Friday, July 25, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Who’s afraid of Enrile?

Gov’t execs at a loss on issue of smuggling

By Michael Lim Ubac, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Jerome Aning

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:14:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Who’s afraid of JPE?

Malacañang Thursday clammed up when asked about administration Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s statement challenging a Supreme Court ruling that upheld Executive Order No. 156, which bans the importation of second-hand vehicles into the country.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150498/Whos-afraid-of-Enrile

2. The Philippine Star

World oil prices tumble

Friday, July 25, 2008

NEW YORK – Oil prices shed nearly $4 Wednesday, tumbling below $125 a barrel for the first time since early June on growing fears that high prices and the weak US economy are destroying demand.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724104

3. Manila Times

ARMM move tied to ‘Cha-cha’

By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter

The government proposal to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was a move aimed at amending the Constitution, Sen. Richard Gordon said on Thursday.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/july/25/yehey/top_stories/20080725top1.html

4. Malaya

Mixed reviews greet Recto appointment

‘Good man, bad administration’

BY JP LOPEZ

PRO-ADMINISTRATION Sen. Joker Arroyo yesterday said former senator Ralph Recto, his fellow member in the "Wednesday Group," is most qualified to head the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and has the controversial expanded value-added tax (EVAT) law to show for it.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul25/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

True picture of RP sought

Solons call for do-able solutions to problems in SoNA

Solons seek concrete plans for food, fuel, & poverty issues

By MARIO B. CASAYURAN and ELLALYN B. DE VERA

Senators yesterday called on President Arroyo to paint a true picture of prevailing Philippine conditions and present "specific answers, not cloudy proposals" when she delivers her State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080725130661.html

6. The Daily Tribune

7. Abante

CHURCH POWER IPAPATIKIM!

(Jun Tadios/Aries Cano/Eralyn Prado/Rey Marfil/Boyet Jadulco)

Magpapakita ng puwersa ang Simbahang Katoliko sa araw na ito sa idaraos na prayer rally sa University of Sto. Tomas (UST) para sa ika-40 anibersaryo ng Encyclical Humanae Vitae, ang pamantayan ng Simbahan sa kahalagahan ng pagsilang.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/july2508/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

SONA ‘papogi’ na lang

Nina Butch Quejada At Rose Tamayo-Tesoro

Friday, July 25, 2008

Papogi na lamang umano o para sa media mileage ang isasagawang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Arroyo sa Lunes.

Sa pinakahuling survey ng Pulse Asia, 13 porsiyento na lamang ng mamamayan sa bansa ang naniniwala na may katotohan pa o sinseridad ang mga sasabihin ng Pangulong Arroyo sa kanyang SONA, habang 46% ang naniniwala na ang mga nagdaang SONA ng Presidente ay hindi naging makatotohanan.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=20080724135

10. Journal

CAN'T STOP ARMM POLLS

By: Lee Ann P. Ducusin

Comelec bent on holding election

THE Commission on Elections yesterday said the automated election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be held on August 11 as scheduled even if a bill seeking its deferment was filed at the House of Representatives yesterday.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-07-25&sec=1&aid=67787

11. Business World

San Miguel springs surprise

Part of core businesses may be sold, Cojuangco tells shareholders

A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER stunning investors with radical diversification plans, conglomerate San Miguel Corp. yesterday served up another surprise: a new corporate shake-up that may see it sell part of its core food unit and more of its flagship beer operations.

http://bworldonline.com/BW072508/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror

Realtors seek relief as costs rise

By Dennis D. Estopace

Reporter

TRADE Undersecretary Elmer Hernandez announced on Thursday the government is banking on two steel manufacturers’ operation as well as on zero tariff for cement importation to ease the impact of these products’ soaring prices on the real-estate industry.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/07252008/headlines01.html

II. POLITICAL

AmCham: Port Irene good for cyber gambling

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:42:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Instead of being a hub of used-vehicle imports, Port Irene in Cagayan province can concentrate on developing its niche as an offshore base for high-end rollers who do their gambling online, according to the American Chamber of Commerce.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150513/AmCham-Port-Irene-good-for-cyber-gambling

No oil price hike before SONA?

By Donnabelle Gatdula

Friday, July 25, 2008

Oil companies are likely to hold off any price increases this weekend reportedly in deference to President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724105

Asean, partners forge common disaster response

Friday, July 25, 2008

SINGAPORE – Asia-Pacific powers finalized an ambitious plan yesterday for pooling international resources, including military support, to respond to natural disasters in a region beset by cyclones, earthquakes and floods.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724106

I-TEAM REPORT

Most life jackets used in RP vessels a ‘hangman’s noose’

The wreck of the Princess

By Leila Salaverria, Tarra Quismundo, Margaux Ortiz

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:57:00 07/25/2008

Read Part 1: 30-minute pre-departure inspection of ship a ‘joke’

(Second of a series)

MANILA, Philippines—Retired Rear Adm. Benjamin Mata was pleased to see a video on safety measures that Sulpicio Lines had prepared for its passengers, but he became depressed when he saw that life jackets that had been banned years ago were still in use.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150521/Most-life-jackets-used-in-RP-vessels-a-hangmans-noose

Comelec deploys weapon for ARMM polls

By Mayen Jaymalin

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has unleashed its secret weapon in its campaign to push through with elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Aug. 11.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724107

Recto: No more ZTEs at NEDA

By Paolo Romero

Friday, July 25, 2008

Newly appointed Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto vowed yesterday to push for more transparency at the National Economic and Development Authority, saying there would be “no ZTE in NEDA.”

