The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply disturbed by the trend of increasing restraints on the functioning of the media in Pakistan.
The most recent manifestation of what is clearly a rising trend in intolerance of media freedom, comes in the form of a prohibition of live coverage of events involving the suspended chief justice of Pakistan, Mr Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
(more…)
Apparently upset that he was defeated in his congressional bid and that his 'principals" in Manila has so far failed to reimburse him the 140 million pesos he supposedly spent in the elections, boxing hero Manny Pacquiao reportedly instigated what amounted to a mini bank run after he withdrew all his remaining money from three banks. According to BusinessMirror, "Informed sources said Pacquiao withdrew all his money from a bank in General Santos City as he conducted a personal audit and found he spent more than P140 million in election-related expenses but was still trounced by his diminutive political opponent." Read the full story here.
Without the intervention by the AHJAG -- which investigates incidents of violence or disturbance that, on many occasions in the past, complicated the negotiations -- elements from the military and the MILF could easily engage in confrontation, given the often unknown or unclear origins of violent conflicts, particularly in the MILF areas in Central Mindanao. Criminal syndicates operate in that area and their activities have often been blamed on the MILF, thus complicating the peace process and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
MIGRANTE Europe condemns the reported harassment and detention by Gloria Arroyo?s goons and the Presidential Security Group of two Filipino migrant protesters who attended a forum with her at the Collegio Filipino (a religious school for Filipino clerics) today June 3, 2007.
MANILA, Philippines — Barring any new antics from the Arroyo government, members of the
progressive partylist bloc called Batasan 6 will return and reunite in
the House of Representatives on Monday, the start of the four-day
closing session of the 13th Congress.
(more…)