I. BANNER STORIES
Rice farmers to get P5B subsidy
Arroyo issues EO to ensure staple’s steady supply
By Michael Lim Ubac, Tarra Quismundo, Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:39:00 04/02/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Fresh off her plane from Hong Kong Tuesday night, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called her Cabinet to a rare meeting at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to announce she was issuing an executive order authorizing the use of P5 billion—5 percent of last year’s budget surplus amounting to P100 billion—to subsidize the nation’s farmers and ensure a steady supply of rice for Filipinos.
WB: RP growth to slow down
By Des Ferriols
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The country’s growth momentum will slow down to 5.9 percent this year as East Asia shudders from the impact of the US economic slowdown, according to the World Bank.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401128
3. Manila Times
Rice subsidy ruinous–WB
Policy cost govt 1.6% of GDP in 2000 to 2005
THE World Bank estimated that the country’s rice-subsidy policy cost the government an average of 1.6 percent of its economic output in 2000 to 2005.
In its report East Asia: Testing Times Ahead, the Washington-based lender warned the Philippine government and its neighboring countries to avoid universal subsidies as they can quickly become fiscally ruinous.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/02/yehey/top_stories/20080402top1.html
4. Malaya
Gloria rejects cut in tariff on rice
50% reduction seen losing P5.7B for gov't
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
PRESIDENT Arroyo has rejected proposals to cut the tariff on imported rice, saying this is an impractical move that would only end up reducing national government revenue.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr02/news1.htm
GMA to meet Thai PM on rice
Prime Minister Sundaravej here this week
Rice supply agreement up at Thai PM visit
By GENALYN D. KABILING
HONG KONG (Via PLDT) – President Arroyo yesterday disclosed plans to negotiate a rice supply agreement with Thailand when she meets with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in the Philippines on Friday.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080402120800.html
Senate skeds ZTE probe; new witness to surface
04/02/2008
Not about to give up an inch in the possibility of losing its powers vested on the body by the Constitution, and refusing to be categorized as an inferior body, no longer co-equal to both the Executive and Judicial branches of government, a senator yesterday announced that the controversial ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) probe will go on, saying the Senate is ready to unleash a new “secret witness.”
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080402hed1.html
7. Abante
INUTIL SA RICE CRIMINALS!
Nina NILO MARASIGAN, JULIET DE LOZA, NOEL ABUEL at ROSE MIRANDA
Inamin kahapon ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na sa kabila ng kanilang pag-alerto at pagtutok sa merkado laban sa tinatawag na ‘rice criminals’ ay bokya pa rin sila.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr0208/default.htm
P250 UMENTO SA SAHOD IKAKASA SA KONGRESO
Bernard Taguinod
Ikinakasa na ng mga militanteng kongresista sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso ang P250 across the board wage increase sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr0208/news1.htm
US rice mapanganib?
Nina Doris Franche at Angie Dela Cruz
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Nanawagan kahapon sa pamahalaang Arroyo ang grupong Resistance and Solidarity Against Agrochemical TNCs (RESIST), alyansa ng may 52 organisasyong magsasaka at Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) sa publiko na huwag munang bilhin ang dumating na US imported rice na ibinebenta sa P25 kada kilo ng National Food Authority (NFA).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008040151
10. Journal
NFA-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP
By: Lee Ann P. Ducusin with Tess Bedico
Parishes eyed as rice distribution points
IN the face of a rice shortage and amid complaints of spiraling prices of the staple, the Catholic Church and the National Food Authority may join hands to make cheap rice available to consumers.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-02&sec=1&aid=54543
11. Business World
BY GERARD S. DELA PEÑA, Reporter
Slower growth forecast for RP
THE COUNTRY COULD POST SLOWER GROWTH this year as a US economic downturn takes its toll on the global economy, but increasing investments and adopting appropriate policies would enable the country to cope, the World Bank yesterday said.
http://bworldonline.com/BW040208/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
WB: Subsidies to poor an option
By Cai U. Ordinario
Reporter
IN light of the projected increases in commodity prices this year, the World Bank is urging the government to implement policies that will help liberalize the agriculture sector and consider giving subsidies to the poor.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04022008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
NFA suspends 21 retailers in Cebu for overpricing
By Tina Santos, Jhunnex Napallacan, Tonette Orejas
Visayas Bureau, Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 04:41:00 04/02/2008
MANILA, Philippines--THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHOrity (NFA) in Central Visayas has suspended the rice allocations of 21 accredited retailers in Cebu province found to have committed violations, including overpricing.
Let’s eat camote, say bishops; other bright ideas
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:44:00 04/02/2008
MANILA, Philippines--CONSIDER THE CATHOLIC Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ready, willing and able to help solve the touted rice crisis.
Santiago, Estrada most prolific among senators
Arroyo, Cayetano filed fewest bills, records show
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:46:00 04/02/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada are the hardest-working and most diligent of the country’s 23 senators if the number of bills and resolutions filed were the yardstick.
