I. BANNER STORIES
Arroyo takes on Meralco
Big business urged to join 'tough legal fight'
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 01:22:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines--In a bid to bring down the high electricity rates in Luzon, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has asked the country's business leaders to join the government in what could be a "tough legal fight" with the Lopez-led Manila Electric Co. before state energy regulators.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080503-134251/Arroyo-takes-on-Meralco
Napocor cuts by half charges to Meralco
By Marvin Sy
Saturday, May 3, 2008
In an effort to bring down electricity rates, President Arroyo has ordered the state-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) to cut by half its charges to the country’s biggest power distributor, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008050296
3. Manila Times
President: Lower power rate
Time for Meralco to give special treatment to poor
By Angelo S. Samonte Reporter
President Gloria Arroyo on Friday said she wants the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to bring down its electricity rate to P3.52 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from the current P6 to P10 per kWh.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/03/yehey/top_stories/20080503top1.html
4. Malaya
NFA has imported enough rice: GMA
RP can make do with P1.6M tons instead of 2.2M tons
BY REGINA BENGCO
MALACAÑANG yesterday said the Philippines has already enough to cover its 10 percent supply gap and that it is buying more rice only for "buffer stocks."
President Arroyo, in a speech during the general assembly of the Federation of Philippine Industries, said the country has concluded contracts with Thailand, Vietnam, and other Asian countries for 1.2 million metric tons of rice, "enough to cover the 10 percent differential which is our production and consumption."
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may03/news1.htm
House members oppose federalism
Deputy Speaker Garcia airs apprehension
House members oppose proposal for federal gov’t
By BEN R. ROSARIO
Newly installed House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia led several members of the House of Representatives yesterday in expressing doubts and opposing the Senate proposal for a shift to a federal system of government, saying that senators should first address the issue on how the proposed federal states will deal with the national debt of over P3 trillion.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080503123458.html
Hanjin’s bribe offer bared; mayor scolded
By Angie M. Rosales
05/03/2008
Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp., the South Korean firm embroiled in the controversial construction of condominium units in the forest reserve area in Subic, is in for more serious problems as the company earned the ire of Senate probers again, this time stemming from a reported bribe offer to a local official in Mindanao.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080503hed1.html
7. Abante
P400M KIKIL O SUHOL?
Nina NILO MARASIGAN, ROSE MIRANDA, NOEL ABUEL at ALVIN MADAN
Nagpahayag ng pagkabahala ang pamahalaang Arroyo sa namimiligrong pagkaunsyami diumano ng US$2 bilyong shipyard project ng isang South Korean company na sinasabing lilikha ng 40,000 trabaho para sa mga Filipino sa sariling bayan.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may0308/default.htm
RP ANG NAGTULAK SA RICE CARTEL
Bernard Taguinod/Rey Marfil With Rose Miranda
Mistulang ang Pilipinas pa ang naging rason para magtatag ng kartel ang mga rice exporting countries dahil sa sobrang pagdami ng inaangkat na bigas ng mga Filipino.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may0308/news1.htm
2 Pinoy todas sa Qatar blast
Ni Joy Cantos
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Dalawang Pinoy bomb technicians ang nasawi matapos umanong masabugan ng paputok sa bansang Qatar nitong Martes.
Sa report na tinanggap kahapon ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) kinilala ang mga biktima na sina Eldrin Berina at Ramon Espiritu, pawang ng Tondo, Manila.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=20080502117
10. Journal
RICE PACT
PARTNERSHIP. President Macapagal-Arroyo along with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and International Rice Research Institute president Robert Zeigler (2nd R) examine rice grains being grown at IRRI in Los Baños, Laguna. The Philippines yesterday signed an agreement with IRRI to help one of the world’s largest rice importers grow enough rice to feed its own people within three years. AFP
IRRI, gov’t join hands vs food crisis threat
LOS BAñOS -- The Philippines yesterday signed an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute to help it to grow enough rice to feed its own people within three years.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-05-03&sec=1&aid=58296
11. Business World
BY ALEXIS DOUGLAS B. ROMERO, Reporter
World research body tapped to improve rice output
Stocks good for rest of the year — DA
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA — The government yesterday sought to improve its rice-production capacity through an agreement signed between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) yesterday with the aim to end the current dependence on imported grains.
