BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Brillantes sworn in as chair of Comelec

PHILIPPINE STAR -- AFP to help tag cohorts of Garcia  

MANILA BULLETIN -- Mar-SB 'showdown' looms

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Include ex-AFP brass in Garcia probe — troops

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- 'Massive' Comelec reforms set

ABANTE -- OJT fees tutuldukan!

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- P-Noy, Senado inalerto sa P4 bilyon NAIA scam 

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Sto. Niño saves 274 in Sinolog tragedy!

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino assured the people that the proposal to amend the Constitution is not a ploy by allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to bring her back to Malacañang. Antonino, Lakas vice president for policy, stressed that while his party still has 70 members at the House, about 68 lawmakers have already become part of the majority supporting President Aquino. He said since most of the Lakas congressmen support Aquino, the alleged plan to use Charter change to return Mrs. Arroyo to power is not possible. (Philstar)

Congress resumes session today after a month-long holiday break but legislative work would be sluggish until Malacañang identifies priority bills in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting scheduled at the end of the month. The Senate, meanwhile, is gripped with apprehension over a supposed plot to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, but President Aquino’s allies have assured him that there is no attempt to unseat him. (Philstar)

On Gen. Garcia

The military yesterday vowed to cooperate in the investigation of former defense officials in alleged complicity with former Armed Forces comptroller Carlos Garcia. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said they are willing to provide evidence that can help in investigating these former officials. “One of the main objectives of the present administration is to see to it that there is transparency. If we are asked to submit any document or testimony that may shed light on this controversy, the Armed Forces will comply,” Mabanta said. “The Armed Forces is all out for being able to find out what happened.” (Philstar)

On Comelec chairman

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes vowed to prioritize preparations for the next computerized polls in 2013 as he took his oath of office yesterday at the Supreme Court before Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura. Brillantes, whose appointment papers were signed by President Aquino last Saturday night, said the reorganization of the Comelec would also be on top of his agenda. (Philstar)

On calamity fund

An administration lawmaker yesterday urged President Aquino to allocate at least half of the government’s calamity funds for rehabilitation, as mere relief goods are not enough to help devastated communities get back on their feet. Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone disclosed that Aquino increased the calamity fund by P1.75 billion in this year’s P1.645-trillion national budget. (Philstar)

On PNP

Eight out of 10 police officers handling criminal investigation nationwide lack formal training and skills, jeopardizing the cases, the Philippine National Police (PNP) admitted yesterday. A document obtained by The STAR showed that there are 3,781 police officers occupying investigative positions in nine regions, but only 908 of them, or roughly 24 percent, have formal training on case investigation. The document stated that the remaining 2,873 police probers, or 75.98 percent, do not have any basic training on how to handle the investigation but they nevertheless probe cases like crime incidents.(Philstar)

On P-Noy's Porsche

Trusted sources who were at the Clark International Speedway with President Aquino last Dec. 26 have confirmed that his newest plaything is a white 2007 model 997, Porsche 911 Turbo, which is anything but entry level. Right out of the box, the 3.6-liter, twin turbo, six-cylinder Boxer engine has been blessed with an earth-shattering 480 horsepower, or enough power to run four Toyota Corollas comfortably, and can reach 100 kilometers an hour from a standstill in less time than it took you to finish this sentence.

On judiciary

While the executive department may have disagreements with the judiciary over some legal matters, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has assured the magistrates of the government’s support. After attending the inaugural dinner of the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) last week, Ochoa urged the crowd - which included judges and justices - to support the government, amid conflicting viewpoints on presidential edicts that Aquino issued. (Philstar)