1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR FEB. 25, 2011
Posted by unang apluma on Thursday, February 24, 2011
Under: news
BROADSHEETS
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- 14 Filipinos Missing In NZ
MANILA BULLETIN -- Stop Libya Bloodshed
PHILIPPINE STAR -- Evacuation Of Pinoys From Libya Underway
MANILA STANDARD -- Liberals Want Pork Barrel Perks Spread Among Civil Society Allies
MANILA TIMES -- Singson Gets 18 Months
MALAYA -- Freedom Forum Want Is EDSA Soul: Aquino
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Ligot Admits Being ‘Front’ For Condos, Homes
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Singson Gets 18 Months
ABANTE -- Nasa’n Ang Rescue? Desperado Na Kami!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 34 OFW Bihag Sa Libya!
BALITA -- Exodus
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- ‘Where’s My Wife’
BULGAR -- 1 Taon, 6 Buwan Kulong Kay Singson
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Rep. Ronald Singson of the Second District of Ilocos Sur was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for possession of illegal drugs in Hong Kong, but still stands to remain a lawmaker—at least for now. “He [Singson] will serve the jail term in Hong Kong since there was no mention that he would be suspended nor was there a mention of deportation,” said Deputy Majority Frederico Quimbo, who was tasked by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to monitor the Singson case. (Mla Times-Banner)
On Presidency
Democracy from corruption and freedom from poverty. This, according to President Aquino, is the meaning of people power. "Ito ang pamana ng EDSA," he said in his message after the Thanksgiving Mass celebrated at the Our Lady of Peace Shrine along EDSA yesterday. Aquino enjoined everybody to relive the spirit of EDSA and the unity and cooperation that was shown 25 years ago. (Malaya-Banner)
Thousands of Filipino workers are stranded in riot-torn Libya and are desperate to be rescued, an industry support group yesterday said as it blasted the Aquino government’s evacuation efforts. Migrante International said it had lost contact with many of its members in Libya as they scrambled to find ways of crossing the border to neighboring countries without any government support. (Tribune-p1) Libya
Despite the existence of a constitutional ban for presidents to appoint and swear in a Cabinet official or any presidential appointee while Congress is in session, President Aquino yesterday swore in former US Ambassador Albert del Rosario as acting foreign secretary, immediately filling a vacuum left by Alberto Romulo due to major problems facing Filipino workers in China, Taiwan, quake-hit New Zealand and protests-hit countries of Libya, Yemen and Bahrain. (Tribune-p1)
On Overseas Pinoys
President Aquino gave assurance yesterday that measures are underway for the immediate evacuation of thousands of Filipinos trapped in the violent political upheaval in Libya. Aquino said the government had made transport arrangements and identified exit points for the safe evacuation of some 13,000 Filipinos in Libya should the political situation escalate. (Philstar-Banner) Libya
On People Power
President Aquino will lead various activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first EDSA People Power revolution today, acknowledging that much remains to be done because real democracy means freedom from corruption and poverty. In his message yesterday at the two-day “People-Powered Development,” a local government unit forum on integrating community-driven development in local governance practice at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, Aquino said his mother, former President Corazon Aquino had said that the true meaning of people power got a different face –not the millions of Filipinos marching through EDSA nor the placards bearing former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.’s face nor the nuns holding rosaries but rather preparedness –“preparedness to fight corruption and preparedness to fight poverty.” (Philstar-p1)
Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. marked the 25th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution - which started Wednesday - with a fervent hope that the country will attain real progress “in the quickest possible time.” “I celebrate with every Filipino that is not stuck in the blame game, a situation that sets us up for certain failures as we have seen it happen in the past. Blaming gives one an excuse to fail,” Marcos said. “I celebrate with all Filipinos willing to look forward, work and unite to earnestly bring progress to our country in the quickest possible time. If we say we can’t, then we can’t. I say: Kaya!” said Marcos in his official website and Facebook account. (Philstar-p6)
On The Ombudsman
Bracing for a tough impeachment battle, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez vowed yesterday to put up a good fight, saying she has not been remiss in her duty to prosecute corrupt officials. “I have not done anything wrong,” she told ANC’s “Headstart” as she claimed a clean record during her 40 years in government service. “I am willing to face the impeachment trial even if this reaches the Senate. I believe impeachment will not prosper because it is baseless,” she said. “My conscience is clear, I’m willing to finish this process,” she stressed. (Philstar-p1)
On AFP Corruption
