NEWS MONITOR (April 17, 2002)
1. CHA-CHA
Arroyo won’t stop Cha-cha debates
(Philippine Star,Banner)
President Arroyo said yesterday she would not stand in the way of a renewed attempt to amend the Constitution by pro-administration lawmakers even though she’s opposed to it. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Manuel Villar proposed yesterday a referendum on Charter change to be held simultaneously with the July 15 barangay elections, to gauge if Cha-cha enjoys public support. Members of Mrs. Arroyo’s own party, the Lakas-NUCD, led by Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr., have said they would not object to the inclusion of the Cha-cha debate at a summit of all political parties on May 3 to 5. "I have said in the past that there are more important things that we must do first before we make Charter changes," Mrs. Arroyo said yesterday. "But I am not stopping the debate because we are a democracy." Backing the President, Education Secretary Raul Roco, president of the Ak-syon Demokratiko party, said the debate on constitutional
Joe de V favors Con-con
(Inquirer, Page 2)
SPEAKER Jose de Venecia Jr., who is the main proponent for Charter change in the House, favors a constitutional convention as the best way to propose amendments to the 1987 Charter. De Venecia said a con-con would reflect the true will of the people rather than a constituent assembly composed of incumbent senators and congressmen. "That (constituent assembly) will not be accepted by the people," De Venecia said, noting that legislators would have a credibility problem if they were the ones to propose amendments. De Venecia, who is reportedly under pressure from Malacañang, which is opposed to Charter change, defended the legislators' move. "We cannot kill a process," De Venecia said.
Legislators favor constituent assembly
(Manila Times, Page 2)
It will take at least P5 billion to convene a constitutional convention to change the 1987 Charter, a legislator said yesterday. Negros Oriental Rep. Herminio Teves followed the footsteps of Sen. Francis Pangilinan, by proposing a constituent assembly, or reconvening the Senate and the House of Representatives into a Cha-cha body.
3. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE
No change in LPG prices
( Philippine Star, Page 2)
Energy Secretary Vincent Perez assured the people yesterday that the price of cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will stay despite frequent increases in gasoline prices. This developed as Totalfinaelf, one of the most aggressive new oil firms, raised its pump price by 10 centavos per liter starting yesterday. Perez noted that the international contract price of LPG remained stable since last January. "Despite recent oil price movements, we do not expect oil companies to implement price adjustments in LPG as prices in the international market have remained stable since early this year," Perez said.
4. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
Erap could do a Hugo Chavez
(Tribune,Banner)
Biazon: AFP may return Erap to power
(Malaya, Banner)
If Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez can do it, so can deposed President Joseph Estrada. This was the warning issued yesterday by opposition Sen. Rodolfo Biazon to President Arroyo, saying Chavez’s return to power after a failed coup could inspire the military to switch sides toward Estrada. Rumblings in the military left unchecked by Malacañang, particularly the mishandling of the appointment of the next Armed Forces chief of staff could lead to a situation similar to the experience of the Venezuelan president who was ousted and returned to office two days after he was forced to concede power after a military putsch aided by the Venezuelan elite
Estrada's recollections
(Malaya, PAge 1)
The conclusion says: "The need of the hour is to restore sanity in our land, to expose the grand deception which has been and continues to be imposed on the Filipino people by the `civil society,' to vindicate the reinvigorate constitutionalism and the rule of law in our republic. May Gold help us meet this need."Thus ends a narration of what the deposed president considers betrayal and travesty of the law, foisted on him by old friends he refused to accommodate and the civil society which could not accept him as a president elected by the biggest majority in the history of Philippine elections.Estrada searched his soul and consulted friends who were with him and tried to help him in those crucial moments that started on Jan. 16 when the prosecutors walked out of the impeachment trial when the senator judges voted 11-10 against the opening of the so-called "second envelope" and the prosecutors took to the streets and abandoned the impeachment trial, the only process authorized by the Constitution to remove a president
Peaceful rallies on May 1 assured
( Philippine Star, Page 1)
Supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada and militant labor unions agreed yesterday to hold peaceful rallies on May 1 after the police assured them there will be no more violent dispersals of demonstrators. In a related development, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said the government is willing to reinvestigate rebellion charges against Ronald Lumbao, president of the pro-Estrada People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP). At Malacañang, Presidential Management Staff head Silvestre Afable told reporters pro-Estrada rallyists will not be allowed to go near Malacañang on Labor Day. "(Last year’s May 1 siege of Malacañang) is worth recognizing and celebrating but not with partisan undertone, not with partisan political undertones," he said.
