Wednesday, April 9, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

2 coup plotters get life

12-yr jail terms for 7 Magdalo officers

By DJ Yap, Alcuin Papa

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:48:00 04/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Two of the junior Army officers who led the 2003 "Oakwood mutiny" were Tuesday sentenced to up to 40 years in prison in the first ever coup d'etat conviction in the country.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129218/2-coup-plotters-get-life

2. The Philippine Star

Two mutiny leaders get life; AFP to seek pardon

By Michael Punongbayan and Jaime Laude

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Makati Regional Trial Court yesterday meted life sentences on two ringleaders of the failed Oakwood mutiny and sentenced seven junior military officers of the Magdalo group to jail terms ranging from six to 12 years for taking part in a foiled coup attempt against President Arroyo in 2003.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040892

3. Manila Times

Two mutiny leaders get life; AFP to seek pardon

By Michael Punongbayan and Jaime Laude

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Makati Regional Trial Court yesterday meted life sentences on two ringleaders of the failed Oakwood mutiny and sentenced seven junior military officers of the Magdalo group to jail terms ranging from six to 12 years for taking part in a foiled coup attempt against President Arroyo in 2003.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/09/yehey/top_stories/20080409top1.html

4. Malaya

2 Oakwood leaders get life terms

7 others who also changed plea to guilty meted 12 years in jail

BY ASHZEL HACHERO

AFTER almost five years of trial, the Makati City court yesterday sentenced two leaders of the Oakwood mutiny to life imprisonment and seven other mutineers to six to 12 years in prison for the crime of coup d’état.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr09/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

Rice for lean months assured

GMA cites gov’t’s 3-point action plan

Rice for lean months assured as imports arrive

By DAVID CAGAHASTIAN

President Arroyo yesterday assured that the supply of rice would be adequate through the lean months, saying that 2.2 million metric tons of rice imports are arriving starting this month up to August.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080409121397.html

6. The Daily Tribune

SC warned: ‘Exec privilege a refuge for scoundrels’

By Benjamin B. Pulta

04/09/2008

If the Senate goes down, it will go down fighting.

This was seen in the motion for reconsideration (MR) prepared by the Senate where the high court was warned of the danger and the chilling effect of its decision upholding President Arroyo’s invocation of executive privilege even when the issue involves a crime, pointing out that executive privilege will have become a “refuge for scoundrels” without a reversal from the Supreme Court, stating that the SC bears the responsibility of paving the way for an “autocracy.”

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080409hed1.html

7. Abante

VENDORS REVOLT!

Nina NONNIE FERRIOL at ERALYN PRADO

Magkakapit-bisig ang milyong kasapi ng Metro Manila Vendors Alliance (MMVA) upang kasahan at harapang banggain ang balak ni Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani ‘BF’ Fernando na walisin ang lahat ng sidewalk at street vendors sa buong Kalakhang Maynila.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr0908/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

PROMOTOR SA ‘BABOY SCAM’ TUKOY NA

Rey Marfil

Kasabay ang paghahain ng resolusyon upang paimbestigahan ang panibagong eskandalong kinasasangkutan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, tuluyang idinetalye ni Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson ang mga kumpanyang nakinabang sa tinaguriang ‘baboy scam’.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr0908/news1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

40 taon sa 2 Magdalo

Ni Rose Tamayo-Tesoro

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Dalawa sa pangunahing lider ng rebeldeng grupong Magdalo ang hinatulan kahapon ng Makati Regional Trial Court ng parusang 40 taong pagkabilanggo kaugnay ng Oakwood mutiny noong Hulyo 2003.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008040864

10. Journal

LIFE TERM

By: Alvin Murcia

SENTENCED. Magdalo leaders Capts. Gerardo Gambala (left) and Milo Maestrecampo undergo body search before entering the Makati Regional Trial Court. After pleading guilty to coup charges in connection with the Oakwood mutiny, the two officers and seven other soldiers received jail terms of six to 40 years. Photos by Ver Noveno

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-09&sec=1&aid=55424

11. Business World

BY FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Sub-Editor, and BERNARDETTE S. STO. DOMINGO, Reporter

RP trade deal not on US agenda

FILIPINO EXPORTERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT until a new US president opens up more markets and expands trade with the country’s largest trading partner, with a bilateral free trade deal with the Philippines absent in the Bush administration’s final policy agenda.

http://bworldonline.com/BW040908/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror

Joint-venture guidelines OK’d

By Cai U. Ordinario

Reporter

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board has approved the long-awaited joint-venture (JV) guidelines drafted to encourage the private sector to undertake projects with the national government.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04092008/headlines01.html

II. POLITICAL

Senate warns RP on road to 'autocracy'

By Leila Salaverria, Tetch Torres

Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net

First Posted 02:57:00 04/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Saying the dangers of presidential abuse had significantly increased, the Senate Tuesday warned that the nation was on the road to "autocracy" unless the Supreme Court reversed its March 25 ruling on executive privilege.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129220/Senate-warns-RP-on-road-to-autocracy

'Indelible' ink marks NFA rice buyers

By Ephraim Aguilar, Jhunnex Napallacan, Christine Avendaño

Southern Luzon Bureau, Visayas Bureau

First Posted 02:58:00 04/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Nowadays, a fingernail bearing an ink stain is likely to belong to someone who buys government-subsidized rice.

