NEWS MONITOR ( April 25, 2002)
1. FREEDOM FORCE
Noynoy: Sin, Cory warned of take over
(Inquirer, Banner)
THE LEFT and the Right have given up on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and there is a group of generals that will take over. This, according to Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, was the message that the members of the so-called Freedom Force gave as a "warning" to Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and that the cardinal subsequently relayed to his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. Congressman Aquino said Bishop Socrates Villegas sought a meeting with Ms Aquino on April 18 to convey the cardinal's position that he would not support the purportedly planned takeover of the generals. Recalling the message, Congressman Aquino quoted Villegas as telling Ms Aquino that the cardinal was "bothered that it would appear he was supportive of the takeover."
GMA: No to ‘collective leadership’
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
President Arroyo vehemently rejected yesterday any suggestion for collective leadership in the government as supposedly espoused by stalwarts of so-called civil society. She also dismissed talks of a coup as "one of those foolish things." In an interview over GMA-7 television network late Tuesday, Mrs. Arroyo said calls by the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA) for "collective leadership" have no constitutional basis. "We have a unitary form of government. That is what our Constitution calls for. In fact, this is not even a coalition government. This is a unified government," she said. The President made the remark a day after COPA leaders denied reports that their group was involved in forming a so-called "Freedom Force" that would install "collective leadership" in the country. She said a COPA leader, former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Pe-ping" Cojuangco, called her on Tuesday to explain the issue and deny involvement in any alleged plot to topple her administration. "We’re thankful that they denied it already. I’ll take their word for it," the President said even as she virtually confirmed that her security advisers have been monitoring COPA’s alleged anti-administration activities.
COPA, PPC in ugly falling out
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
The fleeting alliance in 2001 between the camp of President Arroyo and the "civil society" group Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) was apparently a match made in hell and bound to end in an ugly falling out. But co-founder, former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and other COPA leaders said yesterday their differences in opinion are not enough for their group to plot to oust the 15-month-old Arroyo administration. An irate Cojuangco blamed presidential assistant on ecclesiastical and media affairs Conrado Limcaoco of the People Power Coalition (PPC) for concocting the story that COPA leaders were involved in a coup plot, led by a "Freedom Force," in order to install a "collective leadership." "Tanga siya (He is stupid)," Cojuangco said, referring to Limcaoco, during a media forum at the Ciudad Fernandina in Greenhills, San Juan. "Gumagawa siya ng eksena para mapansin (He is making a scene to be noticed)."
No proof on conspiracy, says Drilon
(Inquirer, Page 1)
SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said he would not encourage an inquiry into the alleged junta plot of Freedom Force. He said the alleged plot was just a concept or proposal and not tantamount to inciting to rebellion, as described earlier by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel. "There's no proof that there's a conspiracy to (mount) a coup d'etat," Drilon said at a press conference. "In the absence of evidence, no party can be charged for any crime." Drilon also noted that all those reportedly involved in the supposed plot had issued denials...But opposition senators were quick to assail Drilon for clearing the supposed plotters. "I think it's premature to come to that conclusion of clearing anyone from any possible charge of conspiracy to commit rebellion," Pimentel said....Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Fianza could not separate his being a police officer from his personal identity. "If you are a police officer, you're always a public officer. You cannot say that you attended that meeting in your private capacity," Lacson said.
Copa: probe Limcaoco, Inquirer reporter
(Inquirer, Page 20)
THE COUNCIL for Philippine Affairs (Copa) Wednesday said Congress should investigate Conrado "Dodi" Limcaoco and Inquirer reporter Christine Herrera for allegations that the group was plotting to overthrow the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "Before they (congressmen) investigate us, they should investigate Limcaoco and Herrera first," said Copa secretary general Pastor "Boy" Saycon. "They started everything. They are misleading the public and the President." Saycon said Limcaoco, in particular, should be made to explain where he got the report that the Copa was organizing a multisectoral coalition called Freedom Force, which was supposedly intended to take over the administration.
Freedom Force group up for probe by DoJ
(Tribune, Banner)
He called Freedom Force and its reported plans of establishing a collective leadership a “big joke” Tuesday, but Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday directed military officers to distance themselves from Freedom Force, a group reported to be planning a coup d’etat with the overthrow of the Arroyo administration. He challenged the group members to name names.At the same time, Freedom Force leaders pointed the finger at Presidential Adviser on Media and Religious Concerns Conrado “Dodi” Limcaoco, saying the official was coming up with tall tales and them look like heels before President Arroyo.“They (military) should not indulge in these things. They should not join discussions or even think about a Freedom Force,” Reyes cautioned the soldiery amid reports that 19 generals have aligned themselves with the group.
