BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Supertyphoon Hits North

PHILIPPINE STAR -- ‘Juan’ Slams RP Today

MANILA STANDARD -- Peace Adviser Becomes Part Of The Mindanao Problem

MANILA TIMES --  Typhoon ‘Juan’ Gains Strength

MALAYA -- Cagayan Valley  Braces For ‘Juan’

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Truth Body’s Findings Won’t Stand In Court

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Don’t Take Chances

ABANTE -- Walang Ligpitan -- Palasyo 

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Trader Utas Sa  2 Holdaper

 

BALITA -- Sapilitang Paglikas Sinimulan

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Congress To Probe HGC ‘ Scam’

BULGAR -- 3 Pupils Buking Sa Jamming

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

After failing to block the expansion of the conditional cash-transfer (CCT) program, a number of lawmakers now want its P21-billion budget, described by the House minority leader as a “partisan war chest,” realigned to their favorite projects. So a small group of members of the House of Representatives tasked with fine-tuning the budget for 2011 before its passage on final reading can expect to be bombarded with proposals to rechannel funding for the cash-transfer program to other projects. (PDI-p1) 

Malacañang is grateful that the House of Representatives has approved on second reading the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for 2011, keeping intact President Aquino’s P21-billion centerpiece program for cash transfers to the poor. “Of course, we welcome the development,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told government-run radio dzRB, in reference to the chamber’s quick approval of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2011. (Philstar-p1) 

On Presidency

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, conducted on Sept. 24-27, showed more respondents (41 percent) were dissatisfied with the performance of the Aquino administration in resolving the Aug. 23 hostage crisis, than those who were satisfied (36 percent). The survey was the first confirmation of the erosion of public satisfaction over President Benigno Aquino III’s competence in handling his first politically damaging crisis since taking office three months ago. It came at the end of his first hundred days. (PDI-p1) 

On Typhoon ‘Juan’

Authorities on Sunday began evacuating thousands of villagers in vulnerable areas hours before Super-typhoon “Juan” was to hit northern Luzon. Packing winds of 260 kilometers per hour, Juan (international code name: Megi) was expected to make landfall in Cagayan province by 8 a.m. Monday and exit Ilocos Norte in the afternoon. (PDI-Banner) 

The nation braced for the worst as super typhoon “Juan” (international name “Megi”), packing winds of more than 250 kilometers per hour, roared toward northern Luzon last night. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) began the forced evacuation of residents in 35 towns of Cagayan as 20 provinces were placed on storm alert. Juan makes landfall today. (Philstar-Banner) 

On The VFA

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago warned Malacañang yesterday that it cannot review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) on its own without the participation of Congress. According to Santiago, if Congress ratifies a treaty, then it should also have participation in its review or its eventual cancellation or abrogation. While the Palace can review the VFA, Santiago said a senator can bring the issue to the Supreme Court especially pertaining to the role of Congress in ratifying and abrogating it. (Philstar-p1) 

On Poverty

The head of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) yesterday said the government is unlikely to be able to reduce extreme poverty incidence by half by 2015 although the poverty incidence is not likely to rise. NAPC Secretary Jose Eliseo Rocamora assured the public that the government will implement programs that will reduce poverty incidence in the country such as the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). (Philstar-p1) 

On Pork Barrel

Malacañang has failed to recall P16.5 billion in pork barrel funds that then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had released to her congressional allies apparently to boost their candidacy in last May’s elections. “We can no longer recall or withdraw the releases. The funds have already been spent,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad told The STAR over the weekend. (Philstar-p8) 

On Tax Evaders

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) may run after bank officials who assist tax evaders, including those who extend loans to taxpayers keeping multiple books of accounts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has said. In a legal opinion, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said officials of banks and other lending or financial institutions who deliberately assist tax evaders in defrauding the government could be held criminally liable under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) or the Tax Reform Act of 1997. (Philstar-p1) 

On Barangay Elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may reorganize its newly formed Bid and Awards Committee (BAC) due to delays in the purchase of election materials for the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the poll body would soon evaluate the performance of the current BAC chaired by law department director Ferdinand Rafanan. (Philstar—p18) 

On The Truth Commission

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago again raised the question on the constitutionality of Executive Order 1 that created the Truth Commission. “They are all ready but the big problem is the constitutionality issue in the Supreme Court where it is still resting and second, they don’t have a budget,” Santiago said over radio station dzBB.(Philstar-p18)