Henry's World of Wonders

Ticket U2

henry — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:32:45 GMT

Enjoy the concert of U2 at the touch of your fingertips. Get your U2 tickets, new york knicks tickets, and wwe tickets at www.ticketamerica.com.

Wish I could have a chance to watch U2 concert and share moment of great music with my family and friends. You can find their concert details at ticketamerica. See you there.

TICKET AMEIRICA

henry — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:51:04 GMT

If you happened to experience a long line and patiently waiting just to get a ticket of your dream concert, when your almost on the counter and someone up ahead has just exclaimed "SOLD OUT!". Its gonna freak you out and you don't want that to happened, right?

Ticket America will help you find ease to: Charice's Concerts, NBA and even Airline Tickets at American Airlines Center.

Dallas Mavericks Tickets or NBA Tickets

So why bother yourself if you can have it in your fingertips. Here is the link and visit the site.

THE SURVEILLANCE

henry — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:04:17 GMT

YOU NEVER WANT THIS TO HAPPEN, DON'T YOU?

The video surveillance is your whole round security system in FRANCE. The company provides all types of video surveillance equipments for your security needs. Protect yourself from any form of criminal acts by installing video surveillance system. This does not only help authority easily catch criminals, it also protect you from them. Tho more vigilant we are, the more we can be of great help to our country and the more we can protect ourselves. But vigilance requires support especially technologies that are available for us. So choose your own security system but I recommend you video surveillance in France.

AFER PROTECTION

henry — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:37:05 GMT

One horrifying moments of our life is when we don't know wher to go in case of fire, when the rain pours so heavy and we don not have umbrellas or rain coat or anything to protect us. It is difficult to see a house slowly taken by the odd of fire as much as one getting colds every time the rain pours. Our burden for this unwanted scenarios can however be lessen. No matter how aweful life at times be, the good thing is we can always prepare ourselves to life's surprises. No matter how terrible life be, there is always a way to make things easier. What we just need is to search for the answer.

Afer is one of many ways how to protect ourselves. It is an insurance company where in your investment is secured. Surely they uphold to their promise of ensuring your money in times when you need it most.

CHECK HERE epargne afer

Clean and Green

henry — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:20:12 GMT

http://www.nviro.com

The fast phase development in all parts of the world has contributed to the overall quality of the environment that we have. Impurities have significantly conquered almost all areas of the world, the deepest sea and the atmosphere is in awe. For as long as men live, the generation of waste materials will continue and it will continue to trouble us in whatever aspects of our lives. Disconcerting as it is, thus, leads men to do whatever it takes to make this earth a hazard free place to live. That is what N-VIROnment aims for, to help men make this world a better place to live in.

Advocacy for cleaner environment as well as the recycling of the generated waste is now a common practice all over the world. Different treatment and techniques have been introduced and technologies have aid humanity in this goal for cleaner and sustainable development. For instance in the Philippines (banana production), the use of manure as a replacement to the synthetic fertilizer has been encouraged in order to protect the natural elements present in the soil. This practice preserves the acidity level of the soil which is necessary for growing banana. In areas where there is scare resource for water such as Saudi Arabia, desalination procedure is being done to purify salt water into usable one. Such processes help men live a better life despite of his self-inflicting activities.

Man is ingenious, his ability to create something out of his desire, research and inquisitive mind has helped him lived life and survived it through all challenging times. Man invented different gadgets for communication and it connects everyone around the world in just a matter of click. Man invented cars, and other important transportation means but have contributed green house gases that caused climate change. Man invented nuclear power that provide electricity but can also destroy thousands of people when irresponsibly used. Man invented rockets, and invaded the moon. What else man cannot do?

Today man is fighting for a better, sustainable and balance environment. Renewable energy is being utilized since the current source of energy which that is non-renewable is getting scarce. Efforts in transforming waste into energy are being doubled to maximize the use of waste. Technologies such as that from N-VIROnment are very helpful in achieving ends of a better environment and use of resources. Its suite of green technologies complement each other and build upon a unique concept transforming waste products into a beneficial fertilizer or ultimately creating N-Viro Fuel a renewable alternative fuel perfectly synergistic with the coal combustion industry. The company promised more development to come in providing opportunity fuels out from its developed technologies.

