I. BANNER STORIES
Arroyo sticks to Church line
‘Not enough pressure for her to alter her policy’
By Michael Lim Ubac, TJ Burgonio, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:17:00 07/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Following a meeting with Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and three archbishops last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided to maintain her stand against the use of contraceptives because of the weak lobby for artificial family planning methods, one of her economic advisers said yesterday.
Palace keeps distance from Napocor coal deal
By Paolo Romero
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
PLACER, Masbate – Malacañang yesterday kept its distance from the brewing controversy over a nearly P1-billion coal supply deal between the state-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) and an obscure and under capitalized firm, even as officials said they are presuming regularity in the awarding of the contract.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715137
3. Manila Times
GSIS head faces graft case
Cases say Garcia illegally remitted P1B to Palace
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
Criminal and administrative charges were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Winston Garcia, the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/16/yehey/top_stories/20080716top1.html
4. Malaya
P4B more 'Katas ng VAT'
Second outlay in as many quarters
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday ordered a second outlay of P4 billion earned from the value-added tax on oil spent for the upgrade of government hospitals, rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas, and provision of subsidies for "lifeline" electricity users and microfinance assistance for the transportation sector.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul16/news1.htm
Meeting sought on family planning bill
Bishops invited to talks to resolve morality issue
Meeting sought with bishops on family planning
By JENNY F. MANONGDO and LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO
Reproductive Health (RH) advocates yesterday invited officials of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to a meeting to resolve the morality issue in a bill that seeks to meet the reproductive health needs of Filipino families.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080716129881.html
7. Abante
P.5B INUBOS NI GLORIA SA BIYAHE
Nina BOYET JADULCO at ROSE MIRANDA
Inilabas ng Commission on Audit (COA) ang 2007 report nito na naglalaman ng mga kuwestyunableng transaksyon ng Office of the President tulad ng ‘unliquidated cash advances’, loans na walang rekord, hindi matunton na mga donasyon, understated expenses at overstated accounts.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/july1608/default.htm
MALUPIT NA LOVER TINADTAD NG SAKSAK
Ni Erika Maala
Nauwi sa labis na galit at pagpatay ang matinding pagmamahal na inukol ng isang ginang sa kanyang live-in partner matapos na bugbugin siya nito kamakalawa ng hapon sa Taguig City.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/july1608/news_story1.htm
Palasyo sabit sa P1-B GSIS scam
Ni Angie Dela Cruz
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dawit ang Palasyo sa isinampang mga kasong kriminal at katiwalian sa Ombudsman laban kay Government Service Insurance System president Winston Garcia at iba pang opisyal ng pension fund kaugnay sa P1 bilyon halaga na naibigay ni Garcia sa Office of the President noong 2004.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008071568
10. Journal
Palasyo sabit sa P1-B GSIS scam
Ni Angie Dela Cruz
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dawit ang Palasyo sa isinampang mga kasong kriminal at katiwalian sa Ombudsman laban kay Government Service Insurance System president Winston Garcia at iba pang opisyal ng pension fund kaugnay sa P1 bilyon halaga na naibigay ni Garcia sa Office of the President noong 2004.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-16&sec=1&aid=66764
11. Business World
BY ALEXIS DOUGLAS B. ROMERO, Reporter
Still more subsidies from gov’t
Another P4 billion to be taken from oil VAT windfall
DESPITE CRITICISM that dole-outs are all the government can offer to mitigate the impact of high fuel and food prices, President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo yesterday announced a package of fresh subsidies and allocations she claimed would help alleviate the plight of the poor.
http://bworldonline.com/BW071608/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Insurers to fight GSIS on CTPL
By Jun Vallecera
Reporter
THE 94 member-organizations of the Philippine Insurer and Reinsurers’ Association (Pira) vowed on Tuesday to take its fight all the way to the Supreme Court to retain control of the lucrative Compulsory Third-Party Liability insurance, or CTPL, business.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07162008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Higher rainfall boosts rice output
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:44:00 07/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines— Good weather conditions will most likely mean better-than-expected rice production in the Philippines of about 7.3 million tons in the first half of the year, according to a senior agriculture official.
Arroyo sticks to Church line
‘Not enough pressure for her to alter her policy’
By Michael Lim Ubac, TJ Burgonio, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:17:00 07/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Following a meeting with Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and three archbishops last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided to maintain her stand against the use of contraceptives because of the weak lobby for artificial family planning methods, one of her economic advisers said yesterday.
