I. BANNER STORIES
World oil tops $130/barrel
Domestic oil companies are raising prices weekly
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:47:00 05/22/2008
LONDON—Oil prices on Wednesday surged above a record high $130 a barrel on a weakening US dollar and an OPEC statement it would maintain present production, sparking worries about stretched supplies amid strong demand for energy.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080522-138011/World-oil-tops-130barrel
ERC blames Congress for high electricity cost
By Jess Diaz and Delon Porcalla
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Rodolfo Albano Sr. blamed lawmakers yesterday for the high cost of electricity – the second highest in Asia after Japan – saying the laws that they crafted were used by the ERC as basis for allowing pass-on charges, including those for systems loss.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052182
3. Manila Times
Rice subsidy reaches P6.9B
NFA already given more than half of allotment
State-run National Food Authority (NFA) already availed of more than half of its programmed tax subsidy this year in the first four months alone, the Department of Budget and Management reported Wednesday.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/22/yehey/top_stories/20080522top1.html
4. Malaya
Meralco pass-on is news to ERC chief
Albano back from cruise, denies meeting Lopez
BY WENDELL VIGILIA
ENERGY Regulatory Commission chair Rodolfo Albano said yesterday he was unaware that Manila Electric Co (Meralco) has been billing its consumers for its own electric consumption, saying this is a wrong practice.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may22/news1.htm
RP to sign open skies accord
Will join other ASEAN states in agreement
RP, other ASEAN countries signing open skies accord
Genalyn D. Kabiling
PANGLAO, Bohol — The Philippines is scheduled to sign an open skies accord with the other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries in December to spur trade and tourism within the region, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said yesterday.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080522125269.html
Transparency groups: Corruption worsened
05/22/2008
The Arroyo administration became the focus of criticisms yesterday from delegates of a regional conference of the Transparency International (TI) who were unanimous in saying incidences of corruption in the country were perceived to have worsened rather than improved.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080522hed1.html
7. Abante
FARE HIKE KULANG PA!
Nina NOEL ABUEL, ROSE MIRANDA, JUN TADIOS at BERNARD TAGUINOD
Hindi sapat ang 50¢ provisional o pansamantalang dagdag sa minimum na pasahe sa jeep at bus.
Ito ang iginiit kahapon ng iba’t ibang transport groups sa pangunguna ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) at Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO).
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may2208/default.htm
BUNTIS NI-RAPE NG BIYENAN
ni Juliet de Loza
Walang nagawa kundi umiyak na lamang sa isang sulok ang 22-anyos na lalaki habang ginagahasa ng sarili nitong ama ang kanyang 18-anyos na ka-live in na buntis kamakalawa ng gabi sa Tondo, Maynila.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2208/news_headline.htm
Welga tuloy!
Ni Rose Tamayo-Tesoro
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Sa kabila ng P.50 sentimo dagdag sa pasahe, itutuloy ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) ang kaliwat-kanang kilos protesta, caravan at noise barrage hanggat wala umanong aksiyon ang gobyerno sa kahilingan ng mga ito na buwagin ang 12% EVAT sa langis na magiging-daan sana para maibsan ang pasanin kapwa ng mga tsuper at commuters.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008052144
10. Journal
‘REVAMP ERC’
By: Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
Sack Albano if he can’t make Meralco pay back ‘illegal’ charges -- solon
PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo was urged yesterday to overhaul the Energy Regulatory Commission, and fire Rodolfo Albano, Jr. as ERC chairman should the agency fail to compel the Manila Electric Company to reimburse the amount it allegedly overcharged its customers.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-22&sec=1&aid=60434
11. Business World
RP no longer UPS’ Asia focus
Clark operations to be downscaled in favor of Shenzhen, China
ANOTHER international logistics firm is shifting its business focus away from the Philippines, with United Parcel Service (UPS) yesterday announcing that its Clark operations would be downscaled in favor of a new center in Shenzhen, China.
http://bworldonline.com/BW052208/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Cabinet OK’s interim open access
By Cai U. Ordinario and Fernan Marasigan
Reporters
CALLING it part of government efforts to lower the cost of electricity and provide users some relief, the Cabinet has approved the proposal to allow major electricity users like malls, factories and five-star hotels to directly source their power requirements from independent power producers (IPPs), according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/05222008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Enrile: Meralco should refund customers’ deposits
Questions service disconnection policy
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:01:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Why does Manila Electric Co. disconnect customers unable to pay electric bills within three days of their due date when they are asked to plunk down a two-month deposit for Meralco service?
