TUESday, August 17, 2010 Vol. 4 No. 53 • 8 pages www.commuterexpress.

ph

ERAP RUSHED
TO HOSPITAL DUE
TO NOSE BLEEDING
Page 3

country‘S ELITE
TO HELP PINOY
OLYMPIADS
Page 8

TRUTH BODY
CRITICIZED
AS TOOTHLESS
Page 2

president AQUINO
SWEARS IN
NEW SC JUSTICE
Page 3

31 8

SURVIVING THE GHOST MONTH 4 8 8

Geomancer to the stars Joy Lim issues tips on how we can arm ourselves against the negative effects of the ghost
month. According to feng shui traditions, during this time when evil spirits roam around in our midst, she advises ev- 41 19 3 31 23 4
eryone to take extra care and as much as possible postpone plans for business, travels, constructions and keep lovers’
quarrels to a minimum. REVOLI CORTEZ
P4.5 million
2 Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bakit dapat ipagpaliban ang barangay at SK elections? MY FARE SHARE

H
anggang ngayon ay usapin
pa rin kung dapat bang matu-
loy ang barangay at Sangguni-
ang Kabataan (SK) elections sa darat-
ing na October.
Sa mababang kapulungan ng Kon-
greso at Senado ay halos hati rin ang
saloobin ng mga mambabatas kung
dapat bang matuloy ang halalan sa ba-
rangay at SK.
Marami kasing mga mambabatas
ang nagsasabing hindi dapat matuloy
ang eleksyon sa Oktubre dahil na rin
sa malaking perang gugugulin kapag
natuloy ang barangay at SK polls.
Kabilang sa mga nagsasabi na hindi
dapat matuloy ang eleksiyon sa Oktu-
bre ay sina House Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte at House Minority Leader
Edcel Lagman habang sa Senado na-
man ay pinangungunahan ni Sen-
ate President Juan Ponce Enrile ang
mungkahing pagpapaliban sa halalan
ng barangay at SK.
Ayon kasi sa mga mambabatas na
ito, dapat munang unahin ng kasaluku-
yang administrasyon ang mga kinaha-
Truth Commission criticized as toothless
harap na problema ng bansa bago pag-
kagastusan ang nalalapit na halalan.
Hindi kasi biro ang gagastusin natin
kapag natuloy ang eleksiyon kung saan
ay gugugol tayo ng P3.2 bilyon para la-
mang maidaos ang nasabing halalan.
Kung tayo ang tatanungin, mas
mabuting ipagpaliban muna ang
eleksyon sa Oktubre dahil sa halip na
gastusin natin ang pera para sa halalan
ay ilaan muna natin ito sa mga kinaha-
harap nating suliranin ngayon.
Bukod dito, hindi lamang mga opi-
syal ng barangay ang nagsasabing da-
pat na ipagpaliban ang halalan sa Ok-
tubre bagkus ay ang mga Pilipino na
umaasang mabibigyan sila ng maga-
gandang proyekto ng kasalukuyang
administrasyon.
Umaasa rin ang mga Pilipino na
maiintindihan ni Pangulong Beni-
gno “Noynoy” Aquino III ang ka-
nilang kahilingan sa pagpapaliban
ng barangay at SK polls dahil mas
maraming mga Pinoy ang makikina-
bang sa perang gugugulin sa darat-
ing na halalan.
Kapag hindi natuloy ang eleksyon sa
Oktubre, mas marami sa ating mga ka-
babayan ang makikinabang sa perang
dapat sana ay gagastusin sa halalan
sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong
pakikinabangan ng mahihirap nating
kababayan.
Mali rin ang sinasabi ng ilan na ang
makikinabang sa pagpapaliban sa ba-
rangay at SK election ay ang mga kasa-
lukuyang opisyal dahil ang totoo nito,
ang mas makikinabang dito ay ang
sambayanang Pilipino na umaasa na
mababago ang kanilang pamumuhay
sa kasalukuyang administrasyon.
***
Sa mga kabarangay kong gustong
makilahok sa pitak na ito, maari kay-
ong mag-email sa barangayani_isko@
COMMENTARY
By Joel M. Sy Egco
Wrong right
(The following are excerpts from a statement re-
leased by the National Press Club on the revival of the
Right of Reply Bill in Congress. Yours truly is a director
of the NPC and chair of the Club’s press feedom com-
mittee)
“The NationalPress Club prays for God to give sound
mind to all the members of the House of Representatives,
particularly the lawmaker who killed Freedom of Infor-
mation (FOI) Bill on the last session day of the previous
Congress, so that they would be able to discern that the
right-of-reply bill is revolting to the conscience of democ-
racy for it only handcuffs the people into silence.
History has been unkind to the liberty of the press.
We have one too many congressman like Pedro Romual-
do, who does not know that the real rust to thepower they
are so voracious about is not the free-flowing expression
by the press and the masses, and who does not know that
it is the unrestrained lust for power that is the rust to the
power that looms larger than life in his head.
They must know: The freedom of the press and ex-
pression is like a great river that when prevented from
flowing will create great flood to kill all in its riotous
paths.
They must know: The US Supreme Court killed Flor-
ida's right-of-reply bill on the spot for it is hostile to the
Thomas Jefferson-led Constitution's mandate that Con-
gress shall make no law abridging the freedom of expres-

