I. BANNER STORIES
P20 wage hike in Metro
By Michael Lim Ubac, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:17:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Jumping the gun on the wage board in Metro Manila, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo excitedly announced Friday before employers that the tripartite body had approved a P20 increase in the daily minimum wage of private workers, or P600 per month, to allow them to cope with soaring fuel and food prices.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080516-136874/P20-wage-hike-in-Metro
ECOP warns of downsizing
By Marvin Sy
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) warned yesterday that a wage increase could result in downsizing and closures of small firms and industries that cannot afford the added cost.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051593
3. Manila Times
GMA unveils wage hike
P20 increase for workers in MM, other places set
By Angelo S. Samonte And Anthony A. Vargas Reporters
President Gloria Arroyo announced Thursday that the National Capital Region wage board has agreed to increase pay by P20, bringing the minimum daily wage to P382 for workers in Metro Manila.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/16/yehey/top_stories/20080516top1.html
4. Malaya
P20 wage hike in Metro
Employers say only 16% of labor force will benefit
BY REGINA BENGCO
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said minimum wage earners in the private sector in Metro Manila stand to get a P20 daily wage hike.
The amount is already set as of Wednesday night’s deliberation by the Metro Manila Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board. But the board is still refining the P20 pay hike, whether the entire amount would be added to the minimum wage or it would be broken down into P15 minimum wage hike plus P5 cost of living allowance, she told members of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines at the 29th National Conference of Employers at the Manila Hotel.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may16/news1.htm
NBN witnesses set to undergo screening
05/16/2008
A tight screening process for witnesses to the scandal-tainted and corruption-laced ZTE National Broadband Network whistleblowers is now de rigeur in the Senate prior to its presentation of witnesses at hearings yet to be scheduled.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080516hed1.html
7. Abante
SYSTEM LOSSES, E-VAT
I-REFUND LAHAT!
Nina ERALYN PRADO, ROSE MIRANDA, REY MARFIL at NOEL ABUEL
Dapat isoli sa milyong electric consumer, sa anyo ng refund, ang lahat ng ninakaw o panggugulang na ikinarga sa kanilang buwanang electric bill, hindi lang ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) kundi maging ng pamahalaan sa anyo ng expanded value added tax (EVAT).
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may1608/default.htm
MAHIRAP AKO PERO ‘DI MAGNANAKAW!
Ni Nonnie Ferriol
“Paano pa po ako makaka-sidecar kung mapuputulan ako ng isang paa. Kahit mahirap po ako hindi po ako magnanakaw, nagtitiis po ako sa pagpadyak ng sidecar para kumita ng marangal, sana po ay matulungan niyo ako at mahuli ang security guard na bumaril sa akin.”
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may1608/news_headline.htm
P20 umento
Ni Rudy Andal
Friday, May 16, 2008
Inanunsiyo na kahapon ni Pangulong Arroyo na tatanggap ng P20 dagdag sa kanilang suweldo ang mga manggagawa sa Metro Manila at Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008051562
10. Journal
WAGE HIKE
By: Tess Bedico
WORKERS in Metro Manila can expect a P20 increase in their daily minimum wage.
The same amount was granted to workers in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).
In her speech at the 29th National Conference of Employers, President Macapagal-Arroyo said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque reported the wage agreement Wednesday night.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-16&sec=1&aid=59784
11. Business World
BY FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Sub-Editor
RP competitiveness improves
RECORD ECONOMIC GROWTH and an improved image moved the Philippines up five notches to 40th place in a yearly ranking of 55 economies based on competitiveness, the country’s best performance since joining the listing over a decade ago.
http://bworldonline.com/BW051608/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
VAT take above goal at P88.9B
By Jun Vallecera and Max de Leon
Reporters
COLLECTIONS from the 12-percent reformed value-added tax, or R-VAT, in 2007 went slightly above target at P88.93 billion, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Thursday, amid intensifying debates on whether the government should consider suspending the tax on petroleum products to ease public pain from rising prices, even at the risk of derailing fiscal balance.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0516&172008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
ZTE meet was hush-hush, says De Venecia wife
By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:23:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's golf game and lunch meeting with ZTE Corp. officials in Shenzhen, China, on Nov. 2, 2006, were so "hush-hush" that even the wife of then Speaker Jose de Venecia was not allowed to join the group.
