'We are not a nation of beggars': Expert defends PH research on Benham Rise ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 24 2018 08:12 AM | Updated as of Jan 24 2018 11:09 AM

'We are not a nation of beggars': Expert defends PH research on Benham Rise ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 24 2018 08:12 AM | Updated as of Jan 24 2018 11:09 AM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn A maritime law expert criticized Wednesday a statement from President Duterte's spokesman that only China can conduct research in Benham Rise because the endeavor is capital intensive. Prof. Jay Batongbacal did not mince words, describing Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque's claim as something "based on ignorance" and calling out the Philippine government for making a "brazen falsehood" on the issue. "Government's denigration of Filipino scientists and Filipinos in general, claiming they cannot explore Benham Rise without China or Chinese money, is a total sham meant to disempower and demean Filipinos and their capacity and capability as a people. It makes Filipinos appear helpless, clueless and penniless on something already demonstrated they are not," he wrote on his Facebook page. "We are not a nation of beggars for small change, even if it is from a country as a big and rich as China." The director of UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea took issue with Roque's statement to the press that "Filipinos cannot afford to explore Benham Rise, that "no one can do it", that the Philippines "needs China" to do it, and "only China qualifies." READ: Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research Refuting Roque's claim, Batongbacal made a list that shows years of research done by Filipino scientists on the resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. EIGHT REASONS WHY From 2004 to 2008, he said the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a survey of Benham Rise and produced a highly detailed 3d digital bathymetric model. The survey was done by a full Filipino crew and funded by the Philippine government. Second, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture has been conducting annual fisheries research and experimental fishing expeditions in Benham Rise to determine the tuna fishery potential of its waters. In 2014 and 2016, Batongbacal said two oceanographic research cruises were organized that gave Philippines its initial glimpse of Benham Bank, the shallowest portion of Benham Rise. The research was supported by national government agencies and several academic institutions. READ: Benham's hidden gems: Thriving sea life, potential gas Benham Rise: The Philippines' underwater treasure Scientists find diverse marine life in Benham Rise Fourth, the UP National Institute for Geological Sciences and UP Marine Science Institute have been collaborating with counterpart institutions from Korea and Japan since 2016 to begin initial exploration of the seabed in Benham Rise. Geologists from UP NIGS, he also listed, have produced academic papers and analysis, which were used as evidence to support the claim to Benham Rise. Sixth, marine biologists in the Philippines have been analyzing samples and observations gathered from research cruises. The marine biologists have made interesting findings and potential discoveries, he said. Seventh, a deep-sea research vessel, known as BRP Gregorio Velasquez, was handed over to the Philippine Navy by the US. Lastly, he said Philippines has been offered by "at least one friendly country" with up-to-date technologies, such as underwater autonomous vehicles costing $100,000. NOT THE ONLY ONE Batongbacal acknowledged that China is a "formidable scientific force in the contemporary ocean sciences" but "it is by no means the only one." "China is an obvious opportunity, but not an absolute necessity," he said. READ: China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Batongbacal also said the limitations of Philippine marine science are "not so much a matter of poverty as it is a matter of priorities." "The modest efforts to date demonstrate that with the proper budgetary support from government and clear research goals and objectives, as well as a good vision and great confidence in our own people and expertise, the Philippines can do these things on its own," he said. "We may have relatively few marine scientists and even fewer marine science vessels, but they have done a lot despite limited resources. What more if government actually gave the sector the attention it deserves?" Benham Rise, a 13-million-hectare area located east of Luzon island believed to be gas-rich, was awarded to the country in 2012 by the United Nations after Manila successfully proved that it is part of Isabela province's extended continental shelf. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise Jay Batongbacal Harry Roque scientific research FROM THE WEB Recommended by Home > News 'China was right': Roque says PH has no sovereignty over Benham Rise Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 22 2018 07:09 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - The Philippines has sovereign rights, but not sovereignty over Benham Rise. This was clarified by Presidential spokesman Harry Roque after a May 2017 statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry that the Philippine government cannot claim Benham Rise as its own territory was shared many times on social media. PH can't claim Benham Rise as its territory – China Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv The statement had cast doubt on China's plans to conduct explorations in Benham Rise. Duterte renames 'Benham Rise' to 'Philippine Rise' Speaking to reporters, Roque said the Chinese were right. "Tama po iyon. Wala tayong titulo sa Benham Rise. Because what we have is sovereign rights. Sovereign rights is different from title. Sovereign rights is the right to explore and exploit the natural and non-living resources found in the area," Roque said. "We do not have sovereignty in the Benham Rise because what we only have in Benham Rise as part of our extended continental shelf is the right to explore and exploit the natural resources found thereat," he explained. Included in a country's sovereign rights is the right to decide which countries it will allow to conduct scientific research in the area. "Because it is sovereign, because it is exclusive, ibig sabihin noon, desisyon na ng soberenya iyon--soberenyang bansa kung nais niyang i-share sa iba. And we have allowed scientific research on the basis of guidelines that are already existing. And other nations, or other companies from different countries, can also apply," he said. The Philippines' claim to Benham Rise, a massive 13-million-hectare area located east of Luzon island was approved by the United Nations back in 2012. