred Catholics from using condoms and other artificial contraception. Pressure to lift the ban has grown with the spread of the HIV virus, which has infected some 60 million people worldwide and led to 25 million AIDS-related deaths over three decades.

The pope chose to make his statement not in an official document but in an interview with a German journalist, Peter Seewald, that is coming out this week in the book "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times." L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, published excerpts Saturday.

The pope says in his own writings that he takes personal responsibility for the remarks, meaning they are not official church teaching.

The conservative Benedict previously had given little sign of budging on the issue of condoms. Last year while en route to Africa, the continent HIV has hit hardest by far, he drew criticism from many health workers by saying condoms not only did not help stop the spread of AIDS but exacerbated the problem.

A number of top churchmen, including the Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, one of Benedict's rivals during his 2005 election as pope, have been calling for a humanitarian gesture on the issue of condoms. Others, including prelates in Africa, have said condom use is worth considering when one partner in a marriage is HIV positive.

Benedict did not address such cases in his interview, and he reaffirmed church teaching against artificial contraception. But he said, "There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility."

Asked if that meant that the church wasn't opposed in principle to condoms, the pope replied:

The church "of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but in this or that case, there can be nonetheless in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality," according to an English translation of the book obtained by The Associated Press.

The Holy See's chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, issued a statement stressing that the pope's comment neither "reforms or changes" church teaching. "The reasoning of the pope cannot certainly be defined as a revolutionary turn," he said.

Many Catholics, however, saw the remarks as a signal that the Vatican is softening its stance on condom use in general.

"It was well said. I believe you have to try to protect yourself against AIDS," 50-year-old Andrew Oyoma said after participating in Sunday Mass at St. Eugenia Catholic Church in Stockholm, Sweden.

In Zimbabwe, where roughly 15 percent of adults have the HIV virus, a Catholic priest said he would spread the news.

"I've got brothers and sisters and friends who are suffering from HIV because they were not practicing safe sex," said the Rev. Peter Makome, who works in the capital Harare's Southerton Parish. "Now the message has come out that they can go ahead and do safe sex; it's much better for everyone."

The U.N. agency tasked with combating AIDS said the pope's comments were "a significant and positive step" but noted that while more than 80 percent of HIV infections are caused through sexual transmission, only 4 percent to 10 percent result from sex between men.

Benedict has a reputation as a shy intellectual, and the interview was clearly an attempt to show a more human, more modern thinker. The pope, who is 83, spoke of his getting old, and went on to say that popes who are no longer physically able to carry on their missions have an obligation to resign. 

Benedict has endured several crises since becoming pope in 2005, including his lifting of the excommunication of a Holocaust-denying bishop, a speech early in his papacy in which he linked Islam to violence, and revelations of widespread sex abuse by Catholic clergy around the world. His own handling of a case while a bishop in his native Germany raised questions.
Even his comments about condoms turned into something of a PR gaffe with questionable translations in the Italian version that made the remarks appear stronger than they were. 

The Italian version said there may be some "justified" cases, while the original German and English texts were less direct, saying "there may be a basis in the case of some individuals."
Dr. John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethic Center in the United States, said that when L'Osservatore published the excerpts in advance of publication he wondered "had the Vatican lost its collective head." 

Or, said Hass, who insists the pope made no change in policy, "there may be an agenda. I am utterly baffled."
___
Associated Press writers Chengetai Zvauya in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Malin Rising in Stockholm contributed to this report.

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Saturday

INTELLIGENCE FUNDS, FAVORITE SOURCE OF CORRUPTION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Saturday
Annually, each local government unit frames their respective budget that will be used for their operations for the succeeding year and such budget is divided into two classifications, the 80% generally is for the Maintenance and Operating Expenses, wages for the employees, and other contractual obligations and more, otherwise known as the General Fund while the remaining 20% is addressed to projects identified, loans payables (though this can also be charged to the 80%) and other programs. This is what we call as Annual Investment Plan or the 20% Development Fund. Investments because, it should bear an ROI (return of investment) if the local officials are bent on freeing themselves from their dependence on the Internal Revenue Allotment from the national government.

This has been the age old problem of most LGUs in the province, dependence on the IRA. Almost all of the money budgeted and used by the LGUs are from their annual IRAs and not so much of their own earnings from local taxations and other local economic enterprises like markets, slaughterhouses, water supply and other economic ventures.