COPA: Gloria getting powerless
(Malaya, Page 1)
President Arroyo has grown weak and is now forced to cater to interest groups who wield power, an official of the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) said yesterday. COPA spokesman Jose Montelibano, during the Ciudad Fernandina forum, said shortly after EDSA 2, their group was hoping for a stronger Arroyo who would declare a revolutionary government, oust officials identified with former President Joseph Estrada, and face problems head-on."What we would like to see happen are problems to be addressed frontally. Walang urong-sulong," he said.He said Arroyo is constantly being accused of electioneering because she is "trying to please many people because wala siyang power.""Nare-recognize niya na yung kapangyarihan are there in all these interest groups. So she has to cater to them so she can push her programs," he said.Montelibano said collective leadership was one of COPA's ideas "but our main preference was a revolutionary government." He said COPA believes that the country's problems are so severe that "we don't want the new leadership of the President to be hamstrung by many narrow parameters."
2. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE
MERALCO TO BE TAUGHT A POWER LESSON
(Inquirer, Page 7)
CONSUMER and civil society groups Wednesday formed what they called the "biggest consumer coalition in recent memory" to protest the Manila Electric Co.'s plan to increase power rates. "The time has come for us to unite and deal Meralco and the government a lesson in good manners and respect for the Filipino consumer," said Jess Arranza, convenor of the People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates (Power). Led by the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and the Kilusang Mayo Uno, the coalition will stage a series of protest actions to pressure the Energy Regulatory Commission into denying Meralco's application for a rate increase. At least 12 groups are listed under the Power coalition. They are asking for the "immediate and unconditional scrapping" of the power purchase adjustment (PPA) and the currency exchange rate adjustment (Cera), two items in consumers' monthly bills that they consider extortionate. The PPA refers to the cost of the electricity that Meralco buys from the National Power Corp. while Cera represents the amount that Meralco is allowed to pass on to consumers to cover exchange rate losses.
Gov’t agencies hit over ‘onerous’ contracts between Napocor, IPPs
(Tribune, Page 2)
A party-list representative from the Association of Philippine Electric Cooperative (Apec) assailed yesterday the departments of Finance and Energy, the National Economic and Development Authority and the Energy Regulatory Commission for failing to renegotiate the alleged onerous contracts between the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). According to Rep. Ernesto Pablo, the failure of these government agencies to renegotiate the contracts resulted to the continued rise in the Power Purchase Adjustment (PPA) that is being passed on to consumers. Pablo charged the existing contracts of Napocor with 42 IPPs resulted to a “stranded cost” of P550 billion. “The Electricity Restructuring Law mandates these agencies to immediately renegotiate these contracts,” Pablo said. “One year had passed since the law was enacted, and they have been sleeping on the job,” he added.
3. BALIKATAN EXERCISES/ABU SAYYAF/INSURGENCY,WAR ON TERROR
Crackdown widened in Mdanao
(Philippine Star, Banner)
The military broadened yesterday its anti-terrorist crackdown in General Santos City to cover virtually the entire Mindanao in a bid to stem the tide of bomb attacks in the South. This developed as police intelligence agents arrested three more suspects, bringing to five the number of persons arrested in connection with the latest spate of bomb attacks in General Santos City that left at least 15 people dead and scores of others wounded last Sunday and Monday. Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southcom) based in Zamboanga City, said he ordered the Army’s 4th and 6th Infantry Divisions (IDs), which cover northern and western Mindanao as well as the Ca-raga region, to sustain their all-out drive against suspected terrorists to ward off further attacks. "We must hit their sanctuaries, hit them in their lairs in urban centers in Davao, Iligan, Pagadian, Zamboanga, including Ipil," Cimatu told reporters
3 caught in act of making bombs
(Malaya, Page 1)
GENERAL SANTOS - Police arrested on Wednesday three more suspects in the bomb explosion which killed 15 people and wounded 60 others on Sunday.Senior Supt. Bartolome Ba-luyot, Central Mindanao police director, said Abubakar Amil-hasan, Jejhon Macalinsal and Arsul Ginta were making bombs when the police raided the house owned by Zorayda Sala in sitio Lote, Barangay Calumpang at around 3 a.m.Seized from the suspects were four 60mm mortar rounds, a .38 cal revolver with four rounds and five fragmentation grenades.
