June 1, 2008 Mind BulletInc.

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I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer
P2-B subsidy to pay for electricity bills
By Christine AvendañoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 23:38:00 05/31/2008

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET ASIDE A P2-BILLION SUBSIDY as a way to help the poor pay their power bills.
Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said Saturday she would present her proposed cash transfer program for small electricity users at the first meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Energy in Malacañang on Monday.
Cabral has been assigned by President Macapagal-Arroyo to draft a cash transfer program for small electricity users using P2 billion, which is part of the P4 billion earlier earmarked by Ms Arroyo for allocation to help people cope with soaring energy costs.
The P4 billion is the money so far collected by the government from the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity. Officials expect the amount to reach P18 billion this year.
“This [subsidy] is help for the poor because power costs have gone up,” Cabral said in a phone interview.
She said the “target” of the cash transfer was the 1.9 million small users of electricity, or those called lifeline users consuming less than 100 kilowatt hours a month in areas covered by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
These lifeline users are being served by Meralco in Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal and Quezon.
Cabral said that if she were to calculate the allocation of the P2-billion cash transfer, 1.9 million lifeline users would be entitled to P1,000 a year, or P100 a month.
The subsidy will help, for example, a user of 50 kWh of electricity a month whose bill is P212, she said.
Going by this estimate, Cabral said, the subsidy could be given to small electricity users for a period of from 10 months to one year.
“These are all tentative options that I will present to the task force,” she said.
Cabral said she had yet to decide whether this cash transfer program would cover lifeline users in Metro Manila only, or those in the entire Meralco franchise area (National Capital Region, Region 3 and Region 4A).
She said she also had yet to decide on the mode of the cash transfer -- “whether this would be in one lump sum, or every quarter or every semester.”
She added that she was likewise still studying the requirements to be imposed on the beneficiaries of the cash transfer. One option is for small electricity users to present their last monthly bill to authorities she said.
Unlike the other cash transfer programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, this love cannot be a conditional one because of, among others things, the small amount involved, Cabral said.
“It’s really just a subsidy to help them get by,” she said.
Malacañang had earlier announced a government plan to use the VAT on oil for the people’s benefit.
Lawmakers are seeking the scrapping of the VAT on oil. But Palace officials have opposed this, saying at one point that it would be “a cure worse than the disease.”
After last week’s Cabinet meeting in La Union, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang’s plan was “to give back to the people” the proceeds of the VAT on oil.
Bunye said that the Palace had earmarked P4 billion for the people -- P2 billion to go to the conditional cash transfer program of the DSWD, P1 billion in assistance to the transport sector (particularly for the conversion of vehicles to gas-fueled vehicles), and another P1 billion for loans and assistance to schools.
During the meeting, Ms Arroyo ordered the reactivation of the Presidential Task Force on Energy and gave it two weeks to come up with a contingency plan on how the country could cope with the rising costs of power and oil.
Cabral’s report will apparently be part of the task force’s contingency plans.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-140005/P2-B-subsidy-to-pay-for-electricity-bills

2. The Philippine Star
President’s office fails COA auditBy Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Sunday, June 1, 2008
Unliquidated cash advances, “loans” without records, donations diverted to uses not prescribed by donors, understated expenses and overstated accounts in the hundreds of millions of pesos, all sourced from taxpayers’ money.
These irregular transactions in clear breach of government accounting and auditing rules mark financial transactions in the Office of the President (OP) under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2007, according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
The report on the presidency for 2007 contained 11 qualified comments and observations on these erroneous entries – mostly the same errors COA had noted in its 2006 audit of the same office.
COA also pointed out that of the 11 audit recommendations it made in the 2006 audit, only four were fully implemented, three partially implemented, and four not implemented at all by Malacañang.
Thus, for the second year in a row, COA rendered “a qualified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the financial statements of the OP.”
The OP Proper consists of “the Private Offices, the Presidential Assistant System, the Executive Offices, the General Government Administration Staff, the Internal Audit Service Unit, the Locally Funded/Foreign Assisted Projects, and the Other Executive Offices.” The OP also “directly supervises 58 other executive offices, agencies, commissions, and committees that warrant the special attention of the President.”
The OP kitty is obviously substantial. In 2007, the OP received total cash inflows of P3.38 billion, or 13 percent more than the P2.99 billion it got in 2006. Of the 2007 figure, P2.31 billion came from notices of cash allocation from the Department of Budget and Management. The OP collected another P1.06 billion as its share in the net earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The OP likewise raised service income of P9.3 million, interest income of P4.05 million, and miscellaneous income of P3.3 million.
COA said that the OP’s total cash outflows reported in 2007 amounted to P2.67 billion, or 13 percent more than the P2.36 billion in 2006.
Non-employees got money
Where those monies went can be gleaned from the COA audit – somewhat. In its latest audit of the presidency signed by COA Director IV Bato S. Ali Jr., the agency said that as of Dec. 31, 2007, Arroyo’s Malacañang had:
• Failed to liquidate a total of P632.9 million of cash advances and receivables from officers, employees and other persons, on account of foreign and domestic travels that the President made, typically with a large retinue of political deputies and allies. Of the total, P594 million represented “cash advances granted to persons who are not employees of the OP.”
• Diverted “donations” totaling P37.3 million to expenses “outside of intended purposes,” contrary to provisions of the General Appropriations Act of 2007.
• Erroneously remitted and deposited collections on income from OP Bus Service Fares (P1.86 million collected from Malacañang employees) and entrance fees for the Presidential Museum (P1.74 million) in a Special Account in the Bureau of the Treasury (Btr), and not in the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund.
• Granted “loans” from the President’s Social Fund (PSF) using money from Pagcor in CY 2003 and January 2004 totaling P269.5 million without complete records.
• Erroneously classified collections and disbursements on electricity and water expenses of other agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations in the books of accounts, resulting in the understatement of Other Payables account by P4.1 million, and overstatement of the Due to Other NGAs and Due to GOCCs accounts by P4.1 million and P21,422.23, respectively. (NGAs are national government agencies and GOCCs are government-owned and -controlled corporations.)
• Failed to reconcile physical count of office supplies, as well as of property and plant equipment, with balances per books, resulting in “the overstatement/understatement of various supplies” and “casting doubt on their reliability.”
• Failed to provide property, plant and equipment worth a total of P914.8 million with depreciation, “thus understating both the accumulated depreciation and depreciation expense accounts.”
• Enrolled balances of P186.7 million as “Due to Other NGAs” and P42.07 million as “Due to Other GOCCs” accounts that remain “doubtful” because of “unreconciled beginning balance” of P181.9 million, and P42.05 million, respectively.
Money changed hands
Of the P632.9 million in unliquidated cash advances and receivables, COA said P375.66 million was granted to various disbursing officers, including P222.98 million granted for foreign travels to just one Cashier.
Further verification by COA showed that “the Cashier who was granted such cash advances has not been a member or party to such foreign travels.” The practice, the report stressed, “is an indirect violation” of COA Circular 97-002, which says the “transfer of cash advance from one accountable officer to another shall not be allowed.”
The COA report added: “The cash advances on foreign travel granted to the Cashier who was not a party to the said travel could not directly/personally perform an act such as making disbursements and taking care of receipts where he/she is not present to such travel. This indicates that a person other than the one who was granted such cash advance made the disbursements abroad.”
Unbooked loans
Apart from unliquidated cash advances, COA for the second year in a row took issue with the unbooked “loans” that the presidency granted in 2003 and January 2004 under the so-called “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Piso” Program.
Arroyo institutionalized the program under Executive Order 176 in 2002, supposedly “to stimulate local economic activity and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”
Under the program, the President allocated a million pesos each to every city or municipality in the country. The amount went to individual “borrowers” who were reportedly granted not a doleout but a “loan” with six-percent interest, payable every three months to the Land Bank of the Philippines, across a four-year period.
Arroyo’s EO listed, among others, the Land Bank and the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corp. (SBGFC) as funding sources, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the lead agency.
The funds were in truth sourced from the President’s Social Fund (PSF), a discretionary account Arroyo controls, and which is funded by the presidency’s share in the net earnings of Pagcor and PCSO.
But the COA audit of the PSF showed deficiencies in the Fund. These include P216.5 million “loans” granted in 2003, and P52.9 million granted in January 2004 – all not recorded in the books.
No subsidiary records were maintained for each “borrower,” and neither were accomplishment and financial and terminal reports required and submitted, the COA revealed.
When COA requested records on the “loans,” Malacañang’s Director of Finance gave a peculiar explanation. According to the report, “(the) Finance Director…stated that all these documents are being stored in the Office of the Special Projects at the Presidential Management Staff and which were not submitted/attached along with the Dvs (disbursement vouchers) due to the bulkiness of such documents but can be available for verification anytime.”
Bus, museum fees
Another unusual error that COA discerned was the remittance or deposit of collections on income from OP Bus Service Fares (P1,856,218.88); entrance fees for the Presidential Museum (P1,742,261.88); and other miscellaneous income (full payments of sale of unserviceable properties and 10-percent bid bond of winning bidders) in the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) as a Special Account (Fund 184) in the General Fund.
COA said that in the absence of any authorized law, these amounts should have been deposited in the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund, and remitted to the National Treasury.
When sought for an explanation, Arroyo’s deputies said the Palace maintains several buses to service the employees in going to their office and vice-versa. For the maintenance needs of the buses, fares are collected from the riding employees.
COA found out though that Malacañang had billed the repair and maintenance of the buses from the General Fund, and “not from this Special Account.”
Yet what might seem embarrassing and irregular at the same time is another COA finding: Arroyo had used P37.3 million in “donations” her office received for reasons “outside of intended purposes,” again in violation of the General Appropriations Act.
For the whole of 2007, the presidency received donations totaling P86 million:
• P80 million from the Manila Economic Cooperation Office in Taiwan;
• P5 million, with no particular purpose stated;
• P1 million for typhoon “Reming”; and
• P5,500 refund of financial assistance.
Of this total, COA said Arroyo disbursed P68 million, including P37.3 million for the following unintended purposes of the donations:

Purpose
Amount
1. Medical Assistance
P 13,433,078.35
2. Conferences/Seminars
P 2,761,800.00
3. Legal Assistance
P 1,214,103.91
4. Burial Assistance
P 1,104,500.00
5. Educational Assistance
P 443,000.00
6. Others
P 18,353,926.86
Total
P 37,310,409.12

It must be noted that years ago, a COA circular had disallowed using public funds as donations for burial assistance.
Why Arroyo had to use these donations for purposes other than that prescribed by donors is a puzzle. Her presidency has, in fact, functioned like a virtual social welfare agency: in 2007, it disbursed “donations” totaling P618.6 million, or an average of P51.5 million a month, using her own agency budget and cash inflows.
This amount is a significant increase from the P427.7 million in “donations” that the Palace disbursed in 2006, or an average of just P35.6 million a month. – With research by Isa Lorenzo http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531119 3. Manila

Manila Times

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Pump, LPG gas prices post hefty increases
By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo, Reporter
For the sixth straight week, consumers were greeted with higher pump and cooking gas prices during the weekend. Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc. (formerly Caltex) and Total Philippines Corp. increased the price of their diesel, gasoline and kerosene products by P1.50 per liter—higher than the usual P.50 hike implemented during recent weeks.
In lieu of the increase, prevailing domestic price for diesel will now range from P44.30 to P46.97 per liter. Unleaded gasoline is pegged at P51.53 to P54.07 per liter, while kerosene is at P48.65 to P52.30 per liter.
Again, the major oil firms blamed the unabated increase in world oil prices as well as the weakening of the peso for their hefty price hike.
For the month of May, the regional benchmark Dubai crude’s average rose to $119.46 per barrel from its April average of $103.41 per barrel. The $16 per barrel increase in Dubai prices is its largest single-month increase.
On the other hand, the price of imported diesel and gasoline at the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) jacked up to $161.23 per barrel and $130.92 per barrel from the previous month’s $141.98 per barrel and $118.08 per barrel, respectively.
Aside from the price increase implemented by the oil companies—the 13th for the year—small cooking gas retailers also hiked prices of their products because of a surge in contract prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) abroad.
LPG Marketers Association implemented a P3.50 per kilogram increase in cooking gas prices, the highest adjustment implemented by the group this year. The increase implemented by the group, which carries such brands as Omni Gas, Pinnacle Gas, Island Gas, Cat Gas and Nation Gas, will bring the average price of the group’s 11-kilogram LPG cylinder to over P600.
The price hike was attributed to higher contract prices of LPG, which rose to an average of $855.50 per metric ton in May from $812.00 per metric ton in April.
The Department of Energy’s oil monitoring team has said that the higher oil prices have been boosted in recent days by especially strong demand for diesel in China, where power plants in some areas are running desperately short of coal since certain earthquake-hit regions are relying on diesel generators for power.
Investors also consider commodities such as oil as a hedge against inflation with the weakening US dollar weakened against the euro by pouring investments into the crude futures market when the greenback falls.
A weak dollar also makes oil less expensive to buyers dealing in other currencies. As such, many investors believe the dollar’s protracted decline over the past year has been the most significant factor behind oil’s rise.
http://manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/metro/20080601met1.html 4. Malaya