The said 20% appropriation should cover itemized projects. Section 287 of R.A. No. 7160 provides that each LGU shall appropriate in its annual budget no less than 20% of its annual IRA for development projects. Article 384 of its IRR provides further that the local development projects to be funded are those embodied or contained in the local development plans. 

Article 410 further provides that the “LDCs shall submit to the local finance committee a copy of the local development plan and annual investment program prepared and approved during the fiscal year before the calendar for budget preparation in accordance with applicable laws, specifying therein projects proposed for inclusion in the local government budget…. x x x.  The local finance committee shall use the plan to ensure that projects proposed for local funding are included in the budget.”

Where do Intelligence Funds come from?

The general welfare clause under Section 16 of R.A. No. 7160 states, among others, that, LGUs shall “maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants."

Accordingly, the DILG in its capacity and general supervisory authority over LGUs as delegated by the President pursuant to Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 267 series of 1992 issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 99-65 dated April 23, 1999 providing policies and guidelines relative to the utilization of funds for intelligence or confidential purposes. These guidelines were further supplemented by DILG MC No. 99-100 dated June 15, 1999. 

The Commission on Audit (COA) has strengthened, but failed dismally, as to why we shall discuss later, the use of public funds for intelligence and/or confidential purposes when it issued COA Circular No. 92-385 dated October 1, 1992 and COA Circular No. 2003-003 dated July 30, 2003 relative to the audit and liquidation guidelines and documentary requirements of Intelligence and/or Confidential Funds. It further prescribed separate accounts in the Revised New Government Accounting System (NGAS) Chart of Accounts under COA Circular No. 2003-001 dated June 17, 2003. Hence, the General Fund Books of Accounts of LGUs have separate accounts for Confidential Expenses (881) and Intelligence Expenses (882) under a common heading, “Confidential, Intelligence, Extraordinary and Miscellaneous Expenses”.

The guidelines in the allocation and use of public funds for intelligence and/or confidential purposes are prescribed under DILG MC No. 99-65 as supplemented by DILG MC No. 99-100. The following provisions thereof may be emphasized:

a.               An allocation for peace and order concerns may be provided in the annual budget of an LGU. Provided, that peace and order is a priority investment area.

b.        The total annual amount appropriated for intelligence or confidential undertakings shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total annual amount allocated for peace and order efforts or three percent (3%) of the total annual appropriations, whichever is lower.

          For example:

A.            Total Allocation for Peace and Order                                               P10M 
Multiply by 30%                                                             30%
                                         Allocation for Intelligence/Confidential Fund                 P 3M

      B.                   Total Appropriations (Annual Budget)                                    P200M
                             Multiply by 3%                                                                             3%
                                  Allocation for Intelligence/Confidential Fund                      P 6M
                                                                                                                                       
In this case, the computation yielding the lower amount (i.e., letter A) shall be used as basis in the allocation for intelligence/confidential purposes.

The funds appropriated for Intelligence and/or Confidential activities shall be used purposely for the conduct of intelligence and/or confidential operations and shall be limited to the following:

·          purchase of information;
·          payment of rewards;
·          rental and other incidental expenses relative to the maintenance of safehouses; and
·          purchase of supplies and ammunitions, provision of medical and food aid, as well as, payment of incentives or travelling expenses relative to the conduct of intelligence or confidential operations.

How are these funds disbursed?

The amounts shall be released to the Local Chief Executives (mayors and governors) as cash advances. The particulars written in the disbursement voucher is “used as intelligence funds” and it is expected that the expenses shall be in accordance to the items stated above. NOW COMES THE MONEY.

How is it treated by the Commission on Audit?

In accordance to the COA Circular related to the intelligence funds, here are the rules which the local chief executives should have followed:
1.         The liquidation report shall not be coursed through the Agency Auditor or Regional/Cluster Director, but shall be submitted in a sealed envelope with a visible label "CONFIDENTIAL – For COA Chairman Only" directly to the Chairman’s Office, COA thru any of the following modes:
  a)  registered mail
  b)  courier
  c)  authorized liaison officers
2.         The address appearing in the envelope shall be as follows:
COMMISSION ON AUDIT
  Commonwealth Avenue
          Quezon City
3.         The report should have a covering transmittal letter itemizing the documents being submitted.
4.         If the liquidation vouchers and supporting papers are in order, the COA Chairman or authorized representative shall issue a credit advice addressed to Head of the Agency, Attention the Chief Accountant, copy furnished the auditor of the government agency/office concerned.
5.         Subsequent cash advances shall be granted only after the issuance of credit advice from the Chairman or the submission of liquidation vouchers/reports for the previous cash advance to the COA Chairman. One copy of the transmittal letter, for the purpose, duly received by the Chairman or his authorized representative, must be forwarded to the Accountant of the agency and the auditor concerned for reference. (THIS IS NOT FOLLOWED)
6.         All liquidation vouchers and supporting papers shall be retained by the COA Chairman for safekeeping in his confidential file. However, duplicate copies of all these record and documents must be retained and filed by the accountable officer of the agency concerned.

