I. BANNER STORIES
Coal lack hikes Meralco bill
Big China demand triggers shortage
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:42:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Rising fuel prices, a coal shortage due to a strong demand from China and the early onset of summer pushed prices up at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), resulting in higher power rates for customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), according to industry officials.
House panel endorses 5-year CARP extension
By Jess Diaz
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The House committee on agrarian reform endorsed yesterday the extension for five years of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
The committee approved a bill seeking the extension of the program, which expires on June 30 this year.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423116
3. Manila Times
Oil nears $120 per barrel
Global concern mounts, as Saudi Arabia calls for calm
INTERNATIONAL concern mounted as world oil prices edged closer to
$120 a barrel Wednesday, and the world’s top producer called for calm.
Analysts said a weakening US dollar, supply worries in Nigeria and the reluctance of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase output have all contributed to the price surge.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/24/yehey/top_stories/20080424top1.html
4. Malaya
‘Privilege’ invoked on oil search ‘sellout’
House probe of China deal faces wall
BY WENDELL VIGILIA
THE House investigation on the government’s Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) with China and Vietnam scheduled to start on Tuesday could end up like the Senate’s NBN-ZTE inquiry as Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday said he would not attend by invoking executive privilege.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr24/news1.htm
Hillary Clinton wins Pennsylvania poll
New York senator keeps White House quest alive
Next contests set in Indiana, North Carolina
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, United States (AFP) — A victorious New York Sen. Hillary Clinton convincingly kept her White House quest alive Tuesday, triumphing over Barack Obama in Pennsylvania’s rancorous Democratic primary.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080424122665.html
7. Abante
PATAY SA PILA NG BIGAS
Nina ROMEO BRACEROS at NILO MARASIGAN
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY --- Kumitil na ng buhay ang mahabang pila sa pagbili ng murang bigas ng National Food Authority (NFA).
Si Henry Valle, 58, may-asawa, ang kauna-unahang biktima ng pila sa bigas matapos itong ideklarang dead-on-arrival sa Northern Mindanao Medical Center.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr2408/default.htm
SENADOR IKINANTA ANG RAKET SA NFA
Rey Marfil W/ Bernard Taguinod
Mismong kaalyado ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang naglarawang ‘palabigasan’ lamang ng mga nakaupong opisyal sa National Food Authority (NFA) ang ahensiya matapos ilitanya ang monopolyo sa importasyon ng bigas ng mga sindikato.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr2408/news1.htm
Umento sa sahod bilisan! – GMA
Ni Rudy Andal
Thursday, April 24, 2008 Inatasan kahapon ni Pangulong Arroyo si Labor Secretary Marianito Roque na madaliin ang ginaga wang pag-aaral ng lahat ng regional wage board sa bansa upang maibigay na ang dagdag na suweldo sa mga manggagawa sa pribadong sektor.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008042360
10. Journal
HOUSE EXTENDS CARP
By: Jester P. Manalastas
THE House Committee on Agrarian Reform yesterday extended the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Law for another five years.
Voting 16-3, the committee agreed to extend the 20-year-old law which expires in June. The panel chaired by Rep. Elias Bulut consolidated at least 10 bills seeking CARP extension.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-24&sec=1&aid=57163
11. Business World
Lobby vs cheaper drugs bill
Pharmaceutical firms urge US to prepare sanctions versus RP
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES have taken their battle against the "cheaper medicines" bill to Washington, calling for preliminary steps toward trade sanctions versus the Philippines because of the soon-to-be-enacted legislation, which they claim will weaken their intellectual property rights.
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW042408/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
2 polls: Pinoys OK lifestyle change, are pro-environment
By Imelda V. Abaño
Correspondent
SINGAPORE—Filipinos are among the world’s leaders in contemplating serious changes to their lifestyles to address climate change, according to a recent global public-opinion survey presented Tuesday to more than 1,000 business leaders from over 30 countries attending the Business for the Environment Global Summit 2008.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04242008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
SPECIAL REPORT
Most Filipinos ignored warnings of a ‘perfect storm’
By Fernando del Mundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:17:00 04/24/2008
(First of four parts)
MANILA, Philippines—Warnings of what the United Nations calls a “perfect storm” that threatens to engulf the Third World came ringing loud and clear in March.
Arroyo men snub House Spratlys inquiry
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:20:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Invitations to the executive branch for a House inquiry into the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) are being turned down, raising fears that the probe will be compromised.
8 food alternatives to rice cheaper, more nutritious--expert
By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:15:00 04/23/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino households that cannot keep up with the spiraling cost of rice actually have eight food alternatives they can set on their tables instead of the calorie-rich staple, according to a crops expert.
‘6 untouchables run car smuggle ring in Region 7’
By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:31:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Six people behind the smuggling of luxury vehicles in Cebu province are being tolerated by officials of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO), Undersecretary Antonio Villar said Wednesday.
No food riots here; happy faces in line
By Fernando del Mundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:44:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The line was not too long on that sweltering April Fools’ Day.
Leonardo Mendoza, wearing a T-shirt that has seen better days, was able to buy cheap rice at a government “rolling store” in less than 30 minutes.
“This will be good for three days,” says Mendoza, a self-appointed watch-your-car attendant at the Commonwealth Market parking area in Quezon City who earns P100 a day and supports a family of three.