5. Manila Bulletin
Big oil price hikes


Gas up P1.50 per liter; LPG by P3.50 per kilo Oil firms cite relentless rise in world pricesBy MYRNA M. VELASCOWith world oil prices hitting all-time high records almost on a daily basis, local oil companies announced their biggest per-liter adjustment of P1.50 for gasoline and other oil products at the pumps over the weekend.
Compounding the consumers financial burden was the simultaneous increase of P3.50 per kilogram in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to price the standard 11-kilogram tank at P38.50, implemented by the LPG Marketers Association.
Pilipinas Shell Petroluem Corporation was the first to adjust prices at 12:01 a.m. yesterday, Saturday, May 31, while Chevron Philippines, Total Philippines, and dominant player Petron Corporation moved their prices up at 6 a.m.
Petron said the price hike was due to the relentless surge in crude prices, emphasizing that the estimated month-to-date average for benchmark Dubai crude already hovered at $ 119.46 per barrel, up by $ 16 per barrel from the April average.
"This is the largest single month increase ever for Dubai crude," the company said.
Prior to this round of adjustment, the price ranges for unleaded gasoline in Metro Manila were at P50.33 to P53.26 per liter; diesel at P42.80 to P45.47 per liter; and kerosene at P47.15 to P50.80 per liter.
As of May 30, the regional spot price of unleaded gasoline as referenced on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) was $ 130.92 per barrel; while diesel was $ 161.23 per barrel.
The pick-up price of LPG in the Philippines was at R582 to R628 for the standard tank used by households for cooking.
Crude oil prices hit its peak of $ 135 per barrel on May 21, primary for the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which is the oil benchmark of the United States, the world’s largest oil consumer.
Market analysts noted that the drastic rally in prices occurred after the US Energy Information Administration reported an unexpected decline in US crude oil and gasoline inventories by 5.4 million barrels to 320.4 million barrels and by 800,000 barrels to 209.4 million, respectively.
Worries of supply tightening have also rattled markets after a sudden surge in diesel demand in China because of coal supply shortage and with earthquake-devastated regions turning to diesel generators.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080601126229.html

6. The Daily Tribune

7. Abante
ANGKAS SA US TRIP PILA-BALDE!
Bernard Taguinod With Grace Velasco
Hindi magkandatuto ngayon sa pagpila ang sanlaksang mga kongresista para makaangkas sa biyaheng US ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ito ang napagalaman sa isang mapagkatiwalaang impormante ng Abante sa Kongreso ukol sa state visit ni Arroyo sa Amerika sa huling linggo ng buwang kasalukuyan kung saan makikipagpulong ito kay United States (US) President George W. Bush.
Ayon sa impormante, umabot na sa 30 congressmen/women ang nagpahayag ng interes na suma­kay sa biyaheng ito ni Arroyo at posibleng madagdagan pa sa mga susunod na araw.
“Nagulat kami dahil marami agad na nagtawagan sa amin para ayusin ang kanilang travel docu­ments,” pahayag ng impormante na may kaugnayan sa protocol.
Sinabi pa ng source na karamihan sa mga nagpapa­ayos na ng kanilang mga travel documents ay mga babaeng mambabatas na malimit na sumasama sa nagdaang mga biyahe ng Pangulo.
“Same group ito na hindi nawawala sa mga junket trip,” anang insider kaya inaasahan na ang biyaheng ito ng Pangulo ay isa sa pinakamaraming angkas.
Nabatid na ang Estados Unidos ang pinakapaboritong pinupuntahan ng mga mambabatas.
Noong nakaraang taon, naging kontrobersyal ang Europe trip ni Arroyo dahil mahigit 36 na kongresista ang sumabit.
Samantala, idinepensa naman ni Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles ang nasabing biyahe ni Arroyo na binatikos agad ng mga militanteng grupo.
Ayon kay Cerilles, isa sa mga tapat na kaalyado ni Arroyo sa Kamara, napapanahon umano ang US visit na ito ng Chief Executive at malaki umano ang pakinabang dito ng mga Filipino.
Bukod dito, malaki umano ang maitutulong ng Amerika sa food security ng bansa na siyang isa sa mga layunin ng pagbisita ni Arroyo sa nasabing bansa, kaya dapat aniya itong suportahan.
Sa isang panayam naman sa Malacañang, ibinunyag ni Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Sec. Cerge Remonde na isa rin sa pangunahing tutumbukin sa inaasa­hang paghaharap nina Arroyo at Bush sa US visit sa Hun­yo 24 ay ang krisis sa la­ngis na dinaranas ng buong mundo.
“That is one of the reasons why itong visit next month (June) is very important because is sa mga pag-uusapan nila ni President Bush ay itong isyu ng global energy crisis,” ani Remonde kahapon (huling araw ng Mayo).
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/june0108/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite
RAPIST NA TIYUHIN IGINAPOS SA PUNO
(Irwin Corpuz)

Dahil umano sa kala­singan kaya nawala sa sarili ang isang 46-anyos na lalaki naka-brief lang at na kinaladkad at iginapos sa puno matapos maaktuhang minomolestiya ang kanyang walong-taong gulang na pamangkin habang nakahiga ito sa ibabaw ng lamesa sa loob ng kanyang pamamahay kamakalawa ng tanghali sa Rodriguez, Rizal.
Sa ulat ng tanggapan ni Rodriguez Police Station chief Supt. Ronaldo Mendoza, kinilala ang naarestong suspek na si Edilberto Estanel, residente ng Sitio Maislap, Barangay San Isidro, sa nasabing bayan.
Batay sa pagsisiyasat ni PO3 Marlyn Jepa, naganap ang insidente dakong tanghali kamakalawa sa bahay ng suspek.
Una umanong nakakita sa suspek ang ate ng biktima habang umiiyak ang bata na nakahiga sa iba­baw ng lamesa at naka-brief lang ang kanilang tiyuhin.Mabilis na nagtatakbo ang nakatatandang kapatid ng biktima at nagsumbong sa kanyang ama. Mabilis din na sumugod ang ama sa bahay ng suspek at nang makapasok ay hinatak ito papalabas.
Nagpipiglas pa umano ang suspek kaya pinuwersa ito ng ama ng biktima hanggang sa madala sa isang puno at dito iginapos sa pamamagitan ng nylon. Makaraang maitali sa puno agad na nagtungo sa tanggapan ng kanilang barangay ang ama at isinup­long ang ginawa ng suspek.
Nang makapanayam, ikinuwento ng suspek na bago ang insidente ay kainuman pa umano niya ang ama ng biktima. Ang ama umano ng biktima ang bumili ng dalawang bote ng alak pero makalipas ang ilang saglit ay umalis ito kaya naiwan silang dalawa ng biktima sa kanyang bahay.
Ikinatuwiran pa ng suspek na lasing lang siya at hindi niya alam ang kanyang ginawa. Hindi umano niya ginahasa ang pamangkin pero inamin ng suspek na hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi at hinimas-himas sa kaselanan hanggang sa dumating ang kapatid ng biktima kaya hanggang doon lang ang kanyang ginawa. http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/june0108/crime_news_story1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon
Sanggol napugutan habang isinisilangNi Joy Cantos Sunday, June 1, 2008
Isang sanggol ang ak­sidenteng naputol ang ulo habang isinisilang ng kan­yang ina sa isang ospital sa Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Labis ang pagdadalam­hati ng ginang at buong pamilya nito na anila’y bunga umano ng kapaba­yaan ng mga medical personnel ng Western Visayas Regional Hospital.
Kinilala ang nagrerekla­mong ginang na si Analiza Mision, 23, residente ng Brgy. Busay, Bago City.
Sa pahayag ni Aling Lydia, lola ng sanggol, isinugod kamakalawa sa naturang ospital ang ka­niyang anak na si Analiza dahil manganganak na ito.
Gayunman, hirap na hirap umano ang kaniyang anak sa pagle-labor dahil nakabaligtad ang ulo ng sanggol o ‘suhe’.
Sa kabila ng naturang kondisyon ay pinilit pa rin umano ng mga medical personnel na paanakin ng normal ang kaniyang anak kung saan ay hinila ang sanggol na ang naputol na ulo ay naiwan sa loob ng tiyan ng ina.
Bunga nito, agad na isinailalim sa ceasarian operation ang ginang upang makuha ang na­pugot na ulo ng sanggol upang isalba ang buhay ng ina nito.
Isinalaysay pa ni Lola Lydia na nakita pa niyang gumagalaw ang paa ng ka­niyang apo kahit na naka­ba­ligtad ito na indikasyon umanong buhay ang sang­gol at dapat sanang na­ipanganak ng maayos kung nagdesisyon kaagad ang mga medical personnel na i-caesarian na la­mang ang ginang sa halip na paanakin ito ng normal.
Sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa nakakalabas sa pagamutan si Analiza at sa kabila ng nangyari sa ka­nila ay sinisingil pa umano sila ng malaking bill ng naturang pagamutan dahil sa umano’y ceasarian operation.
Napag-alaman na la­laki sana ang sanggol at dapat ay panganay na anak ng ginang kung na­buhay lamang ito.
Ikinatwiran naman ng mga hospital staff na patay na umano ang sanggol sa loob ng sinapupunan ng gi­nang na posibleng dahilan ng pagkapugot ng ulo nito na ayaw namang tangga­pin ng pamilya ng biktima.
Binabalak ng pamilya ng ginang na sampahan ng kaukulang kaso ang nasa­bing pagamutan bunga umano ng kapalpakan ng mga tauhan nito.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008053136

10. Journal
CHEAPER POWER
By: Alvin Murcia
If GSIS takes over Meralco -- Garcia
THE cost of electricity would quickly fall if the Government Service Insurance System took over management of the Manila Electric Company, according to GSIS president Winston Garcia.Garcia at the same time expressed confidence that the May 27 election held by the Lopez-controlled Meralco board will be nullified, especially the counting of the Lopezes’ unvalidated proxy votes.If the Lopez proxy votes are set aside, the GSIS will have five seats in the Meralco board and control of its management.“If the GSIS gets effective control of Meralco, I guarantee that power rates will drop up to 20 percent in two months time. The people deserve freedom from high electricity rates borne by the mismanagement of Meralco by the Lopezes,” Garcia said.Meralco has earned criticism for passing on billions of pesos of its own electric consumption to the public, for failing to refund P21.4 billion in bills and meter deposits, and for delaying the refund of the P30 billion in income taxes it padded end-users’ bills with from 1994 to 2002.No less than the Supreme Court had ordered the P30 billion refund. Meanwhile Garcia disclosed his plan to cancel the over P1 trillion contract between the Lopez controlled-Meralco and the Lopez-owned independent power producer First Gen.“This is the mother of all sweetheart deals which has to be rescinded if we are to stop the Lopezes of Meralco from saddling us with unconscionably high power rates,” said Garcia.The GSIS chief pointed out that the contract between the two Lopez sister companies was void at the very start because it was forged in violation of the terms of Meralco’s franchise to provide electricity to its captive market at the least cost to consumers.“Meralco threw asunder not only the main precondition of its franchise by buying power from First Gen at exorbitant levels. It also violated provisions of the EPIRA Law which tasked power distributors to source power from the cheapest possible generators,” said Garcia.He said that at the very crux of the Meralco’s padded electricity charges is its purchase of 55 percent of power from First Gen’s Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo plants, saying it is not only legally untenable but also immoral.He said that the excesses of the Lopezes and their mismanagement of Meralco have burdened consumers with one of the world’s highest power rates.“The Lopezes unilaterally canceled its purchase power agreement (PPA) with Napocor so it can buy more power from First Gen at higher cost than Napocor’s,” he stressed.If Meralco will only buy from 60 to 70 percent of its electricity from Napocor, Meralco consumers will immediately see a 10 to 20 percent reduction in their electric bills, he added.The GSIS is a major shareholder of Meralco.With other government financial institutions, the GSIS is said to represent more shares in Meralco than the Lopezes, who were accused of using fake proxy votes to retain control of Meralco during its stockholders’ meeting and election last May 27.Garcia dubbed as “bogus” the election of five Meralco directors to the company’s 11-member board because it was held in open defiance of a cease and desist order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Meralco and First Gen admitted before a congressional committee hearing Thursday that Meralco had been paying First Gen in full for a fraction of the power delivered by First Gen,” he said.“The claim of First Gen that it had full generating capacity is hogwash because if that is true, why is it that Meralco had to fill up First Gen’s shortcomings with power bought elsewhere? They are tripping all over the place with their lies.” http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=1&aid=61647

