Author: DAVAO TODAY

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People?s Initiative Under False Pretenses

Based on reports citing the unscrupulous ways that the signatures were gathered, it seems not everyone is boarding the Cha-cha ?train? voluntarily.

By Michael Goyagoy
Ibon Features

MANILA ? Although Malaca?ang denies having anything to do with it, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently declared her support for charter change through the people?s initiative. In typical fashion, Arroyo likened the people?s initiative to a train that has already left the station, and warned those who oppose it to get out of the way or be run over. But based on reports citing the less-than-scrupulous ways the signatures were gathered, it seems that not everyone is on the Cha-cha ?train? voluntarily.

Charter change through a people?s initiative requires gathering some 12% of registered voters or 4.8 million signatures, with no less than 3% in any congressional district throughout the Philippines. When the necessary number of signatures is gathered and verified, a plebiscite can be held on changing provisions in the 1987 Constitution shifting the form of government from presidential to parliamentary.

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The Real Stories in Camp Bagong Diwa

The families and the rest of the Muslim people will fight for justice for the slain innocent detainees. They suffered long enough in prison cell for crimes they did not commit.

COTABATO CITY — Families and friends of the Muslim detainees of Camp Bagong Diwa, as well as the officers and members of Suara Bangsamoro, were so elated when news came out that the Commission on Human Rights has finally released its verdict about the reported summary execution of some Muslim detainees who did not participate in the jailbreak by the Abu Sayyaf Group on March 15, 2006 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

This is only the first step for the families of the victims of summary execution. Criminal cases should be immediately filed against former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Angelo Reyes and Philippine National Police (PNP) director Arturo Lomibao.

With the CHR report in the hands of the DOJ, the burden of determining probable cause is with Secretary Raul Gonzales. However, with the way he is way handling the Subic rape case, Lomibao and Reyes might go scot-free. Judging by the initial reaction of Secretary Gonzales, he will surely squeeze the CHR and the families for the burden of proof.

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Mindanao Leads in Insurance Growth

DAVAO CITY — Mindanao is leading the growth in the country?s insurance industry, with better potentials compared to Luzon and the Visayas, insurance officials said on Wednesday.

Mindanao, in fact, is the highest growing market for all the products of Philam Life, one of the country?s top insurance companies.

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Davao Music TV Show to Feature Homegrown Artists

DAVAO CITY — Alchemy of Vision and Lights, a Davao based film and television production company, in tandem with Spikey Fruits Concepts, is bringing to the public a music TV show that aims to showcase original Davao music and talented local artists.

The half-hour weekly show, called Durian Jam, will be shown on Skycable Channel 28. The music show, which is slated to be shown on the third week of April, will feature live performances, music videos, features and other segments that will focus on happenings in Davao.

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