BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Lauro Vizconde braces for worst

PHILIPPINE STAR -- PCGG can handle job of truth body - Palace 

MANILA BULLETIN -- IRA not for bonuses – DILG

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Noy slams Nobel boycott critics

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Quit, SC justices told

ABANTE -- Galit na sa holidays!!!

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 24 Pinoy crew ng barko kinidnap  

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- DoJ formally drops raps vs Morong 43

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives approved last night President Aquino’s proclamation granting amnesty to rebel soldiers, led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. Voting 213-7 with two abstentions, the chamber approved Concurrent Resolution 8, which expresses its concurrence to the amnesty grant. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III authored the resolution.(Philstar)

On Truth Commission

President Aquino has the power to “consolidate” the mandate of the Truth Commission, which the Supreme Court (SC) declared as unconstitutional, with that of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), a member of his legal team said yesterday. Former Court of Appeals justice Magdangal Elma, presidential assistant for special concerns, proposed this in a memorandum he submitted to the Chief Executive, who expressed disappointment over the adverse SC ruling on Executive Order No. 1. (Philstar)

The bicameral conference committee crafting the final version of the P1.645-trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2011 retained yesterday the P83-million budget of the Truth Commission that was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC) last week. Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said the bicameral panel maintained the huge allocation even if it was unlikely the SC would reverse itself. “What will happen if the body would be finally collapsed? What will happen to the money?” Magsaysay said.(Philstar)

On Sen. Lacson

A new witness has surfaced to support the testimony of former police senior superintendent Cezar Mancao II in the killings of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in November 2000. Mancao and his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio went to the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday and submitted an affidavit of the new witness whom they claimed was also a former personnel of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). (Philstar)

On meat

The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to be cautious in buying processed meat this Christmas season following the proliferation of hot meat or “botcha.” DOH infectious disease specialist Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said it is hard to determine if a processed meat product has been mixed with botcha because of the food coloring and chemicals used on them. “The sad thing here is that when meat has already been processed, you’ll never know if it’s fresh or double dead. So if you are not sure how the processed meat has been prepared and cooked, don’t buy it. It is better to go to your trusted vendor,” he added. (Philstar)

On Christmas gifts

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) warned government workers yesterday not to accept gifts in exchange for performing their duties. Although corporate gifts are allowed, civil servants are discouraged from accepting gifts in exchange for a favor or a job. “While corporate giveaways and exchange of gifts among employees are generally acceptable, civil servants are discouraged from accepting or soliciting gifts especially from clients, suppliers and contractors with whom they are facilitating business,” CSC chairman Francisco Duque III said. (Philstar)

On Morong 43

The Department of Justice (DOJ) formally asked two courts in Morong, Rizal yesterday to drop the charges against 43 militant health workers arrested in February for alleged possession of explosives and firearms. State prosecutors moved for the withdrawal of four separate information on violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or illegal possession of explosives filed with the regional trial court in Morong. The prosecution also filed another motion with the municipal trial court of Morong for the dropping of information on alleged violation of the election gun ban. (Philstar)

On P-Noy

President Aquino maintained a “very good” net satisfaction rating in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The SWS poll, conducted from Nov. 27 to 30, found 74 percent of those surveyed satisfied and 10 percent dissatisfied with Aquino’s performance in the last three months for a net satisfaction score of 64. SWS said Aquino’s “very good” score was similar to his September rating of 60 when he was first rated as president.(Philstar)

On STL

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is now finalizing the guidelines that would replace the controversial Small Town Lottery (STL) with a new game that would isolate illegal gambling lords who are using the game as a front for the illegal numbers game jueteng. PCSO sources said the new guidelines would require applicants of the new game to secure clearance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) before their franchises to operate are approved. “The new game would ease out known gambling lords who up to this time are operating the illegal numbers game using STL as front,” the source said. (Philstar)

On political prisoners

Easier said than done.  President Aquino yesterday doused cold water on the proposal of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to free all political prisoners in the country as a sign of goodwill to the longest-running communist insurgency in Asia.  “Do I have the right to speak on behalf of all the victims of all these crimes? This is easier said than done. We have to study this proposal very carefully,” he told Palace reporters in a chance interview at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang.  (Philstar)