I. BANNER STORIES
Arroyo makes Solomonic decision
She orders NEDA to step into GSIS, Meralco fight
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:50:00 05/21/2008
PANGLAO, BOHOL—It had, by all accounts, the trappings of a brawl that riveted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But there was no winner, yet, and no one was allowed to bully the other.
GMA richer by P11 M in 2007
By Edu Punay
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
President Arroyo grew richer by more than P11 million last year as her net worth increased to P99.616 million from P88.588 million in 2006, according to her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052091
3. Manila Times
IS, Meralco trade barbs
President forms group to look at lowering rates
By Angelo S. Samonte And Jomar Canlas, Reporters
The word war between the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) continued during a Cabinet meeting in Bohol on Tuesday. GSIS President Winston Garcia said Meralco could reduce power cost by 6 centavos to P3 per kilowatt-hour, should the power distributor stop its “abusive measures.”
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/21/yehey/top_stories/20080521top1.html
4. Malaya
Fare hike on today
Additional subsidies in the works
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
THE provisional increases of 50 centavos to P1.50 in the minimum fare in jeepneys and buses in Metro Manila and two other regions will finally be implemented today.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may21/news1.htm
Rep. Beltran dies in home mishap
Opposition solon succumbs to head injuries
Beltran falls from ladder, dies of head injuries
By RICO C. NAVARRO
Opposition lawmaker and veteran labor leader Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran died yesterday from head injuries after falling from a ladder at his house in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. He was 75.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080521125164.html
Gloria’s ‘Solomonic’ act in Meralco overrules law
By Sherwin C. Olaes
05/21/2008
President Arroyo may have overdone efforts to act as the wise judge in the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) controversy by overturning a law after she allowed yesterday open access in the power industry.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080521hed1.html
7. Abante
TAAS-PASAHE TINULOY NI GLORIA
Nina ROSE MIRANDA, JUN TADIOS at BERNARD TAGUINOD
P8 na ang minimum na pasahe sa jeep. P9 naman sa ordinaryong bus at P11.50 sa air-conditioned bus. Simula ito ngayong araw sa Metro Manila at ilang katabing lalawigan.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may2108/default.htm
SANGGOL PINATAY SA BUGBOG!
Nina Nonnie Ferriol at Juliet de Loza
Mistulang tinorture ang isang sanggol na nagtamo ng mga pasa sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng katawan at mukha at namatay matapos isugod sa ospital ng kanyang ina kamakalawa ng gabi sa Quiapo, Maynila.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2108/news_headline.htm
Rep. Beltran patay na!
Ni Dino Balabo
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Namatay kahapon ng umaga si Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran matapos aksidenteng mahulog mula sa bubong ng kanyang bahay habang nagkukumpuni sa San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=20080520121
10. Journal
‘KA BEL’ IS DEAD
By: Jester P. Manalastas
Rep. Crispin Beltran
Militant lawmaker dies from fall
ANAKPAWIS Rep. Crispin Beltran yesterday died from severe head injuries following a bad fall from the roof of his house in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-21&sec=1&aid=60330
11. Business World
Zero oil tariff next month
Fuel price cut or respite from weekly increases not certain
TARIFFS ON IMPORTED CRUDE and petroleum products will drop to zero next month but consumers are not guaranteed a respite from continuing fuel price hikes.
12. Business Mirror
Congress targets tax on power
By Butch Fernandez and Fernan Marasigan
Reporters
THE frenzy to determine—and curb—the extent to which value-added taxes (VAT) have been imposed on the power sector has seized both houses of Congress.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/05212008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
‘Ka Bel’ dies in fall while repairing roof
By Volt Contreras, Norman Bordadora, Ephraim Aguilar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:13:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran bolted the Marcos prisons, emerged bloodied from many a street demonstration, and, even in his advanced years, continued to fight the government and face threats of arrest.
Bus, jeepney fare hikes finally take effect Wednesday
By Christine Avendaño, Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:51:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Barring anymore flip-flopping by transportation officials, the new fare increases for jeepneys and buses in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog will finally take effect starting Wednesday.
Garcia accuses Lopezes of engaging in ‘dirty tricks’
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:22:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—A week before the annual stockholders’ meeting of Manila Electric Co. on May 27, Government Service Insurance System chair Winston Garcia Tuesday accused the Lopezes of engaging in “dirty tricks” to foil his bid to gain control of Meralco.
Business group hits P20-B power deal
By Ronnel Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:23:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tuesday lashed out at National Power Corp. (Napocor) and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for asking regulators to allow them to pass on to consumers some P20 billion worth of “take or pay” electricity.
Business group hits P20-B power deal
By Ronnel Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:23:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tuesday lashed out at National Power Corp. (Napocor) and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for asking regulators to allow them to pass on to consumers some P20 billion worth of “take or pay” electricity.
Whistle-blowers association brand senators ingrates
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:24:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The whistle-blowers association is blowing hot.
A group of former and current Senate witnesses Tuesday said the plan of certain senators to hold back on the chamber’s security support for whistle-blowers was an act of “ingratitude.”
Sisters act: Jun Lozada’s ‘bodyguards’ staying put
By Leila Salaverria, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:25:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—No, they won’t back off.
The nuns guarding Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada are not about to abandon him even if the Senate decides to withdraw his security detail.
But the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) acknowledges that prayers are no match for bullets and plans to get its own security personnel for the crucial witness in the scandal-ridden National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp.
