Tuesday, April 15, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Arroyo: Hike workers pay

Wage boards ordered to determine increases

By Christine Avendano, Beverly T. Natividad

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 00:56:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—As the prices of fuel, rice and other basic goods and services continued to rise, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday said she wanted the minimum wages across the country raised.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130407/Arroyo-Hike-workers-pay

2. The Philippine Star

Emergency powers eyed for GMA on rice

By Delon Porcalla

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

A neophyte member of the House of Representatives filed a resolution yesterday urging his colleagues to grant President Arroyo “emergency powers” to immediately and effectively address the rice problem.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414129

3. Manila Times

Hike pay, President asks wage boards

Give emergency powers to GMA, says lawmaker

By Angelo S. Samonte Reporter

President Gloria Arroyo said Monday she wants the regional wage boards to convene and consider a possible wage hike to help workers cope with the increasing prices of oil and rice.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/15/yehey/top_stories/20080415top1.html

4. Malaya

Rice riots far-fetched: DND, PNP

Palace rejects House ally’s proposed emergency declaration

BY VICTOR REYES

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday said he does not see food riots erupting in the Philippines in the face of rising prices of rice and other food items because the security situation in the country "is basically very stable."

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr15/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

Income tax deadline today

BIR reminds taxpayers to file 2007 income tax returns

Deadline today for filing of 2007 income tax returns

By JUN RAMIREZ

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reminded taxpayers yesterday that they have until today to file their 2007 income tax returns (ITRs).

BIR offices and accredited collection banks will be open up to 6 p.m. tonight or for as long as there are still taxpayers in line to receive the tax payments, said Nelson M. Aspe, Revenue Deputy Commissioner for Operations.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080415121885.html

6. The Daily Tribune

7. Abante

EMERGENCY POWER IPINILIT!

Nina ERALYN PRADO, BOYET JADULCO at ROSE MIRANDA

Sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na pagtanggi ng Malacañang na walang krisis sa bigas sa bansa, isang kaalyadong kongresista ang naghain kahapon ng resolusyong humihirit ng ‘emergency power’ para kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upang malutas ang problema.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr1508/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

GMA BOYS PINATAHIMIK SA FOOD RIOT

Rey Marfil With Bernard Taguinod/Rose Miranda

Sa halip magtakutan, pinatatahimik ni Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero III ang dalawang alagad ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa isyu ng food riot.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr1508/news1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

GMA sa wage boards: Suweldo itaas

Ni Rudy Andal

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Batangas City – Inutos ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa lahat ng regional wage board na pag-aralan ang pagkakaloob ng pagtataas ng sahod sa mga manggagawa sa pribadong sektor sa bansa.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008041445

10. Journal

NO FOOD RIOTS -- PALACE

By: Efren Montano

MALACA'ANG yesterday allayed the fears of food riots that could be triggered by the looming global food crisis even as it renewed its call to the political opposition for a ceasefire to address global woes over food security and soaring oil prices.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-15&sec=1&aid=56107

11. Business World

Arroyo orders wage review

TUCP wants Metro Manila wages hiked by P80 daily

MINIMUM WAGE LEVELS nationwide are to be reviewed given continuing increases in prices of basic goods.

"Because of the increasing prices of fuel and rice, we are calling for a meeting of the regional wage boards all over the country to discuss how [they] can help the workers cope with the rising world prices of oil and rice," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday said. http://bworldonline.com/BW041508/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror


Local wage boards to convene

By Mia M. Gonzalez and Cher Jimenez

Reporters

PRESIDENT Arroyo has ordered the regional tripartite wage and productivity boards nationwide to convene in the light of high oil and food prices that have shrunk the purchasing power of workers in the country. The call drew a warning against inflation and other economic implications from the central planning agency, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04152008/headlines01.html

II. POLITICAL

Malacañang turns down emergency powers

By Norman Bordadora, Christine Avendaño, Ronnel Domingo

Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net

First Posted 01:27:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A neophyte lawmaker Monday filed a resolution calling on Congress to grant emergency powers to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to address the rice crisis “in the most efficient and judicious manner.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130408/Malacaang-turns-down-emergency-powers

Here comes the ‘yellow pan de sal’

By Tessa Salazar

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:34:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A new recipe can still keep the price of pan de sal down while giving it a more appetizing color and packing it with Vitamin A, according to nutrition experts.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130410/Here-comes-the-yellow-pan-de-sal

Church gives out rice, rules out violence

By Margaux Ortiz, Christine Avendaño

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:06:00 04/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The lines were long and church outlets selling government-subsidized rice in Metro Manila quickly ran out of supplies on Sunday, a clear sign that demand for cheap rice is strong in these times of galloping food prices.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080414-130208/Church-gives-out-rice-rules-out-violence

Malacañang turns down emergency powers

By Norman Bordadora, Christine Avendaño, Ronnel Domingo

Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net

First Posted 01:27:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A neophyte lawmaker Monday filed a resolution calling on Congress to grant emergency powers to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to address the rice crisis “in the most efficient and judicious manner.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130408/Malacaang-turns-down-emergency-powers

Defense chief rules out food riots erupting in RP

By Nikko Dizon, Norman Bordadora

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:12:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Food riots erupting in the Philippines amid rising food costs worldwide are remote, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Monday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130418/Defense-chief-rules-out-food-riots-erupting-in-RP

Amendments to anti-sexual harassment law pushed

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 16:31:00 04/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Amendments to the anti-sexual harassment law are being pushed by lawmakers at the House of Representatives who are seeking to update the definition of the offense, especially in the workplace, and the imposition of stronger penalties.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080414-130319/Amendments-to-anti-sexual-harassment-law-pushed

