Thursday, September 18, 2008

I. BANNER STORIES

1. Philippine Daily Inquirer

Villar foes no-show at Senate

But Pimentel, Lacson, et al. deny boycott

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Edson C. Tandoc Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:34:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Senators in the minority bloc were a no-show in Wednesday’s session, sparking speculation that they staged a boycott to protest the majority bloc’s refusal to investigate Senate President Manuel Villar for his involvement in the double insertion of a P200 million allocation for the C-5 Road extension project.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161339/Villar-foes-no-show-at-Senate

2. The Philippine Star

Markets recover on $85-B AIG bailout

Thursday, September 18, 2008

NEW YORK – Wall Street closed higher while Asian and European stock markets made a tentative bounce back yesterday after the US government announced an $85-billion plan to bail out troubled insurance giant American International Group Inc. (AIG).

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917135

3. Manila Times

Thursday, September 18, 2008

DOJ: No escape for Meralco

Justice secretary bent on pushingcharges of estafa

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter

The Justice department has stepped on the gas against Meralco.

It said Wednesday that the syndicated estafa charges filed against 16 top executives of the Lopez-owned utility would stay even if the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) refunds meter deposits of its customers.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/sep/18/yehey/top_stories/20080918top1.html

4. Malaya

Minority senators boycott session

Opposition crack widens

BY JP LOPEZ

THE Senate row heated up as minority senators boycotted yesterday’s session, prompting Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to quip that the "opposition has gone to Iraq."

http://www.malaya.com.ph/sep18/news1.htm

5. Manila Bulletin

RP confident it will weather crisis

GMA, economic team assure the country

Officials air confidence at economic briefing

Fil C. Sionil

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said yesterday she is confident the Philippines will be able to weather the financial crisis now sweeping the global markets and minimize its impact on the country.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080918135559.html

6. The Daily Tribune

Minority solons boycott Senate session

By Angie M. Rosales

09/18/2008

After engaging in verbal fireworks and temper tantrums over one minority senator’s failure to interpellate her minority colleague on the controversy over the alleged “double insertion” in the C-5 road project for two days in a row, six of the seven-man minority bloc members were a deliberate no-show in yesterday’s continuation of their afternoon proceedings, thus effecting a boycott, with some congressional sources saying that Sen. Panfilo Lacson and the tantrum-throwing Sen. Jamby Madrigal feared being interpellated by the majority bloc senators after supposed evidence of the road project showed that these two insertions in the 2008 budget on the C-5 road project were two different projects, and thus, not double insertions.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080918hed1.html

7. Abante

34 OFWs BIBITAYIN

Ni NILO MARASIGAN

May kabuuan pang 34 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) ang nakalinya sa parusang bitay sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, ayon kay Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Alberto Romulo.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/sep1808/default.htm

8. Abante-Tonite

BALIKBAYAN TINADTAD NG SAKSAK

Nina Nonnie Ferriol at Juliet de Loza

Bumuhos ang luha sa labis na pighati ng pamilya ng isang Fil-Chinese na babaeng negosyante matapos na ito’y matagpuang malamig ng bangkay at tadtad ng saksak sa sa kanyang sasakyan habang nakaparada sa isang subdivision sa Sta. Mesa, Maynila kamakalawa ng gabi.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/sep1808/news_story1.htm

9. Pilipino Star Ngayon

Bitay sa 9 Pinoy

Nina Danilo Garcia At Ludy Bermudo

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Parusang kamatayan ang kinakaharap ngayon ng siyam na Pilipino sa bansang Malaysia makaraang madakip ng pulisya dahil sa “drug smuggling.”

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008091743

10. Journal

SAFE

RP will survive global economic crisis - GMA, Bangko Sentral

ECONOMIC strategies and measures taken by her administration had given the country enough strength to weather the impact of the current global financial crisis, President Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-09-18&sec=1&aid=73210

11. Business World

RP will weather crisis

Pressure greater but economy, institutions sound — gov’t

THE GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY SOUGHT to assuage concerns over increased turmoil in global financial markets, insisting that the economy remained sound and that local institutions were prepared to weather the crisis.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091808/content.php?id=001

12. Business Mirror

II. POLITICAL

Debate on RH bill turns nasty

By Christian V. Esguerra

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 01:07:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines--Is this any way for a lawmaker to behave?

This was the question posed Wednesday by the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network in assailing Quezon City Rep. Annie Susano, a leading campaigner against the population control bill, for her “unbecoming” outburst during the Tuesday opening of plenary debates on the measure.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161304/Debate-on-RH-bill-turns-nasty

MILF joins search for 2 abducted aid workers

By Julie Alipala

Mindanao Bureau

First Posted 02:19:00 09/18/2008

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Wednesday ordered its forces in Basilan to help find and rescue two abducted peace workers involved in humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Moro communities.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161305/MILF-joins-search-for-2-abducted-aid-workers

High court affirms 4 libel convictions

By Jerome Aning

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 02:20:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines--The Supreme Court Wednesday affirmed the quadruple libel convictions of a columnist, three editors and the owner of the tabloid Remate for maligning a Bureau of Customs official in 1999.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161306/High-court-affirms-4-libel-convictions

