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Fish may take bite of human flesh, but not dead ones

Carnivorous fish may take a bite of human flesh, but they, generally, eat their own kind or marine plants that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Malcolm Sarmiento, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Visayas, made this clarification to ease down the "fish scare" in the Visayas that has started affecting vendors in Metro Manila.

"Fish generally eat phytoplankton...People should not be scared of eating fish. Fish will grow whether or not a ship sinks near their habitat," Sarmiento told radio dzMM.

Online encyclopedia Wikipedia described phytoplankton as microscopic plants that satisfy all kinds of fish in the ocean. These microscopic plants can be seen on the surface as a green discoloration of the water because of the presence of chlorophyll within their cells.

Sarmiento also said that fish, as part of the food chain, eat their own kind.

"The others eat their own kind. This is part of the food chain," he said.

Some carnivorous fish, including barracudas and sharks, may at times take a bite of human flesh. They, however, do not eat flash from dead bodies.

Sarmiento said big, carnivorous fish usually do not prefer human flesh because they would rather eat smaller, swimming creatures.

The BFAR last week issued a statement assuring the public that fish from Romblon and nearby provinces are safe to eat following the capsizing of the M/V Princess of the Stars off San Fernando town.

Sarmiento said to be sure, consumers should thoroughly clean the fish before cooking them.

"It's important to gut the fish, remove the innards and cook it thoroughly," he said.

The fish scare came after the sinking of the Sulpicio Lines-owned passenger vessel on June 21during the onslaught of typhoon Frank .

Dozens of bloated bodies of the passengers have been spotted inside the sunken ship. Several bodies have been recovered from the ship while other were carried by the tide toward islands hundreds of kilometers away.

On Friday, officials stopped the retrieval of the bodies after discovering that the ill-fated ferry has a 10-metric ton load of endosulfan, a highly toxic chemical that poses a danger to marine and human life.

Sarmiento said so far, fishes living around the sunken ship have not been affected by the toxic chemical. He said several water samples taken from inside the sunken ship have turned out negative for endosulfan.

He said the BFAR will examine fish caught around the sunken ship to be certain that the endosulfan has not affected the marine life in Romblon.

China fires tear gas on monks protesting in Tibet

Reuters BEIJING - Thousands of Chinese security personnel fired tear gas to try to disperse more than 600 monks taking part in a second day of rare street protests in Tibet, a source and Radio Free Asia said on Wednesday. The Tibet demonstrations follow a string of marches around the world to commemorate the 49th anniversary of an uprising against Chinese rule in the remote, mountainous region that has become a flashpoint for protesters ahead of the Beijing Olympics. "The police were armed with electric prods. Other uniformed security forces had firearms," the source told Reuters, requesting anonymity. "The monks chanted: 'Release our people'," the source said, quoting a witness. The group, from the Sera Monastery, also shouted "We want human rights and freedom," the source said. On Monday, 300 monks defied authorities by staging a march in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, which a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman described as "an illegal activity that threatened social stability." Chinese troops invaded Tibet in 1950 and nine years later the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, fled into exile after a failed revolt against Chinese rule. Tibet has since become a point of contention between Chinese Communist leaders and those who advocate independence or greater autonomy for the region. Radio Free Asia said the monks from the Sera Monastery were demanding the release of fellow monks detained for protesting a day earlier. About a dozen monks from Sera were detained earlier this month for waving a Tibetan flag and shouting pro-independence slogans, the source said, adding that government officials said they had been rounded up for "very serious" crimes. Everest The pro-Tibet protests around the world in the last week and the demonstrations within the heavily policed region itself are precisely what China's Communist rulers are keen to avoid ahead of the Olympics in August. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told unwelcome critics to back off on Wednesday, accusing them of violating the Olympic Games charter keeping politics away from sports. "More and more countries ... have recognized that this issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is not a religious or ethnic issue," Yang told a news conference. On Wednesday, reports said China had closed the north face of Mount Everest to expeditions until after the Olympic torch ascends its peak in early May. The Expedition Web portal www.mounteverest.net carried a notice on its site from the Mountaineering Association of Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China asking climbers to postpone their ascents until after May 10. "Concern over heavy climbing activities, crowded climbing routes and increasing environmental pressures will cause potential safety problems in Qomalangma areas," said the notice, dated March 10. "We are not able to accept your expedition, so please postpone your climbing project until after May 10." Everest, where five Americans unfurled "Free Tibet" banners last year, is known in China by its Tibetan name, Qomalangma. India, whose hill station town of Dharamsala is home to Tibet's government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama, also saw a spurt of activity over the issue of who rules the Buddhist region. In New Delhi, about 40 Tibetan nuns tried to storm the Chinese embassy, but were turned back and detained by Indian police, who briefly used water cannon on the protesters. Around 500 Tibetan women also marched peacefully through the streets of Dharamsala, activists said. And around 100 marchers, including monks, nuns and young people born in exile, set off on the third day of their march from Dharamsala to Tibet, closely watched by Indian police and officials who hope to keep them within the district of Kangra.

