1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR FEB. 18, 2011
Posted by unang apluma on Thursday, February 17, 2011
Under: news
BROADSHEETS
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- China lets PH make plea
MANILA BULLETIN -- Hunt 'drug mule' recruiters
PHILIPPINE STAR -- China allows Binay to plead for 3 Pinoys
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Ping’s ex-aide denies P40-M slush fund claim
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- 'Pray for a miracle'
ABANTE -- Mrs. Ligot, Pichay tawag ng Senado
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Milagro na lang sa 3 Pinoy
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Taiwan ‘unhappy’ by deportation
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. temporarily withheld the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez until the Supreme Court (SC) makes a final ruling on her petition to stop moves in the House of Representatives to oust her. Belmonte’s move came after the SC asked lawmakers to wait until it issues a final ruling on its decision giving the House committee on justice the go-signal to proceed in tackling the two impeachment complaints filed by militant groups against Gutierrez. (Philstar)
On OFWs on death row
China has acceded to a request by the Philippines to send Vice President Jejomar Binay to Beijing to plead for the lives of three Filipinos set for execution next week for drug smuggling. But Beijing has declined to arrange a phone communication between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Aquino, citing the “final” and “irrevocable” decision of its court sentencing the three to death. The Department of Foreign Affairs announced last night that the Chinese government notified the Philippine embassy in Beijing that Binay would be allowed to visit.(Philstar)
On Ronald Singson
Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is “considering resignation” as the House ethics committee started discussions on his possible removal from the legislators’ roster. Before the resumption of the hearing yesterday, Singson, however, told reporters that he is still appealing to his fellow lawmakers to wait for the outcome of his trial before making any judgment. The Wan Chai District Court is set to hand down its sentence on the embattled legislator who earlier pleaded guilty to trafficking 6.67 grams of cocaine.(Philstar)
On new cities
The latest Supreme Court (SC) decision reversing itself for the third time to allow 16 municipalities to become cities has sown confusion among mayors. Speaking at the weekly broadcasters’ forum, San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) president, said the SC decision has disregarded the principle of final judgment.(Philstar)
On Charter change
The Senate began its public hearing on Charter change (Cha-cha) yesterday with four retired justices and two legal experts expressing their views on the controversial issue. Retired chief justice Reynato Puno, retired justice Vicente Mendoza, and former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva favored shifting from the presidential to a parliamentary system. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws, said the Senate would continue with the discussions although President Aquino is against Cha-cha. (Philstar)
On COA chairman Villar
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Antonio Villar Jr. took up the cudgels for his embattled elder brother, Commission on Audit (COA) chairman Reynaldo Villar, who has insisted that his term ends in 2015 despite claims that his term actually ended last Feb. 2. A visibly irked Secretary Villar told The STAR yesterday that he had talked to his brother and told him to leave his post as soon as possible rather than be unfairly treated by some government officials like presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.(Philstar)
On Taiwan row
The government defended before the Court of Appeals (CA) the deportation to China earlier this month of 14 Taiwanese nationals wanted for large-scale fraud. In a 10-page manifestation filed yesterday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said no law or procedure was violated in the summary deportation of the fugitives who were found to be undocumented and considered undesirable due to their purported criminal cases in Beijing.(Philstar)
On AFP scam
Former President Joseph Estrada is willing to testify in the Senate inquiry into the alleged corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “Anytime,” Estrada said in a telephone interview when asked about his willingness to testify in the probe. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will hear today the expose of retired budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa about the diversion of military funds during the terms of retired AFP comptrollers Gen. Carlos Garcia and Gen. Jacinto Ligot. (Philstar)
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- China lets PH make plea
MANILA BULLETIN -- Hunt 'drug mule' recruiters
PHILIPPINE STAR -- China allows Binay to plead for 3 Pinoys
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Ping’s ex-aide denies P40-M slush fund claim
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- 'Pray for a miracle'
ABANTE -- Mrs. Ligot, Pichay tawag ng Senado
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Milagro na lang sa 3 Pinoy
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Taiwan ‘unhappy’ by deportation
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. temporarily withheld the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez until the Supreme Court (SC) makes a final ruling on her petition to stop moves in the House of Representatives to oust her. Belmonte’s move came after the SC asked lawmakers to wait until it issues a final ruling on its decision giving the House committee on justice the go-signal to proceed in tackling the two impeachment complaints filed by militant groups against Gutierrez. (Philstar)
On OFWs on death row
China has acceded to a request by the Philippines to send Vice President Jejomar Binay to Beijing to plead for the lives of three Filipinos set for execution next week for drug smuggling. But Beijing has declined to arrange a phone communication between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Aquino, citing the “final” and “irrevocable” decision of its court sentencing the three to death. The Department of Foreign Affairs announced last night that the Chinese government notified the Philippine embassy in Beijing that Binay would be allowed to visit.(Philstar)
On Ronald Singson
Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson is “considering resignation” as the House ethics committee started discussions on his possible removal from the legislators’ roster. Before the resumption of the hearing yesterday, Singson, however, told reporters that he is still appealing to his fellow lawmakers to wait for the outcome of his trial before making any judgment. The Wan Chai District Court is set to hand down its sentence on the embattled legislator who earlier pleaded guilty to trafficking 6.67 grams of cocaine.(Philstar)
On new cities
The latest Supreme Court (SC) decision reversing itself for the third time to allow 16 municipalities to become cities has sown confusion among mayors. Speaking at the weekly broadcasters’ forum, San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) president, said the SC decision has disregarded the principle of final judgment.(Philstar)
On Charter change
The Senate began its public hearing on Charter change (Cha-cha) yesterday with four retired justices and two legal experts expressing their views on the controversial issue. Retired chief justice Reynato Puno, retired justice Vicente Mendoza, and former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva favored shifting from the presidential to a parliamentary system. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws, said the Senate would continue with the discussions although President Aquino is against Cha-cha. (Philstar)
On COA chairman Villar
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Antonio Villar Jr. took up the cudgels for his embattled elder brother, Commission on Audit (COA) chairman Reynaldo Villar, who has insisted that his term ends in 2015 despite claims that his term actually ended last Feb. 2. A visibly irked Secretary Villar told The STAR yesterday that he had talked to his brother and told him to leave his post as soon as possible rather than be unfairly treated by some government officials like presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.(Philstar)
On Taiwan row
The government defended before the Court of Appeals (CA) the deportation to China earlier this month of 14 Taiwanese nationals wanted for large-scale fraud. In a 10-page manifestation filed yesterday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said no law or procedure was violated in the summary deportation of the fugitives who were found to be undocumented and considered undesirable due to their purported criminal cases in Beijing.(Philstar)
On AFP scam
Former President Joseph Estrada is willing to testify in the Senate inquiry into the alleged corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “Anytime,” Estrada said in a telephone interview when asked about his willingness to testify in the probe. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will hear today the expose of retired budget officer Lt. Col. George Rabusa about the diversion of military funds during the terms of retired AFP comptrollers Gen. Carlos Garcia and Gen. Jacinto Ligot. (Philstar)
In : news