NEW MONITOR(April 02,2002)
(Inquirer,Page 4)
MALACAÑANG is considering a review of the power purchase
adjustment (PPA), a major item in electricity bills. President Macapagal-Arroyo
was annoyed when, on her weekly radio program Monday, she was repeatedly asked
why the PPA was even higher than the rate for consumed electricity. She said the
PPA had been adjusted according to the foreign exchange rate and "has been
there since (President Ferdinand) Marcos' time." "Did you think that
was started during Macapagal's time? Oh, no!" she snapped at an
interviewer. "It's good that I pointed that out because people thought I
just invented it." The President said the Energy Regulatory Commission
could find out if the PPA can be incorporated into the basic rate. She said this
was a good time to review the PPA because the commission would also review the
petition of the Manila Electric Co. for a power rate increase. But she added,
still angry, "I am not telling (the ERC) to review it because they are not
under me. I said this might be a good time."
(Philippine Star, Page 4)
Former President Joseph Estrada denied yesterday that former
Senate president Jovito Salonga had volunteered to defend him in court,
according to a statement from his party. A newspaper report yesterday said
Salonga made the offer through a letter sent during the Lenten holiday. However,
Salonga’s letter made no mention of such an offer but was "just a spate
of unsolicited advice," the Partido ng Masa [PMP] statement said. Salonga
refused to confirm or deny the newspaper report, but made it clear that he would
only defend Estrada if the former chief executive pleads guilty. The PMP
dismissed Salonga’s condition, maintaining Estrada’s innocence. "If it
is true that Senator Salonga advised President Estrada to admit his guilt, this
is ridiculous," the statement said. Erap
on Salonga advice: Thanks, but no
thanks (Manila Times,Banner)
DEPOSED president Joseph Estrada yesterday confirmed that
former senator Jovito Salonga had written him, advising him to accept guilt in
the cases he faces before the Sandiganbayan. Salonga, however, did not offer to
be his lawyer, Estrada said in a press statement. Estrada said he turned down
Salonga’s “unsolicited advice” and told him to stay out of politics.
(Tribune, Banner)
(Malaya,Page 1)
The Sandiganbayan Special Division court that is hearing the
cases filed against deposed President Joseph Estrada intends to order Dr.
Christopher Mow, Estrada's American orthopedic surgeon, to testify in court once
he steps foot in the country. Should he refuse to obey the subpoena, the court
says it will order his arrest and detention.This stand has been taken by the
court, the Sandiganbayan spokesman said yesterday.He said the court does not
discount the possibility of having Mow arrested if the doctor refuses to take
the witness stand and testify before the court in connection with Estrada's
appeal to seek medical treatment abroad.
ESTRADA DEFENDS ARROYO ON US TRADE
(Tribune, Page 4)
Deposed President Joseph Estrada yesterday defended his
successor,Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in backing American investments despite
attacks from leftist groups. Estrada urged the groups to stop criticizing the
investments because the United States is the country's biggest trading partner.
(PHilippine Star, Banner)
(Inquirer,Page 4)
(Tribune,Page 1)
The Abu Sayyaf and other local Islamist terrorist groups
appear to be channeling huge sums of money from kidnapping activities to Osama
bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan, Justice Secretary
Hernando Perez disclosed yesterday. Quoting a US Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) intelligence report, Perez said Bin Laden has been using "Muslim
terrorists" in the Philippines as a source of funds to finance his
worldwide terrorist operations. "That is what the FBI is telling us,"
he said. "The volume of money is apparently significant. We were told that
perhaps money already here in the hands of terrorists are going toward the way
of Bin Laden. And I am referring to the Abu Sayyaf."
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
(Malaya,Page 1)
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A deep-sea salvage crew has recovered the
flight voice and data recorder, or blackbox, and the engine of the ill-fated
MH-47E "Chinook" helicopter that crashed off Negros Oriental last Feb.
22, a US military spokeswoman said yesterday. US Army Maj. Cynthia Teramae,
spokeswoman for US forces participating in the joint RP-US military exercises,
said the blackbox was recovered on Saturday, only minutes after the recovery of
the bodies of five US servicemen who were on board the helicopter. Aside from
the blackbox, the salvage crew also recovered the helicopter’s engine and
transmission system from 1,200-foot deep waters off Zamboanguita town near Apo
Island.
