NEWS MONITOR ( April 26, 2002)

1. ERAP/PLUNDER CASE

Estrada loyalist arrested

(Philippine Star,Banner)

Erap leader falls

(Inquirer, Page 1 )

A fugitive leader of an urban poor group who led a failed attempt last year to restore ousted President Joseph Estrada to power was arrested yesterday by government agents at his house in Novaliches, Quezon City. The arrest of 30-year-old Ronald Lumbao coincided with the first anniversary of Estrada’s own arrest for graft, perjury, illegal use of alias and the capital offense of plunder. It also came less than a week before the planned Labor Day protest rally at Malacañang by pro-Estrada groups. Estrada, who is detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, told The STAR by telephone that Lumbao’s arrest was an indication of the "double standard of justice" prevailing in the country.

Gov't stops 2 TV stations from airing Estrada docu

(Inquirer, Page 1)

THE AIRING on two television channels of the "Ama ng Masa" documentary film, which tells the stories of Edsa II and III from the perspective of ousted President Joseph Estrada, was stopped Thursday night upon the "request" of two regulatory agencies. The Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) told the Iglesia ni Cristo-owned Net 25 and ABC-5 to "hold in abeyance" the showing of the one-hour film. Both the VRB and MTRCB are under the Office of President Macapagal-Arroyo. "Tulong kay Presidente (It's help for the President Macapagal)," was how the two worded their request to Net 25. Sources said ABC-5 was constrained to "heed the advice" of the government as the latter could pull out from the network a show sponsored by the government-controlled Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

SWS poll: Estrada trial fair

(Philippine Star, Page 1 )

Estrada getting fair trial, say 66% in SWS poll

(Inquirer, Page 1)

Two-thirds of Filipinos believe the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan is fair or neutral in handling the criminal cases against former President Joseph Estrada, according to the March survey of independent pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS). According to the SWS poll, 66 percent of 1,200 statistically representative respondents believe in the fairness of the Sandiganba-yan special division which is hearing the charges of plunder, perjury and illegal use of an alias against the former president. Reflecting a pattern of opinion through all social classes, only 27 percent feel the court is biased against the deposed president while six percent feel the court is pro-Estrada. Half of the respondents (51 percent) also said the Arroyo administration has been treating Estrada fairly (tama lang) while the other half is divided between 32 percent who said the administration is being too harsh (masyadong mahigpit) and 16 percent who said it is too lenient (masyadong mapagbigay).

No permit, no rally on May 1 — Atienza

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

No permit, no rally. This policy will be strictly enforced by the city of Manila for all protest actions on May 1, the first anniversary of a pro-Estrada rally-turned-Malacañang siege that left four dead and hundreds injured. Mayor Lito Atienza called on organizers of protest groups yesterday to secure permits from City Hall to ensure their protection from harassment by anti-riot policemen. "This requirement is not a restriction but is meant to protect those involved in the protests," he said. Last year, thousands of supporters of former President Joseph Estrada marched to Malacañang from the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City in an attempt to oust President Arroyo and reinstate the ousted leader. Heads of pro-Estrada groups recently announced plans to conduct a protest rally to commemorate the event.

2. POWER RATE/WATER/OIL PRICE HIKE

More electric rate hikes in the offing

(Inquirer,Page 2)

CONSUMERS could be looking at more power rate increases -- by as much as 77 centavos per kilowatt hour -- in the coming months because of rising fuel prices. Based on estimates of the government's economic team, the National Power Corp. would be forced to increase its electricity rates by about 17 centavos per kWh in May. An increase in Napocor's rates would force the Manila Electric Co., the country's biggest power distributor, to increase its charges by 55 centavos per kWh in July and in August, according to documents of the Development Budget Coordinating Council. If fuel prices continue to rise, the Napocor may have to raise rates anew by five centavos in August, the DBCC said. The DBCC is composed of the budget and finance departments, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the National Economic and Development Authority.

3. FREEDOM FORCE

Golez clears COPA, but...

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez cleared yesterday leaders of the "civil society" group Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) of charges that they were involved in a plot to topple the 15-month-old Arroyo administration. But Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continued to investigate COPA leaders, adding the government could not let its guard down against coup plotters no matter how remote the possibility. "We believe where there is smoke, there is fire," Perez said....The Council for Philippine Affairs is a "harmless group" and cannot pose any serious threat to the Arroyo administration, Rep. Prospero Nograles (lakas, Davao City) said yesterday.