T
HE long-awaited Truth Commission formed by Presi-
dent Aquino through Executive Order No. 1, which
he signed last July 30, proves to be a disappointment
for many groups as the body will only focus on the corrup-
tion cases of the previous administration of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and human-
rights group Karapatan criticized Aquino’s Executive Order
No. 1 (EO No. 1) for its limited mandate, which does not in-
clude investigation of human rights abuses under the Arroyo
regime.
Meanwhile, in a statement sent through email, the Com-
munist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said Aquino’s Truth
Commission “is a toothless, single-target, slow-moving ani-
mal that may ultimately fail to catch up with Gloria Macapa-
gal-Arroyo and her pack of criminal cohorts.”
“The two-and-a-half-year timetable gives much time for
Arroyo to come up with the necessary political, legal and ex-
tra-legal counter maneuvers to dodge criminal prosecution,”
Chairman, Editorial Board ARKHON A. ANTOLIN
Executive Editor Jonathan p. Vicente
News Editor LEA G. BOTONES
Overall Creative Director stephen salvatore
Chief of Photographers revoli S. cortez
Chief Layout Artist HECTOR L. LOZANO
President and CEO VICTOR A. CALUAG
EVP, Sales & Marketing TONETTE R. HENSON
Accounting Manager Mario L. adelante
Credit & Collection Manager raul b. perez
Distribution Manager EDISON B. CAMARINes
Production Manager edwin a. co
Advertising Traffic Supervisor eric r. jutic
Published Monday to Friday by Silverstream Publishing Corp.
Suite 2111 Cityland Herrera Tower, Valero Street,
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Telephone Nos. 8873433 • 8451653 • 8873435
Email: cxeditorial@commuterexpress.ph
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the CPP said. The commission has until December 31, 2012
to complete its mandate.
The CPP pointed out that there are built-in legal and judi-
cial loopholes in the Truth Commission that “may even serve
as Arroyo’s way out.”
Human Rights Should Be Included
Bayan said Aquino’s Truth Commission should include vio-
lations of human rights because these, according to the group,
have often been committed to stop all opposition to the gov-
ernment’s corrupt activities as well as its other crimes against
the people. By stifling all dissent, corrupt leaders hope to re-
move all obstacles to their nefarious schemes, Bayan said.
“How many times did the Arroyo regime, for instance,
commit human rights violations to silence whistleblowers
like Marlene Esperat and Jun Lozada?” Bayan asked.
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairwoman of Karapatan said by
excluding the Arroyo administration’s gross human rights
violations in the investigation to be conducted by the Truth
Commission, Aquino is ignoring the thousands of victims
of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearance, torture and
other violations brought about by the previous regime’s
counter-insurgency Oplan Bantay Laya.
Section 1 of the EO states that the commission should en-
sure that the “full measure of justice shall be served.”
“Full measure of justice cannot be served without includ-
ing the violations of human rights, it’s only one third,” Bayan
Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares said.
Toothless Commission
Colmenares also branded that Aquino’s Truth Commis-
sion as “toothless.”
Section 9 of EO No. 1 states that failure to appear by any
government official or personnel who would be invited by
the commission shall be subject to administrative disciplin-
ary action. But Colmenares said there is no clear disciplinary
action prescribed in the EO.
“The Commission of Human Rights has contempt pow-
ers, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission can suspend a
government official for 90 days, but this Truth Commission
doesn’t have that,” he pointed out.
sion and free press.
The US Supreme Court said that newspapers right to
their property in terms of spaces in their pages are their
private property that cannot be used to unjustly enrich
those who are thin-skinned and who does not know how
to behave well in the eyes of the people. Further, it de-
clared that criticized publicmen can publish their own
newspaper to answer criticisms. In modern times, those
who thought they were maligned when the media said
they did their duty sloppily can post their own blogs on
Facebook, Twitter, Multiply and other free websites and
social networking platforms.
It was so sickening for Romualdo to invoke “lack of
quorum” too late while the last session day of the House
was coming to anend. Evidently, his only purpose was to
kill the FOI bill to serve the ends of his master who lent
him full support to keep power, fame and fortune.”
SHAME ON YOU, CONG. ROMUALDO!
He said a resolution signed and approved by Congress
could aid the Truth Commission to penalize those who will
not attend its invitation. “Aquino can ask the legislative and
the judiciary to sign a resolution penalizing those who will ig-
nore the Truth Commission’s invitation,” said Colmenares.
The CPP also noted that the commission does not have
real subpoena powers, cannot prosecute and is only limited
to investigating cases.
Colmenares said the commission should have human
rights advocates or victims of violations of human rights or
relatives of victims as its members. He said the appointment
of Associate Justice Hilario Davide as head of the commis-
sion compromises its credibility.
“The head of the commission should have absolutely no
relation or debt of gratitude to the person it will investigate.
How can someone who has worked with Arroyo be able to
investigate her?” Colmenares said.
Davide was assigned by the Arroyo government as a per-