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise philippine rise harry roque china benham rise UN convention on the law of the sea UNCLOS Home > News China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 11:31 AM | Updated as of Jan 23 2018 03:48 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv MANILA - A former national security adviser on Tuesday said he is puzzled why the Philippine government would allow China to conduct scientific research off the Pacific coast. The Department of Foreign Affairs granted the request of a Chinese entity to do research in waters where the Benham Rise is located, according to Representative Gary Alejano. It was later disclosed that President Rodrigo Duterte made the call to allow the survey. Roque: Duterte made call on China's Benham Rise research "I’m just a little puzzled why we would allow an entity that already grabbed a big chunk of our exclusive economic zone an entry to Benham Rise," Roilo Golez told ANC's Headstart. Golez noted China may be "lusting" after the natural resources in Benham Rise, which is supposedly rich in fish and methane gas hydrates. "I’m very worried that China may be lusting for the resources available there plus the geostrategic value...The Constitution is very clear that the state must protect our marine wealth in our exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, etc., and reserve its use exclusively for Filipino citizens," he said. Benham Rise, renamed Philippine Rise last year, is an underwater plateau located east of Isabela that is rich in pristine corals, diverse marine life and untapped gas reserves. READ: Benham's hidden gems: Thriving sea life, potential gas The United Nations in 2012 declared it as part of the Philippines' extended continental shelf. Golez said the Philippines' decision to allow China to survey the area gives Beijing an "opening" that could have "strategic implications" in terms of geopolitics. "They want to go into the Western Pacific, which is right now dominated by the US, by Japan...That will enable them to do oceanographic studies to find out what is under the sea," he said. China may also be looking for "thermocline," a thin layer hundreds of meters below the sea "where there's an abrupt change in temperature," allowing submarines to freely operate. Golez also hit Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque for saying the China was correct in saying the Philippines has sovereign rights, but not sovereignty over Benham Rise. 'China was right': Roque says PH has no sovereignty over Benham Rise "When you are in dispute with another country, you never agree with that country…Never agree with your opponent because your opponent is going to quote you very liberally and very generously to our detriment," he said. "The best is to emphasize that we have control over Benham Rise. We are the beneficial owner of Benham Rise because everything there, all natural resources are within our control," he added. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: ANC ANC Top ANC Exclusives Roilo Golez Benham Rise philippine rise china beijing Home > News Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 03:50 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - Malacañang on Tuesday defended the government’s decision to allow China to explore Benham Rise, saying conducting such research is an expensive endeavor. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier granted the request of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology to do research at the Benham Rise, a resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. Critics blasted the move, saying it could undermine Manila’s interests in the waters, which the United Nations in 2012 awarded as an extension of the Philippines’ continental shelf. In a news conference, Roque said China was allowed to do the study since it met the qualifications, one of which is that Filipino researchers must be allowed to join Chinese researchers. “Only China has qualified so far. There are other applicants. Unfortunately, they did not qualify according to fixed guidelines already set by the government,” he said. “No one has applied. And no one can do it because, apparently, it’s capital intensive.” Senator Francis Pangilinan on Monday questioned why China, which has an ongoing dispute with the Philippines over the South China Sea, was chosen to conduct the research despite its maritime conflict with Manila. “What will the country stand to gain from this marine scientific research? Why do we need to partner with China? Can't the Philippines do it on its own? What is in store for China after the research? How long will this be carried out, and what will be the coverage of the research? What are the mechanisms and guidelines in place in the conduct of the activity?” Pangilinan said in a statement. “Most importantly, what would be the impact of such joint undertaking on the Philippines' national interest and security?” said the senator, who is president of the opposition Liberal Party. Pangilinan said he had to raise these questions because “history and experience tell us that China is not exactly the most trustworthy partner for such an activity.” Meanwhile, former national security adviser Roilo Golez said he was also puzzled why Manila allowed China to conduct the scientific research. Golez noted that China may be "lusting" after the natural resources in Benham Rise, which is supposedly rich in fish and methane gas hydrates. China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez "I’m very worried that China may be lusting for the resources available there plus the geostrategic value...The Constitution is very clear that the state must protect our marine wealth in our exclusive economic zone, territorial sea, etc., and reserve its use exclusively for Filipino citizens," Golez told ANC. Golez said the Philippines' decision to allow China to survey the area gives Beijing an "opening" that could have "strategic implications" in terms of geopolitics. "They want to go into the Western Pacific, which is right now dominated by the US, by Japan...That will enable them to do oceanographic studies to find out what is under the sea," he said. China may also be looking for a "thermocline," a transition layer between deep and surface water "where there's an abrupt change in temperature" that could allow submarines to freely operate. Pangilinan called on the administration to be transparent in its dealings with China “to allay fears of the people that it is betraying our national sovereignty and patrimony.” Since assuming power, President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to downplay Manila’s South China Sea dispute with Beijing in pursuit of better economic ties with Asia’s largest economy. Duterte, China's Xi agree not to 'waste lives' over sea dispute Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Rodrigo Duterte Benham Rise Department of Foreign Affairs China exploration Francis Pangilinan Home > News Solon: China 'respects' PH sovereignty over Benham Rise in seeking survey permit ABS-CBN News Posted at Jan 23 2018 07:38 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA - China's application for a permit to survey the Benham Rise shows it respects the Philippines' sovereignty over the resource-rich area, a lawmaker said Tuesday. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the fact that the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology requested for a permit shows that it recognizes Manila's sovereignty over the area. "In this case, Chinese authorities applied for a permit from the Philippine government. The mere fact they applied for permit is recognition over Benham Rise," he said. Lagman however, noted that should China violate the terms of the permit, the Philippines can revoke it. "If there's any violation on the part of China, the permit or permission can be withdrawn as a penalty for violations of the conditions," he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier granted the request of the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology to do research at the Benham Rise, a resource-rich underwater plateau located east of Isabela. Critics blasted the move, saying it could undermine Manila’s interests in the waters, which the United Nations in 2012 awarded as an extension of the Philippines’ continental shelf. Palace: Chinese help needed in expensive Benham Rise research China lusting after Benham Rise resources: Golez Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano meanwhile questioned Manila's capacity to monitor Beijing's compliance with the requirements of the permit issued. He said Chinese survey ships should be under the close supervision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "As long as there is no exploration, no exploitation of marine resources in the EEZ ( exclusive economic zone) of the Philippines or non-living resources and sedentary species in the extended continental shelf, mamo-monitor ba 'yan?" he said. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Benham Rise China Philippines maritime dispute Edcel Lagman Gary Alejano

Virginia Omoso Guazon 2 hrs · Rappler · 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡 MANILA, Philippines – China's permit to conduct maritime research in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines began on Thursday, January 24, based on a document shown to Rappler. The permit allows China to gather data on the ocean circulation in the Western Pacific Ocean. It expressly bans hydrographic survey or mapping activities within Philippine maritime jurisdictions, drilling in the Philippine continental shelf, and fishing. The permit is good for a total of 33 days or until February 25. It covers the "eastern side of Luzon and Mindanao." Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said it includes Benham Rise. China's 33-day permit to survey PH's eastern seaboard begins The permit allows China to gather data on the ocean circulation in the Western Pacific, covering the 'eastern side of Luzon and Mindanao' RAPPLER.COM

PHILIPPINES China's 33-day permit to survey PH's eastern seaboard begins The permit allows China to gather data on the ocean circulation in the Western Pacific, covering the 'eastern side of Luzon and Mindanao' Carmela Fonbuena @carmelafonbuena Published 10:11 AM, January 24, 2018 Updated 11:01 AM, January 24, 2018 1 1K Twitter Reddit Email 1K CORAL-RICH. Researchers say Benham Bank is rich in corals. Photo courtesy of Dr Hildie Nacorda/UPLB-SESAM CORAL-RICH. Researchers say Benham Bank is rich in corals. Photo courtesy of Dr Hildie Nacorda/UPLB-SESAM MANILA, Philippines – China's permit to conduct maritime research in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines began on Thursday, January 24, based on a document shown to Rappler. The permit allows China to gather data on the ocean circulation in the Western Pacific Ocean. It expressly bans hydrographic survey or mapping activities within Philippine maritime jurisdictions, drilling in the Philippine continental shelf, and fishing. The permit is good for a total of 33 days or until February 25. It covers the "eastern side of Luzon and Mindanao." Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said it includes Benham Rise. The 4-page document was titled "Consent to Conduct Marine Scientific Research (MSR) in Areas Under the National Jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines." DFA granted the permit to the Institute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO-CAS), which will conduct the study in tandem with Filipino scientists from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI). The Filipino scientists should be given "unrestricted access" to all areas in the vessel and to equipment. The Philippines also reserves the right to suspend the research project. Chinese ship arrives in PH China will use the survey vessel Ke Xue Hao. The ship – along with the vehicles, platforms, and installations they will use in the study – are suposed to be under the close monitoring and security supervision of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard. The ship must also provide the Philippines regular updates on its position and situation. Ke Xue Hao is already in Philippine waters, according to Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano in a statement Tuesday night, January 23. Government critics slammed the approval of the permit. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who led the country's international case against China's "squatting" in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), called it "dumb" to allow China to explore the waters on the other side of the country. China reclaimed at least 7 maritime features in the South China Sea, including Mischief Reef inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. A test of China's commitment Filipino maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal initially welcomed China acquiescing to partner with Filipino scientists to join its survey. Batongbacal noted that China proceeded to conduct surveys on Benham Rise last year despite denial of its requests. The permit puts China under obligation to follow Philippine laws. Batongbacal said he hopes China will abide by the rules set by the Philippines in the permit and that it will share the results of its study with the Philippines. "They've always been submitting these applications even before 2012. They've always been denied without Filipino partners. We have yet to see if they're going to comply [with the terms of the agreement]," Batongbacal told Rappler. "It's a good way to pressure them. They've been harping on maritime cooperation," he said. China is expected to provide Philippine weather bureau PAGASA, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard "real-time" and "unrestricted access to original data" on ocean circulation like sea level pressure, wind direction and speed, rainfall, and air temperature among others. China must also provide the Philippines its preliminary results, its cruise track, names of its crew, and all raw and processed data. Issue of trust But Alejano said China cannot be trusted. "China has been known for saying one thing but does another," Alejano said. Latest pronouncements from Malacañang also made Batongbacal "feeling a little less welcoming" to China's maritime research. