Thursday, June 5, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

SLEW OF SUBSIDIES

Farmers to get P1,500 each for fertilizer

By Christine Avendaño, Michelle Remo

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:28:00 06/05/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Flush with cash from the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on oil, Malacañang is coming up with a slew of subsidies for the poor to cushion the impact of the soaring cost of living.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140800/Farmers-to-get-P1500-each-for-fertilizer

2. The Philippine Star

Comelec rules out snap polls

By Mayen Jaymalin

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled out yesterday the possibility of holding snap presidential elections unless the Constitution is amended, despite an endorsement for such an electoral process from a House committee.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604179

3. Manila Times

US denies ‘Joc-Joc’ asylum

Palace will not interfere in case, says Sec. Ermita

By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter

The US Board of Immigration Appeals has rejected the application for political asylum by a former Arroyo government official wanted in the Philippines in the case involving the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/05/yehey/top_stories/20080605top1.html

4. Malaya

Squeeze is on? GMA orders NLEX rates cut

'Pro-poor' target is Lopez cash cow

BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR

MINALIN, Pampanga - President Arroyo ordered on Wednesday the reduction of toll fees in the North Luzon Expressway, a cash-rich business that yields for the Lopez Group close to P2 billion yearly, starting June 30.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun05/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

Obama clinches nomination

Clinton to consult Democratic Party leaders

Illinois senator to face McCain of Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Barack Obama took a huge stride toward becoming the first black United States president, defeating Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination on a promise of hope and change for Americans weary from economic turmoil and years of war.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080605126552.html

6. The Daily Tribune

Judge orders Joc-joc ‘removed’ from USA

By Benjamin B. Pulta

06/05/2008

It’s the end of the line for former Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante in his bid to seek political asylum in the United States on claims that he is being politically persecuted by the Philippine Senate to get back at President Arroyo.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080605hed1.html

7. Abante

JUDAY PINAG-INITAN NG PALASYO!

Nina ROSE MIRANDA at DONDON SERMINO

Tinawag kahapon ng Malacañang na “anti-poor” ang young actress na si Judy Ann Santos dahil sa pagpayag na maging endorser ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco) partikular sa pagdepensa sa sinisingil na systems loss ng kumpanya sa mga konsumer.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/june0508/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

“DUKUTIN DIN ANG MATA N’YA”

(Nonnie Ferriol/Erika Maala)

“Hindi sapat ang kasong frustrated murder, ang kailangan sa kanya ay patayin o dukutin din ang mata, dahil para na rin niyang pinatay ang anak ko at maging kaming mga magulang dahil habambuhay na dadalhin ng anak ko ang kakulangan ng paningin at napakasakit para sa amin iyon.”

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/june0508/news_story1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

Toll fee sa NLEX ibaba – GMA

Ni Rudy Andal

Thursday, June 5, 2008

MINALIN, Pampanga - Inutos kahapon ni Pangulong Arroyo sa Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) na gumawa ng hakbang upang maibaba ang toll rate sa North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) na pag-aari din ng pamilya Lopez.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008060450

10. Journal

OBAMA MAKES HISTORY

ST PAUL - Barack Obama made history Tuesday, capturing the Democratic White House nomination as the first black candidate atop a major-party ticket, after a giant-slaying win over Hillary Clinton.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-05&sec=1&aid=62077

11. Business World

BY RUBY ANNE M. RUBIO, Senior Reporter

Fresh subsidy bared by gov’t

P3 billion per quarter for transport sector fuel discounts

GOVERNMENT SPENDING to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices could increase by another P6 billion this year - from P4 billion earlier announced - via a quarterly fuel subsidy for the public transport sector.

http://bworldonline.com/BW060508/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror

Reyes gags oil firms on prices

By Paul Anthony A. Isla

Reporter

WITH an apparent view to preventing panic among consumers on reports of steady increases in world oil prices, the Department of Energy (DOE) Wednesday reprimanded local oil companies for making projections on how much higher local prices will be as they strive to fill their claimed underrecoveries.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06052008/headlines01.html