11. Business World

12. Business Mirror

II. POLITICAL
Arroyo to bat for CARP extension
By Christine AvendañoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:07:00 06/01/2008
WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO BEFORE the country’ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) expires, President Macapagal-Arroyo is ready to certify as urgent a new bill extending land redistribution for five years, Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde said Saturday.
“The President will certify the bill as urgent now that the House committee on agrarian reform has passed it,” Remonde said in a phone interview.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., however, said certifying the bill at this late hour did not seem realistic and government officials had yet to explain and account for the funds they spent on land acquisition and distribution.
Pimentel said he did not think it would be possible to pass a CARP extension bill before its expiration on June 10 because the Senate committee on agrarian reform was still hearing the measure. The committee is headed by Sen. Greg Honasan who is linked to the administration bloc.
“As a matter of fact, Senator Honasan told me that it might not be possible to come up with a report and then have time left to debate that report in the next several days,’’ Pimentel told reporters after the Sulo Hotel press forum yesterday. “It looks bad at this point.”
Some senators are bucking the extension, arguing that the program was ineffective.
Speaker Prospero Nograles, on the other hand, promised his “best effort” in seeing the bill passed before Congress adjourns on June 13. But he said nothing would come of their efforts “if the Senate opposes CARP.”
But “no, it’s not dead yet,” he said in a phone interview.
He added: “If this is certified as urgent by the President, the Senate can adopt the House version if they will agree with [its provisions]. And then we can go into the bicameral conference committee.”
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, principal author and sponsor of the measure, said he wrote President Arroyo only on Friday to certify the measure as urgent.
Legislation is needed to continue the acquisition and distribution (LAD) component of CARP. The authors are seeking to extend the LAD by at least five years to cover the distribution of 1.1 million hectares of agricultural land.
Doubtful about Senate
Rodolfo Bueno, director of the Bureau of Land Acquisition and Distribution of the Department of Agriculture, was not optimistic the Senate would approve its version before adjournment.
In case Congress fails to pass the legislation, Bueno said the DAR would ask both chambers to issue a joint resolution authorizing it to use the 2008 budget for land acquisition and distribution.
“Hopefully, they can issue a joint resolution even just extending the implementation up to December while working on the bill for the rest of the 14th Congress,” he said later in an ambush interview.
“We just need the authority to spend,” he said.
The DAR hopes to distribute 300,000 hectares out of the 1.1 million hectares this year, according to Bueno.
Where did DAR funds go?
Pimentel said he was backing the extension, but lamented that DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman had so far failed to fully account for the disposition of the CARP funds.
He said he had asked Pangandaman to submit a report, but received only a two-page, incomplete document from him.
“My goodness, they can’t just send me a two-page letter, including the cover letter, merely stating ‘money received, money spent.’ I think it’s sheer foolishness,’’ he said.
“I want CARP to be extended, but in a reasonable manner. They shouldn’t use it to make more money. That’s not right,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, farmers from San Juan, Batangas, yesterday denounced Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita for issuing an order allowing the conversion of 124-hectares of agricultural land into an ecotourism estate.
Hypocrisy, not serious
In a statement, farmers belonging to Laiya-Ibabao Samahang Magsasaka (Lisamag), who are petitioning for distribution of the property, said Ermita’s order “betrays Malacañang’s hypocrisy and lack of seriousness” about the land conversion moratorium.
“To call for a moratorium while approving land conversion is patently hypocritical,” said Lisamag president Vicente Ayap. He claimed a conversion order was granted to Hennessy Development Corp. even though the company’s registration had been revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2003.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140017/Arroyo-to-bat-for-CARP-extension
CA-issued Meralco TRO moot, says Garcia
By Daxim LucasPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:10:00 06/01/2008
THE LOPEZ FAMILY’S VICTORY during the recent stockholders meeting of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was “temporary” and may have come at too high a price, said Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) president and general manager Winston Garcia.
Garcia, who led the government’s attempt to wrest control of the giant power utility, said the court injunction issued on Friday preventing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from stopping the counting of proxy votes in favor of the Lopez family was “moot and academic.”
The Meralco board had ignored the SEC’s cease and desist order during last Tuesday’s controversial election, citing procedural lapses.
“How can [the court] stop the SEC from issuing an order that had already been served?” he said.
However, the TRO granted to Meralco by the Court of Appeals made no mention of stopping the SEC from hearing the state pension fund’s petition questioning the proxy votes, Garcia said.
What the CA issued a TRO against was the show-cause order of the SEC to Meralco for counting the questioned proxies.
Pyrrhic victory
“They won a Pyrrhic victory,” Garcia said, referring to a victory that comes at too high a price. “Our petition will go on,” he added.
Interviewed yesterday by the Inquirer, Garcia showed no signs of being fazed by the successive setbacks suffered by the state pension fund, first after it failed to gain a majority on the Meralco board, then when the Court of Appeals issued the TRO.
Instead, Garcia assured the public that the boardroom brawl “will be over in a matter of weeks” with the GSIS-led group emerging in control of the 11-man board of directors.
Exclude proxies
“There is no need [for GSIS] to go to the Supreme Court,” he said. “We are working with the SEC to expedite the resolution of our petition.”
According to him, it was well within the powers of the corporate regulator to nullify the results of last Tuesday’s Meralco board election and declare the GSIS group the winner.
This is because the SEC’s cease and desist order mandated the company to exclude from the counting all the proxies gather by the Lopez family from their allies. Without these proxies, Garcia said, the GSIS directors would outnumber Lopez nominees five to four, or six to five when counting the company’s two independent directors.
No valid order
The Lopez camp, for its part, contended that it never received a valid order from the SEC since the one that was served last week was fraught with defects, including improper form and having no date, docket number and official seal. Neither was the company notified by the SEC that a complaint had been filed against it.
Garcia expressed confidence the SEC will act on a motion the pension fund filed last week and will declare the GSIS bloc the Meralco majority, based on a parallel count conducted by the accounting firm SGV & Co., which excluded the controversial proxies.
Once the GSIS is declared the Meralco board majority, Garcia said he would move to replace the top management of the power distributor and immediately bring down electricity prices.
“Meralco’s mismanagement is the reason we are paying the highest power rates in the country,” he said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140019/CA-issued-Meralco-TRO-moot-says-Garcia
Garcia told: Help consumers, urge gov’t to drop gas tax
By Abigail L. HoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:22:00 06/01/2008
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP the consumers, join our campaign.
Federico Lopez, president and chief executive officer of First Gas Power Corp., issued the invitation to Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Winston Garcia, who has blamed the high electricity rates on, among other things, Meralco’s “trillion-peso sweetheart deals” with First Gas, a related company.
Garcia, who sits on the board of Manila Electric Co., had vowed to bring power rates down 10 to 20 percent when the state pension fund takes over management of Meralco.
The Lopez-led First Gas owns and operates the two independent power producers (IPPs) that supply electricity to Meralco -- the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Sta. Rita and 500-MW San Lorenzo gas-fired power plants.
“If Mr. Garcia is sincere in his wanting to lower power rates for Meralco consumers, we would like to invite him to join us in this advocacy to remove the government royalties on our natural gas,” said Lopez in a statement.
“We have been saying for the longest time that if the government wants to rationally reduce power rates, it can readily do this through the removal of the sizeable royalties on natural gas. We are the only country left that penalizes its own consumers for using its own indigenous natural gas,” he said.
He explained that of the P4.36 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that First Gas charged Meralco, up to P1.79 per kWh went to the government in royalties.
“First Gas’ power will (cost only) P2.57 per kWh if the royalty tax of P1.79 per kWh is removed, (making it) by far one of the cheapest in the country,” he said.
“Royalties and taxes account for about half of the natural gas price. Reducing these components will transfer the benefits of developing natural gas directly from the government to the consumers through lower electricity prices,” he said.
Lopez said the increased use of natural gas would still provide economic benefits to the country even if the government should decide to scrap the high royalty taxes slapped on it.
These benefits would come in the form of foreign exchange savings from forgone oil importation, he said.
Garcia had earlier said he would push for the cancellation of Meralco’s “trillion-peso sweetheart deals” with First Gas, which he called “the mother of all sweetheart deals.”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140021/Corruption-weak-rule-of-law-roots-of-RP-problems----US
Garcia told: Help consumers, urge gov’t to drop gas tax
By Abigail L. HoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:22:00 06/01/2008
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP the consumers, join our campaign.
Federico Lopez, president and chief executive officer of First Gas Power Corp., issued the invitation to Government Service Insurance System president and general manager Winston Garcia, who has blamed the high electricity rates on, among other things, Meralco’s “trillion-peso sweetheart deals” with First Gas, a related company.
Garcia, who sits on the board of Manila Electric Co., had vowed to bring power rates down 10 to 20 percent when the state pension fund takes over management of Meralco.
The Lopez-led First Gas owns and operates the two independent power producers (IPPs) that supply electricity to Meralco -- the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Sta. Rita and 500-MW San Lorenzo gas-fired power plants.
“If Mr. Garcia is sincere in his wanting to lower power rates for Meralco consumers, we would like to invite him to join us in this advocacy to remove the government royalties on our natural gas,” said Lopez in a statement.
“We have been saying for the longest time that if the government wants to rationally reduce power rates, it can readily do this through the removal of the sizeable royalties on natural gas. We are the only country left that penalizes its own consumers for using its own indigenous natural gas,” he said.
He explained that of the P4.36 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that First Gas charged Meralco, up to P1.79 per kWh went to the government in royalties.
“First Gas’ power will (cost only) P2.57 per kWh if the royalty tax of P1.79 per kWh is removed, (making it) by far one of the cheapest in the country,” he said.
“Royalties and taxes account for about half of the natural gas price. Reducing these components will transfer the benefits of developing natural gas directly from the government to the consumers through lower electricity prices,” he said.
Lopez said the increased use of natural gas would still provide economic benefits to the country even if the government should decide to scrap the high royalty taxes slapped on it.
These benefits would come in the form of foreign exchange savings from forgone oil importation, he said.
Garcia had earlier said he would push for the cancellation of Meralco’s “trillion-peso sweetheart deals” with First Gas, which he called “the mother of all sweetheart deals.”http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140024/Jeepney-drivers-want-P250-more
Controls sought after rice hits P50 in parts of Mindanao
By Judy Quiros, Dennis S. Santos, Charlie SeñasePhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:24:00 06/01/2008
DAVAO CITY -- AGRICULTURE officials in Southern Mindanao are advocating stronger regulation of rice distribution and the return of price controls to alleviate the suffering of consumers brought about by the skyrocketing price of rice.
Rogelio Chio, director of the Department of Agriculture in Southern Mindanao, described reports that rice prices had hit P50 in some areas in this rice-producing region as “alarming,” and announced that the DA was drafting a proposal to Congress aimed at making rice a “restricted commodity.”
“This means there should be price controls. We recommend this become a national policy,” Chio said during a press conference at the DA office here.
Chio said he discussed the situation with NFA and officials of other government agencies in the region during an emergency meeting held earlier this week.
Chio said the proposal to restrict the sale and pricing of rice will be sent to Speaker Prospero Nograles and Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra, chair of the committee on agriculture.
He said if the proposal passes in Congress, the sale of rice would be strongly regulated to avoid unscrupulous businessmen from taking advantage of future supply problems.
Reports over the past few days said the price of the staple has risen by P6 to P10 per kilo from the previous week’s average of P37 per kilo in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley and the cities of Tagum, Panabo, Digos, Mati and this city.
In Digos City, Davao del Sur, shouting matches and near fist fights erupted as residents tried to buy rice from an outlet of the National Food Authority (NFA) on Thursday. The price of commercial rice in the market shot up to P47 per kilo in less than two days.
Because of the increase in the price of rice, which the region produces, Lorenzo Camayang, NFA regional manager, said what was really puzzling was that there seemed to be enough supply in the market.
He said an inventory conducted by his office two days ago showed the region’s rice stocks were enough for the next 58 to 69 days.
“And more supply was expected because farmers have just finished harvesting. The rice requirement for Region 11 is placed at 9,000 bags per day,” Camayang said.
“It’s only now that we experienced a disparity of prices in rice. There is no shortage,” he said.
To counter the situation, Camayang said the NFA had set up a total of 252 NFA outlets throughout the city in addition to the 12 Bigasan sa Parokya outlets that it had put up in coordination with the Catholic Church.
Juanito Loyola, president of SRSO Basic Commodities blamed rice speculators and hoarders for the situation. He also blamed millers, who he claimed were “slowing down the release of stocks” in anticipation of higher prices.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140025/Controls-sought-after-rice-hits-P50-in-parts-of-Mindanao
Sharpest hike yet for fuel -- P1.50/liter
By Abigail L. HoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:30:00 06/01/2008
AS THE WEAK DOLLAR CONTINUED TO push oil prices higher in the world market, local oil firms passed the burden on to consumers by jacking up gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices by its highest level yet of P1.50 per liter.
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. raised its prices at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, followed by Petron Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc., Total (Philippines) Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc. and Eastern Petroleum Corp. at 6 a.m.
Total also increased the price of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by P1.12 a kilogram, which includes the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT).
All the firms cited the sharply escalating price of oil in the world market as the reason for the increase, the 12th since the start of the year.
According to data from the Department of Energy, the regional benchmark Dubai crude skyrocketed to a May average of $119.46 a barrel from April's $103.41 a barrel.
The increase from April to May of more than $16 a barrel represented the single biggest month-on-month jump in the Dubai crude price.
The price of unleaded gasoline based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark for refined petroleum products soared to an average of $130.92 a barrel in the May 1-30 period from $118.08 a barrel last month.
Diesel surges, too
MOPS-based diesel surged to an average of $161.23 a barrel in the first 30 days of May from the April average of $141.98 a barrel.
The international contract price of LPG also rose to $855.50 per metric ton (MT) in May from $812 per MT the month before.
According to the DOE’s oil price monitoring for the week of May 26-31, the price rally at the West Texas Intermediate—the US benchmark—resulted in a spike in the Dubai crude price by $5 a barrel and in MOPS unleaded gasoline and diesel prices by around $7 a barrel.
