NEWS MONITOR (April 15, 2002)
1. CHA-CHA
Cha-cha bad for RP — solon
(Philippine Star, Page 3)
The renewed Cha-cha (Charter change) initiative of a few congressmen will be bad for the economy, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar said yesterday. Villar said if it pushes through, the proposed revision of the Constitution will divide the people and possibly the national leadership, which could lose its focus on issues that it should promptly confront, including economic reforms. "I am not against Cha-cha per se, but I think this is not the time to revive an initiative that in the past had failed because of fears that it would hurt the economy. It was bad for the economy in the previous administrations. It think that it still is," she said.
Senator bats for con-con in 2004 polls, effectivity in 2010
(Inquirer, Page 6)
AN ADMINISTRATION senator has filed a resolution calling for the creation of a constitutional convention to amend the 1987 Constitution - but on two conditions that could irk the proponents of Charter change. Sen. Francis Pangilinan wants the con-con held two years from now with its members elected along with the political candidates during the 2004 national elections. "This will solve our problem of expenses for a con-con," Pangilinan told the Inquirer And he wants the amendments to take effect in 2010. "This would de-politicize the con-con since it would (discourage) vested interests," Pangilinan, chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said.
2. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE
Caltex raises fuel prices; Petron, Shell follow suit
(Philippine Star, Page2 )
2nd round of oil price hikes starts
(Inquirer, Page 2)
One of the country’s "Big 3" oil companies, Caltex Philippines Inc., raised the prices of its petroleum products by 10 centavos per liter yesterday. However, the two other major oil players, Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., said they would not follow suit – not yet. "Caltex has raised wholesale prices by 10 centavos per liter for all products except LPG (cooking gas) effective 12 noon," company spokeswoman Marian Catedral said. Caltex announced last Thursday that it intended to initiate another round of oil price hikes in the next few days. On the other hand, Petron and Shell said they plan to raise their pump prices by the end of the month. Sources said Caltex would carry out a weekly price adjustments to lessen their impact on the public. This is the third time this year that a local oil company had marked up its prices. Fuel prices were last raised in April 6. Petron and Shell both said they will keep their prices at current levels – that is, if world crude oil prices remain steady. Industry sources said the two saw no reason to raise their prices at this time.
PUJ group calls for fare deregulation
(Manila Times, Page 2 )
A transport organization yesterday called for the deregulation of public utility jeepney (PUJ) fares nationwide. The Philippine Confederation of Drivers Organization and the Association of Concerned Transport Organization (PCDO-ACTO) president Efrend de Luna said such a deregulation would benefit commuters as well as drivers and operators of PUJs.
3. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
Erap tries to muster one last hurrah on his birthday
(Inquirer, Page 4 )
THE CROWDS have thinned, the fanfare has stopped, but deposed President Joseph Estrada hopes to pull off one last great performance a year after being arrested on massive graft charges. While authorities are not expecting any trouble on the anniversary of Estrada's arrest on Monday, they are bracing for attempts by his supporters to mark a huge riot they staged at the palace gates on May 1 last year. Estrada's followers have recently announced plans to stage protests against higher fuel and power rates, blaming his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for the increases. Estrada, who turns 65 on April 19, remains in detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City and is trying to depict himself as a victim of a biased justice system.
ERAP: EDSA 3 WAS A CRY VS INJUSTICE
(Malaya, Page 1)
Joseph Estrada yesterday said that the EDSA 3 social uprising on May 1 should be commemorate not merely as the cry of the “ masa” in sympathy over his fate but as part of the struggle against injustice and poverty. “ It is not the fate of Joseph Estrada that matters any longer, it is the fate of the impoverished millions including the middle class that likewise suffer, and the hopelessness of your collective future under this government controlled by the ruling elite,” he said in a message. DEFENSE SEEKS DELAY IN HEARING (Malaya, Page 1) Court appointed lawyers for former President Joseph Estrada yesterday said they would ask the Sandiganbayan Special Division to defer further proceedings in the plunder case, citing failure by the prosecution to comply with a directive from the court to furnish the crucial documents. PAO STILL NOT READY ON ERAP PLUNDER CASE (Tribune, Page 1)As the plunder trial of deposed President Joseph Estrada resumes today at the Sandiganbayan, court-appointed lawyers have expressed their unpreparedness to handle the cross examination of the prosecution witnesses.
