NEWS MONITOR (April 12, 2002)
1. CHA-CHA
Let's hear people on ChaCha: Villar
(Malaya, PAge 2)
Congress should first get the pulse of the public, preferably through a referendum, before proposals to tinker with the 1987 Constitution are formally taken up.Senate President Pro Tempore Manuel Villar made this suggestion yesterday, saying that Charter change moves are useless if these are not fully supported by the public.Villar said that best method to get the public's sentiment about Charter change moves is through a referendum, which he said could be held simultaneously with the scheduled barangay elections this coming July or the 2004 presidential elections.For his part, Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel proposed that both Congress and Malacañang adopt a common stand limiting the scope of the proposed Charter amendments to allay fears that nationalist and pro-people provisions of the Constitution would be diluted or removed.
Modified constituent assembly for Cha-cha
(Today, Page1 )
Senate President Franklin Drilon Jr. on Thursday proposed a "modified" constituent assembly of incumbent senators and congressmen to amend the Constitution. The proposal came amid public suspicions that constitutional changes might include self-serving provisions such as the lifting of the term limits for elected officials. In making an alternative proposal, Drilon noted that it would be expensive to go through the process of electing members of the Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Charter. "Calling a constitutional convention would require a lot of money which we cannot afford at this stage," he told reporters. "There would be an election and practically you would be creating another Congress." "The approach I am proposing would result in a modified form of a constituent assembly," Drilon said. "Instead of Congress jointly assembled and sitting as one body, the method I am proposing would in effect call for a bicameral constituent assembly, with each house taking cognizance of and deliberating onevery proposed amendment filed in their chambers," Drilon said. He said his proposed formula would follow the regular legislative process, except that the vote represents three-fourths of all the members instead of a simple majority and that the amendments would be submitted to a plebiscite.
2. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE
Caltex eyes new oil price hike
(Philippine Star, Page 1 )
Caltex Philippines Inc., one of the three major players in the local oil industry, indicated yesterday it would raise its prices anew by 50 centavos per liter within the next few days. The impending fuel price increase is expected to set the stage for similar price adjustments by the two other key players, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Petron Corp., as well as the new entrants. It would be the third round of fuel price increases to hit the local market in less than one month. Filipino consumers enjoyed a series of oil price rollbacks since September last year for a total cutdown of P2.20 per liter. The relief, however, abruptly ended last March 19 when the oil firms, with Caltex taking the lead, brought up their prices by an average of 35 centavos per liter, purportedly to cover increases in crude oil prices in the world market.
3. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
Erap arraigned today on 2nd perjury case
(Philippine Star, Page 3 )
NO PLEA EXPECTED FROM ERAP
(Malaya, Page 1)
Former President Joseph Estrada will be arraigned today on the second case of perjury at the Sandiganbayan special division, where the lawyers of the jailed leader are not expected to enter any plea. The13 court-appointed counsels de oficio from the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said they agreed not to enter a plea because of the former president’s refusal to participate in the proceedings and recognize them as his lawyers. "We have agreed in a meeting last Tuesday that no plea will be entered. We, the lawyers, have no authority to enter a plea for him," lead defense counsel Prospero Crescini said. Estrada back in court Friday on perjury raps (Today, Page 10 ) Ousted President Joseph Estrada returns to court Friday for his arraignment on the perjury charge stemming from his alleged lying about his 1998 assets and liabilities. Retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Manuel Pamaran, one of Estrada's counsel de oficio, said the defense team is ready for the proceedings despite the jailed President's refusal to acknowledge the 13 lawyers appointed by the court to represent him. Pamaran said that although Estrada still refuses to talk to them, the defense lawyers will work hard to get him acquitted. Also set for Friday is the pretrial of another case -- the illegal use of alias, which arose from Estrada's alleged use of the name "Jose Velarde" in opening an account with the Equitable PCI Bank. Pamaran and Sandiganbayan Special Division spokesman Renato Bocar said Estrada's presence in the proceedings is indispensable.
NBI deploys more men to get Lumbao
(Today, Page 2 )
The National Bureau of Investigation has deployed additional agents to intensify the manhunt for Ronald Lumbao, the fugitive leader of the People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP), following reports that the supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada will again conduct a massive demonstration against the Arroyo administration to commemorate the first anniversary of the failed Labor Day siege of Malacañang last year. Lumbao, who is facing charges of rebellion in connection with the Malacañang siege, remains elusive and various units from the NBI and the police have failed to arrest the pro-Estrada leader. The NBI said Lumbao was last spotted a few months ago conferring with his assistants in Tondo, Manila, to allegedly plot another destabilization plot against the Arroyo government.
4. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
RP-US GAMES LEGAL, SAYS Supreme Court
(Inquirer, Page )
Supreme Court: ‘Balikatan’ legal
(Philippine Star, Page 1 )
‘Balikatan exercises in Mindanao legal’
(Tribune, Page 1)
THE SUPREME Court on Thursday ruled in favor of Balikatan 02-1, saying that President Macapagal-Arroyo did not commit "grave abuse of discretion" in allowing the deployment of American troops in Mindanao. Voting 10-3, the Supreme Court said the holding of the war games between US and Philippine troops "has not intruded into that penumbra of error that would otherwise call for correction on our part." The Supreme Court also said that the conduct of the war games was legal until such time that it could be rightfully proven otherwise. The high court then dismissed the petition filed by former Integrated Bar of the Philippines officials Arthur D. Lim and Paulino R. Ersando, and the petition for intervention filed by Sanlakas and Partido ng Manggagawa, which sought to stop the ongoing military exercises. The high court, however, clarified that the petitioners could still file "a new petition sufficient in form and substance in the proper regional trial courts," the proper venue for filing petitions for certiorari and prohibition.
Military identifies Sayyaf coddlers in Basilan
(Philippine Star,Page 1)
Military intelligence agents have identified suspected coddlers and supporters of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Basilan, and have started gathering evidence to buttress criminal charges against them. This developed as President Arroyo directed Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva to file charges against the coddlers, said to include members of influential families. Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said that at present, authorities only have raw information against the suspected Abu Sayyaf coddlers. Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Generoso Senga gave assurances that moves against the suspected coddlers will be governed by laws and rules of engagement. "They (suspects) know that we know who they are," Senga said. Abu-coddling issue divides House, Senate (Manila Times, Page2 ) Senators backed yesterday the military’s strategy of running after civilian supporters of the Abu Sayyaf, as a member of the House of Representatives backed Lamitan parish priest, Fr. Cirilo Nacorda’s charge of collusion between rebels and the military. Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senate President Pro Tempore Manuel Villar blamed Basilan’s “friendly terrain” for the military’s failure to trap the dwindling band still holding an American missionary couple and a Filipino nurse...Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin also assailed the military raid and said that previous testimony points to military, rather than civilian, collusion with the Abu Sayyaf. Salapuddin said his personal probe validated the claims of Nacorda, parish priest of Lamitan, who said the siege on his parish church and the Jose Torres Memorial Hospital on June 2, 2001 involved AFP-Abu Sayyaf cooperation.
Mayor raising P20-M for Korean’s release
(Philippine Star,Page 8 )
GENERAL SANTOS CITY–A town mayor in Sarangani Province is reportedly raising P20 million to pay the ransom for kidnapped South Korean businessman Jae Keon Yoon, who was snatched by the Pentagon gang last Feb. 6. A highly-reliable source told The STAR Maitum town Mayor George Yabes would pay the ransom and reimburse the money later from the South Korean Embassy in Manila. "But the mayor’s offer to raise funds for the ransom is contrary to the government’s no-ransom policy against the kidnappers," the source said. Yabes had already sent Councilor Franklin Canedo to negotiate with the gang’s emissary, who has been identified as Max Binago, the source added. The kidnappers reportedly sent their demands through a letter and a tape-recorded message of Jae, which Canedo handed to Yabes after meeting with Binago.
A choirboy’s face? Could be a terrorist
(Manila Times, Page 1)
THE world’s most dangerous terrorists have put on a new disguise, making them harder for authorities to spot, Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo said yesterday. “They don’t fit the usual stereotype profiles of terrorists,” Domingo said. “They are clean-shaven, wear suits and could pass as Europeans. They are all male and between 20 and 35.”
Cops get tip of real bomb tries this time ; Shadowy group in pre-Holy Week bomb duds planning May 1 attacks
(Malaya, Banner)
The PNP yesterday said it has gathered intelligence reports that the shadowy group which planted non-working bombs in Metro Manila before the Holy Week will conduct "real bombings" around May 1 or a month later during the opening of classes.Sr. Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said the police have identified the leaders and members of the Indigenous People's Federal Army. "It will only be a matter of time before they are arrested," he added.Pastor "Boy" Saycon, Council of Philippine Affairs secretary general, said they have also received similar intelligence reports.A man who identified himself as Adrev/Zedrev has claimed responsibility in behalf of IPFA for the planting of the non-working bombs, saying the group was seeking to draw attention to its goal of putting in place a federal system of government.The IPFA claimed it has scattered 18 bombs across the metropolis.
