GroundReport.com

Ex-President Gloria Arroyo transferred to government hospital

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:53:51 -0600

Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was transferred from a luxurious private hospital to a government hospital yesterday afternoon (December 9, 2011) on order by a lower court hearing her case of election sabotage. The dramatic transfer was witnessed by the nation as the media delivered the events live. The transfer of the former leader, however, was delayed for long hours because of glitches that irked Mrs. Arroyo and her close associates and loyal supporters.

The situation this time is less dramatic because the series of events were appropriately handled by the authorities, unlike in the case of deposed President Joseph Estrada who was immediately hauled to jail by the authorities during the administration of Gloria Arroyo. Thousands of police and military personnel were mobilized by Mrs. Arroyo to put Mr. Estrada to jail. The deposed president suffered humiliation at the hands of loyal officers of Mrs. Arroyo. Special treatment was not considered during the first few years of incarceration of Mr. Estrada.

Now that Mrs. Arroyo is undergoing the same problems that she had created herself, it looks like that she is getting special treatment from the authorities. Before her transfer to a government hospital, Mrs. Arroyo demanded full facelift of her hospital bed which is a suite intended for VIPs. Her defense lawyers have filed motions after motions to allow her to be under house arrest.

It seems that history repeat itself. This time, it’s Mrs. Arroyo’s turn to suffer the same fate Mr. Estrada had gone through. Only that Mrs. Arroyo is facing various cases of anomalies that she allegedly committed during her 9 ½ years in power. Yesterday’s event was met with pro and anti Arroyo rallies that nearly become a free for all which was separated by the anti-riot policemen guarding the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, the government hospital where Mrs. Arroyo is under hospital arrest.

Hebal medicine, back pain remedy

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:28:43 -0600

Although, there are many medical bulletin posted in the internet detailing comprehensive explanation about back pain and its causes, symptoms and medical remedies, I would like to share a piece of information regarding herbal treatment that could definitely help ease certain cause of back pain.

Usually, back pain treatment is traditionally done under the meticulous supervision of medical practitioner that applies different remedies to different kinds of back pain. In acute or severe cases, patients undergo surgery to totally ease the excruciating pain. Others, with less severe condition are treated with regular dose of medicine that serves as temporary pain reliever. And, of course the rest take the old Asian traditional medicine.

Back pain studies

There are various studies on back pain and medical experts say that it varies from age, gender and lifestyle. Some studies claim that back pain is common among males and usually affects the middle age and above. But other studies found that there’s no age or gender limit to back pain and anyone can be affected by the excruciating experience borne out by back pain. The only thing that separates back pain sufferers are the causes on how, why and what makes them suffer the bothering condition of back pain.

Causes of back pain

Actually, there are many causes listed in the medical journals or bulletins searchable in the internet like wrong sitting position, improper lifting, strenuous physical activity, obesity, big tummy or beer belly and more. The cause may be determined whether it is chronic or acute, depending on the condition of back pain which could last from weeks to months.

Common remedy to common back pain

In some point, common problems that causes back pain can be treated at home using the common remedy of cold or hot compress like muscle spasm, muscle stress and fatigue. Body massage is also good like, Shiatsu, Swedish, acupressure and simple hand massage using eucalyptus oil or liniments. Traditional medicine like fire cupping or glass cupping is also recommended for it gives complete relief to common back pain. This technique manipulates the chi or energy of the human body which directly eases muscle pain. I intentionally omitted acupuncture among the available remedy to common back pain because I haven’t try it and I don’t want to undergo that “needle insertion” thing.

My excruciating experience

I thought I was just having normal back pain due to my regular exercises of lifting weights, bench presses, push-ups, pull-up bar and other physical activity. But I was wrong. Although, I am experiencing frequent urination, I did not give much attention to it until I started to feel moderate to severe back pain especially during bed time. I scanned the internet for immediate understanding about my problem and it bothers me to know that abnormal kidney or bladder function can cause back pain.