Unable to explain away a deed of sale, with his name and signature for marital consent on a P25-million posh condominium unit in Essensa, Fort Bonifacio under his wife Erlinda’s name as owner, and sold to her brother, former military comptroller under then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes, Maj. Gen. Jacinto Ligot admitted he and his wife were fronting for others, naming his brother in law although talk had earlier made the rounds that Ligot was a front for some powerful individuals within and outside the military establishment. (Tribune-Banner)
The wife of former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot has begged off from facing a Senate probe, checking into the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for what her lawyer described as “headaches, abdominal pains, and other aches.” Rafael Zialcita, Erlinda Ligot’s counsel, yesterday told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee in a letter that she is undergoing various tests at the hospital. (Philstar-p1)
If money is the root of all evil, particularly in the corruption-tainted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), then perhaps the government might do well to deny soldiers access to cold cash. At the same time, however, it must make sure that the logistics and supplies get to the battlefield in the right quantity at the right time. Or perhaps the government might require that all military contracts for goods and services be covered by a strictly enforced electronic procurement system. (Malaya-p1)
On Overseas Job
Filipino workers in Taiwan likely to be displaced because of its diplomatic row with the Philippines can be deployed to South Korea where there is a high demand for factory workers. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Filipino workers in Taiwan are highly skilled and fluent in the English language. The government is also preparing for the placement of workers who would opt to return and stay in the country permanently. (Philstar-p2)
On The PNP
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo disclosed that he blocked at least three transactions to purchase equipment for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) that are disadvantageous to the government. Robredo ordered PNP and BFP officials to re-bid the procurement for firearms, fire trucks and breathing apparatus. “Suppliers should provide the needs of the firemen and the police, and suppliers should not be the one to dictate what we need,” Robredo told editors of The STAR during a meeting last Wednesday night. (Philstar-p3)
On Gov’t Prosecutor
The Palace is studying the possible dismissal from service of Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit and her deputies for the flawed plea-bargaining agreement they had forged in the plunder case against former military comptroller Carlos Garcia in the Sandiganbayan, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday. In a press conference, De Lima said the Office of the Executive Secretary is “already working” on disciplinary proceedings against Sulit with the assistance of a team of state prosecutors from her department. (Philstar-p4)
On Foreign Affairs
President Aquino administered yesterday the oath of former ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, replacing Alberto Romulo, who went on indefinite leave at the height of tensions in the Middle East. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Del Rosario would be DFA chief in an “acting capacity” while Congress is in session, but that the new Cabinet member will have his “ad interim appointment” once the legislature goes on recess in late March. (Philstar-p7)
On European Union
The new ambassador of the European Union bared yesterday that the EU could compel countries that receive European aid to return the donated funds if the money is not being spent for the intended purpose. Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the EU, which conducts regular evaluation of projects, had in the past issued “recovery orders” on aid to the Philippines. (Philstar-p10)
On Taiwan’s Turmoil
Taiwan Minister Jennifer Wang of the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) said yesterday her council will adopt an across-the-board freeze on the import of Philippines workers if the Philippine government fails to show goodwill to Taiwan in the wake of its failure to apologize for the wrongful deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China earlier this month, the China Post of Taiwan reported. (Tribune-p1)
On Lakas Party
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo yesterday handed the baton of the Lakas-Kampi leadership to a new set of leadership as she stepped down as chairman of the political party once regarded as the most dominant in Philippine politics. Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, a topnotcher in the 2010 senatorial race, was elected unopposed as president during the elections attended by 112 of the 149 members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive council held in Pasig City. (Tribune-p3)
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- 14 Filipinos Missing In NZ
MANILA BULLETIN -- Stop Libya Bloodshed
PHILIPPINE STAR -- Evacuation Of Pinoys From Libya Underway
MANILA STANDARD -- Liberals Want Pork Barrel Perks Spread Among Civil Society Allies
MANILA TIMES -- Singson Gets 18 Months
MALAYA -- Freedom Forum Want Is EDSA Soul: Aquino
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Ligot Admits Being ‘Front’ For Condos, Homes
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Singson Gets 18 Months
ABANTE -- Nasa’n Ang Rescue? Desperado Na Kami!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 34 OFW Bihag Sa Libya!