Let us support waste recycling.

Web Directory Submission - Another Good Way to Success

henry — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:07:37 GMT

Business web directory is a directory in the internet that categorizes websites according to its specific genre. In that way, it allows internet users to find specific website that is specific to their need. Unlike search engine websites, it limits the result on specific category therefore leads the searcher to a more useful websites rather than results which often times not related to the intent of the searcher. For instance Google Web Directory categorizes websites in a very generic manner. The content of your site is basically one of the bases of its generic location. That is why it is necessary for you to determine a particular genre to which your website belongs and the web directory editor will review your site to finally determine the category of your site.

Here are some of a web directory websites for you to check.

Yahoo Directory

Jasmine Directory

Google Directory

Another thing that I consider for a business web directory is that it must be human edited directory. The advantage of human edited directory is that it is often targeted by SEO or the Search Engine Optimizer. The SEO is an optimization method of increasing the volume and quality of traffic to websites found in the directory. In that way, it increases website ranking and indexes. SEO friendly may be used to describe web site designs, menus, content management systems, images, videos, shopping carts, and other elements that have been optimized for the purpose of search engine exposure. Web directories do not only enlist websites but also allows user to access different internet services and these are SEO web friendly directory.

The use of business web directory has been very popular to tho

The Batch 2002

henry — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:46:22 GMT

How can I forget the good old days with the mighty Maryknollians 2002.

It has been a pleasure to see mighty maryknollians again after 8 long years. I know I could not be just with them for things have changed so much in between those years. But what I can recall is that, I was able to build friendship with my classmates that is unbreakable for whatever distance and impediments it may have taken. Now its great to see them back like the old good days. I hope to see more of you for the coming years. Let us make our alma matter proud and give back the education we have gained from our school.

Stay in touch and be the best in whatever endeavors we have chosen.

To the best pals I have! Thanks so much.

Timeline - Maguindanao Massacre (until the declaration of martial law)

henry — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:50:35 GMT

The upcoming gubernatorial race in Maguindanao is "expected to experience a highly political contest as 2 prominent clans, the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus, are contesting for governorship in the province.”

This was said by Philippine National Police Director Andres Caro during his report in front of members of international media, Monday. He is the director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, the office in charge of investigating the Ampatuan massacre.

But the recent massacre, dubbed as the most gruesome election-related violence in the country and worst single-attack against members of the media, is not the first time Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. sowed terror in the province. He has been attributed to acts of violence in Maguindanao, especially to those who tried to contest his power in the region. (Read: New clan war erupts in Maguindanao)

Background: Maguindanao before the November 23 massacre

1988
Surab Abutasil is gunned down inside a restaurant in Shariff Aguak shortly before the elections. Abutasil is running against Ampatuan Sr. for Mayor of Magonoy and also a relative of Ampatuan Sr.’s first wife. Although Ampatuan Sr. is the primary suspect, charges filed against him did not prosper. (Read: Military-Sponsored Warlord)

2003

Ampatuan Sr. is accused by the Candaos, a rival family of the Ampatuans, of murdering Abdul Candao, elder brother of former Maguindanao governor Zacaria Candao. Ampatuan defeated Zacaria in the 2001 gubernatorial race for the province. (Read: It’s all about power)

2008

After winning his third and last term as governor in 2007, Ampatuan Sr. is no longer allowed to run in the 2010 elections—this opens the door for possible contenders.

The Mangudadatus travel to the Shariff Aguak municipality, along with 200 fully armed men. This is to inform Ampatuan Sr. that a member of their clan will vie for the gubernatorial post in the upcoming elections, according to an abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak military source that is familiar with politics in the area. Buluan Vice Mayor Ismael "Toto” Mangudadatu will rival the Ampatuans in the next gubernatorial race.

This displeased Ampatuan Sr., according to the source. The source adds that Ampatuan Sr. reportedly wants one of his sons to succeed him as provincial governor.