Only then I realized that may be I have a problem with abdominal aneurysm, a weakening of aorta responsible for abnormal kidney function, or may be an abnormal bladder that induces frequent urination or more to that effect.

Like other people stricken with back pain, I have to be tough and to overcome the pain without getting proper and appropriate medical help from a doctor. But admittedly my back pain bothers me no end especially so that I know it is my kidney or bladder as the culprit of my on-off back pain, as explained in one of the medical journal posted in the web. It further noted that severe case can only be treated by means of blood pressure medication or surgery to implant a synthetic graft.

Herbal treatment and its positive effect

Well, of course going under the knife and the financial burden that goes with the procedure as mentioned is totally a tall order for an ordinary person like me. So, I hinged my lot on alternative medicine. My senior citizen mother told me to try cat’s whiskers (orthosiphon aristatus) or Java tea, an herbal plant endemic or found in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. I did not second guess of what really the medicinal value of the plant. And I did not buy a factory made version of cat’s whiskers because my mother have it in our backyard, teeming with green leaves and fresh for the picking.

The positive effect of drinking cat’s whiskers and guava leaves is really consistent with facts and I can attest to its healing properties. My back pain gradually stop after a drinking binge of homemade cocktail laced with cat’s whiskers and guava leaves.

The procedure

1. Normal amount of cat’s whiskers leaves

2. Guava leaves, same amount of cat’s whiskers (optional)

3. Boil the leaves with 10-20 glass of water

4. Wait until the juice appear to its full extraction

5. Drink the concoction based on your given time or during meal time.

Note: I add the guava leaves because finding shows that it is good in treating urinary incontinence and so with frequent urination. It also neutralizes the bitter taste of cat’s whiskers. Although, cat’s whisker is diuretics, its specific role is to work on the kidney itself, cleaning it of unwanted properties or toxins forming in the kidney.

Related: Although, cat’s whisker is diuretics, its specific role is to work on the kidney itself, cleaning it of unwanted properties or toxins forming in the kidney. Also, like a lot of alternative medicine, you don’t have to figure out how to get a great deal on a credit card or take out another loan in order to pay for this remedy, as it is extremely affordable.

Epochal retrogression

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:09:09 -0600

Philippine President Noynoy Aquino promised to eliminate graft and corruption and remove all the footprint of grand larceny committed in the august hall of government institutions by the previous administration of Gloria Arroyo. In his inaugural speech a year ago, the President unequivocally said that the Philippines will again rise to the challenge of good governance after almost ten years of ignominy perpetuated by the educated elite who mustered the courage to inflict heavy damage to the social, political and economic structures of the country.

President Aquino further said that he will pursue legal actions against the former president and her entourage of equal footing, all accused of massive corruption, election fraud, human rights violations and other anomalies. The strong message of the president got mixed reactions but nevertheless accepted by the majority of the Filipino people hoping for change. But even before the president could start his clean-up drive to fix the mess left behind by his predecessor, critics began to dismiss and discredit the Aquino administration’s policy programs intended to run after the people who colluded to amass wealth through illegal means and other crimes committed against the state and to the ordinary people.

Although, political divide is part of the democratic process, President Aquino is in for the biggest challenge of his life. The fortification of the opposition is securely established in the three branches of government, the military and police establishments. It won’t be easy for Mr. Aquino to make his move to attain his desired result of just and fair justice, progress and development. There are legal battles that the administration wouldn’t finish and may even outlive his short term and his successor’s, because most of the government institutions are fragmented, caused by the sullied politics embedded in almost of the sectors of government.

Bad political atmosphere will always be part of the rotten system in the Judiciary, legislative and the executive branch of government as well as in the military and police organizations. There will be no absolute unity in the country because most if not all the people running the poor Philippines are educated elites, graduates of known law and business schools in and outside of the country. All of them possess high pride and the faculty of arrogant intelligence.

