1ST-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR OCT. 11, 2010
Posted by unang apluma on Sunday, October 10, 2010
Under: news
BROADSHEETS
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Noy Steps Into DILG Row
PHILIPPINE STAR -- ‘Review To Guide Gov’t Ethics
MANILA STANDARD -- Congress Suffers Cuts As Aquino’s Close Allies Corner Budget Hikes
MANILA TIMES -- Anti-Terrorism Law Legal
MALAYA -- It’s Zero Hour For Robredo, Puno
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Aquino Should Crack Whip On Feuding Men
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Blackout
ABANTE -- Pnoy Konsumido Na!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- IIRC Report Aprub!
BALITA -- Takbo ‘Pinas Takbo’
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Beware Of ‘Soulnapperss’
BULGAR -- Grace Poe Bagong MTRCB Chief
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
President Aquino yesterday distanced himself from the fate that befell his ally, fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson, whose office was shut down by the Senate leadership due to pressure from the Commission on Audit (COA). Mr. Aquino said he could not do anything about the case of Lacson because the embattled senator is now under the jurisdiction of the courts. “It’s an internal procedure or decision of a co-equal branch (of government). That’s a position of a co-equal branch of government. All of these are within the purview of the courts,” Mr. Aquino said. (Philstar-p1)
The additional congressional infrastructure allocation amounts to less than one-tenth of one percent of the proposed P1.64 trillion national budget for next year and is limited to only “disadvantaged” districts, a senior administration lawmaker said yesterday. Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez made the clarification as the House of Representatives enters its final week of plenary debates on the proposed budget where some lawmakers have warned of a possible “tax revolt” over the Aquino administration’s irregular allocations. (Philstar-p7)
On Presidency
A close ally of President Aquino said yesterday bitter infighting within the Palace circle is already affecting work inside Malacañang as he appealed to Aquino to “crack the whip” in marshalling his key officials. Despite the denials by Palace officials, talks of alleged serious infighting in the Aquino administration persisted with Sen. Francis Pangilinan urging the Chief Executive to crack the whip on his ranks. Pangilinan called for an end to the reported factionalism or power struggle among ranking officials in the Palace which is said to be already affecting paper works. (Tribune-Banner)
On the eve of his 100th day in office, President Benigno Aquino III was hard put to report his concrete achievements to his “boss”—the Filipino people. With little to show after basking in the glow of a landslide electoral mandate in the May 2010 polls, the President did the next best and easiest thing: He wrapped up his achievements with glib slogans. The report made much of the President’s intangible achievements in establishing an ethical tone for public officials to prevent them from using the powers of government to enrich themselves and from abusing citizens. He has done this by setting examples. Mr. Aquino has banned the use of police sirens by officials who defy traffic rules. In his recent US trip, he severely slashed the size of the delegation that accompanied him and reduced the expenses to P25 million, just a third of the P76 million spent by his predecessor in her US trip last year. (PDI-p1) Amando Doronila’s column
The shadowy National Security Adviser and Defense Secretary of former President Arroyo, Norberto Gonzales, yesterday claimed there are strong indications that the administration of President Aquino could self-destruct sooner, as he expressed belief the country needs a “new political initiative” that will let the people gain control of and con-tinue the process of systemic change. “There are strong indications that the current government could self-destruct sooner than we expect. But this position is alright if we are merely after seeing end to the present reign of hypocrisy,” said Gonzales. (Tribune-p1)
On The President’s Men
President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said he would announce today the fate of feuding Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and his powerful interior undersecretary, Rico E. Puno, as well as his actions against those responsible for the botched hostage rescue. Mr. Aquino told reporters that he had summoned Robredo and Puno to a meeting—either Sunday night or early Monday morning—to thresh out a public squabbling in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). (PDI-Banner)
The reported proposal to provide an additional P150 million to the already approved P50-million budget for 2011 of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang is “too high,” President Aquino said yesterday. “Hindi yata tama ang request niya (It seems Carandang’s request is not right) for an increase in budget. The P200 million seems to be too high,” Aquino told Palace reporters at the Araneta Coliseum where he was keynote speaker at the 10th National Cooperative Summit. (Philstar-p5)
