Philippine President Macapagal lifts 1200 death sentences

In what may be the latest attempt to repair her damaged image, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commuted 1,200 death sentences Sunday.

At least 11 al-Qaida linked convicts were among those whose sentences were lifted by the beleagured Macapagal.


Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with husband Jose Miguel Arroyo, left, and Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, during funeral services for Puno's late wife on Sunday. Malacanang Palace photo from AP and Yahoo News.

The death penalty is strongly opposed by the country's Roman Catholic Church, which lately has not been strongly supportive of the president. Indeed many bishops have been among her harshest critics.

No executions have been carried out in the country since 2000.

While the move may have helped her with some Catholic leaders, victims rights groups were incensed by the announcement.

Macapagal's recent declaration of a state of emergency to put down a purported coup attempt has been widely criticized by her opponents and in the press.

Calls for her resignation have increased since allegations of corruption in the last election. Macapagal, however, has said she is determined to finish her term and to lead the nation's switch to a parliamentary form of government.

China continues blistering growth

China's economy grew by 10.2 percent in the first quarter showing no evidence that the juggernaut is slowing down.


Worker rests in front of billboard in Shanghai. Reuters photo from Yahoo News

The rising yuan seems to have had no dampering effect on Chinese growth and that could encourage President Hu Jintao to allow the currency to creep even higher.

U.S. legislators have claimed that the yuan is as much as 40 percent undervalued giving the Chinese an unfair trade advantage.

Even within China there is some fear that the economy may be growing too fast and that monetary adjustments are desirable to prevent overheating.

Current growth rates have exceeded government expectations, part of a regular trend and Hu expressed reservations about excessively rapid expansion.

"We are concerned about the pace of development and the quality and the effect of our growth. We are also concerned about saving our resources, environmental protection and the improvement of our people's livelihood."

China GDP posts real 10.2% growth in January-March: Xinhua