The economic condition of the country will remain unstable because of many restrictions that perpetually prevent it from improving because of the archaic economic provisions inscribed in the constitution created during the revolutionary government of Cory Aquino, the mother of President Noynoy Aquino. The effect of economic stagnation will definitely affect the social structure as well. Poverty, hunger, illiteracy, desolation and hopelessness will forever be identified in the urban and rural poor community. And the epochal retrogression will obstinately continue because the new breed of leaders are now starting and warming up in the seat of power following the footstep of their old folks who were able to run the Philippines like they privately own the entire Philippine archipelago.

Payback time

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:31:47 -0600

Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo is now reaping of what she sow in her 9 ½ years in office. Mrs. Arroyo was charged before a lower court of election sabotage and was ordered arrested in her hospital bed in late afternoon of Nov. 18, 2011. The arrest warrant was immediately served before Mrs. Arroyo could take her move of going abroad. The ex-president is facing various lawsuits.

Mrs. Arroyo was accused of big time corruption, election cheating, human rights violations and other anomalies that muddled the whole process of governance. Impunity is associated to the then government of Mrs. Arroyo. Her trusted allies, minions and paid hacks made a killing in defrauding, looting and bleeding the country’s wealth. Allegedly, immoderate greed persisted even in the last days of the term of the Arroyo government.

It was like a bacchanalia of anomalies committed. The corrupt system of government affected the very foundation of moral authority usually associated in good governance. All institutions, both private and the public sectors, shamelessly connived with the Arroyo government in changing the outlook of managing the country. The military and police organizations were used in rigging the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Political clans and warlords around the country were ushered in to the seat of power to help the Arroyo government of committing more anomalies and human rights violations. The administration created a monster that stirred fear and anxiety. It was like that there’s no end to injustice. The Arroyo government even tried to stay in power by amending the constitution but met with angry opposition from the different sectors of society.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Gloria Arroyo finished her term but not without assuring herself of protection from lawsuits. The sly former leader appointed most of the justices of the Supreme Court and without a doubt her appointees’ loyalty were tested during the first few months of the new administration of President Noynoy Aquino. Mrs. Arroyo got what she expected from the justices after the Supreme Court stopped the first Administrative Order of President Aquino.

The Roaring Dragon

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:34:41 -0600

The world have heard it plenty of times and only recently the fiery dragon once again roared in a deafening sound, sending a message to all nations that the once tamed dragon is dead serious to confront of what it says agitators of its political independence and self determination. China a.k.a. the dragon was incensed after the Norwegian Nobel Committee collectively had chosen Liu Xiaobo, one of the peace activists critical of China’s one party system as 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

The “roaring dragon’s” bellicosity reverberated across the globe, prompting nations with diplomatic ties to China, including the Philippines, to snub the Nobel awarding ceremony in the land of King Theodoric the Osthrogoth in Oslo, Norway. Other nations, headed by Uncle Sam’s US of A, ignored the rhetoric of the “roaring dragon” which irked the latter more and called them “clowns” for making too much ado about Xiaobo and the Nobel Peace award.

As a result, the Nobel Peace award ceremony caused a divided stand among allies making it easy for China to win support from among the close allies of the US, which includes the Philippines, to snub the yearly Nobel “ritual.” The non participation of the Philippines were said to be a diplomatic concession to soften China in giving reprieve to Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking.

There are more than one hundred Filipinos jailed in China and a number of them were already handed the death sentence for violating Chinas’ strict law on illegal drugs. Worst, these Filipino nationals were paid to act as drug mules or couriers for drug syndicates based in Africa and South America in exchange for a few thousand dollars.

This incidence involving Filipinos are alarming and it seems that not only in China where Filipinos are being caught but also in other parts of South East Asia particularly Malaysia. It was middle of last year when I saw on a TV news report of a Malaysian news channel detailing on how Malaysian authorities caught a young and pregnant Filipino woman in possession of illegal drugs.