USEC's OUSTER FROM ERAP CASE DISPUTED
(Today, Page 10)
The prosecution will challenge the Sandiganbayan decision disqualifying two undersecretaries from joining the legal team prosecuting former President Joseph Estrada on the plunder and other criminal cases against him.
5. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
US military studying Balikatan extension
(Inquirer, Banner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – United States authorities are studying the possibility of extending the Philippine-US Balikatan 02-1 joint military exercise, the commander in chief of the US Pacific Command announced Tuesday. "I believe that we need to continue to look at the situation and see the job that we set out to do in support of our allies here," Admiral Dennis Blair said. "We will evaluate all these proposals."President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has said she favors extending US military presence in Basilan because the residents wanted it, so the civic-action projects, such as the building of roads and water systems, could be finished US approves deployment of 340 more troops to Basilan (Philippine Star, Page 4) The United States is sending 340 additional US troops, mostly engineers, to Basilan as part of the on-going Philippine-US Balikatan joint military exercise, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said yesterday. Golez told The STAR that the Philippine government has been officially notified about the additional troop deployment,which has been approved by US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He said he relayed the information to President Arroyo after receiving confirmation about the deployment from US Ambassador Francis Riccirdone and Adm. Dennis Blair, commander of the US forces in the Pacific. Of the 340 additional troops, 280 will be engineers from the US Seabees, the rest from the US marines. "They will be arriving in the next few days once a mutual agreement is reached between the Philippine and US governments," Golez said. He added that the details of the deployment are now being worked out by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of National Defense and their US counterparts. US urges RP to approve more troops for Balikatan (Manila Times, Page 2) ZAMBOANGA CITY — US Pacific Command Chief Admiral Dennis Blair vowed yesterday to bring in 300 more American troops for Balikatan 02-01, saying he would personally follow up the superpower’s request when he returns to Manila. Asked for the planned deployment’s timetable, Blair said, “the sooner, the better.” The US officer has spent the last two days here and in Basilan, inspecting US and Filipino Balikatan formations. No plans to set up bases in RP — Blair (Philippine Star, Page 4) Zamboanga City – The commander of US forces in the Pacific region yesterday said the United States has no plans to re-establish bases in the Philippines. "I keep getting this question that the United States is seeking to re-establish the bases in the Philippines. The answer is no, absolutely not," said Adm. Dennis Blair, head of the US Pacific Command, in response to reporters’ questions. The speculation was fueled by talks between Manila and Washington to extend the on-going Philippine-US joint military exercises, dubbed "Balikatan (Shoulder to Shoulder)," including the massive manhunt for the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan. "As I said before, I certainly don’t see US troops being here for years or for a long period of time, whether it’s six months or slightly different period of time," Blair said. "We have no interest in establishing major bases here. When we finish the operation and exercises in the Southern Command Region, I think that would be within six months, not years." Arroyo favors TOR amendments ( Manila Times, Page 2) President Macapagal-Arroyo is willing to amend the terms of reference (TOR) of Balikatan 02-01 to accommodate an extension of the military exercises and the deployment of additional US troops, her new spokesman said yesterday. Press Secretary Sylvestre Afable told reporters: “If I heard the President right, she is amenable to the amendment of the TOR.” However, he said Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces officials are still discussing the issue. VEEP balks at entry of more US troops
(Today, Banner) Vice President and Foreign Affairs Teofisto Guingona Jr. is again on a collision course with President Arroyo on a major foreign policy issue -- the deployment of additional American troops to Basilan. Guingona told TODAY that he is not signing the document allowing the deployment of about 300 American engineering soldiers for civic military operations of Balikatan 02-1. As concurrent foreign affairs secretary, Guingona sits as one of the two members of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the RP-US Mutual Defense Board, which approves all joint military activities of the two countries. The other member is US State Secretary Colin Powell or his designated representative, who would likely be Ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone.
