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Social media fuels massive Philippine anti-graft rally
Social media fuels massive Philippine anti-graft rally (AFP) / 26 August 2013 Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the Philippine capital on Monday to voice outrage at corrupt politicians, in a modern-day “People Power” rally fuelled by social media. The march, emulated on a smaller scale in other cities around the country, was the largest anti-graft demonstration since President Benigno Aquino was elected in 2010 on a platform to fight corruption. Demonstrators gesture a thumbs down sign during a protest against official corruption at Luneta park in Metro Manila on Monday. -Reuters The protesters ranged from members of the clergy and students to businessmen, middle-class families, lawyers and other professionals, in a sign of the breadth of anger over graft in the impoverished nation. But while few called for the ousting of Aquino, whose personal ratings remain high, there was widespread fury with politicians. “We are all angry at all the stealing of the politicians. We are telling them that time is up,” said 80-year-old, retired university professor Teodoro Jurado. Organisers said the rally drew up to 400,000 people while the police estimate was a maximum of 100,000. Urban planner Paulo Alcazaren estimated 250,000-300,000 attended, based on the park’s size and aerial photographs he took. Calls for protest began circulating on Facebook and Twitter about two weeks ago after a series of newspaper articles about a major scam involving legislators’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). The fund is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in their pet development projects. Critics charge they are “pork barrel” projects which have traditionally been a source of corruption. At the centre of the controversy is a businesswoman who reportedly connived with legislators to syphon off some 10 billion pesos ($230 million) from the fund. She has since gone into hiding after being charged with the illegal detention of a whistleblower. Middle-aged physician Paz del Rosario, one of the protesters, said she attended “to be part of a historic event”. “Hopefully this will be the start of a bigger thing. All walks of life are here. This is from social media, the Internet, tweets and texts. There is no leader here,” she said. Many protesters wore pig masks and oinked in unison at noontime to condemn the legislators’ pork barrel. The influential Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Tagle, called on the crowd to be “honourable” and to work together for the less fortunate. “Let us look upon the oppressed and the poor as our true brothers. Let us listen to the heartbeat of our nation and the voice of God,” he said. Church leaders have previously played crucial roles in calling support for protests in the largely-Catholic Philippines, such as the 1986 “People Power” revolt that helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos. In 2001 a popular uprising overthrew the graft-tainted president Joseph Estrada. In the 1986 revolt, radio stations had helped summon the populace while in the 2001 uprising, it was cellphone SMS or “text” messages that brought many protesters out. Aquino had previously planned to expand the PDAF in his 2014 budget so that each senator would receive 200 million pesos ($4.5 million) while each member of the House of Representatives would get 70 million pesos. But in the face of growing anger last week, the president announced that he was suspending the releases of money and vowed to reform the system. At a speech marking the country’s national heroes’ day, Aquino said the government would catch those who stole state funds. “We will do everything in our power to find those who conspired to take advantage of the PDAF’s good intentions, and to hold them accountable,” he said. National police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Sindac said the rallies were all peaceful, and the Manila marchers even cleaned up the park afterwards. Continue reading
Karzai asks Pakistan to set up Taleban talks
Karzai asks Pakistan to set up Taleban talks (AFP) / 26 August 2013 Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked Pakistan on Monday to help arrange peace talks between his government and Taleban insurgents, and called for a joint campaign against extremism in both countries. Karzai was visiting Islamabad to hold his first talks with newly elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, despite a series of public rows that have hampered efforts to end 12 years of war in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attend a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony at The Prime Ministers House in Islamabad on Monday. -AFP Kabul was infuriated by the opening in June of a Taleban office in Qatar, considered a precursor towards talks with US officials. He now wants Pakistan to help open dialogue with the militia, which has publicly refused all contact with his government. Elements of the Pakistani state are widely accused of funding, controlling and sheltering the Taleban. Islamabad says publicly it will do anything to stop the fighting in Afghanistan. Karzai said Afghanistan expected Pakistan to provide opportunities or a platform for talks between the Afghan High Peace Council — Kabul’s official negotiators — and the Taleban. “We hope with this on top of our agenda we can move forward in bringing stability and peace to both countries,” he told reporters. In the past, the Afghan leader has identified Taleban havens in Pakistan as the main cause of increased violence in his country. On Monday, he acknowledged that the “continued menace of terrorism” was a primary concern for people in Pakistan, where thousands