PALACE ADMITS TO POLICE BRUTALITY IN SC INCIDENT
(Tribune, Banner)
Malacañang has tacitly admitted that excessive force was employed to disperse supporters of deposed President Estrada who last Friday during a protest action before the Supreme Court (SC) demanded the resignation of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and three associate justices.
4. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
GIs will shoot back at NPA rebs-Tiglao
(Inquirer, Banner)
AMERICAN forces participating in joint Balikatan war exercises with Filipino soldiers will fight back if attacked by communist guerrillas, Press Secretary Rigoberto Tiglao said Sunday.Tiglao said that NPA guerrillas planning to hit American soldiers would have to pass through "joint" Filipino and American security forces whose mission is to protect the main body of US troops participating in the exercises. NPA threat vs US troops alerts AFP (Philippine Star, Page 1 ) The military went into heightened alert yesterday even as it belittled a plan by communist guerrillas to attack American forces participating in the joint RP-US "Balikatan" military exercises. Responding to comments by communist leader Jose Ma. Sison on Saturday that the New People’s Army (NPA) would target US troops, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez confirmed the military had heightened security. Golez said measures had also been put in place to protect vital installations deemed to be under threat of communist attack. Communist rebels have been attacking telephone relay stations and torching passenger buses to scare the people and dampen the economy, Golez said. "They want the people to remain poor because that is the breeding ground for their recruitment," Golez said. Palace on Joma attack order: ‘We’rE not surprised’ (Manila Times, Page 2)
MALACAÑANG yesterday shrugged off the order of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison for his armed members to carry out attacks against US soldiers participating in the ongoing RP-US Balikatan exercises in Zamboanga and Basilan.
Blair arrives to check on ‘Balikatan’ progress
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
BASILAN SECURITY BEEFED UP FOR BLAIR VISIT
(Inquirer, Page 3)
US Pacific Forces commander Adm. Dennis Blair arrived in Manila yesterday to check on the progress of a joint US-Philippine military operation targeting Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines, airport officials said. Blair arrived on board a private jet and was immediately whisked away to an undisclosed destination, officials said. Military officials in the southern Philippines said Blair was scheduled to visit the Armed Forces’ Southern Command in Zamboanga City today as well as an Army brigade headquarters on nearby Basilan island, where US Special Forces are training Filipino soldiers engaged in sweeps against Abu Sayyaf Islamist rebels. "We are prepared and security preparations are already in place for Blair’s visit in Basilan," Basilan Army chief Col. Alexander Aleo said.
Gov't to block ransom deals with Sayyaf ;Negotiations jeopardize rescue operations: Golez
(Malaya, Banner)
The government will stop any attempt by relatives of Abu Sayyaf hostages, including American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, to conduct ransom negotiations so as not to jeopardize rescue operations.National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said reports of private negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf are being verified but so far none has been confirmed.A senior US official last Friday confirmed reports by two US TV stations that Washington helped arranged ransom money for the release of the Burnhams.The official said US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld objected to the move because it is the policy of the United States not to negotiate with groups like the Abu Sayyaf, which it accused of links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network.
Golez: No third party negotiating ransom payment for Burnhams
(Manila Times, Page 1 )
THE government will not allow any third party to negotiate the payment of ransom for the two American hostages of the Abu Sayyaf, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said yesterday. Golez said reports about ransom already being arranged for Martin and Gracia Burnham have no basis.
