BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Broadcaster slain in Palawan

PHILIPPINE STAR --  'Go after Dominguez cohorts, protectors' 

MANILA BULLETIN -- Carnap 'conspiracy' probed

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Garcia goes missing

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- End of the road

ABANTE -- Ulo sa 'Dominguez link' gumugulong na

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Dominguez kinasuhan sa Evangelista case 

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Dominguez brothers will face music — lawyer

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

As the public continues to express outrage over two car theft-related murders, lawmakers are pushing for stiffer punishment for stealing of vehicles, especially if violence is involved. At the Senate, Sen. Francis Escudero has filed a bill making plain car theft punishable with 20 to 30 years imprisonment. But if force is involved, an offender found guilty should suffer imprisonment of 30 to 40 years. The brutal deaths of Emerson Lozano, son of former Marcos loyalist lawyer Oliver Lozano, and car dealer Venson Evangelista at the hands of carjackers have stirred outrage over the brazenness of criminal syndicates. (Philstar)

On carnapping

Authorities are zeroing in on protectors or cohorts in the government of alleged carjack ring leader Raymond Dominguez, including individuals involved in the registration of stolen vehicles. Dominguez, whose group is suspected to be responsible for the murder of car dealer Venson Evangelista and possibly another trader, Emerson Lozano, surrendered to the Bulacan police on Saturday night, saying he feared for his life. He was placed under arrest yesterday by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Dominguez was brought to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office last night and underwent inquest proceedings on charges of carjacking and kidnapping with homicide filed by the police. (Philstar)

On Gen. Garcia

Has former military comptroller Carlos Garcia gone into hiding? Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV told reporters yesterday he has received information that Garcia is missing. “We have yet to ascertain the veracity of the information but that’s what we heard… because everybody’s trying to locate (him) for good reason, but some people may not want that to happen,” he said. The former Navy officer said some people might not want Garcia to resurface in view of the congressional inquiries into circumstances behind his plea bargaining agreement with the government.(Philstar)

On media killing

A radio commentator who was a staunch critic of mining operations and local officials in Palawan was shot dead yesterday morning in Puerto Princesa City. Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) commentator Gerardo Ortega was shot in the head and died on the spot. Ortega was the anchor of the daily primetime program “Ramatak,” aired over dwAR, RMN’s local affiliate in Palawan. (Philstar)

On oil price hike

Pilipinas Shell is increasing anew the pump prices of its petroleum products. In an advisory, Shell said it will raise effective today its diesel prices by P1 per liter. Shell is also increasing the prices of its kerosene and gasoline by 75 centavos and 50 centavos per liter, respectively. It was learned that PTT Philippines is also raising its prices by the same level as Shell.(Philstar)

On Comelec

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes, who once worked for the Ampatuans, assured the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre that he would not protect the clan. The families of the victims fear that Brillantes’ proposal to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is a form of support for the beleaguered clan. (Philstar)

On Mar Roxas

Former Sen. Manuel Roxas II concedes that intrigues will continue to trail him because of his closeness to President Aquino. But he says there is really nothing much that can be thrown against him since he is just being of help to the President. “Except for the intrigues, nothing much can really be written about me. I have no anomalies,” Roxas said. (Philstar)

On Hello Garci

The military expressed support yesterday for the plan of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. to reopen the investigation on the “Hello, Garci” poll fraud scandal that raised doubts on the legitimacy of the election of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.  Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the probe would give active military personnel and rebel soldiers the opportunity to disclose what they know about the controversy.  (Philstar)

On parenthood bill

The Catholic Church has, so far, no more objections to making the responsible parenthood bill a priority legislation by the administration. Malacañang hopes the Church will drop its opposition to the bill entirely when discussions are completed. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said government officials met with Church representatives for the second time yesterday to reconcile differences on the responsible parenthood bill. The first meeting was held last year after the Church voiced its opposition to government moves to promote artificial methods of family planning, believing some contraceptives to be distributed by the government are abortifacients. (Philstar)