Saturday, May 31, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

GSIS to appeal after Meralco wins TRO

By Daxim Lucas, Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson, Abigail L. Ho

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 00:45:00 05/31/2008

MANILA, Philippines--The Lopez group has won another round in its battle to retain control of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), succeeding in getting the Court of Appeals to issue an order restraining the Securities and Exchange Commission from acting on a plea by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to overturn the election of the Meralco board.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-139862/GSIS-to-appeal-after-Meralco-wins-TRO

2. The Philippine Star

Meralco wins Round 1

By Mike Frialde and Ma. Elisa Osorio

Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has won the first round of its bout with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for control of the power firm’s board.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeals (CA) stopped the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from implementing an order preventing Meralco from counting proxies in favor of pro-Lopez directors and a show-cause order for Meralco officials to explain why they should not be declared in contempt for ignoring the first order.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053088

3. Manila Times

Meralco secures TRO vs regulator’s order

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) scored another victory against the Government Service Insurance Service (GSIS) as their corporate battle shifted to the Court of Appeals.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/31/yehey/top_stories/20080531top1.html

4. Malaya

Lopez Group gets TRO

CA to SEC: Keep Meralco status quo

BY EVANGELINE DE VERA

THE Court of Appeals yesterday granted a 60-day temporary restraining order enjoining the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Government Service Insurance System from implementing its cease and desist order covering the annual stockholders’ meeting of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) last Tuesday.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may31/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

Gov’t offices told: Buy local products

President issues Administrative Order 227

Buy local products, gov’t offices ordered

Genalyn D. Kabiling

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo formally ordered all government agencies to buy locally made products and supplies over imported goods to generate more jobs for Filipinos and spur economic growth.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080531126119.html

6. The Daily Tribune

CA issues Meralco TRO vs SEC

By Benjamin B. Pulta

05/31/2008

A restraining order has been handed down by the Court of Appeals (CA) on the election of the board controversy involving the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080531hed1.html

7. Abante

MERALCO IBIBIGAY KAY NERI

Nina BERNARD TAGUINOD, TINA MENDOZA, GRACE VELASCO, ROSE MIRANDA at DINDO MATINING

Top candidate ng palasyo ng Malacañang si Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioner Romulo Neri na mamumuno sa Manila Electric Company (Meralco) kapag nagtagumpay si Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president at general manager Winston Garcia na maagaw ang naturang kumpanya sa mga Lopez.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may3108/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

KOTSE NAWARAT SA WHITE LADY

Nonie Ferriol

Tatlong kalalakihan ang himalang nakaligtas matapos na mistulang lumipad sa tulin at araruhin ang sementadong gilid ng tulay ng kanilang kotse na nagkawarak-warak dahil sa umano’y pag-iwas sa isang babaeng nakasuot ng puting damit at nakatayo sa gitna ng kalsada kamakalawa ng gabi sa C-5 Road, Project 4, Quezon City.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3108/news_story1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

RCBC massacre lutas na – PNP

Nina Joy Cantos At Ed Amoroso

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Matapos ang dalawang linggong pagtugis sa mga suspek sa karumal-dumal na robbery/massacre sa Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) noong Mayo 16 sa Cabuyao, Laguna ay sinampahan na ng kasong robbery with multiple murder sa Biñan Regional Trial Court (RTC) ang lima sa mga ito.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008053057

10. Journal

SOLVED

By: Alfred P. Dalizon Paul M. Gutierrez

But case not closed until all suspects in bank massacre are arrested -- police

THE Philippine National Police yesterday claimed to have solved the bloody May 16 Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation heist in Cabuyao, Laguna with the identification of more than five suspects, three of them already arrested.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-31&sec=1&aid=61483

11. Business World

RP among least vulnerable to inflation shocks — Fitch

London-based Fitch Ratings has ranked the Philippines as one of the least vulnerable, among 73 rated emerging markets, to macroeconomic volatility arising from rising inflationary pressures.

http://bworldonline.com/BW053108/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror

II. POLITICAL

US joins Zambo blast probe; MILF-Abu blamed

By Julie Alipala, Allan Nawal

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:01:00 05/31/2008

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines--The US government is helping Philippine authorities investigate Thursday's explosion in Barangay Sta. Maria that killed two people and wounded more than 20 others.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-139865/US-joins-Zambo-blast-probe-MILF-Abu-blamed

Gov't tax policy blamed for high cost of power

By Norman Bordadora

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:04:00 05/31/2008

MANILA, Philippines--The government's tax policy on fuel for energy generation is also to blame for the high cost of electricity in the country, Lopez group officials claimed Friday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-139866/Govt-tax-policy-blamed-for-high-cost-of-power

Bunye memoirs won't bash future ex-boss

By Christine Avendaño

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:15:00 05/31/2008

MANILA, Philipines--No way will he do a Scott McClellan.

Ignacio Bunye, the outgoing press secretary and spokesperson of President Macapagal-Arroyo, has plans to write about what it's like in Malacañang.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-139869/Bunye-memoirs-wont-bash-future-ex-boss

Palace not ruling out MILF role in Zambo blast

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Malacañang is not ruling out the possibility of the involvement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the bombing at Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in Zamboanga City that left two people dead and 22 others wounded last Thursday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053091

Bush, GMA to tackle food security

By Paolo Romero

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Food security will be among the broad range of issues to be discussed by US President George W. Bush and President Arroyo when they meet at the White House on June 24.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053092

Pump prices up anew this weekend

By Donnabelle Gatdula

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Petroleum players will implement another oil price hike this weekend, an oil company official said.

