NEWS MONITOR ( April 22, 2002)
1. CHA-CHA
3 Lakas solons oppose term proposal
(Philippine Star, Page 5)
Three Lakas partymates of President Arroyo opposed yesterday a proposal to lengthen her term by three years to 2007 and to disallow her from seeking reelection in 2004. Representatives Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte said Mrs. Arroyo should be given the chance to lead the country by six more years starting in 2004. "I think that she would be the strongest candidate for President and that she would be the standard bearer of Lakas," said Andaya. He said if Mrs. Arroyo is elected president in 2004, any Charter change that would be approved should not cut her term and that she should be allowed to serve until 2010. Andaya, Zubiri and Barbers opposed the suggestion of a fellow Lakas congressman, Gerardo Espina of Biliran, to lengthen Mrs. Arroyo’s current term and to effect the proposed shift to the parliamentary system in 2007.
JUSTIFY CHA-CHA, JOE DE V DARED
(Inquirer, Page 2)
Sen. Blas Ople yesterday challenged Speaker Jose de Venecia to cite “ very good reasons to tinker with the 1987 Constitution” other than the desire of some Congress members to lift the limits on their term of office. “ (De Venecia) should instruct his cohorts in the House to stop the revival of Charter Change),” Ople told Senate reporters.
2. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE
Shell, Petron hike prices, too
(Inquirer, Page 6)
PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. and Petron Corp. hiked fuel prices for the second time this month by 37 centavos per liter. Shell hiked pump prices for gasoline, diesel and kerosene fuel at 10 p.m. on Saturday, while Petron did the same at Sunday noon. New oil firm TotalFinaElf Philippines Petroleum Corp. hiked pump prices by 27 centavos per liter also at noon Sunday. Seaoil Petroleum Corp. said it planned to match the latest increases Monday. Virginia Ruivivar, Petron corporate communications manager, said the latest hike brought to 87 centavos per liter Petron's total price hikes this month. Petron led the first round of increases by 50 centavos per liter on April 7. Ruivivar said the firm still had 48 centavos per liter to recover for increased costs between February and March.
Shell, Petron raise prices by 37¢
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
Two of the country’s major oil companies, Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., have raised their prices by 37 centavos per liter. Robert Kanapi, Shell external affairs manager, said the increase, which he said was made necessary by rising world crude prices, would be the last for the month. Shell increased its prices Saturday night, and Petron at noon yesterday.
3. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
13 killed in GenSan blasts
(Philippine Star, Banner)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — At least 13 people were killed and 60 wounded when three bombs exploded yesterday afternoon in this port city, the Central Mindanao police reported. An hour after the first blast, a man claiming to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group called the dxKR Radyo Agong radio station in nearby Koronadal City and claimed responsibility for the bombing. Regional police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Baluyot said the first bomb blast occurred in front of the GenSan FitMart shopping mall along Daproza street at around 3:15 p.m. The bomb, apparently hidden in an empty tricycle, killed children, tricycle drivers, vendors and passersby, Baluyot said. GenSan blasts kill 14,60 hurt (Inquirer, Banner) GENERAL SANTOS - At least 14 people were killed and 60 others wounded Sunday in several bomb explosions in General Santos city, police and local officials said. The Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts, saying that the attacks were aimed at proving that the group was still a "force to be reckoned with."
Pierantoni ransom went to wrong hands
(Inquirer Special Report, Page 1)
MONEY did change hands, but where did the ransom go? Fr. Giuseppe Pierantoni’s bishop kept a diary during the kidnapping ordeal, which started on Oct. 17 and ended--171 harrowing days later--only at 2 a.m. on April 8, when the Italian priest walked out of the mountain and into a waiting van. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the rescue came after a "fierce battle in the mountains of Mindanao." The testimony of Bishop Zacarias Jimenez of the diocese of Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur, buttressed by the diary he kept, says otherwise.
Balikatan 02-2 opens todAy; US Marines arrive
(Inquirer, Page 1)
After 11 years, American soldiers return to Subic
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
SOME 600 American military personnel, mostly members of the United States Marine Corps, arrived at the Subic Bay Freeport Sunday in time for the formal opening of the Balikatan 02-2 war exercises Monday. Balikatan 02-2 is the regular joint military exercise between American and Filipino troops. It is different from the ongoing Balikatan 02-1 in Basilan and Zamboanga City where 660 US troops are taking part to help Filipino soldiers crush Abu Sayyaf bandits. The American forces have been augmented by 340 US Navy engineers and their security escorts. Balikatan 02-2 will be held in Clark Field in Pampanga, Ternate in Cavite, and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. It will be participated in by 2,665 American troops and 2,900 Filipino soldiers.