manent representative of the Philippine mission to the Unit-
ed Nations. It was also Davide who administered the oath
to then vice president Arroyo when former president Joseph
Estrada was ousted in 2001. Bulatlat.com
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 3
Erap rushed to hospital NCR Command chief ‘raises hell’ over demotion
By Ronnie Santos stand where the flag-raising was held. A this to me and what wrong have I done?”
due to nose bleeding number of NCRcom assets were also lined added Angue.
FORMER President Joseph Estrada was NATIONAL Capital Region Command up, including four battle tanks, for his ad- He said it was “ironic, perhaps tragic”
rushed to a hospital Sunday afternoon due to chief Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue yester- dress. that his fidelity and professionalism as an
“profuse nose-bleeding,” a GMA Flash Report day decried his demotion in position, even In his speech, Angue acknowledged officer is being doubted in spite of his reit-
announced. as he admitted getting demoralized over that it is the prerogative of the new ad- eration to uphold the law and Constitution.
The report quoted Estrada's son, Senate Pres- his first humiliation as a military officer ministration to designate a new NCRcom He also took note how the NCRcom officers
ident Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, as saying for over 32 years. commander “who enjoys their trust and and men played a professional and neutral
that the former leader was brought to Cardinal Angue’s remarks prompted the Armed confidence.” Angue’s successor is Maj. role in the May 10 presidential elections.
Santos Medical Center in Greenhills, San Juan Forces leadership to order an investiga- Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, the outgoing chief Nevertheless, he told his men that
for a series of examination. tion against the flag officer for violation of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division. he will continue with his military career
The report said the elder Estrada left the of the military’s code of ethics, adding his “As a professional soldier…I will follow, wherever he is assigned despite the demo-
medical facility at about 8 p.m. and is now in statements are bordering into insubordi- even with an unanswered question in my tion, stressing that he is true to his calling
nation. mind as to why I am being demoted from a as a public servant and he is loyal to the
good condition.
Angue made the initial salvo in three-star position to a lower position in the Constitution.
Estrada, a former actor, was ousted from
questioning his designation as com- AFP Table of Organization,” said Angue. Angue said he is not scared of getting
Malacañang by a military-backed revolt in 2001
mander of the Naval Forces Western “In my 32 years as an officer of the assigned in Mindanao, noting that he has
over accusations of corruption.
Mindanao, a lower position, during Armed Forces, this is the first time that I served a long period of his career in Min-
He was found guilty of plunder in Septem-
his speech following a flag-raising cer- would be a witness to the humiliation of danao. His last assignment in Mindanao
ber 2007 and was sentenced to life imprison-
emony at the NCRcom headquarters demotion of a flag rank or a general offi- was as commander of the Navy Task Force
ment. He was pardoned by then President Gloria
in Camp Aguinaldo. cer. Demotion is a severe punishment giv- 62 in Tawi-tawi where he fought various
Macapagal-Arroyo a month later.
About 200 officers and men were en only to erring enlisted personnel who efforts to rig the results of the 2004 presi-
Estrada sought to regain the presidency in the
massed up in front of the NCRcom grand- have committed grave offenses. Why do dential elections.
May 10 elections but placed only second to Beni-
gno Aquino III. Aquino swears in
Before he was elected president, he served as
mayor of San Juan city for many years, a senator, new SC justice Climate change dangerously
and vice president. PRESIDENT Aquino yesterday swore affects families – Pulse Asia
into office newly appointed Supreme PULSE Asia survey showed that two “In part, this may be attributed to
DepEd reiterates Court Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Ara-
nal Sereno, whom he said he does not per-
out of three Filipinos (66 percent) per-
sonally experienced a big change in the
the devastation experienced by Metro
Manilans as a result of typhoon Ondoy
guidelines on typhoon sonally know even though they were col- climate in the past three years and af- in September 2009 and the water crisis
lege schoolmates. fecting not only the environment but the that hit parts of Metro Manila in July
EDUCATION Secretary Armin Luistro has reit- In an ambush interview after Sereno people as well. 2010,” survey said.
erated to use the typhoon advisory as a guideline took her oath at Rizal Hall in Mala- Majority of Filipinos said climate It also said some 63 percent believed
of public and local decision makers in the event of cañang, Aquino said he chose Sereno change is dangerous not only for the en- the recent calamities experienced by the
a typhoon. because of her “awe-inspiring” creden- vironment (71 percent) but also for their Philippines and other countries may be
Lusitro said there are existing policies that allow tials, which include being co-counsel in families and themselves (70 percent). attributed to human-induced environ-
DepEd officials and local government executives to the government's winning arbitration “For seven in ten Filipinos (70 per- mental destruction.
suspend classes at their level. This will avoid leaving case involving the Ninoy Aquino Inter- cent to 71 percent), climate change poses “The majority opinion among Fili-
