March 31, 2008 Mind Bullet Inc.
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I.BANNER STORIES
Cabinet to skip Senate inquiries
Ermita: Rules must first be published
By Michael Lim Ubac, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:49:00 03/31/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Without published rules, the Senate cannot compel members of the Cabinet and other executive branch officials to face its inquiries in aid of legislation and all its previous hearings may be regarded to have been "null and void," Malacañang said Sunday.
Cory rebounds, vows to pursue fight for truth
By Edu Punay
Monday, March 31, 2008
Despite her personal battle against colon cancer, former President Corazon Aquino has reassured the public of her full support in the fight for truth on allegations of rampant corruption in the administration.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330135
3. Manila Times
Malacañang ‘open’ to Jocjoc extradition
By Angelo S. Samonte Reporter
Malacañang said it supports the continuation of the investigation of the P728-million fertilizer scam and the extradition of the former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, who remains detained in a US prison.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/31/yehey/top_stories/20080331top1.htm
4. Malaya
Palace sets new bar to attending probes
Invokes SC on lack of Congress rules
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
EXECUTIVE Secretary Eduardo Ermita yesterday said Cabinet members would invoke the Supreme Court ruling requiring the publication of rules of procedures before appearing in any of the congressional inquiries particularly in the Senate.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/mar31/news1.htm
P12 B more for food program
LBP gives DA additional credit line
By MARVYN N. BENANING
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has provided the Department of Agriculture (DA) a P12-billion credit line to finance measures to stabilize prices and boost production of the staple and other food crops.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080331120633.html
Oposisyon sa China...
DEALS KAY GLORIA PUTULIN!
Ulat ng ABANTE REPORTORIAL TEAM
Umapela kahapon si Mayor at United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay kay newly-elected Chinese premier Wen Jiabao na agad na suspendihin ang lahat ng nakabinbing transaksyon ng China sa adminsitrasyong Arroyo.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar3108/default.htm
BIGAS PAPALO SA P50 PER KILO
ni: Rey Marfil
Sa loob ng darating na limang buwan, inaasahang papalo na sa nakakalulang P50 kada kilo ang presyo ng bigas sa bansa kapag hindi nasolusyunan ang nararamdamang kakulangan sa supply.
Ito ang naging prediksyon ni Sen. Loren Legarda kaugnay sa patuloy na pagtaas sa presyo ng bigas at kakulangan ng supply na nararamdaman na ngayon sa mga pamilihan.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/mar3108/news_story1.htm
Pinoy bilib kay Villar!
Ni Butch Quejada
Monday, March 31, 2008
Bilib ang halos 90 milyong Filipino kay Senate President Manny Villar bilang senador at lider ng Mataas na Kapulungan ng Kongreso, ayon sa pinakabagong survey ng Pulse Asia.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008033043
10. Journal
GAG STAYS
By: Tess Bedico
Cabinet men can’t attend Senate hearing yet -- Palace
IN a move certain to exacerbate its dispute with the Senate, Malacañang has called on Cabinet officials invited to congressional inquiries to invoke the Supreme Court ruling on the publication of rules of procedures in the Upper Chamber’s investigations.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-03-31&sec=1&aid=54312
11. Business World
Gov’t eyes April okay for JPEPA
Trade chief says ‘I want to have it done as soon as possible’
A DEAL PROMISING freer flow of trade between the Philippines and Japan could finally be realized next month, some two years after it was originally signed and subsequently subjected to intense, and at times, heated, scrutiny.
http://bworldonline.com/BW033108/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Gaps in government economic data cited
By Cai U. Ordinario
Reporter
THE government’s ability to come up with credible statistics remains unreliable due to the lack of funding and autonomy, according to a former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) official.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/03312008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Rice crisis artificial, says Angara
Collusion between traders, NFA execs reported
By Charlie Señase, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:41:00 03/31/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Edgardo Angara Sunday said the present rice crisis was “artificial” and was caused by hoarders and unscrupulous traders.
ANALYSIS
The fantasy of the 7.3-percent GDP growth
By Amando Doronila
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:03:00 03/31/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The European Union commended the Philippines last week in less than ecstatic terms for the "substantial" gross domestic product (GDP) growth it achieved in 2007.
Protesters hound Arroyo in Hong Kong
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:14:00 03/31/2008
HONG KONG (via PLDT)—Arriving here Sunday to drum up foreign investments, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was greeted by some 1,000 overseas Filipino workers calling for her to step down.
PNP chief’s business card used in illegal activities
By Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:15:00 03/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police has warned the public anew on the use of “Mamang Pulis” cards and the business card of Director General Avelino Razon Jr. in illegal activities.
Sumilao farmers back in Bukidnon land
By Ryan Rosauro, TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:28:00 03/30/2008
SUMILAO, Bukidnon — For more than 10 years, they dreamt of setting foot on the land that was once theirs but was taken away.