NPA rebels attack Arroyo security in Masbate
By Michael Lim Ubac
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 02:32:00 07/16/2008
PLACER, MASBATE—A roadside bomb exploded and firefights erupted between soldiers and communist rebels on several fronts Tuesday as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her Cabinet came to Masbate province for a meeting on subsidies for the poor amid soaring prices.
‘Helen’ gains strength; storm signals raised
By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:33:00 07/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines—With thousands of families still recovering from the ravages of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen), the weather bureau Tuesday raised major storm signals over the northernmost provinces of Luzon as Tropical Storm “Helen” (Kalmaegi) slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea.
No closure yet on NBN-ZTE controversy
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Christian V. Esguerra, Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:34:00 07/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines—It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.
A day after the Supreme Court declared the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project with China’s ZTE Corp. moot and academic because President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had cancelled it, her ally, Sen. Joker Arroyo, called for an end to the Senate inquiry into the deal.
‘Helen’ dumps more rains
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tropical storm “Helen” dumped more rains over Northern Luzon yesterday and is expected to make landfall within the next 24 hours if it does not change direction, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715138
Pre-paid electricity coming soon?
By Donnabelle Gatdula
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) yesterday released the draft rules for the implementation of prepaid electricity similar to prepaid cellular telephones.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715139
‘Ex-Northrail chief wanted contract terminated’
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A former official of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) recommended the termination of the contract with the Chinese firm after it unilaterally suspended the construction work and demanded close to $300 million in additional costs to continue the project.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715140
Ombudsman hits smear drive
By Aurea Calica
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A power struggle in the Office of the Ombudsman is seen as one of the reasons why there have been a number of conflicts in the agency.
Sources said yesterday that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio have been “locking horns,” resulting in charges and counter-charges between the two sides.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715142
Voting machines costing P22 M
By Sheila Crisostomo
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The government is spending P22 million a year to house P1.04 billion worth of voting machines that have never been used.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now studying how it can get rid of the voting machines supplied by the Mega Pacific consortium for the May 2004 polls. The automation deal was voided by the Supreme Court.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715143
P4-billion new subsidy programs for poor coming
By Paolo Romero
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
PLACER, Masbate – President Arroyo announced here yesterday that the government will provide another P4-billion worth of subsidies for the poor that includes financial assistance for electricity bills and cash grants for the elderly.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715144
Meralco rates down 4¢ per kwh
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will pay four centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) less for their electricity this month.
It was not known if the reduction has already taken into account the supposed rate cut of the National Power Corp. (Napocor). Meralco is the country’s biggest distributor servicing Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715145
RP to reopen embassy in Iraq if...
By Pia Lee-Brago
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Philippines will reopen its embassy in Iraq before end of this year if the US intelligence report saying that the situation there continues to improve will not change, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715147
Blast hits Placer hours before GMA visit
By Paolo Romero
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
PLACER, Masbate – A powerful blast hit this remote town before dawn yesterday, hours before President Arroyo presided over a Cabinet meeting. No one was reported injured.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715148
Sandigan returns P200 M seized from Marcos crony
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Sandiganbayan has returned to the estate of Hans Menzi more than P201 million seized by the government on suspicion that they were part of the ill-gotten wealth of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715149
SC says ZTE ruling has no bearing on graft cases
By Mike Frialde
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The graft cases pending before the Ombudsman stemming from the government’s national broadband network (NBN) project with China’s ZTE Corp. can still be pursued despite the Supreme Court (SC) decision dismissing the petitions that questioned the legality of the contract.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715150
Sulpicio rests case, but asks for injunction vs BMI
By Sandy Araneta
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Shipping company Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) rested its case yesterday as it appealed for a temporary injunction against the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) and presented four witnesses before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 24.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080715153
Can ‘realpolitik’ work at Romulo Neri’s new job at SSS?
By Alecks P. Pabico, Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism
First of two parts
In May, speculations were rife that Romulo Neri was returning to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as director general and socioeconomic planning secretary by August.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/16/yehey/top_stories/20080716top4.html
Senate bent on pushing ahead with ZTE probe
A Senate inquiry into a $330-million broadband project with China’s ZTE Corp. will continue despite a recent Supreme Court decision that the contract is invalid and need not be nullified, a lawmaker said Tuesday.
