I. BANNER STORIES
Arroyo-Bush summit set
White House readies red carpet for US ally
By Christine Avendaño, Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 01:36:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President George W. Bush will meet for the last time as leaders of their nations when she goes to Washington and New York next month for a working visit, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announced Thursday.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080530-139646/Arroyo-Bush-summit-set
Meralco goes to court
By Mike Frialde
Friday, May 30, 2008
Officials of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) yesterday filed a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals and asked the appellate court to issue, ex parte, a temporary restraining order enjoining the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) from implementing the undated cease and desist order (CDO) served last May 27 during Meralco’s stockholders meeting.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052983
3. Manila Times
Group sues Meralco for estafa
Consumers file case before DOJ for meter, bill deposits collected
By William B. Depasupil, Reporter
A consumer group on Thursday filed charges of large-scale estafa before the Department of Justice against top executives of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/30/yehey/top_stories/20080530top1.html
4. Malaya
Economy slows down
Gov't to step up spending as growth slackens to 5.2%
BY ALBERT CASTRO and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
ECONOMIC growth slowed down to 5.2 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier's 7 percent, but the Palace expressed confidence the economy would be back on track soon.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/may30/news1.htm
Group formed to cut power rates
Economic managers pass task to technical team
Group formed to study lowering cost of electricity
By GENALYN D. KABILING
The government’s economic managers yesterday passed on to a smaller group the task of studying and recommending measures to reduce the cost of electricity in the country.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080530126013.html
Estafa raps filed vs Meralco; Lopezes seek CA TRO vs SEC
By Benjamin B. Pulta
05/30/2008
Large-scale estafa charges were yesterday filed against the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) officials led by its chairman, Manuel Lopez and president Jesus Francisco along with others before the Department of Justice (DoJ) over Meralco’s alleged questionable conversion into outright income of the interests earned by the meter and bill deposits of its customers.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080530hed1.html
7. Abante
LOPEZ NIRATSADA NA!
Nina GRACE VELASCO, BERNARD TAGUINOD at ERALYN PRADO
Sinampahan na kahapon ng kasong large scale estafa sa Department of Justice (DOJ) ang mga opisyal ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) kabilang ang chairman at chief executive officer na si Manuel Lopez at pangulong si Jesus Francisco.
Batay sa reklamo ng National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) sa pangunguna ng pangulo nitong si Petronilo ‘Pete’ Ilagan, sinabi nito na hindi na naibalik pa sa mga konsumer ang dapat ay nai-refund na kanilang bayad noong taong 2006 at sa halip ay ikinunsidera na umano ito bilang kita ng kumpanya.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/may3008/default.htm
BABAENG HOSTAGES PINAGHUBO’T HUBAD
Nina Nerlie Ledesma at Mark Manabat
Makaraan ang halos limang oras na negosasyon ay bangkay na itinanghal ang isang sekyu na nang-hostage sa loob ng isang pampasaherong aircon bus sa Lubao, Pampanga kahapon kung saan pinaghubo’t hubad pa ang apat na babaeng binihag dahil umano sa matinding galit sa asawang nanloko sa kanya habang nagpapakahirap siya sa trabaho.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3008/news_headline.htm
P889-M estafa vs Meralco execs
Ni Gemma Amargo-Garcia
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sinampahan ng kasong large-scale estafa ng National Association of Electric Consumers for Reforms (NASECORE) sina Meralco chairman Manolo Lopez at president Jesus Francisco sa Department of Justice (DOJ) dahil sa umano’y illegal na pagsasama ng Meralco sa kita nito ng interes ng meter at bill deposits na dapat ay ibinayad sa mga consumers. Tinatayang P889 milyon ang nakapaloob sa kaso na dapat umanong ibalik sa mga power consumers.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=20080529120
10. Journal
11. Business World
Growth slows in first quarter
Results give Bangko Sentral room to hold off interest rate hike
RISING OIL PRICES, a US economic slowdown, and the negative effects of a strong peso pulled first-quarter growth down to just 5.2%, the government yesterday reported.
The result was at the low end of the government forecast of 5.2-6.2% and was below analysts’ expectations, raising concerns about the full-year outlook.
http://bworldonline.com/BW053008/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Back off from Meralco, government told
By Max V. de Leon
Reporter
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Filipino businessmen would rather that the government keep its hands off the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), as they know fully well how bad the state is in managing business.
Officials of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), attending the Southern Luzon Area Business Conference at the Legend Palawan Hotel here, said records and history would show how bad the government has been in running an enterprise, with a majority of state-run corporations not managed properly.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0530&312008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Zambo bombing kills 2, wounds 23
By Thea Alberto, Joel Guinto, Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Julie Alipala
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Associated Press
First Posted 03:32:00 05/30/2008
PAGADIAN CITY—A bomb went off in a building across from Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City at around 10 a.m. Thursday, just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was on her way to Tawi-Tawi province and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney was visiting this city in Zamboanga del Sur province.
Poll commissioner Romeo Brawner dies
Reformist, independent public servant
By Jeannette Andrade, Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:44:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- “I’m ready to go home.”
Election Commissioner Romeo Brawner excitedly uttered the words to his wife Leonora Fe from his bed at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City Thursday morning merely hours before he expired from a heart attack. He was 72.