2,000 GIs, 39 planes to join Balikatan 02-2
(Today, Page 1 )
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga - At least 39 United States military aircraft, one U.S. warship and a combined force of 2,003 American soldiers from four U.S. military services are set to participate in the three-week Balikatan 2002 exercises that will run from April 22 until May 6. Ambassador Jaime Yambao, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACOM), said the U.S. Army will bring in three UH-160 helicopters; the U.S. Air Force, seven C-130 cargo planes; and the U.S. Navy, the U.S.S Fort McHenry, which will dock at Manila Bay. The U.S. Marines will fly in the most aircraft at 29, which includes four F/A-18D Hornet fighter planes, four KC-130 cargo planes and four units each of CH-53E, CH-53D, CH-46E and AH-IW, three UH-60A and two UH-1N, all helicopters. This year’s Balikatan exercises involve the biggest number of U.S. military aircraft. It is also the first time that F/A-18D Hornet fighter planes will be used for the RP-U.S. military training under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) since the exercises started in 1999.
5.MARCOS WEALTH
Imelda prosecutor suspended for losing cases
(Inquirer, Page 7 )
Ombudsman suspends woman prosecutor in bungled Imelda case
(Philippine Star,Page 9 )
OMBUDSMAN Aniano Desierto on Thursday indefinitely suspended an Ombudsman prosecutor who failed to block the dismissal of malversation charges filed against former first lady Imelda Marcos and three officials of the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements. Desierto said Special Prosecution Officer II Evelyn Lucero "did not lift a finger" to oppose the demurrer to evidence filed by Mrs. Marcos in Criminal Cases Nos. 20345 and 20346. The demurrer is a petition filed by the defense for the dismissal of the case because the evidence presented by the prosecutor is not enough to convict. Mrs. Marcos, through her lawyers, filed the demurrer to evidence to force the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division to drop the charges. She claimed that the cases had weak evidence. Amid Lucero's inaction, the court had no other recourse but to clear the former first lady and the three other respondents.
PCGG continues battle for $16.5-M Swiss accounts
(Tribune, Page 2 )
PCGG not giving up on crony accounts
(Malaya, Page 2)
The $16.5-million Swiss accounts feared to have been moved after the recent unfreezing of assets of alleged Marcos cronies are all intact.This according to Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) after it clarified yesterday there is a one month grace period or 30 days from the time the order was implemented.During the grace period, PCGG Chairman Haydee Yorac said the accounts would remain frozen.Yorac assured the appeal has been put in place to negate earlier speculations the money could have been moved by Marcos cronies.The PCGG filed the appeal last Wednesday, two days before the deadline, before the Zurich District Attorney's Office and investigating magistrate Dieter Jann.
PCGG: Special court for Marcoses
(Manila Times, Page 1 )
AN official of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) yesterday proposed the creation of a special court to try all the cases against the Marcoses and their cronies. Victoria Avena, commissioner for legal affairs, said the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) could not handle all 35 cases against the Marcoses as effectively as they would have wanted.
6. OTHER TOP STORIES
‘MAMA, WHERE ARE YOU?’ Ferry fire kills at least 22; about 50 others still missing
(Inquirer, Banner)
At least 23 killed as ferry catches fire off Quezon
(Philippine Star, Page 8)
23 dead, dozens missing in ferry fire
(Tribune, Page 1)
27 killed in ferry tragedy; 105 missing as boat sinks off Quezon
(Manila Times, Banner)
16 dead as ship burns, sinks
(Malaya, Page 1)
Ferry burns at sea off Lucena, 23 dead
(Today, Banner)
TWENTY people were killed and at least 51 others were missing after a ferry caught fire at sea off the western province of Quezon Thursday, the ship's operator said. The cargo hold of the Maria Carmella ferry apparently caught fire early morning on Tayabas Bay, sending panicked passengers without lifejackets jumping into the sea to their deaths as smoke entered the upper decks.The spokesperson for Montenegro Shipping Lines said 219 had been rescued, out of the 243 passengers and 47 crewmen listed as being aboard the vessel, which was en route to Lucena City from the island of Masbate. Fight for life vests as ship burns (Manila Times, Page 1) Passengers fought each other for life vests as flames raced through the M/V Maria Carmela, and people who came up empty handed had to leap into the sea without one, survivors said. “The flames were just a meter away from me and I grabbed my son and we jumped into the water,” Inocencio Salubre told Reuters at a hospital where he, his son and many of the 219 people who survived the tragedy were being treated for burns, shock and other injuries. Salubre, who suffered burns on his body and head, said he was able to grab a life jacket for him and his son. Two of the people still unaccounted for were his wife and daughter.