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said China was allowed to do the research because it's the only country that can do it. Batongbacal slammed Malacañang's ignorance of what Filipino scientists have achieved. "For government to say that Filipinos need China to explore Benham Rise as if there is no one else that can do it is both a brazen falsehood and a disservice to the hard work and dedication, the talents and capacities, of the Filipino scientific community," he wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday night. Batongbacal said this is not the last time he expects China to seek permission to study the country's eastern seaboard. "It has a big project, up to 2020, to study the entire Western Pacific," he said. – Rappler.com Support Free and Fearless Journalism When Power insists, “you’re either with us or against us,” the space for a diversity of voices and ideas shrinks. When hate and anger are weaponized, it creates a spiral of silence. When critical questions are simplistically equated with an anti-government agenda, it requires courage to hold decision-makers accountable. We launched Rappler in 2012 to marry the highest standards of journalism with technology to strengthen Philippine democracy. We didn’t want to just give you the news; we aimed to promote critical thinking, self-reflection, and empathy to encourage informed decision-making. Help keep us free and independent of political and commercial interests. READ MORE CAMPAIGN RUNNING FOR 4 MONTHS : 8 DAYS : 14 HOURS : 25 MINS P2,218,889 P5,000,000 44% OF GOAL SUPPORT Filed under:Benham RiseChinaGary AlejanoInstitute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of SciencesJay BatongbacalPhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines Marine Science InstituteMarine Scientific Research 1 Show Comment PHILIPPINES Malacañang says Filipinos need China for Benham Rise research Filipinos alone can't conduct research in the resource-rich underwater plateau because they don't have the needed capital, says Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Pia Ranada @piaranada Published 1:16 PM, January 23, 2018 Updated 1:16 PM, January 23, 2018 7 5K Twitter Reddit Email 5K SOVEREIGN RIGHTS. This photo shows Filipinos exploring Benham Rise for the first time in 2014. File photo courtesy of Dr Gil Jacinto/UP-MSI SOVEREIGN RIGHTS. This photo shows Filipinos exploring Benham Rise for the first time in 2014. File photo courtesy of Dr Gil Jacinto/UP-MSI MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos can't conduct research in Benham Rise without China's help. This was how Malacañang defended the approval granted by the Philippine government to China to conduct marine scientific research in the resource-rich continental shelf east of Luzon. (FAST FACTS: What you should know about Benham Rise) Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, on Tuesday, January 23, was asked why it was necessary to approve China's request and why Filipinos could not just conduct research on their own. (READ: PH researchers explore Benham Rise) "No one can do it because, apparently, it's capital intensive," said Roque during a Malacañang press briefing. As to why it was China given permission and not other countries also capable of providing the needed funding, Roque said only China "qualified" for the initiative. (READ: DFA on Benham Rise: 'Same rules for all countries') "Because only China has qualified so far. There are other applications, unfortunately, they did not qualify according to fixed guidelines already set by the government," said Roque. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano previously said Philippine law requires that any scientific study of Benham Rise must ensure that Filipinos are on board the ships used for the study and that the findings must be shared with the Philippine government. Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, who first made public the government's approval of China's research in Benham Rise, alleged that the Department of Foreign Affairs rejected a similar application by a French organization. Alejano also said it was the Chinese Academy of Sciences that was given the approval. The institute is partly funded by the People's Republic of China. Malacañang has emphasized that while the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea gives the Philippines sovereign rights over Benham Rise, the Philippines cannot claim it as part of its national territory. However, sovereign rights means the Philippines alone has the right to explore and exploit the oil, gas and other mineral resources in Benham Rise as part of its extended continental shelf. Benham Rise, which Duterte has renamed Philippine Rise, is a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau thought to be rich in minerals and gas. – Rappler.com Filed under:Chinese Academy of SciencesHarry RoqueMalacañangPhilippine RiseBenham Rise Show 7 Comments PHILIPPINES 'Benham Rise is ours,' Nene Pimentel says after PH allowed China research 'We would like to emphasize Scarborough Shoal is ours, Kalayaan shoals are ours, that Benham Rise is likewise within our exclusive economic zone,' says the former Senate president Camille Elemia @CamilleElemia Published 12:40 PM, January 23, 2018 Updated 2:44 PM, January 23, 2018 7 3K Twitter Reddit Email 3K BENHAM RISE. Former Senate president Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel Jr says the Philippines has jurisdiction over Benham Rise. File photo by Senate PRIB BENHAM RISE. Former Senate president Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel Jr says the Philippines has jurisdiction over Benham Rise. File photo by Senate PRIB MANILA, Philippines – Benham Rise is ours. Former Senate president Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr said the Philippines has jurisdiction over Benham Rise and other islands being contested by China, including Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Group of Islands. Pimentel, founder of President Rodrigo Duterte's party PDP-Laban, was speaking at the second Senate hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on Tuesday, January 23. "Even as discussion in this particular forum is focused on BBL, our people should not forget that if we talk about BBL, that applies to the Republic of the Philippines. We are not only talking about Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, we would like to emphasize Scarborough Shoal is ours, Kalayaan shoals are ours, that Benham Rise is likewise within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as defined by the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," Pimentel said during the hearing. The former Senate president's statement came after the Duterte administration allowed China to conduct maritime research in Benham Rise. It was Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, an opposition lawmaker, who first revealed the information. Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano later confirmed it. (READ: Lorenzana: China showed interest in PH's Benham Rise) Benham Rise is a 13-million-hectare underwater plateau off the coast of Aurora, which the Philippines fought for and won before the United Nations in 2012. (FAST FACTS: What you should know about Benham Rise) In May last year, China said the Philippines could not claim Benham Rise as its own territory. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque agreed with the statement and said on Monday, January 22, that the Philippines has "sovereign rights" and not "sovereignty" over the area. "We do not have sovereignty in the Benham Rise because what we only have in Benham Rise as part of our extended continental shelf is the right to explore and exploit the natural resources found thereat," Roque said. In recent years, China has aggressively developed maritime features in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Duterte, during the presidential campaign, vowed to defend the Philippines' maritime territory. But ties between Manila and Beijing have warmed since Duterte assumed office and he has since softened his stance on the dispute. (READ: 5 ways Duterte can defend Scarborough without going to war) – Rappler.com Filed under:Aquilino Pimentel JrBenham RiseChinaHarry RoquePhilippinesScarborough ShoalSenateSouth China SeaWest Philippine SeaNene Pimentel Show 7 Comments https://www.rappler.com/nation/194314-nene-pimentel-benham-rise-philippines-china-research

The company notorious for sending out hordes of ‘internet warriors’ to defend the company and its actions online in comments and message boards

Nestle CEO: Corporations Come Before Humanity 138,806 views 119 319 SHARE SageOfQuay Published on May 14, 2013 SUBSCRIBE 2.2K Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe This is a stunning (and I mean stunning) interview. This is for anyone who is still walking around in an unawakened stupor... in this interview - water is not a human right... these are the people running the world folks... it's time to pop your head out of your butt and wake up... http://sageofquay.blogspot.com/ Category News & Politics License Standard YouTube License SHOW LESS Comments are disabled for this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=vWkA-uAPXCE January 21, 2018 ardit Mind blowing Nestle CEO says “WATER IS NOT A HUMAN RIGHT” Is water a free and basic human right, or should all the water on the planet belong to major corporations and be treated as a product? Should the poor who cannot afford to pay these said corporations suffer from starvation due to their lack of financial wealth? According to the former CEO and now Chairman of the largest food product manufacturer in the world, corporations should own every drop of water on the planet — and you’re not getting any unless you pay up. The company notorious for sending out hordes of ‘internet warriors’ to defend the company and its actions online in comments and message boards (perhaps we’ll find some below) even takes a firm stance behind Monsanto’s GMOs and their ‘proven safety’. In fact, the former Nestle CEO actually says that his idea of water privatization is very similar to Monsanto’s GMOs. In a video interview, Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe states that there has never been ‘one illness’ ever caused from the consumption of GMOs. Watch the video below for yourself: The way in which this sociopath clearly has zero regard for the human race outside of his own wealth and the development of Nestle, who has been caught funding attacks against GMO labeling, can be witnessed when watching and listening to his talk on the issue. This is a company that actually goes into struggling rural areas and extracts the groundwater for their bottled water products, completely destroying the water supply of the area without any compensation. In fact, they actually make rural areas in the United States foot the bill. As reported on by Corporate Watch, Nestle and former CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe have a long history of disregarding public health and abusing the environment to take part in the profit of an astounding $35 billion in annual profit from water bottle sales alone. The report states: So is water a human right, or should it be owned by big corporations? Well, if water is not here for all of us, then perhaps air should be owned by major corporations as well. And as for crops, Monsanto is already working hard to make sure their monopoly on our staple crops and beyond is well situated. It should really come as no surprise that this Nestle Chairman fights to keep Monsanto’s GMOs alive and well in the food supply, as his ideology lines right up with that of Monsanto. Share this:

Matthew 24 is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the Olivet Discourse spoken by Jesus Christ and his prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Wikipedia

Matthew 24 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Matthew 24 ← chapter 23chapter 25 → Papyrus 1 - recto.jpg Matthew 1:1-9,12 on the recto side of Papyrus 1, written about AD 250. Book Gospel of Matthew Bible part New Testament Order in the Bible part 1 Category Gospel Gospel of Matthew Chapters [show] Matthew 24 is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the Olivet Discourse spoken by Jesus Christ and his prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.[1] The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Matthew the Apostle composed this Gospel.[2] Contents [hide] 1 Text 2 Structure 3 Cross references 4 Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple 5 Mount of Olives 6 Verse 15 7 Verse 35 8 See also 9 References 10 External links Text[edit] The original text is written in Koine Greek or Hebrew/Aramaic[citation needed]. Some most ancient manuscripts containing this chapter are: Codex Vaticanus (AD 325-350) Codex Sinaiticus (330-360) Codex Bezae (c. 400) Codex Washingtonianus (c. 400) Codex Alexandrinus (c. 400-440) Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (c. 450) Codex Purpureus Rossanensis (6th century) Codex Sinopensis (6th century; extant: verses 3-12) Papyrus 83 (6th century; extant: verses 1, 6) This chapter is divided into 51 verses. Structure[edit] This chapter can be grouped (with cross references to other parts of the Bible): Matthew 24:1-2 = Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6) Matthew 24:3-14 = The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age (Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19) Matthew 24:15-28 = The Great Tribulation (Mark 13:14-23; Luke 21:20-24) Matthew 24:36-31 = The Coming of the Son of Man (Mark 13:24-27,32; Luke 21:25-28) Matthew 24:32-43 = The Parable of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33) Matthew 24:37-44 = No One Knows the Day or Hour (Luke 17:26-30,34-36) Matthew 24:45-51 = The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant (Luke 12:41-48) Cross references[edit] Matthew 24:15: Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11 Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple[edit] In the preceding chapters, Jesus has been teaching in the Temple and debating with the Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees. Jesus and his disciples leave the Temple (Matthew 24:1), or the temple grounds in the New Living Translation,[3] never to return.