BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Not guilty, Andal Sr. pleads amid jeering

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Palace says DOTC chief has resigned 

MANILA BULLETIN -- De Jesus quits DoTC post

DAILY TRIBUNE -- DoTC chief quits Noy’s Cabinet

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- DOTC chief quits

ABANTE -- Misis ng solons. papatay sa divorce

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Not guilty - Ampatuan Sr. 
  
ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. opened yesterday the 3rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus that would focus on drawing up a blueprint for concerted and institutionalized regional disaster management and children’s welfare programs. “Two problems gain prominence at this juncture in our history: disaster management and children’s welfare,” Belmonte said in his opening message. (Philstar)

On Cabinet

A day after Jose de Jesus said rumors of his resignation were “not true,” Malacañang announced yesterday that he had quit as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) effective July 1. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said De Jesus “probably wants to do something else.” Malacañang made the announcement a day after DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco denied reports that De Jesus had quit. (Philstar)

On Philippine territory

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned last Tuesday the Chinese charge d’affaires to protest sightings of Chinese Navy vessels erecting posts at the West Philippine Sea. Citing reports from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DFA requested clarification from Bai Tian, charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Manila, regarding the recent sightings of a China Marine Surveillance vessel and other People‘s Liberation Army Navy ships in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef-Amy Douglas Bank in the West Philippine Sea. (Philstar)

On P-Noy

The Philippines and Brunei signed here yesterday several memoranda of understanding on food security and agriculture, shipping and ports, tourism and sports development. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the MOUs for the Philippine government while Princess Masna, who is also the acting foreign affairs minister here, signed for Brunei. President Aquino, who arrived in a blue Rolls Royce limousine at the sprawling Istana Nurul Iman (Royal Palace) for an official visit, was received by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The two witnessed the signing of the MOUs. The President is scheduled to return to Manila today. (Philstar)

On divorce

One in every two Filipinos favors the legalization of divorce in the country, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released yesterday showed. The First Quarter 2011 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 4 to 7, showed that 50 percent of adult Filipinos agree that married couples who have separated and cannot reconcile should be granted divorce so they can get married again. Thirty-three percent of respondents disagree while 16 percent were undecided. The non-commissioned interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide. (Philstar)

On lotto

A lucky bettor from Luzon won the P356,552,917.20 jackpot prize after 44th draw of the 6/55 Grand Ootto online game, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced last night. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO general manager, said the lone winner got the six-digit combination 09-05-26-30-19-45 in the draw. The winner, the 50th member of the so- called Lotto Millionaires Club this year, beat the 28.9 million odds in the grand lotto game.(Philstar)

On Mar Roxas

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. yesterday brushed aside talks that former Sen. Manuel Roxas II’s entry in Malacañang could lead to a power struggle between the two of them. Ochoa disclosed that he was the one working on the administrative order defining Roxas’ job. “We’re still discussing the details of his official functions and probably that will be the time to really decide on his official title. Because that portion is a bit tricky,” Ochoa said. (Philstar)

On NAIA Terminal 3

President Aquino has agreed to proceed with a plan to operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 while just compensation for its builders is being decided by the courts. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said yesterday the issue could still take longer because of the legal options available to all parties. (Philstar)