Clinton grabs Puerto Rico consolation

Agence France Presse

Hillary Clinton scored a hefty win in Sunday's Puerto Rico primary but Barack Obama was in sight of the Democratic White House nod after a fractious deal on Florida and Michigan.

The Caribbean US territory of four million people held the third-last nominating contest heading to Tuesday's climax of the five-month primary season in Montana and South Dakota.

Obama said he had telephoned Clinton to congratulate her on the Puerto Rico result. With about 51 percent of the vote counted, she was ahead by 68 percent to 32, according to US television networks.

Addressing a cheering crowd in South Dakota, the Illinois senator praised his rival from New York as an "outstanding public servant" who would be a "great asset" for the Democrats come November's election.

"And whatever differences, whatever differences Senator Clinton and I may have, look, those differences pale in comparison to the other side," he said.

In a blow to Clinton's hopes of running up a decisive lead in the national popular vote, US television networks said turnout in Puerto Rico was lower than expected at about 10 percent.

But on MSNBC, Clinton's campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe still acclaimed the result as "extraordinary."

"Kentucky before this. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas. She keeps running it up and I think it shows Hillary's strength for the fall," he said, insisting that she was the Democrats' best bet against Republican John McCain.

Puerto Ricans, who are US citizens but have no representation in Congress, can take part in party contests but do not have the right to vote in November's presidential election.

Thousands staged a colorful protest in the capital San Juan to agitate for Puerto Rico's independence from US control, many wearing Obama and Clinton masks to condemn the primary as an irrelevant "circus."

CNN exit polls said that 72 percent of Clinton supporters in Puerto Rico would be unhappy with Obama as the Democratic nominee, reinforcing other polling evidence suggesting the party is at risk of fracture.

But the Democratic Party's decision Saturday to reinstate delegates from Michigan and Florida, with their voting power halved, put Obama two giant strides closer to making history as the first black presidential nominee.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said the outcome decided by the party's rules and bylaws committee was "fair," and backed even by pro-Clinton state leaders in Florida and Michigan.

"We think this is the beginning of the healing of the party," he said on CNN, despite screams of outrage from Clinton supporters at the committee meeting, with some threatening to vote for McCain instead of Obama.

Obama's communications director Robert Gibbs predicted that "sometime this week, we'll probably have a nominee for the Democratic Party and then we can get to the need to bring change to this country."

"If it's not Tuesday, I think it will be fairly soon," he told Fox before the Puerto Rico result.

Florida and Michigan had broken party rules by holding their primary votes in January. Clinton won both unofficial contests, though neither candidate campaigned in Florida, and Obama was not on the ballot in Michigan.

The compromise moved the finish line for the Democratic nominating contest up to 2,118 delegates, with Clinton gaining a net 24 delegates from the two-state deal struck at the stormy meeting in a Washington hotel.

That left Obama just 66 delegates short of the target, and he was expected to get about half the total of 86 pledged delegates on offer in Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota.

There are also nearly 200 "superdelegates" or top party officials who have yet to declare their allegiance.

Top Clinton aide Harold Ickes complained the party had "hijacked" four delegates from Clinton in Michigan, and said the campaign may challenge the ruling ahead of the party's August nominating convention.

But late Saturday, Obama said of Senator Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton: "They love the Democratic Party. I think they deeply believe that Democrats need to win in November.

"And so I trust that they're going to do the right thing."

On a day of drama Saturday, Obama also announced he had quit his Chicago church after his campaign was rocked by incendiary racial rhetoric from its pulpit.

Levis to cut 257 jobs, close Manila plant

Jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. is laying off some 257 workers with the closure of its cut-and-sew apparel plant in Manila on July 31.

In a statement, the company said the plant closure would allow it to focus on its core competency of marketing products in Asia, in line with its global strategy.

"This has been a very difficult decision for us. We have examined comprehensively all other options, including cost containment and improving the efficiency and productivity of this plant as first options. Unfortunately, such measures cannot overcome the significantly lower costs of outsourcing," said Ramon Martelino, country manager for Levi Strauss Philippines.

"We deeply appreciate the contribution of our employees and understand that this is a troubling time for those affected. We will do our best, in line with Levi Strauss & Co.s values, to treat our employees with dignity and respect, and help them explore employment elsewhere."

Levi Strauss said it would continue its retailing business in the country through a large franchised distribution network.