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
Twenty-eight more Filipino Muslims arrived home yesterday
after reportedly undergoing four months of military training in a camp in Saudi
Arabia said to be run by terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. They immediately took
a connecting flight for an unnamed city in Mindanao upon disembarking from a
Saudia flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
Like their 17 comrades who arrived last week, the 28 also kept on praising Bin
Laden while queuing at the airport’s immigration counter. However, they became
arrogant when asked what they did for four months at the supposedly Bin
Laden-run military training camp in Saudi Arabia. Irked by questions if they
were seasonal workers, the 28 Filipino Muslims yelled at reporters: "Do we
look like contract workers?" They wrote on their disembarkation cards that
they had stayed in a camp operated by Bin Laden but did not state whether the
camp was a military training facility.
(Philippine Star, Page1 )
A Philippine National Police (PNP) official debunked
yesterday claims by one of the three Indonesians arrested in Manila on suspicion
of terrorism that police agents "planted" evidence in their luggage
when they were held before departure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
last month. PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said it was
expected of the arrested foreigners to issue such claims because they are facing
criminal charges in the country. Espina added that apart from the charges for
possession of components for explosives seized from them during their arrest on
March 13, the three — Agus Dwirkana, Tamsil Linrung and Abdul Jamal Balfas —
are also facing charges for violation of immigration laws. Linrung had been
quoted by Koran Tempo daily in Indonesia as saying that he himself saw a
Philippine policeman putting several round marble-size objects containing a
white powder inside his luggage. He said plainclothes officers had been waiting
for his arrival with a video camera to record the luggage check when it
happened.
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The seven Abu Sayyaf extremists captured
during a raid on their safe house here are not innocent civilians but actually
facing multiple kidnapping and murder charges before a Basilan regional trial
court, the Armed Forces Southern Command (Southcom) said yesterday. Southcom
spokesman Lt. Col. Danilo Servando said the seven bandits were captured in a
dawn raid on their safehouse in Barangay Sta. Barbara on the strength of a
warrant of arrest issued two years ago. The captured bandits were identified as
Basir Ibrahim Madjiril, Absar Halil Saraman, Abdul Hasir Bairula, Kusair Munir,
Taupik Munir, Salim Baing Aralon and Kisar Saraman. Servando said Basilan RTC
Judge Danilo Bucoy issued warrants of arrest against the seven bandits on June 1
and July 13, 2000 for the kidnapping of Rev. Rhoel Gallardo, several teachers
and students in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip, Basilan on March 20, 2000. They
are also accused of torturing and beheading Gallardo and five of the teachers as
a gruesome "birthday gift" to deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Servando said the suspects were trying to divert the attention of troops
pursuing their comrades who are holding hostage Filipina nurse Deborah Yap and
American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
(Inquirer, Page 1)
THE COUNTRY'S foremost moviegoer gave Filipino soldiers
undergoing US military training the ultimate accolade. President Macapagal-Arroyo
on Monday said they reminded her of an action star: "like Chuck Norris of
Delta Force." The President said Filipino troops participating in the RP-US
Balikatan training exercise were much improved, and cited the Inquirer photo of
combined American and Filipino Special Forces dangling from a US Chinook
helicopter as proof that "our soldiers are indeed getting better in new
practices and exercises." Ms Macapagal – who watches movies regularly,
sometimes bringing family members with her to local movie theaters – compared
local soldiers in training to Norris, a martial arts expert specializing in
action movies.
(Inquirer,Page 2)
THE MILITARY on Monday accused the communist New People's
Army of violating its self-imposed ceasefire when it launched two offensives on
March 29. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, however, said the NPA actually
initiated eight incidents between March 28 and 31, the period of the
government's unilateral ceasefire. The attacks resulted in the death of three
persons and the wounding of three others. According to data provided by the
military, the NPA initiated three liquidation operations, two bus burnings, a
harassment action and two encounters during the government's four-day ceasefire.
The offensives were carried out in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao and were
apparently mounted to commemorate the NPA's 33rd anniversary on March 29. Only
two of the casualties were identified – Civilian Armed Forces Geographical
Unit member Emmanuel Quizon of the 2nd Camarines Sur CAA company of the 42nd IB,
who was killed, and Pfc. Charlie Ampo of the internal security unit, Army
intelligence security group, who was wounded.