Balikatan civic actionsets stage for extension
(Inquirer Analysis, Page 1)
THE Balikatan 02-1 joint Philippine-US military exercises in southern Philippines have been under way since January. Under the terms of reference (TOR) signed in February, the exercises are to terminate at the end of July. More than halfway into the launching of the Balikatan, there are no signs that it will accomplish the high expectations it raised among the public about its perceived main objective--wiping out the Abu Sayyaf trapped in the forests of Basilan.
Warning:US could worsen problem
(Inquirer, Page 3)
SINGAPORE--The growing US military presence in the Philippines to help the government crush Islamic extremists could spark an escalation of the conflict, a risk consultancy warned. Washington also risks getting bogged down in a protracted and costly conflict in the southern Philippines if its role is mainly limited to training local forces, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said.
PNP: RP not at risk by tapping Israeli expertise
(Philippine Star, Page 3)
A ranking Philippine National Police (PNP) official dismissed fears yesterday that the presence of Israeli security experts in the country might create trouble in view of the conflict in the Middle East. On Tuesday, about five Israeli police commandos will start training 30 crack police commandos from the PNP’s Special Action Force on anti-terrorism tactics at the former US naval base at Subic Bay in Zambales. The training exercise had prompted fears that foreign terrorists might try to enter the country and target the Israelis in retaliation for the massive Israeli crackdown on Palestinian militants.
Be lenient on travel ban, White House asked
(Tribune, Page 1)
Reacting to a warning issued by the US, the Philippine government, in an appeal, yesterday asked the United States to be "more liberal" in coming up with its regular travel advisories on the country.The latest travel bulletin made by the US has ordered its citizens, including resident American officials and contractors in central, southern and western Mindanao, to leave these areas in anticipation of more attacks by Moslem kidnap-for-ransom groups.The State Department also warned there is a big possibility that the extremist group Abu Sayyaf would strike back at its citizens in light of the Balikatan 02-1, the six-month joint military exercises involving American and Filipino soldiers in the South.Also, the issuance of the latest US advisory resulted from the threats posed by the Indigenous People's Federal Army, the group which had claimed responsibility for a bomb-planting spree in Metro Manila and other parts of the country in its bid for a federal form of government.
Palace firm: TOR need not be revised for Seabees
(Manila TImes, Page 1)
MALACAÑANG yesterday insisted that there is no need to amend the existing Terms of Reference (TOR) for Balikatan 02-1 to justify the presence of 340 US Navy engineers who might have to stay beyond July to finish civic action projects they planned to undertake in Basilan.
4. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
ESTRADA MARKS ONE YEAR IN JAIL
(Inquirer, Page 1)
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
Deposed President Joseph Estrada marks a year in jaikl this week determined to reignite his following among the poor and revive his claim to the presidency. Using newspapers,videos and free handouts and even his recent birthday celebration,the deposed leader is on a campaign to regain national attention,
'Grand deception' of tribunal confirmed ;Ed bares talk with ex-justice
(Malay, Banner)
Even Supreme Court justices were victims of a "grand deception" foisted on the public by the Arroyo administration and some justices who connived with it to legitimize Gloria Arroyo's assumption to power.Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday said this was borne out by a private conversation he had with now retired Associate Justice Bernardo Pardo a day after Arroyo took her oath as president on Jan. 20 last year.Angara quoted Pardo as saying 12 justices met in the morning of January 20 and there was no agreement Arroyo would be sworn in as president later that day.Pardo said they authorized Chief Justice Hilario Davide to administer the oath to Arroyo only as "acting president."But an banc resolution dated Jan 22, 2001 said Arroyo took her oath as president.
Venezuela scenario in Erap backers' mind
(Malaya, Page 1)
The People's Movement Against Poverty yesterday said the Venezuelan experience, where the president was removed by the military only to be restored to power by the people two days later, is the "ideal model" for the expression of the people's sovereign will, not Edsa 2.Ronaldo Lumbao, PMAP president who has long been hunted by the police for the siege of Malacañang on May 1 last year, said in a radio interview the poor believe Joseph Estrada is still the president.He said Edsa 2 that ousted Estrada and installed Gloria Arroyo to the presidency owed its success to a mutinuous military."... The sovereign will of the people was expressed in a duly-elected president (Estrada) who was given mandate by nearly 11 million people. Power was grabbed by a mob of a mere 300,000 to 400,000 supported by a treacherous general. The will of the people was lost along the way," Lumbao said."The Venezuelan model is a very ideal model, unlike yung second Edsa. The Venezuelans actually practiced yung kanilang direct sovereign power expressed in the assembly and respected by the military, yun and kahanga-hanga dun sa kanila," he said.Asked if he has talked with military officers, especially those opposing the possible appointment of Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, Southern Command chief, as next AFP chief, Lumbao he has, but merely to consult with them.He said the sentiment was that they were opposed to withdrawal of support from Estrada by then AFP chief Angelo Reyes, now defense secretary.