On Rico Puno
It will take more than a “jueteng” scandal or a hostage fiasco to sink Rico E. Puno. The ties that bind the controversial interior undersecretary with President Benigno Aquino III apparently run deep and go way back that, by his own account, would make any boss think twice before letting him go. Before the so-called “Samar” and “Balay” groups that are now reportedly jockeying for control within the Aquino administration, there was a small, tightly knit circle of friends surrounding the future President. This group—a mix of buddies from the business sector—quietly accompanied the younger Aquino in his political sorties, formulated campaign strategies, and watched his back when he first ran for congressman in the 1990s. (PDI-p1)
President Aquino hinted yesterday that Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno could be transferred to another post following reports that there is an ongoing conflict between him and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. “There are certain goals I have in mind. Either it’s achieved or I take corrective actions,” the President told Palace reporters in a chance interview. “Something like that (bickering) is not a proper behavior for members of the Cabinet. We have no time for intramurals,” he added. (Philstar-p1)
On Anti-Terrorism Law
The controversial Anti-Terrorism Law has been declared legal and constitutional by the Supreme Court (SC). With a unanimous vote of 14-0, the High Court en banc junked all the six consolidated petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act (RA) 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, or popularly known as the Anti-Terrorism Law. In a 45-page ruling written by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the High Court ruled that the petitioners have no legal standing to assail RA 9372 since “none of them faces any charge” under the said law. (Mla Times-Banner)
On Gov’t Ethics
The sanctions that will be imposed on officials involved in the bungled Aug. 23 hostage crisis would be adopted as an ethical standard of sorts in government, President Aquino declared yesterday. “We want the message to be clear, not only for the people involved here but for everybody also: the norms of behavior in the government are the following… That message, I hope, will be transmitted very clearly,” Mr. Aquino said. Mr. Aquino, keynote speaker at the 10th National Cooperative Summit at the Araneta Coliseum, said the release of the Palace review of the findings and recommendations of the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC) was delayed for another week because the work is being untertaken thoroughly. (Philstar-Banner)
On Defense Procurement
The Department of National Defense (DND) will conduct the bidding today for the purchase of a refurbished C-130 transport plane worth P1.769 billion. The bidding is part of the government’s military modernization program and is intended to augment the inventory of the military and replace Air Force planes that have crashed or are under repair. Bidding will be held at 9 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. (Philstar10)
On IIRC Report
After delays, President Benigno Aquino 3rd will finally release today the full report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) on the August 23 hostage-taking incident. “Yes,” President Aquino said Sunday when asked if the release of the IIRC’s full report, along with the Palace legal team’s final review, would push through Monday. “I’m hoping that by tomorrow [Monday], at the latest by the afternoon nailabas na natin ‘yun [we will put it out],” Mr. Aquino told reporters during a chance interview at the sidelines of the Tenth National Cooperative Summit in Quezon City. The Palace postponed twice the release of the legal team’s review of the IIRC report, which recommended the filing of charges against 13 persons and three broadcast networks for the tragic end of hostage crisis. (Mla Times-p1)
On Rice Supply
The Philippines has enough rice to last for the next three months, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported over the weekend. Based on the latest data, the country’s total rice stock inventory as of September this year was at 3.03 million metric tons or some 4.7-percent lower than the previous month’s level, but 28.0-percent higher than last year’s record. Of the total rice stocks, around 20 percent are found in households, 13 percent in commercial warehouses, and 67 percent in National Food Authority (NFA) depositories. (Mla Times-p3)
On Barangay Elections
Candidates in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were urged yesterday not to overspend in their campaign and to forge a peace covenant even with their fiercest rivals. The Commission on Elections (Comelec), in a resolution, reminded barangay and SK candidates to limit their spending during the 10-day campaign period to that allowed by law. (Philstar-p8)