BALITA -- Exodus
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- ‘Where’s My Wife’
BULGAR -- 1 Taon, 6 Buwan Kulong Kay Singson
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Rep. Ronald Singson of the Second District of Ilocos Sur was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for possession of illegal drugs in Hong Kong, but still stands to remain a lawmaker—at least for now. “He [Singson] will serve the jail term in Hong Kong since there was no mention that he would be suspended nor was there a mention of deportation,” said Deputy Majority Frederico Quimbo, who was tasked by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to monitor the Singson case. (Mla Times-Banner)
On Presidency
Democracy from corruption and freedom from poverty. This, according to President Aquino, is the meaning of people power. "Ito ang pamana ng EDSA," he said in his message after the Thanksgiving Mass celebrated at the Our Lady of Peace Shrine along EDSA yesterday. Aquino enjoined everybody to relive the spirit of EDSA and the unity and cooperation that was shown 25 years ago. (Malaya-Banner)
Thousands of Filipino workers are stranded in riot-torn Libya and are desperate to be rescued, an industry support group yesterday said as it blasted the Aquino government’s evacuation efforts. Migrante International said it had lost contact with many of its members in Libya as they scrambled to find ways of crossing the border to neighboring countries without any government support. (Tribune-p1) Libya
Despite the existence of a constitutional ban for presidents to appoint and swear in a Cabinet official or any presidential appointee while Congress is in session, President Aquino yesterday swore in former US Ambassador Albert del Rosario as acting foreign secretary, immediately filling a vacuum left by Alberto Romulo due to major problems facing Filipino workers in China, Taiwan, quake-hit New Zealand and protests-hit countries of Libya, Yemen and Bahrain. (Tribune-p1)
On Overseas Pinoys
President Aquino gave assurance yesterday that measures are underway for the immediate evacuation of thousands of Filipinos trapped in the violent political upheaval in Libya. Aquino said the government had made transport arrangements and identified exit points for the safe evacuation of some 13,000 Filipinos in Libya should the political situation escalate. (Philstar-Banner) Libya
On People Power
President Aquino will lead various activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first EDSA People Power revolution today, acknowledging that much remains to be done because real democracy means freedom from corruption and poverty. In his message yesterday at the two-day “People-Powered Development,” a local government unit forum on integrating community-driven development in local governance practice at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, Aquino said his mother, former President Corazon Aquino had said that the true meaning of people power got a different face –not the millions of Filipinos marching through EDSA nor the placards bearing former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.’s face nor the nuns holding rosaries but rather preparedness –“preparedness to fight corruption and preparedness to fight poverty.” (Philstar-p1)
Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. marked the 25th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution - which started Wednesday - with a fervent hope that the country will attain real progress “in the quickest possible time.” “I celebrate with every Filipino that is not stuck in the blame game, a situation that sets us up for certain failures as we have seen it happen in the past. Blaming gives one an excuse to fail,” Marcos said. “I celebrate with all Filipinos willing to look forward, work and unite to earnestly bring progress to our country in the quickest possible time. If we say we can’t, then we can’t. I say: Kaya!” said Marcos in his official website and Facebook account. (Philstar-p6)
On The Ombudsman
Bracing for a tough impeachment battle, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez vowed yesterday to put up a good fight, saying she has not been remiss in her duty to prosecute corrupt officials. “I have not done anything wrong,” she told ANC’s “Headstart” as she claimed a clean record during her 40 years in government service. “I am willing to face the impeachment trial even if this reaches the Senate. I believe impeachment will not prosper because it is baseless,” she said. “My conscience is clear, I’m willing to finish this process,” she stressed. (Philstar-p1)
On AFP Corruption
