BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- NBP ‘sleep out’ canceled

PHILIPPINE STAR -- DOTC head denies quitting 

MANILA BULLETIN -- JPE: PLDT, Sun deal legal

DAILY TRIBUNE -- NTC not Noy decides on 3G award — Enrile

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Deadly gluta

ABANTE -- Gluta nakamamatay

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Divorce haharangin 

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking the cleansing of the voters’ list to prevent cheating in future elections. Under the bill, voters registered as of the May 10, 2010 national elections and those who registered under the continuing listing system would have to go to the offices of their elections officers to validate their registration. The city and election officers would have to use data capturing machines (DCMs) to take the biometrics of voters in the validation process. (Philstar)     

On Cabinet

As rumors swirled that he had tendered his resignation, Jose “Ping” de Jesus denied yesterday that he had quit as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), but Malacañang was silent of his fate. “It’s not true,” De Jesus said in a text message to The STAR when asked if he had resigned due to health reasons. DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco also denied yesterday that De Jesus had resigned. (Philstar)

The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed yesterday the appointments of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes. The CA also confirmed 22 ambassadors and the promotions of 39 other foreign service officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Unlike De los Reyes whose confirmation hearing was completed without a hitch, Del Rosario had to face claims against him in one of his previous capacities. (Philstar)

On RH bill

Senators want to resolve debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill first before tackling the divorce bill. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Joker Arroyo and Panfilo Lacson said there is a need to study the proposals to allow divorce in the country and put on hold any discussions at least until the RH issue is resolved. “I still have to study it. There are many who are in favor, we have many issues at hand,” Enrile said. “I’m not saying that it’s not the right time. We should wrap up the controversial ones first, the RH bill and the bill on the protection of the unborn and the mother.” (Philstar)

On education

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has sent out cease and desist orders (CDOs) to higher education institutions (HEIs) offering courses that do not comply with quality standards and whose graduates fare miserably in licensure examinations. “We’re already in the process (of taking action against low performing schools). Some schools have already received cease and desist orders. That is ongoing,” Dr. Patricia Licuanan, CHED chair, said in a media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at their head office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City yesterday. (Philstar)

A total of 324 colleges and universities have raised their tuition for school year 2011-2012. Data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) showed the average tuition hike was 14.37 percent, up from the 10 percent posted last April. The latest tally showed CHED had approved the tuition hike application of 39 higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon and 41 in Calabarzon. (Philstar)

On oil prices

Petron Corp. and Chevron Philippines (Caltex) raised their pump prices effective yesterday due to the increase in international oil prices, following a series of price rollbacks last week. Petron and Chevron announced an increase in the price of premium gasoline by 50 centavos per liter. Prices of regular gasoline and diesel went up by 25 centavos per liter. . At the same time, Petron announced a P2.50 per kilo price rollback on its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas products effective 6 a.m. yesterday. (Philstar)

On OFWs

A group of recruiters said yesterday that job orders for Filipino workers in Taiwan have intensified in the last two months despite the row over the deployment of 14 Taiwanese to Beijing two months ago. In a statement, Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (PILMAT) president Jackson Gan said they expect Taiwanese employers to hire more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the coming months. “The deployment of OFWs to Taiwan has intensified in the past two months and is expected to increase further,” he said. (Philstar)