On The Flag Carrier
The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) said it has submitted a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to the management of Asia’s first airline carrier for the first time after the expiration of a moratorium imposed in 1998. Gerry Rivera, Palea president, reported that Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines (PAL) president and chief operating officer, received last week the CBA for the year 2008 to 2013. “We expect management to respond to our proposal and negotiate in good faith,” Rivera said. (Mla Times-p2)
On The War Veterans
A lawsuit claims the federal government is discriminating against Filipino World War II veterans by giving them benefits far below what US veterans receive. “If you are recognized as a war veteran, then you should be accorded benefits like any other war veteran,” said lawyer Arnedo Valera, who filed the suit in San Francisco’s federal court on Friday on behalf of 27 plaintiffs. (PDI-p1)
On New Appointments
Three political ambassadors who were coterminous with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been reappointed to their respective posts while the former head of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was named new ambassador to Tokyo. Senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who asked not to be named, told The STAR that former Ambassadors Francisco Benedicto, Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes and Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason have been reappointed. The officials said Manuel Lopez was nominated ambassador to Japan after former ambassador to Tokyo Domingo Siazon ended his tour of duty last Sept. 30. (Philstar-p6)
On Manila-Beijing Relations
Beijing-Manila relations will reflect “no long-term consequences” on investments and tourism even with the August 23 hostage-taking incident that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, an official from the United States-based think-tank Stratfor said over the weekend. Jennifer Richmond, Stratfor’s China director, told The Manila Times that while there may be a drop in tourist arrivals for some time, especially from Hong Kong, the Philippines will experience no significant economic consequence from the August 23 fiasco. Startfor is a US-based, independent, non-partisan and non-ideological global team of intelligence professionals that publishes situation reports, analysis, quarterly and annual forecasts and intelligence guidance around the world about political, economic and military developments. (Mla Times-p1)
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Noy Steps Into DILG Row
PHILIPPINE STAR -- ‘Review To Guide Gov’t Ethics
MANILA STANDARD -- Congress Suffers Cuts As Aquino’s Close Allies Corner Budget Hikes
MANILA TIMES -- Anti-Terrorism Law Legal
MALAYA -- It’s Zero Hour For Robredo, Puno
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Aquino Should Crack Whip On Feuding Men
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Blackout
ABANTE -- Pnoy Konsumido Na!
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- IIRC Report Aprub!
BALITA -- Takbo ‘Pinas Takbo’
PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Beware Of ‘Soulnapperss’
BULGAR -- Grace Poe Bagong MTRCB Chief
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
President Aquino yesterday distanced himself from the fate that befell his ally, fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson, whose office was shut down by the Senate leadership due to pressure from the Commission on Audit (COA). Mr. Aquino said he could not do anything about the case of Lacson because the embattled senator is now under the jurisdiction of the courts. “It’s an internal procedure or decision of a co-equal branch (of government). That’s a position of a co-equal branch of government. All of these are within the purview of the courts,” Mr. Aquino said. (Philstar-p1)
The additional congressional infrastructure allocation amounts to less than one-tenth of one percent of the proposed P1.64 trillion national budget for next year and is limited to only “disadvantaged” districts, a senior administration lawmaker said yesterday. Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez made the clarification as the House of Representatives enters its final week of plenary debates on the proposed budget where some lawmakers have warned of a possible “tax revolt” over the Aquino administration’s irregular allocations. (Philstar-p7)
On Presidency
A close ally of President Aquino said yesterday bitter infighting within the Palace circle is already affecting work inside Malacañang as he appealed to Aquino to “crack the whip” in marshalling his key officials. Despite the denials by Palace officials, talks of alleged serious infighting in the Aquino administration persisted with Sen. Francis Pangilinan urging the Chief Executive to crack the whip on his ranks. Pangilinan called for an end to the reported factionalism or power struggle among ranking officials in the Palace which is said to be already affecting paper works. (Tribune-Banner)