children on the streets when heavy rains and strong national Airport Terminal 3 before the a danger to the environment and to their pinos is that the various calamities
winds hit certain areas. families. Majorities across geographic that hit the Philippines and other
International Chamber of Commerce-
According to Luistro, based on the DepEd or- areas consider climate change to be dan- countries in recent months are the
International Court of Arbitration in
der, if signal No. 1 is raised by the Philippine At- gerous for the environment (66 percent result of humanity’s environmentally
Singapore.
mospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services to 81 percent) and their families (61 per- destructive ways (63 percent),” ac-
Aquino said he does not personally cent to 84 percent). The sense of danger cording to Pulse Asia.
Administration, classes in pre-school are automati- know Sereno, his first appointee to the is more pronounced among Metro Ma- Meanwhile, around 21 percent of Fil-
cally suspended or cancelled in the affected areas. Supreme Court, even though she was one nilans (81 percent to 84 percent) than ipinos see these calamities as God’s way
If signal No. 2 is raised, classes from pre-school, batch ahead of him at the Ateneo de Ma- among those in the rest of Luzon and of warning countries that have turned to
elementary and high school are automatically sus- nila University, where they both took up Mindanao (61 percent to 68 percent),” evil ways – a view supported by 32 per-
pended or cancelled. AB Economics. Sereno graduated in 1980, Pulse Asia said. cent of those in Mindanao.
He also said that in the absence of storm signals, while Aquino graduated in 1981.
localized suspension is allowed by the order.
The decision may be made by the school princi-
Aquino appointed Sereno to the Su-
preme Court last Friday, choosing her
Maximum tolerance on protesting Luisita farmers
pal, division superintendent or local government ex- above five other nominees for the post va- tMANILA Police District the SC should immediately In a letter addressed to
ecutive, while the final decision to let the child to go cated by Renato Corona when then Presi- director Chief Supt. Rod- resolve the case despite of Chief Justice Renato Coro-
olfo Magtibay ordered the the compromised agree- na, farm workers from Ha-
to school or not is also left with the parents. dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named him
implementation of maxi- ment. cienda Luisita represented
Marco Lorenzana chief justice on May 17.
mum tolerance on Hacien- Several farmers’ groups, by United Luisita Workers
DA assures food security, rice sufficiency by 2013 da Luisita farmers holding
protest before the Supreme
including those who re-
cently signed a compro-
Union (ULWU) and the Aly-
ansa ng mga Manggagawang
THE Department of Ag- security and self-sufficiency. grated Development Program Court along Padre Faura mise agreement with the Bulid sa Asyenda Luisita
riculture (DA) yesterday as- Alcala said he has been (DIDP), chaired by Davao del St., Ermita, Manila. management of Hacienda (Ambala) together with al-
sured long lasting food secu- consulting with local govern- Norte governor Rodolfo del Magtibay appealed to Luisita Inc., has asked the lied groups such as the Ka-
rity for Filipinos in the coming ment executives to renew and Rosario,” Alcala told report- farmer-protesters to guard Supreme Court (SC) to tipunan ng mga Samahang
months due to the bumper strengthen partnerships to ers. their ranks to ensure that proceed with the scheduled Magbubukid ng Timog Kata-
harvest by farmers despite successfully attain President The DA chief said he sought no infiltrators could mix oral arguments on Wednes- galugan (Kasama-TK), the
the effects of the El Niño Phe- Aquino’s food security pro- their support to open up more in their groups to ensure day in connection with the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa
nomenon. gram, particularly in rice self- rice areas, plant more upland that no untoward incidents petition seeking to enjoin sa Agrikultura (UMA) and
Agriculture Secretary Pro- sufficiency by 2013. organic and fancy rice for do- would occur. the government from dis- the Kilusang Magbubukid ng
ceso J. Alcala also said during “I have already met with mestic and export, increase Lawyer Joseph Pahilga, tributing the 6,000-hectare Pilpinas (KMP) said the oral
a press briefing at the DA Cen- LGUs like the officials from production of white corn to lawyer of the Alyansa ng sugar plantation in Tarlac arguments should proceed
tral Office in Quezon City that Davao region. There, I met ease the pressure on rice, and Manggagawang Bukas ng to farmer-beneficiaries as scheduled since the reso-
his office and the local gov- with governors and may- rehabilitation and mainte- Asyenda (AMBALA), said under the Comprehensive lution of the Hacienda land
ernment units (LGUs) have ors during the special board nance of irrigation systems. the oral argument should Agrarian Reform Program dispute “is long overdue.”
forged a partnership for food meeting of the Davao Inte- Angela Nolasco proceed on August 18 and (CARP). Angelie Escandor
 4 Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Glenn Diaz
T
HE skeptical would readily disregard
it as plain rubbish, this notion that
during a certain month of the year, all
activities—from business to relationships, travel
to constructions—ought to be reduced to a mini-
mum, if not put to a complete standstill.
According to Chinese traditions, during this
time, evil spirits and ghouls freely roam around
in our midst, set free from the gates of hell, its
manifestations ranging from something as mas-
sive as casualties by the thousands to outwardly
