I. BANNER STORIES
New NBN-ZTE witness surfaces
Says Arroyo visited ZTE execs at headquarters
By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:24:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made an undisclosed trip to the headquarters of ZTE Corp. in Shenzhen, China, for a secret meeting with its officials on Nov. 2, 2006, five months before she witnessed the signing of the national broadband network (NBN) contract, Iloilo province's Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico said Tuesday.
Senate’s tax exemption bill ready for plenary
By Christina Mendez
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Senate is gearing up for plenary debates within the week on its version of the bill that seeks to provide about P200,000 in tax relief for a minimum wage-earning couple with four dependents.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051385
3. Manila Times
‘Govt still owns Meralco’
Sen. Enrile says government can retake company
By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
The government, not the Lopezes, is the rightful owner of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile said Tuesday.
Enrile said former President Corazon Aquino gave Meralco to the Lopezes for free, even if the government had expanded its franchise and upgraded its facilities. He maintained that since the Lopez family did not pay the government anything for getting Meralco, the government could still claim ownership of the utility firm.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/14/yehey/top_stories/20080514top1.html
4. Malaya
‘Inutile’ ERC slammed
Regulatory body says it cannot regulate selling prices of IPPs
BY WENDELL VIGILIA
THE Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday said it is powerless when it comes to regulating the prices of electricity sourced by Meralco from independent power producers (IPPs).
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may14/news1.htm
RP medical team to China
Death toll reaches 12,000 in 7.9-magnitude quake
RP team going to China; death toll hits 12,000
By GENALYN D. KABILING
The Philippines is sending a 15-man medical team to China after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage to parts to the country’s southwestern province of Sichuan.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080514124513.html
Malacañang wants Meralco charged
05/14/2008
The woes of the Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) are just starting.
With a Meralco official yesterday conceding to the House of Representatives’ inquiry panel that it was wrong to pass on to the consumers the system losses on power consumed by Meralco itself, Malacañang yesterday, through its legal counsel, called on the public to file a class suit against Meralco.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080514hed1.html
7. Abante
MAFIA SA NAPOCOR DURUGIN!
Nina BERNARD TAGUINOD, BOYET JADULCO, TINA MENDOZA, JB SALARZON, ROSE MIRANDA at REY MARFIL
Kung talagang seryoso ang pamahalaang Arroyo na saklolohan ang taumbayan sa mataas na singil sa kuryente, hinamon kahapon ng consumer group ang Malacañang na durugin ang natalupang mafia sa loob ng government-owned and controlled National Power Corporation (Napocor).
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may1408/default.htm
PALAMUNIN NA NGA, NAGHASIK PA NG LAGIM
ni Dindo Matining
Mistulang nag-alaga ng isang ulupong ang isang ginang ng tahanan sa Pililla, Rizal makaraang pagtatagain ng kanyang palamuning mister na matagal na panahon nitong inaruga at pinagtiisang pakisamahan.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may1408/news_headline.htm
Archbishop Cruz ipinaaaresto
Ni Doris Franche
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Nagpalabas kahapon ng warrant of arrest ang Manila Regional Trial Court laban kay Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz na nahaharap sa kasong libelo na isinampa ng ilang empleyada ng Philipine Amusement and Gaming Corporation na tinagurian niyang mga guest relation officer makaraang mag-estima ang mga ito ng mga bisita sa isang birthday party ni First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008051354
10. Journal
HOT SPOT
By: Jester P. Manalastas with Raul S. Beltran
Meralco execs grilled over VAT on systems loss charged to consumers
MANILA Electric Company officials came under intense grilling yesterday by the members of the House Committee on Energy on the 12 percent Value Added Tax the power firm latches on to the “systems loss” charge it collects from consumers.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-14&sec=1&aid=59525
11. Business World
COLA likely for Metro Manila
Wage board chief says decision could be issued today
A METRO MANILA WAGE DECISION could be announced today, with the regional board leaning towards a cost of living allowance (COLA) instead of an actual pay hike.
http://bworldonline.com/BW051408/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Power probe focuses on ERC
By Butch Fernandez
Reporter
ASSERTING that the congressional oversight panel on power has heard allegations of malpractices by both the key contending stakeholders in the sector, a senior member of the committee said Tuesday the ongoing inquiry on high power rates would most likely yield a recommendation to overhaul the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) as part of the solution.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/05142008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
President's allies threaten to revoke Meralco franchise
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:07:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's allies in the Senate and the House of Representatives threatened Tuesday to revoke the franchise of the Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Co. if it were proved that Meralco abused its consumers by charging exorbitant rates.