On the eve of his 100th day in office, President Benigno Aquino III was hard put to report his concrete achievements to his “boss”—the Filipino people. With little to show after basking in the glow of a landslide electoral mandate in the May 2010 polls, the President did the next best and easiest thing: He wrapped up his achievements with glib slogans. The report made much of the President’s intangible achievements in establishing an ethical tone for public officials to prevent them from using the powers of government to enrich themselves and from abusing citizens. He has done this by setting examples. Mr. Aquino has banned the use of police sirens by officials who defy traffic rules. In his recent US trip, he severely slashed the size of the delegation that accompanied him and reduced the expenses to P25 million, just a third of the P76 million spent by his predecessor in her US trip last year. (PDI-p1) Amando Doronila’s column
The shadowy National Security Adviser and Defense Secretary of former President Arroyo, Norberto Gonzales, yesterday claimed there are strong indications that the administration of President Aquino could self-destruct sooner, as he expressed belief the country needs a “new political initiative” that will let the people gain control of and con-tinue the process of systemic change. “There are strong indications that the current government could self-destruct sooner than we expect. But this position is alright if we are merely after seeing end to the present reign of hypocrisy,” said Gonzales. (Tribune-p1)
On The President’s Men
President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said he would announce today the fate of feuding Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and his powerful interior undersecretary, Rico E. Puno, as well as his actions against those responsible for the botched hostage rescue. Mr. Aquino told reporters that he had summoned Robredo and Puno to a meeting—either Sunday night or early Monday morning—to thresh out a public squabbling in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). (PDI-Banner)
The reported proposal to provide an additional P150 million to the already approved P50-million budget for 2011 of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang is “too high,” President Aquino said yesterday. “Hindi yata tama ang request niya (It seems Carandang’s request is not right) for an increase in budget. The P200 million seems to be too high,” Aquino told Palace reporters at the Araneta Coliseum where he was keynote speaker at the 10th National Cooperative Summit. (Philstar-p5)
On Rico Puno
It will take more than a “jueteng” scandal or a hostage fiasco to sink Rico E. Puno. The ties that bind the controversial interior undersecretary with President Benigno Aquino III apparently run deep and go way back that, by his own account, would make any boss think twice before letting him go. Before the so-called “Samar” and “Balay” groups that are now reportedly jockeying for control within the Aquino administration, there was a small, tightly knit circle of friends surrounding the future President. This group—a mix of buddies from the business sector—quietly accompanied the younger Aquino in his political sorties, formulated campaign strategies, and watched his back when he first ran for congressman in the 1990s. (PDI-p1)
President Aquino hinted yesterday that Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno could be transferred to another post following reports that there is an ongoing conflict between him and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. “There are certain goals I have in mind. Either it’s achieved or I take corrective actions,” the President told Palace reporters in a chance interview. “Something like that (bickering) is not a proper behavior for members of the Cabinet. We have no time for intramurals,” he added. (Philstar-p1)
On Anti-Terrorism Law
The controversial Anti-Terrorism Law has been declared legal and constitutional by the Supreme Court (SC). With a unanimous vote of 14-0, the High Court en banc junked all the six consolidated petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act (RA) 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, or popularly known as the Anti-Terrorism Law. In a 45-page ruling written by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the High Court ruled that the petitioners have no legal standing to assail RA 9372 since “none of them faces any charge” under the said law. (Mla Times-Banner)
On Gov’t Ethics
The sanctions that will be imposed on officials involved in the bungled Aug. 23 hostage crisis would be adopted as an ethical standard of sorts in government, President Aquino declared yesterday. “We want the message to be clear, not only for the people involved here but for everybody also: the norms of behavior in the government are the following… That message, I hope, will be transmitted very clearly,” Mr. Aquino said. Mr. Aquino, keynote speaker at the 10th National Cooperative Summit at the Araneta Coliseum, said the release of the Palace review of the findings and recommendations of the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC) was delayed for another week because the work is being untertaken thoroughly. (Philstar-Banner)