trivial things, such as meeting mean people in
the streets.
But the believers of the Ghost Month (Chit
Ge Pwa) seem to have history and actual hap-
penings on their side. Last year’s SuperFerry 9
sinking, as well as the Payatas and Cherry Hills
tragedies, and the massive Baguio earthquake
all happened during this period. Abroad, the
long list includes the September 11 attacks and
the death of Princess Diana.
Early this week, news broke out that a vessel
has sunk off the coast of Romblon, in seeming
preparation for the allegedly accursed period that
falls on August 10 to September 7 this year.
Foremost feng shui expert Joy Lim, best
known for her wide celebrity clientele and color-
ful charms, says it is imperative that everyone
is aware just how debilitating the ghost month
can be and, more importantly, how we can arm
ourselves against its negative effects and survive
it preferably unscathed.
“If you can, just lie low in all aspects of our
lives. As much as possible, halt any construction,
good
health AND
LONGEVITY
Holy Gourd with
mantra beads
ULTIMATE SYMBOL
OF PROTECTION
AGAINST ROBBERY,
ACCIDENTS,
ENEMIES, OFFICE
POLITICS, BIZ
COMPETITORS
AND
BACKSTABBING
Green rhinoceros
postpone your travels, and keep lovers’ quarrels
to a minimum,” says Lim, who’s been in the
business for 15 years and counts Boy Abunda
and Kim Chiu as just two of her clients.
For instance, she recounts, actor Dennis Trillo
nearly drowned during this precarious phase.
This is, of course, not meant to sow fear and
alarm as our calendars traverse through the 28
days that make up this year’s ghost month. If
anything, Lim remains to be a bundle of colorful
optimism that she is despite the bleak prospects
of the times.
True enough, we can’t expect human activity
to simply grind to a halt during the ghost month.
She says countering the bad energy can be more
effective than staying in one’s house hermit-like
waiting for the day when everything is over. She
narrows down to three her tips on dealing with
Surviving the Ghost Month
good fortune,
good health and
longevity
Lady Buddha or Quan Yin,
Goddess of Mercy and
Compassion with lotus beads
NEVER-ENDING
POWER OF LOVE,
HAPPINESS AND
PEACE OF MIND
Mystic knot with mantra
beads
the ghost month.
n Avoid traveling. Stay home. She her-
self avoids traveling during the tumultuous
four weeks, as it appears to be the area where
most catastrophes happen. To cite, both the
September 11 attacks (plane) and the death of
Princess Di (car) had elements of transporta-
tion in them.
n Wear red. Red is a universally happy
color, she says. In fact, bright-hued colors in
general repel negative energy. Black, on the
other hand, attracts them.
n Don’t forget your charms. If for any
reason, traveling or construction or any other
major events are inevitable during the ghost
month, one way to keep safe is by wearing
charms. She recommends in particular Chung
Kwei, Kwan Yin, and the staple Buddha.
5
LOVE, LONGEVITY,
happiness and good luck
contentment AND GOOD
Laughing Buddha with
mantra beads
HEALTH
Lady Buddha or
Quan Yin, Goddess
of Mercy and
Compassion with
mantra
beads
Lim adds that she had received outstanding
feedbacks regarding the effectiveness of her
charms in her 15 years in the business, more so
during the ghost month. Her next venture, in
fact, comes in the form of bags, which go with
all the protection charms and are customizable
depending on areas of concern.
For instance, she says, if you’re broken-
hearted and you want to focus on your love life,
rose quartz are ideal. Rhinos serve as a protec-
tion charm from people with evil intentions,
such as burglars and thieves, who get an extra
boost of meanness during this time of the year.
“There are people who are prone to meanness,”
she adds. All these can go with the bag, which
comes in different colors.
But ghost month or not, all these will be for
naught if you don’t believe them in the first
place, Lim cautions. “You don’t need to be a
fanatic. Just be into it and have a little faith.”
And while 2010 sees a seeming conflict of
the elements—wood tiger in a metal year—and
indeed a bothersome year for most signs, Lim Joy Lim
remains optimistic. When metal meets wood, introduces new
line of colorful
she explains, there are two ways to look at it. lucky bags
Negative people will probably think of firewood. decorated with
The optimistic ones will think of a chair. auspicious lucky
“The power of the mind is so strong,” she charms and
says. “If you tell yourself everyday, ‘I’m so un- crystals.
lucky, I’m so unlucky,’ you will attract negative
energy and will end up unlucky indeed. The
way I see it, it’s a combination of prayer and
attitude. Remember, even during the ghost
month, laging may bukas pa [there’s always
tomorrow].”
For free consultation call 416-3670 or email
hapee_joy@yahoo.com.
 4 Tuesday, August 17, 2010
By Glenn Diaz
T
HE skeptical would readily disregard
it as plain rubbish, this notion that
during a certain month of the year, all
activities—from business to relationships, travel
to constructions—ought to be reduced to a mini-
mum, if not put to a complete standstill.
According to Chinese traditions, during this
time, evil spirits and ghouls freely roam around
in our midst, set free from the gates of hell, its
manifestations ranging from something as mas-
sive as casualties by the thousands to outwardly
trivial things, such as meeting mean people in
the streets.
But the believers of the Ghost Month (Chit
Ge Pwa) seem to have history and actual hap-
penings on their side. Last year’s SuperFerry 9
sinking, as well as the Payatas and Cherry Hills
tragedies, and the massive Baguio earthquake
all happened during this period. Abroad, the
long list includes the September 11 attacks and