have been killed in the last decade, as well as in Afghanistan. “It is this area that needs to have primary and focused attention by both governments,” Karzai said. “It is with hope on this that I have come to Pakistan… to advance the course of action together… but also by having a common campaign against extremism, (to) make sure that the two countries are safer and prosperous towards a secure future.” Sharif wished Afghanistan well in the transition from Nato to Afghan security control and reiterated support for peace and reconciliation to be “Afghan-owned and Afghan-led”. “I assured President Karzai that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible facilitation to the international community’s efforts for the realisation of this noble goal,” he said. “I also reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong and sincere support for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.” But there are question marks over what Pakistan can deliver. Analysts say it can encourage and provide logistical support for Taleban peace talks, but cannot force them to negotiate against their will. The Taleban have publicly refused to have any contact with Karzai’s government, branding it a puppet of the United States. Afghan government peace negotiators accompanying Karzai have called for the release of the most senior Taleban figure detained in Pakistan, former deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar. No mention was made about prisoner releases in the short statements made by Sharif and Karzai. Questions were not allowed. Pakistan released 26 Taleban prisoners late last year, including the militants’ former justice minister Nooruddin Turabi. Afghan officials believe the releases can encourage former detainees to talk to the Kabul government, although observers say there is little evidence those hopes have been realised. Several prisoners are also understood to have returned to the battlefield. On Sunday, the Afghan Analysts Network think-tank said attempts to go through Pakistan to reach the Taleban leadership are not new and similar moves have been unsuccessful in the past. Last month Karzai’s chief of staff Karim Khorram claimed the Taleban office in Doha was part of a plot to break up Afghanistan, orchestrated by either Pakistan or the United States. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper on Monday warned of complications in Afghanistan and Pakistan working more closely together. Karzai is due to step down at presidential elections in April, Pakistan’s new government is still grappling with policy and its powerful army is preparing to change its commander later this year. “Hope for the best, but prepare for continuation of the status quo — that may be the best approach,” Dawn said. Continue reading
Dubai shares at 5-year high
Dubai shares at 5-year high Issac John / 26 August 2013 Led by two leading property developers, Dubai shares jumped to the highest since November 2008 on Sunday. The benchmark Dubai DFM General Index surged 1.8 per cent to a five-year high to 2,748.27 points at the close as Deyaar Development and Union Properties surged amid a significant bounce back in property prices over the past few months in Dubai. In the first half of 2013, a stead upswing in Dubai property prices continued along with a surge in rents as more buyers from turmoil-hit countries entered the market amid increased investor confidence and mortgage availability. Year-on-year apartment rents and sales prices jumped 20 per cent and 38 per cent respectively. Villa rents were up 17 per cent as sales surged 24 per cent. According to market analysts, the price of luxury homes in Dubai rose by more than six per cent in the second quarter of 2013. Prime real estate prices in Dubai have increased by 21.6 per cent over the past year, making it the second best performing market in the world. Harald Finger, mission chief of International Monetary Fund to the UAE, noted that listed Dubai property prices soared 35 per cent from a year ago in June. The drastic jump in prices had prompted a warning from IMF that Dubai might need to intervene in its property market to prevent another boom-and-bust cycle. “It is too early to speak of a bubble, but should price increases continue to take place at this pace, action will need to be taken to prevent a bubble,” he said last month after annual economic consultations between the IMF and the UAE. On Sunday, Deyaar shares jumped the most since March 2012 as trading volumes climbed to more than 10 times the three-month daily average. Union Properties jumped 15 per cent to the highest since January 2010. Sunday’s gains brought this year’s advance for Deyaar to 63 per cent and for Union Properties to 58 per cent. That compares with a surge of 67 per cent for Emaar Properties, and 69 per cent for Dubai’s benchmark index. Deyaar and Union Properties trade at about 0.8 times book value, compared with a multiple of almost 1.2 for Emaar. Deyaar soared 15 per cent to 57.2 fils, while Union Properties closed at 62.4 fils. Emirates NBD, Dubai’s biggest bank and the largest shareholder in Union Properties, rose 2.7 per cent to Dh5.75, the highest since May 20. Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier, advanced 4.3 per cent to Dh1.45, the highest since September 2008. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark index advanced for a fifth day, gaining 0.3 per cent, while Oman’s measure added 0.2 per cent and Egypt’s EGX30 increased 0.9 per cent at 12:27pm in Cairo. Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index lost 0.7 per cent, led by Riyadh-based Al Rajhi Bank, which declined 1.3 per cent. Kuwait’s measure fell 0.4 per cent, Qatar’s 0.3 per cent and Bahrain’s 0.2 per cent. issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