"Indelible" ink is being used in the Bicol region not to guard against flying voters, but to mark consumers who are each entitled to buy one kilogram of cheap rice per day.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129221/Indelible-ink-marks-NFA-rice-buyers

No turning back for SBMA, Hanjin

By Tonette Orejas, Dona Pazzibugan

Central Luzon Desk, Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:12:00 04/09/2008

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Despite an uproar from green groups and threats of a Senate investigation, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) isn't about to compel its biggest investor to cancel the construction of two high-rise condominiums within the free port's lush forest.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129222/No-turning-back-for-SBMA-Hanjin

Panganiban: All's not lost yet for Senate

By Leila Salaverria, Michael Lim Ubac, Ronnel Domingo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:10:00 04/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—It may happen once in a blue moon, but the Supreme Court reversing itself is not improbable, said retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129224/Panganiban-Alls-not-lost-yet-for-Senate

Yap: Private traders can import rice only through NFA

By Christine Avendaño

Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net

First Posted 04:33:00 04/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Private traders no longer face rice import quotas but they are barred from directly buying the cereal from overseas markets, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Tuesday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080409-129225/Yap-Private-traders-can-import-rice-only-through-NFA

Regional boards reviewing wage hike

By Mayen Jaymalin

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Workers nationwide may soon get a raise.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reported yesterday Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are reviewing the need for a wage increase.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040893

Farmers seek PCA scam probe

By Katherine Adraneda

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) called yesterday for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the P2-billion salt fertilization and corn seed programs of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040896

Senate warns SC on autocracy in government

By Mike Frialde

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Members of three Senate committees investigating the canceled $329-million national broadband network (NBN) contract warned the Supreme Court that its ruling last March 25 that favored executive privilege invoked by former economic planning secretary Romulo Neri could pave the way for the return of autocracy in government.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040897

GMA to sign bill increasing veterans’ pension

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

President Arroyo is expected to sign into law today a bill increasing the pension received by war veterans who are at least 65 years old.

The still unnumbered Republic Act would increase the monthly old-age pension received by the veterans or their surviving spouse from P500 to P5,000 through an amendment of Section 10 of RA 6948.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040898

US: RP vulnerable to political uncertainty

By Ding Cervantes

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – The Philippines remains vulnerable to extra-constitutional regime change and to human rights abuses, according to a statement released by the US government.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040899

Nene warns gov’t vs granting Diwalwal mining concession to ZTE

By Aurea Calica

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday asked Malacañang to stop a government plan to allow China’s ZTE Corp. to operate a mining concession in the gold-rich Mount Diwalwal in Mindanao.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080408101

Ping seeks Senate probe on swine scam

By Christina Mendez

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the multibillion-peso swine scam involving the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080408103

GMA asks public not to panic as 500,000 metric tons of imported rice arrive

By Paolo Romero

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

As the government fends off accusations that it has not done enough to arrest skyrocketing rice prices, President Arroyo asked the public yesterday not to panic and announced the arrival of 500,000 metric tons of imported rice from Thailand and Vietnam.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080408106

SBMA chief ready to face Senate probe on Hanjin complex

By Bebot Sison

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza yesterday said the agency is open to an investigation by the Senate on the construction of an apartment complex by Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. (HHIC-Phil) at the Naval Magazine area.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080408110

Zubiri: No conflict of interest in pushing for Biofuels Act

By Aurea Calica

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday maintained that he could not be held liable for conflict of interest in pushing for the Biofuels Act while he was Bukidnon representative.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080408123

‘Will SC let Arroyo

Court image stick?’

BY EVANGELINE DE VERA

SENATORS yesterday asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on the issue of executive privilege, saying the decision only made the Executive branch less transparent and weakens government accountability.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr09/news2.htm

Senate motion included in SC agenda – Puno

By REY G. PANALIGAN and DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno said here yesterday the motion filed by the Senate to reconsider the Supreme Court’s 9-6 decision on executive privilege has been included in next week’s full court agenda for discussion.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080409121399.html

Reverse ‘chilling’ decision, SC asked

By: Hector Lawas

DESCRIBING the Supreme Court’s March 25 ruling as a “dangerous and chilling decision,” senators yesterday asked the High Court to reconsider its ruling on the petition filed by former National Economic and Development Authority director general Romulo Neri regarding executive clemency.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-09&sec=1&aid=55455

Senate confident of SC reversal

By Angie M. Rosales

04/09/2008

Senators are confident that they will eventually win the case in the Supreme Court (SC) on the matter of the invocation of executive privilege by Commission on Higher Education (Ched) Chairman Romulo Neri, owing to the constitutionally-guaranteed provision on the separation of powers and their mandate to ensure check and balance in the government.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Escudero are banking on the reversal of the SC’s ruling on the Neri case, saying this will set a precedent case for Malacañang in evading inquiries involving alleged irregularities in government transactions.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080409hed3.html

Mosyon ng Senado malaki ang tsansa

(Boyet Jadulco/Grace Velasco)

Kumpiyansa si Sen. Francis Escudero na pabor sa Senado ang magiging desisyon ng Supreme Court (SC) sa inihaing motion for reconsideration na isinampa nito kahapon sa pangunguna ng Senate legal panel.

Isinampa nina Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman ng Senate Blue Ribbon committee at Sen. Benigno Aquino III ang 105-pahinang mosyon.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr0908/news04.htm

Senado lalong delikado sa pagpa-inhibit sa 3 justices

Rey Marfil

Bagama’t walang direktang pagkontra sa ‘formula’ ni Senate majority floor leader Francis Pangilinan, nangangamba si Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero III na lalong madidisgrasya ang motion for reconsideration na isinampa ng Senado sa Korte Suprema kapag ipinilit ang pagpapa-inhibit sa tatlong mahistrado.

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