“We will definitely have an adjustment this weekend. But as to how much the increase will be, we don’t know yet. We are still waiting for the advice of our marketing department,” Glenn Yu, president of Seaoil Philippines Inc., said.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053094

Palace not keen on proposed 4-day work week

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Malacañang is not keen on supporting proposals for a four-day work week in order to save on energy.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the proposal needs careful study as he recalled that a similar exercise had been tried in previous years under this administration.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053096

Melo urges Palace to appoint new Comelec commissioners

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo urged Malacañang yesterday to immediately appoint new commissioners following the death of Commissioner Romeo Brawner the other day.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053097

Nene seeks all-senator caucus on baselines, nat’l territory body

By Aurea Calica

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. called yesterday for a caucus to unfreeze two bills seeking to define the nation’s archipelagic baselines and create a commission on national territory.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008053098

BI chief pushes common Asean visa

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said yesterday that the thrust of the agency is to establish a “common visa” for member countries of the ASEAN to spur economic growth and promote tourism.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080530101

Lopez Group fends off multi-front challenges

By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo, Reporter

After just recently surviving a grueling challenge to its control of giant utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the Lopez Group has found itself besieged in several fronts.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/31/yehey/top_stories/20080531top2.html

House transmits 72 approved bills to Senate

By Sammy Martin, Reporter

THE leadership of the House of Representatives showed they can fast track measures following the final approval of another 10 socio-economic measures touching on health, labor, civil service and retirement, plus 62 other bills promoting rural and countryside development, all done in just three session days.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/31/yehey/metro/20080531met1.html

TV ads ng mga pulitiko, hindi maagang pangangampanya - Comelec

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Nilinaw ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na hindi naman maituturing na pangangampanya ang mga commercial advertisement ng mga pulitiko dahil hindi pa naman umano nakakapagsumite ang mga ito ng certificate of candidacy.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008053061

Scrapping of VAT on oil pushed following economic slowdown

BY JP LOPEZ

SEN. Mar Roxas yesterday said the government should now support moves for zero value-added tax (VAT) on oil, after its admission that it can no longer meet its balanced budget target this year due to slower growth.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may31/news2.htm

JDV ready to testify after bout with flu

BY WENDELL VIGILIA

PANGASINAN Rep. Jose de Venecia yesterday said he is ready to tell everything he knows about the anomalous $329 million national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may31/news3.htm

Garcia: End ‘sweetheart’ contracts

WINSTON Garcia, president and general manager of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), said yesterday he would push for the cancellation of a P1 trillion contract between the Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Co (Meralco) and Lopez-owned First Gen, an independent power producer.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may31/news5.htm

Gov't is biggest gainer from high oil prices

Editorial

'In practice, it means more money to steal as the funds flow from the treasury

to the purported beneficiaries.'

We see that the International Monetary Fund is standing four-square behind the government's refusal to scrap the value added tax on oil and, by extension, on power rates, and sticking to providing direct support to the poor in this time of surging prices.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may31/edit.htm

Report on NBN-ZTE probe should be out, says Senate prober

05/31/2008

The Senate should already come up with an interim report on the National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE controversy even without obtaining the testimony of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., one of the three lead probers in the upper chamber on the botched deal said yesterday.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20080531nat10.html

Estafa case vs Meralco mauuwi sa kangkungan

Nina Rey Marfil at Rose Miranda

Mauuwi lamang sa kangkungan ang kasong isinampa ng isang consumers group laban sa pamilya Lopez na may-ari ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

Mismong opposition bloc, sa pangunguna ni Senate minority floor leader Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr., ang nagbigay ng prediksyong ‘basurahan’ ang kalalagyan ng large-scale estafa na isinampa laban sa pamunuan ng Meralco.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3108/news_story2.htm

Ayaw sa zero EVAT, bawas EVAT na lang!

(Boyet Jadulco/Noel Abuel)

Nakahandang makipagtawaran ang Senado sa Malacañang kung ilang porsiyento na lamang ng Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) ang ipapataw sa produktong petrolyo upang umusad lamang ang panukalang ito.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3108/news_story3.htm

Senado bitin pa rin kay JDV

(Boyet Jadulco)

Wala pa ring desisyon si dating House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. kung gusto na nitong tumestigo sa Senado at ibulgar ang nalalamang anomalya sa nakanselang $329 milyong National Broadband Network (NBN) project sa ZTE Corp. ng China.

Ayon kay Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman ng Senate blue ribbon committee, hindi pa nagbibigay ng abiso si De Venecia kung handa na itong humarap sa kanyang komite para masabi ang nalalaman nito sa maanomalyang proyekto.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3108/news_story5.htm

Kongreso nangingilag sa resbak ng China

(Eralyn Prado)

Ang magiging resbak ng China ang pinangangambahan ng Kongreso kung kaya’t hanggang ngayon ay nananatili pa ring inuupuan ang baseline bill na siyang nagtatakda ng “territorial baseline” ng Pilipinas sa pinag-aagawang Spratly Islands.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3108/news_story6.htm