the death of Princess Diana.
Early this week, news broke out that a vessel
has sunk off the coast of Romblon, in seeming
preparation for the allegedly accursed period that
falls on August 10 to September 7 this year.
Foremost feng shui expert Joy Lim, best
known for her wide celebrity clientele and color-
ful charms, says it is imperative that everyone
is aware just how debilitating the ghost month
can be and, more importantly, how we can arm
ourselves against its negative effects and survive
it preferably unscathed.
“If you can, just lie low in all aspects of our
lives. As much as possible, halt any construction,
good
health AND
LONGEVITY
Holy Gourd with
mantra beads
ULTIMATE SYMBOL
OF PROTECTION
AGAINST ROBBERY,
ACCIDENTS,
ENEMIES, OFFICE
POLITICS, BIZ
COMPETITORS
AND
BACKSTABBING
Green rhinoceros
postpone your travels, and keep lovers’ quarrels
to a minimum,” says Lim, who’s been in the
business for 15 years and counts Boy Abunda
and Kim Chiu as just two of her clients.
For instance, she recounts, actor Dennis Trillo
nearly drowned during this precarious phase.
This is, of course, not meant to sow fear and
alarm as our calendars traverse through the 28
days that make up this year’s ghost month. If
anything, Lim remains to be a bundle of colorful
optimism that she is despite the bleak prospects
of the times.
True enough, we can’t expect human activity
to simply grind to a halt during the ghost month.
She says countering the bad energy can be more
effective than staying in one’s house hermit-like
waiting for the day when everything is over. She
narrows down to three her tips on dealing with
Surviving the Ghost Month
good fortune,
good health and
longevity
Lady Buddha or Quan Yin,
Goddess of Mercy and
Compassion with lotus beads
NEVER-ENDING
POWER OF LOVE,
HAPPINESS AND
PEACE OF MIND
Mystic knot with mantra
beads
the ghost month.
n Avoid traveling. Stay home. She her-
self avoids traveling during the tumultuous
four weeks, as it appears to be the area where
most catastrophes happen. To cite, both the
September 11 attacks (plane) and the death of
Princess Di (car) had elements of transporta-
tion in them.
n Wear red. Red is a universally happy
color, she says. In fact, bright-hued colors in
general repel negative energy. Black, on the
other hand, attracts them.
n Don’t forget your charms. If for any
reason, traveling or construction or any other
major events are inevitable during the ghost
month, one way to keep safe is by wearing
charms. She recommends in particular Chung
Kwei, Kwan Yin, and the staple Buddha.
5
LOVE, LONGEVITY,
happiness and good luck
contentment AND GOOD
Laughing Buddha with
mantra beads
HEALTH
Lady Buddha or
Quan Yin, Goddess
of Mercy and
Compassion with
mantra
beads
Lim adds that she had received outstanding
feedbacks regarding the effectiveness of her
charms in her 15 years in the business, more so
during the ghost month. Her next venture, in
fact, comes in the form of bags, which go with
all the protection charms and are customizable
depending on areas of concern.
For instance, she says, if you’re broken-
hearted and you want to focus on your love life,
rose quartz are ideal. Rhinos serve as a protec-
tion charm from people with evil intentions,
such as burglars and thieves, who get an extra
boost of meanness during this time of the year.
“There are people who are prone to meanness,”
she adds. All these can go with the bag, which
comes in different colors.
But ghost month or not, all these will be for
naught if you don’t believe them in the first
place, Lim cautions. “You don’t need to be a
fanatic. Just be into it and have a little faith.”
And while 2010 sees a seeming conflict of
the elements—wood tiger in a metal year—and
indeed a bothersome year for most signs, Lim Joy Lim
remains optimistic. When metal meets wood, introduces new
line of colorful
she explains, there are two ways to look at it. lucky bags
Negative people will probably think of firewood. decorated with
The optimistic ones will think of a chair. auspicious lucky
“The power of the mind is so strong,” she charms and
says. “If you tell yourself everyday, ‘I’m so un- crystals.
lucky, I’m so unlucky,’ you will attract negative
energy and will end up unlucky indeed. The
way I see it, it’s a combination of prayer and
attitude. Remember, even during the ghost
month, laging may bukas pa [there’s always
tomorrow].”
For free consultation call 416-3670 or email
hapee_joy@yahoo.com.
6 Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ni McJoe
Complete the grid so every row, column
PALAISIPAN Thelma Onego
and 3 x 3 box contains every digit
2. Alpabeto
from 1 to 9 inclusively.
3. Banggit
4. Hintay
5. Pantukoy Kastila
6. Overtime
7. Planuhin
8. Pangalan
ng babae
9. Mababawasan
10. Iharang
14. Inilantad
16. Anak na babae
18. Nagmamadali
20. Tingnan
ng masama
22. Bukang-liwayway
26. Banggit
27. Handog
PAHALANG 23. Huni ng agila 28. Asosasyon
Previous puzzle solution 24. Palayaw 29. Dyinggel
1. Padaig ng lalaki 30. Rin
7. Baluktot 25. Matrimonyo
11. Laman ng bag
12. Bigo
29. Itaob
31. Ilahok
Share mealtime joy
13. Katapusan 32. Uod with distanced families
14. Ihabi
15. Ligid
33. Giba
34. Anong
via M.Lhuillier’s Jollibee
16. Ikampi ginawa Meal Padala
17. Pang-ukol 35. Sabi niya True to its commitment to help Filipinos con-
18. N------; stantly enrich the quality of their lives, M.Lhuillier,
Nagimbal one the country’s biggest financial service institu-
19. Anno Domini PABABA tions, recently forged an innovative tie-up with
20. Ipanguya the country’s biggest homegrown fastfood chain,
21. Nasyon sa 1. Malaking Jollibee. The partnership between the two true-
sagot sa nakaraan
Pasipiko pagong blue Pinoy firms re-asserts M.Lhuillier’s goal to
help families foster the spirit of togetherness even