This is the start of the clash between the two clans. They were once close allies. Former Buluan mayor Pua Mangudadatu, father of Vice Mayor Mangudadatu, was one of the 4 key allies of the Ampatuan clan patriarch when he was still starting out in politics. (Read: All in the Family)

November 23: The day of the massacre

Toto Mangudadatu, fearing for his life because of death threats sent to him, sends his wife and other women relatives to file his certificate of candidacy for the gubernatorial post in his behalf in the Commission on Elections office in Maguindanao provincial capital of Shariff Aguak. Lawyers, supporters and media men are with them.

9:00 am

Senior Superintendent (PSSUPT) Abusama Maguid, Officer-in-charge of Maguindanao police provincial office, receives information that there is a bomb threat along the National Highway, particularly at Sitio Malating, Brgy. Salman in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Between 9:00-10:00 am

According to a police report, the 8-vehicle convoy of Mangudadatu’s party reaches Barangay Salman portion of the highway leading to Shariff Aguak. They are flagged down at a check point conducted by members of the Maguindanao police and Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVO) along the highway.

Thereafter, the abduction occurs. From the checkpoint led by Police Inspector Saudi Mukamad of the 1507th RMG, the convoy is brought to a hilly portion about 2.5 kilometers away from the national highway.

Toto Mangudadatu receives a phone from his wife saying an armed group, supposedly of the Ampatuan clan, flagged down their convoy on their way to Shariff Aguak town. Her parting words over the phone are about the armed men slapping them around and commanding them to swallow the certificate of candidacy forms they brought.

10:15 am

According to a statement, PSSUPT Maguid receives another report from Police Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay that there is a bomb threat along the national highway.

Around 11:00 am

The 64th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army receives information that a convoy of civilian is abducted by fully armed men in the national highway. The battalion immediately launches a rescue operation.

11:30 am

PSSUPT Maguid inspects the Sitio Malating portion of the national highway.

1:00 pm

The troops reach Barangay Salman to meet with Chief Inspector Dicay, who heads the troops conducting checkpoints in the area, says he has no knowledge of the reported abduction conveyed to him by the troops.

1:30 pm

The 64th IB troops advance eastward where the abducted civilians were reportedly brought. Troops conducting the search on foot meet 2 armed men with an M-16 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. They claim to be members of the Ampatuan, Maguindanao CVO. They are subsequently accosted for questioning at Batallion Tactical Command Post of the 64th IB. The men are identified as Esmail Canapia and Takpan Dilon.

Because of inconsistencies in their reports, four police officers Maguid, Dikay and Bakal, and Senior Inspector Rex Diongon are ordered restricted at the ARMM police headquarters while undergoing investigation.

2:00 pm

Troops conducting the on-foot search found the crime scene or the surface scene.

3:00 pm

Buluan Mayor Jong Mangudadatu, on board a private chopper, is looking for his family. He spots a number of vehicles so he lands near the site.

The 64th IB troops initially finds 21 cadavers: 15 female and 6 male. The cadavers have multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of their body. Later this afternoon, another cadaver is found in a nearby bridge.

Five vehicles (4 Toyota vans and a sport utility vehicle) are found by the investigation team in the surface crime scene. Other items found are:

personal belongings
assorted empty shells of firearms
other documents

According to Police Director Caro, the area is immediately secured to preserve the crime scene. This is done in preparation for the arrival of the Philippine National Police Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO) team for proper investigation.

8:00 pm

SOCO teams from PRO-12 arrive at the crime scene and started processing the 22 cadavers found.

President Arroyo orders the military and the police to immediately pursue the perpetrators of the gruesome massacre. In a statement, Arroyo directs the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and the police through Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno to order their units to "conduct immediate and relentless pursuit of the perpetrators, to secure the affected areas.”

Description: Watch the presentation prepared by the Philippine National Police on the initial findings and significant developments last November 23, 2009.

November 24, 2009

President Arroyo places provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and city of Cotabato under emergency rule (Presidential Proclamation 1946).

The SOCO continues search and investigation and processing of the crime scene. Troops, investigators, SOCO and forensic specialists augment to the SOCO team from PRO-12.