Pulse Asia survey says GMA RATING IN METRO UP
(Inquirer, Page 1 )
Pulse Asia poll: GMA rating up
(Philippine Star, Page1 )
A DAY after one survey firm showed a fall in the President's approval rating, she received the perfect pick-me-up: another polling company found her approval rating had gone up. The same pollster found that a solid majority of Metro Manila residents agreed with the President: it was better for a president to have high IQ rather than charisma. But in what could only be described as an unmistakable thumbs down for President Macapagal-Arroyo's current "Ina ng Bayan" image-building campaign, Pulse Asia found that a majority of Metro Manilans either said she was not credible in the role of mother of the nation or that deposed President Joseph Estrada was more credible as model parent. In its March 2002 Ulat ng Bayan survey, however, which it conducted in Metro Manila, Pulse Asia found that Estrada had a –15 net trust rating, with 26 percent of the population saying they trusted him and 41 percent saying they didn't. The SWS survey for March had a –15 net trust rating for Estrada nationwide. The survey's main results showed that Ms Macapagal's net approval rating had gone up from 23 in December to 26 in March. A statistical majority of Metro Manilans - 51 percent - approved Ms Macapagal's performance, while 25 percent disapproved. The President's net trust rating - a different indicator- stood at 11, with 38 percent of the Metro Manila population trusting her and 27 percent declaring they had little or no trust in her at all. She got her lowest marks among Class E respondents, who gave her a net trust rating of 1. In Class E, Estrada's traditional bailiwick, the former President received his only favorable net trust rating, at 10.
Metro Manilans say courts unfair to Erap — Pulse Asia;JAIME SIN NOT TRUSTED BY NCR RESIDENTS; DAVIDE RATING 13% DOWN
(Tribune, Banner)
A Pulse Asia survey released yesterday showed that 40 percent of Metro Manila respondents polled believe that the courts are unfair and favor some parties in handling the cases of the ousted president, with 33 percent believing otherwise. The undecided number was 27 percent.Both the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan Special Division court handled the cases of deposed President Joseph Estrada.In the manner of dealing with Estrada by the Arroyo administration on the question of its being liberal and just, 33 said it was liberal and just while 29 disagreed, with again a large number (38 percent) remaining undecided on the question.Among Metro Manilans, the individual most trusted is not President Arroyo (+11) but US President George W. Bush (+48) and the least trusted is not Estrada (-15) but Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden (-84), Pulse Asia survey results showed.
SC shrugs off storm over Corona nomination
(Manila Times, Page 1)
The Supreme Court brushed aside yesterday warnings about the politicization of the high tribunal and welcomed the appointment of President Gloria Arroyo’s former chief of staff, Renato Corona, as associate justice. It also shrugged off the slide in its approval ratings, as shown by results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. GMA names 4 new justices to Court of Appeals (Philippine Star, Page7 ) President Arroyo has named four new justices to the Court of Appeals. Chosen from nominees submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the four new justices are former Commission on Elections commissioner Regalado Maambong, Mario Guarina III, Danilo Pine, and Edgardo Francisco Sundiam. The four were appointed last April 8 but the Malacañang Press Office made the announcement only yesterday. Before being named to the Comelec in 1991, Maambong, 62, served as member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution. Maambong was a Bar topnotcher and a graduate of the Ateneo law school. Sundiam, 54, also graduated from the Ateneo, where he teaches law. Guarina, 60, who graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law, was president of the Philippine Judges Association from 1999 to the present. Pine, 66, also finished law at UP and was the recipient of the Supreme Court Centennial Awards for Judicial Excellence in June last year.
Tiglao takes 6-month leave to avoid burnout
(Philippine Star, Page 2 )
TIGLAO TAKES BREAK FOR SIX MONTHS TO TEACH IN JAPAN
(Inquirer, Page1 )
Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao announced yesterday that he was going on a six-month leave of absence to recharge his batteries after a frenetic first year in office. Tiglao, a former journalist, said he would fly to Japan next week to become a visiting professor at Kyoto University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Tiglao said his time with President Arroyo had been exciting, but the fellowship would be "an opportunity for me to refresh my intellectual, spiritual and even physical resources." Tiglao, 49, became Mrs. Arroyo’s official spokesman 12 months ago, shortly after her deposed predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was detained to go on trial for a string of corruption charges.