Palace admits news leak

(Inquirer, Banner )

"WE WANTED to stop them right then and there." This is the reason Malacañang deliberately leaked to the Inquirer the alleged plan by the Freedom Force to install "collective leadership" in place of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a high-ranking Palace official admitted to the Inquirer Thursday. Conrado Limcaoco, presidential adviser on media and ecclesiastical affairs, was assigned to do the leaking, said the Palace official, who asked not to be named. The leak was cleared with Ms Macapagal herself, the official said. Limcaoco himself admitted Thursday in a radio interview that he had leaked the story to the Inquirer but said he was asked by the office of Jaime Cardinal Sin to do so, and not by the President.

Generals restive, fed up with GMA

(Tribune, Banner)

Not all is well in the military establishment.Even the generals are disgruntled with some expressing disgust at Mrs. Arroyo and her administration.At least 20 generals, 10 of whom are in the active service, with the rest of them retired, are disgruntled with President Arroyo and her administration, a ranking official of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (Agfo) said yesterday.Retired Brig. Gen. Rodrigo Gutang, Agfo executive director, said the 20 generals, whom he declined to identify, are not satisfied with the current situation under the Arroyo leadership."I can count 20 (active and retired generals) who are not contented. It's possible that if they are allowed to speak out freely, we can find out what it is that is bothering them," the Agfo official said.The Agfo is the organization of all active and retired police and military generals, including the chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).Gutang, who co-authored the law establishing the PNP during his stint as Cotabato congressman, said some of these restive generals even participated in the Edsa II coup d'etat, which installed Mrs. Arroyo as President.

Opposition: Why PMAP and not COPA?

(Malaya, Page 1)

Opposition groups yesterday challenged Malacañang to arrest and file charges against members of the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) who have been plotting a civilian-backed junta.The Partido ng Masang Pilipino lashed at government's double standard of justice in arresting opposition leader Ronald Lumbao while ignoring charges against COPA members Pastor "Boy" Saycon and former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr.Lumbao was arrested over his alleged role in the May 1 siege of Malacañang last year.Jesus Crispin Remulla, PMP spokesperson, said the Freedom Force leaders have also admitted their discontent in the Arroyo administration. But Malacañang has not lifted its finger against these people, he said."Tingnan n'yo na lamang kung anong klase ng pag-iisip meron ang mga opisyal ng gubyernong ito. Pag mahirap, kayang-kaya nilang gipitin. At pag mayaman naman ay ayaw nilang galawin," Remulla said.

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

Sayyaf reneged on secret deal with Burnham family

(Philippine Star, Page6 )

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Can anyone trust the Abu Sayyaf? The father of American hostage Martin Burnham revealed yesterday that he had cut a deal with the kidnappers, whom he now accuses of reneging on their promise to release his son. Paul Burnham of Kansas called Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) here, saying the Abu Sayyaf had added extra, unspecified conditions to a deal that included the release of Martin, his wife Gracia and Filipina nurse Deborah Yap. In a phone call from the US aired by the dxRZ radio station, the elder Burnham said an agreement for the release of the three captives had been reached through a mediator, Abu Sulaiman, as early as March 13. He said Sulaiman told the family on March 19 that the Abu Sayyaf had agreed to a five-day "grace period" before freeing the hostages.

Government, MILF seal pact vs kidnaps

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

MILF to help gov't nab criminals

(Inquirer, Page )

Partners for peace. The government and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have forged an agreement providing for joint efforts in combating criminality, notably kidnapping in Mindanao. Acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable said the accord, drawn in the form of a joint communiqué, underscored the need to "isolate and interdict" all criminal groups, "lost commands" and kidnapping syndicates operating in the South which has been rocked by violence and bombings. The document was signed by Presidential Adviser on Special Concerns Norberto Gonzales and MILF vice chairman Al Haj Murad. Although no mention was made about the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group which has been engaged in mass kidnapping for ransom, it was held likely that the group was a principal target of such collaboration.

Two Sayyaf bandits killed

(Philippine Star, Page 6)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf bandits and four civilians were killed, and two Scout Rangers and 10 evacuees wounded in separate skirmishes between Army troops and suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu. In Jolo, two brothers were killed and another 10 people injured Wednesday when a mortar fired by Army troops at the suspected MILF rebels hit an evacuation center in Jolo. The brothers, both Muslims, were 50 and 55 years old, while the ages of those injured ranged from one to 57. Sulu provincial police director Hainon Aldilrin told reporters yesterday the troops were in pursuit of the armed group when they escaped into the evacuation center located in a public school. The Army fired mortars and one of the rounds hit the evacuation center, he added.