Caller ID leads GenSan cops to bomb suspects
(Inquirer, Page 1)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY--A phone call to a Bayantel office here led to the arrest of three more suspects in Sunday's deadly bombings. Aided by a caller ID, Bayantel, one of the establishments that received bomb threats traced the call to a telephone number registered under the name of Aron Salah. Policemen and members of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency arrested Wednesday Abubakar Amilhasan, 40; Arsul Ginta, 37; and, Jejhon Macalinsal, 19, in Barangay Calumpang at 3 a.m.
‘Federal Army’ chief eludes police hunt
(Manila Times, Banner)
Military and police intelligence officers are trying to track down the whereabouts of Kumander Lahi, dead or alive.
Lahi, who also goes by the name of “Father Lahi,” Edmundo Pamintuan in real life, died last March 22 of a heart attack, according to his aides at the Discovery Crusade, Lahi’s group mixes non-sectarian fervor for a new Jerusalem, paramilitary training, and a campaign for US statehood. Senior intelligence men, however, doubt the death story, and have linked Lahi to the Indigenous People’s Federal Army (IPFA), the mysterious organization that planted dud bombs in Metro Manila and areas of Mindanao last month. Now, they also suspect he may be among those who planned the General Santos blasts that killed 15 persons and wounded 50 others last Sunday.
4. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE
Estrada praises heroism, bravery of Pinoy soldiers
(Tribune, Page 1)
No bitterness at all but only praises for the heroism of ordinary Filipino soldiers.He said: “You are the defenders of our Republic and our Constitution. It is now time for you to uphold the interest and welfare of the Filipino people as to them belongs the sovereign will.”This is the message deposed President Joseph Estrada, who marks his first year under detention, wants to convey to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).Estrada, in a statement, thanked the Filipino soldiers for their support and affection for him when he was still the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP.The ousted president lamented that the programs and project he initiated for their welfare was cut short when he was forced to vacate Malacañang last Jan. 20, 2001, because the “chief of staff and some generals decided to rebel against their commander-in-chief.”
Uphold people's will, Erap appeals to AFP; Says brass, not rank-and-file, betrayed him
(Malaya, Banner)
Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday called on the Armed Forces to uphold the interest and welfare of the Filipino people in the midst of new reports of plots against the government of President Arroyo."You are the defenders of our Republic and our Constitution. It is now time for you to uphold the interest and welfare of the Filipino people as to them belongs the sovereign will," Estrada said on the eve of his first year anniversary in detention.Estrada maintains he is president leave and Arroyo is only acting president.
Estrada rejected garbage deal — ex-Palace man
(Philippine Star, Page 4)
Ousted President Joseph Estrada had scrapped the controversial $380 million garbage collection and recycling contract of Jancom Environment Corp. (JEC) that is constantly being "resurrected," a former Estrada Cabinet member said yesterday. Testifying before the House ecology committee chaired by Rep. Augusto Baculio of Misamis Oriental, Robert Aventajado said the former president set aside the contract because the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) decided that it could no longer be implemented. Quoting a report recommendation, Aventajado said the project has been overtaken by "changes in the policy and economic environment," including the enactment of the Clear Air Act which bans incinerators. The Jancom contract envisions a waste-to-energy process through incineration.
‘Equitable PCI violated bank secrecy law’
( Philippine Star, Page 4)
A lawyer of former President Joseph Estrada said officials of Equitable-PCI Bank may have violated the bank secrecy law when they revealed the Jose Velarde accounts in Estrada’s impeachment trial two years ago. Prospero Crescini, one of the deposed leader’s 13 court-appointed counsels de officio, also maintained that the accounts were owned not by Estrada, but by his friend, Jaime Dichaves. He said the accounts – the key evidence in Estrada’s corruption trial as well as in the impeachment trial – are protected by Republic Act 6791 or the Bank Secrecy Law. Crescini made these conclusions after Manuel Curato, head of Equitable-PCI Bank’s legal services, testified during cross-examination yesterday that bank officials and employees are barred from revealing details of bank accounts "without the consent of the bank owner or without valid order from a competent court."
SC torn over Erap suit to book Chavit for plunder
(Tribune, Page 1)
Whistle-blower former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson may be in the same boat as his erstwhile friend, deposed President Joseph Estrada, as co-accused in the latter's plunder case after court sources yesterday said the Supreme Court (SC) is debating the petition of Estrada for Singson's inclusion as accused in the plunder case.The sources, who requested anonymity, said Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. cut short by one day his stay in Spain to be able to participate in the deliberation on Estrada's petition being held by the SC en banc in Baguio City. Davide, who was originally slated to arrive last Tuesday, flew back to Manila early Monday morning and proceeded to Baguio where the court is conducting its summer session.In a one-page resolution dated April 23, Estrada's former counsels from the Fortun Narvasa Law Office, particularly Estrada spokesman Raymond Fortun, were told to explain in three days why the high tribunal should not dismiss their petition for Chavit's inclusion in the plunder case.