On Defense Procurement
The Department of National Defense (DND) will conduct the bidding today for the purchase of a refurbished C-130 transport plane worth P1.769 billion. The bidding is part of the government’s military modernization program and is intended to augment the inventory of the military and replace Air Force planes that have crashed or are under repair. Bidding will be held at 9 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. (Philstar10)
On IIRC Report
After delays, President Benigno Aquino 3rd will finally release today the full report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) on the August 23 hostage-taking incident. “Yes,” President Aquino said Sunday when asked if the release of the IIRC’s full report, along with the Palace legal team’s final review, would push through Monday. “I’m hoping that by tomorrow [Monday], at the latest by the afternoon nailabas na natin ‘yun [we will put it out],” Mr. Aquino told reporters during a chance interview at the sidelines of the Tenth National Cooperative Summit in Quezon City. The Palace postponed twice the release of the legal team’s review of the IIRC report, which recommended the filing of charges against 13 persons and three broadcast networks for the tragic end of hostage crisis. (Mla Times-p1)
On Rice Supply
The Philippines has enough rice to last for the next three months, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported over the weekend. Based on the latest data, the country’s total rice stock inventory as of September this year was at 3.03 million metric tons or some 4.7-percent lower than the previous month’s level, but 28.0-percent higher than last year’s record. Of the total rice stocks, around 20 percent are found in households, 13 percent in commercial warehouses, and 67 percent in National Food Authority (NFA) depositories. (Mla Times-p3)
On Barangay Elections
Candidates in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections were urged yesterday not to overspend in their campaign and to forge a peace covenant even with their fiercest rivals. The Commission on Elections (Comelec), in a resolution, reminded barangay and SK candidates to limit their spending during the 10-day campaign period to that allowed by law. (Philstar-p8)
On The Flag Carrier
The Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) said it has submitted a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to the management of Asia’s first airline carrier for the first time after the expiration of a moratorium imposed in 1998. Gerry Rivera, Palea president, reported that Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines (PAL) president and chief operating officer, received last week the CBA for the year 2008 to 2013. “We expect management to respond to our proposal and negotiate in good faith,” Rivera said. (Mla Times-p2)
On The War Veterans
A lawsuit claims the federal government is discriminating against Filipino World War II veterans by giving them benefits far below what US veterans receive. “If you are recognized as a war veteran, then you should be accorded benefits like any other war veteran,” said lawyer Arnedo Valera, who filed the suit in San Francisco’s federal court on Friday on behalf of 27 plaintiffs. (PDI-p1)
On New Appointments
Three political ambassadors who were coterminous with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been reappointed to their respective posts while the former head of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was named new ambassador to Tokyo. Senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who asked not to be named, told The STAR that former Ambassadors Francisco Benedicto, Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes and Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason have been reappointed. The officials said Manuel Lopez was nominated ambassador to Japan after former ambassador to Tokyo Domingo Siazon ended his tour of duty last Sept. 30. (Philstar-p6)
On Manila-Beijing Relations
Beijing-Manila relations will reflect “no long-term consequences” on investments and tourism even with the August 23 hostage-taking incident that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, an official from the United States-based think-tank Stratfor said over the weekend. Jennifer Richmond, Stratfor’s China director, told The Manila Times that while there may be a drop in tourist arrivals for some time, especially from Hong Kong, the Philippines will experience no significant economic consequence from the August 23 fiasco. Startfor is a US-based, independent, non-partisan and non-ideological global team of intelligence professionals that publishes situation reports, analysis, quarterly and annual forecasts and intelligence guidance around the world about political, economic and military developments. (Mla Times-p1)
In : news