BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Nothing official yet on Cabinet revamp

PHILIPPINE STAR -- P-Noy sees no-win situation for Diokno  

MANILA BULLETIN -- Alvarez defiant

DAILY TRIBUNE -- House to probe illegal Luisita toll

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Have mercy

ABANTE -- PNoy obligado sa smoking ban

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 175,000 obrero masisibak 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Vigan City Vice Mayor Ryan Luis Singson was proclaimed yesterday as the new representative of the first congressional district of Ilocos Sur, replacing his older brother Ronald. The Ilocos Sur Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed Singson, who got 71,955 votes, at 1 a.m. yesterday. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph said Singson’s rival Bertrand Baterina, nephew of former congressman Salacnib Baterina, got 30,445 votes. (Philstar)

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill criminalizing the use of children by protagonists in an armed conflict. Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, author of Bill 4480, said the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts would be prohibited under the measure. “The bill seeks the prosecution of those responsible for child rights violations in these conflicts. Children have to be provided relief, protection and rehabilitation in such situations,” he said. (Philstar)

On Gov. Leviste

President Aquino has indicated that Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-on-leave Ernesto Diokno is in a no-win situation, even as the report of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on convicted murderer Jose Antonio Leviste’s unauthorized vacation in Makati City is expected to reach Malacañang today. The President told reporters during his state visit in Thailand last week that he could not understand why Diokno did not know about Leviste’s caper, or if he did, why he allowed it to happen. (Philstar)

On rainy season

Rains will continue to prevail over some parts of the country this week due to the southwest monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. PAGASA said no tropical cyclone has been spotted within the Philippine area of responsibility but heavy rains would continue. “From Monday to Thursday, (we expect) good weather in the morning and wet in the afternoon,” said Graciano Yumul, supervising undersecretary of PAGASA. (Philstar)

On fishkill

About 500 metric tons of fish drowned for lack of oxygen in Taal Lake in Batangas on Saturday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje told The STAR underwater vegetation consumed the oxygen that milkfish (bangus) and tilapia needed to survive. (Philstar)

On NAIA 3

President Aquino wants to know if the $175 million awarded by a Pasay City court to a German firm is reasonable for the work done on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3). Speaking to reporters in Bangkok last week, Aquino said he has ordered his legal team to review again the work that Fraport had done. “Is everything that we are claiming there? And the parts that are unfinished, that we have to repair, should be discounted,” he said. (Philstar)

On Customs

Beleaguered Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez vowed yesterday to fight moves by his detractors to oust him, even as he said he is ready to leave his post whenever President Aquino asks him to. “I would like to assure everybody that until the President tells me my time is up, there will be no letup in my campaign to plant the seeds of reform and renewal in the Bureau of Customs (BOC),” Alvarez said in a statement following reports that he may be removed as BOC chief due to the reported rampant smuggling of luxury vehicles and motorcycles in Mindanao. (Philstar)

On RH bill

President Aquino does not understand how the debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill has gone way beyond the limits of rational and factual discourse when the government has no policy on the number of children couples must have, and has not imposed birth control methods on anyone. Speaking in Bangkok last week, Aquino said the state is against abortion and does not dictate the number of children a couple may have. The state gives couples a choice of what option to take, he added. (Philstar)

On immigration

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) urged yesterday all foreign students to secure a visa or study permit from the bureau before enrolling in any Philippine school. Grace Lara, chief of the BI student desk, said those who wish to enroll in elementary and high school or those who want to take special courses such as language tutorials must also apply for a special study permit (SSP). Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. also reminded schools not to accept foreigners unless they have the required visas or study permits from the BI student desk. (Philstar)