Unable to explain away a deed of sale, with his name and signature for marital consent on a P25-million posh condominium unit in Essensa, Fort Bonifacio under his wife Erlinda’s name as owner, and sold to her brother, former military comptroller under then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes, Maj. Gen. Jacinto Ligot admitted he and his wife were fronting for others, naming his brother in law although talk had earlier made the rounds that Ligot was a front for some powerful individuals within and outside the military establishment. (Tribune-Banner)
The wife of former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot has begged off from facing a Senate probe, checking into the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for what her lawyer described as “headaches, abdominal pains, and other aches.” Rafael Zialcita, Erlinda Ligot’s counsel, yesterday told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee in a letter that she is undergoing various tests at the hospital. (Philstar-p1)
If money is the root of all evil, particularly in the corruption-tainted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), then perhaps the government might do well to deny soldiers access to cold cash. At the same time, however, it must make sure that the logistics and supplies get to the battlefield in the right quantity at the right time. Or perhaps the government might require that all military contracts for goods and services be covered by a strictly enforced electronic procurement system. (Malaya-p1)
On Overseas Job
Filipino workers in Taiwan likely to be displaced because of its diplomatic row with the Philippines can be deployed to South Korea where there is a high demand for factory workers. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Filipino workers in Taiwan are highly skilled and fluent in the English language. The government is also preparing for the placement of workers who would opt to return and stay in the country permanently. (Philstar-p2)
On The PNP
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo disclosed that he blocked at least three transactions to purchase equipment for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) that are disadvantageous to the government. Robredo ordered PNP and BFP officials to re-bid the procurement for firearms, fire trucks and breathing apparatus. “Suppliers should provide the needs of the firemen and the police, and suppliers should not be the one to dictate what we need,” Robredo told editors of The STAR during a meeting last Wednesday night. (Philstar-p3)
On Gov’t Prosecutor
The Palace is studying the possible dismissal from service of Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit and her deputies for the flawed plea-bargaining agreement they had forged in the plunder case against former military comptroller Carlos Garcia in the Sandiganbayan, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday. In a press conference, De Lima said the Office of the Executive Secretary is “already working” on disciplinary proceedings against Sulit with the assistance of a team of state prosecutors from her department. (Philstar-p4)
On Foreign Affairs
President Aquino administered yesterday the oath of former ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, replacing Alberto Romulo, who went on indefinite leave at the height of tensions in the Middle East. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Del Rosario would be DFA chief in an “acting capacity” while Congress is in session, but that the new Cabinet member will have his “ad interim appointment” once the legislature goes on recess in late March. (Philstar-p7)
On European Union
The new ambassador of the European Union bared yesterday that the EU could compel countries that receive European aid to return the donated funds if the money is not being spent for the intended purpose. Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the EU, which conducts regular evaluation of projects, had in the past issued “recovery orders” on aid to the Philippines. (Philstar-p10)
On Taiwan’s Turmoil
Taiwan Minister Jennifer Wang of the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) said yesterday her council will adopt an across-the-board freeze on the import of Philippines workers if the Philippine government fails to show goodwill to Taiwan in the wake of its failure to apologize for the wrongful deportation of 14 Taiwanese fraud suspects to China earlier this month, the China Post of Taiwan reported. (Tribune-p1)
On Lakas Party
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo yesterday handed the baton of the Lakas-Kampi leadership to a new set of leadership as she stepped down as chairman of the political party once regarded as the most dominant in Philippine politics. Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, a topnotcher in the 2010 senatorial race, was elected unopposed as president during the elections attended by 112 of the 149 members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive council held in Pasig City. (Tribune-p3)
In : news