BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- ‘Am I going to die today?’

MANILA BULLETIN -- End of the road

PHILIPPINE STAR -- 3 Pinoys executed  

DAILY TRIBUNE -- No straight path as RP Perc rating worsens

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Sad day

ABANTE -- Mamamatay na ba ako? -- Sally

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 3 Pinoy binitay na!  

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Stray bullet claims life of a secretary

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill strengthening the anti-money laundering law to make it compliant with international standards and a more effective tool against terror financing. The passage of the measure came as both chambers of Congress were investigating allegations of massive corruption in the Armed Forces involving “conversion” of hundreds of millions of pesos in budgetary allocations by generals and military finance officers. The House has wrapped up its probe on the matter while a parallel investigation in the Senate is still ongoing.(Philstar)

On execution of 3 OFWs 

Weeks of anguish turned to national mourning yesterday as China carried out before noon the execution by lethal injection of convicted drug couriers Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain – the first Filipinos to be executed for drug crimes in China. The three learned of their impending execution only during the promulgation of their final sentences, according to Consul General Noel Novicio of the Philippine embassy in Beijing. Villanueva, 32, was convicted for smuggling 4.11 kilos of heroin on Dec. 24, 2008, and Credo, 42, four days later for smuggling a slightly larger amount of the same drug. Batain was sentenced to death on May 24 in the same year also for drug trafficking.(Philstar)

The execution yesterday of three Filipino convicted drug couriers in China has prompted lawmakers to call for a substantial increase in funds for legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) facing criminal charges in their host countries. Seven representatives of militant party-list groups in the House of Representatives proposed that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) legal assistance fund for OFWs should be increased from the present P30 million to P500 million. The authors of the supplemental budget bill are Representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela, Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis, Raymond Palatino of Kabataan, and Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers.  (Philstar)

On fight vs terrorism

An alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people and who had earlier been hiding in Mindanao has been arrested in Pakistan, an Indonesian counterterrorism official said yesterday. “Umar Patek was arrested in Pakistan,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, without giving details about where or how Tuesday’s arrest was made. There has been no immediate confirmation from authorities in Pakistan.(Philstar)

On Marcos burial

Filipinos are divided on the proposed burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a non-commissioned survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed yesterday. The First Quarter of 2011 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 4 to 7, found 50 percent of Filipinos favored the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani while 49 percent said otherwise. To the survey question, “In your opinion, is the body of ex-Pres. Marcos worthy to be buried in the Heroes Cemetery or not?” 50 percent answered “Worthy to be buried in the Heroes Cemetery,” 49 percent answered “Not worthy to be buried in the Heroes Cemetery,” and one percent had no answer.(Philstar)

On radiation

Government scientists assured the public yesterday that harmful levels of radioactivity from Japan will not reach Philippine seas. “The DOST-PNRI does not expect that harmful levels of radioactivity will reach Philippine waters,” said Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) deputy director Corazon Bernido. “I would like to assure everyone that it is still safe to go swimming especially this coming summer when kids are on vacation,” she added. (Philstar)

On oil price hike

Militant transport group Piston (Pagkakaisa ng Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide) said it was not backing down from the national day of protest it was organizing for today despite threats from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Malacañang that those who will join the protest actions run the risk of having their franchise revoked. George San Mateo, Piston secretary-general, said yesterday that their group is set to stage the 200-jeepney unit transport protest caravan from Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, going through Welcome Rotunda in the border of Manila and Quezon City, then to the final assembly point in Mendiola, near Malacañang. (Philstar)

On Dacer-Corbito case

Malacañang yesterday gave assurance that all efforts are being made to close the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. “I would leave it to (Justice) Secretary (Leila) de Lima to see how she can conduct the investigation about it. The more important thing really right now is to put closure to all these matters,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. Lacierda, however, maintained Malacañang would not compel Sen. Panfilo Lacson to reveal the people who had helped him during his 14 months on the run.(Philstar)

On sex education

Catholic bishops are leaning toward favoring sex education provided that it would be accompanied by values formation and that the teaching would be done in stages, a Church official said yesterday. “We educate children because we want them to be good adults, to be responsible citizens, to have a part in nation building,” Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines secretary-general Juanito Figura said. “But to have such great focus on sex education is for him (Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales) disturbing because the children might not need it.” (Philstar)