The WTI price rally was fed in part by the US Energy Information Agency’s report of an unexpected decline in US crude oil and gasoline inventories by 5.4 million barrels to 320.4 million barrels and by 800,000 barrels to 209.4 million barrels.
Can rise be stopped?
“With gas and oil prices setting new records on a daily basis, many international analysts are beginning to wonder whether anything can stop prices from rising,” the DOE monitoring stated.
“There are technical signals in the futures market, including price differences between near-term and longer-term contracts, that crude may soon fall. But with demand for oil growing in the developing world, and little end in sight to supply problems in producing countries such as Nigeria, few analysts are willing to call an end to crude’s rally,” it added.
Analysts and investors also believed the US dollar’s continued decline over the past year had been the most significant factor behind the increase in oil prices.
Since the start of the year, gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices have risen 11 times for a total of P9.50 per liter for gasoline and P10 a liter for diesel and kerosene.
The latest adjustment brings the price of premium unleaded gasoline to between P50.67 and P55.15 a liter, diesel to between P42.91 and P48, and kerosene to between P48.30 and P53.80, inclusive of the 12-percent VAT.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140028/Sharpest-hike-yet-for-fuel----P150liter
New poverty threshold set at P10,000 in NCR
By Michelle RemoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:31:00 06/01/2008
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oP2-B subsidy to pay for electricity bills
o6.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Philippines, Taiwan
oHostage-taker's last wish: Take care of my kids
oMindanao rice sells up to P50 a kilo, drives man to suicide
oJustice, Filipino style
oNew poverty threshold set at P10,000 in NCR
oMagdalo officer weds in detention
oFuel prices up by P1.50 a liter
oUnderground river moving closer to top 7 in online vote
oLopez to Garcia: Join our campaign to lower prices
oJamby Madrigal: Aunt's fortune bigger than ZTE deal
o136 firms penalized for wage violation
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THE MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT A FAMILY of five living in the National Capital Region should earn nowadays to stay out of poverty is at least P10,000 a month, or over 16 percent more than what was required two years ago, according to the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB).The estimated income threshold only covers basic needs like food, clothing, shelter and transportation. It does not include spending for recreation and emergencies.
The findings have increased fears that more families would fall below the poverty line.
According to the NSCB, the new estimated income threshold takes into account the latest increase in fuel prices.
NSCB’s P10,000 estimate is up 16.7 percent from the P8,569 needed in 2006.
NSCB said, however, that the latest estimated income threshold was preliminary, as the official figures would be determined in 2009. Poverty surveys are conducted every three years, the last time in 2006.
“Consumer prices have increased by double-digit levels from 2006 to 2008. The cost of rice alone has risen 50 percent,” NSCB director general Romulo Virola said in a phone interview. Virola said that if the average income of Filipino families did not increase commensurate with the income threshold, the poverty incidence could worsen.
The NSCB earlier reported that 26.9 percent of Filipino families were poor in 2006. The government set a target of reducing the figure to 17 percent by 2010, but new economic pressures raise doubts on the attainability of the goal.
Augusto Santos, director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, earlier said the government might consider revising the poverty reduction target because the rising prices of oil and commodities have made the goal unrealistic.
Santos also said the government was thinking of ways to help Filipinos cope with inflation, such as by spending more on social services.
The Department of Finance said last week the government was resetting the goal of a balanced budget this year to 2010. The government now expects to post a deficit of 75 billion, given its plan to spend more.
The DOF said economic managers decided to spend P93.6 billion more than the approved national budget of P1.236 trillion this year.
Some P18.6 billion in additional spending will be covered by revenues from VAT on oil, the DOF said. The balance of P75 billion will be covered by borrowings, which will result in a budget deficit.
Some of the additional social services being considered include the granting of cash to selected poor families.
Virola, however, has expressed reservations over the prudence of granting direct cash to the poor. He said what is needed to get people out of poverty is a regular source of income.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140029/New-poverty-threshold-set-at-P10000-in-NCR
Lanao villagers get to shower, finally
By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:32:00 06/01/2008
TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE -- For the first time, the First Lady of Barangay Candis can take a shower.
Some 275 households in Candis -- half living below the poverty line -- now enjoy running water which, until recently, was considered a luxury in these parts.
“Nakakapag-shower na ako ngayon! (Now I can take a shower!),” said a giddy Violeta Manoop, wife of the barangay chair here.
In the past, residents here collected rain water or used the services of water boys who delivered water on horseback. Some residents even recycled their bath water.
Now that the village has its own water cooperative, residents have individual faucets or get their water from nearby communal taps.
Barangay Candis is just one of 159 poor villages in the central Mindanao provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat now enjoying the initial yields of a seven-year community empowerment program jointly funded by the European Union (EU), Department of Agrarian Reform, provincial and municipal government units, and people’s organizations.
The P1.3-billion program called Support to Agrarian Reform Communities in Central Mindanao (STARCM), a buzzword among residents here since 2001, wrapped up on May 20 with villagers showcasing their communities’ gains in the last seven years.
The STARCM, a collaboration among the EU, local agrarian reform officers, town and barangay leaders, nongovernmental organizations and residents, undertook some 583 projects among “the poorest of the poor” farming households in Central Mindanao to raise “self-reliance, living standards and quality of life.”
Project officers counted more than 58,000 households in 41 municipalities around the region as beneficiaries of the infrastructure, agricultural production and enterprise and rural finance projects that STARCM pursued from 2001 to the present.
It was designed to help residents hurdle development roadblocks, among them “inadequate or degrading rural infrastructure, low levels of agricultural production, weak or nonfunctional people’s organizations and limited access to credit services,” said STARCM European co-director Glynn Baker.
The STARCM received more than 80 percent funding from the EU.
The program was part of Europe’s efforts to push for sustainable development and peace in Mindanao, said Alistair Macdonald, Manila delegation head of the European Commission, the EU’s executive body.
“Without peace, there can be no prosperity, and the people of the Philippines can never take advantage of the tremendous economic, agricultural and industrial potential which Mindanao has to offer,” said Macdonald.
Macdonald, EC Manila operations head Roger de Backer and Romanian Ambassador to Manila Valeriu Ghoerghe visited project sites here, receiving endless thank-yous from the beneficiaries of EU’s generous allocation.
As Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo told an audience of local officials at the provincial capitol here: “We are not blessed when it comes to national government funding because ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) is prioritized. But so many countries have been offering to help. Let’s show them that we deserve their help.”
In Lanao del Norte, 11 of the most impoverished towns received P218 million which was invested in water systems, farm-to-market roads, health centers, crop cultivation training farm machinery and farming animals such as carabaos and horses.
Barangays Candis and Barakanas now have their own water cooperatives run by trained village officials. Water supply is available -- some in communal tap stands, many in individual taps -- to a combined 490 households in the Tubod villages. Residents pay P100 monthly for the average 10 cubic meters (10,000 liters), a relief from having to pay waterboys P7 per gallon.
In nearby Barangay Caniogan, there is a mini processing plant which residents use to produce vinegar from coconuts. Other residents tend bananas and durian in their lots.“It’s added income for me. I used to just stay in the house but now I attend to my lot,” said 43-year-old Lanie Valiente, a mother of three.
Farmers in Tangkal town, one of the province’s most interior villages, are grateful for the new 6.7-kilometer road which allows them to bring their produce to the market in 40 minutes. It used to be a rough two-day commute on carabao-drawn carriages.
Tangkal Mayor Abdul Azis Batingolo, a former Moro rebel commander, said taking up arms was the farthest thing from the minds of his constituents.
“Before, there was a lot of conflict here because of poverty. But now, they have become peace-minded. Life is easier because residents have easy access to the coastal towns. I’ve convinced them not to think of war and just concentrate on working for development,” he said.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140030/Lanao-villagers-get-to-shower-finally
Kids learn media, other skills from anti-violence group
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:34:00 06/01/2008
TO ENGAGE MORE children in media and be able to create mini production units even in poor communities, Plan International partnered with Anak TV over the summer to train up to 200 youths aged 9 to 17 in photography and radio and video production.
Plan International advocates for schools free of corporal punishment, bullying, discrimination, peer pressure and other forms of aggression through its units throughout Asia, as presented in the United Nations Study on Violence Against Children.
The best and brightest 40 children from the workshops held in Occidental Mindoro, Masbate, Samar-Leyte and Cebu were flown to Manila for an advance media skills training now going on at the Soka Gokkai Culture Center in Tagaytay City.
In the five-day advanced course, the students will be taught the rudiments of making public service announcements, investigative video documentaries and various stages of radio/TV production.
Trainers are educational TV director Lemuel Garcellano, Radyo ng Bayan station manager Allan Allanigue and Anak TV secretary general Mag Cruz Hatol.
Plan International has also organized a global youth arm called Young Hearts Project through its units in the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, where a media arts festival will be staged.
The best products of Young Hearts in the Philippines will be showcased in a national festival in October and will be broadcast in the mainstream media as works for, by and about children. Outstanding works will be fielded by Anak TV in international competitions as official Philippine entries.
More info on the project can be obtained at yhpinoypo.multiply.com and yhearts.org.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080601-140032/Kids-learn-media-other-skills-from-anti-violence-group
P2-B subsidy to pay for electricity bills
By Christine AvendañoPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 23:38:00 05/31/2008
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oHostage-taker's last wish: Take care of my kids
oMindanao rice sells up to P50 a kilo, drives man to suicide
oJustice, Filipino style
oNew poverty threshold set at P10,000 in NCR
oMagdalo officer weds in detention
oFuel prices up by P1.50 a liter
oUnderground river moving closer to top 7 in online vote
oLopez to Garcia: Join our campaign to lower prices
oJamby Madrigal: Aunt's fortune bigger than ZTE deal
o136 firms penalized for wage violation
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THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET ASIDE A P2-BILLION SUBSIDY as a way to help the poor pay their power bills.
Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said Saturday she would present her proposed cash transfer program for small electricity users at the first meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Energy in Malacañang on Monday.
Cabral has been assigned by President Macapagal-Arroyo to draft a cash transfer program for small electricity users using P2 billion, which is part of the P4 billion earlier earmarked by Ms Arroyo for allocation to help people cope with soaring energy costs.
The P4 billion is the money so far collected by the government from the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity. Officials expect the amount to reach P18 billion this year.
“This [subsidy] is help for the poor because power costs have gone up,” Cabral said in a phone interview.
She said the “target” of the cash transfer was the 1.9 million small users of electricity, or those called lifeline users consuming less than 100 kilowatt hours a month in areas covered by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
These lifeline users are being served by Meralco in Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal and Quezon.
Cabral said that if she were to calculate the allocation of the P2-billion cash transfer, 1.9 million lifeline users would be entitled to P1,000 a year, or P100 a month.
The subsidy will help, for example, a user of 50 kWh of electricity a month whose bill is P212, she said.
Going by this estimate, Cabral said, the subsidy could be given to small electricity users for a period of from 10 months to one year.
“These are all tentative options that I will present to the task force,” she said.
Cabral said she had yet to decide whether this cash transfer program would cover lifeline users in Metro Manila only, or those in the entire Meralco franchise area (National Capital Region, Region 3 and Region 4A).
She said she also had yet to decide on the mode of the cash transfer -- “whether this would be in one lump sum, or every quarter or every semester.”
She added that she was likewise still studying the requirements to be imposed on the beneficiaries of the cash transfer. One option is for small electricity users to present their last monthly bill to authorities she said.
Unlike the other cash transfer programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, this love cannot be a conditional one because of, among others things, the small amount involved, Cabral said.
“It’s really just a subsidy to help them get by,” she said.
Malacañang had earlier announced a government plan to use the VAT on oil for the people’s benefit.
Lawmakers are seeking the scrapping of the VAT on oil. But Palace officials have opposed this, saying at one point that it would be “a cure worse than the disease.”
After last week’s Cabinet meeting in La Union, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang’s plan was “to give back to the people” the proceeds of the VAT on oil.
Bunye said that the Palace had earmarked P4 billion for the people -- P2 billion to go to the conditional cash transfer program of the DSWD, P1 billion in assistance to the transport sector (particularly for the conversion of vehicles to gas-fueled vehicles), and another P1 billion for loans and assistance to schools.
During the meeting, Ms Arroyo ordered the reactivation of the Presidential Task Force on Energy and gave it two weeks to come up with a contingency plan on how the country could cope with the rising costs of power and oil.
Cabral’s report will apparently be part of the task force’s contingency plans.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080531-140005/P2-B-subsidy-to-pay-for-electricity-bills
US cites drop in killings, disappearances in RPBy Pia Lee-Brago Sunday, June 1, 2008
While unexplained killings and forced disappearances continue to be serious problems in the Philippines, the United States acknowledged the significant decrease in the number of killings and disappearances.
In the latest country report on the Philippines, “Advancing Freedom and Democracy Report 2008” released by the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, the decrease in the number of killings and disappearances is attributed to the government’s intensified efforts to investigate and prosecute these cases in 2007.
“The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there continued to be serious problems in certain areas, particularly extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and forced disappearances,” the report said.
“The Philippines has struggled with EJKs and forced disappearances for most of its modern history. The US government officials use every opportunity to convey the message that these killings and disappearances must cease and must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted,” the report added.
In support of this priority, assistance programs are underway to build the capacity of journalists to report credibly, accurately, and professionally on human rights violations, to strengthen the justice sector’s effectiveness in prosecuting cases of unexplained killings and disappearances, and to professionalize security forces.
Washington also provides assistance to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the courts to investigate, prosecute, and convict human rights abusers and to devise strategies to prevent future abuses.
The report also said that the government remains vulnerable to political turmoil, recurring attempts to use extra-constitutional means to resolve leadership crises, human rights abuses and concerns about credibility of elections.
