BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Diokno goes on leave

PHILIPPINE STAR -- China builds more Spratly outposts   

MANILA BULLETIN -- Diokno out

DAILY TRIBUNE -- LP plots House coup, backs Abaya as Speaker

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Diokno out of Munti

ABANTE -- 4-anyos ginilitan saka ginahasa, nabuhay

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Jinkee pinatawad na si Krista Ranillo

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House committee on economic affairs endorsed yesterday a resolution seeking the renegotiation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) to allow the entry of more Filipino nurses in Japan. Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, who authored Resolution 828, said Japan had promised to recruit an initial 1,000 nurses when JPEPA was signed on Sept. 9, 2006. (Philstar)

On Gov. Leviste

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ernesto Diokno took a leave of absence yesterday as the Department of Justice started its investigation on his possible liability for the alleged jail pass of former Batangas governor and convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste. But an apparently dissatisfied Justice Secretary Leila de Lima urged Diokno to consider resigning from his post to spare President Aquino from any controversy. (Philstar)

On Spratlys

China has set up military garrisons and outposts within Philippine-claimed territory in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Documents and photographs obtained by News5 show that the military garrisons and outposts are located on six reefs that are part of the Kalayaan Island Group. Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam are claiming the Spratlys either entirely or in part. The Spratly Islands are located within an area of 150,000 square miles and are made up of some 200 islands, reefs and shoals. (Philstar)

The Philippines wants dialogue and not tension to dictate any approach to addressing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. This was relayed by President Aquino to visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in a meeting at Malacañang yesterday. He made the declaration in the wake of reports that Chinese warplanes had intruded into Philippine airspace, particularly over Reed Bank in Palawan. (Philstar)

On security threats

Vice President Jejomar Binay urged yesterday international and local law enforcers to be vigilant, not merely reactive, to security threats in the Asia Pacific region. In a speech delivered during the 14th training conference of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates (FBINAA) on behalf of President Aquino, Binay said law enforcers in the Asia Pacific region are partners in the campaign against terrorism. (Philstar)

On rice supply

The Philippines will no longer import rice this year as the 860,000 metric tons supply needed by the country has been completed. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said yesterday only less than 500,000 metric tons might have to be imported next year. Alcala told reporters after the awarding of outstanding farmers and fishermen in Malacañang that the government might no longer push through with the fuel subsidy for these sectors amid the high oil prices. (Philstar)

On unemployment

The number of unemployed Filipinos rose by 1.4 million to 11.3 million in March from 9.9 million in November last year, according to the latest survey by polling firm Social Weather Stations (SWS). This is a 3.7 percentage point increase to the unemployment rate of 27.2 percent in March from 23.5 percent in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year comparison, the unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point in March from 27.1 percent in March 2010. SWS conducted face-to-face interviews on 1,200 representative adults aged 18 years old and above from March 4 to 7. (Philstar)

On Ombudsman

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) rejected yesterday calls to extend the period of endorsement for applicants for the next Ombudsman as the council got ready to screen 26 nominees. The eight-man council chaired by Chief Justice Renato Corona had closed the filing of applications and turned down the request of the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) for an extension of the nomination period to give way to more applicants. JBC member and House justice committee chair Rep. Neil Tupas Jr. said TAN’s request was denied because the council wants to expedite the selection process upon request of President Aquino. (Philstar)

On tropical storm

Be ready for heavy rains and strong winds starting tomorrow. Tropical storm “Chedeng” (international name Songda) is moving closer to the country, Robert Sawi, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather branch chief, said yesterday. Chedeng is expected to intensify into a typhoon in the next 24 hours, he added. (Philstar)

On RH bill

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, one of the authors of the proposed Reproductive Health (RH) bill at the Senate, said that the senators would start the debates on the controversial measure in August. “The Senate has only two weeks of session left, and even if we deliver the sponsorship speeches, we still have to adjourn sine die by June 9. In all probability, the debates will begin when session resumes after the State of the Nation Address by President Aquino at the end of July,” she said.(Philstar)