Palace to press Spratlys claim
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 07:45:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Insisting “it’s our territory,” Malacañang on Wednesday reasserted the Philippines’ claim over the disputed Spratly Islands in an apparent bid to deflect criticisms of supposedly watering down the baselines bill in the House of Representatives amid pressure from China.
Suspected smugglers, Customs, LTO officials charged
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:46:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Twenty-nine suspected car smugglers, including ranking officials of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO), were charged on Wednesday at the Office of the Ombudsman by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).
Santiago draws solons’ ire
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:47:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Leaders of the majority bloc at the House has taken offense at administration Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s calling advocates for defining Philippine territory within archipelagic baselines “idiots.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080424-132342/Santiago-draws-solons-ire
AFP short of target vs communist rebels -- Esperon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:48:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces fell short of its counterinsurgency target for the first quarter of the year despite the three-month term extension given by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to outgoing Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. to sustain the momentum of the military drive against the communist insurgents she has vowed to crush by 2010.
Palace denies hand in withdrawal of Estrada ‘invite’
By Jerry E. Esplanada, Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:50:00 04/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang denied Wednesday it had a hand in the reported cancellation of a speech by deposed President Joseph Estrada at the closing ceremonies on Saturday of the Palarong Pambansa, the national athletics games held this year in Palawan.
Saludo faces pack of ineligible bureaucrats
By Isa Lorenzo and Malou Mangahas
Thursday, April 24, 2008
(First of a series)
The recent nomination of Ricardo Lirag Saludo as chairman of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) effectively signals the capture by political appointees of managerial positions in the bureaucracy that had previously been reserved for career service personnel.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423117
‘Silent tsunami’ of hunger sweeping poor nations
Thursday, April 24, 2008
LONDON – Ration cards. Genetically modified crops. The end of pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap supermarkets.
These possible solutions to the first global food crisis since World War II – which the World Food Program (WFP) says already threatens 20 million of the poorest children – are complex, controversial and may fall far short as demand soars.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423119
GMA orders junking of 2 bills on RP’s Spratly claim
By Aurea Calica
Thursday, April 24, 2008
President Arroyo has ordered the junking of the archipelagic baselines bills, according to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Santiago said Mrs. Arroyo’s order was her basis for moving for the shelving of the bills and for calling on Speaker Prospero Nograles to prioritize instead the joint resolution creating a congressional commission on national territory.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423121
House gives in to Senate on cheap medicine bill
By Delon Porcalla
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The House of Representatives finally caved in to pressure from the hard-liner Senate to delete its “generics only” provision in the Cheaper Medicine Bill of 2008, and would instead file a separate measure that would strengthen the otherwise inefficient Generics Law.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423123
Sandigan sets Nani arraignment on May 16
By Edu Punay
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Sandiganbayan has set the arraignment of former justice secretary Hernando Perez, his wife and two others on May 16 on graft and extortion raps filed against them by the Ombudsman.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423124
Deputy Ombudsman says Ebdane not yet off the hook in lamppost scam
By Edu Punay
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has not been cleared of graft charges in the alleged overpricing of decorative lampposts for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu last year, the Office of the Ombudsman said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423125
Pinoy veterans bill advances in US Senate despite controversy
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WASHINGTON – Legislation to provide millions of dollars in new pension benefits to Filipino veterans of World War II cleared a major Senate hurdle Tuesday, even as the White House and some Republicans said the money would be better spent on American soldiers fighting the Bush administration’s war on terror.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423126
Millers identify 3 importers allegedly smuggling flour
By Ma. Elisa Osorio
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Local flour millers identified three importers allegedly working with some corrupt personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to smuggle unbranded flour from China.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423128
Rice to be sold in public schools in depressed areas
By Paolo Romero
Thursday, April 24, 2008
President Arroyo announced yesterday that NFA rice will now also be also sold at public schools in depressed areas in the country.
In an interview at an NFA warehouse in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, she ordered local authorities nationwide not to let checkpoints hinder the movement of rice and food delivery trucks to ensure smooth distribution and prevent possible extortion.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423130
Saludo turns around: ‘Bloated bureaucracy clearly an issue’
By Tita C. Valderama
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Palace functionary who, almost three months ago, criticized then Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Karina Constantino-David for attributing the government’s “bloated bureaucracy” to President Arroyo’s unqualified appointees, has had a change of heart.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423132
Gov’t workers to get pay hike in 2009, 2010
By Jess Diaz
Thursday, April 24, 2008
President Arroyo plans to give government workers two more rounds of salary increases before her term ends in 2010, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. disclosed yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423133
Esperon willing to talk on ‘Hello, Garci’
By James Mananghaya
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. expressed willingness yesterday to testify after his retirement regarding the so-called “Hello, Garci” scandal if the Senate would summon him to an investigation.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423135
PASG chief shows up at House probe, finally
By Jess Diaz
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Under threat of arrest from the House of Representatives, Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar finally appeared yesterday before the chamber’s committee on good government, which is looking into smuggling activities in the country.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080423137
Senators question ‘conditional concurrence’
SENATORS YESTERDAY questioned the legality of the proposal of two committees on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), noting that "conditional concurrence" may be "tantamount" to rejection and is not recognized by international laws.
Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero said conditional ratification is an "outright rejection It’s either we accept the treaty or we reject it flatly."
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW042408/content.php?id=075
No comments:
Post a Comment