Group files P889-M suit vs Meralco over customer deposits
By Leila Salaverria, Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:12:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Manila Electric Co.’s nemesis has struck again.
The group of consumers at the forefront of a campaign against shenanigans in the power sector for years beat Winston Garcia to the punch when it filed a criminal case Thursday against Meralco.
Meralco admits charging 11% systems loss
By Norman Bordadora, Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:20:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—After hemming and hawing, Manila Electric Co. admitted Thursday that it was charging residential consumers up to 11 percent of its systems loss.
2 highly charged lawmakers clash
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:07:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The loyalties of two lawmakers came to the fore at the hearing on the high power rates of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) that the House committee on energy conducted Thursday.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, apparently peeved by Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III’s interruption of his questions to First Gas Power executives regarding the alleged P13 billion worth of “ghost deliveries” in 2000, came up with the first jab.
Meralco officers question SEC order at Court of Appeals
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:08:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The boardroom battle at Manila Electric Co. shifted to the Court of Appeals Thursday and the first salvo was fired at the justice selected to hear the case.
High oil prices peril poverty reduction program
By Michelle Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:27:00 05/30/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The government’s agenda to reduce poverty incidence to as low as 17 percent of Filipino families by 2010 may likely be derailed by the adverse effects of rising oil and food prices on households.
‘Public paid P13 B for undelivered power’
By Jess Diaz
Friday, May 30, 2008
Officials of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) admitted yesterday that the power distribution firm made its customers pay for more than P13-billion worth of electricity that was not delivered to it by its sister company First Gas.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052984
PDEA: Some agents ‘plant’ evidence
By Miriam Desacada
Friday, May 30, 2008
CANDAHUG, Palo, Leyte – The director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) admitted that his agency, tasked with the elimination of the supply of and demand for illegal drugs in the country, is forced to “plant evidence” in “some special cases.”
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052985
2 dead in Zambo explosion
By Roel Pareño
Friday, May 30, 2008
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A bomb believed to have been set off by a cellular phone exploded outside the Andrews Air Force base here, killing two people and wounding 22 others, authorities said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052986
GMA-Bush meet set next month
By Paolo Romero
Friday, May 30, 2008
Food security, counter-terrorism and veterans’ affairs are among the issues President Arroyo and US President George W. Bush and key US government officials will discuss in Washington next month, Malacañang announced last night.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052987
Brawner dies of heart attack
By James Mananghaya and Sheila Crisostomo
Friday, May 30, 2008
Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Romeo Brawner passed away yesterday morning at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City after a massive cardiac arrest.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052988
GMA blows top over shabu smuggling in Subic
Friday, May 30, 2008
President Arroyo will personally monitor the investigation of some P5-billion worth of high-grade metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu at the Subic Bay Freeport last Wednesday, officials said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052990
No premature campaigning unless COC filed – Comelec
By Sheila Crisostomo
Friday, May 30, 2008
Unless they have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC), government officials appearing in advertisements and endorsements are not guilty of premature campaigning, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052992
Cabinet told to stop using gas-guzzling SUVs
By Paolo Romero
Friday, May 30, 2008
Cabinet officials were told to keep their gas guzzling SUVs in the garage and set the example on energy conservation by taking the LRT or riding a bicycle to work, in an effort to jumpstart a government program that would save the country as much as P140 billion a year on fuel expenses alone, Malacañang said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052993
Palace, workers welcome tax break
Friday, May 30, 2008
Malacañang welcomed the passage by Congress of the bill exempting minimum wage earners from income tax as a measure that would greatly benefit many Filipinos having a hard time coping with rising prices.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008052994
JPE, Miriam hit colleagues’ dilatory tactics
By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Miriam Defensor Santiago are up in arms over what they called “dilatory tactics” of their colleagues that have held back Senate action on bills being considered on the floor.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/30/yehey/top_stories/20080530top5.html
House sends food, drug bill to Senate
The House of Representatives has forwarded to the Senate House Bill 3293 which seeks to upgrade capabilities of the Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD).
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/30/yehey/metro/20080530met4.html]
Villar, Pimentel file bill amending Overseas Absentee Voting Law
Senate President Manuel Villar and Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel Jr. (PDP-Laban) have introduced a bill that seeks to correct the flaws in the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (Republic Act 9189), especially in the areas of registration, voting and disqualification of voters from among Filipinos abroad who want to exercise their right of suffrage.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080530126018.html
Napocor blamed for failure to lower electricity prices
By BEN R. ROSARIO
It was the National Power Corp.’s (Napocor) turn to become the whipping boy in the ongoing controversy on high electricity rates when it was blamed for failing to lower power cost despite the strong showing of the Philippine peso and for being unable to deliver electricity produced by independent power producers.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080530126031.html
Tardiness in Senate also gets Miriam’s goat
05/30/2008
After earlier airing distaste over the growing number of politicians’ product endorsements in the media, including her colleagues in the upper chamber, administration Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago yesterday assailed the tardiness of some co-senators of hers.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/20080530nat2.html
Pagbabati ng Meralco at GSIS pinaplantsa
Nina Rose Miranda at Rey Marfil
Pinaplantsa ng Malacañang partikular ng binuong study group mula sa economic team ng gabinete ang pagbabati ng mga Lopezes at ni Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) President Winston Garcia.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/may3008/news_story2.htm
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