2 NPA camps found in Zambo Sur
(Inquirer, Page 3 )
PAGADIAN CITY--Government troops have uncovered two major communist guerrilla camps in Zamboanga del Sur, officials said Sunday. The discovery of the training camps came amid threats from the communist New People's Army that they would attack US troops assisting Filipino troops in hunting down Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in the South. The camps, located in forested areas bordering two towns, were discovered last week after villagers complained of being forced to pay extortion money by the NPA, Col. Jet Velarmino, commanding officer of the Army's 51st Infantry Battalion said. Troops were dispatched to the area, but the rebels had already fled. One army unit caught up with the fleeing guerrillas, triggering a gun battle but there were no reports of casualties on either side. The camps were apparently being used by the NPA as a "springboard of their terroristic activities in the region," said regional army chief Brig. Gen. Angel Atutubo.
Misuari trial starts today
(Manila Times, Banner)
Bangsamoro leader Nur Misuari will be arraigned today on rebellion charges in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Police officials yesterday said the public and the media would be barred from the proceedings, citing security reasons. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Prosecutor’s Office have expressed readiness to start prosecuting the rebel leader, who has been in detention since January after being repatriated from Malaysia.
5. OTHER TOP STORIES
P200 bills to feature Cong Dadong, GMA
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
Gloria, father in new P200 bill
(Inquirer, Page 1 )
Former President Corazon Aquino has not had the honor and privilege, nor former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who loved self-promotion. Now, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would be the first incumbent president to be memorialized on the legal tender. She would now also be able to pass from hand to hand on to the next elections. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is planning to print P200 bills with the picture of the late President Diosdado Macapagal in front and his daughter’s, Mrs. Arroyo, on the reverse.
Ferry fire: Hopes flicker for survivors
(Philippine Star, Page 1 )
More than a week after a deadly fire engulfed the ferry MV Maria Carmela, the families of about two dozen passengers still missing are still hoping that their loved ones are still alive. So far, the body count remained at 28. Yesterday, the burned out hulk of the Carmela finally sank off the port of Lucena City in Quezon. There were no immediate reports of bodies found aboard the vessel. Authorities hope that the missing had been picked up at sea by passing vessels as the area is a busy shipping lane and fishing area. Relatives of some of the missing passengers went to Lucena, seeking word about their loved ones. They gave pictures of their loved ones to STAR photographer Mike Amoroso who was covering the tragedy in Lucena. They requested that the photographs be published in the Star, appealing for help in finding them.
Filipino is king of boiler rooms
(PCIJ Report, First of a series)
The operator of what could be the biggest scam syndicate in the world is a Filipino, authorities in various countries say. Just 30 years old, Amador Apungan Pastrana, has become the face of 21st-century high-tech fraud. According to authorities here and abroad, he is the brains of a global network of boiler room operation that have duped hundreds of thousands of investors with little knowledge of the financial market, but with lots of money to spare. Pastrana’s alleged victims include 4,000 people who lost $35 million they invested in one of his shell companies, thousands of retirees in Australia and New Zealand, and nearly 700 South Africans who lost a total of $28 million, of which $5 million belonged to businessman Lino Leoni, one of the owners of the renowned DeBeers diamond company. Accounts in the Internet and Australian newspapers say Pastrana has already amassed some $6 billion in a mere eight years, a wealth accumulated largely from running at least 150 boiler rooms in nine countries. But his operations have also earned him the ire of the police and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and in some European countries. None, however, has managed to catch up with the slippery Filipino.
BIG LABOR GROUPS START PREPARATIONS FOR MASSIVE MAY 1 RALLY
(Inquirer, Page 5)
CHED lauded for phaseout of courses
(Philippine Star, Page 3)
Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta lauded yesterday the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for ordering the phaseout of courses in 136 colleges and universities whose graduates have been performing poorly in board examinations the past five years. "The move would help raise the quality of teaching in tertiary institutions and pave the way for imposing common standards in accrediting college courses," she said. Oreta had recommended the phaseout of courses in colleges and universities with low passing rates in board examinations in the previous Congress when she was chairman of the Senate committee on education. The Presidential Commission on Educational Reform, of which Oreta was also a member during the previous Congress, also made a similar recommendation. The proposal was reiterated under the Medium Term Higher Education Development and Investment Plan that Oreta helped flesh out as Senate representative.