‘Green’ home to rise in Bulusan

By Charles E. Buban

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 04:21:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-Australian Edith Gapas-Dome neither drives a hybrid car nor shops exclusively at natural food and beauty stores. And she doesn’t lose sleep worrying about climate change.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161329/Green-home-to-rise-in-Bulusan

Ro-Ro used in illegal trade in wild animals

By TJ Burgonio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:44:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The illegal trade in wild animals smuggled into the country through the southern backdoor thrives unhampered along the route of Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferries, officials said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161340/Ro-Ro-used-in-illegal-trade-in-wild-animals

Worried investor liquidates mutual fund placement

By Daxim Lucas

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:45:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Local banking clients have so far been spared from the brunt of the unfolding global financial crisis, although that has not stopped them from worrying about their hard-earned funds.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161341/Worried-investor-liquidates-mutual-fund-placement

‘A crime was prevented,’ says Lacson

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 05:46:00 09/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Thanks to his exposé, “a crime was prevented,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed Wednesday.

Lacson, who questioned the P200-million double allocation for a road extension project in a privilege speech the other day, said an investigation should now focus on ethical and conflict-of-interest issues involving Senate President Manuel Villar.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080918-161342/A-crime-was-prevented-says-Lacson

Arroyo admits RP affected, hopes the worst is over

By Marvin Sy

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The global economic downturn has stymied the Philippines’ growth, but reforms set in place by the administration will help the country weather the storm, President Arroyo said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917136

GMA’s US trip still on

Thursday, September 18, 2008

President Arroyo has decided to push through with her trip to the United States based on “strong recommendations” from Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917137

Helicopter purchase scrapped – Palace

By Paolo Romero

Thursday, September 18, 2008

PAGADIAN CITY – The purchase of two helicopters for the use of President Arroyo was just a plan and it has been scrapped, Malacañang said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917138

Minority group absent at Senate

By Christina Mendez

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The seven-member Senate minority group did not show up at yesterday’s session, citing either official business or prior commitments as excuses.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Roxas II, Loren Legarda, Rodolfo Biazon, Benigno Aquino III and Jamby Madrigal did not attend the session, after two consecutive days of heated debates over the C-5 road extension controversy.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917139

P66.9-M ghost IT purchases bared

By Rainier Allan Ronda

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Commission on Audit (COA) has uncovered a ghost delivery of P66.9 million worth of information technology (IT) and communications equipment procured by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) using the pork barrel funds of lawmakers from 2003 to 2005.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917140

Andaya: DepEd, DA exceeded fund appropriations last year

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. revealed yesterday that funds released last year to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Agriculture (DA) have exceeded their authorized appropriations.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917141

CA justice could be liable for falsification of documents on Meralco case

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Justice Undersecretary Ernesto Pineda said yesterday that dismissed Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Vicente Roxas could be investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for falsification of documents, following the findings of a Supreme Court panel that he fabricated minutes of a supposed deliberation on the Meralco case.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917142

Government setting aside P5-B subsidy for 2009; JV seeks probe of doleouts

By Jess Diaz

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The government is setting aside P5 billion in the 2009 national budget to continue its cash subsidy program for poor families.

Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral told a House appropriations committee hearing that her agency will have P5 billion next year for “conditional cash transfers” to 321,000 poor households.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917144

Lakas in no hurry to pick presidential bet for 2010

By Michael Punongbayan

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Amid the preparations of some presidential wannabes for the 2010 elections, the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) is not about to adopt a candidate as the administration’s standard-bearer, party spokesman Prospero Pichay said yesterday.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917145

Amid glut, government mulls ceiling on new nursing students

By Mayen Jaymalin

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Government may soon impose a ceiling on the number of college students taking up nursing to curb the prevailing oversupply of nurses in the country.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917146

Rescue operations suspended for 2 Sayyaf hostages to allow negotiations

By Roel Pareño

Thursday, September 18, 2008

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces halted rescue operations for the two remaining captives of the Abu Sayyaf to allow peaceful negotiations for their release.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917147

AFP: No emergency rule in South

Thursday, September 18, 2008

While the government allayed fears of a declaration of emergency rule due to the ongoing conflict in Mindanao, the military said it would be ready to implement it if ordered.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917148

MILF-NPA tactical tie-up seen

By Jaime Laude

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The military suspects that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the New People’s Army (NPA) have forged a tactical alliance in central Mindanao after Army troops clashed with an NPA band in Sultan Kudarat province Tuesday morning.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917150

Palace wants Lozada to apologize for kidnap charge

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Malacañang urged Rodolfo Lozada Jr., the whistleblower in the cancelled national broadband network contract with Chinese company ZTE Corp., to apologize to all of the people he accused of taking part in the alleged attempt to kidnap him now that the courts have ruled that no kidnapping took place.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917151

DOE bucks repeal of oil deregulation law

By Delon Porcalla

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Department of Energy (DOE) will not support proposals to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, largely blamed for the unabated oil price increases in the country, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes told the House committee on appropriations scrutinizing his department’s P1 billion proposed budget for 2009.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917152

House finally opens debates on reproductive health bill

By Jess Diaz

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The House of Representatives finally opened floor deliberations last night on the controversial reproductive health bill, which seeks to promote both natural and modern family planning methods.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917153

Ombudsman to decide on NBN complaints next week

By Edu Punay

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Office of the Ombudsman is set to conclude next week its investigation on seven criminal complaints in relation to alleged anomalies in the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) project with Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080917154

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