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW050308/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
II. POLITICAL
'Furious' Arroyo orders Hanjin extort probed
By Alcuin Papa, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:26:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Saying President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was "furious," Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Friday ordered the police to investigate accusations of extortion, bribery and intimidation that led a major South Korean investor to suspend the construction of a $2-billion shipyard in Mindanao.
Arroyo on rice imports: Take it or leave it
By Christine Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:29:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philipppines--For now, the government can take or leave new rice imports, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Friday.
Apparently responding to criticisms and concerns on the rice situation, the President said the Philippines would be able to "weather this storm than at any time in recent history."
Militants' answer to Mekong rice cartel: Rice dev't bill
By Norman Bordadora, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:30:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines--With the plan of five rice-exporting countries in Southeast Asia to form a price-fixing cartel, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo on Friday called for the adoption of the militant bloc's bill on the development of the Philippine rice industry.
Vietnam may not be selling rice to RP, too
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:32:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Vietnam, the world's second biggest rice exporter after Thailand, may not take part in the Philippine tender on May 5, according to a report in Thanh Nien, a Vietnamese newspaper.
RP, IRRI join forces to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2010
By Niña Catherine Calleja, Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:25:00 05/03/2008
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna--The plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA) targeting self-sufficiency in rice by the end of 2010 was submitted Friday to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters here.
Corruption, low pay hinder RP fight vs terrorism--US report
By Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:31:00 05/02/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Corruption, limited resources and low salaries of security forces are just some of the problems plaguing Philippine law enforcement efforts to bring terrorists to justice.
IRRI to help RP become rice self-sufficient by 2011
Saturday, May 3, 2008
As neighboring rice-producing countries float the idea of forming a cartel, the Department of Agriculture and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) signed an agreement yesterday to make the Philippines rice self-sufficient within three years.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008050297
Nani probed by Swiss government for money laundering
By Jess Diaz
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Overlooked in the news stories about the extortion case of President Arroyo’s first justice secretary Hernando Perez is the fact that the Swiss government investigated him for alleged money laundering.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008050298
Meralco hits back at GSIS
By Iris Gonzales
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) lashed back at Winston Garcia, president and general manager of state pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), for his accusations the power firm has not been transparent with its operations.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008050299
SEA’s 1st biogas plant opens in QC
By Perseus Echeminada
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The first Biogas Emission Reduction Project in Southeast Asia was launched the other day at the Quezon City Controlled Disposal Facility in Barangay Payatas.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502100
EC: Press freedom still under threat
By Pia Lee-Brago
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Freedom of the press is still under attack in various guises in many countries, the European Commission said yesterday.
EC Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said journalists are being intimidated, censored and murdered around the world because of their commitment to unbiased and truthful reporting.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502101
MILF seizes village in Kudarat, declares new camp
By John Unson
Saturday, May 3, 2008
COTABATO CITY — Hundreds of civilians fled from their homes after suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas reportedly took over their village in Sultan Kudarat and declared it a new rebel camp.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502103
‘Cabinet revamp can’t save GMA’s image until her term ends’
By Aurea Calica
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Several senators believe that no amount of Cabinet revamp could save President Arroyo’s image before the end of her term in 2010.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday said Mrs. Arroyo has been the center of anomalies in government.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502105
Pagcor casinos not money laundering outlets, says official
By Pia Lee Brago
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Casinos operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) are not outlets for money laundering, the gaming agency said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502109
Employers open to wage hike, but divided on amount
By Mayen Jaymalin
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Employers in Metro Manila are divided on whether to raise the basic pay of workers or grant them a P15 emergency cost of living allowance (ECOLA).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502110
RP, UK forging extradition treaty
By Pia Lee Brago
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) have begun discussions on a planned extradition treaty targeting pedophiles and other sex offenders.
“This is the very early stage of discussion. We want to put in place an extradition treaty that would (make) bringing offenders back to UK simpler. We received encouragement from the Philippines,” said Margaret Patricia Munn, British Foreign Office Minister for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, at a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502112
Puno forms task force to probe Hanjin project pullout
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered yesterday the creation of a task force to investigate charges and counter-charges of extortion and bribery in connection with the proposed construction of a $2-billion shipyard by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. in Mindanao.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080502114
Solons ask Comelec to automate despite procurement issue
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
Congress yesterday withdrew plans to release a joint resolution that would supposedly suspend the Government Procurement Reform Act to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to facilitate the automation of the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080503123461.html
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