The woman came from South America and disembarked in Kuala Lumpur International Airport for a brief stopover for another flight to China where the said illegal drugs will be delivered. In just a few weeks, the same news program reported that another Filipino woman was taken into custody for the same offense of being a drug courier. Unfortunately for the two women, Malaysia is one the countries that have a severe and strict laws on illegal drugs.

The plethora of reasons seems too close to ponder on why this is happening to a number of Filipino nationals. For one, it was said that they are the unwilling victims of drug syndicates. On the other hand, the color of dollars made them so and the opportunity to travel from one country to another. Others, well of course, employment to support their family in the Philippines. In spite of the reasons given, they practically knew that they will end up in jail and suffer the fate of a criminal once nabbed by the authorities.

In this situation, the Philippines could do nothing but to make a practical decision-though unwise in some aspect-to give assistance to its own nationals awaiting execution in China. For having done so, the Philippines’ diplomatic stance was tested and would somehow influence the legal debacle of its nationals to overturn the death sentence and hand them down long years in jail instead.

But it depends on the attitude of China to reciprocate the action taken by its neighbor. For the Philippines, skipping this year’s Nobel “ritual” is less damaging to the nationalistic pride of the country. Kowtowing to the wishes of China is more than enough to appease the “roaring dragon” and to put above all the protection and redemption of its own nationals and deliver them from the maximum penalty of death.

The Roaring Dragon

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:22:23 -0600

Gunpoint Social Activism

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 20:32:05 -0600

World AIDS Day was observed last 01 December 2010 and as usual the same awareness campaign about the dreaded disease was again the main topic of discussions to educate people whereby putting more emphasis on how the world will prevent and fight the disease. The intent and purpose of World AIDS Day has a clear program of action to inform the world that AIDS is a threat to social health in particular and to the world in general.

Although the observance of World AIDS Day is to inform the people about the killer disease, it is ironic to say that the AIDS disease continues to increase simply because the message lacks the character and moral fortitude to counter the gunpoint social activism put together by various organizations from around the world.

Gunpoint social activism is making it hard for awareness campaigners to succeed obviously because the activists themselves are the progenitor of the disease by urging society to side with them in their immoral battle to promote same sex marriage and the horny culture of lust and perversion.

Ironically for these people, they are noisily seeking equal rights and full recognition from the society, but for all we know they are already enjoying their rights more than the ordinary people had. Men with homosexual orientation are often on the headlines accused of molesting children. Gay Bars are openly conducting their salacious operations right at the very noses of authorities. Men having sex men had been the norm anywhere else. Cases of rape against foreign male workers are prevalent in the Middle East.

Aside from this, other social activists are making headlines created by the WikiLeaks issue. A group of people wants Western governments to stoop to their level or even subjugate authorities to their own terms and conditions, and clearly this is a gunpoint social activism at its worst. The activists had morphed into different sub-groups; the freedom of information activist (gatecrasher of sensitive and classified documents), the anarchist (urban junkies without a cause), traitors (with cruel intention to get recognition & fame) and the hacktivists (IT expert with abnormal neurotic disorder).

All told, social activists threaten the very existence of human being. They are shouting their slogan of PEACE, FREEDOM & EQUALITY and yet they are destabilizing world PEACE by exposing sensitive, classified or top secret documents. They are curtailing FREEDOM of people to live in a healthy society by spreading AIDS and they are more than guilty of disregarding EQUALITY by violating the rights of innocent children and men victims of sexual assault from activists cum sex offenders. Whether we like it or not gunpoint social activism is here to stay and will bring the world in anarchy rather than stability.

Sports Events

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:06:17 -0600

China stamped its class yet again in another spectacular show of power in the recently concluded Asian Games held in Guangzhou, one of China’s progressive western-style metropolises. Sports powerhouse China dominated the games with ease and hauled medals more than twice the medals won by second placer South Korea.

****

Japan used to be great in sports but now trails South Korea and China in every sporting event. It seems that Japan is losing its luster and power of who’s who in Asia, economically, militarily and in sports.

