RedBlueThoughts

For this week, here’s a rundown of news from the Philippines:

1. Rising food prices. Prices of basic commodities have increased. Yesterday, oil companies increased their diesel and gasoline prices by 50 cents. For the past 3 weeks, pump prices have increased by 3.50 pesos.

Rice prices continue to spiral out of control, with commercial rice up by 30-40 pesos per kilo. The Philippine government says, it’s thinking of raising NFA (National Food Authority) rice prices to 19 pesos.

Vegetables and meat prices are also very high. Analysts say inflation may reach double digits by the end of this year.

Government says there’s no food shortage. Correct. There is an ample supply of the staple food. Yet, Pinoys are not buying the stuffs they need because they don’t have enough money.

Government says it will allot P 43 billion to address the food crisis. However, many people suspect that this money will just be diverted to other sources for the presidential elections of 2010.

2. Oakwood mutineers sentenced to life imprisonment. Makati RTC judge Pimentel meted life sentences to two Oakwood mutineers while giving reduced sentences to seven others. In a press conference, the Oakwood soldiers apologized to the government. Today’s news however, some Oakwood or Magdalo soldiers are joining the PDEA in its fight against drug syndicates. More on that at http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com.

3. Playboy Philippines maiden edition. After being kicked out of Indonesia, Playboy Philippines launched its maiden edition here. Vowing never to show Filipinas in their naked glory, editors of Playboy Philippines said their mag will be no different from your usual FHM and Maxim. It remains to be seen…

4. Anjo Ilana filing divorce. After years of disagreements, former Paranaque councilor and Eat Bulaga mainstay Anjo Llana announced that he’s calling it quits with long-time wife.

5. Accused high-society wannabe DJ Montano strikes back at ex gay lover. In an interview at Korina Today, DJ Montano defended himself against accusations that he swindled his ex Australian gay lover of 70,000 US dollars. DJ denied ever receiving money from the gay guy. Gay guy continues his tirade against DJ Montano in his blog, which has over a million readers everyday.

6. GRP-MILF Peace talks in danger. The MILF challenged the Philippine government to go back to the negotiating table or risk war. After this announcement, the US embassy released an advisory, warning its citizens to avoid going to Mindanao. Today, an explosion rocked in the city of Zamboanga.

7. Anti-Arroyo groups stage noise barrage. UNO (United Opposition) and various militant groups again staged a protest rally, this time against rising food prices and the continued ZTE probe saga. Meanwhile, ZTE star witness Jun Lozada wrote his thoughts in the Black and White Movement blogsite (see http://www.blacknwhitemovement.blogspot.com)

8. Pork scam to be tackled at the Senate. Senator Ping Lacson vows to go against those involved in the pork scam at the Quedancor and the Department of Agriculture. More than 2.3 billion pesos were said to have been pocketed by Quedancor officials, including its President Nelson Buenaflor who has since been asked to resign. DA officials filed criminal charges against Buenaflor. As of the moment, he’s nowhere to be found.

9. Graft behind food crisis. Misgovernance is the true reason why we suffer from a food crisis, says the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the government warned speculators that they would be arrested. However, no big-time rice trader have been nabbed. Police also intimated that extortion activities are now happening since NBI started inspecting warehouses of rice traders.

10. Church leaders asked Erap not to run in 2010. After announcing that he’ll probably run for the highest post come 2010, various Church leaders expressed disappointed and urge