NPAs warned vs harming US troops
(Philippine Star, Page 5)
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia, Armed Forces North and Central Luzon Command chief, warned the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels yesterday of "severe repercussions" if they harm any American soldier taking part in the "Balikatan 02-2" military exercises to be held in Central Luzon starting April 22. However, Garcia told The STAR in a telephone interview the NPA may not risk a standoff with the Americans who are expected to bring some 2,003 troops and 45 aircraft. "I don’t think the NPA would risk the repercussions (of any attack against the Americans)," he said, Garcia said the NPA has no anti-aircraft guns to be able to inflct serious damage on US planes participating in the war games.
Engineer tagged as bomb scare brains
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
Finally, a name, a face behind pre-Holy Week bomb scare
(Malaya, Page 1)
Police investigators are hot on the trail of the man believed responsible for the bomb scares in Metro Manila and two cities in Min-danao last month, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza said yesterday. Mendoza identified the suspect as Rogelio Adamat, a 41-year-old engineer from Cotabato City who allegedly has links to separatist and communist rebels in Min-danao. Adamat is supposedly a Tiruray tribesman who has a police record for holding hostage a passerby at Plaza Lawton in Manila several years ago, Mendoza said. Although Adamat had earlier voiced his federalist beliefs, Mendoza said police are still trying to verify the suspect’s true motives in allegedly planting at least 13 dud bombs in Metro Manila, General Santos City and Cotabato City last month. Charges of illegal possession of explosives have been filed against Adamat and several other people, whom Mendoza declined to identify, before the Department of Justice (DOJ). Mendoza said Adamat was identified through latent fingerprints Adamat left on the bombs and on the manifestos that accompanied the bombs. The fingerprints matched the ones Adamat submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) when he applied for a clearance for a trip to Saudi Arabia sometime in 1989. Official records show that Adamat indeed travelled to Saudi Arabia in 1990 and to Malaysia and Pakistan in 1999.
Suddenly, IPFA ‘a big group’
(Manila Times, Page 2)
First, they said it was a fake group. Then, they said it was a shell organization. Now, Director-General Leandro Mendoza of the Philippine National Police (PNP) admits that Indigenous People’s Federal Army (IPFA), better known as a planter of dud bombs, is “a big group.”
Reimbursement for Sayyaf?
(Philippine Star, Page 8)
Office of Muslim Affairs Executive Director Habib Mujahib Hassin favors the "reimbursement of expenses" to the Abu Sayyaf in exchange for the freedom of American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipino nurse Deborah Yap. "Payment of reimbursement may not be legally right but for the sake of the hostages, the government may consider such move," he said. Hassin said reimbursement may be "a minimal amount of money," which the kidnappers might have shouldered in taking care of the three hostages. "It’s just the payment of board and lodging," he said. However, Hassin rejected the payment of ransom, which could run to millions of pesos, for the release of the Burnhams and Yap because it is against government policy. Besides, the payment of ransom would encourage the Abu Sayyaf to continue their kidnapping activities, he added.
Green Berets vs Sayyaf; Blair says GIs will join combat ops
(Manila Times,Banner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY — American troops have been given orders to participate in combat missions if necessary to pressure the Abu Sayyaf into freeing its remaining three hostages. At a press briefing yesterday at the Southern Command (Southcom) headquarters here, the US Pacific Command chief, Admiral Dennis Blair, said only a military rescue operation, not the payment of ransom, could bring about the release of the two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse being held by the Abu Sayyaf.
