BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Senate, Palace: Merci, Go

MANILA BULLETIN -- Leave Yemen

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Special Prosecutors Face Palace Probe

MANILA STANDARD -- Aquino Slips, Says Roxas Is His Candidate For 2016

MANILA TIMES -- Corona Slams ‘Politicians’

MALAYA -- Merci Pressured To Resign

DAILY TRIBUNE -- LP Senators Toe Noy’s Line, Find Merci Guilty

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- BIR Runs After Garcia, Ligot

ABANTE -- Baby, Pinansanggo Sa Bala

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- ‘Resign Merci’

 

BALITA -- Lumiliit Ang Mundo

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- ‘LQ’ Drives Lolo To Drink Pesticide

BULGAR -- Daddy, Mommy At Anak Sinaksak Ng Holdaper

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III yesterday publicized a “partial” panel report that found Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez guilty of non-feasance over her approval of the plea bargain agreement between the prosecutors and former military comptroller discharged Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, even telling the House justice committee to include this in its articles of impeachment. (Tribune-Banner) 

The House of Representatives will inquire into a new Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regulation requiring private citizens to file the equivalent of a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN). The investigation was prompted by Resolution 1069 filed by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City and his brother Maximo, who represents the party-list group Abante Mindanao. (Philstar-p3) 

On Presidency

President Aquino proved yesterday that despite his smoking, he is still in top shape as he and several Cabinet members, together with their Singaporean host, climbed the stairs of the 24-story Changi Water Reclamation Plant (CWRP) here after the access elevator malfunctioned. Aquino, a 51-year-old bachelor, decided to use the stairs of the emergency fire exit at the water treatment plant that was full of dust and dead insects, even if the embarrassed Singapore officials persuaded him to wait for repairmen to fix the elevator. (Philstar-p1) Singapore trip

President Aquino, President S.R. Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have discussed the Spratly issue, although Singapore is not among the claimants to the oil-rich islands. In a briefing with Manila-based reporters, Secretary Herminio Coloma said Singapore expressed hope for the immediate settlement of the conflict in the South China Sea. (Philstar-p19) 

President Aquino made it to the front page of The Straits Times Thursday but it wasn’t the kind of "state visit" angle that his spin masters would probably hope for. "Philippine President Benigno Aquino (III) had an eventful first day in Singapore yesterday – including having to climb 20 flights of stairs after a lift broke down," Singapore’s top newspaper said. (Malaya-p1) 

On The Supreme Court

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday said that “politicians” are endangering democracy in the country by practically coercing the High Tribunal to render political, not legal, decisions. His statement, made after oath-taking of officers of the Justice Reporters Organization, was seen as an allusion to the apparently partisan power game being played by Malacañang and Congress, particularly in the highly charged impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. (Mla Times-Banner) 

Are there factions within the Supreme Court? The perception of factionalism heightened on Wednesday after questions were raised on whether in the en banc session last Sept. 14, justices were given copies of the petition of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez asking the court to stop the impeachment proceedings against her in the House of Representatives. (PDI-p1) 

Chief Justice Renato Corona warned yesterday that democracy would end if critics continue to push the Supreme Court (SC) justices into “political games” like the filing of impeachment charges before the House of Representatives. “It will be very dangerous if they force us to decide on the basis of what is popular,” he said. “If these politicians force us to play their political game, then it will be the end of our democracy.” (Philstar-p14) 

On The Ombudsman

To add to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s woes, the Senate blue ribbon committee has recommended that the House of Representatives impeach her on the basis of the disputed plea bargain with former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. “We recommend the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. In our view she has betrayed the trust given her by the public,” Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, the committee chair, said yesterday at a press forum. (PDI-Banner) 

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is feeling bullied but is hanging tough. Despite scathing words from lawmakers, including a fresh call for her to resign, she reiterated her belief that she would be treated fairly by the senator-judges at her impeachment trial. (PDI-p1) 

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has betrayed public trust by allowing her prosecutors to strike a plea deal with accused plunderer Carlos Garcia, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee declared yesterday. “She has betrayed the public trust. There is also another alternative that is open to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, and that alternative is resignation. We beg you, Madam Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez: please spare the country of this conflict,” committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III said at a press conference yesterday. He said his committee finds the agreement “null and void.” (Philstar-p1) 

