I. BANNER STORIES
Court orders Perez arrest
Ex-justice secretary runs to SC for relief
By Leila Salaverria, TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:26:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan Monday issued an arrest warrant for former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and his wife in connection with the $2-million extortion complaint lodged by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080429-133309/Court-orders-Perez-arrest
Higher power rates to prevail until June
By Donnabelle Gatdula
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Consumers may have to endure higher electricity rates even after the sizzling summer season, as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) completes refunds to subscribers under a refund tack ordered early this year by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428106
3. Manila Times
‘Pass medicines bill on May 1’
Roxas blames lobby group for derailing House approval
By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd on Monday said “lobbyists” had raised the issue of price control as a last-ditch effort to derail enactment of the Cheaper Medicines Act in the House of Representatives.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/29/yehey/top_stories/20080429top1.html
4. Malaya
Gloria seeks to end NFA rice imports
Escudero: It's like captain abandoning ship
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said the National Food Authority may leave the business of importing rice to the private sector if prices remain at current high levels.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr29/news1.htm
16 senators OK Constituent Assembly
Pimentel resolution calls for federal form of gov’t
16 senators support Charter change resolution
By MARIO B. CASAYURAN
Passage by the Senate of Senate Resolution No. 10 seeking the amendment of the Constitution to adopt a federal form of government by Congress constituting itself into a Constituent Assembly is now a certainty with 16 senators supporting it, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. said yesterday.
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080429123074.html
SC defers TRO for ex-DoJ chief
By Benjamin B. Pulta
04/29/2008
Instead of deciding on a plea of former Justice chief Hernando “Nani” Perez, for a TRO (temporary restraining order) on his arrest, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled to require the Ombudsman to comment on the plea of the beleaguered former Justice secretary.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080429hed1.html
7. Abante
MAG-INA NI WILLIAM BINASTOS!
Nina NOEL ABUEL, ROSE MIRANDA at CHRISTINE AGUS
“Hindi pwedeng pag lasing ka mambabastos ka, pag normal ka magso-sorry ka again and again and again and again, kawawa ang babae. You have to learn a lesson, hindi pwedeng laging ganito, palagi na lang, kanina I heard him on the radio denying, ginawa pang sinungaling ang anak ko. Hindi ganu’ng klaseng babae anak ko eh.”
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr2908/default.htm
P5B FOOD COUPON PIPILAHAN NG PATAY!
Rey Marfil With Bernard Taguinod
Hindi umano malayong pilahan ng mga patay ang P5 bilyong food coupon na ipinamumudmod ng Malacañang sa mahihirap bilang ‘band-aid solution’ sa rice crisis.
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr2908/news1.htm
Salapuddin ipinaaaresto
Nina Angie Dela Cruz at Joy Cantos
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Nagpalabas ng warrant of arrest ang Quezon City Regional Trial Court laban kay dating Basilan Congressman Abdulgani “Gerry” Salapuddin at iba pang sangkot sa pambobomba sa gusali ng House of Representatives na pumaslang ng isang mambabatas at iba pa noong Nobyembre 13, 2007.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Bansa&p=50&type=2&sec=54&aid=2008042841
10. Journal
TOO GOOD TO LAST
Gov’t may stop expensive rice subsidy
STATE subsidies for cheap rice sold to the poor may be cut amid concern over the government’s fiscal position, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said yesterday.
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-29&sec=1&aid=57761
11. Business World
Oil rises to near-$120/barrel
NORTH SEA PIPELINE SHUTDOWN, ANOTHER ATTACK ON NIGERIA'S OIL-GAS TERMINAL ARE FACTORS
By Christian Schmollinger and Gavin Evans
Bloomberg
Crude oil rose to a record near $120 a barrel after BP Plc. shut a North Sea pipeline and gunmen attacked police guarding Nigeria’s largest oil and gas terminal.
http://bworldonline.com/BW042908/content.php?id=001
12. Business Mirror
Oil rises to near-$120/barrel
NORTH SEA PIPELINE SHUTDOWN, ANOTHER ATTACK ON NIGERIA'S OIL-GAS TERMINAL ARE FACTORS
By Christian Schmollinger and Gavin Evans
Bloomberg
Crude oil rose to a record near $120 a barrel after BP Plc. shut a North Sea pipeline and gunmen attacked police guarding Nigeria’s largest oil and gas terminal.
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04292008/headlines01.html
II. POLITICAL
Arroyo eyes cutback in gov't rice subsidy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:52:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is considering rolling back her administration's direct role in subsidizing expensive rice imports, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Gov't defends P5-B aid to poor
By Allison Lopez, Jeannette Andrade, Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:01:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral Monday defended the government's P5-billion cash assistance to the poorest of the poor, saying the beneficiaries would not only get the "dole" but "incentives" for health and education.
Cheaper medicines bill on again
By Norman Bordadora, Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:28:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Harsh words were exchanged but at the end of the day, the House of Representatives withdrew its objections and agreed on Monday to pass the reconciled cheaper medicines bill before Labor Day.
