NEWS MONITOR (April 24, 2002)

1. FREEDOM FORCE

Benigno on coup: Hogwash, fiction

(Philippine Star, Page 1 )

An indignant STAR columnist Teodoro Benigno denied yesterday that the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA), of which he is one of the stalwarts, is plotting to overthrow President Arroyo through a civilian-military junta called "Freedom Force." "That’s a lot of hogwash, jabberwocky. It’s absolute fiction. It’s malarkey," Benigno said. "I’ve written exhaustively about Freedom Force," he added. "Freedom Force is just a fetus. It is still in the stomach. It is still waiting to be born. It will be launched in June. I do not understand all this commotion. Freedom Force will be born only if there is a social revolution." He likewise assailed Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin for misconstruing his (Benigno’s) concept of "collective leadership."

Palace: COPA long under tight watch

(Philippine Star, page 1)

GROUP DENIES HATCHING COUP PLOT

(Malaya,. Page 1)

JUNTA PLOT STIRS  GMA'S ALLIES, FOES IN CONGRESS

(Today, Banner)

Long before the "Freedom Force" came out in the open, the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) and its prime movers have been under tight watch by the government. A Malacañang insider confided this to The STAR as the launching of Freedom Force was announced by former Press Secretary Teodoro Benigno, one of the COPA stalwarts, in his column that appeared Monday in this paper. Requesting not to be named, the Palace source said they have been monitoring COPA moves, including the creation of the Freedom Force that supposedly supports the planned military-civilian junta to wrest power from President Arroyo....House Assistant Minority Floor Leader Gilbert Remulla advised the President to watch her back. "I don’t want to draw any conclusion but it looks like the President was not looking in the right direction with regards to alleged efforts to destabilize her government. This report on the Freedom Force plot should warn her to watch her back," the Cavite representative said....Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan said the PNP should look into the matter and determine the possible action that can be taken to avert a military coup. "Considering the attention and government resources spent to get me and other opposition personalities after the May 1 farce last year, the more effort President Arroyo should exert now in seeing to it that these people are charged and prosecuted for actually plotting against the government," Lacson said. Lacson and Honasan were among those ordered arrested without warrant during the state of rebellion declared by the Arroyo administration after the May 1 incident.

'These people have never been for me' – Macapagal

(Inquirer, Banner)

"THOSE people were always against me," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Tuesday night in a live television interview in reacting to an Inquirer report Tuesday that a group calling itself Freedom Force was allegedly proposing the formation of a junta to replace her administration. The President told the GMA-7 newscast, "Saksi" that even if the proponents of Freedom Force "somehow helped" in the people power uprising that brought her to power in January 2001," they had not wanted her to assume the presidency. "They were the ones who wanted a collective leadership," she said. "They have never been allied with me," she continued. Told by news anchor Mel Tiangco that the key players of Freedom Force had denied any plans to form a junta, the President said, "I'll take their word for it ... At the moment they are ready to reconcile with me." Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles noted that as an ally of the President, the Copa had "the right to criticize her administration but certainly not to undermine her efforts." Bulacan Representative Willie Villarama, chief of staff of Ms Macapagal when she was Vice President, joked that what really transpired was not a junta plot but "junta-han (banter)." Senator Panfilo Lacson urged the President to investigate and identify those involved in the supposed plot to oust her, including the reported 19 generals. Lacson also challenged Sin to reveal the alleged mastermind of the supposed plot.

Charge Freedom Force coup plotters—solons

(Tribune, Banner)

Senators yesterday dared President Arroyo to charge in court her allies who have been reported to be plotting a coup that would install a “collective leadership” or a junta in Mrs. Arroyo’s stead. The senators said coup charges should also be slapped against a former leader whom one opposition member of the upper chamber highly suspects is the brains behind the “Freedom Force” coup plot. Malacañang officials, however, took the reports with a benign air. ...opposition senators threw the challenge at Mrs. Arroyo, saying the law “must be applied evenly and to all” and pointed to the time when the current administration slapped charges of inciting rebellion against former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, former Ambassador to the United States Ernesto Maceda and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan almost a year ago.Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and his colleagues in the bloc noted a provision in the Revised Penal Code (RTC) which says that even the act of proposing the idea of committing rebellion is punishable by law.

2. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE

Erap to testify vs JANCOM contract

(Inquirer, Page 2)

Court allows Erap to attend Jancom hearing

(Tribune, Page 1)

JAILED ex-President Joseph Estrada will be testifying Wednesday at the House inquiry into the controversial 350-billion-peso garbage contract with the Jancom Environmental Corp. Robert Aventajado, Estrada's flagship projects adviser who junked the Jancom contract in favor of the Pro-Environment Corp., has also been summoned, said Misamis Oriental Rep. Augusto Baculio, chair of the ecology committee. Estrada is reported to have claimed that Jancom had offered him a 20-percent commission in exchange for approving the contract. Former President Fidel Ramos, who has also been invited, has agreed to testify next month when he returns from a foreign trip.

ERAP DOCU ON TV

(Inquirer, Page 2)

The camp of Joseph Estrada will mark the first anniversary  of his arrest tomorrow with the first ever TV airing of the documentary "Ama ng Masa" which is mainly the story  of EDSA 2 and 3 as told from the ousted president's perspective.Estrada's Partido ng Masang Pilipino said "Ama" will be aired by the Iglesia ni Cristo-owned Net 25 at 9 pm tomorrow.

No pressure on Pardo to deny 'deception': SC ;Let's hear it straight from ex-justice, says Loi

(Malaya, Banner)

The Supreme Court yesterday belied claims by senators that it pressured retired Associate Justice Bernardo Pardo into denying Sen. Edgardo Angara's claims he was told by Pardo that Gloria Arroyo would be sworn in as "acting president" and not "president" on January 20 last year.The denial was made by SC assistant court administrator and information chief Ismael Khan Jr. who the other day said Pardo called him up to deny Angara's version of their converstion.Malaya tried, but failed again, to contact Pardo.Sen. Loi Estrada said Khan is expected to defend the tribunal."The denial should come from Justice Pardo himself, not from the spokesman of the Supreme Court. Somebody should call him (Pardo) and ask him about the veracity of Senator Angara's claims," Estrada said.

3. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE (with GCR)

Solons want water contracts reviewed

(Inquirer, Page 7)

LEGISLATORS have moved to review the 1997 privatization of Metro Manila's water distribution system in the face of plans by the two concessionaires to raise water rates yet again. Officials of the Lopez-owned Maynilad Water Services Inc., which services the west zone, and the Ayala-owned Manila Water, which operates in the east, said the next rate hike would take effect on July 1. Two House committees -- government enterprises and privatization and economic affairs -- on Tuesday began hearings on several resolutions seeking a review of the contracts awarded to Maynilad and Manila Water.  Akbayan Partylist Rep. Etta Rosales, Quezon City Rep. Maite Defensor, Marikina Rep. Del de Guzman, Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla and Bulacan Rep. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvardo wanted to know why the concession agreements of Feb. 21, 1997 were amended.

Caltex raises oil prices anew

(The Philippine Star, Page 1 )

Caltex prices up again

(Inquirer, Page 7)

Caltex Philippines Inc., the country’s third largest oil company, raised prices by 27 centavos per liter yesterday for all its refined petroleum products except liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). "Effective 12 noon (April 23), Caltex will hike by an average 27 centavos per liter the wholesale prices of Vortex, Regular, Unleaded, Power Diesel and Kerosene," said Caltex spokeswoman Marian Catedral. She declined to say if the company was considering another adjustment within the month. Caltex earlier said it would adhere to a scheme of small but frequent adjustments, and would likely increase prices every week. Market rivals Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. raised pump prices by an average 37 centavos per liter last Sunday, three days after Caltex jacked up its prices by 10 centavos per liter.

4. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR

Filipino pilots to fly Cobras, Black Hawks

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

BLACK HAWKS UP: PAF pilots to fly US attack choppers

(Inquirer, Page 1)

Clark Field, Pampanga – For the first time, this year’s Balikatan joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States will have the Americans taking the back seat — literally. Philippine Air Force pilots from the 5th Strike Wing, based at Maj.Danilo Atienza Air Force Base at Sangley Point in Cavite, will be given a chance today to fly the US military’s Cobra and Black Hawk helicopters. Their American counterparts will act as co-pilots and assist them. Armed with a nose-mounted Gatling gun and rockets on both sides, Cobras are attack helicopters designed to take out tanks and other ground targets. Black Hawks, on the other hand, are mainly used for ferrying troops.

