I. BANNER STORIES
‘Sabio wanted P50-M bribe’
‘Emissary’ surfaces with own story
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:32:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The “emissary” of Manila Electric Co. who purportedly offered P10 million to Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio Jr. came forward Thursday with his own story.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080801-151949/Sabio-wanted-P50-M-bribe
'Nograles brod received P100-M arranger's fee'
By Aurea Calica
Friday, August 1, 2008
Speaker Prospero Nog-rales’ brother allegedly received P114.6 million in arranger’s and attorney’s fees as well as notarial services from a P5-billion loan extended by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor), which supposedly used more than P1 billion of the funds for the controversial swine program.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731188
3. Manila Times
SC to step in justices’ row
By William B. Depasupil, Reporter
The Court of Appeals decided to have the Supreme Court settle a conflict between its Eighth and Ninth Divisions over which gets jurisdiction of a case involving Meralco and the GSIS.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/aug/01/yehey/top_stories/20080801top1.html
4. Malaya
Sabio would accept
P50M for a ruling?
Businessman surfaces, says justice angling for SC seat
"What would it take for you to resist the government's offer?"
This question was asked of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio by Francis de Borja, a businessman who felt alluded to in the P10 million bribe offer for a favorable decision in the Meralco case.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug01/news1.htm
House committee OKs ARMM bill
Constitutional issue raised over poll postponement
No counterpart bill has yet been filed in Senate
By EDMER F. PANESA
The House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms approved yesterday a consolidated measure postponing the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) until May, 2010.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080801131304.html
7. Abante
DIESEL I-ROLLBACK!
Nina NOEL ABUEL at JB SALARZON
Iginiit kahapon ng iba’t ibang transport groups ang agarang pagro-rollback ng diesel at iba pang produktong petrolyo.
Kung hindi umano kikilos ang mga kumpanya ng langis sa kahilingang ito ay muling lalasap ng perwisyo ng ‘tigil-pasada’ ang publiko.
“Kailangang mag-rollback ang diesel at lahat ng produktong petrolyo. Hindi katanggap-tanggap na gasolina lang ang iro-rollback. Obvious na obvious na panloloko ang pakana nila na bagama’t magro-rollback sa gasolina ay ipapatong naman nila sa diesel at iba pang oil products,” giit ni Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) secretary-general George San Mateo.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/aug0108/default.htm
KILLER NANAY ARESTADO
Ni Dindo Matining
Matapos ang halos walong buwan na pagtatago, nadakip din kahapon ang isang 22-anyos na ginang na dala umano ng sobrang kabuwisitan ay napatay ang kanyang anak na lalaking tatlong taong gulang na hinambalos sa ulo ng takip ng drum habang pinaliliguan sa kanilang bahay sa Pasig City.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/aug0108/news_story1.htm
Tigil batikos apela ni GMA
Ni Rudy Andal
Friday, August 1, 2008
Umapela kahapon ang Malacañang sa mga kritiko ni Pangulong Arroyo na tumulong na lamang sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng bansa kaysa aksayahin ang kanilang panahon sa pagbatikos sa pamahalaan.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008073198
10. Journal
P10-M BRIBE PROBE
Court of Appeals asks Supreme Court to look into CA justice’s claim OF grease money
THE Court of Appeals yesterday referred to the Supreme Court the allegation of one if its justices that an emissary of the Manila Electric Co. offered him P10 million in exchange for inhibiting himself from the case involving Meralco and the Government Service Insurance System.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-08-01&sec=1&aid=68617
11. Business World
CA ruling on Meralco stays
Parties told to follow normal legal process; SC to settle bribery issue
THE COURT OF APPEALS, in a rare en banc meeting, yesterday effectively declined to overturn a division ruling that stymied the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) bid to wrest management control of Lopez-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).
http://bworldonline.com/BW080108/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
BSP to settle P3.6-B BIR case
By Jun Vallecera
Reporter
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has agreed to pay the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in what is shaping up as a settlement of P3.6 billion in assessed tax liabilities, without the central bank admitting liability.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0801&022008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Too late to reset ARMM polls
But House proceeds with bill, anyway
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:07:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Notwithstanding the constitutional provision requiring publication in the official gazette 15 days from its enactment to take effect, the House committee on suffrage on Thursday passed a consolidated bill postponing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao 11 days before it takes place.
