1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR NOV. 29, 2010
Posted by unang apluma on Sunday, November 28, 2010
Under: news
BROADSHEETS
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- N. Korea Readies Missiles
MANILA BULLETIN -- Korean Tension Escalates
PHILIPPINE STAR -- China To Help Ease Korean Standoff
MANILA STANDARD -- China Calls For Emergency Meeting As Tensions Mounds
MANILA TIMES -- US, Seoul In Show Of Force
MALAYA -- Last Hurdle In Toll Way Fee Increase Cleared
DAILY TRIBUNE -- RP Troops To Korea Possible Under MDT
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- No Ban
ABANTE -- Formalin Fish Kalat Na Naman!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 6 OFWs Sa Japan Patay Sa Salpok!
BALITA -- Lahar Fishkill
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Rapist Of Girl,14, Has ‘BJ’ For Dessert!
BULGAR-- Apo Ni Dolphy Nireyp
REMATE -- Vice Mayor Pinatay
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
The minority bloc in the House of Representatives will subpoena Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman if she continues to snub the inquiry of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) bonds controversy. Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, a member of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, made the statement following Soliman’s non-appearance during Wednesday’s hearing on the PEACe bonds issue, where it was uncovered that the Social Welfare secretary’s husband lawyer Hector Soliman was the corporate secretary and one of the board of directors of a foundation that received the P1.3 billion of the total P1.4-billion commission from the bonds transaction. The bonds will mature at P35 billion next year. (Mla. Times-p1)
On Presidency
Malacañang for the nth time yesterday asked the public, particularly the media, to respect the privacy of President Aquino. The latest buzz aired in media was that the President and his stylist Liz Uy have parted ways. The two had been seen on public dates, and his reported break up with Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, and his subsequent efforts to take up where they left off was also grist for the gossip mill. (Malaya-p1)
On Reproductive Health
Malacañang yesterday assured Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III that the entire budget of the Department of Health (DOH) would not be allotted solely for the purchase of contraceptives, but only a portion of it. “The entire budget, it’s not just for the purchase of contraceptives, it’s really for family planning services. It’s not the whole amount,” lawyer Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, told government-run radio dzRB. (Philstar-p5)
On Korean Peninsula
The government will be compelled to deploy Filipino soldiers in South Korea if the United States invokes the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in the event that the tension between North Korea and South Korea escalates into a full-blown war, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday. Enrile, in a radio interview, added the developing situation in the Korean peninsula is also a concern to the country. (Tribune-Banner)
North Korea has placed surface-to-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency said, as the United States and South Korea began military drills and China called for emergency talks. But China made clear that the talks would not amount to a resumption of six-party discussions, which North Korea walked out of two years ago and declared dead. South Korea’s presidential Blue House also said now was not the time to discuss resumption of six-party talks. (PDI-Banner)
The Philippines under its mutual defense treaty with the United States has an obligation to send troops in case war breaks out between North and South Korea, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday. “But given our capability, we can only send our doctors, nurses, engineers and maybe some ground troops. These are what we can only contribute because we do not have any air force, we do not have any navy,” Enrile said in an interview with dzBB radio. (PDI-p1)
On AFP Modernization
At least six firms have expressed interest in the proposal to lease military properties to bankroll the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Acting Navy chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez said one company has already submitted a proposal to Malacañang while the rest are conducting studies on the viability of the project. (Philstar-p6)
On Terror Attack
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned Sunday that terrorists may strike during the Christmas season, the time of the year when a great number of people are in malls and other shopping centers seven days a week. “That’s [terror attack] is always a possibility. As what we always say, things have never been the same after the September 11, [2001 terror attack in the United States],” the Armed Forces spokesman, Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., said Sunday. (Mla Times-p1)
On Toll Rate Hike
The Supreme Court has thrown out Albay Gov. Joey Salceda’s petition questioning the authority of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to approve the 250-percent toll rate increase in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) from Alabang, Muntinlupa, to Calamba, Laguna. “Wherefore, the petition … is hereby dismissed for lack of merit. Accordingly, the TRO (temporary restraining order) issued by the court … with respect to this petition is hereby ordered lifted,” the court said in a Nov. 23 resolution. (PDI-p1)
On Overseas Pinoys
Six Filipino workers were killed and 22 others injured when a bus collided with a trailer truck at an intersection of Kameyama in Mie prefecture, western Japan yesterday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported. Twenty other Filipino workers, including one who had obtained Japanese citizenship, and two Japanese – the drivers of the bus and the truck – were injured. In her report to the DFA, Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez said five of the Filipinos died immediately, while another died on the way to the hospital. (Philstar-p1)
On Pinoy Deployment In South Korea
Malacañang denied yesterday reports that there is a total ban on sending Filipino workers to South Korea, clarifying that labor deployment has merely been suspended until hostilities ease on the Korean peninsula. Undersecretary Abigail Valte also reiterated that the 55 Filipino workers whose papers have been processed by the Department of Labor and Employment have been advised to defer their travel to South Korea at least for the entire week after which the tension could ease. (Philstar-p1)
On Travel Advisory
