BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Hope dims for survivors of Compostela landslide

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Hopes dim for 17 miners 

MANILA BULLETIN -- Hope dims for miners

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Noy lacks political will to end corruption - solon

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Abad, Nachura probed

ABANTE -- Sarili idiniin ni Merci

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Residente sa ComVal landslide pinalilikas 

PEOPLE'S TONIGHT -- Killer punch

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

In a bid to help the national government generate more revenues and address the problem on the shortage of classrooms in several provinces, Sen. Ralph Recto is pushing for the passage of a bill that will increase the excise taxes on mining and quarrying. Recto, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, has filed Senate Bill 2754 seeking to increase the excise tax on minerals, mineral products and quarrying, amending in the process certain sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.(Philstar)

On mining tragedy

Hopes of finding more survivors dimmed yesterday even as rescuers raced against time in the search for up to 17 people believed trapped after a landslide hit a remote gold-rush area in Pantukan, Compostela Valley on Good Friday. Rescuers dug out two more bodies from tons of soil and mud yesterday in the frantic search for other miners still unaccounted for more than two days after the landslide. The official death toll from Friday’s disaster reached five but Pantukan town Mayor Celso Sarenas conceded the chance of finding more survivors was slim. (Philstar)

On RH bill

Despite the staunch opposition of the Catholic Church to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, there are some priests who support it, a bishop disclosed yesterday.  “Well, in the Church, there’s a space for dissent also... Even the 10 commandments, there are many who disobey it, right?” said Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, in an interview.He said these priests have not openly voiced their support for the bill but bishops are aware of their positions.    (Philstar)

On new appointments

President Aquino has given ambassadorial posts to 17 career officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), including its spokesman, and named new undersecretaries and assistant secretaries. Assistant Secretary Jose Eduardo Malaya III, DFA spokesman since the Aquino administration took over in June 2010, has been designated ambassador to Malaysia. The DFA has yet to name a new spokesman. Victoria Bataclan, who used to head the Union of Foreign Service Officers, has been appointed ambassador to Belgium. Belen Anota has been named ambassador to Australia, with jurisdiction over the Republic of Nauru, Vanatu and Tuvalu. (Philstar)

On oil price hike

President Aquino has ordered a review of all oil price increases amid the rising prices of commodities. “We have to review whether a price hike is warranted or unwarranted,” the President said during his brief visit to this city last Thursday. The President arrived here to pay his respects to the late banana magnate and industrialist Jesus Ayala, who was his and his mother’s adviser. (Philstar)

On Lenten season

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo described the observance of the Lenten season as generally peaceful.“I am pleased with the overall outcome of nationwide law enforcement and public safety operations by PNP units during the Holy Week,” said Bacalzo. “A generally peaceful situation prevailed since last Palm Sunday until today, Easter Sunday, with no major untoward incident reported by the police regional offices across the country.” The PNP chief, however, directed all police regional, provincial and station commanders to instruct their men to remain in their respective posts until the entire celebration is officially over. (Philstar)

On Penal Code

Congress will be asked to replace the 79-year-old Revised Penal Code (RPC) with a completely new criminal code. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said a criminal code committee (CCC) comprised of a multi-sectoral group of legal experts is set to start reviewing the RPC this week in preparation for drafting a bill to be submitted to Congress. “Dramatic changes in the nature and types of crime (are the main reason for the) urgent need to craft a truly organic, Filipino criminal code attuned to our values and norms,” she said. (Philstar)

On criminals

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has assured the public that the police are ready to stop criminals, particularly car thieves and highway robbers. He and police officials briefed South Korean Ambassador Hye Min and officials of the United Korean Association at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in Makati. Robredo discussed with South Korean officials the Tourist Protection Program under the Tourism Act of 2009. (Philstar)

On OFWs

A delegation of Saudi officials is arriving today to discuss with the Philippine government the suspension on the processing and deployment of Filipino household service workers (HSWs). Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said the Philippine government has convened the expanded Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Saudi delegation will be joining the meeting. “Among others, we expect them to discuss the Saudi government’s previous decision to stop the Philippine government from mandatory verification of employment contracts for Filipino HSWs,” Cruz said. (Philstar)