BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Japan death toll to top 10,000

MANILA BULLETIN -- Over 10,000 feared dead

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Japan 'Chernobyl' feared 

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Leaked report shows Merci impeach in bag

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Japan battles nuclear crisis

ABANTE -- 30 Pinoy ire-rescue sa nuke area

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 30 Pinoy na-trap sa Japan 

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Cabbie’s neck slashed by robber

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The plenary voting on the articles of impeachment against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez would be relatively quick, as the lengthy – and often grandstanding – explanations of lawmakers of their votes would be set for another time, a House leader said yesterday. This developed as the initial draft of the articles of impeachment came out yesterday which some members of the House committee on justice described as “tight” and “strong” enough to convict Gutierrez in the event she undergoes trial in the Senate. Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, senior vice chairman of the justice committee, said that unlike in the past, the voting would be relatively swift since under the new rules, lawmakers would first cast their votes. (Philstar)

On Japan quake

A partial meltdown was likely underway at a second nuclear reactor, a top Japanese official said yesterday, as experts feared a crisis reminiscent of Chernobyl from a nearby unit at the same facility following a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that may have killed 1,000 people. Some 170,000 people have been ordered to evacuate the area covering a radius of 20 kilometers around the plant in Fukushima near Iwaki. Nine people have tested positive so far for radiation, according to television news reports last night. (Philstar)

On nuclear radiation

Officials assured the public yesterday that a meltdown in Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan would not affect the Philippines. In separate interviews, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute director Alumanda de la Rosa said Japan has facilities to stop the spread of radioactive waste. “For the Philippines right now, there is no significant effect, but we are monitoring the situation so we can advise officials on what is the best action,” De la Rosa said.(Pihlstar)

On New Zealand quake

The third Filipina fatality in the magnitude-6.3 quake that devastated Christchurch, New Zealand last month has been identified. Erica Avir Reyes Nora, 20, was one of four persons whose names were released by New Zealand Police yesterday. Also confirmed dead last week were Ivy Jane Cabunilas, 33, and Jewel Jose Francisco, 26. (Tribune)

On quake preparations

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is stepping up its earthquake and fire drills in an effort to strengthen the agency’s capabilities in cases of emergency such as the massive quake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan last Friday. Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, director of the BFP-National Capital Region (NCR), said they have started drawing up plans to reinforce their capacity to respond to disasters. “We will try to strengthen our capabilities and educate the public more about emergency measures,” said Laguna. (Philstar)

On Taiwan row

A team of negotiators is off to Taiwan for a second visit. Chairman Amadeo Perez Jr. of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said they are going to Taiwan for the “final negotiation” to normalize relations. “We hope that by (Monday) special envoy Manuel Roxas II and I will come to a ‘meeting of the minds’ with Taiwan officials,” Perez, the Philippine representative to Taipei, said. Whatever is the result of the meeting with Taiwan officials will be reported to President Aquino, and Malacañang will make the official announcement, he said. (Philstar)

On COA

Former foreign secretary Alberto Romulo may find depressing the news that President Aquino has been categorical about not appointing him chairman of the Commission on Audit (COA) as he had wished. The Chief Executive hinted that Romulo, the first finance secretary of his mother, the late President Cory Aquino, in the ’80s is not among his choices for the COA chairmanship because he has others in mind. (Phistar)

On breastfeeding

The House committee on health has approved for plenary deliberation a measure promoting awareness on breastfeeding for Filipino women. Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, principal author of House Bill 3083, said the measure seeks to promote and support breastfeeding as an essential component of family planning and responsible parenthood. “It is clear that a targeted and specific information and awareness campaign on breastfeeding and infant nutrition, alongside that of family planning and responsible parenthood aimed at couples intending to be married, becomes critical and imperative for the future of the country,” Bondoc said.(Philstar)