BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Mt. Makiling Guard Killed

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Neri Faces P13.6-M Tax Evasion Suit

MANILA STANDARD -- Speaker Vows Speedy Debate On Reproductive Health Bill

MANILA TIMES -- Fertilizer ‘Scammers’Fall

MALAYA -- Neri’s Chickens Come Home To Roost

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Noynoy Wages War Vs Sandiganbayan

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Neri Facing Tax Raps

ABANTE -- Iskwater Wawalisin Sa Metro - Palasyo

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- P15M Fraud

 

BALITA -- Pasaway

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. belied yesterday the claim of an opposition congressman that Malacañang has not been releasing the pork barrel funds of members of Congress. He told a news conference that in fact, “131 members of the House have received or are in the process of receiving the first tranche of their allocations. My office is now looking for some of our members so they can get their SAROs (Special Allotment Release Orders),” he said. (Philstar-p3) 

Senators asked yesterday Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. to ensure that real reforms are put in place in the military. During resumption of the Senate hearing on military corruption, Sen. Franklin Drilon said the number of military retirees is ballooning and might surpass the number of active military personnel by 2016. (Philstar-p1) 

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. clarified yesterday that there will be no special treatment for homecoming Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao even as the House of Representatives is preparing a champion’s welcome for him after his recent victory over American boxer Shane Mosley in Las Vegas last Sunday. “We will have the usual welcome party for him. But this will not be a welcome where Congress will look silly. No silly welcomes,” Belmonte told reporters. (Philstar-p1) 

he latest statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of senators showed that most of them are shareholders in various companies and have interests in real estate, retail and the food business. Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. is still the richest senator despite a dip in his total assets. But his SALN did not list his connection with the family-owned Vista Land and Lifescapes and Pollar property, which are involved in major real estate property development in the country, apparently because he had delegated the business to his children. (Philstar-p10) 

Palace allies yesterday came to the rescue of Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, practically bolstering his allegations on alleged ghost deliveries and misap-propriation of funds on “family health programs” by the previous administration.  Health Secretary Enrique Ona reportedly confirmed the senator’s claims that the Department of Health (DoH) indeed released the funds on such programs, Sotto said. (Tribune-p1) 

On Presidency

President Aquino sees the plea bargaining agreement between the Ombudsman and Maj. Gen. (ret.) Carlos Garcia as "totally unacceptable" and "legally wrong," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday. And this is the reason the President wants the government’s legal team to proceed with the filing of a motion of reconsideration to seek the reversal of the Sandiganbayan ruling that approved the agreement which allowed  Garcia to walk on a plunder charge by returning less than half of at least P303 million that he was accused of amassing while serving as comptroller of the Armed Forces. (Malaya-p1) Gen Garcia’s plea bargain

With Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez gone after resigning, President Aquino appeared to have shifted focus and practically declared war against the Sandiganbayan yesterday, calling its decision upholding the plea bargaining agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and former military comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia “unacceptable” and “legally wrong.” Aquino warned the ruling would encourage more corrupt public officials to steal from the government. (Tribune-Banner) 

A member of the minority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday chastised President Aquino describing him as the worst President the country ever had. In a text message, Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay scored Aquino for his failure not only in delivering basic services to the people but also in failing to solve the country’s mounting political and economic woes as well attributing them to the President’s laziness and incompetence. (Tribune-p3) 

On Reproductive Health

Malacañang will not force Catholic bishops to hold further dialogues with the government on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. Speaking to reporters, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte yesterday said the purpose of the dialogues was to hear the Catholic Church’s side and get inputs. (Philstar-p1) 

Malacañang yesterday said it is studying the possibility of certifying the Reproductive Health bill as urgent.  "We are looking at the consolidated House bill, and we are having it studied to make sure that the five-point stand of the President on Responsible Parenthood is meshed with the provisions of the bill," deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said.  (Malaya-p6) 

A Roman Catholic bishop on Thursday said that the government was to blame for the collapse of a dialogue on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill between the clergy and President Benigno Aquino 3rd. “I know that the President was not really open to (the) dialogue because of his fixed decision to push the RH bill,” Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles added, stressing that Mr. Aquino has been a supporter of the controversial birth-control measure. (Mla Times-p1) 

On ARMM Elections

Despite reported lobbying by the Palace, specifically President Aquino himself, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. remains steadfast in not rushing the bill seeking the postponement of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Marcos, also the chairman of the local governments committee tackling the bill, is taking his own time in handling the deliberations at panel level, emphasizing that the legal and constitutional merits need to be carefully studied. (Tribune-p1) 

On Fertilizer Fund Scam

A total of 25 counts of graft, malversation and illegal use of public funds have been filed before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged P728-million fertilizer fund scam against four lawmakers and a number of regional executive directors of the Agriculture department. Informations transmitted by the Office of the Ombudsman to the anti-graft court showed that former Representatives Oscar Gozos (Fourth District of Batangas), Federico Sandoval (Lone District of Navotas City in Metro Manila), Nanette Daza (Fourth District of Quezon City) and Carmencita Reyes (Lone District of Marinduque) were slapped with charges of violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and illegal use of public funds (technical malversation). (Mla Times-Banner) 