“Corruption and weak rule of law continue to be underlying factors exacerbating this vulnerability,” the report said.
The report cited the high voter turnout in the 2007 national and local elections that demonstrated the country’s continuing commitment to the democratic process as 99 percent of the 17,000 seats available nationwide were filled without controversy.
Elections were marred by violence and fraud, as in past years, but civil society monitoring groups played an active role as poll watchers to ensure fairer election counts.
The report said the US government addresses these issues by providing development assistance programs for government and civil society partners to develop the policies and tools necessary for a freer, fairer, and more democratic system set within the framework of the rule of law and respect for human rights.
US efforts are broad-based and support initiatives that boost confidence in the democratic process. Programs at both the local and national level promote equity, transparency, and popular participation – all key factors for the healthy functioning of a democracy.
Elections are generally free and fair but have historically included numerous killings of campaign workers and even candidates, as well as recurrent fraud allegations.
To counter these problems, US-funded programs currently support civil society initiatives that monitor election tabulation; allow NGOs to monitor campaign finance in selected electoral contests and media reporting; and assist electoral modernization efforts in preparation for local and national elections.
The US embassy coordinated and deployed a multi-agency team of 86 US officials to observe the May 2007 national elections.
The US government continues to provide the Philippine Commission on Human Rights, along with several human rights NGOs, with computer software support and training to improve efficiency and security in documenting, storing, and reporting of human rights abuses.
Washington sponsored a seven-day seminar on the investigation and prosecution of unexplained killings and co-sponsored the Supreme Court’s July 2007 National Consultative Summit on Extrajudicial Killings and Forced Disappearances.
Positive public response to recommendations made as a result of the summit provided momentum to the effort to counter abuses, including subsequent Supreme Court action that allowed for the legal remedy of the writ of amparo now used in the investigation of unexplained killings and forced disappearances
US officials are also working with the SC to develop materials that will easily convey the legal procedures involved in securing a writ of amparo.
To encourage respect for due process among members of the Armed Forces, there are various US military assistance programs to strengthen the professionalism, commitment to human rights, and discipline of the Philippine military.http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531120
‘Let courts rule on Meralco issue’By Paolo Romero Sunday, June 1, 2008
Malacañang yesterday distanced itself anew from the case filed by the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) before the Court of Appeals (CA) amid suspicions the government was bent on taking control of the Lopez-owned power firm.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Malacañang is leaving the issue up to the courts, particularly Meralco’s case against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Bunye said Meralco’s move was “a recognition of the rule of law.”
“Let the courts decide on this issue and government and Meralco officials will continue to discuss ways and means of lowering prices of electricity,” Bunye said.
Bunye said Malacañang is in no position to comment on the TRO issued by the CA against the SEC.
“We’ll leave it to the court to decide for or against the case,” he said.
Bunye pointed out the technical working group formed by economic managers will consolidate the reports of both Meralco officials and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) general manager Winston Garcia on the issue of power rates. Garcia has been pushing for a change of management in Meralco.
Bunye said the recommendation of the technical working group would not be in conflict with the court’s decision on the case.
“We can segregate the work of the working group and the legal question resolved by the court,” Bunye said.
“The recommendation, once approved by the President, can be implemented separately without waiting for the decision of the court,” he said.
Critics said Meralco was forced to resort to legal measures to stop the brazen attempt of the government to wrest control from the Lopezes.
Opposition leaders claimed the current rift between Meralco and Garcia is nothing but a diversionary tactic of Malacañang.
Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said Malacañang wanted to control the Lopez-owned giant television network ABS-CBN by controlling first the management of Meralco.
He said Malacañang’s “spin-masters” are trying to twist the real target with the Meralco issue.
Binay said the rift between Garcia and Meralco and the rice crisis are also among the issues raised by Malacañang’s spin-masters to shelve the scandal surrounding the national broadband network (NBN) contract with China’s ZTE Corp.
“I think that (issue between Meralco and Garcia was a) diversionary tactic,” former President Joseph Estrada, for his part, said.
The militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), on the other hand, accused Garcia of “doing a Meralco” in passing on the pension fund’s “system losses” to its members.
ACT chairman Antonio Tinio said Garcia is equally guilty in passing on the systems losses to its customers.
According to Tinio, this was the reason why Garcia is leading the efforts for the GSIS to take over Meralco.
“While he’s busy plotting the takeover of Meralco using our hard-earned pension funds, Garcia refuses to heed the widespread clamor against his own policies in GSIS,” Tinio said.
The National Labor Union (NLU), however, accused Meralco of violating the Supreme Court order against overcharging its customers.
“Up to present, Meralco has not fully complied with the Supreme Court order because they still owe their customers P14 billion, or nearly half of the amount,” NWU president Dave Diwa said.
Diwa alleged Meralco has been getting away with violating the law, such as overcharging its customers by P30 billion with interest.
Diwa added the Meralco management is also violating the order of the SEC against counting some of the proxy votes during the election of its board of directors.
Some officials decided the SEC ruling was “null and void.” SEC has issued a show cause order asking three top Meralco officials to explain why they should not be cited in contempt, which forced Meralco to seek legal relief against the SEC from the CA.
“If the Lopezes are allowed to get away with ignoring the SEC, which has legal jurisdiction over Meralco, there would be double standard in the enforcement of laws – one for the rich and powerful and another for the poor and the powerless. If this is allowed there would be chaos in the streets,” he said.
Diwa challenged the judiciary to “show its courage and dedication to the rule of law by throwing the book at the Lopezes for their open defiance of the rule of law.”
“The issue is between the four million consumers of Meralco electricity who have been cheated for years by Meralco for overbilling not just a few centavos but millions. Most of Meralco consumers are from the middle and lower classes that can ill-afford to pay extortionate amounts for their electricity,” he said.
Diwa said the public is suffering from the overcharging of Meralco.
“Meralco is actually snatching the bread, rice and fish from the mouths of the children and families of the poor. Many families are spending less on food and education because they are forced to pay excessive charges for their electric consumption, otherwise their electricity would be cut off,” he said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda, Elisa Osorio, Dino Balabo and Jun Elias http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531121
Oil prices up anew; EVAT lifting eyedBy Aurea Calica Sunday, June 1, 2008
Senators reiterated yesterday the need to suspend, reduce or lift the expanded value added tax (EVAT) on oil as oil firms again jacked up prices of their petroleum products by P1.50 per liter as the cost of crude oil in the international market surged.
Senators Manuel Roxas II, Francis Escudero and Panfilo Lacson said it was unfair for the government to rake in billions in EVAT collections at the expense of consumers.
Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. was the first to implement a P1.50 per liter increase in the prices of its gasoline, diesel and kerosene at 12:01 a.m. yesterday.
Shell was followed by Petron Corp., Chevron Philippines (formerly Caltex) and Total (Philippines) Corp., which increased the prices of their gasoline, kerosene and diesel at 6 a.m.
The government seeks to mitigate the impact of the oil price hikes by removing the tariff on imported fuel products starting today.
In a statement, Roxas, chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, said the government must come to the aid of distressed consumers by supporting the suspension of EVAT on oil and immediately implementing “relief measures” that Congress had recently passed and were about to be signed by President Arroyo: the Cheaper Medicine Act and the law exempting minimum wage earners from income tax.
Escudero, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, said his panel had heard various proposals to suspend, reduce or scrap EVAT on oil pending moves from the House of Representatives where tax measures should emanate.
He said the people, especially the minimum wage earners, would need much more relief than being exempted from income tax.
Lacson, for his part, said there must be a benchmark or limit on how much the government would collect from EVAT on oil since the law was passed when the price of crude was below $40 per barrel.
Roxas, on the other hand, said the slower gross domestic product growth (GDP) of 5.2 percent this quarter – at the low end of the government’s forecast of up to 6.2 percent and slower than the seven percent growth in the same period last year – shows weaker purchasing power on the part of consumers and less support by the government.
“Personal consumption slowed down by 0.8 percentage points. Consumer spending is the main driver of growth in the economy, sharing 75 percent of GDP. So any slowdown in consumer spending should be of urgent concern,” he said.
“Since the start of the year, our consumers faced a deluge of price hikes. Oil started out at $90 a barrel, and now it’s more than $120. Food prices, especially rice, have gone wayward too due to a combination of local and international factors. And our overseas Filipino workers, faced with a stronger peso, now effectively send less to their families back home,” he added.
Roxas said the government should now seriously consider giving up its potential windfall from EVAT on oil in order to provide immediate relief to the consumers.
“From my review of the growth figures so far, government spending dropped by one percent, and government services grew a dismal three percent from last year’s eight percent. So it appears that all these talk from the government that revenues will be spent to help consumers and grow the economy is really nothing,” he said.
“Now that the government has admitted it could not anymore meet its balanced budget target, then it’s time for them to give up its windfall from VAT on oil. Because strong economy or weak economy, the revenue agencies were not attaining their targets anyway,” Roxas added.
Senators earlier came up with various proposals after rejecting the Department of Finance’s (DOF) “too simplistic” approach to the problem of rising oil prices that they said must prod the members of the House of Representatives to look into various suggestions to ease the burden of the people.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the EVAT on oil would not be scrapped but the P18-billion expected windfall due to higher prices of fuel since EVAT was first implemented would be used to subsidize transport groups or food for the poor.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile suggested that the EVAT on electricity be lowered from 12 percent to two percent. He said the government could consider reducing the EVAT on the public transport sector such as jeepneys, buses and trucks for deliveries of basic goods as suggested by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Sen. Loren Legarda said the government should consider removing EVAT on basic food products if not on oil.
Senate President Manuel Villar and Senators Edgardo Angara and Pia Cayetano said it was all right with them to keep the EVAT on oil but the windfall must be used to subsidize fuel for the poor, electricity and basic food products like cooking oil.
Escudero and Roxas said the DOF should know that the price of oil greatly affects the public transport sector and cost of production of other commodities.
“Also, why collect something that you will return as subsidy anyway?” Roxas argued.
Since EVAT is a percentage tax, higher prices of fuel mean bigger collection for the government.
Roxas pointed out that from $30 per barrel, the price of oil per barrel had gone up to $130. If EVAT was $3.60 at $30 per barrel of oil, it would already be $15.60 or a difference of $12.
Roxas said with the country’s consumption of 120 million barrels of oil per year, the government would collect an additional $1.4 billion from EVAT.
Meanwhile, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), lambasted the Arroyo administration for its continued refusal to remove the 12 percent expanded EVAT on oil products, saying this is the 13th time oil companies hiked the price of unleaded gasoline and diesel this year.
George San Mateo, PISTON secretary-general, said the P1.50 increase per liter of gasoline and diesel imposed by oil companies this weekend added misery to the suffering public transport sector.
In their monitoring of oil price hikes, Piston noted that the new round of price increase brought the price of diesel to P46.48 and unleaded gas to P55.15.
In just five months, San Mateo said the price per liter of diesel had increased by P9.50.
San Mateo stressed that the government should scrap the 12-percent EVAT on oil products to give much-needed relief to the public transport sector. – With Rainier Allan Rondahttp://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531122
Hike in food prices loomsSunday, June 1, 2008
The Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) warned of a sharp price hike in the next few months when supplies of beef, buffalo meat, pork, chicken and other foodstuffs imported two to three months ago are depleted.
In a press conference, CCAP president Anthony Dizon and vice president Jun Lim pointed out that a number of factors are pulling up the prices of imported foodstuffs.
They said the increasing scarcity of global supply and the increasing demand for food is one factor, followed by the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar.
Another factor is the increasing cost of fuel which impacts on transport and shipping costs as well as power costs for storage of the frozen or chilled imported food items.
Dizon reiterated that the global concern over food security affects the Philippines, which has opted to rely more heavily on imports rather than ensuring its own food production.
Unfortunately, with increasing demand and growing scarcity for food staples, Dizon said the Philippines now faces a situation where even if it has the money to purchase food supplies, there are no sellers.
Dizon and Lim pointed out that the Philippines is heavily dependent on beef imports since the country does not raise cattle, and even the local carabao industry is struggling.
Beef prices, Lim said, have increased to $4.50 from only $2.65 in January.
Imported pork prices have likewise increased from $1.90 to $2.50.
Buffalo meat, which is used by local manufacturers to produce corned beef and is imported from India, now costs $2.75 from only $2.15.
With global food security now gaining importance, the CCAP is urging the Department Agriculture to give importance to the cold chain supply link that would enable farmers to store their produce and bring it to the demand centers.
The cold chain-supply link sector, Dizon said, estimates that the government and the private sector need to invest at least P6 billion to close the existing gaps.
He added that the cold chain sector needs to invest in infrastructure and technology. – Marianne Go
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531124
GMA to certify as urgent bill on CARP extensionBy Marvin Sy Sunday, June 1, 2008
President Arroyo is expected to certify as urgent the bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program which is set to end on June 10.
According to Presidential Management Staff director general Cerge Remonde, the extension of the CARP was one of the issues the President discussed with him yesterday.
Since the House committee on agrarian reform has already come up with a committee report on the extension of the CARP, Remonde said that the President can now certify the bill as urgent.
Both the House and the Senate are looking at a five-year extension of the CARP until 2013.
The Department of Agrarian Reform initially proposed a 10-year extension so that the government could complete its conversion of around two million hectares of land placed under the CARP.
“I think the President will certify (the bill) as urgent because the House version has already passed the committee level. Only when it is passed at the committee level can the President certify it as urgent,” Remonde said in an interview over dzRB.
Remonde said the President reiterated her desire to include a provision in the bill that would allow farmers to use their lands as collateral for loans.
He said Mrs. Arroyo wants to see the farmers become agri-scientists or businessmen and this could be accomplished if they have access to formal credit.
“Because the CARP would be toothless if these provisions that would give power to the farmers are left out,” Remonde said.