6. MARCOS WEALTH
Govt loses another Marcos case at Sandigan
(Inquirer, Page 3)
THE SANDIGANBAYAN dealt another blow to government efforts to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies. The anti-graft court dismissed for lack of evidence a 1986 civil case filed by the government against spouses Manuel and Luz Bakunawa. The latter was once a personal aide of former first lady Imelda Marcos and is a former governor and congressman of Masbate. Marcos scores court victory (Tribune, Page 1) Another victory for the Marcos family.This, after the Sandiganbayan First Division dismissed a 15-year-old civil case against the Marcoses and their associates, couple Manuel and Luz Reyes Bakunawa, involving an alleged land grabbing charge.The case docketed as civil case 0023 was in connection with the 894 hectares of land in Masbate, which the Marcoses and the Bakunawas allegedly acquired forcibly from legitimate owners.But the court, in its 34-page decision penned by Associate Justice Francis Garchitorena, did not find sufficient evidence that the accused have illegally acquired such property."There is no proof in the record of the conjunction of the acts attributed to the defendants Bakunawas with the spouses Marcos or either of them or even...that of a relative or a dummy," the resolution said.
House to probe behest loans to Emilio Yap and Dante Tan
(Inquirer, Page 1)
A HOUSE committee is set to investigate alleged behest loans extended by government financial institutions to businessmen Emilio Yap and Dante Tan. The investigation to be conducted by the House committee on good government stems from a resolution filed by Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez said a report, which appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer business section, pointed out that the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) had exposures in the Manila Hotel which grew from 189 million pesos in 1995 to 636 million pesos at present. Yap acquired the historic hotel from the GSIS. The 189 million pesos in drawdowns were a series of four medium-term loans, with maturities of five years, extended by the GSIS before Yap took management of the hotel. All carried an identical 16-percent a year interest and a two-year grace period.
7. OTHER TOP STORIES
GLORIA IN PESO BILLS: WHY?
(Inquirer, Page 5)
OPPOSITION Rep. Gilbert Remulla objected to President Macapagal-Arroyo's being featured alongside her father in the new 200-peso bills to be issued in time for this year's Independence Day celebrations. "President Corazon Aquino, who has become a symbol of our newfound democracy, didn't have the swollen ego to have herself included in the 500-peso bill which featured her husband (the martyred leader Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino)," said Remulla in a statement. "Marcos who is allegedly the country's most feared dictator was also not that conceited to put himself in any of our bank notes," added Remulla, a former broadcast journalist. Remulla said being featured in the country's notes is an honor given to heroes, heroines and martyrs who have dedicated their lives to the service of their country and people. He said Ms Macapagal hasn't earned that right yet although her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, deserved the honor.
SC: $350 JANCOM DEAL LEGAL
(Inquirer,Page 1)
Supreme Court upholds Jancom garbage contract
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
THE SUPREME Court ruled with finality Tuesday on the 350-million-dollar incineration agreement between the government and Jancom Environmental Corp., but repeated its stand that the controversial contract needed the President's signature to become effective. It also declined to pass judgment on whether the contract was advantageous to the government or not. The resolution of the high court's third division upheld a Jan. 30 decision--also by the third division--confirming the contract's validity. "While the Court recognizes that the garbage problem is a matter of public concern, it can only declare that the contract in question is a valid and perfected one between the parties," the ruling read. But the contract "is still ineffective or unimplementable until and unless it is approved by the President, the contract itself providing that such approval by the President is necessary."
GMA will base choice of new AFP chief on national interest
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
Malacañang reiterated yesterday that President Arroyo will choose the next Armed Forces chief not on the basis of popularity but on "national interest." An unsigned manifesto reportedly drafted by several generals and senior officers warned of widespread unrest within the military if Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu is chosen to replace Gen. Diomedio Villanueva as Armed Forces chief. The manifesto also scored Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and Villanueva for brushing aside concerns of military officers over the race for the top AFP post. Villanueva is scheduled to retire on May 20. Presidential Management Staff head Silvestre Afable said Mrs. Arroyo would not be pushed around by any manifesto. "The President is not reacting to that issue," Afable said. "But we would like to say that (in the appointment of ranking) military officers, the President bases her decisions on the good of the service and the national interest." Mrs. Arroyo earlier said she will announce her choice two weeks before Villanueva retires. Cimatu is said to be the strongest contender for the top military post. The others are Navy chief Adm. Victorino Hingco, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya and newly installed Army chief Lt. Gen. Dionisio Santiago.