According to Police Director Caro, the PNP relieves key police officers in the ARMM, the provincial director of Maguindanao, the deputy provincial director (Chief Inspector Dicay) and the directors of the police maneuver groups in Maguindanao.

Additional PNP and AFP forces replace the ousted officers in the province. Implicated security forces are immediately taken into custody for investigation, says Caro.

The SOCO team finds 3 more grave sites in Sitio Malating aside from the surface crime scene found on the first day of investigation. The team is able to exhume 24 cadavers in the first grave site. The team will exhume grave sites 2 and 3 on the next day.

November 25, 2009

Grave site number 2 is exhumed by the investigation team. They recover 3 vehicles in the are: 1) Toyota Vios, 2) White L300 van with markings of the UNTV television network and 3) blue-gray Tamarraw FX.

They also recover 6 cadavers.

After a while, grave site 3 is exhumed and 5 cadavers are found.

The investigation team recovers a total of 57 cadavers from the crime scene.

Sketch of the crime scene prepared by the Philippine National Police

PNP spokesman Leonardo Espina announces that according to initial reports, the murdered convoy was stopped by a group led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

The CAFGUs at Baranagy Salaman Ampatuan are immediately turned over by the security forces to the investigators in connection with possible involvement with the incident.

The AFP accounted, deactivated, disarmed and submitted for investigation the 4 special citizen auxiliary army companies (estimated 437 persons by Department of Interior and Local Government) of the Ampatuans.

Description: List of names of found cadavers at the crime scene

November 26, 2009

Ampatuan Jr., who is implicated in the massacre, turns himself in to Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza.

He is flown to General Santos City where he is questioned. He is received by Justice Secretary Agnes Devadera. Prosecutors, led by by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño, conducts inquest proceedings.
At night time, Ampatuan Jr. arrives in Manila and is detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). He is charged with 7 counts of multiple murder charges.

DILG Secretary Puno reveals that the entire Ampatuan clan will undergo investigation for their alleged role in the massacre. In a press conference, Puno says that aside from Ampatuan Jr., the Department of Justice listed 4 other people are suspects in the crime: Maguindanao police director PSSUPT Maguid, Shariff Aguak police chief inspector Sukarno Dicay, a certain SPO2 Badawi Bakal and Inspector Diongon. The 4 are implicated based on statements of alleged survivors of the massacre.

(Reports of armed movements and closing of local offices are narrated by DILG Secretary Puno and PNP PRO-12 director Caro. Both said that events—after Ampatuan Jr. was arrested and before December 4—are the basis for the declaration of Martial law. The following are considered overt acts of rebellion, according to Puno.)

Armed movements between November 26-November 29, 2009

Caro reports that local government offices in Maguindanao are ordered closed. Local government officials refuse to discharge their functions, which hindered the investigation and prosecution teams from performing their tasks.

He adds that the local civil registrar refuses to accept the death certificates of the victims, purportedly upon the order of Maguindanao governor Ampatuan Sr.

There has been non-appearance of judges in local courts—thereby depriving the course of legal remedies and prosecutorial responsibilities that is the issuance of search and arrest warrants.

The Supreme Court calls in 2 presiding judges from different provinces. The normal judicial proceedings are not carried out because of threats to their lives. This prompted the government to change the venue of the criminal cases after the information have been filed.

Duly verified information is disclosed to the PRO-12 investigating team that the Ampatuan group has been behind the closing of government offices, the refusal of government officials to discharge their functions and the simultaneous non-appearance of judges in local courts.

Armed movements November 29, 2009 to December 3, 2009

Armed groups, that are considered rebel groups by the PNP and the DILG, and their active movements in Maguindanao are confirmed by PRO-12 sources.

PRO-12 team reports that the Ampatuans consolidated a group of rebels consisting of 2,400 plus heavy armed men. One thousand one hundred sixty of them are strategically deployed in Maguindanao.

