Latest News

Emata Returns

Pastor Emata at Wednesday's press conference (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY ? More than anything else, the homecoming was a marketing event, with Erwin ?Pastor? Emata, the Davaoeno who recently conquered Mount Everest, the product.

It seemed that, on Wednesday, June 7, the organizers — companies who sponsored Emata?s historic ?summeting? of the world?s tallest mountain ? made sure that their investments in the mountain climber from Tagum were worth it.

A ?grand welcome? was prepared for Emata at the Davao International Airport in the morning. That same day, he rode to Tagum City, his home, with a motorcade behind him. There, at the town pavilion, a program attended by government officials was held.

(more…)

Continue ReadingEmata Returns

Virador Urges Scrapping of Intel Funds

?Despite the billions of (intelligence) funds made available since 2001, these have not contributed to maintaining peace or even arresting the violence. Unless, of course, these funds were used to sponsor such violence, which we strongly believe is the case.?

Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador (davaoyoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)DAVAO CITY ? To Joel Virador, the Bayan Muna congressman who represents Mindanao, it?s an idea that makes perfect sense: if the state?s intelligence apparatuses can?t stop criminals from killing political activists, journalists, lawyers, students and church people, why should the Filipino people allow them to continue enjoying their intelligence fund?

In fact, Virador thinks that ?it is very plausible that these government funds are being used by the Arroyo administration to fund operations of death squads to murder Bayan Muna members, leaders and supporters nationwide.?

The solution would be to scrap these ?Confidential and Intelligence (COIN) Funds? immediately, Virador said.

(more…)

Continue ReadingVirador Urges Scrapping of Intel Funds