RP-wide bombings planned

(Philippine Star, Banner)

Two men arrested for the April 21 bombings in General Santos City claimed the attacks were part of a widespread "destabilization" campaign that included targets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, the Central Mindanao police said yesterday. Mulikin Ambi Puntuan, 28, and Modesto "Bobby" Tabilo, 26, alleged members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), were tagged as among those responsible for the bombings that have so far killed 15 people and injured 69 others. "From our tactical interrogation... this is not just General Santos, this is throughout the Philippines," Central Mindanao police chief Senior Superintendent Bartolome Baluyot told The Associated Press by telephone. "Their plan is destabilization, to create disturbances."

 ‘ Pentagon’ founder nabbed in Kudarat

(Philippine Star, Page1 )

COTABATO CITY — A suspected leader and founder of the "Pentagon" kidnapping gang is now detained at the provincial jail here following his arrest earlier this month in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao. Alleged Pentagon financier Ibrahim Sacandal, alias engineer Jun Yap and Jun Sarat, was arrested April 2 on the strength of a warrant issued by acting Judge Francisco Rabang Jr. of the Cotabato City Regional Trial Court. Rabang ordered Sacandal arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Filipino-Chinese businessman Vicente Ramos Yu in September 2000 in Cotabato City. After being taken to Camp Siongco in Maguindanao for investigation, Army intelligence agents moved Sacandal to the Maguindanao provincial jail following a commitment order issued by Judge Emmanuel Badoy of the same court.

GenSan bombers trained by Malaysians, say cops

(Inquirer, Page 1)

TWO men detained for their alleged role in the explosions in General Santos City on Sunday that left 15 people dead were trained in bomb making by Malaysian militants, police said Tuesday. Senior Supt. Leonardo Espina, national police spokesperson, said the suspected bombers were believed to be former Moro separatist rebels and part of a 10-man terrorist cell operating in the city.  Espina did ot identify the alleged Malaysian militant group that trained the duo in bomb making. Investigation is still ongoing to determine whether they were affiliated with terrorist groups operating in the region, he said, adding that police were on the trail of eight more suspects. Earlier reports said the two suspects, identified as Bobby Sabilo and Maliquin Ampi, were members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Espina said Commander Benjie Puntuan, an MNLF bomb expert, was the leader of the 10-member terrorist cell in the city. Puntuan managed to escape Monday when policemen swooped down on his hideout. Sabilo and Ampi were arrested during the raid.

GMA OKs draft of anti-terror accord over Guingona objection

(Inquirer, Page )

PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo will be taking the final text of a trilateral agreement on terrorism when she goes on a working visit to Malaysia on May 7. Vice President and Foreign Secretary Teofisto Guingona said Tuesday that the President had approved the final text of the Trilateral Agreement on Terrorism that the country is concluding with Indonesia and Malaysia and would witness the signing of the final draft in Kuala Lumpur. But a ranking foreign affairs official said Guingona had withheld his approval of the text because it did not include an amendment that he had proposed. Guingona had wanted a phrase defining terrorism as "threatening the stability, territorial integrity, political unity or sovereignty of independent states" deleted.

SC denies NUR's  bid for trial transfer

(Inquirer, Page 3)

THE SUPREME Court on Tuesday denied with finality the request of jailed Muslim leader Nur Misuari to transfer the hearing of the rebellion case against him by the government from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Jolo, Sulu. Voting 13-0, the high court said Misuari's lawyers "have not presented cogent, substantial or compelling arguments to convince us to grant their motions."

5. OTHER TOP STORIES

Cell phone, text messaging tax to be killed in House

(Philippine Star, Page 2)

The controversial proposal to tax cellular or mobile phone calls and short (text) and voice messages, if it is sent to the House of Representatives, will be promptly buried in the graveyard. "It will be killed as soon as it is submitted to us," Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Lakas, Bukidnon) said yesterday. Two senators, meanwhile, expressed divergent views on the government’s plan to tax mobile phone companies and cellphone text messages. While Majority Leader Sen. Loren Legarda believed the Department of Finance will find it "difficult if not impossible" to get Congress to endorse the scheme, opposition Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta said the DOF should guarantee that mobile phone giants won’t pass on the computer education tax to consumers.