Lim, Querubin et al. plead not guilty to mutiny
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:16:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The army and marine officers tagged in an attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration two years ago entered not guilty pleas Thursday to charges of mutiny before a military tribunal.
Claudio back; Mike Defensor quits; Pichay waits
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:52:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—It’s as if they never said goodbye.
And so, the self-deprecating “crooked” man who bid President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s team farewell last year, Gabriel Claudio, is back.
Another team member, the comebacking Michael “Mike” Defensor, has resigned but has been promised another plum.
Malacañang protests Pulse Asia survey
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:04:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang Thursday lodged a protest with the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES) assailing the “faulty” methodology allegedly used by Pulse Asia in its July survey and saying it was meant to embarrass President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Speaker’s brod got P114-M in fees from swine loan
Funds allegedly diverted to ’04 poll
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:49:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—It was a P100-million slip of the tongue that appeared to show that huge amounts used in the 2004 presidential election not only came from funds intended for fertilizers but also for swine-raising.
GSIS chief calls on 2 CA justices to quit posts
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:44:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System Thursday called for the resignation of two Court of Appeals justices whom their colleague had indirectly accused of favoring Manila Electric Co.
Emissary says Manolo, Pancho his longtime pals
By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:43:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—By his own account, businessman Francis Roa de Borja is a longtime friend of Manila Electric Co. chair Manolo Lopez and F. Arthur “Pancho” Villaraza of the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco law office (also known as The Firm).
‘Manolo Lopez sent me,’ Sabio quotes De Borja
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:42:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio Jr. Thursday denied businessman Francis de Borja’s allegations that he had asked for money in connection with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) case.
Oil firms cut gasoline prices by P1.50/liter
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:19:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The continued softening of world oil prices has prompted local oil firms to reduce the price of their gasoline products by P1.50 a liter.
Full text of De Borja affidavit
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:18:00 08/01/2008
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
PASIG CITY) S.S.
A F F I D A V I T
I, FRANCIS ROA DE BORJA, Filipino, of legal age, with address at 343 G. de Borja St., Pateros, Metro Manila, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and state:
(BACKGROUND)
1. At the 2008 annual stockholders meeting of Meralco a controversy arose regarding an SEC order to nullify the proxies which had been issued in favor of the Meralco management. I subsequently found out from the news that Justice Jose Sabio, Jr. was one of the justices who was hearing the case filed by Meralco against the GSIS and SEC (the “Meralco/GSIS/SEC case”).
CA tosses Meralco-GSIS ruling to SC
By Leila Salaverria, Tetch Torres
Philippine Daily Inquirer, INQUIRER.net
First Posted 03:17:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—After holding a rare en banc session shrouded in secrecy, the Court of Appeals Thursday announced it would elevate to the Supreme Court the issue of the “propriety” of certain justices’ actions in connection with the case between Manila Electric Co. and the Government Service Insurance System, as well as a purported bribery attempt by a so-called emissary of the power utility.
Isabela gov who ended a dynasty wins RM prize
By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:55:00 08/01/2008
MANILA, Philippines—A polio-stricken former radio broadcaster who ended a political clan’s 40-year grip on power in Cagayan Valley and raised her people’s hopes for change is this year’s Ramon Magsaysay awardee for government service.