"Levi Strauss & Co. regards the Philippines as a key market here in Asia Pacific. This move reaffirms our marketing presence as we remain committed to bringing premium quality, branded Levis and Dockers products as well as innovative marketing programs to both our customers and consumers," said Martelino.

As a mark of appreciation, the company said its foundation would donate $50,000 to a non-government organization in the Philippines to implement social and economic development programs for the residents near its plant.

The company's plant has been producing Levi's jeans for the local and Asian markets since 1972. With its closure, Levi Strauss will source product from selected contractors in Asia.

Power commission: Big budget, excess authority

By ARIES RUFO /Newsbreak
Of the 17 oversight committees created so far by Congress to monitor the implementation of laws, the Joint Congressional Power Commission is one, if not the most powerful and heavily-funded of congressional bodies.
It is so powerful it has assumed a quasi-executive role, a fact that former senator John Osmena, who principally authored the Electric Power Industry Act , insisted is beyond its mandate.
Outside of the energy sector, the JCPC is an unknown entity. But the recent word war between Government Service Insurance System head Winston Garcia and the Lopez family, which has a controlling share on power distributor Manila Electric Company, introduced the JCPC to the general public.
EPIRA created the JCPC as the body that will exercise oversight function on the privatization of the power sector. Its members are from Congress, and it is jointly chaired by the chairmen of the energy committees in both Houses of Congress. The present chairs are Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo.
The JCPC started its operations in 2002 with a budget of P25 million. It has the second biggest allocation among congressional projects, with the highest allocation going to the Congressional Commission on Agricultural Modernization with P29.8 million.
But from 2003 to P2007, the JCPC enjoyed the lions share, with a uniform P25 million annual budget. In contrast, other committees such as the congressional oversight committee on E-commerce, oversight committee on the implementation of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement, oversight committee on Clean Air Act, congressional committee on Anti-Money Laundering received considerably lesser funding. The oversight committee on E-Commerce has the lowest funding, with only P1 million.
In the 2008 national budget, the JCPC was outpaced by the congressional commission on science and technology with P30 million in budget allocation. The JCPCs budget was steadfast at P25 million.
Bulk goes to salaries Question: Is the funding justified and where does it go?
Osmena, in a phone interview, said that bulk of JCPCs budget goes to the salaries of consultants hired by members of the commission. In a sense, "it is a source of patronage," Osmena said.
The former solon said consultants are paid between P30,000-P50,000 a month with each JCPC member entitled to one consultant. The commission has 14 members, seven each from the Senate and the House.
When he was chair of the JCPC from 2002 to 2004, Osmena said the commission held regular weekly meetings to monitor the implementation of the EPIRA. Under Santiago however, our sources say, the members hardly had any meetings at all.
We asked the JCPC to provide us documents and reports of its activities since 2004 but staff members said they are not allowed to release any documents without permission from the JCPC chairs. We sought to interview Santiago Wednesday but she was not feeling well.
ā€˜No ordinary committee Osmena said the law does not prescribe a lifespan of the power commission, adding that "it goes on forever and ever."
Aside from being a big-budgeted commission, the JCPC is also a powerful one, and to say that it merely oversees the implementation of EPIRA is an understatement. Santiago herself, in an interview last year with Senate reporters, said it is "no ordinary committee" but a commission independent of the Senate and the House.
When Osmena was chair, the JCPC proved to be a thorn on the side of the National Power Corp., as it reined in the state power generator. "I made sure that they toed the line," he said.
It was no different under Santiago. For instance, the JCPC under her looked into possible irregularities in the Power Sector Assets Liabilities and Management Corp. following alleged price manipulation in the spot market that caused the sudden spikes in power bills in Luzon in 2006. Psalm is the de facto administrator of all Napocor power plants.
Last year, the JCPC sought to block the rapid privatization of vital assets in the power industry, specifically the Philippine National Oil Co. Energy Development Corp., without the proper safeguards.
Also last year, the JCPC investigated PSALM president Jose Ibazeta on possible conflict of interest in the bidding of the National Transmission Commission.
Going overboard? Osmena said the JCPC appears to be performing its job but warned that it could be going overboard. Instead of merely performing an oversight function, it is assuming an executive role which is not its mandate.
The PNOC-EDC sale is instructive. Although the sale has been consummated it has yet to be implemented after Santiago initiated a probe on the sale. Santiago also threatened to go to court, hinting there was a violation of the EPIRA.
The hearing on the corporate intramural between the Lopezes and Garcia is another example. Santiago ordered the Energy and Regulatory Commission to junk the petition of Meralco and Napocor to pass on to consumers their unpaid mutual debts. ERC commissioner Alejandro Barin could only comply.
Santiago herself sums up the commissions power: "When the commission expresses an opinion, and in fact passes a resolution, it is highly impudent of the executive branch to take action contrary to a resolution of such an elevated legislative group as the Commission."
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