3 kidnappers killed, 2 victims rescued

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

Police rescued yesterday two women who were abducted last Monday, killing three of their kidnappers and arresting four others after a gunfight in Antipolo City in Rizal province. Police suffered no casualties. Investigators said businesswomen Elvira Madla, 52, and Lorna Landicho, 48, were snatched early Monday morning on C-3 highway in Malabon near the Navotas fish port. Madla and Landicho, owners of RBL Fishing, were on their way to work at 2:45 a.m. when their Mitsubishi Adventure van was blocked by a car carrying armed men. The victims were dragged out of their vehicle and taken to the kidnappers’ hideout. The women were still in handcuffs when police officers found them unharmed in the gang’s hideout in Cogeo district in Antipolo. Madla’s husband, Mayor Robert Madla of Boac, Marinduque, called the police after the kidnappers demanded P30 million in ransom. Police were able to track down the kidnappers when the suspects made a follow-up contact on the ransom.

Carmela fire cause may never be known

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

The head of an investigating panel said yesterday that the cause of a fire that destroyed a ferry and killed at least 44 people off Quezon province on April 11 may never be known. Rear Adm. Domingo Estera, chairman of the Board of Marine Inquiry investigating the MV Maria Carmela disaster, told reporters during a break in the hearing that they were having difficulty gathering evidence that could indicate what went wrong. At the House of Representatives, Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras called for a speedy and thorough investigation of the blaze. Paras chairs the House committee on transportation and communications.

Witness almost thrown out of CA hearing

(The Philippine Star, Page 5)

The committee on environment and natural resources of the Commission on Appointments almost threw out a witness yesterday for getting too personal in his opposition against the confirmation of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez III. Witness Roger Patanao drew the ire of the committee for not addressing the chair and for alternately referring to Alvarez as "Sonny," "Alvarez," "that guy who wants to be DENR secretary" and "one who cannot be called honorable." Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo asked the committee to strike off the record all unsavory statements or those which tended to impugn the integrity of Alvarez.

Ping to Corpus: Resign for bungling intel work

(Tribune, Page 1)

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson yesterday again called for the resignation of the country's top spook, Col. Victor Corpus, this time for alleged failure of military intelligence that led to deadly bomb explosions last Sunday in General Santos (GenSan) City in southern Philippines."I have been calling for Corpus' resignation even before (these attacks took place). But I think the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) leadership would not do that. He should have been removed a long time ago," Lacson said during an interview.The opposition senator had sought the removal of Corpus, chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp), for among other reasons the latter's failure to substantiate his claims that Lacson has engaged in money laundering, drug trafficking and other criminal activities.

GMA, Congress clash over gambling school

(Tribune, Page 2)

The House committee on games is on a collision course with Malacañang in connection with the proposal to establish a casino university in the country.According to Rep. Prospero Nograles (1st District, Davao City), vice chairman of the House committee on games, there is nothing wrong with the establishment of a casino university in the country as it would give Filipinos more opportunities in places like Las Vegas and other casino centers in Paris and London.Nograles said the President should have taken a second look at the proposal even as he claimed there is no real basis to the President's claim it would promote a culture of gambling in the country."The proposal to put up a school for card dealers, roulette operators and other personnel running gaming tables should have not been rejected outright because the plan also has its own merits," Nograles said.

'GMA cares,' taxpayers pay

(Inquirer, Page 1)

COME June, she's going to be in mass circulation through 200-peso bills. But already, she's up there where one cannot miss her. A cutesy President Macapagal-Arroyo smiling as though all's right with the country is on all the project billboards of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). And the images come in two versions, urban and rural. The first shows her wearing a denim jumper and a farmer's hat. In her hand, she clutches a sheaf of rice stalks. The other shows her in a blue blouse against the seal of the Office of the President. "GMA cares," the billboard trumpets. Someone cares very much, indeed, for the President. Her pictures are up there on orders of DPWH Secretary Simeon Datumanong. DPWH Department Order No. 86 sets the form and measurements of the billboards and the presidential pictures to be used. "We put it up as a proper acknowledgment of who is pushing the project for the people," Datumanong said in a telephone interview.

According to him, the idea for the project "did not come from the President, but among us members of the Cabinet." He brushed aside criticisms that it was intended to constantly remind the people of the President's good works for the 2004 elections.