Documentary Requirements:
1.         The liquidation vouchers duly signed by the authorized signatories must be supported by the following documents:
a.         Certified Xerox copy of the paid disbursement voucher of the cash advance being liquidated.
b.         Certification of the Agency Head concerned for the utilization of the Intelligence and Confidential Expense. (ONLY? WHAT ABOUT RECEIPTS, PROJECT PROFILES, OTHER JUSTIFICATIONS TO SECURE THE MONEY?)

Any disbursement from the intelligence/confidential funds shall be accounted for solely on the certification of the Head of Agency responsible for the intelligence, confidential, national security mission project or undertaking.
This certification is worded like this:

C E R T I F I C A T I O N


________________
Date


We hereby certify that the amount of ______________________________
(P________) was incurred by the undersigned in connection with PROJECT _________________________ (File Code No.).

We further certify that the aforementioned Project is a highly confidential operation/mission, the details of which cannot be divulged without posing a threat to national security.  We certify however, that the details and supporting documents are in our custody and kept in our confidential file and may be audited if the circumstances so demand.

We certify further that the funds were not used to pay salaries and wages of employees or any elected official nor for overtime, additional compensation, allowance or other fringe benefits and for the purchase of equipment, and that the expenditures were necessary and utilized for legal purposes.

___________________________________
PROJECT/ACCOUNTABLE OFFICER

Attested:
___________________________
HEAD OF THE AGENCY

Now, there are a lot of justifications in the spending of the intelligence expenses which can be abused by our politicians. Have you heard of people who supply intelligence information issuing receipts after receiving their payments for their tips, if any or paying their rewards? Would the items declare the operations of the law enforcers?

There are a lot of loopholes in this process. There are a lot in the English language that can justify on paper the millions for intelligence expenses but in reality, there was no expense at all.

If these monies are used religiously for anti-crime measures such as dependable communication facilities for the law enforcers, purchase of motor vehicles from the pockets of the LGUs and not only from those given by the DILG and the PNP National Office. Have you seen a PNP vehicle maintained by LGUs? They equal those that run in the 1970s, dilapidated and cannot be used for its purpose.

Light facilities can also be bought for those streets and dark alleys. We all want criminality to diminish, not increase.

Most certifications are for sure, gasoline expense which everyone can get receipts for their favourite gasoline stations, information and rewards to fictitious people without a crime solved, and other worthy expenses if those heads of agencies are moral and upright which is a rare breed in government service, especially local government units.

The government must scrap intelligence expenses as there is already the existence of Peace and Order Initiatives which are audited in the usual manner, though not a safeguard against corruption but to say the least, more detailed and more rigorous in justification.

The COA must revise their memo on the funds, make it more realistic and make it work, as the provision on the advise is not really followed. That is why our local officials spend it like it is their very own.

FEEDBACK? Write my comments box.

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Wednesday

HELP: MISSING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Wednesday
Carole Day went to the Philippines (Manila) from Hong Kong on a business trip on the 10th of September 2010, she was staying at "The Corporate Inn":

The Corporate Inn
1005 Ma. Orosa St. cor. TM Kalaw Ermita
Manila, Philippines

She was intending to fly to Thailand (Phuket) on the 11th/12th from Cebu, however she did not arrive at her destination and has been completely out of contact since the 12th of September.

She was due to arrive back in HK on September 15th for a number of important events including a close friends funeral.

At present we believe it is likely she is still in the Philippines (Manila or Cebu).

Any details no matter how seemingly trivial will be greatly appreciated.