[4] Jesus predicts that "not one stone shall be left here upon another". The prediction follows the sentiments expressed by Jesus in Matthew 23:37-38: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... See! Your house is left to you desolate. Methodist founder John Wesley says that the prediction was "most punctually fulfilled", in that the majority of the temple buildings were burned and then dug up on the orders of the invading Roman general Titus in 70 AD.[5] Mount of Olives[edit] Jesus and his disciples proceed to the Mount of Olives, where a "private" conversation takes place regarding "the end of the age". Jesus' words here are referred to at the "Little Apocalypse" or "Olivet Discourse". Jesus appears to have led ahead of his disciples (Matthew 24:3), who come to him to enquire about the timing and signification of his parousia (Greek: παρουσιας). Mark 13:30 states that only Peter, James, John and Andrew came to speak with him. Verse 15[edit] New King James Version Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)[6] Citation from Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11 Verse 35[edit] King James Version Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.[7] Jesus' words refer to an Old Testament saying recorded in Isaiah 51:6. See also[edit] Abomination of desolation Noah Noah's Ark Noah's Flood Olivet Discourse Other related Bible parts: Genesis 6, Genesis 7, Isaiah 51, Jeremiah 15, Daniel 11, Daniel 12, Matthew 25, Mark 13, Luke 12, Luke 17, Luke 21, 2 Peter 3 References[edit] Jump up ^ Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition, Zondervan Publishing House. 1962. Jump up ^ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012. Jump up ^ New Living Translation Jump up ^ Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on Matthew 24, accessed 19 February 2017 Jump up ^ Wesley's Notes on the Bible on Matthew 24, accessed 19 February 2017 Jump up ^ Matthew 24:15 Jump up ^ Matthew 24:35 External links[edit] Matthew 24 NIV

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Organic Farms and “Eco-Parks” are Ruining Baguio’s Mountainsides

Organic Farms and “Eco-Parks” are Ruining Baguio’s Mountainsides Tweet Share 345 +1 For the nth time, numerous so-called “environmental activists” have come under the case of the vapors against tree cutting around Baguio. Once again, I’m inclined to reiterate on how gullible and how off-the-point the people of Baguio are, especially those who claim to be “for the environment.” Mt. Sto. Tomas, locally known as Cabuyao, is a reservation just outside City limits, harboring a large tree reserve, a watershed and a former US AA radar station that gives the peak its unique look. stotomasradar_zps682abe3a Just recently 300 or so pine trees were cut down in Sto. Tomas to widen a road that goes to, of all places, a resort that doubles as an “eco-park.” Apparently the cutting, which was conducted near a vital water source, was done by the brother of current Baguio Congressman Nicasio Aliping Jr.; the latter may be ordered by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to pay PhP50,000, or roughly PhP800 for each pine tree. Time and again, Get Real Philippines has shown that the people of Baguio don’t get the whole picture of why their City has, for a lack of a better term, gone to crap. First, and most importantly, the majority of voters in Baguio used their democratic rights to put the people responsible for these cuttings in the positions they’re in today, in peaceful local elections I might add. Now before any “y-Baguio” reading this essay brings out the true-yet-tired excuse that “our democratic system is corrupt,” they shouldn’t forget that they chose to participate in that system and allow these politicians to claim these seats of office. In short, don’t blame them for doing it, blame yourselves for electing them in the first place. To say that “oh I didn’t vote for them” is petty and childish, akin to saying “he started it” after a brawl. It only shows how little Baguio people regard the democratic process they claim to exalt. It would perhaps be better for Baguio to elect someone who does NOT run on a platform of “environmental awareness,” because that person would be honest about his intentions. Years of electing people who supposedly “care for Baguio’s future” have turned the City into a microcosm of what’s wrong with the Philippines when it comes to its natural resources. The fact that Baguio’s national representative (and center of all this current mess) is now the chair of the local chapter of the Liberal Party is a minor digression, but supports the microcosmic view. Additionally, the cutting of trees in Sto. Tomas overlooks the problem of people turning its slopes into organic vegetable farms such as this one: baguio_5 Given the increasing popularity of “organic” produce these days, more land would be used for growing such crops; a higher demand would then force farmers to clear larger tracts of land for cultivation. Trees then would then be inevitably felled for these farms, and the cycle continues ad nauseam. Sadly, “environmental activists” in Baguio also prefer to promote the “benefits” of these organic crops (as shown in pseudo-environmental group Save 182’s “Boycott SM” Facebook page) while completely ignoring the fact that organic crops deal a lot more damage to the environment than genetically modified (GMO) crops. What these “environmentalists” can’t (or won’t) tell you is that GMO crops take less time to grow and less land to use. The yield can be as much as twice that of an organic crop, taking up less space for agriculture, thus giving potential space for trees to grow. The anti-science provocateurs, however, would rather ignore this and destroy these crops due to unsubstantiated claims of “potential harmful effects.” As it turns out, the same people who believe that GMO’s are “evil” often are the same people who think that “vaccines cause autism.” It could therefore be obliquely stated that a conscious and deliberate distortion of scientific facts is causing the destruction of tree reserves on the slopes of Mt. Sto. Tomas. The graver irony here is the fact that these trees were cut to give way to an “eco-park.” There are quite a growing number of these in Baguio, and I believe that the proliferation of such, despite their innate intentions of “ecological preservation,” actually contributes to the City’s ecological decline. The primary reason for this is the fact that in order for people to get to these places, the infrastructure has to be present. It’s outright hypocrisy when people put up an “eco-park,” then roads have to be constructed and parking lots have to be paved for visitors’ vehicles. And what point is there in trying to look for the quiet sanctity of