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724108

CA voids SEC TRO vs Meralco

By Mike Frialde

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Court of Appeals (CA) has nullified the restraining order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) prohibiting the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) from holding its stockholders’ meeting last May.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724109

US donor hits Arroyo policy on population

By Christian V. Esguerra, Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:46:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A top United States-based benefactor of population management programs worldwide has criticized President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for backing the Catholic Church’s hard-line position on reproductive health (RH) issues.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150537/US-donor-hits-Arroyo-policy-on-population

Defense, AFP chiefs clash over Red truce

By Michael Lim Ubac, Nikko Dizon

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:47:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro declared Thursday that the government was on track toward ending the communist insurgency in two years, rejecting the Armed Forces chief of staff’s proposal for an “indefinite ceasefire” with the rebels to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150538/Defense-AFP-chiefs-clash-over-Red-truce

Survey: More Filipinos expecting ‘untruthful’ SONA

By Helen Flores

Friday, July 25, 2008

More Filipinos – up to 40 percent – expect President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address on Monday to be “untruthful,” up from 29 percent who expressed the same distrust last year, results of the latest Pulse Asia survey revealed yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724112

Pulse Asia: Only 1 in 10 believes Arroyo SONAs are true

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 03:48:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Public skepticism of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) has grown, with only one in every 10 adult Filipinos saying that her past speeches in Congress had been truthful, according to the latest survey of Pulse Asia Inc.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150539/Pulse-Asia-Only-1-in-10-believes-Arroyo-SONAs-are-true

CA junks another amparo case, 3rd time this week

By Leila Salaverria

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 06:44:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—This is the third time within the week that an amparo petitioner was denied.

Another petition for protection under the writ of amparo has been rejected by the Court of Appeals, this time involving a consultant of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ political wing.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150564/CA-junks-another-amparo-case-3rd-time-this-week

Arroyo orders PASG to probe Cagayan car imports

By Tonette Orejas

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:17:00 07/25/2008

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Thursday directed the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group to investigate the reported smuggling of used vehicles into the Cagayan Economic Zone.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150566/Arroyo-orders-PASG-to-probe-Cagayan-car-imports

Madrigal lawyers question court’s P26-M cap on estate

By Julie M. Aurelio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:18:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Lawyers for the late Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal-Collantes’ estate have questioned the P26-million limit a Makati City court set on the value of the businesswoman-philanthropist’s property to be distributed to her heirs.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150567/Madrigal-lawyers-question-courts-P26-M-cap-on-estate

Palace: Cabral’s family planning stand entirely her own

By Marvin Sy

Friday, July 25, 2008

Malacañang reiterated yesterday that the statements issued by Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral on population control were her own and do not reflect the stand of President Arroyo.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724111

Couple in tax credit scam charged with tax evasion

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:19:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed 10 counts of tax evasion against Faustino and Gloria Chingkoe, suspects in the tax credit scam of the late 1990s, for failing to pay tax on income they derived from the illegal sale of fraudulently obtained tax credit certificates.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150568/Couple-in-tax-credit-scam-charged-with-tax-evasion

Caltex cleared in ship collision

By Jerome Aning

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:19:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court Thursday cleared a major oil company from any liability in the damage suit filed by victims of the collision between MV Doña Paz and oil tanker MT Vector in 1987 off Tablas Strait.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150569/Caltex-cleared-in-ship-collision

Senators back Recto at NEDA

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 07:20:00 07/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Senators Thursday welcomed the appointment of a former colleague, Ralph Recto, as director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, saying they hope Recto would be more cooperative with Congress in providing information on state-sanctioned deals like the national broadband network project.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080725-150570/Senators-back-Recto-at-NEDA

NAIA-3 to start limited international operations next month

By Paolo Romero

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 will start servicing international flights next month on a limited basis to pave the way for the facility’s full operations next year, officials said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724115

Power rate hike looms as ERC vows to resolve Meralco adjustment petition

By Donnabelle Gatdula

Friday, July 25, 2008

Electricity consumers should brace for another round of rate increases in the coming months after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) vowed to resolve the pending application for rate adjustment of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724117

PASG clears Enrile but not son-in-law

By Paolo Romero

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) cleared Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile of involvement in the reported smuggling of luxury vehicles in Port Irene in Santa Ana, Cagayan, but his son-in-law is not yet off the hook, officials said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724119

EPIRA, JPEPA among Senate’s priority when session resumes

By Christina Mendez

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Senate will tackle the amendments to the Energy Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) when the 14th Congress opens its second regular session on Monday, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724120

Caltex cleared of liability in Doña Paz sinking

By Mike Frialde

Friday, July 25, 2008

Caltex Philippines Inc. (now Chevron) was cleared yesterday of any liability in the sinking of the passenger ferry M/V Doña Paz off Tablas Strait between Marinduque and Oriental Mindoro in 1987.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724121

AFP chief recommends ‘indefinite’ceasefire with NPA

Friday, July 25, 2008

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Alexander Yano proposed yesterday an indefinite ceasefire with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas as an initial step towards the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the rebels.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724122

GMA offers livelihood programs to families of war veterans

Friday, July 25, 2008

The war veterans and retirees sector, consisting of over five million World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans and AFP retirees, their spouses and widows, sons, daughters and grandchildren, are special beneficiaries of government benefits and livelihood programs.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724123

Villa-Ignacio finds ally in Nani

By Delon Porcalla

Friday, July 25, 2008

Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio has found an unexpected ally in former justice secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez in his quarrel with Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080724125

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