Defense vows to discredit Curato testimony today
(Manila TImes, Page 2)
The defense panel will attempt today to discredit the testimony of bank executive Manuel Curato who testified Wednesday last week that he saw deposed president Estrada sign bank documents as Jose Velarde. Curato will be cross-examined by court-appointed lawyer for plunder case Prospero Crescini.
5. OTHER TOP STORIES
Gloria said to be gearing for 2004
(Inquirer, Page 2)
WHILE lawmakers are rushing to amend the Constitution, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is stepping up the building of her "personal political machinery" for the 2004 election, sources privy to this effort said. An administration source said the effort is focused on the grassroots organization Kaibigan ni GMA, which is personally directed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo. "Her election bid is inevitable and she is relying principally on her own personal political machinery to carry her through," said the source who asked not to be named. "We expect all these Cha-cha (Charter change) noises to peter out as 2004 approaches." The KGMA, which can be compared to the Jeep ni Erap, the grassroots machinery of Joseph Estrada when he ran for president in 1998, is building chapters at the barangay level.
8 M Filipinos jobless — DOLE
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
More than eight million Filipinos were unemployed or looking for a second job in January despite economic growth and the government’s intensified employment program. In January, 3.39 million Filipinos were without jobs, while those underemployed totaled 4.72 million, according to statistics from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Figures from the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics show the number of unemployed Filipinos in January was slightly lower than the 3.59 million recorded during the same period last year. The unemployment rate dropped from 11.4 to 10.1 percent for male workers, and from 11.3 to 10.4 percent for female workers. A decline in unemployment rates was observed across all age groups but those between the ages of 15 and 24 registered the biggest drop, from 22.1 5 to 20.1 percent.
Garbage crisis in focus on Earth Day
(Inquirer, Page 5)
GARBAGE and what to do with it will be the focus of Monday's observation of Earth Day, as environmental groups called on the government to implement strictly the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and junk proposals to build incinerators and more landfills. Von Hernandez, campaign director for Southeast Asia of Greenpeace International, said the government should rush the construction of composting and recycling plants, "instead of wasting resources on extremely unfavorable waste management dinosaurs like landfills and incinerators." Hernandez said the Metro Manila Development Authority has failed dismally to implement the objectives of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the first law signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shortly after taking over the presidency last year.
DOTC chief won’t prejudge ferry case
(Philippine Star, PAge 6)
Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez will not be filing any charges against those responsible for the M/V Maria Carmela tragedy — at least not until he sees the results of the investigation by a special Board of Marine Inquiry. Alvarez said he will not prejudge the case and accuse anyone without adequate evidence. "I cannot jump the gun on the special Board of Marine Inquiry," he said. "We should allow due process to take its course. Besides, it is the board that is gathering evidence needed to successfully prosecute those responsible for the mishap." Alvarez said the DOTC will go to court with all the necessary documents to prosecute and convict those responsible for the fire that destroyed and sank the ill-fated passenger ferry April 11 off the coast of Quezon province.
Tax on text scheme may spark ‘revolt’
(Tribune, Page 1)
Strong opposition to a government plan to impose tax on mobile phone short messaging service (SMS), or text messaging, has heated up with some threatening to stage a mass revolt. TxtPower, a group formed to uphold the rights of "texters," urged the government to halt the taxation plan, calling the move as "state extortion of consumers."Anthony Ian Cruz, spokesman of TxTPower, warned: "If the plan pushes through, this might spark a taxpayers' revolt."Yesterday, opposition Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta, in a statement, called on Malacañang to stop waffling on the text tax issue and instead junk this "atrocious" move to help convince the public that the Arroyo administration has put the interest of the millions of mobile phone subscribers on top of its consumer-welfare concerns.
SOLONS HIT TELECOM FIRMS FOR 'TXT GAMBLING'
(Inquirer, Page 7)
Amid the controversy unleashed by a finance department proposal to tax phone messaging, legislators are questioning the right to the two mobile phone companies, Smart and Globe, to engage in what they called "text gambling, electronic gambling or even electronic jueteng."Two separate resolutions have been filed in the House seeking an inquiry into the raffles and " games of chance" being conducted by Smart and Globe using text messaging, or the short messaging service (SMS).