nature within these “eco-parks” when services within them include animatronic dinosaurs? The purpose of environmental preservation is thus defeated when such a place is turned into a theme park. If they’re really serious about putting up these ecological reserves, the best way to do it is to put up a nature preserve and KEEP IT OFF LIMITS TO HUMANS. If the government can successfully keep throngs of die-hard spiritual devotees off the slopes of Mt. Banahaw for years at a time (thus ensuring the return of that place’s wilderness areas), the local governments of Baguio and Benguet can certainly keep casual weekenders from climbing the supposedly protected forests of Mt. Sto. Tomas. That is, of course, if the people of Baguio and Benguet don’t fall into the same trap they keep getting into every three years by electing the same type of laughable “pro-environment” candidates over and over again. More than a year ago, Get Real Philippines writer Paul Farol wrote an essay entitled “Why Baguio is Dying.” I would like to disagree with what he said: Baguio is dead; it got buried under the rubble of the Earthquake of 1990. Just as science has recently proven that it’s now too late to turn back when it comes to climate change, I believe that nothing short of plague or geological cataclysm can reverse what Baguio has evolved into. I’ll close this essay with a comment about Baguio written by Lisa on 3 November 2012, in response to another article by Paul Farol: “There are no genuine environmental groups here to speak of, the people would rather do battle with a corporation and other co-residents than take on a corrupt government that is party to the degradation. This is why the city looks and behaves as it does now.” [Sto. Tomas radar doshes photo courtesy of Pinoy Mountaineer. Vegetable terrace photo courtesy of Weekend Trip Baguio.] print About MidwayHaven But enough about me. Voting For President Is Pointless If You Forget the Legislative Branch - April 28, 2016 Philippine Elections: Feudal “Democracy” At Its Most Spectacular - April 9, 2016 Filipino Spirituality Needs To Evolve - January 10, 2016 Five Dangerous HIV/AIDS Myths That Many Filipinos Still Believe - January 8, 2016 Which 2016 Candidate Will Repeal the Lina Law on Informal Settlers? - December 10, 2015 Spread it! More Related Why Can't SM Baguio Bashers See The Bigger Environmental Sin Why Can't SM Baguio Bashers See The Bigger Environmental Sin January 21, 2015 In "Development" ABS-CBN's Forevermore Teleserye Contributes to Benguet Watershed Destruction ABS-CBN's Forevermore Teleserye Contributes to Benguet Watershed Destruction January 27, 2015 In "Culture" Baguio City: Ruined by 'Pinoy' Mentality Baguio City: Ruined by 'Pinoy' Mentality January 13, 2012 In "Civics" Categories: Culture, Environment, Government, Politics / 14 Responses / by MidwayHaven Leave a Reply 14 Comments on "Organic Farms and “Eco-Parks” are Ruining Baguio’s Mountainsides" Notify of Email › avatar Join the discussion Sort by: newest | oldest | most voted vangie Guest vangie all know but no one seems to underscore the fact that the same people have been in city hall for 20 years plus…they just play the game of merry go round….they have been in office longer than the deposed dictator! 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago MidwayHaven Guest MidwayHaven The sad part is that the people of Baguio VOTE to keep them there. CONSCIOUSLY and VOLUNTARILY. And those that they claim to be “alternatives” to the incumbents are more or less in the same political basket. In Baguio, it always has been a choice between the corrupt or the incompetent (which somehow is just like Philippine national politics), and the Baguio electoral race in 2016 is gearing up to look like the same damn thing. 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago Anonymou5 Guest Anonymou5 Interesting article, though we should all be aware that most of the voters in Baguio are not actually from Baguio. Even the said elected officials. Sad reality right there. 0 REPLY2 years 11 months ago MidwayHaven Guest MidwayHaven Are we sure that the voters are not from Baguio? Where are the statistics that prove this claim? Until there’s concrete evidence for such, then it would be best to put forward the assumption that Baguio’s ills are created by the people of Baguio themselves. 0 REPLY2 years 11 months ago Toro Hyden2 Guest Toro Hyden2 It is unfortunate that such a brother of a politician is the one denuding the forest of Baguio…soon more lanslides will occur in the place. Organic Farming is just a fad. Farming without the use of commercial fertilizer is organic fartming. Commercial fertilizer is the same as the natural fertilizer, because the chemical elements in it, like Nitrogen, etc…are of the same atomic structure. The behaviour of that person that is denuding the Pine forest of Baguio is just plain greed. Yet, the people of Baguio do not even raise a voice of complain…it is apathy and passivity on the… Read more » 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago Krauss Guest Krauss It’s insulting really… The brightest minds of our country are doing everything they can on improving food production, yet here these boneheads are furthering their dubious agenda with unsubstantiated claims. The scientific process is something that could not be respected in this anti-intellectual society that we painfully still have now. I’ll be an Agriculture student soon, so I should be offended by this. 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago Krauss Guest Krauss In the world of Agribusiness, the farmers gets just one-third of the profits they get from their yield. The rest of the money goes to bodies in charge of transportation, processing, packaging, refrigerating, marketing and etcetera. What we’ve seen in the last sixty years is that chemically-modified pesticides, fertilizers, and, of course, seeds have been thrown into that mix; if there are any real evils to these, it is that these are prone to corruption and if there is any then it’s the people fault for putting in place the bodies responsible anyway. Blame those who use them, not the… Read more » 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago Toro Hyden Guest Toro Hyden Food production is not denuding the forest. California, U.S.A. is where most of the vegetables and fruits are grown, in the U.S.. They did not denude their forests to grow these plants. Same as Mexico. They have vegetable growing provinces also. Mexico did not denude its forest to grow their crops. These crops are not even grown in terraced mountains. They are grown in plains. Other South American countries also do the same. They grow crops and export it to other countries. It is in the process of growing, that the Philippines cannot grow and sustain the needs of its… Read more » 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago thom Hardy Guest thom Hardy All of the elections in the country are potentially rigged, if the wrong person is going to win…the rigging occurs. It is a no win situation for the people. To say