Too many chiefs spoil cops' morale
(Inquirer, Page 1)
WILL too many generals spoil the broth of morale in the Philippine National Police? The PNP now has three new deputy director generals -- Reynaldo Velasco, Edgar Aglipay and Clyde Fernandez -- three more than its allotted number. Twwo of them were promoted for their role in People Power II in January 2001 and the defense of Malacañang against the siege mounted last May 1 by Joseph Estrada's supporters. Fernandez, who heads the PNP's transnational crime office, was promoted earlier. The promotions of Aglipay, director of the National Capital Region, and Velasco, director for comptrollership, were announced only Tuesday. In an attempt to explain why the number of three-star generals in the PNP had risen from three to six, Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina said: "There is nothing unusual with their promotions as they were promoted for meritorious accomplishments." The PNP spokesperson said Aglipay and Velasco were promoted because of their participation in the revolt that culminated in Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's assumption of the presidency. He said that early on, the two officials joined the forces that provided support to the then Vice President, and played a crucial role in defending the Palace in the May 1 attack.
Was Malvar RP’s second president?
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
The provincial board of Batangas endorsed to Pre-sident Arroyo yesterday a proposed legislation naming revolutionary hero Gen. Miguel Malvar as the second president of the Philipine Republic. If the proposal becomes law, disgraced President Joseph Estrada could hope to be exorcised of the jinx of being the 13th president. But would it bother former President Fidel Ramos if the "unlucky" number is passed on to him? In its history-revising resolution, the Batangas provincial board cited official accounts in Philippine history books identifying Malvar as the last Filipino general to surrender to US troops during the Philippine-American war after the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo became the first president of the Philippine Republic in January 1899, a month before the Philippine-American war erupted. He was captured by the Americans on March 23, 1901 in Palanan, Isabela. Instead of surrendering his troops to the Americans, Malvar, who held political and military control of the young Republic, continued the resistance movement until his capture on April 16, 1902. It marked the fall of the Revolutionary Republic.
DOH SAYS RARE DISEASE IN ORMOC NOT YET CONFIRMED
(Inquirer, Page 1)
"THE DIAGNOSIS is not yet confirmed." So, the Department of Health has advised people in Ormoc City not to panic over the reported outbreak of a rare disease that hit 12 young family members of the prominent Larrazabal clan. "People are panicking. We want to calm them down. There is no conclusive finding that the Larrazabal children were infected with the West Nile virus," Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said in reaction to calls from Ormoc politicians who reported that residents were in fear of a possible epidemic.
Pope summons cardinals to Rome over sex scandals
(Inquirer,Page 1)
POPE John Paul II has summoned American cardinals to the Vatican to discuss the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the US Roman Catholic Church. Eight of the highest-ranking Roman Catholic clergy in the United States will attend the meeting set for next week. A special meeting of cardinals from just one country is extraordinary. The meeting follows criticisms that the Vatican had shown a lack of leadership during a scandal affecting churches across the country and involving dozens of priests of all ranks -- including some of the cardinals who will meet with the Pontiff at the Vatican. The US Roman Catholic Church is under fire for its handling of a large number of allegations of sex abuse by priests.
Alabang matron charged with murder
(Philippine Star, Page 6)
Police charged a well-heeled matron yesterday for the murder in Las Piñas over the weekend of a family nurse who supposedly refused to confirm that her husband was allegedly having an extra-marital affair. Las Piñas police charged Marybeth Lopez de Leon, wife of Jose Vicente Madrigal de Leon, for the murder of nurse Belma Abella, 43, of Talon, Las Piñas, at around 7:30 a.m of Friday inside her BMW sedan at the BF International subdivision. Meanwhile, the Poblador Bautista and Reyes Law Offices, which De Leon engaged to represent her in the murder case, denied that the wealthy matron was in hiding and that the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) was already apprised of the matron’s whereabouts. "No warrant has been issued against our client. She has not fled and she is not in hiding. We are cooperating, consistent with our client’s constitutional rights, with the PNP-CIDG which has been apprised of her whereabouts," said lawyers Alexander Poblador and Jaime Hofilena.