On The Ombudsman

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday maintained she had no interest in becoming the next ombudsman. “I already told the President that I’m declining the nomination,” De Lima said. De Lima said she would be of better service to President Aquino if she stays put at the Department of Justice (DOJ). “I feel I could be more effective here in DOJ, which is broader in scope. I feel I can do a lot more here,” she said. (Philstar-p1) 

On Midnight Decision

Former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s order reinstating a dismissed Customs bureau official shortly before her resignation was “invalid” because the Court of Appeals had already denied his petition questioning his dismissal, a party-list lawmaker said yesterday. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Javier Neri Colmenares cited the April 27 decision of the Special Second Division of the Court of Appeals dismissing Customs police chief Jose Yuchongco’s petition questioning the order of the Ombudsman to dismiss him. (PDI-p1) 

On Customs Police

Was Customs police chief Jose Yuchongco reinstated? Former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez belied reports yesterday that Yuchongco’s reinstatement was a midnight deal. On the other hand, Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez denied news reports yesterday that he has implemented the order of Gutierrez reinstating Yuchongco. The camp of Gutierrez debunked allegations that the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution went against a Court of Appeals (CA) ruling which upheld the anti-graft agency’s earlier decision dismissing the official for grave misconduct and dishonesty. (Philstar-p2) 

Customs Commissioner Angelito A. Alvarez yesterday said that Jose Yuchongco had not reclaimed his post as Customs chief of police. “We wish to clarify that contrary to published reports, Yuchongco has not reported back for duty… despite the reinstatement order by former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez,” Alvarez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. (PDI-p20) 

On Tax Evasion 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered yesterday the filing of a tax evasion case involving P13.6 million against former Social Security System (SSS) president Romulo Neri. In a 22-page resolution written by Assistant State Prosecutor Amor Robles, the DOJ said it has found probable cause to indict Neri based on a complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in November last year for two counts of alleged violation of Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). The tax case stemmed from Neri’s alleged failure to declare his income earned as board member of Philex Mining Corp. and Unionbank of the Philippines, in which the pension fund owns shares. (Philstar-Banner) 

On Forest Guard

He spent 25 years patrolling and protecting the enchanted Mt. Makiling but in the end, this forest guard was unable to protect himself from an assassin’s bullet. Elpidio “Jojo” Malinao, 49, was shot dead by a man on a motorcycle on Monday afternoon in the town of Bay in Laguna province shortly after a court hearing on a case he had lodged against illegal settlers on the fabled mountain. (PDI-Banner) 

On Wasted Food

About a third of all the food produced for human consumption each year – some 1.3 billion tons – is wasted, according to a new study commissioned by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The study, compiled by the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, showed that food waste is a bigger problem in rich countries, while food loss during production is an issue in poor countries because of poor infrastructure and technology. (Philstar-p4) 

On Ret Gen Garcia’s Plea Bargain

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday he favors an appeal to the ruling of the Sandiganbayan allowing the controversial plea bargain agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. “We have to take a look at what are legally permissible moves that you can do, and definitely if it’s possible to appeal this further, then I’m for it,” Belmonte said in a press conference. (Philstar-p6) 

On The Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stands by Commissioner Augusto Lagman who faces charges of estafa and violation of the Corporation Code. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez yesterday said Lagman had informed the agency about the cases filed against him before the Makati City Regional Trial Court shortly after assuming office two weeks ago. “The Comelec would not be threatened by that... According to him, the cases have already been thrown out but were revived under the Arroyo administration,” he said.  (Philstar-p7) 

On The Armed Forces

Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said that they were closely monitoring movements of soldiers on the ground after learning that junior officers and ordinary troops were dismayed over the Sandiganbayan recently approving a plea-bargaining agreement between government prosecutors and former AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia. Oban, however, denied that their move amounted to a loyalty check.

The Manila Times on Thursday broke the story that the deal was stirring unrest in the AFP that top brass said could spark a coup attempt, however “highly improbable” it was. (Mla Times-p1) 

On The Philippine Fleet

Bouyed by the scheduled arrival of a Hamilton-class patrol ship from the United States, military strategists are studying the acquisition of submarines for the Philippine Navy, an official said yesterday. Lt. Comdr. Merlito Martinez, head of the Navy’s plans and programs, is spearheading the study in line with the Navy’s 2020 vision to modernize its fleet. Philippine Fleet spokesman Ltjg. Rommel Rodriguez said this move is one step forward in the Navy’s modernization program. He said the study covers the identification of possible suppliers and sources of funds. “It looks impossible for now but definitely we are taking this step because right now President Aquino is determined to improve our naval capability. That is why we are undertaking this study,” he said. (Philstar-p21) 

On The PCSO

The Department of Justice recommended the filing of a P13.6-million tax evasion case against former Social Security System president Romulo Neri, representing tax duties of the income he received in 2008 and 2009 as nominee to companies where the state pension fund invested its members’ money.  Neri was among the four top executives of the SSS covered by the inquiry conducted by the Senate committee on finance for supposedly receiving additional paychecks from the private sector and perks being received by certain government-owned and–controlled corporations and government financial institutions.  (Malaya-p1) 

On Mindanao 

Senior high ranking officials of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the military component of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), on Thursday appealed to Government of the Philippines (GPH) to coordinate properly big movements of Philippine Army airboats along the Pulangi River, particularly the area between Cotabato City and Pikit town. (Mla Times-p7)