BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Chavit To Solons: Expel Ping First

MANILA BULLETIN -- Star Crash Kills 7

PHILIPPINE STAR -- DoJ: Palace May Issue New EO On Truth Body

MANILA STANDARD -- Water Rationing, Blackouts To Hit Manila This Summer

MANILA TIMES -- Albay Faces More Floods

MALAYA -- Did Garcia Offer Empty Bag?

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Aquino Loses NAIA 3 Case

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Killer Bus

ABANTE -- Buong Pamilya Minasaker Ng Bus

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON --Karambola:7 Patay!

BALITA -- Joma Tiwala

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Ma Shoots Son In Head!

BULGAR -- Pamilya Ubos Sa Bus Vs. Jeep

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

How about expelling the legislator wanted for murder first? Irked by some House members urging that his congressman son, who is facing drug-related charges in Hong Kong, be expelled from the chamber, Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson said Congress should start first with fugitive Senator Panfilo Lacson who has a standing arrest warrant for murder. (PDI-Banner) 

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas is urging his colleagues in Congress to a new and potent anti-trust law that would protect consumers as well as businesses from wrongful and unfair methods of competition in commerce. “Congress should heed President Aquino’s call for a new anti-trust law that will vigorously advance free and fair business competition across all industries,” he said.  (Philstar-p5) 

On Presidency

After spending some quality time with his loved ones during the holidays, President Aquino is returning to work today with his hands full. “Whether he (Aquino) is in Baguio or in Manila tomorrow (today) is a work day for the President,” Presidential Communications Group Secretary Ricky Carandang said. The Presidential Security Group said Aquino brought with him in Baguio piles of documents, indicating that he may still work there even after the New Year. The PSG though did not elaborate citing security reasons. (Philstar-p4) 

On The Truth Commission

Malacañang might issue another order to replace Executive Order No. 1 creating the Truth Commission, if the Supreme Court (SC) upholds its previous ruling declaring the EO unconstitutional, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. “The better option is just to issue a new EO, a new EO on the Truth Commission, this time addressing the objections of the SC, (if our) motion for reconsideration (will be denied),” De Lima told Palace reporters in a recent interview. (Philstar-Banner) 

On X-mas Truce

Their 19-day ceasefire ends today with both government troops and communist rebel fighters resuming their combat positions. The communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) also accused government troops of violating the ceasefire which began on December 16. It was the longest holiday truce in over four decades of armed clashes between government forces and communist insurgents, and is a prelude to the resumption of peace negotiations in February hosted by Norway. (PDI-p2) 

On The Peace Process

Barely six months in office, President Aquino is bent on pursuing peace talks with the New People’s Army (NPA), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) but has encountered some glitches in the initial phase of negotiations. Apparently, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) head Teresita Quintos-Deles is wrong in her belief that the “highest mandate” received by Aquino in the May 2010 presidential elections is enough to convince the rebels to finally enter into an agreement with the government for lasting peace in the country. (Philstar-p10) 

On Anti-Insurgency Campaign

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has started implementing its new anti-insurgency strategy aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people rather than directly confronting the enemy, to achieve peace and stability and finally put an end to the 40-year communist insurgency. The new Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), dubbed as “Bayanihan,” was set into motion on January 1 and would be implemented until the end of the term of President Benigno Aquino 3rd in 2016. “The IPSP was anchored on the President’s national security strategy which emerges from the realization of lasting peace and stability, development and social progress, through a multi-stakeholder approach focused on the protection of the citizens’ rights and civil liberties,” Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., chief of the Armed Forces public affairs office, said. (Mla Times-p3) 

On The Armed Forces

A veteran in the military campaigns against the Abu Sayyaf has been named the new flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy. Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, currently the Navy vice commander, will assume the naval command on Tuesday in turnover ceremonies to be attended by President Aquino at the Navy headquarters in Manila. (PDI-p1) 

On The ‘Justice System’

The wife and sons of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia could walk free of any charges should the Sandiganbayan approve his plea bargain agreement with government prosecutors. Garcia, in the plea bargain deal, absolved his wife Clarita and their three sons of any liability in relation to the cases he is facing in court. (PDI-p1) 

On The Comelec

Veteran election lawyer Sixto Brillantes is reportedly one of the strongest contenders for the chairmanship of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). A reliable source said Brillantes, who represented the Liberal Party of President Aquino during the May 10 campaign period, may replace Jose Melo whose resignation takes effect on Jan. 31. There are reports that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Nachura, who will retire when he turns 70 in June, is not keen on becoming Comelec chairman. (Philstar-p1) 

After the Holidays

Classes resume today in all public and private schools nationwide after the long Yuletide break, Education Secretary Armin Luistro announced. Luistro expressed optimism over the resumption of the school year, after President Aquino signed the 2011 national budget with the Department of Education (DepEd) getting a 19 percent increase. (Philstar-p1) 

On Toll Fees

President Aquino’s economic team will discuss on Thursday how to lessen the “pain” caused by the steep increase in toll fees on the major highways leading to Metro Manila. Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the economic cluster will discuss, among other things, the 250 percent toll fee hike at the South Luzon Expressway which took effect on January 1. (PDI-p3) 

On Pinoy Nurses

More Filipino nurses are likely to pass Japan’s licensure examination and get employed in that country this year, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said yesterday. POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili said the Japanese government has allowed English translation in the licensure examination for foreign nurses, including Filipinos. (Philstar-p11) 

On Abadilla 5

Five men convicted of killing former Colonel Rolando Abadilla are set to go on hunger strike to demand that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez act on cases they filed against policemen who arrested and allegedly tortured them. To dramatize the plight of their loved ones, families and supporters of the five men, led by “running priest” Robert Reyes, will themselves hold a 15-hour fasting and prayer vigil starting at 6 a.m. Monday in front of the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City. (PDI-p1) 

On Vizconde Massacre

Lauro Vizconde spent Christmas Day at the tomb of his murdered wife and daughters at the Holy Cross Memorial Park in Quezon City. But New Year’s Day he spent at home, alone, in the house where his loved ones were killed nearly 20 years ago in one of the most heinous crimes the country has seen. Relatives are concerned about the depression that took hold of Vizconde after Hubert Webb and the six other men convicted of the murders were freed last month. They are worried that his smoking would worsen his health. (PDI-p1) 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing the possible extradition of Jessica Alfaro, the prosecution’s star witness in the celebrated Vizconde massacre, should efforts fail to convince her to return to the country to again testify in a new investigation following the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Hubert Webb and five others she had implicated. (Philstar-p5) 

On Albay Flooding

Residents of flood-struck areas in Albay may have to prepare for the worst as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of heavy downpours in the coming days here. Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay has ordered disaster managers and personnel in the province to enforce an extreme level of disaster preparedness because of the coming heavy rains. (Mla Times-Banner)