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
(Tribune,Page 1)
Ten more bombs planted ;Group says it's part of 18 strewn in
Metro
(Malaya,Banner)
There’s more where they come from. The so-called Indigenous
People’s Federal State Army (IPFSA), which has admitted responsibility for the
recent bomb scare that gripped Metro Manila and parts of Mindanao, said
yesterday at least 10 more such "explosives" remain hidden and that
more would be planted in various parts of Metro Manila. This developed as
President Arroyo vowed an immediate solution to the crisis, saying police are
zeroing in on the perpetrators. She indicated politics was behind the bomb
scare. Calling the suspects "termites of society," the President said
the people have had enough of the attempts to undermine national stability
through bomb threats. "Galit na ang taong bayan sa walang katapusang
intriga at panggugulo ng mga taong ka-laban ng mamamayang Pilipino (The masses
are already mad at the endless intrigue and trouble-making by enemies of the
Filipino people)," Mrs. Arroyo said in her weekly radio program aired from
Malacañang. A man who identified himself as Adrev called up radio stationdzRH
to clarify that the dud bombs were "not a threat" and were meant to
attract government attention. The IPFSA said it wanted the republican government
changed into a federal system that would allow separate bureaucracies for
Muslims and Christians.
(Inquirer,Page 1)
THE LIFTING of the freeze on Swiss bank accounts of alleged
Marcos cronies has freed up as much as two-thirds of some 25 million dollars
(about 1.25 billion pesos) in funds frozen since 1986, documents obtained by the
Inquirer show. The 17 million dollars (about 850 million pesos) released
represents deposits in three accounts belonging to Geronimo Velasco, energy
minister of the Marcos era, and Alfred de Borja and Carmelita Clavecilla. The
decision by the controversial Zurich district attorney and investigating
magistrate Dieter Jann to lift the freeze was issued on Feb. 6 and, after an
appeal was filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government, was
reiterated on March 12. Jann cited a lack of proof regarding the "criminal
background" of the accounts and that the "absolute prescription"
of the asset freeze had run its course. Former Solicitor General Francisco
Chavez told the Inquirer that Jann's decision, as well as the non-action of the
PCGG's Swiss lawyer Martin Kurer, "vindicated" his position that there
was a "conspiracy" between the two to frustrate Philippine efforts to
recover the Marcos funds.
Sandiganbayan
clears Imelda, 3 others of malverse raps
(Inquirer,Page 4)
THE SANDIGANBAYAN has acquitted former first lady Imelda
Marcos and three other officials of the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements of
two counts of malversation filed against them by the Aquino administration in
1987. Also cleared by a special division of five justices last Wednesday were
former MHS deputy minister Jose Conrado Benitez, assistant manager for finance
Gilbert Dulay and assistant manager for regional operations Roberto Zagala.
Marcos served as MHS minister from 1978 to 1986, during the regime of her late
husband, Ferdinand Marcos. In a 49-page decision penned by Associate Justice
Narciso Nario, Fourth Division chair, the justices voted 4-1 to dismiss the
charges, citing the prosecution's failure to present sufficient proof of the
respondents' guilt.
(Inquirer, Banner)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Supreme Court has upheld the
conviction of a former health officer of this city for sexual harassment, ending
a landmark case that began in 1996. "There is still justice in this
country, after all," complainant Juliet Yee said upon learning of her
victory in the suit she had filed against Dr. Rico Jacutin. Yee, now 29, sued
Jacutin for sexual harassment in 1996 and thereafter endured what her lawyers
earlier called a "legal odyssey." She received on March 25 a copy of
the tribunal's decision dated March 6.
4-day
work week off to shaky start
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
An old dog unable to learn a new trick? The bureaucracy used
to bundy clocks and starched uniforms was apparently confused as an
administrative order allowing for "flexi-time" or flexible work hours
was implemented starting yesterday. The shortened work week for government
employees went off to a shaky start as some agencies appeared unprepared to
implement Administrative Order (AO) No. 32 issued by President Arroyo. But Labor
Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas denied there was any serious problem in the
implementation of AO 32, which cut the work week of government employees to four
days a week in a bid to promote domestic tourism. Most government line agencies,
including the Departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Agrarian Reform (DAR) started
implementing AO 32 without major problems. But other agencies, including the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Social Security System (SSS) and Land
Transportation Office (LTO), were still making arrangements to implement the
order.