Validated information gathered by the PRO-12 team are as follows:

There are around 500 rebels with 2 armored vehicles in an offensive position in 2 towns in Ampatuan and a town in Mamasapano.
A group with more or less 200 armed men move from Magonoy, Shariff Aguak is also in offensive position.
More or less 80 fully armed rebels are in Tuka, Mamasapano.
More or less 50 armed rebels led by a former Moro National Liberation Front commander are in offensive position in Rajah Buayan.
More or less 70 fully armed men with 2 M-16 light machine guns remain in offensive position in 2 barangays in the Datu Unsay municipality near the General Santos City national highway.
Armed men with 4 M-16 light machine guns in offensive position remain in the upper portion of Datu Unsay.
Kagi Akman Ampatuan is sited in the municipality of Sultan sa Barongis with 400 armed rebels and locals hear him say: "Patayan na kung patayan.”
More or less a hundred armed men led by an identified killer in the massacre is sited in the boundary of Rajah Buayan and Sultan sa Barongis. The alleged killer’s group is armed with a 90-millimeter recoilless rifle, 1 calibre-50 machine gun, 2 calibre-30 light machine guns, 2 60-millimter mortars and a folded rifle.

According to Puno, these armed men are concentrated in municipalities of Maguindanao which are political strongholds of the Ampatuans:

Shariff Aguak
Datu Piang
Datu Unsay
Datu Saudi-Ampatuan
Datu Salibo
Shariff Saydona Mustapha
Rajah Buayan
General S.K. Pendatun
Mamasapano
Datu Hoffer Ampatuan
Datu Anggal Matimbang
Talayan
Talitay
Guindulungan
Sultan sa Barongis

December 1, 2009

The DOJ files 25 counts of murder against Ampatuan Jr.

December 2, 2009

The police discover large arms cache from a vacant lot at least 500 meters away from the mansion of Governor Ampatuan Sr.

December 3, 2009

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa announces in a press conference in Camp Crame that he received a report from the field that a 60 mm mortar is recovered during the raid but has yet to confirm where exactly it was found. Verzosa announces that search warrants for the houses of Ampatuan Jr., Maguindanao Gov. Ampatuan Sr. and Akman Ampatuan are issued by Judge Francis Palmones of Kidapawan City Regional Trial Court.

December 4, 2009

PRO-12 reports that the following items have been found in Ampatuan Jr.’s compound in Shariff Aguak:

1)    Four 9-millimeter pistols
2)    Seven caliber-45 pistols
3)    Twenty assorted high powered firearms
4)    A barrel of 15 sniper rifles
5)    Three M16 machine guns
6)    One 90-millimeter recoilless rifle
7)    Four 60-millimeter mortars
8)    One 81-millimeter mortar
9)    More than 100,000 assorted ammunition and magazines
10)    Uniforms of the AFP and the PNP
11)    Armored vehicles equipped with caliber-guns and machine guns. Painted on the vehicles is the word "Pulisiya” (police)

December 5, 2009: martial law in Maguindanao

At 7:00 am, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announces Proclamation No. 1959 declaring a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, except for certain areas identified as bailiwicks of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) separatists.

"Based on Proclamation 1959, we are here to formally take over the provincial capitol. By the time, all municipal halls have been secured by the armed forces and police forces in order to ensure that these facilities will be secure,” announces Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, AFP chief Eastern Mindanao Command, at a press conference hours after martial law was declared.

Ferrer adds that he has been ordered to temporarily take charge of the whole province until DILG Secretary Puno and government agencies "come up with new set up for the local government.” Warrantless searches are also being conducted in residences of members of the Ampatuan clan.

Maguindanao gov. Ampatuan Sr., ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, Maguindanao Vice Governor Akmad Ampatuan Sir, Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan and Sangguniang Bayan member of Shariff Aguak Cahoner Ampatuan are arrested. Local officials arrested are: Paisal Sulaik, a Sangguniang Bayan member of Shariff Aguak; Keise Usman, regional secretary of agriculture of the ARMM and Kabuntalan Emblawa, regional environment secretary of the ARMM.

Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy Ampatuan are brought to Davao City and General Santos City, respectively.