“We will work to make the Agrarian Reform Law more comprehensive. In order to work, it should not be limited to the redistribution of lands,” he added.
In a related development, Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday called for an inventory of CARP lands and an accounting of the program’s funds.
Pimentel said with only a few days before the expiration of the CARP, DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman has not yet submitted a report on how the program was implemented and how funds were spent.
“We cannot allow CARP to be used as a plaything of people in power. We are forgetting that the objective of CARP is to help those who have no land to acquire lands, the tenant farmers,” Pimentel told reporters during the Weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Hotel forum in Quezon City.
Pimentel added that the list of the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) granted to farmer-beneficiaries all over the country must also be checked to determine whether these are still in their possession. – With Perseus Echeminadahttp://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531125
TransCo rushing repairs of bombed towers in SouthSunday, June 1, 2008
The National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) has started emergency repairs on damaged power lines after armed men blew up five electric towers in separate incidents since Tuesday in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Sarangani.
Beth Ladaga, communications officer of TransCo-Lanao, said company engineers and linemen are repairing the destroyed transmission towers that had caused power failure in the affected regions.
The latest bombings occurred last Friday in the towns of Bubong in Lanao del Sur, and Kauswagan and Bacolod in Lanao del Norte.
Last Tuesday transmission towers in two towns in Sarangani were also bombed.
Large areas of Northern and Southern Mindanao suffered major electricity disruptions last week after still unidentified suspects blasted power transmission towers.
Police said the suspects allegedly used cellular telephones to detonate the explosives that destroyed the electric towers.
TransCo officials said that since January this year, some 23 transmission towers in Mindanao have been destroyed by lawless elements.
Bambi Capulong, spokesman of TransCo’s Southeastern Mindanao office, said a technical problem occurred at around 9:31 a.m. Friday morning that caused the tripping of the Agus 2-Kibawe138KV lines 1 and 2 as well as the Tagoloan-Pulangi 138KV lines 1 and 2.
Capulong said the tripping of the transmission lines also affected the power lines in Southern Mindanao, particularly the Davao, Cotabato and General Santos areas. – Edith Regalado, Lino de la Cruz http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531126
Activists plan US protest vs Arroyo-Bush meetSunday, June 1, 2008
Filipino activists said they plan to protest next month’s meeting between President Arroyo and US President George W. Bush.
Bayan, an umbrella group representing many of the country’s left-wing groups, said its US branch and their supporters will organize rallies and protests during Mrs. Arroyo’s June 23-29 visit to Washington and New York.
“It will be a meeting of two of the most unpopular presidents in their respective countries, a summit between a colonial master and a puppet,” Bayan said in a statement.
Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general, said the US global war on terror and US military assistance to the Arroyo administration were responsible for alleged human rights abuses in the Philippines.
American soldiers have been training and arming Filipino troops fighting al-Qaeda-linked militants and have had a presence in the southern Philippines since 2002.
The White House and Malacañang announced that Mrs. Arroyo will hold talks with Bush on June 24 on a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism, food security and the situation in Myanmar.
A White House statement Thursday said Bush was looking forward to discussions with Mrs. Arroyo on ways to enhance their “strong partnership and support for democracy in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo would thank Bush and US lawmakers for their support for Filipino World War II veterans. – APhttp://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531127
MILF dared to dissociate itself from Abu SayyafBy Roel Pareño Sunday, June 1, 2008
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) challenged yesterday the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to dissociate itself from the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups suspected of being behind the recent bombing and attacks on the military.
The military warned it will launch a full-scale operation against those who continue to violate the truce and those allied with the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, told the MILF to stop denying and instead “back up their words with action” and distance themselves from the terrorists.
“Just like the evidence gathered by the police in the bombing which pointed to the MILF and its alliance with the Abu Sayyaf, we also saw traces of the Abu Sayyaf collaborating with the MILF in the attack and ambush on the Marines,” Allaga said.
At least 17 Marines were wounded in attacks in Basilan the other Sunday while two people were killed and 22 others were wounded in the bombing in this city last Thursday.
Allaga warned, “We will go on full-scale operation within the bounds of law against those who disobey the law and the existing truce.”
The military earlier filed a ceasefire protest and demanded that the MILF remove from its ranks their commanders in Basilan who were responsible for the attacks.
The MILF though said it is ready to assist government forces in tracking down and identifying those behind the bomb attack outside the Andrews Air Force Base, but cautioned police and military officials to refrain from accusing its members for the deadly Thursday attack.
The explosion occurred while dozens of civilians, waiting for a free C-130 plane ride to Manila, were outside the building that also housed the USAID-funded Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) and the congressional office of first district Rep. Ma. Isabela Climaco.
Eid Kabalu, MILF chief for civil-military affairs, said while they condemned the bombing, they also vehemently denied allegations that the MILF was behind the attack.
Kabalu said the local police chief should have not come up with conclusions before the final results of the investigation were released.
Kabalu said under the ceasefire agreement the MILF can assist authorities in interdicting or arresting suspects who violate laws.
“The MILF is willing and ready to cooperate with the government through the existing ceasefire agreement,” Kabalu said. http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531128
Arroyo’s spending spree: Travel, ‘donations’ top Palace expensesSunday, June 1, 2008
In 2007, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency spent a total of P249.5 million to pay the salaries and wages of its regular employees, and P10.7 million to pay casual and contractual employees.
Combined, that means P260.2 million to pay the rank and file of the Office of the President and 58 other executive offices, agencies, commissions, and committees under Mrs. Arroyo.
But in the same year, Mrs. Arroyo spent more than double that amount for her foreign and domestic travels, which totaled P588.5 million and P34.1 million, respectively, according to the Commission on Audit’s report on the 2007 financial transactions of Malacañang.
In fact, she spent much more – P618.6 million – in “donations” to yet unknown beneficiaries, the COA report revealed.
Malacañang, the COA report showed, spent similarly big amounts for broad, discretionary, and seemingly identical accounts, including:
• “Confidential expenses,” P149 million;
• “Consultancy services,” P59.6 million;
• “Representation expenses,” P56.8 million;
• “Representation allowance,” P14.5 million;
• “Other bonuses and allowance,” P28.8 million;
• “Transportation allowance,” P10.3 million;
• “Advertising expenses,” P6.9 million;
• “Additional compensation (ADCOM),” P24.8 million;
• “Extraordinary expenses,” P6.64 million;
• “Miscellaneous expenses,” P5.4 million;
• “Other personnel benefits,” P119.8 million; and
• “Subsidy to Regional Offices/Staff Bureaus/Branch Offices,” P46.6 million.
The COA report showed that apart from these amounts, the Office of the President had paid out in 2007 P21 million in “yearend bonus,” P7.1 million in “cash gift,” and P651,000 in “honoraria.”
The President was also revealed to have kept a high-maintenance household, which may be in keeping with her role as chief executive and fount of power in the land. Yet the COA report showed that what Malacañang spends on the usual costs like food, communication, utilities, office and other supplies, gasoline, security, among others, could cause taxpayers sleepless nights.
For her 2007 foreign travel alone, Arroyo spent an average of P49.04 million per month. In addition, she spent P2.84 million on local travel per month. Combined, that means a monthly bill of P51.8 million for the peripatetic president.
By most expense entries enrolled in the COA report, Arroyo’s official household is hardly a pauper’s palace. Malacañang spends like it is a real profligate’s paradise. In 2007, the presidency billed the following expenses to taxpayers:
• Food supplies expenses, P55.7 million or P4.6 million a month;
• Electricity, P54.5 million or an average of P4.5 million a month;
• Gasoline, oil and lubricants, P27.9 million or P2.3 million a month;
• Water, P25.4 million or P2.1 million a month;
• Security services, P13 million or P1.08 million a month;
• Janitorial services, P4.8 million or P400,000 a month;
• Telephone, landline, P13.5 million or P1.1 million a month;
• Telephone, mobile, P9.07 million or P755,000 a month;
• Office supplies, P13.5 million or P1.1 million a month;
• “Other supplies,” P19.4 million or P1.6 million a month;
• Subscription expenses, P1.04 million or P86,000 a month;
• Cooking gas, P892,000 or P74,000 a month
• Internet, P332,597 or P27,716 a month; and
• Cable, satellite, telegraph and radio, P300,955 or P25,079 a month.
Arroyo’s household disbursed more millions for “repair and maintenance” expenses, including P94.89 million for aircraft and aircraft ground equipment; P7.1 million for motor vehicles; P4.2 million for furniture and fixtures; P1.02 million for office equipment; and P1.09 million for other machinery and equipment.
In contrast to the millions splurged on these expenses, the presidency scrimped on other seemingly important expense items.
For instance, it disbursed only P433,915 for the whole of 2007 in “training expenses,” and reported zero spending on “textbooks and instructional materials,” “storage expenses,” “military and police supplies,” “medical, dental and laboratory supplies,” “awards and indemnities,” and “hazard pay.” – Malou Mangahas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531129
Arroyo to name new Comelec commissioners soonBy Marvin Sy Sunday, June 1, 2008
Malacañang said yesterday President Arroyo will soon fill the vacancies in the Commission on Elections after Comelec Chairman Jose Melo appealed to the President to issue an appointment soon as there are only three commissioners left in the commission.
Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde, in an interview over dzRB, said Mrs. Arroyo is well aware of the problems faced by the undermanned Comelec, especially with the death of Commissioner Romeo Brawner last week.
“The President is aware of that and I’m sure that she will come up with her choice at the most appropriate time, which is soon,” Remonde said.
Also yesterday, Comelec officials reported that the commission has finally found a replacement for the two slain heads of its legal department.
Remonde argued that the President is just making sure she makes the right appointments, especially because the Comelec’s reputation has been tainted with allegations of massive poll fraud under the present administration.
“I would like to assure Chairman Melo and the public that President Arroyo right now is studying the nominees very seriously and I think the President will make her choice very soon,” Remonde said.
Just like Melo, Remonde said the next commissioner would have to go through a stringent nomination and selection process conducted by a multisectoral nominating committee.
“That is why the President is exercising much prudence in making her decision. And of course the President is praying that she would be able to come up with the best in order to restore the integrity of our electoral process,” Remonde said.
Before Brawner died, the Comelec already lacked two commissioners because of the retirement of Commissioners Resurreccion Borra and Florentino Tuason.
Melo said the current set of one chairman and three commissioners is the bare minimum for the Comelec, since “anything less than four and the decisions of the Comelec would not be valid and binding.”
Brawner was in charge of the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Meanwhile, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed yesterday that the poll body had chosen Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, director of Comelec-National Capital Region (NCR), to be its new legal chief.
Rafanan replaces slain law department heads Alioden Dalaig and Wynne Asdala. His appointment takes effect today.
In a telephone interview, Rafanan said he actually applied for the position after Dalaig was gunned down in front of the Hyatt Hotel in Ermita, Manila in November last year.
Dalaig was replaced by Asdala who was also killed a few meters away from the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila last February.
Asked if he was not scared by what happened to Dalaig and Asdala, Rafanan said he already accepted the risk that goes with the job.
“There’s actually a risk in anything you do, wherever you go. But as long as you do what you think is right, I don’t think you have to be afraid,” said the 49-year-old Rafanan.
He added that he sought the position to help “erase the presumption of corruption” at the law department which handles election offense cases and screens the certificates of candidacy filed by those who want to run for public office.
With his new position, Rafanan said he intends to initiate the intensive training of Comelec lawyers on investigation and prosecution to improve their efficiency in handling cases.
“We have to constantly educate our people. I also hope to improve the system at the law department to fast-track the procedures there,” he said.
Rafanan claimed that in late 2006, he was “frozen” by former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos for “insubordination” when, as NCR director, he contradicted Dalaig’s opinion that it was legal for the poll body to verify the signatures gathered and submitted by Sigaw ng Bayan for Charter change.
In doing so, Rafanan cited a Supreme Court decision stating that the Comelec should not take cognizance in any decision to amend the Constitution.
He was relieved from the NCR office and detailed at Abalos’ office until June last year when he was again appointed as NCR director. – With Sheila Crisostomo
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531130
Senate Blue Ribbon panel to call JDVBy Aurea Calica Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Senate wants former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to set the date of his appearance at the Senate investigation into the canceled $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the government and the Chinese firm ZTE Corp.
“To cut the discussions, my staff will call him first thing tomorrow so he can tell us when he will testify,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, told The STAR.
Cayetano issued the clarification after De Venecia was quoted in various reports as saying that he was just waiting for the Senate Blue Ribbon committee to send him an invitation to appear at the Senate.
De Venecia said he had recovered from his illness and was now ready to testify about the NBN deal. The former Speaker added he was preparing the necessary documents to back his testimony.
Short of saying he was getting impatient with De Venecia, Cayetano bared that he had spoken with the former Speaker more than a 100 times in the last four months to see if he could be a witness on the NBN deal.
Cayetano said he could not understand why De Venecia would wait for a formal invitation when he was aware that it could not be done because of inter-parliamentary courtesy.
“Tomorrow we will ask him again, tell us the date and we’ll accommodate him at a hearing,” Cayetano said.
De Venecia has also reportedly expressed readiness to testify on the Northrail and Southrail projects as well as other agreements that the Arroyo administration signed with China where he was also allegedly involved.
The former Speaker was present at the golf game of President Arroyo and her husband with ZTE officials in Shenzhen, China last year as well as the subsequent visit of the First Couple to the Chinese firm’s headquarters in the same city.
Senators want to find out the direct participation of the President in the deal that was allegedly overpriced and marred with bribery of and by officials, including resigned Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he hoped De Venecia was not playing hard to get and just taunting the administration to reclaim his seat as Speaker.
The NBN deal is believed to have caused the break-up of the alliance of Mrs. Arroyo and De Venecia. The President’s sons in the House led the ouster of De Venecia as Speaker after his son and namesake, businessman Jose III, spilled the beans on bribery and overpricing in the NBN deal.
“I just hope he realizes how complicated this controversy is and he can contribute a lot in clarifying facts, details and information regarding the deal. I hope anytime he will come out. If he is free to testify, he should do so now because the truth knows no perfect timing. Anytime, even now, is perfect timing,” Lacson said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano and Eva Visperas
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531131

