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Israel braces for unrest over divisive judicial reform
Israel braced for fresh strikes and protests Tuesday following a divisive parliamentary vote on a controversial judicial reform which has split the nation and drawn criticism from allies abroad. The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government to push through a key plank of its reforms on Monday has already sparked legal challenges and clashes on the streets. Opponents were set to keep up months of protests on Tuesday, with doctors walking out. "The hand, extended for dialogue, was left hanging in the air, as victory celebrations took place symbolizing above all a war that only has losers," the head of the Israel Medical Association, Zion Hagay, said in a statement announcing the walkout. The move came after the Histadrut trade union confederation threatened a repeat of the general strike it called in March over the reforms. The Israel Bar Association was among numerous groups to file petitions to the Supreme Court aiming to strike down the new legislation. "A black day for Israeli democracy," read the blackened front pages of three of the country's top newspapers on Tuesday, carrying an advert by opponents of the judicial reforms. Protesters remained on the streets late into the night following the vote, with student Josh Hakim saying he was "really, really sad about what's happening to this country". "You see what is happening on the streets, everyone is so angry," he told AFP at a rally near parliament in Jerusalem. Some 58 people were arrested at demonstrations, the police said, among them protesters in Tel Aviv, which has become the focal point of one of the country's largest ever protest movements. Police said one person was arrested for allegedly harming demonstrators, with protest organisers saying he drove a car into people blocking a highway. Officers used water cannon to disperse protesters on a major road through Tel Aviv, where the crowd waved Israeli flags. Opposition slams 'puppet' PM Netanyahu failed to appease opponents with a televised address late Monday, in which he pledged to hold talks during the upcoming parliamentary recess. "Reach a comprehensive agreement on everything and we will add more time should it be needed," he said. The embattled premier showed signs of fatigue in the chamber, as he sat between his defense and justice ministers just a day after unscheduled surgery to fit a pacemaker. Netanyahu defended the new law, which limits the powers of the Supreme Court in striking down government decisions, as a "necessary democratic step". Deep divisions within his own coalition and mass protests prompted the premier to temporarily halt the legislative process in March, but within weeks politicians were blaming each other for the breakdown in negotiations. On Monday, the opposition walked out of the chamber to boycott the vote, which passed with 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber. Opposition chief Yair Lapid slammed Netanyahu's "unprecedented performance of weakness". "There is no prime minister in Israel. Netanyahu has become a puppet of messianic extremists," he said, a reference to the premier's far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies. The political instability has raised alarm among Israel's allies abroad. The White House described the vote as "unfortunate". A German foreign ministry source said: "We look with great concern at the deepening tensions in Israeli society." The post Israel braces for unrest over divisive judicial reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Islam doesn’t coddle theft’: Adiong slams depiction of Muslims in ‘Batang Quiapo’
The depiction of Muslim characters in a recent episode of the action television series “Batang Quiapo” has rubbed Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong the wrong way. Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong (Facebook) “This humble representation is disheartened by the recent episode of ........»»
Cayetano slams lawmakers’ ‘fake’ session
Cayetano slams lawmakers’ ‘fake’ session.....»»
Moderating oligarchs’ greed
Last July 13, President Rodrigo Duterte spoke before soldiers in Jolo, Sulu and triumphantly declared he “dismantled the oligarchy that controlled the country’s economy without the need to declare martial law.” This came a few days after a committee in the House of Representatives rejected ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bill. During his penultimate State of the Nation Address on July 27, Duterte took another swipe at the oligarchs whose great wealth has enabled them “to influence public policy to their advantage.” He cited as an example the Lopezes “who used their media outlets in their battles with political figures” including himself during the 2016 elections. People seem to forget that Duterte’s avowed mission to put oligarchs in their proper place was part of his 2016 campaign promise to stamp out corruption. At that time, he said the corruption in the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue was “small change in comparison to the high-level corruption that runs in the billions among the economic elite.” Oligarchy means the rule of the few, but its meaning has evolved to refer to powerful individuals or groups outside of government who are able to benefit from political connections to amass vast amounts of wealth and gain control of major industries. The term “oligarch” started popping up recently in mainstream and social media but its context in relation to what is happening in our society has become warped and obfuscated. To be fair, the President has given credit where credit is due, even to the so-called oligarchs when they helped the government in this COVID-19 crisis, but he said it is their abuses that he abhors. On several occasions, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano pointed out how oligarchs use their wealth to gain power, while the political elite used their power to amass wealth. He expressed full support to Duterte’s advocacy in changing the current system where he believes the people “willingly consent to being held back by the few who control the economy and through that, the running of the nation.” According to Cayetano, the real threat to the stability of our socio-political and economic systems are those backroom deals that make exploitation legal – “the quiet acquiescing to a system that naturally favors the ultra-rich and very powerful.” He believes that not all oligarchs are bad, saying in a media interview: “Just like every entrepreneur wanting to expand their business, these would-be oligarchs might very well have started off with the most benign or even benevolent intentions. But the malignant DNA of unabated, uncontrolled capitalism, especially corporate capitalism, eventually comes to play, leading to people and systems being abused and exploited.” Cayetano clarified, though, that capitalism and democracy work as we have seen in other economies. He thinks the situation in the Philippines is not hopeless, and we can begin to change this corrupt system by acknowledging there is a problem and we are part of it. “This is a battle between those who are willing to fight their self-interest and change with the system, versus those who deny that there is anything wrong with the status quo, specifically as it relates to themselves, and instead simply choose to blame the politicians and officials in government,” he said. This brings to mind the statement attributed to a Cabinet member of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who advised another top official to “moderate your greed.” Another cautionary tale is found in the recently re-launched book of Ricardo Manapat, who served as National Archives Director during the Arroyo and Ramos administrations. Manapat’s book is titled “Some Are Smarter Than Others: The History of Marcos’ Crony Capitalism” which is a classic work on anti-cronyism exposing the ill-gotten wealth of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Oligarchs may not be totally wiped out in the Philippines, since developed economies even have to contend with their presence. But Duterte’s relentless campaign against them could very well result in moderating their greed and freeing the country from their tight grip. nextgenmedia@gmail.com.....»»