Government curbs access to data amid probes
By Karol Anne Ilagan, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Monday, March 31, 2008
The public’s right to information is expressly guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution and affirmed by the judiciary. Yet access to data held by state agencies not only remains limited, it has become nil in some cases, apparently because of the current Senate scrutiny of particular government projects.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330136
Farmers back in Sumilao, inspect new land
By Katherine Adraneda
Monday, March 31, 2008
After overcoming a colossal battle against a seemingly formidable opponent, the Sumilao farmers finally arrived home yesterday morning and immediately proceeded to the 50-hectare land given back to them by San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330138
NFA exec sacked for mishandling of imported rice
By John Unson
Monday, March 31, 2008
A high-ranking official of the National Food Authority (NFA) in North Cotabato has been ordered relieved from his post after allegedly approving the distribution of 21,000 bags of imported rice to private traders in the province.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330141
RP ready to defend human rights record before world – Palace
By Paolo Romero
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Philippine government is ready to defend its human rights record before the international community following the favorable assessment of the European Union on the country’s economy and its efforts to address extrajudicial killings, Malacañang said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330142
SC: FM decree on fertilizer levy unconstitutional
By Sandy Araneta
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Supreme Court recently affirmed a decision of the Court of Appeals and a Makati court declaring as unconstitutional an order issued by the late President Ferdinand Marcos that imposed a P10 levy for every bag of fertilizer to pay off debts of a private corporation.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330143
Palace questioned for withholding opposition’s ‘pork’
Monday, March 31, 2008
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. questioned yesterday Malacanang’s action of withholding the pork barrel of opposition lawmakers.
“Perhaps a case should be filed to compel Malacanang to release funds without discrimination as to whether or not the legislator is (President Arroyo’s) ally or critic,” he said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330145
Palace says Senate rules ‘constitutionally infirm’
Monday, March 31, 2008
Malacañang accused the Senate yesterday of conducting “void” investigations.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said unless the Senate’s rules of procedure are published, all its hearings are “constitutionally infirm.”
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330147
Teodoro defends infrastructure development on Pagasa
By James Mananghaya
Monday, March 31, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has justified plans to improve some facilities in the Pag-asa Island located in the contested Spratlys, as these projects would not cause tension to build up among claimant countries.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330148
P2 B to be added in joint DND, AFP bidding for attack helicopters
Monday, March 31, 2008
After scrapping the bidding process for P1.2 billion worth of night capable attack helicopters (NCAH), the defense and military establishments will conduct a combined procurement process for the same type of aircraft with additional P2 billion in funding, a military official said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080330149
Noli de Castro proposes 5-point growth strategy
By Katrice R. Jalbuena Reporter
VICE President Noli de Castro has proposed a five-point strategy to
arrest the uncertainties surrounding the country’s economic and social condition.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/31/yehey/metro/20080331met6.html
UNO asks Beijing to freeze deals with Gloria
BY ASHZEL HACHERO
THE United Opposition (UNO) yesterday asked Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to suspend all business dealings with the Arroyo government to preserve the good standing and reputation of the People's Republic of China before the global community.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/mar31/news2.htm
Senado iwas-away sa archipelagic map
(Rey Marfil)
Ito ang naging paglilinaw ni Senate minority floor leader Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., matapos kopyahin ang original version ng Lower House tungkol sa pinagtatalunang archipelagic map.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/mar3108/news_story2.htm
Palasyo tikom pa rin kay Jocjoc
(Rose Miranda)
Sa kalagitnaan ng alegasyon na ang problema sa bigas ay bunsod ng pagkukulang ng gobyerno sa sektor ng mga magsasaka, tikom pa rin at walang pagkilos ang Malacañang sa isyung pagpapa-deport kay dating Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante upang malitis at maparusahan ito sa kontrobersyal na fertilizer fund scam.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar3108/news04.htm
Nograles backs ‘rule book’ plan for public hearings by Congress
By BEN R. ROSARIO
With the Supreme Court ruling on the Neri case as backdrop, the House of Representatives may soon adopt a "rule book" that would govern the conduct of congressmen, resource persons, and witnesses during legislative public hearings.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080331120636.html
Senado maghahain ng apela sa Korte Suprema
By: Marlon Purificacion
TINIYAK ng Senado na maghahain sila ng motion for reconsideration sa ruling ng Supreme Court sa executive privilege ni Ched chairman Romulo Neri.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-03-31&sec=4&aid=54287
P2,500 bribe already a 'bukol' in 1960s
By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:04:00 03/31/2008
MANILA, Philippines—There was a time when being accused of pocketing a P2,500 bribe created a scandal, enough to sow intrigue in Malacañang and strain ties between the President and Vice President.
Apela ng Senado sa desisyon ng SC sa petisyon ni Neri ilalarga
Nina Eralyn Prado at Rose Miranda
Ilalarga ng liderato ng Senado ang paghahain ng motion for reconsideration sa naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema na pumapanig sa executive privilege na ini-invoke ni CHED chairman Romulo Neri.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar3108/news02.htm
Executive privilege rerendahan
(Rey Marfil)
Sa harap ng pang-aabuso sa executive privilege ng mga alagad ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, mismong kakampi ng Malacañang ang umangal at nagsampa ng panukalang batas na lilimita sa sistemang ito.
