BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Manhunt for Senator Lacson continues

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Manhunt for Ping to continue - DOJ

MANILA BULLETIN -- Ping still hunted – DoJ

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Noy wants troops to rat on corrupt chiefs

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- P500-M shabu seized

ABANTE -- Ping dadamputin pa rin!

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Ping pwede pang arestuhin - DOJ

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Lacson manhunt pressed
   
ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives is planning to tighten controls on the use of billions in taxpayers’ money that it appropriates yearly for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara yesterday said he would recommend to the House leadership and the committee on appropriations that the next AFP budget be closely scrutinized for loopholes in the use of funds.(Philstar)

On Sen. Lacson

The manhunt for fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson continues despite the dismissal of the double murder case against him by the Court of Appeals (CA), Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday. The Bureau of Immigration also said the senator remains on its watchlist until the CA issues an order dropping him from the list. At the Senate, ethics committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said the CA decision would not have any effect on the ethics case against Lacson. (Philstar)

The daughters of slain publicist Salvador Dacer are “deeply saddened and extremely disappointed” by the Court of Appeal (CA)’s exoneration of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the alleged mastermind in the murders of their father and his driver more than a decade ago. “We will work with our lawyers to study other legal remedies that we have and we will proceed from there,” a statement from the Dacer sisters read as they vowed to contest the CA ruling issued last Thursday.(Philstar)


On peace talks

Malacañang expressed optimism yesterday over the resumption of peace talks with communist insurgents this month. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, however, said the government is turning down the demand of the communist rebels to stop civic-military operations (CMO). Seeking to stop the civic-military work is “propaganda” on the part of the communist rebels, Lacierda said.(Philstar)

On Charter change

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno has confirmed that he would be a resource person when the Senate starts public hearings on the proposals to amend the Constitution on Feb. 17. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chair of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revisions of codes and laws, said the initial hearing would only discuss the issue of whether there is a need for Charter change. “The hearing will consist of a series of lectures by eminent experts in constitutional law, such as yourself,” Santiago said in her letter to Puno.(Philstar)


On mining

Malacañang announced yesterday that President Aquino has ordered Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to suspend all large-scale mining applications while the government reviews pending and inactive mining claims this year. “The instruction right now from his office is not to accept new applications of mining claims since January this year,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, adding that there is now a ban on processing of mining claims.(Philstar)

On graft

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday urged President Aquino to create an anti-graft commission that will go after grafters in government and also investigate corruption cases during the past administration. In lieu of the Truth Commission, Cayetano said a new anti-graft and corruption council could help the Aquino administration pick up after the bungled investigations on several scandals that rocked the previous administration. (Philstar)

On carjacking

Roger Dominguez, who together with his younger brother Raymond were tagged as leaders of a carjack gang involved in the killing of two car dealers and a driver last month, has reportedly gone into hiding. Senior Superintendent Wendy Rosario, acting Bulacan police director, said he received reports that Roger had not been spotted at his residence in Calumpit, Bulacan for the past few days.(Philstar)

On firearms

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said government prosecutors whose lives are under threat could now secure permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) more easily. Bacalzo said the security of government prosecutors is of paramount concern to the police force. “We will fast-track the processing of the permit to carry firearms outside residence of our prosecutors,” said Bacalzo.(Philstar)