Malacañang yesterday welcomed the modification by France of its travel advisory on the Philippines, and is hopeful the five other western allies of the US will follow suit, as security remains tight in the country. “France was able to modify its travel advisory. We welcome that decision. We are hopeful that the other countries will follow soon,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told government-run radio dzRB. (Philstar-p6)
On The Incoming Year 2011
Following the restoration of investor confidence in the country, Malacañang remains upbeat about next year’s economy, predicting that more investments will be coming in that would generate jobs and reinvigorate the economy. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte sees a rosy picture for 2011, the Chinese year of the rabbit, particularly because this year will be closing with renewed interest in the business community, which for the longest time had complained of massive corruption. (Philstar-p2)
On Christmas Truce
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will recommend to President Aquino the suspension of military operations (SOMO) against communist rebels during the holiday season, a senior military officer said yesterday. “Looking at the present situation, I would suppose that we would also be recommending for similar declaration (SOMO) as what we have done in the past years,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. told radio dzBB. He said the holiday truce may cover both Christmas and New Year. (Philstar-p4)
On Maguindanao Massacre
The Supreme Court wants to get the stand of Andal Ampatuan Jr., principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre, and his co-accused before deciding on petitions to allow live media coverage of their trial. In a resolution issued on Nov. 23, the SC ordered Ampatuan and his co-accused to submit within 10 days their comments on the petition of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and relatives of victims of the Maguindanao massacre. (Philstar-p7)
On Amnesty
Malacañang may be accused of exercising double standard in the grant of amnesty to soldiers who launched a series of coup attempts against former President Arroyo while refusing to act on the case of healthworkers suspected of being communist rebels, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday. Arroyo, for the first time, directly chastised President Aquino for pressing the grant of amnesty to rebel soldiers yet denying the same to the Morong 43, the group of health workers accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA). (Tribune-p1)
On 2011 National Budget
Former economic managers have advised the Aquino administration to ensure that the national budget for next year will be passed by December to finance projects and programs of the government. Cesar Enrique Virata, former Minister of Finance, said that the government has to pass the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for 2011 by December “so you can implement something at the beginning of the year.” Secondly, Virata said that the budget should really correspond or ties in very well with the government plan. (Mla Times-p1)
On The Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman is roughly winning only two out of 10 cases filed before the Sandiganbayan despite a report that it has slightly improved its performance compared to the first half of the year. The latest monthly report from the Sandiganbayan showed that the Ombudsman managed to improve its conviction rate compared to June. For the first half of the year, the Ombudsman only scored an 8.62-percent conviction rate, meaning it is only winning one in every 10 cases filed before the anti-graft court. (Mla Times-p1)
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- N. Korea Readies Missiles
MANILA BULLETIN -- Korean Tension Escalates
PHILIPPINE STAR -- China To Help Ease Korean Standoff
MANILA STANDARD -- China Calls For Emergency Meeting As Tensions Mounds
MANILA TIMES -- US, Seoul In Show Of Force
MALAYA -- Last Hurdle In Toll Way Fee Increase Cleared
DAILY TRIBUNE -- RP Troops To Korea Possible Under MDT
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- No Ban
ABANTE -- Formalin Fish Kalat Na Naman!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 6 OFWs Sa Japan Patay Sa Salpok!
BALITA -- Lahar Fishkill
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Rapist Of Girl,14, Has ‘BJ’ For Dessert!
BULGAR-- Apo Ni Dolphy Nireyp
REMATE -- Vice Mayor Pinatay
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
The minority bloc in the House of Representatives will subpoena Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman if she continues to snub the inquiry of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) bonds controversy. Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, a member of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, made the statement following Soliman’s non-appearance during Wednesday’s hearing on the PEACe bonds issue, where it was uncovered that the Social Welfare secretary’s husband lawyer Hector Soliman was the corporate secretary and one of the board of directors of a foundation that received the P1.3 billion of the total P1.4-billion commission from the bonds transaction. The bonds will mature at P35 billion next year. (Mla. Times-p1)
On Presidency
Malacañang for the nth time yesterday asked the public, particularly the media, to respect the privacy of President Aquino. The latest buzz aired in media was that the President and his stylist Liz Uy have parted ways. The two had been seen on public dates, and his reported break up with Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, and his subsequent efforts to take up where they left off was also grist for the gossip mill. (Malaya-p1)
On Reproductive Health
Malacañang yesterday assured Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III that the entire budget of the Department of Health (DOH) would not be allotted solely for the purchase of contraceptives, but only a portion of it. “The entire budget, it’s not just for the purchase of contraceptives, it’s really for family planning services. It’s not the whole amount,” lawyer Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, told government-run radio dzRB. (Philstar-p5)
On Korean Peninsula
The government will be compelled to deploy Filipino soldiers in South Korea if the United States invokes the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in the event that the tension between North Korea and South Korea escalates into a full-blown war, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday. Enrile, in a radio interview, added the developing situation in the Korean peninsula is also a concern to the country. (Tribune-Banner)
North Korea has placed surface-to-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency said, as the United States and South Korea began military drills and China called for emergency talks. But China made clear that the talks would not amount to a resumption of six-party discussions, which North Korea walked out of two years ago and declared dead. South Korea’s presidential Blue House also said now was not the time to discuss resumption of six-party talks. (PDI-Banner)