KMU: No alliance with Estrada loyalists
(Philippine Star, Page 4)
TARLAC CITY — The left-leaning labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) denied yesterday reports that its affiliates have forged an alliance with supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada to hold massive anti-government rallies on May 1. In a statement, KMU said it can fight the Arroyo administration without entering into a tactical alliance or making any compromise with pro-Estrada groups. "The pro-Estrada gangsters are positively planning to again rattle their rival in Malacañang and intend to take away the scene from the militant mobilization of KMU and other progressive organizations," the statement read.
Estrada a no-show at Jancom hearing:Aventajado testifies
(Inquirer, Page 1)
OUSTED President Joseph Estrada failed to show up at Wednesday's hearing of the House ecology committee because House leaders did not want him to use Congress as a forum to create a "constitutional crisis," two legislators said. But Estrada told the Inquirer last night that he wanted to appear before the committee, but decided against it because he just had gum surgery. He said the wound in his gum was still fresh. Estrada was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to attend the 1 p.m. hearing at which he was expected to be asked why he did not sign the 350-million-dollar garbage deal bagged by Jancom Environmental Corp. He was also expected to testify on his claim that Jancom had offered him 18 million dollars in "commission" in exchange for his signing the contract. At the hearing, Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen confronted Misamis Oriental Rep. Augusto Baculio, committee chair, if it was true that the House leadership had asked not to allow Estrada to testify because the leadership was "protecting certain groups."
Witness ignored Dichaves claim
(Inquirer,. Page 2)
Ocampo, Equitable violated bank secrecy law
(Tribune, Page 1)
PROSECUTION witness Manuel Curato, testifying at Joseph Estrada's plunder trial Wednesday, admitted he ignored the claim of Estrada crony Jaime Dichaves that it was he and not the deposed president who owned a bank account signed with the "Jose Velarde" alias. Curato, legal services division chief of Equitable PCI Bank, was asked if he had acted on Dichaves' claim to the Senate impeachment court that he and not Estrada owned the account, which at its peak held over four billion pesos. Dichaves reportedly made the claim four days before Equitable PCI Bank trust executive Clarissa Ocampo testified at the Senate impeachment trial that she saw Estrada sign bank documents as Velarde in Malacañang. Curato said he "did not determine the veracity" of Dichaves' claim because he was "certain the principal accused (Estrada) had signed" the bank documents as Velarde on Feb. 4, 2000 in Malacañang.
5. OTHER TOP STORIES
SC paves way for Laurel’s indictment in Expo scam
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
SC okays filing of graft rap vs Doy Laurel
(Inquirer, Page 1)
SC lets Ani file raps vs Doy for Expo scam
(Today, Banner)
The Supreme Court (SC) paved the way yesterday for the indictment of former Vice President Salvador "Doy" Laurel for graft charges in connection with the P9.6-billion Centennial Expo scam in 1998. With the exception of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who inhibited himself from the case, three justices of the first division threw out the defense of Laurel, former chairman of the National Centennial Commission (NCC), that he could not be held liable since he was not a public official. "The question of whether Laurel is a public official under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act involves the appreciation of evidence and interpretation of law, matters that are best resolved at a trial," the SC ruled. In November 2000, the Ombudsman recommended the filing of graft charges against Laurel after graft probers found out that he awarded the Centennial Expo’s Freedom Ring project to the Asia Construction Development Authority without benefit of a public bidding.
Kidnappers used police uniforms
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
"They used police uniforms and they called themselves colonels and generals." This was how two Filipino-Chinese kidnap victims, rescued in a police operation Tuesday night, described how their abductors called each other during their 48 hours in captivity. Lorna Landicho and her cousin, Elvira Madla, appeared traumatized when presented at a press conference at Camp Crame yesterday by Philippine National Police chief Director General Leandro Mendoza and Director Nestorio Gualberto, chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Also presented along with two of the four arrested suspects were three M-16 automatic rifles, two caliber .45 pistols, a shotgun, four sets of vehicle license plates, and a number of camouflaged military and police uniforms. Madla’s husband, Boac, Marinduque Mayor Roberto Madla, thanked the police, especially Chief Superintendents Jaime Caringal and Jesus Versoza, for the successful rescue.