“The Supreme Court merely looked into the constitutionality and legality of the contract. It did not look into violations of the anti-graft law, which is the focus of the probe by the blue-ribbon committee,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano told The Manila Times during a telephone interview.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/16/yehey/top_stories/20080716top6.html
New ERC chief can defend herself–Palace
By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
Malacañang said it is up to newly appointed Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Zenaida Ducut to prove or disprove the allegations being hurled by administration’s critics about her capability to run the regulatory body.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/16/yehey/metro/20080716met1.html
NorthRail project to push thru
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Monday said the NorthRail project will continue after the Chinese government expressed its commitment to support the Arroyo administration in completing the project.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/16/yehey/prov/20080716pro3.html
Senate panel to scrutinize welfare program
BY JP LOPEZ
THE Senate committee on economic affairs will examine projects identified in the National Social Welfare Program, which President Arroyo will launch during her state of the nation address on July 28, panel chair Sen. Loren Legarda said yesterday.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul16/news3.htm
De Venecia flies to Madrid for interfaith forum
Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia flew to Madrid Monday night on the invitation of Saudi King Abdullah for the "Madrid Dialogue," a major interfaith forum to advance efforts to put an end to what De Venecia calls a "clash of religions."
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080716129886.html
3 Senate committees blamed
Sen. Joker P. Arroyo blamed yesterday the three Senate committees probing the $ 329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project for putting the Senate "in the quicksand of irrelevance" following a Supreme Court decision dismissing three petitions seeking to nullify the NBN project.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080716129895.html
Senate to wait for De Venecia
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano yesterday said that the Senate will wait for former House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. to testify in a public hearing on the $ 329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project until August, despite the Supreme Court junking the petitions questioning the validity of the NBN project being awarded to a Chinese conglomerate for being moot and academic.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080716129896.html
SONA ni Gloria dinodoktor na
(Rey Marfil/JB Salarzon)
Ito ang naging prediksyon at paglalarawan ni Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson sa magiging laman ng State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa Batasan Complex ngayong Hulyo 28 kasabay ang pagbubukas ng 2nd regular session.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/july1608/news_story2.htm
Broadband deal ‘di bubuhayin
(Rose Miranda)
Hindi na umano balak ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na buhayin ang ZTE-National Broadband Network (ZTE-NBN) deal kahit ibinasura kamakalawa ng Supreme Court (SC) ang petisyon ni Iloilo Vice-Governor Rolez Suplico na humihiling na ibasura ang nasabing kasunduan.
Sa phone interview kay Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol, sinabi nito na tanging intriga lamang ang idinulot ng nasabing kasunduan kung kaya malabo nang buhayin pa ito ni Pangulong Arroyo kahit sa ibang pangalan tulad ng bintang ni ZTE-NBN whistleblower Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada, Jr.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/july1608/news_story4.htm
Pagpapasara sa Senate probe ng NBN scam tinanggihan
TINANGGIHAN ni Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano ang kahilingan para sa pagpapasara sa imbestigasyon ng Senado sa $ 329 milyong National Broadband Network(NBN) project ng pamahalaan sa ZTE Corp., ng China dahil sa hindi pa natutumbok ang mga taong sangkot sa maanomalyang proyekto.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-16&sec=4&aid=66744
Senatorial bets ng Lakas-CMD inilulutang na
INILUTANG ng isang survey firm ang mga potensiyal na pambato sa Senado ng Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) sa 2010 kung saan kabilang sa nagkaroon ng mataas na approval rating sa kanilang pananaliksik sina Health Sec. Francisco Duque, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. at Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles Jr.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-16&sec=4&aid=66748
Palace slams Suplico, Lozada over ZTE deal
By: Efren Montano
MALACAÑANG yesterday scoffed at Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico and ZTE broadband deal whistler blower Rodolfo Jun Lozada Jr. for “speculating” about a supposed new broadband deal now in the works.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-16&sec=4&aid=66776
Blue Ribbon waiting for JdV
By: Bernadette E. Tamayo
THE “much-awaited” testimony of Rep. Jose de Venecia, Jr. on the alleged overpriced $329-million national broadband network project is one of the reasons why the Upper Chamber has not wrapped up its probe.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-16&sec=4&aid=66799
No comments:
Post a Comment