II. POLITICAL

Arroyo orders toll rate cut in Lopez-operated NLEX

By Michael Lim Ubac, Tonette Orejas

Central Luzon Desk

First Posted 03:32:00 06/05/2008

MINALIN, PAMPANGA—To ease transport cost in the midst of soaring food and fuel prices, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday ordered a reduction in toll rates at North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) beginning June 30.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140826/Arroyo-orders-toll-rate-cut-in-Lopez-operated-NLEX

Go green to beat back school blues

By Jocelyn Uy

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:49:00 06/05/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Think green to beat the back-to-school blues this year.

In preparation for the opening of classes next week, the environmental group Ecowaste Coalition Wednesday issued several tips on how households could stretch their budget to meet school expenses and protect the earth as well.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140828/Go-green-to-beat-back-school-blues

Power subsidy won’t reduce rates, says group

By Abigail L. Ho, Jerome Aning

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:50:00 06/05/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang’s one-time subsidy of P500 to households using at most 100 kilowatt hours a month is nothing but a “Band-aid solution” to divert the people’s attention from the high cost of electricity, a consumer group said Wednesday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140829/Power-subsidy-wont-reduce-rates-says-group

Arroyo appoints Lapid’s son to head PTA

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Tonette Orejas

INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:26:00 06/05/2008

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—In the profiles of governors gathered by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, then Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid left blank all the data pertaining to his educational attainment from elementary, high school and college.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140830/Arroyo-appoints-Lapids-son-to-head-PTA

US again denies Bolante asylum; faces deportation

By TJ Burgonio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:37:00 06/05/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The controversial Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante is fighting deportation after US immigration authorities twice denied his petition for asylum in the United States, a Filipino lawyer said Wednesday.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080605-140831/US-again-denies-Bolante-asylum-faces-deportation

More benefits for poor from VAT

By Paolo Romero

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Malacañang assured the poor yesterday of more direct cash aid and other forms of assistance from the P14-billion government revenue from value-added tax (VAT) on oil and power.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604180

Call, text rates to go down 20¢

By Jess Diaz

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Good news for the country’s 50 million mobile phone subscribers: the cost of voice calls and text messages will soon go down by at least 20 centavos.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604181

Yano breezes through CA

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Alexander Yano breezed through every question during his confirmation hearing before the defense committee of the Commission on Appointments at the Senate yesterday, only to be embarrassed on a minor point – his security escorts cut off the vehicle of Sen. Panfilo Lacson on the way to the Senate building in Pasay City.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604182

Jocjoc loses appeal for political asylum in US

By Aurea Calica

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante has failed anew in his bid to apply for political asylum in the United States.

Bolante reportedly failed to convince the Chicago Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to grant him asylum even though his son Owen, Agriculture Undersecretary Felix Montes and retired general Rodolfo Estrellado testified in his favor.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604183

GMA orders NLEX to lower toll rates by June 30

Thursday, June 5, 2008

MINALIN, Pampanga – President Arroyo ordered yesterday the reduction of toll at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), effective June 30.

Mrs. Arroyo arrived here by helicopter at 10:15 a.m. to make the announcement before attending the First Egg Festival and Exhibit yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604184

Pag-Ibig chief defends TV ad of ‘in-house talent’ Noli

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The head of the Pag-Ibig Fund yesterday said its advertisements were “necessary” and that Vice President Noli de Castro was an “in-house” talent who did not receive anything for the commercials.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604185

More senators join Enrile in pushing for EPIRA amendments

By Aurea Calica

Thursday, June 5, 2008

More senators vowed to push for more amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and other measures that can reduce electricity rates.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604186

Oil firms charging consumers ‘reasonably,’ says DOE

By Donnabelle Gatdula

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Oil companies have been charging consumers “reasonable prices,” the Department of Energy (DOE) said yesterday.