The Philippines under its mutual defense treaty with the United States has an obligation to send troops in case war breaks out between North and South Korea, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday. “But given our capability, we can only send our doctors, nurses, engineers and maybe some ground troops. These are what we can only contribute because we do not have any air force, we do not have any navy,” Enrile said in an interview with dzBB radio. (PDI-p1)
On AFP Modernization
At least six firms have expressed interest in the proposal to lease military properties to bankroll the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Acting Navy chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez said one company has already submitted a proposal to Malacañang while the rest are conducting studies on the viability of the project. (Philstar-p6)
On Terror Attack
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned Sunday that terrorists may strike during the Christmas season, the time of the year when a great number of people are in malls and other shopping centers seven days a week. “That’s [terror attack] is always a possibility. As what we always say, things have never been the same after the September 11, [2001 terror attack in the United States],” the Armed Forces spokesman, Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., said Sunday. (Mla Times-p1)
On Toll Rate Hike
The Supreme Court has thrown out Albay Gov. Joey Salceda’s petition questioning the authority of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to approve the 250-percent toll rate increase in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) from Alabang, Muntinlupa, to Calamba, Laguna. “Wherefore, the petition … is hereby dismissed for lack of merit. Accordingly, the TRO (temporary restraining order) issued by the court … with respect to this petition is hereby ordered lifted,” the court said in a Nov. 23 resolution. (PDI-p1)
On Overseas Pinoys
Six Filipino workers were killed and 22 others injured when a bus collided with a trailer truck at an intersection of Kameyama in Mie prefecture, western Japan yesterday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported. Twenty other Filipino workers, including one who had obtained Japanese citizenship, and two Japanese – the drivers of the bus and the truck – were injured. In her report to the DFA, Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez said five of the Filipinos died immediately, while another died on the way to the hospital. (Philstar-p1)
On Pinoy Deployment In South Korea
Malacañang denied yesterday reports that there is a total ban on sending Filipino workers to South Korea, clarifying that labor deployment has merely been suspended until hostilities ease on the Korean peninsula. Undersecretary Abigail Valte also reiterated that the 55 Filipino workers whose papers have been processed by the Department of Labor and Employment have been advised to defer their travel to South Korea at least for the entire week after which the tension could ease. (Philstar-p1)
On Travel Advisory
Malacañang yesterday welcomed the modification by France of its travel advisory on the Philippines, and is hopeful the five other western allies of the US will follow suit, as security remains tight in the country. “France was able to modify its travel advisory. We welcome that decision. We are hopeful that the other countries will follow soon,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told government-run radio dzRB. (Philstar-p6)
On The Incoming Year 2011
Following the restoration of investor confidence in the country, Malacañang remains upbeat about next year’s economy, predicting that more investments will be coming in that would generate jobs and reinvigorate the economy. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte sees a rosy picture for 2011, the Chinese year of the rabbit, particularly because this year will be closing with renewed interest in the business community, which for the longest time had complained of massive corruption. (Philstar-p2)
On Christmas Truce
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will recommend to President Aquino the suspension of military operations (SOMO) against communist rebels during the holiday season, a senior military officer said yesterday. “Looking at the present situation, I would suppose that we would also be recommending for similar declaration (SOMO) as what we have done in the past years,” AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. told radio dzBB. He said the holiday truce may cover both Christmas and New Year. (Philstar-p4)
On Maguindanao Massacre
The Supreme Court wants to get the stand of Andal Ampatuan Jr., principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre, and his co-accused before deciding on petitions to allow live media coverage of their trial. In a resolution issued on Nov. 23, the SC ordered Ampatuan and his co-accused to submit within 10 days their comments on the petition of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and relatives of victims of the Maguindanao massacre. (Philstar-p7)
On Amnesty
Malacañang may be accused of exercising double standard in the grant of amnesty to soldiers who launched a series of coup attempts against former President Arroyo while refusing to act on the case of healthworkers suspected of being communist rebels, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday. Arroyo, for the first time, directly chastised President Aquino for pressing the grant of amnesty to rebel soldiers yet denying the same to the Morong 43, the group of health workers accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA). (Tribune-p1)
On 2011 National Budget
Former economic managers have advised the Aquino administration to ensure that the national budget for next year will be passed by December to finance projects and programs of the government. Cesar Enrique Virata, former Minister of Finance, said that the government has to pass the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for 2011 by December “so you can implement something at the beginning of the year.” Secondly, Virata said that the budget should really correspond or ties in very well with the government plan. (Mla Times-p1)
On The Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman is roughly winning only two out of 10 cases filed before the Sandiganbayan despite a report that it has slightly improved its performance compared to the first half of the year. The latest monthly report from the Sandiganbayan showed that the Ombudsman managed to improve its conviction rate compared to June. For the first half of the year, the Ombudsman only scored an 8.62-percent conviction rate, meaning it is only winning one in every 10 cases filed before the anti-graft court. (Mla Times-p1)
In : news