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Monday, November 30, 2015
Facebook: boon or ban?
Facebook: boon or ban?
I
N MY OPINION
N MY OPINION
KLAUS DORING
I have asked this question already many times in several columns.
Right at this moment, another case from my home country Germany is in the news. “Facebook must ban abusive content” , says German Justice Minister Maas. And he is so very right. Heiko Maas wants Facebook to better enforce its community standards to rein in abusive users. Given the recent rise in anti-migrant and xenophobic posts, he has called for a meeting with Facebook’s European managers.
In an open letter seen by German daily “Tagesspiegel,” which he links to on his Twitter account, Maas tells Facebook that “we need to talk.”
In the letter, which he sent to Facebook’s European head office in Dublin as well as to its German subsidiary, he says the social media site’s community standards needed to be more efficient and transparent.
In the wake of the recent openly xenophobic and hateful attacks on and protests at refugee camps in Germany, Maas said that the Justice Ministry had received many complaints about abusive content not being banned on Facebook.
Often, users get a message saying that the posts they reported did not violate Facebook’s community standards without giving any further explanation “even in very obvious cases,” according to Maas. Since most of us are in Facebook, I am sure, everybody got such messages after reporting something.
Maas also says this standard response had become a “farce” and that users were struggling to understand why Facebook is quick to ban nudity, for example, referring to its community standards, but often fails to ban xenophobic and racist posts.
The implementation of its community standards, Maas says in his letter, “can apparently not be relied on, even though many posts contain comments that constitute the criminal offense of incitement to hatred.” He reminds Facebook that it is legally obliged to delete illegal posts.
Maas emphasizes that his demands do not go against freedom of speech. “But the Internet is not a lawless space where racist abuse and illegal posts can be allowed to flourish.” He stressed that there can be no “misunderstood tole-rance,” and that Facebook urgently needed to enforce its existing rules and assess whether further measures are needed.
In recent months, Germany has seen tens of thousands of refugees and migrants arrive at its borders, with many communities struggling to provide adequate care and shelter. There have been persistent protests and attacks from far-right groups, often coordinated on sites such as Facebook. The attacks drew widespread criticism from polticians, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel calling the incidents “despicable and shameful.”
And here we are: in reponse to Maas’ letter, a spokeswoman for Facebook said they were taking the justice minister’s position seriously, but did not confirm that they would meet with him. I am speechless. And many others too … !
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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook (!) or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com .
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Bad days
Bad days
IN MY OPINIONKLAUS DORING
Well, one of my expatriate friends here in the Philippines admired the “Five Tibetans Monks”. I mean – not the personalities… . Every morning, my friend does these exercises entitled “Five Tibetans Monks”. Since my friend started with that, he hasn’t become sick any more. He also felt mentally balanced. I can’t guarantee it. He kept on swearing it to me.
Another (German) friend, meanwhile 75 years “young” can’t enjoy his breakfast without first jogging for an hour or even more starting at 5 a.m. If he’s not able to practice it, he becomes moody, intolerable, aggressive and frustrated. Bad days…!
Others have to swim three times a day. Good for those, who have a swimming pool or live near a beach or sea shore.
I love a glass of red wine (don’t get me wrong: I said ONE glass!), a good book (what ever that means for you, my dear reader!), and relaxing (old!) classical music. So, each one of us is looking for his or her special ways on being comfortable.
But, some of our dear fellow creatures can’t really get some peace. They heave a sigh and utter a groan all day long! The Five Tibetans Monks have been blurred. Jogging is unhealthy; green tea is putting out and forces ill-feeling; swimming in a pool supports logical ring worms! Heaven forbid!
I’m sure, my red wine is never digestible and instead reading a good book while listening relaxing music weigh heavily upon our minds.
A couple of years ago I met an expatriate who loved to swing a pendulum to and fro. Billy occupied himself with astrology and the esoteric. I will never forget one of his first questions regarding my birth time. He warned me immediately: “Days followed by full moon periods are very bad for you!” This was something new for me. To be honest, I really don’t care about such stuff. Sorry! I messed up with Billy. Sayang! He was a really good friend.
I traveled a lot. I stayed in more than 60 countries. I experienced in some Western countries, that travel agencies recommended trips to Mexico for “Leos” or to Turkey for “Capricorns”. I went to both countries and didn’t feel anything wrong or bad. I estimated roughly, which dramatic misjudgements, accidents, and sickness outbreaks or losses have happened in my life during days followed by full moon periods.
Which day is today? I always write most of my columns for this daily and my websites on Saturdays. It’s really a great day. Joking apart: allow me to quote Th. Campell (Lochiel’s Warning), “Coming events cast their shadows before”. Bad days for most all places on this globe and its people right now. “Mourning becomes Elektra!” – as E.O. Neill entitled his drama stage play…. But, we should never stop praying for peace!