The DOE justified the fuel rates implemented by the oil firms, citing an independent audit by the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604187

Farmers to get P1,500 fertilizer subsidy

By Paolo Romero

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Poor farmers will each receive as much as P1,500 in cash and coupons to enable them to afford fertilizers, whose prices have been increasing with the rising price of oil in the world market, Malacañang said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604188

Nograles to call for more sessions to fasttrack CARP extension bill

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Speaker Prospero Nograles will call for additional sessions and nominal voting to speed up approval of a bill seeking a five-year extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) before Congress adjourns on June 11.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604189

GMA orders mandatory fuel, energy conservation for government offices

By Paolo Romero

Thursday, June 5, 2008

President Arroyo has issued an administrative order directing government agencies and offices to reduce energy and fuel consumption with specific instructions on how to do it.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604190

Real estate developers ask court to stop land conversion order

Thursday, June 5, 2008

A group of real estate developers has asked a Quezon City court to stop the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from implementing the ban on land conversion.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604191

UN chief to attend Manila forum on migration

Thursday, June 5, 2008

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will attend a four-day international forum on migration in Manila from Oct. 27 to 30, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080604193

Row between Villafuerte, Gullas erupts

By Sammy Martin, Reporter

A squabble between the two biggest political parties in the country flared up during a closed-door meeting at the House of Representatives when Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas resigned from the powerful Commission on Appointments.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/05/yehey/top_stories/20080605top2.html

House probes telecom firms

By Jomar Canlas, Reporter

THE Philippines, not China, holds the record for having the most number of text messages sent through mobile phones, with telecommunication companies earning P13 billion annually from the service.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/05/yehey/metro/20080605met1.html

Juday may face House grilling over Meralco ad

ACTRESS Judy Ann “Juday” Santos might find herself in trouble because of her commercial defending the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila said he already ordered the legal officers of the House Committee on Public Information to look into the possible repercussions of the commercial.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/05/yehey/metro/20080605met3.html

Bodega ng bigas suyurin – Villar

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Iginiit ngayon ni Senate President Manny Villar sa mga awtoridad ng gobyerno na magsagawa ng agresibong inspeksyon sa lahat ng mga bodega ng bigas sa buong kapuluan upang masawata ang pang-iipit sa suplay ng butil.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008060451

TF ni Juday sa Meralco ad pinabubusisi ng Malacañang

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Pinabubusisi ng Malacañang sa Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) kung ikinarga din ng Meralco sa kanilang system loss ang ibinayad na talent fee para sa actress na si Judy Ann Santos sa ginawang Meralco commercial nito.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008060453

FROM THE SIDELINES

By Alfredo G. Rosario

Preview of the 2010 election

Speaker Prospero Nograles came out the other day with a preview of the administration ticket for the 2010 national election, with Vice President Noli de Castro as the presidential standard bearer.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/05/yehey/opinion/20080605opi3.html

Bolante appeal on rejected US asylum bid seen as doomed

THE United States has denied the petition for asylum of former Agriculture Undersecretary for finance Jocelyn "Joc Joc" Bolante, tagged by the Philippine Senate as the main architect in the $728 million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun05/news2.htm

Why blame farmers for high prices? DA asked

REP. Luzviminda C. Ilagan (Gabriela) yesterday assailed the Department of Agriculture for shifting the blame for the rice shortage in Mindanao to farmers who reportedly are holding on to their stocks in anticipation of higher prices.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun05/news3.htm

P500 grant assailed as 'band aid' solution

MILITANT groups yesterday assailed the P2 billion one-time power subsidy fund for lifeline power consumers as a "band-aid" solution that only deodorizes the controversial value added tax (VAT) on oil and power.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun05/news4.htm

Rising prices, corruption tag to haunt GMA — study

By Ruben Hortelano

06/05/2008

Allegations of corruption on President Arroyo have made her remaining two years in office a lame duck presidency that would have a hard time advancing legislative targets, a study on the Philippine political situation released by the Economist Group yesterday stated.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080605hed2.html

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