At ABS-CBN franchise hearing , Cayetano warns of big business influence on media, public opinion
Cayetano in his closing statement on Thursday said that a private corporation or entity that has become so powerful and seemingly became an owner of the government, is a bigger threat to democracy......»»
Lapu-Lapu accident: Motorcycle rider killed in road collision in Pajac
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A 30-year-old man was killed in an accident that happened early on Sunday morning on H-Mall Road in Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City. The victim was identified as Roger Valiente, a resident of Sitio Abuna in the same barangay. ALSO READ: Lapu-Lapu accident: Rider dies after his motorcycle slams into parked truck.....»»
Trump predicts the end of U.S. democracy if he loses 2024 election
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Donald Trump said on Saturday if he does not win November’s presidential election it will mean the likely end of American democracy. The Republican presidential candidate, speaking to supporters in Ohio, made the claim after repeating his baseless assertion that his 2020 election defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden was the result.....»»
Sara Duterte: Quiboloy being unfairly targeted
Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly come to the defense of her father’s spiritual adviser Apollo Quiboloy, downplaying the sexual abuse and trafficking charges against him by describing the congressional probes into his actions as a form of “unfair” and “violent” targeting by accusers......»»
Time to revitalize the transformative power of democracy
“Is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?” This mind-boggling question lingered in my mind when I departed Myanmar in December 2021......»»
Makati slams Taguig’s closure of sports facility
The city government of Makati City yesterday criticized Taguig’s “sudden” closure of the Makati Aqua Sports Arena (MASA), which left 4,400 students affected......»»
Lapu-Lapu accident: Rider dies after his motorcycle slams into parked truck
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu— A 29-year-old motorist died after his motorcycle crashed into a dump truck on Tuesday, around 4:00 a.m., at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City. The motorcycle rider was identified as Randelo Escario Tayo, a resident of Kodia, Madredijos town in Bantayan Island. READ: Lapu-Lapu accident: 2 dead after motorcycle.....»»
A year after Pamplona massacre, Janice Degamo says ‘justice is coming’
'Let us never forget what we are fighting for – for justice, for democracy, for peace, for our very existence,' Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo says on the first anniversary of her husband's murder.....»»
Pogi Points
You would think that a presumably mature democracy like the United States with over 200 years’ experience in the art of governance would have a Congress that puts primacy on the national interest......»»
China slams foreign criticism of Hong Kong’s upcoming Article 23 national security law
The law, known as Article 23, will target crimes including treason, theft of state secrets, espionage, sabotage, sedition, and 'external interference,' including from foreign governments.....»»
WATCH: Why should we commemorate the People Power Revolution?
We walk you through the numbers, narratives, and ideas behind the revolution that brought back democracy to the Philippines in 1986.....»»
Landlessness looms if charter change happens
“More than the yearly ceremonial commemorations, we strive to continue Edsa's legacy of defense of democracy and struggle against fascist dictatorship and tyranny." The post Landlessness looms if charter change happens appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
38 years after EDSA, Filipinos commemorate People Power, oppose Cha-cha
Various groups and government agencies staged activities Sunday even after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. removed the EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored democracy in the country, from the list of public holidays in 2024. .....»»
Romualdez slams Quiboloy’s ‘baseless accusations’ over ‘assassination plot’
Romualdez slams Quiboloy’s ‘baseless accusations’ over ‘assassination plot’.....»»
Senate OKs Eddie Garcia bill on third reading
The Senate yesterday approved on third and final reading the so-called Eddie Garcia bill, which seeks to protect movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions......»»
Democracy index: Philippines ranking goes down again
Still classified as a “flawed democracy,” the Philippines has scored and ranked lower in the 2023 Democracy Index released by London-based think tank The Economist Intelligence Unit on Thursday......»»