Driver, conductor held in GenSan blast probe

( Philippine Star, Page 8 )

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A jeepney driver and conductor were picked up by police for questioning yesterday after witnesses identified their jeepney as the getaway vehicle of the suspects in Sunday’s bombing of the GenSan Fitmart Center that killed 15 people and wounded 60 others. Superintendent Jose Pante, commander of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in General Santos City, said his men will find out if Rommel Sulanting, 32; and Kating Man, 21; were on their jeepney near the crime scene at 3 p.m. Sunday right after the shopping mall was bombed. "The jeepney is similar to the vehicle identified by our witnesses used by the bomb suspects," he said. "If they would be proven to be with the bomb suspects, then charges will be filed against them."

Bomb explodes in Cagayan Oro – not terrorists’ job, say probers

(Manila Times. Page 2)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A bomb exploded in a residential subdivision in this city at dawn yesterday. No one was killed. Police said the explosion created a crater on a concrete road in Camella Homes in Carmen, the biggest of the city’s 80 barangays, shortly before 2 a.m.

Lahi cultists in scramble for ‘spoils’

(Manila Times, Page 1)

While military and police intelligence men probe a “dead” cult leader’s involvement in bomb plots, his followers are fighting over a huge estate that includes sprawling farms, mansions, flashy cars — and weapons. Feuding supporters of Edmundo Pamintuan alias Kumander Lahi now accuse each other of ties to terror groups, including Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. Two oppo-sing sides also claim affinity to local and foreign law enforcers. Allegations of possible murder have also been raised.

5. MARCOS WEALTH

Did Swiss lawyer err in releasing frozen funds?

(Inquirer, Page 3 )

DID Zurich district attorney and investigating magistrate Dieter Jann violate Swiss law when he lifted the freeze order on 17 million dollars in alleged Marcos crony funds? This question cropped up in view of a Swiss Federal Court decision issued two years ago, a copy of which the INQUIRER has obtained, that ruled that the Marcoses could not invoke the statute of limitations to prevent information on their deposits from reaching the Philippines. The Swiss high court ruling said the Marcoses and their cronies could not invoke "prescription" to seek the release of their frozen funds. The Swiss court ruling meant that Jann had erred when he lifted the freeze on the crony funds in February on the ground of absolute prescription, a source familiar with Swiss law said. The decision issued by the Swiss Federal Court on June 23, 2000 said it was not apparent the statute of limitations or prescription could be invoked by the Marcos cronies. It said Swiss law on prescription could not be used as a ground by the Marcoses and their cronies to have their frozen funds released.

6. OTHER TOP STORIES

'Doy' seeks full court hearing on Expo

(Philippine Star, Page 1)

Laurel: Legal battle 'far from over'

(Inquirer, Page 1)

 It’s not over yet. Former Vice President Salvador "Doy" Laurel said yesterday he will appeal to the entire Supreme Court a ruling by an SC division that cleared the way for his indictment on graft charges in connection with the P9.6-billion Centennial Expo scam in 1998. "The legal fight is far from over," Laurel said. "I’m preparing to elevate the case from the first division to the en banc because this involves a constitutional question." Last Wednesday, the SC’s first division – with the exception of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. who inhibited himself from the case – rejected Laurel’s argument that he could not be held liable because he was not a public official.

Rice, bread safe to eat — BFAD

(Philippine Star, Page  1)

The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has allayed fears that staple foods such as rice, bread and potatoes may contain a cancer-causing substance. BFAD Administrator William Torres said yesterday there is no reason to fear because the findings of a Stockholm study are not yet conclusive. "The news item is alarming, but to us it has no basis," he said. According to a Swedish news report, scientists at Stockholm University have found that starch transforms into acrylamide when heated up. Torres pointed out that the scientists failed to mention the temperature in which acrylamide may be formed. Since Filipinos do not normally overcook food, there is no risk that starchy food could pose a danger.

SC urged to reconsider ruling on party-list seats

(Philippine Star, Page 4)

The Supreme Court has been urged to reconsider the ruling it handed down last April 10 denying the administration Lakas-NUCD and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) representation in the House of Representatives. In a joint motion, the country’s two biggest political parties said the high tribunal, in making the April 10 decision, was "perhaps unaware" of a resolution the Commission on Elections promulgated the day before finding them and two other groups qualified for party-list seats in the House. They said they and their primary nominees were found qualified based on Republic Act 7941, the law governing party-list elections, and the guidelines set by the Supreme Court.

