Why do many apps I have thought of downloading require access to media,photos,files when the app has nothing whatsoever to do with that personal info.
For instance, the latest is PH WEATHER. Great radar graphics as seen on friends phone.
The question is why. Phishing?

Because it's spyware.
The entire Android system is spyware (well, Apple is not better). That becomes already visible when you have to root your phone in order to install a proper firewall that could block all the available applications.
Google hates firewalls.

So....it's just data mining? For the sake of data mining?

OK! Did some Googeling & now understand a lil more. But if I uninstall the suspect apps will the spyware remain? If so what are my options?

Phone APIs bundle permissions to make it easier for developers. Access to images etc usually means access to read and save files. Without telling your phone model it's hard to answer, but here's a list for Android app permissions: http://developer.android.com/reference/ ... ssion.html