****

The Philippine Team placed 19th in the medal standing because sports officials do not have a clear sports program. Sports officials always fight for millions of funds. Athletes do not get much financial support. Sports development is limited to select discipline like basketball. The country spent millions for the team that placed 8^th behind perennial Champion China.

****

The Philippine basketball team is small in size by standard and yet basketball remain as the number one sport that get full support from the sporting, education and business sectors, private institutions and the government. Obviously, the stakeholders are concentrated on the game of basketball even though the team gets smother by the towering players from China, South Korea, Japan and other Middle Eastern teams like Iran

****

Foreign hoopsters are regular fixture in the Philippine basketball especially African-Americans, half Filipino-half foreigners and some Africans that match the towering figure of the Chinese and other teams that parades 7 footers.

****

Professional basketball in the Philippines is business and business is basketball. Teams are made up of big business entities that produce products with big market followers. Unlike in the NBA where States are represented as teams, the Philippines professional basketball dons jersey with the elaborate products’ name of respective teams.

****

Boxing, soccer or football, baseball and other sports that do not needs height are often left with little support from the concerned sectors and the national government itself. Sports development in these disciplines does not get needed endorsement from the education sectors and industry leaders which has been in the forefront of enticing would be players in basketball.

****

In the NBA, the Miami Heat All-Star trio of Lebron James, Chris Bosh and Dwane Wade is pathetically off to their worst collaboration in joining forces to win the NBA championship from Kobe and other would be championship caliber teams. James left Cleveland hoping to win big in Miami but it looks like James and co. are not prepared to hold the NBA trophy high above their All-Star status.

****

Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar should be given a rematch against his conqueror Cain Velasquez. Lesnar was badly beaten by Velasquez in one of the exciting match in the UFC 121 battles of champions. The rematch would be exciting and hopefully Brock Lesnar will come up impressive and devastating like he used to be.

Lotto Fever

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:59:26 -0600

It started when the jackpot prize begins to pile-up high after every draw of which no bettors have won the pot money of 500 million pesos. The prize, which is a record in the Philippine Lotto, continue to bring excitement to the millions of bettors considering that the latest record-breaking jackpot prize is believed to reach 700 million pesos comes the next draw which will be held Monday night, 29^th November 2010.

The big lotto jackpot has gained wide media coverage which eventually changed the people’s perception towards the game of chance. Bettors started to grow in numbers, creating greed among the least expected bettors from the rich politicians, movie stars, known media personalities, recognized sports personalities and affluent individuals who are not content with their overflowing wealth.

The new bettors from these sectors, however, did not escaped rebuke from no less than the man of the cloth, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Although, there is no law that prohibit the wealthy politicians and known personalities from betting in the lottery, still the old man of the cloth reminded them of how greed play into their minds. The mind boggling pot money made them so.

And no one could ever stop them from being greed, not even Archbishop Oscar Cruz could change their minds from drooling to hit the biggest lotto jackpot prize in the history of Philippine lotto, because for these people wealth is a clear statement of power, influence and of course greed. The desire to fully and continuously satisfy one self is what makes the greedy to crave for more.

The Holy Bible is clear on this, and here are some of the verses enough to tick away the hearts and minds of the greedy bunch.

Isaiah 56:11 - “Yeah, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they look on their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”

Psalm 17:12 – “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”

Psalm 10:3 – “He boasts about the cravings of his heart, he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.”

And yes, I admit that these verses won’t suffice to nail a statement hard enough to moderate greed amongst us because nobody cares about whom. Lotto fever…let’s draw it on.

Lotto Fever

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:57:03 -0600

The Holy Bible is clear on this, and here are some of the verses enough to tick away the hearts and minds of the greedy bunch.

Isaiah 56:11 - “Yeah, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they look on their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”

Psalm 17:12 – “Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”

Psalm 10:3 – “He boasts about the cravings of his heart, he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.”

And yes, I admit that these verses won’t suffice to nail a statement hard enough to moderate greed amongst us because nobody cares about whom. Lotto fever…let’s draw it on.