GENSAN RESORT OWNER ABDUCTED
(Malaya, Page 1)
A resort owner was snatched by unidentified gunmen on Thursday, but police could not determine if she was being held for ransom. City police said the family of Joy Love Ariston,30, manager of Villa Aurora swimming resort, was not cooperating in the investigation.
Senate, House set priorities as Congress resumes session
(Philippine Star, Page 8 )
CONGRESS BACK TO WORK, LISTS 10 BILLS
(Today, Page 1)
After a month-long Lenten recess, the Senate and the House of Representatives have set their priorities as the 12th Congress resumes its regular session today. The Senate will focus its attention on 10 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), while the House will focus on economic measures. Senate President Franklin Drilon expressed confidence that the Senate would approve all 10 measures before the first regular session adjourns in June.
Negros Occ. festival shows promise of diversification
(Inquirer analysis, Page 1)
BACOLOD CITY--The biggest crowd drawer here in the midst of the blistering dry spell is the 2002 Panaad sa Negros Festival, an annual exhibition of Negros Occidental's economic harvests and products. The harvest of the 2002 sugarcane crop is winding down this month and cane farmers are expecting a good crop and better prices than in 1999 and 2000. The agricultural optimism is reflected in the enthusiasm in which the festival is celebrated from Saturday until April 21. The more than 30 cities and towns of Negros Occidental have set up booths exhibiting their products, as well as their cultural and gastronomic assets. The Panaad sa Negros (Promise of Negros) has been celebrated during the past five years to show that Negros Occidental is staging an economic revival against the decline of the sugar industry in the Philippines.
BOC seize smuggled goods worth P200M
(Manila TImes,Page2 )
BUREAU of Customs operatives have seized over P200-million worth of smuggled goods in less than a month or just 25 days after Commissioner Antonio Bernardo assumed office. The seizure is considered an all-time record in the bureau’s 100-year existence.
US tourist visa means 30-day stay
(Inquirer , Page 1 )
FILIPINOS visiting kith and kin in the United States might soon feel they are being rushed through their visits, contrary to the usually long and leisurely Pinoy-style stays. That's because the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has just made it harder for tourists to enter the United States, in the wake of several lapses by the agency with regard to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America. The INS finalized on April 11 the rule limiting the period of a tourist's stay in the United States to 30 days, instead of the usual six months. The rule also states the visa holder must adequately establish the "precise nature and purpose of the visit." Former US non-immigrant visa chief Edward Keller said that last year alone, 192,000 Filipinos were issued non-immigrant visas, half of them for tourists.
Stars join Banahaw cause
(Inquirer, Page 1 )
FOR as long as anyone can remember, Mt. Banahaw has been a place of solace, a refuge where one can, as the saying goes, lose one's mental and spiritual baggage. Unfortunately, Filipinos over the years have also left something else - something physical - behind. Trash. After every Holy Week, in fact, it yields truckloads of garbage deposited by pilgrims and tourists. The mess has become so bad that last March, authorities began charging entrance fees just to raise funds for the post-Lenten cleanup. But even the authorities know this is a mere short-term solution. What is really needed, in the words of movie actor and environmental activist Roy Alvarez, is to restore Banahaw's "sacredness." By that word, he is not necessarily referring to the religious or paranormal phenomena the mountain is known for, but mainly to Banahaw's "health" as an ecosystem. Fellow eco-activist and actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez explained: "Whether the legends and myths of Mt. Banahaw are true or not, the fact is the mountain has life - and life is sacred."
HALF OF DEATH VERDICTS VOIDED
(Manila Standard, Page 1)
The Supreme Court has revoled 55 percent or 190 of 348 death verdicts reviewed as end-of March,a pro-life lawmaker disclosed over the weekend. “The increasing number of death sentences that the high court has been nullifying betrays a pattern of abuse and recklessness by trial judges, many of whom have become overzealous in resorting to capital punishment,” Rep. Joseph Santiago (NPC, Catanduanes) said.