(Inquirer,Page 1)
THE GOVERNMENT Monday continued to defend its "four-day
workweek" program, with Labor Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas saying it was
more advantageous than its critics dared to admit. Santo Tomas said the program
that officially started Monday meant less time at work, which in turn meant more
time for the family. "It's summer. Children are at home. It would be a nice
opportunity to spend an extra day with them," she said. Oppositionist
Senator Edgardo Angara urged the administration to scrap the scheme and instead
act on a resolution filed by the Senate minority seeking a salary adjustment for
the more than 500,000 government workers nationwide. "The true gift
(President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) can give government workers is a salary
standardization scheme in all eight steps of the 35 salary grades in government,
not (a shorter workweek)," Angara said. Palace,
Sandigan, House workers oppose 4-day workweek policy (Tribune,Page 1)They
have no choice but to follow.This was the general sentiment aired yesterday by
Malacañang employees in connection with Administrative Order (AO) 32 issued by
President Arroyo declaring a four-day-a-week schedule for government workers
from April 1 to May 31.Reacting in the same way also yesterday were employees of
the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan and the House of Representatives. A casualty
of AO 32 would be the Estrada plunder trial, according to Sandiganbayan Special
Division spokesman Renato Bocar. Government workers in Metro Manila find 4-day work
week disorientinG(Manila Times,Page 1) Some
confusion marked the start of the four-day work week for government employees
yesterday. The Quezon City government, for one, claimed it was not covered by
the President’s directive implementing the new work schedule.
(Philippine Star, Page 4)
It is the custom for birthday celebrators to make their wish
when they blow out the candles on the cake. But considering the enormous
challenges facing her presidency, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not wait for
Friday, when she turns 55, to make her wish. Speaking in her weekly radio
address, Mrs. Arroyo said she hopes to reduce the country’s wrenching poverty
by cutting down the current 10.3 percent unemployment rate by the end of her
term in 2004. "What we want is to bring down the unemployment rate to 6 or
5.5 percent. Perhaps by then we can say we have reduced poverty," she said
in Filipino. "So, in my term of two and a half years we will do what we can
so that within the decade, we shall win against poverty."
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
The autopsy conducted on matinee idol Rico Yan showed no
trace of drugs and only a small amount of alcohol, the Philippine National
Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory reiterated yesterday. Chief Superintendent Marlowe
Pedregosa, chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory, said two civilian and four police
coroners found no trace of drugs in the blood taken from the actor who died
while on vacation in Palawan on Good Friday last week. "Based on the
toxicological content, (it showed) a very small amount of ethyl alcohol (of
about) 0.7 percent which is equivalent to two bottles of beer or two shots of
whiskey," Pedregosa said
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
With just over a month before Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva retires, do we hear contenders polishing
their punches and smear campaigns bristling in the air? Villanueva is expected
to retire on May 20 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Among the
contenders for the top military post are AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen.
Narciso Abaya, AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Air Force
chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Adm.
Victorino Hingco, AFP Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, and newly
installed Army chief Maj. Gen. Dionisio Santiago. Because they are said to be
the strongest contenders for the post, Abaya, Camiling and Cimatu have been
subject to smear campaigns by their detractors within the military. Abaya, a
graduate of US Military Academy at West Point in 1971, is said to have a good
chance of bagging the much-coveted post because he is the AFP’s second highest
official. A ranking military official also told The STAR that being a West
Pointer, Abaya may have the support of former President Fidel Ramos, also a West
Pointer, and National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, a graduate of the US Naval
Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
(Tribune,Page 1)
The leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
yesterday dismissed warnings of restiveness and demoralization within the
military should extensions again become the norm in the appointments of AFP
leaders as it stood pat on its position that President Arroyo has the
prerogative to name the successor of the outgoing AFP chief of staff, even if
this means extending the successor's term of service.AFP Chief of Staff Gen.
Diomedio Villanueva retires from the service on May 20, with Southern Command
chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu reportedly being tapped by Mrs. Arroyo to take over
the top AFP post.Acting AFP spokesman and Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Narciso
Abaya issued this official position of the military leadership following reports
that many generals, as well as junior officers, have expressed opposition to the
appointment of Cimatu as chief of staff
(Inquirer, Page 2)
MAUBAN, Quezon – Soldiers from the Southern Luzon Command
have dug up a pile of human skeletons from a common grave, believed to be in one
of the infamous killing fields of the New People's Army (NPA), in remote Sitio
Bagyuan, Barangay San Miguel here, on the province's northern Pacific coast. The
soldiers led a group of journalists to what they said was a common grave of
suspected victims of the NPA's "hysterical killings" dubbed as
Operation Missing Link Part II. The military men involved in the digging said
that initially they thought that what they had found was an ordinary grave. But
when they started digging and finding piles of human skeletons, they knew they
had stumbled on an NPA "killing field". The discovery was not a purely
military operation. The troops were led to the place by woman resident of the
area who said that for some time now she had been having paranormal experiences.