Arroyo renews call to Senate to ratify JPEPA

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 14:58:00 04/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reiterated her call for the Senate to ratify the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), saying that its benefits far exceed its losses.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080414-130295/Arroyo-renews-call-to-Senate-to-ratify-JPEPA

9 convicted officers’ pardon conditional, say gov’t execs

By Nikko Dizon, Leila Salaverria

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:21:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The country’s top security officials have recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that a “conditional pardon” be granted to the nine military officers convicted of coup d’etat in the Oakwood mutiny, with the pardon to be revoked if the nine violated the conditions of their release.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130424/9-convicted-officers-pardon-conditional-say-govt-execs

2 LIBEL CHARGES

Gov’t revives suit vs Cruz; Abalos drops case vs PDI

By Leila Salaverria, Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:19:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A statement he made nearly four years ago has come back to haunt Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a known critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130423/Govt-revives-suit-vs-Cruz-Abalos-drops-case-vs-PDI

Arroyo stays put at Customs until smuggle raps are filed

By Christine Avendaño

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:25:00 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Smuggling rice is not a problem for the President, but smuggling flour is.

After telling the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday to focus on rice hoarding and not on smuggling, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged Customs officials to pursue smuggling charges against an importer of flour.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080415-130425/Arroyo-stays-put-at-Customs-until-smuggle-raps-are-filed

Lozada snubs anew DoJ probe into NBN-ZTE deal

‘We don’t need him anymore’—official

By Leila Salaverria

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 12:31:00 04/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Whistleblower Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. has snubbed for the second time the Department of Justice’s fact-finding inquiry into the controversial national broadband network agreement between the Arroyo government and Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080414-130252/Lozada-snubs-anew-DoJ-probe-into-NBN-ZTE-deal

May 1 a non-working holiday--Palace

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 11:18:00 04/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Labor Day, May 1, will be a non-working holiday, Malacañang announced Monday.

Although May 1 will fall on a Thursday, the holiday will be on the same day and will not be moved to Friday or the nearest Monday as an exception to the holiday economics, according to Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080414-130239/May-1-a-non-working-holiday--Palace

P22-M flour smuggled; Customs men involved?

By Paolo Romero

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The presidential temper flared again yesterday after Bureau of Customs officials were slow in preparing administrative and criminal charges against some importers and BOC personnel for attempting to smuggle into the country some P22 million worth of flour from China.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414130

CBCP exec warns vs pardon

By Edu Punay

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

A ranking official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday hinted at objections to the proposed grant of pardon to nine military officers convicted for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny in Makati City.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414134

GMA approval rating plunges in SWS survey

By Helen Flores

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

More than half of Filipinos are dissatisfied with President Arroyo’s performance, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported yesterday.

Mrs. Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating went down to –26 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to the survey, conducted from March 28 to 31.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414135

UK welcomes RP intent on UN protocol vs torture

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The British government welcomed yesterday the Philippine government’s intention to accede to the United Nations’ Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Cruel and Unusual Punishment (OPCAT).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414137

Militants launch protest caravan as SC hears Neri case

By Katherine Adraneda

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Militants launched yesterday a Manila-to-Baguio “protest caravan” to press for the reversal of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on executive privilege.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414141

GMA prods Senate anew to ratify JPEPA

By Marvin Sy

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Saying that the country cannot afford not to ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), President Arroyo renewed her appeal to the Senate to act on the treaty when it resumes session next week.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414142

Jamby goes after her inheritance, files case

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Sen. Jamby Madrigal has filed a case in court contesting her being disinherited from the estate of her late multi-millionaire aunt and high-society icon, Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal-Collantes.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080414143

President wants JPEPA ratified by next week

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo urged the Senate to ratify the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) when Congress resumes its session next week.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/15/yehey/metro/20080415met4.html

Mike A resumes giving dentures to toothless cops

By Reinir Padua

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Being the “patron of toothless policemen” is apparently a title First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo would not mind being called.

At yesterday’s ceremonies re-launching a program that was his brainchild a few years ago, the presidential spouse even highlighted the need for the country’s law enforcers to have a nice set of teeth.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Metro&p=49&type=2&sec=26&aid=20080414114

Trillanes sinusungkit din ng palasyo

(Rose Miranda/Boyet Jadulco/Nilo Marasigan/JB Salarzon/Eralyn Prado)

Hinikayat ng Malacañang si opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes na pag-aralang gayahin ang guilty plea at paghingi ng tawad ng siyam na dati nitong mga kasamahan sa Magdalo group. “Maybe Senator Trillanes can study the actions of his former comrades and learn from their humble admission leading to their change of heart,” ani Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr1508/news03.htm

SC tackles Senate motion on executive privilege today

By REY G. PANALIGAN and DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court (SC) will tackle here today the motion filed by the three Senate committees to reconsider its 9-6 decision on executive privilege.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080415121897.html

Trillanes inaalok ng pardon?

Bernard Taguinod/Rey Marfil

Hindi lamang umano ang mga nahatulang Magdalo soldiers ang kinakausap ng mga alipores ng Malacañang sa isyu ng presidential pardon kundi maging si Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV sa kondisyong kailangan munang umamin ito sa kasalanan at humingi ng kapatawaran kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr1508/news2.htm

Senate urged to ratify JPEPA

PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday reiterated her call for Congress to ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, saying the country cannot afford to reject the accord.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-15&sec=4&aid=56140

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