Arroyo, Thai PM tackle food crisis
Samak here Thursday for 2-day visit
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:01:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The problem of rising food costs will be on top of the agenda when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets with visiting Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in Malacañang Thursday.
Beltran a ‘kasama’ in word and deed
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:05:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines—First and foremost, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran was a “kasama” (comrade) in word and deed, peasant leaders said Wednesday.
Lapid breaks long silence, stuns Senate reporters
By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:11:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines—It took the death of Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran for Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid to speak up.
Lapid on Wednesday broke his silence for the first time in years, surprising reporters covering the Senate with a one-page, three-paragraph press statement.
ERC not in a rush to settle P20-B Meralco debt to Napocor
By TJ Burgonio, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:11:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Energy Regulatory Commission is not in a rush to resolve the P20-billion debt settlement between National Power Corp. and Manila Electric Co., ERC Chair Rodolfo Albano said Wednesday.
Albano admits going on Mediterranean cruise with … family
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:12:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Rodolfo Albano, chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Wednesday admitted he was on a Mediterranean cruise with his family last week and missed Congressional hearings on high power rates.
Senate rift looms over appointments
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:13:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Instead of blowing over, the rift within the Commission on Appointments threatens to worsen as Senate President Manuel Villar moved to foil a plan by two commission members to derail the confirmation of a number of presidential appointees.
Perez arraignment reset anew
By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:14:00 05/22/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Sandiganbayan yet again postponed the scheduled arraignment of former Justice Secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez for graft to give way to his motion to quash the charge.
We survived martial law, we will survive this – Lopez
Thursday, May 22, 2008
As the Lopez business empire struggles to fight off corporate and political attacks, its head has assured stockholders that it will survive the crisis just as it survived martial law.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052183
Ermita named GMA spokesman
By Paolo Romero
Thursday, May 22, 2008
President Arroyo has designated Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita as her new spokesman in a concurrent capacity.
Ermita himself confirmed yesterday his additional designation after Mrs. Arroyo told reporters in Panglao, Bohol, last Tuesday that she was thinking of naming the executive secretary to be her next spokesman to replace Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, who will become a member of the Monetary Board on July 3.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052186
Lamppost scam lawyer killed
By Cecille Suerte Felipe
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A lawyer who represented a Cebu mayor allegedly involved in a multimillion-peso lamppost scandal was killed in an ambush by three unidentified men in Cebu yesterday morning.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052187
Palace: Nothing wrong with rise in GMA wealth
Thursday, May 22, 2008
President Arroyo is married to a wealthy man so the reported increase of her net worth by P11 million is not anomalous, Malacañang said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052189
Public transport groups say fare hike not enough
By Rainier Allan Ronda
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A day after getting their provisional rate hikes, public transport groups remained restless and dissatisfied, saying they are now waiting for government’s next moves to help their sector cope with the weekly oil price hikes.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052190
US cancels visas of RP officials in espionage case
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The US government has canceled the visas of six current and former Philippine officials implicated in an espionage case in Washington, ABS-CBN reported yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052192
GMA rallies Asean to avert food crisis
Thursday, May 22, 2008
President Arroyo called yesterday for a concerted effort among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to avert a prolonged food crisis in the region.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052194
Revival of death penalty sought amid bank heists
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim called yesterday on Congress to restore the death penalty.
“Only to the real criminals and not the fall guys or on the wrong suspects,” he said in a statement.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052195
PSG chief to head ISAFP?
