BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Palace to Church: Cool it

PHILIPPINE STAR -- NBI bares black book on 'hot' cars today 

MANILA BULLETIN -- Ping: Don’t use the pulpit

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Friction certain with Roxas as chief of staff -- Angara

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Killer Highway under tight watch

ABANTE -- Palasyo nabahag sa mga Obispo

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 'Doomsday' sa May 21 walang basehan - CBCP 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The National Bureau of Investigation is set to reveal today in a congressional hearing politicians and ranking government officials allegedly involved in smuggling of imported vehicles, some of which were confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as stolen from the United States, an NBI official said. The House sub-committee on customs, tariffs and other related taxes, under the committee on ways and means chaired by Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, will grill NBI officials on the alleged illegal operations of Filipino businessman Lynard Allan Bigcas, a permanent resident of the United States. (Philstar)

On OFWs

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported yesterday that hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is expected to decline in the coming months due to recent developments in various host countries. Based on its overseas employment projections for 2011 to 2016, the POEA said the number of Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad is expected to drop by at least three percent this year. Among the primary reasons is the prevailing political tension in Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain. (Philstar)

On Bin Laden

President Aquino’s visit to a US aircraft carrier was just part of the country’s defense cooperation with the Americans and would not spark a backlash from extremist groups sympathetic to slain terror leader Osama bin Laden, according to Malacañang. Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Strategic Planning and Development Office said the tour that took about four hours was upon the invitation of US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. “No, I don’t think there’s gonna be a backlash. I don’t think it will do that sort (agitate local terrorists). We did not send any message, it (the tour) was of defense cooperation (with the US). It’s just routine,” Carandang said yesterday. (Philstar)

On killer bus

Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has offered P100,000 for information that would lead to the arrest of the driver of a speeding bus that rammed a taxi carrying journalist Lourdes Estella-Simbulan, who was killed in the accident, Malacañang said yesterday. Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte also said policemen on motorcycles would be deployed on Commonwealth Avenue to arrest drivers of overspeeding vehicles. “The MMDA has put up a reward to locate the bus driver,” she said. (Philstar)

On lotto

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced that the jackpot for 6/55 Grand Lotto online lottery draw is expected to reach P230 million today after nobody won last Saturday’s draw. Joseph Muego, PCSO’s media coordinator, said no one got the six-digit number combination 35-19-51-12-25-9 with a total jackpot of P221,558,353.20. Muego said more players are expected to place their bets for today’s Grand Lotto draw. (Philstar)

On RH bill

Malacañang yesterday encouraged the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to a healthy debate over the reproductive health bill in Congress, but only within the bounds of law – without resorting to anything unlawful, like civil disobedience. “This is a debate on an issue of national importance. We have different views but discussions should be within the means of the law,” Secretary Ricky Carandang stressed. “That is what the President said. There is room for debate, but it doesn’t have to degenerate to illegal acts or anything like that,” he said, referring to the civil disobedience threat of those opposed to the RH bill in the House of Representatives. (Philstar)

On Mar Roxas

Former senator Manuel Roxas II is already blending with the Cabinet of President Aquino, that’s why he often accompanies the Chief Executive, a Palace official said yesterday. “I think he’s easing himself into the job (presidential chief of staff). He was also invited here,” said Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications for Strategic Planning and Development Office. Carandang said that the administrative order for the creation of the chief of staff has not yet been released. (Philstar)

On school supplies

Prices of school supplies such as pencils, notebooks and pens have gone up by five percent as the demand increased weeks before the school opening. At a press conference over the weekend, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said the increase in prices was demand-driven. Domingo gave assurance that he had met with suppliers of school materials and asked them to keep prices stable. (Philstar)