Blind man named PSC commissioner
(Philippine Star, Page 1)
For President Arroyo, physical handicaps should be no hindrance to being appointed to a government position. This is why she has appointed Michael Barredo, president of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada), as the fifth and last commissioner to complete the five-member Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The President issued her appointment of Barredo last April 16. A copy of the appointment papers was obtained by the STAR yesterday. Barredo, an active sportsman who went blind after he figured in a near-fatal accident 22 years ago, represents the physically challenged athletes who hold their own para-lympic games.
Guingona classmate is new DFA Usec
(Philippine Star, Page 2)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel welcomed economist Sixto Roxas as its new undersecretary for international economic relations vice former Undersecretary Rosario Manalo. Roxas, a former Ateneo de Manila schoolmate of Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona Jr., took his oath of office before President Arroyo during the regional Cabinet meeting in Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday. "I’m here because I want to be useful. Please look upon me as another resource," Roxas said, still sporting the long hair he’s had for the past 10 years.
UNESCO to tackle protection of journalists in war zones
(Philippine Star,Page 1)
By the time President Arroyo and UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura give the special Daniel Pearl Award on May 3 in Malacañang, Daniel Junior would have been born. However, courtesy of GMA Channel 7, CNN satellite will beam on television Daniel Junior’s French freelance journalist mom, Mariane Pearl, accepting it in America while US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Robert Fitts receives it for her in Malacañang. As early as October last year, UNESCO’s Matsuura had officially designated Manila as the site for the World Press Freedom (WPF) celebration on May 1 to 4. A two-day forum workshop for 150 foreign and local media practitioners on May 1 and 2 will be the prelude to the WPF day celebration at Malacañang where the UNESCO Guillermo Cano Prize will be given. On the last day, the UNESCO DG will meet with educators and university presidents at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Graceful exit for GSIS' Garcia?
(Inquirer, Page 6)
THE DEPARTMENT of Finance will investigate corruption charges against Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Winston Garcia, even as Malacañang shops for his replacement, department officials said. "We will investigate him," Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho said last week before leaving for the United States. He said he had received documents that prompted him to begin an investigation on Garcia. Finance undersecretary Inocencio Ferrer said the finance department had informed Garcia of the allegations and had asked him to reply in writing. "We told him about the urgency to reply to the serious allegations that we will not allow to be left unanswered," he said. Garcia, who maintains that his conduct as head of GSIS has been aboveboard, is locked in conflict with employees of the state-run pension fund for what they call his oppressive policies and mismanagement. The GSIS employees' union has said Garcia got a total of 5.3 million pesos in cash advances last year, including 3.34 million pesos in his first six months in office.
After US surgery, Revilla still in critical condition
(Tribune,Page 1)
Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr. remains in critical condition despite a successful spinal column operation in the United States last April 11.Sen. Robert Jaworski, Revilla's son-in-law, said in an interview yesterday that it would take another three months to determine if Revilla would be able to fully recover.“He is still in a very, very critical situation considering it was close to a nine-hour operation that he had,” Jaworski said.“The operation seems successful but obviously the most critical stage is within this month up to another three months.“It was a dissectomy and corpectomy operation with some instrumentation, meaning, the two spinal vertebrae were replaced and then covered with a special metal so it can become functional,” he added.
Cimatu extension no issue - general
(Inquirer, Page 2)
THE RACE for the top position in the Armed Forces of the Philippines continued to heat up with a contender Wednesday giving his "rivals'' a piece of advice. Lt. Gen. Dionisio Santiago said in an interview that the "extension'' of the term of the next chief of staff was not the issue. "No one has been appointed and yet they (contenders) continue to question (the coming decision),'' Santiago said. "The chances of some people (of getting the post) would dim if they continue to (foment intrigue). They're just creating trouble, preempting (the decision),'' he said. Santiago is the most junior among the three-star generals with a crack at the position of AFP chief of staff, having been promoted on April 2 when he assumed command of the Philippine Army. Rumors have been rife that Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, who is set to retire on July 4, would be named the next chief of staff.
manero release unlikely-perez
(Inquirer,Page 3)
DESPITE the dismissal of kidnapping with double murder charges against Norberto Manero, and his eligibility for parole in the 1985 killing of Italian missionary priest Tulio Favali, the government will not recommend commutating his sentence, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said Wednesday. The Board of Pardons and Parole is not compelled to recommend the release of a convict just because his pending case had been dismissed, Perez said. The board's recommendation "will take into account the good behavior of the convict and the years he spent in prison," he said. "Manero has 19 more years to spend in jail." Perez also said Manero's case "would still have to be decided on by the President."