Cop in kidnap rescue gets promotion

(Philippine Star, Page 8 )

Philippine National Police chief Director General Leandro Mendoza promoted to the next rank Police Officer 1 Honorio Piamonte for exemplary bravery during the rescue in Antipolo City of two kidnapped businesswomen last Tuesday. Piamonte is now confined at the Chinese General Hospital in Manila, where he was visited by President Arroyo yesterday, two days after being wounded in the successful rescue of Lorna Landicho and Elvira Madla from a kidnappers’ safehouse in Cogeo district. Mendoza and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Nestorio Gualberto accompanied Mrs. Arroyo to hospital for the awarding of the Chevron Meritorious Promotion pin to the wounded policeman.

SSS denies suspension of salary loan grants

(Philippine Star, Page  8)

The Social Security System (SSS) denied yesterday reports that it had suspended salary loan grants to its 22 million members. "I don’t know where these unverified reports came from, but it really isn’t true that we have suspended salary loan grants," said Ma. Luz Generoso, assistant vice president for loans program.Generoso said the salary loan is the ordinary employee’s first resort during financial difficulties. "It’s their right and we cannot deny them that," she said. However, the pension fund has tightened its salary loan guidelines, Generoso said, because it had already exceeded the limits on salary loans imposed by its own charter. Under the SSS Law, salary loan grants should not exceed 10 percent of the investment reserve fund at all times to protect the SSS financial standing.

Compostela judge gunned down

(Manila Times, Page 1 )

A judge who was hearing a case invol-ving a mining dispute in Mt. Diwalwal was gunned down while he was jogging yesterday in Compostela Valley.  Reports reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame said Judge Eugenio Valles of the Nabunturan, Compostela Regional Trial Court Branch 11 was shot five times by two men in a motorcycle just before dawn.

Israeli-Palestine war comes  to RP in forum in Manila

(Inquirer, Page 11)

THE FIRST Asian Regional Forum of Global Parliamentarians on Habitat was thrown into disarray Thursday after the delegates from Israel, Lebanon and Iran figured in a shouting match over the Palestinian conflict. Tension gripped the grand ballroom of the Century Park Sheraton Hotel in Manila when Lebanese delegate Ghazi Zeaiter went on a tirade against Israel in the middle of his country report on Habitat projects in Lebanon. Zeaiter charged that Lebanon has become an unwilling host to 400,000 Palestinian refugees who have been driven out of Palestine since Israel launched its latest offensives. Asian regional council chair Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, who was presiding over the forum, cut Zeaiter short and told him his comments were out of order because they were not part of the agenda.

Hold order out vs Dante Tan, 7 associates

(Inquirer, Page6 )

THE PASIG Regional Trial Court has issued a hold-departure order against controversial businessman Dante Tan and seven of his top associates in connection with the massive stock price manipulation scandal involving Best World Resources shares in 1999. Judge Amelia A. Fabros of the Pasig RTC Branch 160 issued the HDO on April 18. However, the HDO may have come a little too late as Tan, a close friend of jailed ex-President Joseph Estrada reportedly left the country sometime ago. Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said he had yet to verify reports that Tan had left for Canada. It was also Fabros who issued a warrant for Tan's arrest on April 1, prompting Perez to order a nationwide manhunt for Tan. Perez said he ordered Tan arrested after he failed to post bail.

Angara hits GMA's 'gimmick presidency'

(Today, Banner)

Opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara on Thursday denounced the government of President Arroyo as "a gimmick administration, the product of an ingenious marketing scheme" that is powered by the steam of press releases.

He was addressing the Foreign Correspondents' Association of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel. Describing himself as part of a "moderate political opposition" and stopping short of calling for the removal of Mrs. Arroyo from power, Angara said: "We need a President who will lead the people in a spirit of cooperation, and not in the spirit of divisiveness. "More importantly, we need a full-time President, rather than a starry-eyed politician with moist eyes set on 2004, crisscrossing the country and visiting as many as three provinces a day."

Teachers threaten chaos,protests vs curriculum

(Inquirer, Page 7)

PUBLIC schoolteachers on Thursday warned of a chaotic school year when elementary and high school classes open in June with a new curriculum. The teachers, belonging to the 11,500-strong Manila Public School Teachers Association, have vowed to start a campaign to oppose the implementation of the controversial "restructured basic education curriculum" when classes open. They claim that without a proper pilot-testing of the program having been done, the Department of Education was not prepared to implement the new curriculum nationwide. The MPSTA, headed by Benjamin Valbuena who also chairs the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said it would start protest actions against Education Secretary Raul Roco's "reckless implementation" of the revised curriculum.