SC orders CA to hear De Venecia son’s plea
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:01:00 04/02/2008
THE SUPREME COURT HAS DIRECTED THE Court of Appeals to hear the plea of broadband whistle-blower Jose de Venecia III to stop alleged wiretapping operations against him and to forbid Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile from playing the supposed bugged conversations in public.
Arroyo back from HK with $2-B investment
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:40:00 04/02/2008
HONG KONG (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ended a three-day visit here Tuesday night, bringing home with her a $2-billion investment from a Chinese property development company.
GMA moves to increase rice buffer stocks
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
President Arroyo is seeking to increase the country’s rice buffer stock in preparation for the rainy season’s lean months.
Speaking to reporters in Hong Kong before returning home last night, Mrs. Arroyo said she would discuss with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej the possibility of importing rice from Thailand when she arrives in the country on Friday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401129
China firm eyes hotel projects
By Marvin Sy
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
President Arroyo confirmed yesterday that the Shimao Group of China will push through with its $2 billion to $4 billion investment in the country.
Contrary to reports that the real estate giant is shifting its interest to Malaysia, the President said that the firm has reiterated its commitment to develop a big commercial and hotel property on a land owned by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401130
Congress to grill Yap over rice
By Ric Sapnu and Jun Elias
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap faces grilling from lawmakers in connection with the soaring prices of rice as well as concerns over the likelihood of a food shortage.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401132
JDV son gets writ of habeas data
By Mike Frialde
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Supreme Court on the first day of its summer session in Baguio City yesterday granted the petition for a writ of habeas data filed by businessman Jose de Venecia III.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401133
COA spots irregularity in government swine program
By Reinir Padua
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
A report of the Commission on Audit (COA) has revealed alleged irregularities in the handling of funds worth P2.25 billion under a swine program of a government corporation.
The 2005 COA report noted deficiencies in the accounting of P747 million in funds for a swine program of the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401134
Teodoro vows impartial probe on P1.2-B chopper deal
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro assured yesterday due process to parties involved in the investigation on the canceled P1.2 billion night capable attack helicopter deal.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401135
Zero OFW remittance on GMA birthday vowed
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
ANGELES CITY – Members of Migrante International vowed yesterday “zero remittance” on President Arroyo’s birthday on April 5.
“This is the OFW sector’s contribution to the Filipino people’s legitimate search for truth and accountability in the highly anomalous NBN-ZTE deal,” said Maita Santiago, Migrante International secretary general.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401140
Arroyo: Too late to push for Cha-cha
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
President Arroyo would no longer take steps to amend the Constitution to change the country’s political structure.
Speaking at the Credit Suisse-Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong recently, Mrs. Arroyo said she has run out of time to institute political reforms as her term will end in 2010.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080401142
Villar deplores use of SC ruling to shield Cabinet members
Senate President Manuel B. Villar Jr. yesterday said the use of the Supreme Court (SC) decision upholding the right to invoke executive privilege over the Senate’s legislative power for Cabinet officials to evade Senate summons "indicates the dangers of this lopsided decision to a democratic system of government.’’
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080402120804.html
VILLAR, DISMAYADO SA PAGGAMIT NG SC RULING KONTRA IMBESTIGASYON
Sinabi ni Senate President Manny Villar na ang paggamit ngayon sa desisyon ng Supreme Court (SC) kung saan pinanigan ang pagkasangkapan sa executive privilege upang mailigtas mula sa imbestigasyon ng Senado ang miyembro ng gabinete ay hudyat ng panganib sa demokrasya ng gobyerno na dulot ng hindi balanseng desisyon sa demokrasya ng bansa.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr0208/news6.htm
2 solons to Senate: Publish hearing rules
By: Raul S. Beltran
TWO House leaders, both legal experts, yesterday reiterated their call to their Senate counterparts to abide by the Supreme Court order to publish its rules in the conduct of legislative inquiries.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-02&sec=4&aid=54534
Rice hoarders, manipulators lagot sa LP
Binalaan ni Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar ang mga business establishments na nasa pagnenegosyo ng retailing na ilabas ang kanilang stock ng bigas para sa publiko at iwasan ang espekulasyon na mending rice crisis, o kung hindiman ay mananagot ang mga ito sa batas.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr0208/news7.htm
Respect SC, senators urged
By: Jester P. Manalastas
TWO lawmakers in the House of Representatives have urged senators to just comply with the Supreme Court ruling which reminded them of the constitutional requirement of publication of Congress rules on inquiries conducted in aid of legislation.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-02&sec=4&aid=54547
Bunye: Judicial-Executive-Legislative Advisory
Council could be venue for dialogue on Senate rules on Palace witnesses
By Mia M. Gonzalez
Reporter
HONG KONG (via PLDT)–Malacañang on Tuesday offered the yet unconvened Judicial-Executive-Legislative Advisory Council (Jelac) as a possible venue for an inter-branch dialogue on the Senate rules on the appearance of Executive officials in its investigations, based on the recent Supreme Court ruling on a petition filed by Commission on Higher Education chair Romulo Neri.
No comments:
Post a Comment