‘Esperon will do well as peace adviser ’By Marvin Sy Sunday, June 1, 2008
Outgoing Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza expressed confidence that his replacement would have no problem in his new post because of his familiarity with the job.
Interviewed over state-run dzRB, Dureza said that former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. would not have to go through a long transition period because they have worked closely together in the past.
“He knows the job because we have been working together very closely on the peace process,” Dureza said.
Dureza, who will replace Ignacio Bunye as Press Secretary this July, said that he would brief Esperon on the work of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) so that the turn over would go smoothly.
President Arroyo designated Dureza as her new Press Secretary following her appointment of Bunye as a member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Monetary Board.
Dureza said that he does not intend to make any changes in the Office of the Press Secretary when he assumes his post.
Meanwhile, Dureza said that the bombing incident in Zamboanga last Thursday should be thoroughly investigated in order to determine the perpetrators of the crime.
He also said that it is still premature to say at this point that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is involved in the incident. – Marvin Sy
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531133


Pimentel to promote federalismBy Aurea Calica Sunday, June 1, 2008
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. will conduct a nationwide roadshow to promote the adoption of a federal system of government during the congressional break as he expressed appreciation over the local governments’ support for his proposal.
Pimentel said he would meet with leaders of the League of Provinces led by Misamis Occidental Gov. Leo Ocampos on Tuesday to map out his “tour” to educate the public about federalism.
Pimentel said he was glad that the provincial governors manifested interest in and support for the federalism proposal, which seeks to dismantle the highly centralized system of government and disperse the vast powers of government among the federal states that will be created.
He said he hopes to hit the trail and get the federalism proposal discussed by people all over the nation after the Senate adjourns on June 11.
“I would like to go around the country and try to explain the meaning of federalism because a lot of our countrymen do not yet understand what it is all about,” the senator from Mindanao said.
The federalism proposal is contained in Joint Resolution No. 10, introduced by Pimentel and backed by 15 other senators, which calls for the convening of Congress into a Constituent Assembly to revise the 1987 Constitution.
The resolution envisions the creation of 11 federal states and one federal administrative region. There will be four states in Luzon, four in the Visayas and three in Mindanao.
The federalization of the country seeks to speed up the economic development of the nation and dissipate armed insurgencies, especially the Muslim rebellion.
Pimentel said the governors would play an important role in enlightening the people about the features and advantages of federalism because of the tremendous influence they exert over their constituents.
He said one of the advantages of federalism is the modified sharing of taxes, fees and other revenues collected by the government in which the federal (central) government will get 20 percent and the 11 federal states and local governments under them, 80 percent.
Pimentel, meanwhile, announced that he has written a new book, entitled “Federalizing the Philippines” which will serve as a fact book on federalism.
The 494-page book shows that the regions being merged and converted into federal states are not starting from scratch since they have the basics to build on and sustain their viability as federal states.
The data (per state) contained in the book include: (1) the number of local government units (LGUs); (2) their land areas; (3) population and ethnic diversities; (4) dominant languages; (5) airports and seaports; (6) road networks; (7) economic zones; (8) power sources; (9) major investments; (10) fishing, forestry and mining industries; (11) hotel and lodging houses; (12) telecommunication facilities; (13) banks; (14) hospitals; (15) educational institutions; (16) media facilities; and (17) increased shares of the revenues of the Republic for the states and their LGUs.
Aside from the governors, Pimentel said he would soon meet with the leaders of the League of Municipalities, League of Cities and the League of Barangays.
He will also hold similar discussions with the leaders of non-government organizations, civil society groups and other organizations that have expressed willingness to take part in the information and education campaign on federalism.
Pimentel added he was also hoping to conduct a series of meetings with leaders of Muslim Mindanao, including officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, members of the academic community and the ulamas.
He said he has already conferred with former ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari on the federalism proposal.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531134


Gordon: Nothing wrong with politicians declaring 2010 plansBy Aurea Calica Sunday, June 1, 2008
Several lawmakers have admitted that some public officials are already preparing for the 2010 elections by appearing in television commercials.
Sen. Richard Gordon said he saw nothing wrong with appearing in TV commercials at this time in an effort to make known their political intent, even though most people perceive this to be premature politicking.
He said it is up to the people to scrutinize these political wannabes when the 2010 elections come.
Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda agreed with Gordon and said the public must in fact be wary about government officials appearing in “info-mercials” rather than endorsing products, since public funds are being used for their publicity.
“We are not discounting (the possibility) that there are those whose careers as public officials may benefit from TV advertisements sans the benefits of actual accomplishments,” Gordon said.
Accepting endorsements, according to Gordon, would depend on advocacy and one’s belief in the product.
“If you’re running for President and you use the (commercial) for your own self, then that all depends on you. But if you really want to help the poor then that’s okay. I think it is obvious who are politicking, right?” Gordon said over radio dwIZ.
Gordon noted that some well-known personalities are now appearing in TV commercials.
“But I am not complaining because I want the people to know who the candidates are this early so they can choose wisely – even (if elections) are still far away – who are qualified for certain positions. And if the (officials) do not have delicadeza, they will also know what to do,” he said.
Gordon appears in a commercial endorsing a popular bath soap.
Some of his colleagues are also appearing in ads either as product endorsers or pushing an advocacy.
Gordon maintained senators endorsing products or services are not violating any election laws.
As a lawyer, Gordon argued there is no need for strict regulation since this is also the practice in the United States.
Gordon though welcomed Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s move to clarify with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if these TV commercial appearances, billboards and print ads constitute premature campaigning.
In his case, Gordon said he served as model for the bath soap because he personally trusts the brand.
Gordon said he was the one who brought the product to the country when he served as a brand manager for the company.
Gordon said his seven-figure talent fee for endorsing the product went to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), of which he is chairman.
Gordon added the commercial promoted the need for people to practice hygiene and make it a habit to wash their hands to avoid contracting various diseases.
Other senators also maintained there was nothing wrong with endorsing products. They said Comelec could not cite them for premature campaigning since they have not filed their certificates of candidacy.
Escudero, for his part, admitted that he was personally using the product he was endorsing.
He argued that officials should not be deprived of the chance to earn extra income legitimately as product endorsers, since, Escudero argued, this would help them keep their hands off government funds.
Legarda, Senators Manuel Roxas II and Pia Cayetano also claimed they did not benefit from their commercials financially because their talent fees went to charity.
They noted there should be no issue as long as there was no conflict of interest in their endorsements. – With Edith Regalado, Edu Punay
http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080531136