Bistek asks QC council to CA upholds law giving amidst physical distance.

strengthen environment law
QUEZON City Mayor Herbert
Bautista yesterday urged the 26-
strong members of the city council
to prioritize the passage of a legisla-
tion that would strengthen the local
laws in improving the management
of the environment.
Bautista made the appeal
during his first State of the City
Address held at the QC Session
Hall coinciding with the official
opening of the city council’s regular
session.
The passage of a local measure
with regard to the improvement
of environment is only one of the
eight proposed measures that
Bautista wanted the council to
prioritize.
Bautista was alarmed over
the effects of the climate change
saying that the devastation of
typhoon "Ondoy" should not be
repeated.
“We must be prepared, not only
for floods but also for earthquakes
and other phenomena aggravated
by climate change.
This is why disaster risk re-
duction is one of my priorities,”
Bautista said. Bautista added that
he would like to work with the leg-
islators in strengthening “our local
laws to improve the management
of our environment.”
The mayor also stressed that
Quezon City has many areas
where the environment can
be kept clean, green and blue,
with stricter enforcement of
environmental laws for land,
water and air.
With regard to the prevention
of flooding, Bautista said he has
directed the city engineers and
planning personnel to prioritize
for implementation, the repair and
improvement of embankments,
ripraps and other flood control
measures.
Bautista added that to keep the
indigent population safe, the city
government is now working on
projects that will remove people
from danger areas – along creeks,
canals, embankments, sewers and
other hazard-prone areas and as-
sist them in getting to safer, legally
allowed places.
Kim Pascual
20% discount to PWDs
Like senior citizens, persons with disability (PWDs) can
avail of a 20 percent discount on the purchase of medicines,
food, and on payment of admissions in recreational centers
nationwide.
This was when the Court of Appeals (CA) declared as con-
stitutional a provision of Republic Act 7227 calling for such
reduction in prices for PWDs. The Department of Health
summarized the seven disability types as communication dis-
ability, learning disability, mental disability, orthopedic dis-
ability, psychosocial disability, visual disability and chronic
illness.
But the CA temporarily halted the National Council on
Disability Affairs (NCDA) from implementing its Adminis-
trative Order No. 1 calling for the issuance of identification
cards for bonafide PWDs for the agency's failure to inform
the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR)
and its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
“In view of respondents’ failure to support with concrete
evidence their allegation that NCDA AO. NO. 1 was filed with
the ONAR on October 22, 2009 and that the same has been
published in a newspaper of general circulation, we hereby
direct respondents to prove compliance with the filing and
publication requirements of NCDA AO No. 1 prior to its im-
plementation,” the CA said.
The case stemmed from the petition for prohibition and/or
a writ of preliminary injunction filed by the Drugstores Asso-
ciation of the Philippines, Save More Drug, Inc.; Manson Drug
Corporation, South Star Drug Inc., and Northern Luzon Drug
Corporation arguing that the 20 percent discount is unconsti-
tutional for failing to provide just compensation upon taking
of property for public use and for violating due process.
M.Lhuillier introduces ML Jollibee Meal
Padala, a value-added service of ML Kwarta
Padala wherein the sender gets to “remit” Jol-
libee meals to loved ones, instead of the usual
cold cash. Sender can choose any of the five (5)
Jollibee Meal Padala packages to send, with
each meal package good for five persons. These
affordable set meals include Jollibee’s all-time
favorites like Chickenjoy, Yum with cheese,
Burger steak, Jolly Zert pie and more, all pos-
ing at incredible value, with price ranging from
Php775.00 to Php1,011.50.
Transaction is hassle-free, and can be done in
five easy steps: 1. Sender can go to the nearest ML
Kwarta Padala Outlet, 2. Choose a meal package,
3.Fill up the customer order slip, 4. Pay the corre-
sponding amount, and 5. Send the Kwarta Padala
Transaction Number (KPTN) to the receiver. Re-
cipients will only have to present the KPTN to a Jol-
libee outlet of their choice to claim the meal pack-
age.
“ML Jollibee Meal Padala gives distanced
family members a chance to provide for their
loved ones through non-monetary but poignant
means. They also get to share mealtime joys, even
though they’re miles apart. We at M.Lhuillier
promise every Pinoy that ‘May Magandang
Mangyayari’ each time they entrust us with the
fruits of their labor. This is our way of helping
families bridge the distances and bring them
closer to their loved ones”, says Malou Rocha,
M.Lhuillier Marketing Director.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
MMDA wants to build flood diversion channel
By Anthony Muñoz
CHAIRMAN Francis Tolen-
tino of the Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority (MMDA)
is mulling the construction of a
new water diversion channel and
the strict enforcement of the an-
ti-littering ordinance to mitigate
flooding in Metro Manila during
the rainy season.
The plan was revealed by Tolen-
tino as he and other MMDA officials
started to inspect eight esteros early
yesterday morning to personally
oversee the ongoing cleanup.
Tolentino said the tons of gar-
bage found in the waterways are
clogging drainage systems and
no amount of cleanup would im-
prove the flow of water if the dif-
ferent local government units will
not do their share of cleaning up
the drainage.
“What we need is cooperation
from the local government units
so we can at least minimize the
effect of flooding,” Tolentino told
reporters while inspecting the
Makati Channel connecting to-
wards the Tripa de Galina estero.
He said that aside from the
full cooperation from the local
chief executives, which he has
already delivered to the differ-
ent Metro mayors, they are also
thinking of building a flood di-
version to lessen the impact of
the volume of water.
According to MMDA Vice
Chairman Cesar Lacuna they are in
the process of studying the proba-
bility of building the Makati Diver-
sion Channel. “We will study it.
The Makati Diversion Chan-
nel will be more than a kilome-
ter in length which will traverse
through Tripa de Galina estero
in Pasay City.
Likewise, all the diversion box
culverts will also be inspected
along with the drainage systems
as part of the ongoing clearing
operations.
A feasibility study is also one
of the plans of the MMDA to
determine the actual size of the
present drainage systems in the
metropolis.
Lacuna said that if the study
found that drainage systems
should be increase in sizes then
they will do it.
Tolentino on the other hand
also directed assistant general
manager for operations and con-
current planning chief Corazon
Cruz to review the existing MMDA
ordinance on anti-littering.
The chairman said that he has
instructed AGM Cruz to study
the said ordinance so it can be
enforced in the coming days.
Cruz said that for a time the
anti-littering law seemed to have
been forgotten. In the past, the
violators are being apprehended
and issued a ticket and if they did
not redeem it they could not get a
clearance from the National Bu-
reau of Investigation.
7
New patrol boats to boost
PNP capability on naval security
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) received four more Police Patrol
Boats (PPBs) from the United States government during turnover ceremo-
nies in Puerto Princesa City yesterday.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa formally received from US
Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. the four 31-footer rigid-hull buoyant patrol
gunboats.
The PNP's acquisition of the four PPBs is part of the technical assistance
package provided by the U.S. government to the PNP through the US Inter-
national Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP).
The PPB, manufactured by NAIAD of Rhode Island, USA, is powered by
twin 250-HP engines that can reach speeds of up to 51 knots, and is fully
equipped with navigation, communication and weapons systems.
The ICITAP has provided the technical assistance and logistics for es-
tablishment of the Special Boat Unit (SBU) of the PNP Maritime Group
stationed in Puerto Princesa City.
Last year, the PNP formally inaugurated in Palawan the headquarters
and boathouse of the SBU, constructed in a 2,000-square-meter lot do-
nated by the city government of Puerto Princesa City and funded by an
ICITAP grant.
The boathouse is equipped with dry-docking facilities for boat repair
and maintenance.
Two more PPBs are expected to be delivered to complete the SBU op-
erational complement of six PPBs and support vessels.