No transmission lines to deliver IPP power--Meralco
By Ronnel Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:05:00 05/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Officials of the Manila Electric Co. accused Representative Luis R. Villafuerte on Thursday of stirring up a tired rehash about supposedly undelivered electricity from affiliated independent power producers (IPPs).
Gov't urged to ax 'absurd' VAT on systems losses
By Ronnel Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:29:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines--The Federation Of Philippine Industries has called on the Department of Finance to correct the "inadvertent levying" of the value-added tax (VAT) on Manila Electric Co.'s systems losses that has contributed to high power rates.
Gov't union slams GSIS chief: Don't use us in proxy war
By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:30:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines--"Don't use us in a proxy war."
This was the appeal of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) as it assailed the Government Service Insurance System for using its members as "pawns" in the GSIS attempt to take over Manila Electric Co.
'Why did Arroyo not admit ZTE meet sooner?'
By Juliet Labog-Javellana, Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:31:00 05/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines--PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday continued to draw flak for meeting with ZTE Corp. officials in Shenzhen, China, five months before the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project was awarded to the Chinese telecommunications firm.
RP ranks 40th in world competitiveness
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Philippines improved its standing in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008, ranking 40th from 45th last year, but still way below in a field of 55 economies.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051594
Meralco willing to open books
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) appealed yesterday for sobriety even as it expressed willingness to open its records to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051595
Senators slam GMA over ZTE
By Aurea Calica
Friday, May 16, 2008
Senators said yesterday that President Arroyo’s meeting in Shenzhen, China in November 2006 with officials of ZTE Corp., which later bagged the national broadband network (NBN) project with the Philippine government, would be additional proof that she was involved in the controversial deal.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051598
‘Communist insurgency to stay beyond GMA’s term’
By Jaime Laude
Friday, May 16, 2008
The country’s insurgency problem will outlast even President Arroyo whose term ends in 2010, newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051599
CHR seeks to expand powers
Friday, May 16, 2008
New human rights chair Leila de Lima called yesterday for the granting of prosecutorial and investigative powers to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to make it more effective in protecting human rights.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080515100
Senate’s tax exemption bill to cover holidays, OT, hazard pay
By Christina Mendez
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Senate ways and means committee wants the tax exemption bill to include holiday, overtime, and hazard pay of minimum wage earners.
Sen. Francis Escudero, committee chairman, hoped that their counterparts at the House of Representatives will agree to the Senate’s move to replace the provision on the simplified net income tax system or SNITS with the Optional Standard Deduction (OSD) scheme for professionals and business corporations.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080515102
China thankful for RP support
By Pia Lee-Brago
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Chinese Embassy in Manila conveyed yesterday the gratitude of the Chinese government and people for the “condolences, sympathies, concern, support and willingness to help” expressed by the Philippine government and people.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080515103
House poised to approve CARP extension
By Jess Diaz
Friday, May 16, 2008
The House of Representatives will approve in the next two weeks the bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) by five more years, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080515104
Nene: Shift to federal will not allow GMA extension
SENATE minority leader Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel yesterday stressed his proposed federal system of government will not allow any extension to the term of President Arroyo.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may16/news7.htm
Roxas asks GMA to bare ZTE visit
SENATOR Mar Roxas called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to address the people and tell the truth about her trip to Shenzhen, China to meet with ZTE Corp. officials in November of 2006, a few months before the government decided to award the contract for the National Broadband Network (NBN) to ZTE.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-16&sec=4&aid=59751
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