'One year after, we're back to zero,' says Edita Burgos
By Fe Zamora, Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:03:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The disappearance of Jonas Burgos was allegedly the result of a military "entrapment" operation to unmask the recipient of information supposedly leaked by an Army lieutenant to communist insurgents, Jonas' mother, Edita Burgos, said Monday during rites marking her son's first anniversary as a desaparecido (disappeared one).
RP seeks WB help on rice imports
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:05:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has asked the World Bank to persuade rice-exporting nations to lift shipment curbs that threaten the food security of importing countries, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Monday.
US report: RP still source of illegal drugs in Asia
By Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:57:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines continues to be a source of illegal drugs and their transshipment in Asia despite government efforts to curb the menace, according to the latest report on the global drug situation released by the US Department of State.
'Bail for Misuari but not necessarily for Trillanes'
By Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:04:00 04/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Just because Moro leader Nur Misuari was granted bail did not mean Senator Antonio Trillanes IV should also be given temporary liberty, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said.
60% of Pinoys believe Lozada testimony on ZTE – SWS
By Sheila Crisostomo
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sixty percent or three of every five Filipinos believed the testimony of whistle blower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. regarding anomalies in the national broadband network (NBN) project as well as government attempts at a cover-up.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428107
Government eyes higher rice production
By Marvin Sy
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
If the price of rice remains high in the world market, the Philippine government may have to shift its focus from importation to an increase in domestic production.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428108
Even ginger being smuggled into RP
By Evelyn Macairan
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Even ginger is now being smuggled into the country from China.
Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales yesterday ordered intelligence operatives of the bureau to be on the lookout for alleged moves by unscrupulous importers to smuggle ginger into the country.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428109
Warrant readied vs Salapuddin
By Cecille Suerte Felipe
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Police are ready to serve any warrant of arrest that the court may issue against former Basilan representative Gerry Salapuddin and three others linked to last year’s bombing of the House of Representatives that killed Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar and three other employees and wounded several others.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428110
AFP on standby for May 1 rallies
By James Mananghaya
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Military forces in Metro Manila will be placed on standby for the May 1 observance of Labor Day, but a ranking official said troops would only augment the police if and when they are called upon.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428111
Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Nani, 2 others
By Edu Punay
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Sandiganbayan yesterday ordered the arrest of former Department of Justice Secretary Hernando “Nani” Perez and two others after finding probable cause on graft charges against them in relation to the $2-million extortion case involving former Manila representative Mark Jimenez.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428112
JICA donates P500 M equipment to Pagasa for radars project
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will soon dispatch experts to the country to conduct basic design studies to jumpstart the Japanese government’s Doppler radar project with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428113
Senators won’t be elected on nationwide basis under federal system
By Christina Mendez
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Senators will no longer be elected on a nationwide basis under the federal system of government being pushed by minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and 12 other senators.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428114
Burgos family marks 1st year of Jonas’ disappearance
By Katherine Adraneda
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The family of Jonas Burgos marked yesterday the first year of his disappearance.
“It has been a year but we still have the courage to stand,” said Jonas’s mother, Edita, during a commemorative Mass held at the St. Peter’s Church along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428115
Roxas urges House to approve bicam report on cheaper meds bill
By Christina Mendez
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sen. Manuel Roxas II called on the House of Representatives yesterday to approve the bicameral conference committee report deleting the provisions on “generics only” and the price monitoring board from the Cheaper Medicine Bill before Labor Day on May 1.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428116
Lawmakers want bigger tax break for workers
By Jess Diaz
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Militant party-list representatives want bigger tax exemptions for government and private sector workers.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said yesterday he and four colleagues would push for a proposal to exempt annual incomes of up to P250,000 from taxation.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428119
LTO urged to run after car importers, smugglers, not buyers
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) should run after car importers and smugglers, not after buyers of imported second-hand vehicles.
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080428120
Gma Rethinks Rice Policy,
Considers Clipping Nfa Powers
Less rice imports and bigger domestic production of the staple will be inevitable for the Philippines if the rice crisis continues. They will also mean limiting the role of the National Food Authority (NFA) as guardian of the granary.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/29/yehey/top_stories/20080429top4.html
Comelec names 3 firms for automation of ARMM polls
THE Commission on Election (Comelec) will go for the partial automation of the forthcoming election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after selecting the companies that will provide the technology.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/29/yehey/prov/20080429pro2.html
The territorial baseline issue
By Sen. ANTONIO F. TRILLANES IV
In August 2007, I filed Senate Bill No. 1467 titled "An Act Defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippine Archipelago, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 3046, as Amended by Republic Act No. 5446." or otherwise known as the "Archipelagic Baselines Law of the Philippines."
http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr29/news6.htm
Pimentel confident of smooth passage of federalism bill
THE smooth passage of the federalism bill is expected with 13 senators signing the resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution in order to establish a federal system of government.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr29/metro4.htm