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Comments, suggestions, questions? Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.german expatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdorings classicalmusic.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
OTS Men face Probe over alleged Drug Smuggling in NAIA
By: Raoul Esperas, ABS CBN
MANILA – Several Office of Transportation Security (OTS) personnel are being investigated by the Manila International Airport Authority after a huge amount of cocaine was smuggled out of the country through the country's premier airport.
Cayetano slams Escudero and other Duterte Critics
Office of the Senate Majority Leader
Alan Peter S. Cayetano
Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City
PRESS RELEASE
24 November 2015
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday slammed the critics of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, stressing that those who are maligning the mayor’s decision to run for president are afraid of losing to him in the 2016 presidential election.
"Takot na takot na sila. Parating na ang tunay na pagbabago," Cayetano said.
The Senator was reacting to recent statements issued by the camp of presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and her running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, that Duterte was merely using Poe’s disqualification case as an excuse to run, since he had long decided to seek the presidency.
“Klaro sa amin ni Mayor Duterte na hindi pwedeng tumakbong presidente ang isang hindi natural born citizen. Tama po ba na ang isang nanumpa sa Amerika, babalik dito, gusto maging Pangulo? Hindi pwedeng palampasin ito. Lalong hindi ito drama," Cayetano said.
"Kung gusto ninyo ng drama at pagkukunwari, nandyan ang Poe-Escudero. Kung gusto ninyo ng matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon, nandito po ang Duterte-Cayetano. Basta kami, we will not cheapen the presidency," Cayetano added.
Cayetano said Poe should answer directly the issues raised against her instead of hiding behind the back of Escudero.
“Hindi maaari na hindi marinig ang tinig niya lalo na kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bansa. If this early she is already hiding behind a person, who at best is only muddling the issue lodged against her, what more if she becomes president?” Cayetano quipped.
Cayetano also defended Duterte against insinuations that the local executive may not be allowed to run as a substitute for Martin Diño, the standard-bearer of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), of which Duterte is a member.
“To those nitpicking at the legal issues surrounding Mayor Duterte’s planned candidacy, set your sights elsewhere. Aside from Mayor Duterte being a natural-born Filipino with a long track record of public service, there are no outstanding legal issues in his bid. Under the law, substitution is allowed. The filing of the PDP-Laban is valid,” Cayetano added.
Cayetano acknowledged that the months leading to the elections could be tough for both him and Duterte, as influential individuals and groups who are afraid of the mayor’s inclusion in the race may try to launch smear campaigns against their ticket.
“We are certainly expecting it. May mga grupo na maraming pera gaya ng mga drug lords, smugglers at crime syndicates na balak magsama-sama para hadlangan ang tambalang Duterte-Cayetano sa gobyerno. Alam nilang liliit ang mundo nila. But I have faith that the people, who are sick and tired of crime and corruption, will support us all the way. Panahon na para sa matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon,” he concluded. #. #
Friday, November 20, 2015
Tropical Storm expected again to enter Philippines
(The Philippine Star) | Updated November 20, 2015 - 12:00am
Shelly Ignacio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said yesterday the storm with international name Infa is likely to intensify into a typhoon before it enters the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday or Monday. from pagasa.dost.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines - A tropical storm spotted over the Pacific Ocean is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this weekend or early next week and bring rains over the eastern section of Luzon and the Visayas.
Shelly Ignacio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said yesterday the storm with international name Infa is likely to intensify into a typhoon before it enters the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday or Monday.
The storm will be locally named Marilyn once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility.
Ignacio said the storm was not expected to make landfall in any part of the country.
PAGASA was looking at two scenarios for Infa, one where it enters the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday or Monday and grazes the eastern section of Luzon, particularly the Bicol region and the Visayas, while the other scenario is the storm would veer north and spare the country, Ignacio said.
As of yesterday noon, the storm was moving west northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
“The possibility that it will enter the Philippine area of responsibility is high,” Ignacio told The STAR.
As of 2 a.m. Thursday, the eye of Infa was located at 2,980 km east of Mindanao.
She said partly cloudy skies with chances of isolated thunderstorms would prevail over Metro Manila in the next three days.
Paskohan sa Kapitolyo 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Bullet Scam Victims Cleared!
Bullet scam victims cleared
No intention to violate law, Abaya tells Senate
Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph A. Abaya yesterday conceded that persons, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), arrested for alleged possession of bullets in what is now dubbed the “tanim-bala” (bullet-planting) scam at the airports “are not guilty and had no intent to violate the law.”
In an effort to address the tanim-bala incidents, Abaya called on the senators to carve out from the proposed 2016 Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) outlay a budget for the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for the purchase of security equipment, particularly closed-circuit TV (CCTV).
image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ricochet1.jpg
It was bared that airport personnel had demanded that White should fork out over P30,000 to settle his case, but he declined.
White’s family were on their way to Coron, Palawan, for their missionary work when he was allegedly victimized by airport screeners.
Another victim, Gloria Ortinez, 56, of Paoay, Ilocos Norte, had to spend two nights in a detention cell before she was released by the Pasay City Prosecutors Office after Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida V. Rued-Acosta cited a Supreme Court decision that the charges must be dropped because there is no intent to possess and that the bullets are not intended to be used.