No stopping recall of midnight appointments – De Lima

THE Aquino administration will con-
tinue to implement the recall and revoca-
tion of midnight appointments made by
the previous leadership in the absence of a
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from
the Supreme Court, Justice Secretary Leila
de Lima said yesterday.
She said Executive Order No.2 and Ex-
ecutive Order No. 3 will still be in effect.
“Legally, there is no impediment (to
implement the EO) because there’s no
TRO. If it is very urgent and SC has been
convinced on the merit of the case, it will
always issue a TRO. But we're very thank-
ful that there is no TRO being issued,” she
explained.
But the former head of the Commis-
sion on Human Rights admitted that the
government will implement the EO in a
prudent manner, saying “it will not rush
things” to avoid being labeled as arbitrary.
She stressed that until the SC rule with
finality on the twin orders, the EOs enjoy
the presumption of legality as set by law.
“EOs enjoyed the presumption of va-
lidity and regularity. Ang tingin ng kaba-
bayan iyong motivations ng mga nagku-
kuwestiyon sa EOs. It’s up to those saying
otherwise to prove it,” de Lima said.
Ampie Galpo

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8 Tuesday, August 17, 2010

SMB forces
Game 6 with RP’s elite to help
Alaska
DRASTIC problem
Pinoy Olympiads
requires drastic solu- THE formula for synthesizing Is this an irreversible norm in our
tion. Olympic gold requires proper ingre- sports setup? Certainly not.
With its back against dients, funding and oftentimes luck. “Help is on the way with the entry
the wall, San Miguel Filipinos and their sports officials of renowned sports lovers tasked with
made big adjustments are in need of a plan, for they still do the awesome chore of minting our
on the bench and on the not have the coveted medal since the first Olympic gold medallion,” said
floor, and cashed in on it country began competing in the qua- boxing analyst Hermie Rivera.
as the Beermen stopped drennial event. Boxing icon Manny “Pacman”
the Alaska Milk Aces, Dating back to the 1928 Amster- Pacquiao is generally recognized as
96-94, to force a Game dam games, the Philippines came the first prizefighter to make a mark
Six in their PBA Fiesta close to striking the mother lode— in lawmaking.
Conference title playoff two silvers, three bronzes in box- Pacquiao wants to help end our er-
at the Araneta Coliseum ing, two bronzes in swimming and rant state of affairs in the Olympiad
Sunday night. athletics. by way of a bill aimed at helping our
With SMB assistant Featherweight Anthony Villan- hopefuls.
mentor Gie Abanilla ueva (1964 Tokyo) and light-fly Man- Pacquiao and Manny V. Pangili-
calling the shots in lieu sueto “Onyok” Velasco (1996 Atlanta) nan of the Amateur Boxing Associa-
of head coach Siot Tan- both gave us the thrill of our lifetime tion of the Philippines are now on a
quincen, the Beermen only to lose in the boxing finals. hastened-hunt for prospects capable
took control most of the With the 2012 London Games of winning Olympic honors.
way and preserved the nearing, the majority of Filipino It makes for an interesting career
win with Cyrus Baguio sports fans are getting worried that path for the freshman solon of the
missing a three-point our prospects will falter again. lone district of Sarangani who is in an
attempt at the buzzer. Understandable, since we do have allout drive to help fighters seeking
The Beermen sur- an ongoing historical drought. ring glory.
vived the Aces’ endgame
challenge and thus ex-
tended their Fiesta Cup Camson, Lozada are UAAP
title reign for at least
one more game. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT ‘Players of the Week’
To shake things up, Emilian Vargas of Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) imposes as impressive defense tactic against THEY delivered the big shots in second at 7-2.
Abanilla was told by Aloy Siustaplan of Letran during the two teams' NCAA matchup at The Arena in San Juan. Le- big games. “I just have to hail our players.
the management he tran hacked out an 88-65 win over EAC in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament with a bom- Eric Camson and Janus Lozada They refused to lose and they won't
would take over from bardment of three-point shots. TUNYING PEÑAREDONDO keyed Adamson's amazing run with give up,” said Austria.
Tanquincen right after
Game Four. Smart-Gilas prepares for Asian Games clutch performances that fueled the
Falcons' continued rise in the 73rd
A 6-foot-3 power forward,
Camson emerged as Adamson's
Abanilla and the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas has just left in the third. UAAP men's basketball competi- hero when he scored the game-
Beermen, with the mo- passed an acid test before moving But Qatar unloaded a 13-3 run to tion. winning tip-in that lifted the Fal-
mentum on their side, to their next big battle – the Asian overtake its rival, 59-56, entering the “I think slowly we're maturing cons to a 64-63 upset that snapped
go for the equalizer in Games in Guangzhou. final quarter. as a team. This is our biggest state- the Far Eastern University Tama-
Game Six set in the same The national developmental team Qatar posted its biggest lead at 12, ment,” said Adamson coach Leo raws' seven-game winning streak
venue Wednesday. finished fourth in the recently con- 74-62, on Daoud Musa’s split chari- Austria. "In the past, we've had criti- last Thursday.
“I like the intensity cisms that we always collapse in the Lozada starred three days later
cluded FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup at ties, 1:44 left.
we showed tonight. We end game. But I think those experi- by knocking in a career-high 19
the Ghazir Sporting Club in Beirut. The Filipinos rallied and tried to
came out hustling. We’re ences helped us a lot." points in an 81-76 double overtime
The Filipinos lost to Qatar, 75-80, come closer behind Mac Baracael and
aggressive and that al- Indeed, the Falcons showed the victory against the University of
lowed us to dictate the in their battle for bronze medal Sun- Marcio Lassiter, but they ran out of
composure and grit that validated Santo Tomas Tigers.
tempo,” said Abanilla. day in a game coach Rajko Toroman time.
their status as a serious contender An unassuming veteran wing-
“Basically, we just and his troop led majority of the way. “Our defense was better in the
this season. man, Lozada nailed nine points
didn’t play well enough The national team hopefuls, who fourth quarter," Qatar coach Ali And Camson and Lozada, named from three-point range, the last a
to win it tonight. We are also being supported by GMA Fakhroo said. “Álso, we shot the ball as the Accel-Filoil UAAP Press Corps booming triple with 3.8 seconds
didn’t bring our A-plus PinoyTV, led by as much as nine better. Thankfully, they missed their Players of the Week, emerged at the left in the first overtime that tied
game and they out- points, 25-16, at the end of the first shots," he added. forefront of back-to-back thrillers the count, 70-70, and extended the
played us,” said Alaska period, and established a 50-43 lead Targuy Ngombo led all scorers that powered the Falcons to solo game for another five minutes.
coach Tim Cone. on a basket by Jason Ballesteros, 4:26 with 28 points.