Photokina files two P100-M libel suits vs Comelec chief
(Philippine Star, Page 7)
The consortium that was awarded the Voters’ Registration and Identification System (VRIS) project has filed two P100-million libel suits against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Alfredo Benipayo in connection with the aborted plan to automate the country’s electoral process. Photokina Marketing Corp. filed the twin complaints with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office last April 9 after Benipayo allegedly made malicious statements against the firm and its foreign partners in two separate incidents. Statements made by the Comelec chief during a speech at a university forum and a television interview had accused the consortium of wrongdoing, Photokina said in its complaint. Benipayo’s statements were subsequently published in the country’s major newspapers. The P6.5-billion VRIS provides a comprehensive and integrated solution for voter registration including the development and maintenance of a secure electoral database that would serve as the foundation for clean and honest elections.
Laws, raids fail to thwart boiler room activities
(PCIJ Special Report)
Even the US Federal Bureau of Investigation is now looking into his companies’ activities, but Pangasinense Amador Apungan Pastrana has managed to elude authorities across the globe who want to pin him down for the shenanigans of his alleged boiler room firms. Indeed, Pastrana, who is said to head a global network of "collapsible" companies that hype nearly worthless stocks to gullible investors and then just suddenly close shop months later, remains free to enjoy the billions of dollars he is reported to have earned in the few years that he has been in business. And despite raids last year in Bangkok and Manila, boiler rooms still thrive in both cities as well as other places around the world. Authorities also admit that these operations have grown even more sophisticated as years pass. They say that the heads of some networks have even started to buy banks, intending to use these not only to launder their money, but also to use as centers for their boiler room transactions. James Martin, who claims to have lost $35 million to Pastrana in a completely different scam and now heads Sydney-based Stock Investigation Research Society (SIRS), says, "Those that were picked up by authorities (so far) were just small fry. They haven’t gotten the big one (like Pastrana)."
Dante Ang resigns as TIMES’ chair
(Manila Times, Page 1)
Dante A. Ang, newly designated by President Macapagal-Arroyo as senior presidential consultant for public relations, yesterday announced his resignation as chairman and president of The Manila Times. Ang said he made the decision, which described as a “difficult” one, in order to erase suspicions about his relationship with The Times, the oldest newspaper in the country, and the presidency.
PNP lays brutality blame on protesters
(Tribune, Page 1)
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Leandro Mendoza yesterday virtually cleared his policemen from any and all charges of brutality and excessive force and violence applied by his anti-riot police team on the demonstrators by laying all blame on protesters.Mendoza pointed the finger of blame on the rallyists, saying they had provoked the policemen, which provocation sparked the brutal and bloody confrontation between the demonstrators and the anti-riot policemen at the US Embassy last Monday.He said the rallyists started it first, throwing stones at the anti-riot team that was deployed to maintain order during that protest staged against the ongoing joint RP-US military exercises.But Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) spokesman Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday called on members of Congress to exercise their role as tribune and protector of the people by curbing the fascist tendency of the (PNP in dealing with street demonstrations."It is now high time for our congressmen and senators to act with dispatch and hold back the increasing brutality being displayed by our police forces in dealing with legitimate dissent," Remulla said, adding "under Edsa II, people never expected jackboot democracy as their prize for participating in the overthrow of constitutional democracy last year. Exercising one's right under this government is getting intolerable which is like living under a fascist state."
Tax credit scam: Nine Ramos officials charged
(Tribune, Page 1)
Former Finance Undersecretary Antonio Belicena and nine others implicated in a multibillion-peso tax credit scam during the Ramos administration were arraigned yesterday on seven graft cases at the Sandiganbayan First Division.Belicena and the nine other accused, among them Uldarico Andutan, former executive director of a government-created tax-credit center, pleaded "not guilty" when the charges were read to them last Monday.The seven graft cases docketed as Criminal Cases 25872 to 25878 stem from the allegedly anomalous tax credit certificates (TCCs) issued to a private firm by Department of Finance (DoF) officials involving a total of P9.7 million in government money.Aside from Belicena and Andutan, also arraigned were former officers and employees of the One Stop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Accounting Drawback Center: Miriam Tasarra, officer-in-charge of the Garments Division; Gladys Olano, Lucila Cueto, Lea Dychingco and Irene Magbojos, tax specialists II; and Cesar Estolano and Mark Binsol, reviewers.