MWSS clarifies solon’s claim on poor service
(Philippine Star, Page2 )
The MWSS Regulatory Office took exception yesterday to the news item which appeared in The Star quoting Akbayan party list Representative Loretta Ann Rosales who stated that "five years after the MWSS was privatized, consumers are worse off than ever…" Acting Chief Regulator Herman Cimafranca pointed out that price adjustment petitions of the concessionaires were carefully deliberated on the bases of their merits consistent with the provisions of the Concession Agreement between the government through the MWSS and the two concessionaires: Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc.
Macapagal draws flak on holiday economics
(Inquirer, Page 2 )
"WILL YOU change your birth date? Will you celebrate it on a day other than the one you were born on?" These questions were posed by a young employee of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines who objected strongly to President Macapagal-Arroyo's "holiday economics." "The President should remember that we just don't celebrate a holiday, but contemplate its religious, social and historical significance," said the CBCP employee, who asked that her name be withheld.
‘Life is worse, but better times ahead’
(Philippine Star, Page1 )
Most Metro Manilans feel the quality of life has worsened in the past year, but they are also "optimistic that things will get better by next year," according to a non-commissioned opinion poll conducted by Pulse Asia Inc. "Economic issues continue to be prime among the most urgent national concerns of Metro Manilans," the survey explained. "When asked to choose the top three most urgent concerns among a list of national concerns, nine out of 10 respondents placed economic concerns among their top three concerns." Forty percent of them said their personal quality of life worsened, and another 40 percent said their condition didn’t change much over the past year. Only 19 percent said their life improved.
LABOR to hold rally on May 1
(Inquirer, Page 2 )
Militant groups threaten work stoppage on May 1
(Philippine Star, Page 2 )
Labor groups threaten work stoppage for May Day shift
(Tribune, Page 1)
MILITANT workers vowed Thursday to hold nationwide work stoppages, protest rallies and noise barrages on May 1 to protest President Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of Labor Day as a working holiday. The Kilusang Mayo Uno said the President's decision to move the celebration of Labor Day to April 29 and her declaration of May 1 as a regular working day was a clear attack on workers, the labor movement and the historical legacy of International Labor Day. "Sa Mayo Uno, kakalampagin ng protesta si Gloria, makikita niya ang hinahanap niya," said Elmer Labog, KMU secretary general. ("On May 1, Gloria is going to be hit by protests. She will find what she is looking for.") Labog said Malacañang's objective in promoting "holiday economics" is to suppress the people's dissent against the policies of the administration.
Benipayo out, Abalos new Comelec chairman
(Tribune, Page 1 )
Abalos tapped as Comelec chair
(Malaya, Page 1 )
Commission on Elections Chairman Alfredo Benipayo, whose appointment has been bypassed at least five times by the Commission on Appointments, is either out of the Comelec or on his way out.Malacañang has reportedly picked out Benipayo's successor, tapping Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos as the next chairman of the election body.The fate of Comelec Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuazon, both of whom are President Arroyo's nominees, whose appointments have also been bypassed the same same number of times as Benipayo, is still unknown.Palace sources said Abalos is President Arroyo's choice for the top Comelec post. Comelec exec blames colleagues for delay in SK poll registration ( Philippine Star, Page 7 ) Commissioner Resurreccion Borra of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) accused yesterday four other commissioners appointed by ousted President Joseph Estrada of delaying the issuance of guidelines for today’s registration of voters in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Borra said Commissioners Luzviminda Tancangco, Mehol Sadain, Ralph Lantion and Rufino Javier have expressed their dissent with some provisions of a resolution which had already been signed by himself, Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr. last March 14. "I never said that the preparations would have to wait until the chairman comes home," he said. "I am being misquoted. What I said was that Senior Staff has been required to submit the draft rules of procedure for the SK registration (today) based on the policy guidelines laid down by Commissioners Luzviminda Tancangco, Mehol Sadain, Ralph Lantion and Rufino Javier, for the en banc session on (April 16), when the chairman has already returned from the absenteevoting consultative meetings abroad." Tancangco, Javier, Lantion and Sadain are said to be insisting that the voter registration be handled by barangay secretaries as provided under section 424 of Republic Act 7160, as amended by section 6 of RA 9164.
NAIA Customs holds more than 100 HPRs
(Manila Times, Page 2 )
Customs authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) seized yesterday three crate loads of high-powered firearms consigned to Tri-Mark Ventures, claiming the private firm lacked the proper documents. Officials of the company denied the charge, saying they had filed applications for the importation of assault rifles, over which they enjoy exclusive distributorship. They also volunteered to present the purchase orders of their customers — various units of the Armed Forces, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local governments.