ARMM voters can learn system in 3 mos. – Comelec
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:12:00 05/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections said three months of intensive education would be “substantial compliance” with the requirement in the election automation law that voters must be versed on poll automation in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Peso weakens to 43:$1
By Des Ferriols
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The peso weakened to 43:$1 yesterday as the market grew more wary of a widening trade deficit due to soaring oil prices.
The peso has been circling the P43 mark since last week but traders said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has been resolutely supporting the currency just a little above that level.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052092
RP a cheap place to live, but purchasing power low
By Ma. Elisa Osorio
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Despite soaring prices, the Philippines is the second cheapest place to live among 55 economies surveyed by a Swiss-based think tank.
However, despite the low cost of living and the relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) rate posted by the country, Filipinos’ purchasing power remains low, according to the Institute of Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052093
This time it’s real: Fares up today
By Paolo Romero
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
PANGLAO, Bohol – The jeepney and bus fare hikes would be implemented today after thorough consultations with the Cabinet, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052095
Beltran falls from roof, dies
By Delon Porcalla
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Veteran peasant leader Crispin Beltran, a party-list congressman representing Anakpawis, succumbed to head injuries sustained in an accident at his residence in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan yesterday. He was 75.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052096
No Meralco-GSIS face-off; GMA scolds Reyes
By Paolo Romero and Jess Diaz
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
PANGLAO, Bohol – President Arroyo formed yesterday a special Cabinet group that would study the different points raised in connection with electricity rates even as she gave her energy secretary a dressing down for his ill-prepared report on the power situation in the Visayas.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052097
Senate tax exempt bill out
By Aurea Calica
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Senate has started deliberations on the bill seeking to exempt minimum wage earners in government and private companies from income tax, which will result in an additional P34 in daily take-home pay.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080520100
Lozada unaware of P2-M security detail expenses
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. is unaware that the Senate had spent P2 million for his food bills, travel expenses and overtime for his security detail for the past three months.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080520102
GMA invited me to play golf in Shenzhen – JDV
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. confirmed yesterday he played golf in Shenzhen, China upon the invitation of President Arroyo.
Speaking to reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his return from Moscow via Bangkok, De Venecia said he will testify at the Senate or “at the proper forum” as part of the search for truth.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080520104
Senate to probe Lozada’s security expenses
The Senate has decided to look inward and investigate the funding and the persons responsible for the security of blue-ribbon committee witnesses Rodolfo Lozada Jr. and Dante Madriaga, who have been under the custody of the Senate.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/21/yehey/metro/20080521met2.html
Manny Villar’s wife is richest House member
Rep. Cynthia Villar of Las Piñas is still the richest of them all in the House of Representatives, posting a net worth of about P1 billion. Cynthia is the wife of Senate President Manuel Villar, who’s also the richest among senators with a net worth of over P1 billion.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/21/yehey/metro/20080521met9.html
Mga solons na umaastang abogado ng Meralco
AKSYON NGAYON Ni Al G. Pedroche
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
BAKIT may mga mambabatas na kung umasta’y parang abogado ng Meralco?
Ang tinutukoy ko ay sina Senador Chiz Escudero, Joker Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan at Alan Peter Cayetano, at ang mga kongresistang sina Teddy Casiño at Liza Maza. Ang papel nila’y mga Mambabatas ng bayan pero para silang “abogado” ng pamilya Lopez at Meralco.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinyon&p=50&type=2&sec=56&aid=20080520148
Gloria forms Cabinet group to look into Meralco controversy
BY REGINA BENGCO
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday ordered the creation of a Cabinet group composed of economic managers to study the charges and countercharges by officials of the Manila Electric Co (Meralco) and its critics.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may21/news3.htm
Joker opposes removal of EVAT on electricity charges
Mario B. Casaruyan
Sen. Joker Arroyo objected yesterday to a proposal of House of Representatives Speaker Prospero Nograles seeking to delete the imposition of expanded value-added tax (EVAT) on electricity charges, saying "it is another ill-considered proposal."
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080521125167.html
Villafuerte proposes measures to lower cost of electricity
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte (2nd District, Kampi) has recommended measures for adoption to lower the prices of electricity to consumers after conducting an in-depth study and investigation.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080521125170.html
NBI goes after Lozada for P15-M PFC procurements
Rizal S. Obanil
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday filed graft charges against ZTE witness Rodolfo "Noel" Lozada Jr. before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged failure to conduct competitive bidding for the procurement of P15 million worth of materials, equipment and services in 2006 while he was still president of the Philippine Forest Corp. (PFC).
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080521125171.html
Senators defensive over paid ad, blast GMA
By Angie M. Rosales
05/21/2008
Several senators yesterday raised a howl over a paid advertisement that saw print in several selected tabloids and broadsheets which carried the pictures of six senators, along with two party-list con-gressmen and Vice President Noli de Castro, portraying them as the protectors of the interest of the Lopez-controlled Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080521hed3.html
Bagong deal ng Meralco at Palasyo namumuro
Nina Eralyn Prado at Grace Velasco
Posibleng mabubuo na naman ang isang “sweetheart deal” sa pagitan ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) at Malacañang na magreresulta sa panibagong pagpapahirap sa taumbayan.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2108/news_story3.htm
Testigo ng Senado kakarguhin ni Lacson
(Boyet Jadulco/Grace Velasco)
Nanindigan kahapon si Sen. Panfilo Lacson na nakahanda siyang akuin ang gastos sa pangangalaga sa mga testigo sa ZTE-NBN scandal kung tatanggalin ng Senado ang ibinibigay na seguridad sa mga ito.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2108/news_story4.htm
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