Timeline - Maguindanao Massacre (until the declaration of martial law)

henry — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:50:24 GMT

Background: Maguindanao before the November 23 massacre

2008

After winning his third and last term as governor in 2007, Ampatuan Sr. is no longer allowed to run in the 2010 elections—this opens the door for possible contenders.

This displeased Ampatuan Sr., according to the source. The source adds that Ampatuan Sr. reportedly wants one of his sons to succeed him as provincial governor.

9:00 am

Between 9:00-10:00 am

According to a statement, PSSUPT Maguid receives another report from Police Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay that there is a bomb threat along the national highway.

Around 11:00 am

PSSUPT Maguid inspects the Sitio Malating portion of the national highway.

1:00 pm

1:30 pm

Troops conducting the on-foot search found the crime scene or the surface scene.

3:00 pm

Buluan Mayor Jong Mangudadatu, on board a private chopper, is looking for his family. He spots a number of vehicles so he lands near the site.

Five vehicles (4 Toyota vans and a sport utility vehicle) are found by the investigation team in the surface crime scene. Other items found are:

personal belongings
assorted empty shells of firearms
other documents

8:00 pm

SOCO teams from PRO-12 arrive at the crime scene and started processing the 22 cadavers found.

Description: Watch the presentation prepared by the Philippine National Police on the initial findings and significant developments last November 23, 2009.

November 24, 2009

President Arroyo places provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat and city of Cotabato under emergency rule (Presidential Proclamation 1946).

The SOCO continues search and investigation and processing of the crime scene. Troops, investigators, SOCO and forensic specialists augment to the SOCO team from PRO-12.

Additional PNP and AFP forces replace the ousted officers in the province. Implicated security forces are immediately taken into custody for investigation, says Caro.

November 25, 2009

They also recover 6 cadavers.

After a while, grave site 3 is exhumed and 5 cadavers are found.

The investigation team recovers a total of 57 cadavers from the crime scene.

Sketch of the crime scene prepared by the Philippine National Police

PNP spokesman Leonardo Espina announces that according to initial reports, the murdered convoy was stopped by a group led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.

The CAFGUs at Baranagy Salaman Ampatuan are immediately turned over by the security forces to the investigators in connection with possible involvement with the incident.

Description: List of names of found cadavers at the crime scene

November 26, 2009

Ampatuan Jr., who is implicated in the massacre, turns himself in to Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza.

Armed movements between November 26-November 29, 2009

He adds that the local civil registrar refuses to accept the death certificates of the victims, purportedly upon the order of Maguindanao governor Ampatuan Sr.

There has been non-appearance of judges in local courts—thereby depriving the course of legal remedies and prosecutorial responsibilities that is the issuance of search and arrest warrants.

Armed groups, that are considered rebel groups by the PNP and the DILG, and their active movements in Maguindanao are confirmed by PRO-12 sources.

PRO-12 team reports that the Ampatuans consolidated a group of rebels consisting of 2,400 plus heavy armed men. One thousand one hundred sixty of them are strategically deployed in Maguindanao.

Validated information gathered by the PRO-12 team are as follows:

There are around 500 rebels with 2 armored vehicles in an offensive position in 2 towns in Ampatuan and a town in Mamasapano.
A group with more or less 200 armed men move from Magonoy, Shariff Aguak is also in offensive position.
More or less 80 fully armed rebels are in Tuka, Mamasapano.
More or less 50 armed rebels led by a former Moro National Liberation Front commander are in offensive position in Rajah Buayan.
More or less 70 fully armed men with 2 M-16 light machine guns remain in offensive position in 2 barangays in the Datu Unsay municipality near the General Santos City national highway.
Armed men with 4 M-16 light machine guns in offensive position remain in the upper portion of Datu Unsay.
Kagi Akman Ampatuan is sited in the municipality of Sultan sa Barongis with 400 armed rebels and locals hear him say: "Patayan na kung patayan.”
More or less a hundred armed men led by an identified killer in the massacre is sited in the boundary of Rajah Buayan and Sultan sa Barongis. The alleged killer’s group is armed with a 90-millimeter recoilless rifle, 1 calibre-50 machine gun, 2 calibre-30 light machine guns, 2 60-millimter mortars and a folded rifle.