that in an ‘oblique way’ that ‘deliberate distortions’ of ‘scientific facts’ is responsible for the destruction of the trees involved is just completely laughable. It appears that yet another elected official has given a government contract to a family member and that family memeber has taken it upon himself to cut down the fuckin trees for a huge profit. It is that simple.No need to complicate it. To say… Read more » 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago MidwayHaven Guest MidwayHaven What you wrote is basically the same trap others fell in: that only the government is to blame. Sure, we have that situation where an elected official squandered his position in relation to the environment, but again, the emphasis is on the PEOPLE who do the same thing, regardless of whoever is in power. And by “annihilation of the established order,” you pretty much seem to be in favor of anarchy and a breakdown not just of a rotten system but also of systems which have been proven useful. Your semantics are eerily similar to what “The Zeitgeist Movement” would say. 0 REPLY3 years 7 months ago Marius Guest Marius It never ceases to amaze me that people who know nothing about farming seem to feel qualified to hold forth on the subject. First off, there is no such thing as “organic” farming. The word is a catch-all for a huge range of techniques, some of which are sensible, and some of which as stupid. Modern chemical-free farming systems that use polycultures, animals and trees integrated into the system produce 2-5 times more profit than chemical-fed GMO monocultures, while continually improving the soil. The terraces in the pictures are the WRONG way of doing it: this is basically just traditional… Read more » 0 REPLY3 years 6 months ago MidwayHaven Guest MidwayHaven First of all, your claim that GMO’s are sterile has been debunked: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/10/18/163034053/top-five-myths-of-genetically-modified-seeds-busted Secondly, farmers who use GMO’s are not “beholden” to seed suppliers; that’s been debunked as well: http://debunkingdenialism.com/2013/07/04/unraveling-five-popular-anti-gmo-claims/ Third, large-scale “natural” farming in the Cordilleras, especially in the Benguet region, cannot be done with the methods you most likely know due to a forced system of pesticides and greenhouse farming (which invariably consumes more electrical energy): http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2009/412054/ 0 REPLY3 years 6 months ago marius Guest marius Nobody is forcing farmers to use pesticides. They use them because they’re idiots, and because the people advising them are idiots. This doesn’t change the fact that better methods are possible. 0 REPLY3 years 6 months ago trackback ABS-CBN’s Forevermore Teleserye Contributes to Benguet Watershed Destruction | igorotplus […] decimated hundreds of trees to develop their “property” in the said forest reserve. The article “Organic Farms and “Eco-Parks” are Ruining Baguio’s Mountainsides” paints a grim picture of our northern uplands and exposes the culprits behind the loss of hundreds […] 0 REPLY2 years 11 months ago

Oliver Omo Siega Yesterday · Edited · Mayon Volcano As of 10:00 p.m January 15, 2018 View from Tagas, Daraga, Albay Video & Photo By: Vienmae Pasibe #mayonvolcano #lavaflow #newbiehere #noedits #peaceout #staysafeAlbay

Mayon Volcano As of 10:00 p.m January 15, 2018 View from Tagas, Daraga, Albay Video & Photo By: Vienmae Pasibe #mayonvolcano #lavaflow #newbiehere #noedits #peaceout #staysafeAlbay

Virginia Omoso Guazon shared a link. 2 hrs · Duterte’s federalism a ‘political swindle’, term extension move – Reds DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The administration's impending move to junk the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal… DAVAOTODAY.COM

Duterte’s federalism a ‘political swindle’, term extension move – Reds Jan. 13, 2018 MARA GENOTIVA DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The administration’s impending move to junk the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal form of government is a “political swindle” for a “fascist dictatorship”, said Communist Party of the Philippines founder Prof. Jose Maria Sison. Sison said that President Rodrigo Duterte with the help of his allies in the Lower House and the Senate will railroad the junking of the 1987 Constitution to mask a “one-man rule” where “the powers of government are overconcentrated in the hands of Duterte on top of regional governments run by big compradors, landlords, corrupt bureaucrats and warlords like him.” The president’s former professor also said that “Duterte and his cohorts are engaged in political swindling when they say that federalism is the cure to all the big problems of the Philippines.” He maintained that whatever is the form of government, “the rottenness of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system under US imperialism and the local exploiting classes will persist.” Sison also warned that the shift to federalism will intensify the plunder of human and natural resources of the country, “the new pseudo-federal constitution will get rid of the nationality requirements or restrictions on foreign investments in violation of economic sovereignty and national patrimony by simply inserting the phrase, “unless otherwise provided by law.” Meanwhile, Jaime “Ka Diego” Padilla, spokesperson of the Melito Glor Command-New People’s Army, said that charter change for federalism is a maneuver for Duterte to extend his term. “Nais ni Duterte na maghari lagpas sa kanyang termino kaya minamadali nito ang transisyon tungo sa pederal na gubyerno. Makakapanatili siya bilang pinakamataas na upisyal ng gubyerno habang nasa transisyong yugto ang pederal na sistema ng gubyerno (Duterte wants to rule beyond his term that is why he fast-tracts the transition to federal government. He will remain the head of state during the transition stage of government),” Padilla said in a statement sent to media on Friday. Padilla added that during the transitional period, Duterte and his allies can do anything to further extend his term as the head of state. “Sa panahong hindi pa umiiral ang bagong sistema, magagawa ni Duterte na maglabas ng kung anu-anong dekretong pabor sa kanyang paghahari, sa mga kroni niya at ng among imperyalista (As the new system, is yet to take effect, Duterte can issue whatever decree to favor his rein, his cronies and his imperialist master)” Padilla added. The CPP in its 49th founding anniversary statement, vows to “overthrow” Duterte as it gears towards its 50th year in 2018. “The Filipino people are suffering gravely under the Duterte regime’s fascist tyranny, all-out economic liberalization and bureaucratic corruption. The entire Party and all revolutionary forces must exert vigorous efforts to unite the Filipino people in a broad united front to resist and overthrow the fascist Duterte regime as they did the Marcos dictatorship and the Estrada regime,” said the CPP. (davaotoday.com) Facebook227TwitterGoogleMore