Four others accused of the same tanim-bala raps were released, she added.
Acosta stressed that the tanim-bala operation must be stopped but “the devil’s advocates” are there at the airport.
LACK OF COMPASSION
Sen. Grace Poe said what the national government lacks is compassion and common sense and that coordination and leadership must be shown by MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado, who was given a 70 percent passing grade by Abaya.
Poe also questioned why the National Civil Aviation Security Council, the single authority for transportation system in the country, has not yet been convened by Abaya despite the bullet scam.
Abaya vowed to convene the council to address the tanim-bala.
The passing grade drew an angry reaction from Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano.
Honrado claimed during the hearing that he has no control over aviation personnel who man the x-ray machines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Susan “Toots” Ople, OFW advocate, bewailed the failure or neglect of airport officials to tap the services of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to help the tanim-bala victims as these agencies have desks at the airport.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said these alleged extortion activities damage NAIA’s reputation, giving an impression that the facility is gradually becoming a major extortion hub of the country.
“Extortion schemes and other forms of misconduct undermine the efforts made by the Philippine government in curbing corruption and in maximizing the Philippines’ potential for business and tourism.
ORTINEZ FLYING TO HK
As this developed, Ortinez will fly to Hong Kong tomorrow in attempts to regain her employment as a household service worker (HSW) following the dismissal of her illegal possession of ammunition case over the “tannin-bala.
Ople said she will be accompanying Ortinez to convince her employer to rehire the 56-year-old OFW.
“We are headed to HK this Saturday so that she (Ortinez) can personally talk to her employer,” Ople said.
Ortinez will also be accompanied by Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III to help with her cause.
“The POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) already sent a letter to Gloria’s employer, but this Saturday Usec Lagunzad will be accompanying Glo to HK to directly talk to her employer,” OWWA Administrator Rebecca Calzado said.
Abaya assured Ortinez that he would write a letter or call her Hongkong employer to take her back after the charges lodged against her had been dismissed.
“I will craft a letter. I will call her employer …whatever Nanay Gloria asks me to do. No reservation,” Abaya told senators during the hearing.
Ortinez was detained by authorities at the NAIA last month after a bullet was allegedly found in her luggage.
She, however, denied the ammo belonged to her, claiming she was a victim of the tanim-bala scam.
The ordeal prevented her from immediately returning to her employer making her worry she might be replaced.
MEDIA BAN HIT
With the public outcry over the tanim-bala issue, airport authorities ban mediamen fromm certain areas.
The move prompted Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to assail airport authorities.
Escudero said NAIA officials should give members of duly registered media entities access to areas where they can exercise their duties without intervening in security personnel’s work.
The senator made the call following reports that journalists covering Manila’s international airports are now prohibited from going to certain areas of NAIA Terminal 3.
NAIA reporters complained that the restriction on their access came only in the wake of reports on the alleged extortion scheme that has victimized overseas Filipino workers, tourists and travellers on business.
“At a time like this when we are all trying to find the truth behind this deplorable ‘tanim-bala’ modus operandi, we need the media to be free to do its work of gathering information, examining our systems, and uncovering the wrongs that may be hidden from sight,” Escudero said.
Besides, NAIA personnel and officials of the MIAA should not feel threatened by the presence of prying eyes if they have nothing to hide, the senator stressed.
“Lagi naman nating sinasabi na ang walang tinatago, hindi natatakot masilip, (We’ve always believed that those who got nothing to hide are not afraid to be scrutinized),” Escudero said.
“We enjoy a democracy that upholds and protects the people’s right to know. Curtailing the media’s freedom to do the important work of exposing the truth cannot be justified, especially in this particular case,” Escudero said.
CHARGES MULLED
Meanwhile, DUMPER Partylist, formerly known as the DUMPER Philippine Taxi Driver Association, is planning to sue tanim-bala accuser Julius Niel Habana for wrongfully incriminating taxi driver Ricky Milagrosa.
Milagrosa was driving Vigil taxi with license plate UVK 190 on the eve of October 29, 2015, when he was accused by Habana of planting a bullet in his friend’s luggage.
Habana posted about the incident on his Facebook page, saying, “Muntik ng madali ang kasamahan kung seaman papuntang NAIA, buti napansin niya (na may) nilagay ang driver sa bag (niya) nag (text) sakin kung anong gawin niya,nag advise ako na wag ng tumuloy sa airport dumaan nalng sa boardng house ko. (My friend and fellow seaman almost got into trouble on the way to NAIA. Good thing he noticed that the driver placed something on his bag, he texted me asking for help, and I advised him not to go to the airport and instead come to my boarding house).”
However, when the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) conducted a hearing regarding this matter, only Milagrosa and his operator attended to state their case. Habana, on the other hand, refused to answer any of the board’s attempts to contact him. (With reports from Hannah L. Torregoza, Czarina Nicole O. Ong, and Samuel P. Medenilla)
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