The DOJ files 25 counts of murder against Ampatuan Jr.

December 2, 2009

The police discover large arms cache from a vacant lot at least 500 meters away from the mansion of Governor Ampatuan Sr.

December 3, 2009

PRO-12 reports that the following items have been found in Ampatuan Jr.’s compound in Shariff Aguak:

Ampatuan Sr. and Zaldy Ampatuan are brought to Davao City and General Santos City, respectively.

Why price controls will fail

henry — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:44:16 GMT

(Following
is the transcript of the segment “Analysis by Winnie Monsod” which
aired on News on Q on October 13, 2009. Prof. Winnie Monsod is the
resident analyst of New on Q which airs weeknights at 9:30 p.m. on Q
Channel 11.)

A book entitled “40 Centuries of Wage and Price Controls” traces price
control attempts from as far back as to the Old Testament of the Bible,
to the Code of Hammurabi, to the Roman Republic and Empire, to medieval
Europe, to the first centuries of the USA and Canada, to the French
Revolution, the 19th century, world wars I and II, the Nazis, the
Soviets, including rent controls in the US in the 1970s under Nixon and
Carter.

The Philippines is no exception.

Republic Act 4164, which was passed during the Commonwealth Era, aimed
to prevent excessive price increases after public calamities – which is
exactly what this government is attempting to do at present, after the
ravages of Ondoy and Pepeng.

Both typhoons have damaged regions that account for over 60 percent of
the country's GDP, over 40 percent of our agricultural production, and
close to 40 percent of our rice production.

What do the lessons of history tell us?

Have price controls over 40 centuries been successful in achieving the
objective of ensuring that the poor get their basic commodities at
reasonable or affordable prices?

The answer, unfortunately, is a big fat no, whether for the Philippines or anywhere else in the world.

In fact, the complete title of the book is: “40 Centuries of wage and price controls: How Not to Fight Inflation."

Not only did imposing controls not work, they also caused additional
damage, such as continued shortages and crime, and the encouragement of
corrupt practices.

Let us explain once again, using a market demand and supply curve to illustrate the issue.

Suppose that the demand and supply for a basic commodity, say rice, are
balanced at the current price, and that the government then fixes a
lower maximum price.

The quantity of rice supply will decrease because the producers – whose
costs are higher than the maximum price – cannot, of course, be forced
to sell their products at a loss.

In the meantime, the quantity demanded will increase. The result will be an excess in demand.

The problem will be: how are you going to allocate the limited supply to those who want to buy?

Obviously, not all who want to buy will be lucky enough to purchase the
rice at the lower price – those who are ahead of the long queues, those
who have connections with the sellers (maybe long-time customers), and
of course, those who are willing to pay a little cash on the side.

The creation and operation of black markets would be next.

Or government could issue ration coupons, which will require additional
bureaucracy with, of course, the incentives for corruption or
"patronage politics" coming to the fore. This essentially means that
the poor, marginalized, and unconnected are not going to be among the
lucky ones.

On the part of the suppliers, the imposition of price controls provide incentives to evade those controls.

One of the simplest forms of evasion is quality deterioration.

In the Philippines, when there were price controls on paper, the
quality of notebook paper and pad paper was so bad that you could not
use both sides of a sheet of paper because the ink on one side would
show on the other side.

Newsprint was the same way – anyone reading the newspapers had to wash
their hands because the inkprint would come off onto their hands.

Of course, the excuse for price controls is that they are temporary, and will last only a very short time.

But again, history does not back up that claim.

If price controls are not the solution, what alternatives are there to
make sure the poor are really being helped through hard times?

For one, one can have a program targeted specifically at the poor instead of general price controls.

Last year, when the price of rice was spiraling up, the [Department of
Social Welfare and Development] had already identified households that
comprised the "core poor" or the "food poor."

Why not build on that?

And have the government purchase basic commodities, either here or from
abroad, and allow the poor to use their cards to qualify them to buy
these commodities at subsidized prices?

That way, the price system is allowed to work, there will be less
distortion in the allocation of resources, and the poor are at least
assured of access to food at prices they can afford.