Telecom companies told to lower rates
Telecommunication companies (telcos) were again asked to lower the cost of the their services “at least during these difficult times.”
House Speaker Prospero Nograles reiterated this appeal over the weekend, saying that the telcos have already “raked in billions in profit due to investment incentives and the blind patronage of millions of Filipinos.”
“I have already instructed the House committee on Information and technology chaired by Rep. Joseph Santiago to revisit Republic Act 7925, otherwise known as the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of 1995, with the main objective of finding out possible amendments to bring down the cost of communication services, particularly text messaging which has become an essential communications tool among Filipinos including the poorest of the poor,” Nograles said in a statement.
“Many Filipinos, from ordinary students to business executives, rely on their cellular phones for their day-to-day transactions,” he added.
Nograles also said RA 7925 may have “spoiled” the telcos with the removal of the 12-percent ceiling on return of investment and the three percent franchise tax on gross receipts which he added, could have placed the prices of telco services more reasonable.
“The removal of the cap gave telecoms too much discretionary opportunity to maximize profit as they prey on the eager Filipino texters,” he said.
Based on the estimates, he added text messaging sending in the Philippines should be only at 25 centavos per text or should even be made free. Also, voice calls which costs P8 per minute should be charged not on per minute basis so that consumers will not pay for dropped calls.
The lawmaker also asked Santiago’s committee to review a measure filed during the 12th Congress, which would compel telcos to stop overcharging their customers by charging them on a “per-minute” basis on voice calls.
Nograles said mobile phone service providers should only charge their subscribers on “per six seconds of usage” and should be compelled to issue billing statements even for pre-paid subscribers.
The Davao City representative stressed that the practice of telcos of charging their subscribers on a per-minute basis instead of the actual length of calls should be considered as a business malpractice and this should be immediately corrected.
“With the absence of a law which regulates the call rates of these mobile phone service providers, even the National Telecommunications Commission is helpless in protecting the subscribers.” --Sammy Martin
http://manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/metro/20080601met8.html


Advertisers ask govt to pass billboard safety law
A comprehensive law that will govern the billboard advertising industry has been sought by one of the country’s biggest organizations of outdoor advertisers on Tuesday.
In a statement sent to the Manila Times, the Billboard Safety Initiative said they would be supporting any law that would set the safety standards for the P2 billion industry.
The group, which includes United Neon, Media Pool Inc., Summit Media, Outcomm and Big Board Advertisers, added they are ready to work with legislators to formulate the policies.
“What we are practicing now is self-regulation. Even after Typhoon Milenyo destroyed a lot of structures in 2006, especially the billboards along EDSA, the House of Representatives has yet to refile a counterpart bill to the Senate’s,” he said. --Francis Earl Cueto
http://manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/metro/20080601met9.html


Kakapit na sa patalim
BTaguinod
Hindi dapat panoorin lamang ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang patuloy na paglobo ng pres­yo ng mga produktong petrolyo dahil malaki ang posibilidad na kumapit na sa patalim ang taumbayan na makakaapekto sa katiwasayan o peace and order ng bansa.
Ito ang pahayag ni Quezon Rep. Erin Tanada bilang reaksyon sa reklamo ng taumbayan sa patu­loy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis subalit wala umanong ginagawang ayuda ang gobyerno.
Ayon sa kongresista, nagkakaroon ng awtomatikong epekto sa presyo ng mga bilihin ang paglobo ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo na posibleng magtulak para makaisip na ng masama ang mamamayan para lamang may maipantawid ng gutom.
“Kung nakakarami sa ating mamamayan ay lubog sa kahirapan at walang makain, may banta sa peace and order dahil dadami ang pagnanakaw at hold-up,” pahayag ni Tanada.
Sa panig naman ni CIBAC partylist Rep. Joel Villanueva, hindi umano ito magtataka kung maubos ang pasensya ng taumbayan kay Arroyo at manganib ang “stability” ng pamahalaan nito, dahil ang pakiramdam ng taumbayan ay pinapanood lamang sila ng Pangulo habang nagkakandahirap.http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/june0108/news02.htm
Gobyerno, mag-refund din sa Meralco consumers!
Bernard Taguinod/Tina Mendoza
Hindi lamang ang Manila Electric Company (Meralco) ang dapat mag-refund sa may 4.4 milyong consumers ng power distributor kundi maging ang gobyerno dahil sa buwis na kinolekta nito sa ipinasagot na nakaw na kuryente.
Ito ang tinuran kahapon ni Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte bilang tugon sa mga inaaning batikos na tanging ang Meralco ang kanyang pinag-iinitan dahil sa sobrang singil.
“Hindi lang Meralco ang dapat mag-refund, pinagre-refund ko rin ang gobyerno,” pahayag ni Villafuerte dahil ilegal at hindi umano makaturangan na pinatungan ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ng Value Added Tax (VAT) ang siningil ng Meralco na system loss sa mga consumers.
Tinataya ni Villafuerte na umaabot sa P16.7 bilyon ang system loss na ipinasa ng Meralco sa milyong konsumer noong nakaraang taon at 12% nito ay napunta sa gobyerno sa anyo ng VAT.
Samantala, nanawagan naman kahapon ang First Gas Power Corp., isang independent power producer (IPP) na pag-aari ng pamilya Lopez, na aksyunan na ng gobyerno ang panawagan nilang alisin na ang royalty tax na ipinapataw sa natural gas upang makatulong sa pagpapababa ng singil sa kuryente.http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/june0108/news03.htm
Comelec humirit ng commissioner
Christine Agus/Grace Velasco
Umapela na ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) sa Malacañang upang dagdagan na ang paghirang ng mga commissioner sa ahensya para mas mabilis ding aksyunan ang mga kasong tatambad sa kanila.
Sinabi ni Comelec Chairman Jose Melo na lubha siyang nababahala sa pagdagsa ng trabaho sa natitirang commissioner nang pumanaw si Commissioner Romeo Brawner.
“I have already brought to the attention of the President the need to appoint new commissioners in the Comelec especially now that the ARMM election is already nearing,” wika ni Melo sa isang panayam sa mga taga-media.
Samantala, tiniyak ng Malacañang na hindi na magtatagal at iaanunsyo na ang napili na tatlong bagong commissioner.
Inihayag ni Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Sec. Cerge Remonde na hindi lingid kay Pa­ngulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang mahigpit na pangangailangan ng Comelec ng mga opisyal na kukumpleto sa hanay nito.http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/june0108/news06.htm
Nograles to give additional P200 M for Davao projects


DAVAO CITY — Speaker Prospero C. Nograles said that an additional R200 million worth of infrastructure projects have been allotted for the first district of Davao City.
Lawyer Karlo Nograles, son and the congressman’s chief-of-staff, said that this was the biggest fund allocation made so far by his father since he assumed the fourth highest position in the government.
Out of the total budget, R20 million is being allocated for the construction of canal cover and park along M. Roxas Avenue, this city.
"This has been a longtime vision of the Speaker, to complete the development of the park along Roxas Avenue," the young Nograles said.
Another R20 million has been allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of the Hall of Justice.
"We are delivering on our promise to improve our Hall of Justice and make it more presentable to all those who come here," he said.
Other projects in the budget include repair of the S.I.R. Fire Station with a funding allocation R1.5 million; completion of the GSIS Fire Station, R2.5 million; completion of the Talomo Police Station, R3 million; completion of the barangay hall at Matina Crossing, R3 million, and completion of the Sta. Ana Fire Station, R10 million.
Funds for road concreting projects have also been allocated for the following barangays: Bucana 76-A, R15 million; 19-B, R10 million; Talomo, R5 million; Catalunan Pequeno, R10 million; Matina Crossing, R10 million; Matina Aplaya, R10 million; Dumoy, R10 million; Baliok R10 million; Bago Aplaya, R5 million; Bago Gallera, R5 million; Maa, R10 million; Langub, R10 million; Magtuod R10 million; Matina Pangi, R10 million, and Catalunan Grande, R10 million. http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080601126203.html
New poll officials known soon
PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo is set to name her choices to fill up three vacancies at the Commission on Elections, said Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde.Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo “is studying very seriously” the best person to replace Romeo Brawner who died last May 29. “I’d like to assure chairman (Jose) Melo that the President right now is studying very seriously. Di magtagal, I think she will make ... her choice,” Remonde said.“The President is exercising much prudence in making her decision. She prays she will be able to come up with the best to restore the integrity of the electoral process,” he said. The Comelec is left with Comelec chairman Jose Melo, Rene Sarmiento, Moslemen Macarambon Sr., and Nicodemo Ferrer. Florentino Tuazon, Jr. and Resurrection Borra retired early this year.Sarmiento yesterday welcomed the news that the President will soon announce her choices.“Mabuti kung ganoon. Magandang balita ‘yan,”he said. Efren Montano, Lee Ann Ducusin
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=1&aid=61652
RP a democracy, but…
By: Cristina Lee-Pisco
DESPITE a long tradition of democracy, the Philippines is still susceptible to political chaos, coup attempts and other woes, a country report released by the United States said.“The Republic of the Philippines has a long tradition of democracy, but it remains vulnerable to political turmoil, recurring attempts to use extra-constitutional means to resolve leadership crises, human rights abuses and concerns about credibility of elections,” a report entitled “US Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports” said.Corruption and weak rule of law continue to be underlying factors exacerbating this vulnerability, the report released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor said.As in the past years, elections were marred by violence and fraud but civil society monitoring groups continue to play an active role to ensure fairer election counts, it said.High voter turnout in the 2007 national and local elections demonstrated the country’s continuing commitment to the democratic process as 99 percent of the 17,000 seats available nationwide were filled without controversy, the same report added. The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there continued to be serious problems in certain areas, particularly extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and forced disappearances, the report said. It noted that in 2007, the government intensified its efforts to investigate and prosecute these cases and there has been a significant decrease in the number of killings and disappearances.Thus, the US government has provided the Philippines development assistance for government and civil society partners to develop the policies and tools necessary for a freer, fairer, and more democratic system set within the framework of the rule of law and respect for human rights. http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=4&aid=61625
House shrugs off call for death penalty revival
THE House of Representatives, like the Senate, is not keen on reviving capital punishment which, many congressmen maintain is not the key to stopping heinous crimes similar to the two separate massacres in Laguna last month, killing at least 18 people.First abolished by the 1987 Constitution and then restored by Congress in 1995, the death penalty was again re-imposed in February 1999 when fish vendor Leo Echegaray was executed through lethal injection after being convicted of raping his own daughter. Six other criminals, convicted separately of murder and rape, were executed after Echegaray before Congress again abolished capital punishment two years ago on apparent instructions from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was then going on an official visit to the Vatican.The May 16 robbery of a commercial bank in Cabuyao, Laguna where nine people were initially killed -- a tenth victim died in a hospital two days later -- and the massacre of eight people in a village of Calamba City two days later renewed calls for the re-imposition of the death penalty from anti-crime groups, noting the rise in heinous crimes despite claims by police authorities on the contrary. Rep. Amado Bagatsing (KAMPI, Manila) supported the demand for capital punishment “but only for real heinous crimes.” Raul S. Beltran
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=4&aid=61638
House bats for stronger BFAD
THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 3293 which seeks to upgrade the Bureau of Food and Drugs’ capabilities to ensure public health and safety.Speaker Prospero Nograles said a copy of the approved bill was already transmitted to the Senate.“The safety and health of our people are paramount,” Nograles said, as he lauded the House committee on health for the swift passage of the measure.The bill would give more teeth to the BFAD amid complaints against sub-standards medicines, cosmetic products and food supplements.Under the bill, the BFAD will be upgraded to Food and Drugs Administration and will retain its income for five years to give the agency the needed logistics and personnel complement. House committee on health chairman Rep. Arthur Pingoy said the bill, once passed into law, will result in effective performance of FDA’s regulatory functions of licensing, registration and monitoring. Jester Manalastashttp://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=4&aid=61653
Solon seeks better deal for tipsters
By: Jester P. Manalastas
A NEOPHYTE solon is pushing for the passage of a proposed measure giving more protection to whistleblowers especially on graft and corruption cases involving government men.Alliance for Rural Concerns Rep. Narciso Santiago said HB 3809 will encourage any informant on graft and corruption cases against government personnel to come out in the open.The proposed measure, Santiago said, provides the mechanism to protect whistleblowers and remove the stigma of ostracism and retaliation they face for speaking out.Santiago said the lack of a legal framework for protection and security to whistleblowers has exposed them to threats of retaliation, trial by publicity, outright miscarriage of justice, and even summary executionThe bill provides that an employer cannot take any retaliatory action against an employee who discloses or testifies against his employer or co-employee about a violation of a law, rule or regulation.“Those who blow the whistle are often fired and ostracized by friends and co-workers. They are accused of having grievances with their employers or trying to make a profit out of their accusations,” Santiago said.“The government needs a new institutional mechanism for integrity and accountability, and to avoid scandals and restore credibility in public service. The litmus test for such reforms is the government’s treatment of whistle blowers,” Santiago added.The bill likewise ensures that public disclosures are made before proper public authorities. The solon said that potential whistleblowers are discouraged, demoralized and dissuaded because they expect nothing but hardship when evaluating the effects of any disclosure.Such circumstances aggravate the worsening condition of graft and corruption in the country, Santiago pointed out. http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-06-01&sec=4&aid=61657