‘Sabio was offered cash, SC post to favor GSIS’
By Mike Frialde
Friday, August 1, 2008
Justice Jose Sabio of the Court of Appeals had been offered money and a promotion to the Supreme Court to favor the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) over the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), according to a businessman who claims to have known Sabio since he was a regional trial court judge.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731189
Padaca among 2008 RM awardees
By Patricia Esteves
Friday, August 1, 2008
A governor who proved that ordinary people can topple political dynasties and make a difference, and a Filipino microfinance organization that extends loans to poor families are among the eight winners of the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, organizers announced yesterday.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731190
Subsidy distribution woes bared
Friday, August 1, 2008
Like the biblical manna, the government’s “Katas ng VAT” subsidy program gives hope to the poor but may require them to make a trip to the wilderness of bureaucracy and corruption.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731191
Oil firms cut fuel prices
By Donnabelle Gatdula
Friday, August 1, 2008
Oil companies announced a P1.50 per liter rollback in gasoline prices yesterday on the back of sliding costs of petroleum in the world market.
Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. was the first to announce a price reduction, which took effect at 2 p.m., followed by Eastern Petroleum and Seaoil.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731193
Self-rated poverty hits 59% – SWS
By Helen Flores
Friday, August 1, 2008
Some 10.6 million Filipino families now rate themselves as poor, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which showed self-rated poverty on the rise since December 2007.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731195
House panel approves 2 bills on shelving of ARMM polls
By Jess Diaz
Friday, August 1, 2008
The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms yesterday voted 17-3 with two abstentions to endorse two bills seeking to postpone the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to 2010.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731196
‘Telecoms open to allocating half of revenues to health, education’
Friday, August 1, 2008
Instead of reducing the P1 text charge, telecommunication firms are willing to allocate half of their income from text messaging or P0.50 per text to health and education programs as investment in youth.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080731202
House Speaker’s brother linked to swine scam
By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
An arranger’s fee of P100 million went to a firm that brokered a P5-billion loan deal between Quedancor and the Land Bank of the Philippines, a Quedancor official told the Senate blue-ribbon committee on Thursday.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/aug/01/yehey/top_stories/20080801top5.html
Neri leaves CHED without resolving call-center project
Secretary Romulo Neri leaves the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) today with the controversial P300-million call-center project unresolved.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/aug/01/yehey/top_stories/20080801top8.html
Local oil firms cut gasoline prices by P1.50 per liter
By MYRNA M. VELASCO
With the drop in global oil prices, the local oil companies rolled back gasoline prices by P1.50 per liter starting 2 p.m. yesterday, July 31.
In the past two weeks, global crude prices have significantly decreased by roughly per barrel from the peak of $ 147 per barrel recorded in early July to the current $ 122 to $ 123 per barrel.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080801131305.html
Counter-SoNA delivered by House minority solons
By BEN R. ROSARIO
Minority congressmen on Wednesday delivered their counter-State of the Nation Address (SoNA), assailing President Arroyo’s policy speech Monday as nothing but a narration of untruths and coverups of the poverty, hunger and economic turmoil in the country.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080801131306.html
Lower EVAT to 8%, says Senate Majority Leader Pangilinan
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan yesterday said he is against the total scrapping of the 12-percent Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) but it should be lowered to 8 percent.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080801131310.html
Kudeta naunsyami kay Noynoy
(Rey Marfil/Boyet Jadulco)
Kung hindi nagkatalo sa pag-upo ni Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III bilang chairman ng Senate blue ribbon committee, isang bagong Senate President na sana ang nakaupo ngayon sa trono.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/aug0108/news_story4.htm
Ricafort assumes CHEd post
COMMISSIONER Nona Ricafort yesterday formally assumed as officer-in-charge of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) replacing Romulo Neri who was earlier appointed as new head of the Social Security System (SSS).
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-08-01&sec=4&aid=68595
Nograles sabit sa P5-B swine program
PANIBAGONG anomalya na naman ang sumambulat sa Malacanang at sa pagkakataong ito, pangalan naman ni House Speaker Prospero ‘Nogie’ Nograles ang nakakaladkad nang masangkot sa P5 bilyon iskandalo sa swine program ng Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee (Quadancor).
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-08-01&sec=4&aid=68609
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