Winner, loser share lessons of political ads
By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:18:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines--For a moment, a forum on the power--and pitfalls--of political advertising on Tuesday turned into a verbal tussle between a big-spending loser and a low-budget winner in last year's senatorial elections.
Court orders arrest of Bishop Cruz for libel
By Tina Santos, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:19:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Arrest the archbishop.
A Manila judge on Monday issued a warrant of arrest for an unusual suspect--Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz--in connection with the libel charges filed against him by employees of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) almost four years ago.
Ex-Arroyo exec blames food crisis on corruption at DA
By Desiree Caluza
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 01:21:00 05/14/2008
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines--A former Cabinet member has pointed at corruption in the Department of Agriculture as one of the reasons for the country's current food crisis.
Sen. Arroyo: Throw ERC into the river
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:23:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Sen. Joker Arroyo on Tuesday suggested that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) be "thrown into the river" for failing to check abuses in the power industry.
Ex-peace panel chair named Cabinet secretary
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:25:00 05/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers Silvestre Bello III on Tuesday as the new Cabinet secretary, replacing Ricardo Saludo who had been named chair of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
AFP chief tells men: Stay fit
By James Mananghaya
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said he would strictly implement the military’s policy on physical fitness, from the highest-ranking general down to the privates, to ensure that all personnel comply with the requirement.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051386
Employers OK wage increase
By Elisa Osorio
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Employers have expressed willingness to give wage increases to their workers even as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Metro Manila is likely to come out with a new wage order today.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051387
NDCC sending team to China
By Marvin Sy
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
President Arroyo has ordered the deployment of a medical team to earthquake-hit China, as the country condoled with Beijing yesterday.
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) executive director and deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said a small contingent of doctors, sanitary workers and psychiatrists will be mobilized for China as soon as possible.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051388
Gov’t urged to scrap royalty tax on natural gas
By Christina Mendez
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Senators Francis Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano sought yesterday the scrapping of the royalty tax on natural gas, which they believe is an easier route to the lowering of electricity rates than the abolition of the value added tax on petroleum products that requires legislative action.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051389
Senate to start probe on 2 Hanjin projects
By Aurea Calica
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Senate will begin today its investigation into alleged violations of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. in two of its projects in the country, but the mayors involved in the alleged extortion-bribery in the Korean firm’s Misamis Oriental investment won’t be around.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051390
‘No work, no pay’ for lawmakers proposed
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
There should be a policy of “no work, no pay” for members of the House of Representatives, two congressmen said yesterday.
“We should be treated like other employees. The no work, no pay rule should apply to us,” maverick Rep. Edno Joson said.
“Unfortunately for many of us, it’s no pay, no work,” he said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051392
Andaya breezes through CA on committee level
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. has been recommended for confirmation as secretary of the Department of Budget and Management at the committee level of the Commission on Appointments during the first CA hearing since the resumption of Congress last April 21.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051394
New AFP chief vows impartiality on soldiers’ mutiny cases
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano vowed not to intervene in the functions of the general court- martial trying the cases of several senior and junior officers linked to past power grab attempts.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051395
JELACC holds first meet tackles judiciary budget
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Judiciary, Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC) held its first meeting yesterday immediately after the memorandum of agreement for its creation was signed by the highest officials of the country.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051396
DAR prioritizing FG lands, documenting claims
By Katherine Adraneda
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is hoping to distribute “as soon as possible” controversial landholdings owned by the family of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in Negros Occidental.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051397
Manila RTC issues arrest warrant vs Archbishop Cruz
By Sandy Araneta
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued last Monday a warrant of arrest against former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz in connection with a libel case filed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051399
House probe on excessive school fees pushed
By Charlie Lagasca
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Rep. Carlos Padilla (NP) of this province’s lone congressional district renewed his call for a probe into reports of irregular and questionable collection of fees from students in public secondary schools throughout the country.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080513100
Senators caution vs break-up of Lopez Meralco
By Angie M. Rosales
05/14/2008
Congressmen are pressing down on the Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Co. and break the monopoly but the senators, both from the administration and the opposition, are soft on Meralco.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080514hed5.html
Lozada mag-a-abroad na lang
(Grace Velasco)
Inilutang kahapon ni NBN-ZTE deal star witness Rodolfo Noel 'Jun' Lozada Jr. ang posibilidad na mangibang-bansa na lamang, kasama ang kanyang pamilya, sakaling matalo ang inihaing petisyon ng kanyang kapatid na si Arturo Lozada sa Court of Appeals (CA).
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may1408/news02.htm
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