BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- ‘Morong 43’ Sue GMA

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Maguindanao Toll Rises; Residents Flee

MANILA STANDARD -- Lacson Likely Used Fake Travel Papers To Return

MANILA TIMES -- AFP Warns Private Armies

MALAYA -- 11 Dead In Maguindanao Clash

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Cayetano Raps Poll Head On Bribery, Blackmail

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Brillantes Accused Of Blackmail

ABANTE -- Bata Todas Sa Crossfire

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Travel Docu Ni Ping Peke - DFA

BALITA -- Pampaswerte

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

A member of the House of Representatives yesterday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to consider “converting embassies and consulates worldwide as OFW defense centers first and foremost” in an environment of changing global landscapes and huge numbers of Filipinos seeking employment abroad.  According to Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, “diplomatic posts should now no longer just limit itself on diplomacy work or enhancing trade relations with nations but focus more on ensuring legal rights of all OFWs are respected and defended.” (Tribune-p3) 

On Presidency

The Palace ruled out a revamp of the top-heavy Palace Communications Group (ComsGroup), which despite having three officials with Cabinet rank is being blamed by President Aquino himself as being among the reasons for his falling survey ratings for not effectively communicating his supposed achievements, as Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said Aquino’s recent outburst was a mere “reminder” for the ComsGroup to be more conscious of the “good news” and have media help in the effort. Aquino was visibly dismayed on the ComsGroup’s perceived lack of aggressiveness in bringing out the “good news” to the public, which he partly blamed for his sinking popularity numbers, when reporters asked him to comment about a major slide in his performance rating in a recent survey.  (Tribune-p1) 

A determined President Aquino said yesterday only a temporary restraining order can stop him from firing Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III, who he blamed for the August 2010 Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. He told reporters in a chance interview at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang that Gonzalez has every right to file a motion for reconsideration and question the administrative sanction, but the fact remains that Gonzalez falls under his jurisdiction, being a non-impeachable official. (Philstar-p2) Ombudsman

President Aquino rejected yesterday proposals by his party-mates in the Liberal Party (LP) to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on oil. LP members in the House of Representatives are pushing for House Bill 1970 filed by Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas seeking the reduction of the 12 percent VAT on oil by half or to six percent. The bill aims to temper the rise in fuel prices as well as its impact on consumer prices. (Philstar-p1) VAT

On Morong ‘43’

It was a birthday “present” like no other for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who lost her immunity from suit when she stepped down on June 30 last year. Six members of the “Morong 43” Monday lodged a P15-million civil suit against Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, and 10 others for illegal arrest and torture. (PDI-Banner) 

On Wage Hike

The Department of Labor and Employment yesterday said there could be a wage increase nationwide sooner rather than later. In a radio interview, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) nationwide are convening within the week to determine if there is a "supervening condition" that would allow a wage hike amid the rising prices of basic goods and services. (Malaya-p1) 

On Maguindanao Fighting

Hundreds of residents have fled after guerillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and followers of a powerful politician figured in a running gun battle in Barangay Tenok, Maguindanao, where the casualties increased to 14 yesterday. A 500-strong armored Army unit was deployed in the deserted village of Tenok yesterday, a day after the clash, to keep about 150 gun-wielding clan members of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and 130 MILF fighters apart. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said initial investigation showed that the fighting was a result of rido, or a blood feud among Muslim families that can lead to so-called honor killings stretching over several generations. (Philstar-Banner) 

On The Ombudsman

Either Malacañang or the Office of the Ombudsman should go to court to determine which office has the authority to discipline Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III, a senator and an election lawyer said yesterday. “When there is a stalemate it’s really the courts that will decide. I advise both parties to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts. It’s a novel case. There are pros and cons,” Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters. (PDI-p1) 

Dozens of veteran and young lawyers are volunteering to join the House of Representatives legal team that will prosecute the case of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in the Senate, a House leader said yesterday. Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, who is one of the lawmakers picked to be a member of the House prosecution team, disclosed that the prosecution panel might get assistance from at least 10 private lawyers to help in the impeachment trial of Gutierrez at the Senate for betrayal of public trust. (Philstar-p1) 

On Aqusan Hostage Taking

President Benigno Aquino III yesterday sent Philippine National Police Director General Raul Bacalzo to look into negotiations for the release of a dozen kidnapped school officials and students as the abductors freed another hostage.On his arrival, Bacalzo met with the local crisis management committee (CMC) at a makeshift office in a wooden house at Barangay La Purisima, about 3 kilometers from a forested hill where the hostages were being held since Friday. (PDI-p1) 

On Illegal-Recruitment

Under heavy security, the alleged recruiter of executed Filipino drug mule Sally Ordinario-Villanueva appeared at the Department of Justice (DoJ) to answer charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking. Tita Cacayan wore a light colored jacket, covered her face with a baseball cap, and spoke softly when she faced Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo. (PDI-p1) 

On New Appointments

President Aquino appointed yesterday a 37-year-old lawyer and a 61-year-old state auditor as commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Civil Service Commission (CSC), respectively. Christian Robert Lim, who was a member of the Bantay Balota group of then presidential candidate Aquino and his running mate Sen. Mar Roxas, was designated Comelec commissioner, replacing Gregorio Larrazabal, who retired in early February. (Philstar-p1) 

On Sen. Lacson

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified yesterday that the department did not issue the travel document used by Sen. Panfilo Lacson when he returned to the country last March 26 since the authentic document has not yet been released by the agency. In his letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima dated March 31, 2011, DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis said the Philippine consulates in Hong Kong, Macau, Xiamen and Guangzhou have denied issuing a travel document to Lacson. (Philstar-p4) 

On Overseas Job

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is determined to institute reforms before the end of the year in the recruitment process to address the concerns of employees in the Kingdom, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday. Binay also said he was assured by Saudi Arabia Labor Minister Adel M. Fakeih of the repatriation of some 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who overstayed and ran away form their employers in Riyadh and Jeddah who fall under the guidelines of the latest amnesty proclamation of King Abdullah. (Philstar-p6) 

On The Armed Forces

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would not hesitate to apply the full force of the law against Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and his family if it was proved that they were maintaining private armed groups, just like his predecessor and arch-enemy, former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. The Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Eduardo Oban Sr., gave the warning on Monday after a clash between armed followers of the Mangudadatus and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Tenuk barangay (village) in Mangudadatu town last Sunday left 11 people dead, including five relatives of the governor. (Mla Times-Banner) 

Top defense and military officials yesterday welcomed back 79 rebel soldiers who renewed their allegiance to the Constitution. "Today, we write a new page in our country’s history. Now is the time for remorse and atonement and moment for renewal of our faith in our democratic system," said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin who administered the oath of the military adventurists whose amnesty applications have been granted. (Malaya-p1) 

On Overseas Pinoys

The Saudi Arabian government on Monday assured Vice President Jejomar Binay of the repatriation of some 2,000 Filipinos housed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center in Riyadh and Jeddah under the guidelines of the latest amnesty granted by King Abdullah. Meanwhile, an alliance of migrant groups also on Monday urged President Benigno Aquino 3rd to fill up top positions at the Philippine embassies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, warning that failure to do so would adversely affect diplomatic missions there. (Mla Times-p1)