1ST-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR OCT. 24, 2010
Posted by unang apluma on Saturday, October 23, 2010
Under: news
BROADSHEETS
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- 'All systems glowing green'
PHILIPPINE STAR -- Comelec expects low turnout in polls
MANILA BULLETIN -- Comelec, PNP, AFP Ready
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Palace denies coddling Ping
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE'S JOURNAL -- No deal
PEOPLE'S TONIGHT -- Liquor ban violators to be charged -- PNP
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Liquor ban umpisa na
ABANTE -- Dugo sa huling hirit
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Sen. Loren Legarda is pushing for an amendment to the Revised Penal Code to include the killing of media practitioners in the course of their duties as murder. In Senate Bill No. 1426, Legarda added a new section to Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, which states that “when the person killed is a member of the broadcast and print media, on occasion, in the course or by reason of his or her lawful exercise of duties or functions as such member,” it would also be classified as murder. A former broadcast journalist herself, Legarda emphasized the importance of passing the amendment, particularly now that the Philippines has fallen 34 notches in the world press freedom ranking primarily due to the Maguindanao massacre in November last year. (Philstar)
On bus bombing
Police and military operatives yesterday arrested three suspects behind last Thursday’s bombing of a passenger bus in Matalam town in North Cotabato that killed 10 people and injured 30 others. Regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Benjamin Hao identified the three suspects as Torex, Kagui and Siang, all surnamed Ulama. The three did not resist arrest when they were surprised by lawmen at their hideout in Shariff District, a slum area in the city that is a known haven of drug traffickers and guns for hire. (Philstar)
On typhoon 'Katring'
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) spotted a new tropical depression off the Pacific but it will likely avoid the Philippines. The tropical depression, which will be called “Katring,” was seen to proceed to Japan, sparing northern Luzon which has been ravaged by powerful typhoon “Juan.” In an advisory, PAGASA said Katring was spotted some 1,320 kilometers east of northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. (Philstar)
On elections
The military and the police are on highest alert in preparation for tomorrow’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the run-up to which has been marked with pockets of violence and even deaths. “We know we have a critical role to play in the barangay and SK elections and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is focused on this,” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo. “We will endeavor to maintain peace and security in the country. Aside from our mandated election duties, we will continue to address existing security threats,” Mapagu, who also heads the military’s Task Force HOPE, said. HOPE stands for honest, orderly, peaceful elections.(Philstar)
Despite the hype and the campaigning, the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections have traditionally had lower voter turnout, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said voters would likely stay home since they apparently still have a “hang-over” from last May’s national electoral exercise. “This time we are hopeful that it might turn out differently, because it seems like the people still have a hang-over from the national election. But still, history is a strong factor here, that people hardly participate in (barangay) elections,” he said.(Philstar)
On Truth Commission
Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Mikey Arroyo hit Malacañang yesterday for employing double standards in its “quest for truth” after administration officials were seen as shielding two Cabinet secretaries from the Truth Commission for their alleged involvement in the allegedly anomalous P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) Bonds in 2001. Arroyo, eldest son of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said it was improper for presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda to clear Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles of any wrongdoing in the issuance of the PEACe Bonds which was spearheaded by the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (Code-NGO). Soliman and Deles, reportedly prime movers of Code-NGO, are alleged to have benefitted from the P10-billion PEACe Bond issue, reportedly netting a windfall profit of over P1 billion tax-free. (Philstar)
On President Aquino
President Aquino said yesterday he would vote in Tarlac City tomorrow, even as Malacañang warned candidates against vote buying through various forms of assistance. The President also cast his vote at precinct 175-A of the Central Azucarera Elementary School in San Miguel, Tarlac during the May presidential elections. Mr. Aquino refused to say whom he would vote for since barangay elections should be “non-partisan.”
On World Bank
Malacañang is hoping to silence critics with more good news, especially from the international community, such as the decision of the World Bank to double its assistance to the country next year. From its current overall assistance of $650 million, the World Bank (WB) is looking at an increase of $1.3 billion up to $1.5 billion, WB Country Director Bert Hofman said. The WB is also expected to increase funding support for the government’s conditional cash transfer program to the very poor.
On Ping Lacson
Malacañang clarified yesterday President Aquino was not treating the case of Sen. Panfilo Lacson lightly and that various government agencies were working hard looking for him. Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had said she wanted to take a hands on approach to the case and that there was no need for the creation of a special task force because there was no let-up in the search for the fugitive senator by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police. Valte said over radio dzRB that what Mr. Aquino meant was that it would be up to the NBI and other agencies to deal with Lacson’s case since he had a lot more pressing concerns to deal with.
On climate change
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) announced that by next year, the Philippines will be able to access an initial P5 billion of the P30-billion fast start fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “We are hopeful that an initial amount will be released next year so that it can be used to support adaptation program for communities vulnerable to the effects of global warming,” Alvarez said in a recent news briefing in Quezon City. The Philippines has gained access to the $30-billion fast start fund after submission by the Philippine delegation of the country’s national framework on climate change to the UNFCCC.
On OFWs
Vice President and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Concerns Jejomar Binay called yesterday for a multi-agency response to the various concerns of OFWs. Binay has met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to know their respective functions, and discuss the welfare, concerns and issues that OFWs face abroad. During the briefings, the three agencies informed the Vice President that the main concerns of OFWs include repatriation, illegal recruitment, excessive collection of placement fees, and legal assistance.
PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- 'All systems glowing green'
PHILIPPINE STAR -- Comelec expects low turnout in polls
MANILA BULLETIN -- Comelec, PNP, AFP Ready
DAILY TRIBUNE -- Palace denies coddling Ping
TABLOIDS
PEOPLE'S JOURNAL -- No deal
PEOPLE'S TONIGHT -- Liquor ban violators to be charged -- PNP
PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Liquor ban umpisa na
ABANTE -- Dugo sa huling hirit
ISSUES MONITORING
On Congress
Sen. Loren Legarda is pushing for an amendment to the Revised Penal Code to include the killing of media practitioners in the course of their duties as murder. In Senate Bill No. 1426, Legarda added a new section to Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, which states that “when the person killed is a member of the broadcast and print media, on occasion, in the course or by reason of his or her lawful exercise of duties or functions as such member,” it would also be classified as murder. A former broadcast journalist herself, Legarda emphasized the importance of passing the amendment, particularly now that the Philippines has fallen 34 notches in the world press freedom ranking primarily due to the Maguindanao massacre in November last year. (Philstar)
On bus bombing
Police and military operatives yesterday arrested three suspects behind last Thursday’s bombing of a passenger bus in Matalam town in North Cotabato that killed 10 people and injured 30 others. Regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Benjamin Hao identified the three suspects as Torex, Kagui and Siang, all surnamed Ulama. The three did not resist arrest when they were surprised by lawmen at their hideout in Shariff District, a slum area in the city that is a known haven of drug traffickers and guns for hire. (Philstar)
On typhoon 'Katring'
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) spotted a new tropical depression off the Pacific but it will likely avoid the Philippines. The tropical depression, which will be called “Katring,” was seen to proceed to Japan, sparing northern Luzon which has been ravaged by powerful typhoon “Juan.” In an advisory, PAGASA said Katring was spotted some 1,320 kilometers east of northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. (Philstar)
On elections
The military and the police are on highest alert in preparation for tomorrow’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the run-up to which has been marked with pockets of violence and even deaths. “We know we have a critical role to play in the barangay and SK elections and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is focused on this,” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo. “We will endeavor to maintain peace and security in the country. Aside from our mandated election duties, we will continue to address existing security threats,” Mapagu, who also heads the military’s Task Force HOPE, said. HOPE stands for honest, orderly, peaceful elections.(Philstar)
Despite the hype and the campaigning, the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections have traditionally had lower voter turnout, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said voters would likely stay home since they apparently still have a “hang-over” from last May’s national electoral exercise. “This time we are hopeful that it might turn out differently, because it seems like the people still have a hang-over from the national election. But still, history is a strong factor here, that people hardly participate in (barangay) elections,” he said.(Philstar)
On Truth Commission
Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Mikey Arroyo hit Malacañang yesterday for employing double standards in its “quest for truth” after administration officials were seen as shielding two Cabinet secretaries from the Truth Commission for their alleged involvement in the allegedly anomalous P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) Bonds in 2001. Arroyo, eldest son of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said it was improper for presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda to clear Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles of any wrongdoing in the issuance of the PEACe Bonds which was spearheaded by the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (Code-NGO). Soliman and Deles, reportedly prime movers of Code-NGO, are alleged to have benefitted from the P10-billion PEACe Bond issue, reportedly netting a windfall profit of over P1 billion tax-free. (Philstar)
On President Aquino
President Aquino said yesterday he would vote in Tarlac City tomorrow, even as Malacañang warned candidates against vote buying through various forms of assistance. The President also cast his vote at precinct 175-A of the Central Azucarera Elementary School in San Miguel, Tarlac during the May presidential elections. Mr. Aquino refused to say whom he would vote for since barangay elections should be “non-partisan.”
On World Bank
Malacañang is hoping to silence critics with more good news, especially from the international community, such as the decision of the World Bank to double its assistance to the country next year. From its current overall assistance of $650 million, the World Bank (WB) is looking at an increase of $1.3 billion up to $1.5 billion, WB Country Director Bert Hofman said. The WB is also expected to increase funding support for the government’s conditional cash transfer program to the very poor.
On Ping Lacson
Malacañang clarified yesterday President Aquino was not treating the case of Sen. Panfilo Lacson lightly and that various government agencies were working hard looking for him. Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had said she wanted to take a hands on approach to the case and that there was no need for the creation of a special task force because there was no let-up in the search for the fugitive senator by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police. Valte said over radio dzRB that what Mr. Aquino meant was that it would be up to the NBI and other agencies to deal with Lacson’s case since he had a lot more pressing concerns to deal with.
On climate change
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) announced that by next year, the Philippines will be able to access an initial P5 billion of the P30-billion fast start fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “We are hopeful that an initial amount will be released next year so that it can be used to support adaptation program for communities vulnerable to the effects of global warming,” Alvarez said in a recent news briefing in Quezon City. The Philippines has gained access to the $30-billion fast start fund after submission by the Philippine delegation of the country’s national framework on climate change to the UNFCCC.
On OFWs
Vice President and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Concerns Jejomar Binay called yesterday for a multi-agency response to the various concerns of OFWs. Binay has met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to know their respective functions, and discuss the welfare, concerns and issues that OFWs face abroad. During the briefings, the three agencies informed the Vice President that the main concerns of OFWs include repatriation, illegal recruitment, excessive collection of placement fees, and legal assistance.
In : news