Please contact her son, Jai Day, at any time:

 
+(852) 9633 3071 or +(852) 9633 3071
+63 (0) 916 440 2851 or +63 (0) 916 440 2851

 
***Info***

Carole Day


D.O.B: 19th July 1954 – 56 years old
Nationality: British/HK permanent resident of 22 years
British Passport: 707377691
Marriage status: Widowed – 6 years

2 Sons
– Jai Day (24) – currently in Manila
+(852) 9633 3071 +(852) 9633 3071
+63 (0) 916 440 2851 +63 (0) 916 440 2851

-Jamie Day (21) – currently in HK
+(852) 9820 7853 +(852) 9820 7853

Height: 5’4
Build: Slim
Hair: Blond/strawberry Blond
Eyes: Brown

Carole was frequently in the Philippines (Manila/Cebu multiple times per month) for business (furniture/interior decorations). She uses a showroom at LRI design studio:

LRI Design Studio
210 Nicanor Garcia St. (formerly Reposo St.),
Bel-Air II, Makati City

She has done business in Cebu in the past but had a falling out over quality of goods.
Original Plan (WAS NOT FOLLOWED):

September:
10th HK-MNL (stay at corporate inn)
11th Man-Phuket (stay at the Kane residence)
15th Phuket-Cebu

Cebu-MNL
MNL-HK

She had to be back then for the following reasons:
17th – a close friends funeral
18th – Pick up a friend from the airport (from UK) who is to stay with us in HK for 2 weeks
(she is in HK now)
21st – She was to fly to London for the son of a close family friends’ (more than 25 years) wedding.
She would not have gone more than a day without calling to check in. She left her 2 sons at home.

Full timeline so far:

Friday 10th September

Jai dropped Carole at HKG airport for her 10.40am flight to Manila on Cebu pacific (flight no. 5j 111) on the 10th of September 2010. She arrived in Manilla and met her business partner at the LRI showroom at around 4 pm. At around the same time Carole called her friend's house at which she was planning on staying in Phuket speaking to the Housekeeper to inform them of her intended arrival the next day (Sept 11th) at 3pm. Carole and business partners worked and then had some beers (purchased from the local petrol station but consumed at the studio) in the early evening.

Business partner dropped Carole off at the Corporate inn at 7pm. Carole realized she had forgotten her Jacket at the showroom and informs business partner via text message.

Saturday 11th September

Carole calls the residence of friend in Phuket again to inform of her delayed arrival. She again speaks to the housekeeper. She now plans to arrive in Phuket on Sept 12th at 5pm.

2/3 pm business partner arrives at Corporate Inn with Carole’s Jacket. Remains for one hour and leaves.

Sunday 12th September

Carole checks out of the Corporate Inn hotel at 7.30am and proceeds to board a street taxi (i.e. not a hotel taxi). She arrives at LRI showroom at 8.30/8.45am. business partners are already there.

Carole begins unpacking 2 Ama’s bags (large, square, chequered plastic bags)
full of small items and pricing them.

9.30/9.40am – business partners leave. Carole remains still unpacking/pricing items.
This is the last known point of contact

When the business partners left she was roughly half way through unpacking. Estimated guess as to completion time is 1030-11.30am.

They left to work on the design of a metallic ‘leaf’ that she was producing for the Regal hotel HK.

As they leave she tells them that she plans to fly to Cebu and Phuket. She did not clarify in what order.

Monday 13th September
Business partner arrives at showroom. showroom manager is also present. All items from the bags have been neatly stacked, lights have been turned off in the showroom and the door has been locked.
No sign of struggle.

Last contact
She was last seen at the LRI design studio by her business partner at 9.30am on the 12th of September. When he left she told him she was going to Cebu and Thailand. It is not certain in which order, but he believes that the intention was to head to Cebu first.

Immigration status
According to Filipino immigration Carole has not left the Philippines,
but they are unable to check internal flights.

MANIFESTS SHOW SHE DID NOT FLY OUT OF MANILA. Bear in mind there are other ways to leave the city. It is highly unlikely she would have opted for these however by choice.

Confirmation of HKG-MNL roundtrip – G9IYST.
Round trip details:
Cebu Pacific
Sep 10th HK – MNL (NAIA T3) flight no. 5j 111: 10.40am – 12.40pm
Sep 15th MNL (NAIA T3) – HK flight no. 5j 118: 4.40pm – 6.40pm

Thailand Phone details:
Carole called the residence of friend in Phuket twice and both times spoke to the housekeeper.
The first call was on Sept 10th (Friday) 4pm – to inform of her arrival in Phuket
on the 11th (Saturday) at 3pm.
The second call was on Sept 11th (Saturday) – to inform of her delayed arrival in Phuket on the 12th (Sunday) at 5pm.

PLEASE SHOW CAROL THAT WE CARE.

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