On Gov’t Prosecutors

The Office Of The President (OP) is set to issue a show cause order for the five special prosecutors to explain the plea bargaining agreement with former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, who was originally charged with plunder. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday that the OP has jurisdiction over the special prosecutors under the Ombudsman Act, even as he assured them of due process. (Philstar-Banner) 

On Presidential Appointment

President Aquino’s appointment of erstwhile Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. is “unwise” and setting the bad trend of “rewarding” newly retired generals with juicy positions in government, a retired general yesterday told the Tribune. While former Constabulary chief Maj. Gen. Ramon Montano stressed that he is not questioning the capability of David to lead the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the President should have considered Immigration insiders to the position instead of a newly retired general. “Appointing generals immediately after retirement is unwise,” Montano told the Tribune during a phone interview. (Tribune-p1) 

On Sulu Explosion

At least three people were killed and 11 others wounded when a bomb exploded near an elementary school in Jolo, Sulu yesterday.  Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, Sulu island commander, said two died on the spot and three others died later at the Sulu Provincial Hospital. The bomb exploded at around 5:20 p.m. along Scott Road in Barangay Lower San Raymondo, he said. Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the names of the victims were not immediately available. (Philstar-p1) 

On Foreign Affairs

Taiwan welcomed President Aquino’s appointment of a new Immigration chief and announced a relaxation of visa requirements for Filipino workers. The development came on the heels of the deportation of a Taiwanese national involved in electronic fraud to Taiwan. Aquino’s former running mate and political adviser Manuel Roxas II has also been invited to return to Taipei for another round of talks on the diplomatic row sparked by Manila’s deportation of 14 Taiwanese nationals accused of fraud to China. (Philstar-p4) 

On Transnational Crimes

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Indonesian National Police (INP) have expanded regional inter-agency cooperation against transnational crime and terrorism. PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said the expansion of the cooperation, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), would surely boost the anti-crime campaign of the two countries. (Philstar-p10) 

On Pinoys In Middle East

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Thursday hoisted Alert Level 2 in Yemen as it urged Filipinos to voluntarily leave that country in view of the ongoing tensions. It likewise advised Filipinos living and working there to restrict their movements and to prepare for immediate relocation to safer, predesignated areas. “We are hopeful that the political situation will stabilize. Nonetheless, precautionary measures are necessary to assure the safety of our Filipinos in Yemen,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis told members of the Diplomatic Press Corps in a press briefing at the DFA head office in Pasay City. (Mla Bulletin-Banner) -

On South China Seas

The minority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday chided President Aquino for not taking a tough stand against Chinese incursions into the country’s territorial waters, particularly near the Spratly Islands. House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said that China has been intimidating Filipinos in the Spratly Islands and that the Aquino government is not doing anything about it even as he cited an incident on March 2 when two Chinese patrol boats harassed a Philippine exploration ship. (Tribune-p3) 

On Value Added Tax

Malacañang is looking into all proposals that can help alleviate the impact of oil price increases brought about by the continuing tensions in the Middle East. “We do not want to burden our citizens so we are considering everything that can alleviate the burden on the people,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacañang. (Philstar-p5) 

On Price Hike

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned traders not to overprice basic commodities since price manipulation is punishable with 15 years in prison and a fine of P2 million. DTI said there is no need for consumers to hoard basic goods because there is enough supply of food and other necessities in the market. (Philstar-p2) 

On LPG Tank

Records of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the LPG Industry Association (LPGIA) showed that five out of 10 tanks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the market are defective and substandard. This poses a risk to the public because exploding cooking gas tanks is the second leading cause of fires in the country, said Mercedita Pastrana, LPGIA executive director. (Philstar-p3) 

On Balikatan Exercises

The United States Embassy in Manila announced Thursday that this year's Balikatan joint exercise, the 27th in a series, between the Philippines and US armed forces will take place in the country from April 5 to 15. In a statement, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. disclosed that this year’s exercise will consist of table top exercises, field training and humanitarian assistance projects. (Mla Bulletin-p8)