It is the height of irony that Ms. Arroyo is now complaining over violations of her civil and political rights, when she enjoys the most special treatment of detained persons under the Aquino administration. By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA Groups of human rights advocates and peoples lawyers wrote to the United Nations saying that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is repackaging herself as the pitiful victim, in light of a bid to get her out of detention. British lawyer Amal Alamuddin-Clooney, wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney reportedly filed the complaint before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UN WGAD) about the violations of Arroyos rights as a detainee. So far, only Arroyos camp has confirmed this report. The British lawyer has yet to issue a statement. The National Union of Peoples Lawyers, through its secretary general Edre Olalia, sent a letter to Vladimir Tochilovsky, chair rapporteur of the UN WGAD, expressing grave concern over Arroyos bid to be released. At the obvious behest of her local lawyers, Mrs. Arroyos running to the UN WGAD is essentially repackaging a violator of human rights into a pitiful victim, Olalia said. Cristina Palabay, secretary general of the Alliance for … Continue reading →

March 14, 2015, 12:38 a.m. THE devastating methamphetamine known as ice has rapidly taken over as the number one drug that users seek treatment for in areas near Ballarat. THE devastating methamphetamine known as ice has rapidly taken over as the number one drug that users seek treatment for in areas near Ballarat. Recent statistics reveal the startling fact that ice is the number one problem for treatment agencies in the Moorabool region, with more than 40 per cent of people seeking treatment. The potent stimulant, made up of harsh chemicals that can cause immediate psychosis in users, has taken over from alcohol as the previous number one problem in the Moorabool region. Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) chief executive Karenza Louis-Smith said while alcohol was still the number one problem in Ballarat, ice had quickly climbed to number two. Twenty five per cent of people in Ballarat are seeking treatment for ice and about 35 per cent of people are seeking treatment for alcohol, Ms Louis-Smith said. While its not number one in Ballarat, it has jumped to number two very quickly and its growing rapidly. She said it would not be long before ice topped the list. You … Continue reading →