By Jaime Laude
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Outgoing Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza is reportedly being groomed to head the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052197
Peasant leader replaces Beltran in Congress party-list
By Delon Porcalla
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Peasant leader Rafael Mariano will replace the late Crispin Beltran as Anakpawis party-list representative, Speaker Prospero Nograles announced yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052198
Senators outsmarting Jamby on CA confirmation
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Senators appear to be trying to outsmart each other on how to go about the confirmation of appointees by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Sen. Jamby Madrigal threatened to block the confirmation of all those confirmed in the committee level and invoke “wholesale” Section 20 of the CA Rules, which automatically places a nominee’s confirmation on hold if a senator invokes this privilege of objection without explanation.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052199
SC asked to void JMSU pact
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Seven lawmakers asked the Supreme Court yesterday to void the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in the South China Sea among the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), China National Offshore Oil Corp., and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080521100
Senate junks Lapid’s bill on senior perks
By Aurea Calica
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Sen. Lito Lapid’s bill seeking to grant senior citizens 20 percent discount on gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas and other petroleum products was effectively junked yesterday by the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and development since even the groups of the elderly that attended the hearing did not support it.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080521101
Prospects of CARP extension dim at Senate
Opposition against the acquisition and distribution of new lands mounts; CARP accomplishments questioned
By Efren Danao Senior Reporter
The prospects of the approval of the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) appear dim as Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Joker Arroyo said that they would oppose any new measure that would include the acquisition and distribution of new lands.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/22/yehey/metro/20080522met1.html
'Declare Spratlys oil search pact unconstitutional'
BY EVANGELINE DE VERA
PARTY LIST groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela and opposition lawmakers Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III yesterday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking signed by the Philippines, China and Vietnam last March 2005 to explore possible oil resources in the South China Sea.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may22/news2.htm
'Declare Spratlys oil search pact unconstitutional'
BY EVANGELINE DE VERA
PARTY LIST groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela and opposition lawmakers Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III yesterday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking signed by the Philippines, China and Vietnam last March 2005 to explore possible oil resources in the South China Sea.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may22/news2.htm
Arroyo appointments remain unconfirmed, blocked by 2 senators
Mario B. Casaruyan, Jun Ramirez
Appointees of President Arroyo remained unconfirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday following threats by opposition Senators Panfilo Lacson and Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal that they would block their confirmation by invoking the non-debatable Section 20 of their rules.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080522125274.html
JDV maraming bahong pinoprotektahan
(Eralyn Prado/Rey Marfil/Bernard Taguinod)
May baho rin si dating House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. na dapat nitong protektahan kaya wala itong tapang na magsalita hinggil sa ZTE-NBN deal.
Ito ang binigyang-diin ni Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin kasunod na rin ng balitang may ilang senador na gumagapang at kumukumbinse kay De Venecia para humarap sa binubuhay na imbestigasyon ng Senado sa broadband deal.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2208/news_story4.htm
Lozada kinasuhan, Garcia nilinis
Binira ng United Opposition (UNO) kahapon ang umano’y “recidivist double standard of justice” sa ilalim ng administrasyong Arroyo makaraang sampahan ng kasong criminal ang NBN-ZTE corruption scandal whistleblower Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., habang nilinis naman ng Office of the Ombudsman ang kilalang crony ng Malacañang.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may2208/news_story7.htm
Opposition slams gov’t ‘double standard’ of justice
By: Alex Silva
THE United Opposition (UNO) blasted anew the Arroyo administration for what it described as the “recidivist double standard of justice” after criminal charges were filed against NBN-ZTE corruption scandal whistleblower Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. while a known Malacañang crony was cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-22&sec=4&aid=60440
JDV kwestiyunable sa pagtestigo sa ZTE deal -- solon
By: Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
KUWESTIYUNABLE ang kredibilidad ni dating Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. para tumestigo sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee dahil sa naging interes ng pamilya nito sa nabasurang maanomalya umanong $329 milyong National Broadband Network (NBN) ng China.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-22&sec=4&aid=60430
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