BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Election Snafus Probed

PHILIPPINE STAR  -- Poll Sabotage Probe Set

MANILA STANDARD -- Customs Bottleneck Chokes As Wage Issue Festers

MANILA TIMES -- RP Remains ‘Highly’ Corrupt

MALAYA -- Another Plagiarism Case In SC?

DAILY TRIBUNE -- TI Puts RP As Among  Asia’s Most Corrupt

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Poll Delay Probed

ABANTE -- Bilihan Sa SK Nakakalula!

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Poll Violence Lumubo

BALITA -- Dismayado

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Anti-Flu Pill ‘Kills’ Maid

BULGAR -- Nanalong Tserman Inatake, Patay

REMATE -- Nanalong Tserman Tigok Sa Atake

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives may investigate the allegedly anomalous issuance of P10-billion Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificate (PEACe) Bonds in 2001 that involved then Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez have filed House Resolution 58 calling on the House committee on good government to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the matter “and serve notice to all concerned, including the Department of Finance (DOF), CODE-NGO, the Bureau of Treasury and such other individuals, entities and corporations which could shed light and resolve the issue.” (Philstar-p1) 

The two chambers of Congress have received P1.8 billion in additional funds for their operations. The amount is part of the P65 billion in debt payments programmed for this year and which senators and congressmen have diverted to their pork barrel. Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo released the additional funds last March 16, less than two months before the May 10 national elections. (Philstar-p3) 

An ally of the administration yesterday expressed doubts whether the budgetary allocation set by the executive for next year, proposed at P1.6 trillion, would suffice for the country needs given the damaged brought by typhoon “Juan” in Northern Luzon provinces. The economic cost of typhoon Juan would surely dent the government’s growth numbers, Sen. Ralph Recto said. (Tribune-p3) 

On Presidency

“Chances are high that President Aquino will not finish his term, if he continues to listen only to two of his Cabinet members, and refuses to heed the voice of the people,” a Catholic bishop predicted yesterday. Catholic Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez gave this prediction during a weekly forum held at Intramuros where he mentioned the names of Secretary De Mesa and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa both of whom he said have not been giving Aquino the right advice. “He (Aquino) needs management (skills) and most important (skill) is human relations,” Gutierrez said. (Tribune-p1) 

President Aquino has not reappointed Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa, Malacañang said yesterday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is not true that Gaa has been retained. “No, there has been no appointment of Ambassador Willy Gaa,” she said. “From memory, only five have been announced as political envoys.” (Philstar-p15) 

On Presidential Trip

President Aquino yesterday left for Vietnam for a state visit and to attend the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. During his visit, Mr. Aquino would encourage investments into the country and witness the signing of four agreements to strengthen cooperation in higher education, defense and maritime relations between the two countries. (Philstar-p10) 

In a reversal of roles, Filipinos will try and seek lessons in agriculture from Vietnam. President Aquino yesterday said that the Philippines had much to learn from its Vietnamese counterparts about the efficient use of land and equipment in agriculture. Mr. Aquino, who arrived here at noon for his first state visit, said he intended to share knowledge and experiences with Vietnam, noting that it has become the Philippines’ “major crutch in terms of our own food security.” (PDI-p1) 

President Aquino is slated to hold bilateral talks here with eight countries including China, with which the Philippines is trying to mend ties, ruptured by the Aug. 23 bloody hostage drama in Rizal Park.  Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office revealed this to reporters upon the President’s arrival here, after a brief flight from Ho Chi Minh City. (Philstar-p9) 

Manila and Hanoi on Tuesday signed four agreements on defense, education, and search and rescue on the first day of President Aquino’s trip to Vietnam that will cost Filipino taxpayers P11.3 million (est. $262,791). Aquino is in Vietnam for his first state visit as president on Oct. 26-27 and for the Asean Summit and Related Meetings on Oct. 28-31. (Mlaaya-p1) 

President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Tuesday said that he would call for the creation of a code of conduct in the disputed South China Sea during the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit meeting in Hanoi.  President Aquino will be in Vietnam for a state visit from October 26 to 27 and will attend the Asean Summit on October 28 to 30. During a press conference upon his arrival at the Grand Plaza Hotel, the President said that he would reiterate the call for “more formalized plan” in dealing with the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea during the meeting. “[We will] reiterate the call for a code of conduct and an even more formalized plan toward exploiting [Spartlys Islands] perhaps on a cooperative basis,” he added. (Mla Times-p1) 

On The Supreme Court

After he was cleared by virtually all his colleagues at the Supreme Court, Justice Mariano del Castillo was again accused of plagiarism, this time in his ponencia allowing the gay rights group Ang Ladlad to run in the 2010 party list elections. Lawyer and UP professor Harry Roque yesterday said Del Castillo’s ponencia in the Ang Ladlad case, promulgated on April 8, 2010, or just 20 days after the Vinuya case on "comfort women," showed traces of having plagiarized a portion of the 1976 decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Handyside vs. UK (Series A, No. 24). (Malaya-Banner) 

The authors of one of the works from which parts were lifted by a Supreme Court justice in the course of writing a decision have come to the defense of the law professors facing sanction for calling for his resignation. “Abuse of judicial power” was how professors Evan Fox-Decent (not Descent, as had earlier been reported) and Evan J. Criddle described the high court’s demand to 37 faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Law to explain, under pain of being punished for alleged violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers, why they called on Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo to quit (PDI-p1) 

On The Comelec

After two years as Commission on Elections chairman, Jose Melo has opted for an early retirement and a new job in the Aquino administration. An ABS-CBN report quoting a source said a close relative of President Aquino was able to convince Melo to accept a new post after an early retirement from the Comelec. Melo was named Comelec chief in 2008 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His term lapses in 2015. Melo left for Hawaii on Tuesday for a weeklong vacation which, according to the source, was in preparation for his eventual exit from Comelec in December. (Philstar-p9) 

On Barangay Election

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) created yesterday a fact-finding committee to investigate delays in the delivery of ballots and other election materials in last Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the probe would focus on possible sabotage that led to the postponement of the vote in some areas. (Philstar-Banner) 

More than 2,000 barangays across the country on yesterday held “peaceful” barangay elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).  Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said there was no report of any election-related violence during Tuesday’s elections in 2,303 barangays in 21 provinces. “It went smoothly and there were no reports of election-related violent incidents,” Sarmiento said.  (PDI-p1) 

The fate of candidates who tied for posts in Monday’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK, youth council) elections will be determined through a game of chance. Lots will be drawn for such candidates, including two running for barangay captain in Quezon City, and hopefuls seeking SK seats in Victoria, Tarlac, and in Balanga City and the towns of Morong and Orani in Bataan. (PDI-p1) 

On Holidays

Nov. 2, or All Souls’ Day, will not be declared a holiday, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said yesterday. But the public has another long weekend ahead because Nov. 1 or All Saints’ Day is a regular non-working holiday. Today has also been declared a non-working holiday in barangays with special elections. Ochoa said the move is in response to a report the other day regarding the postponement of elections in more than 2,000 barangays nationwide because of delays in the delivery of ballots and other poll paraphernalia, violence, and typhoon damage. (Philstar-p1) 

On Maguindanao Massacre

To mark the first anniversary of the massacre of 32 Filipino journalists in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, several media organizations are hosting activities promoting security for journalists. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is hosting a safety training conference in Cebu. The congress will be concluded with a motorcade joined by families of the victims and members of NUJP local chapters to the massacre site. Rowena Paraan, the safety and training director of the NUJP said apart from providing journalists with the skills to protect themselves from threats, the conference was also designed to call the attention of the government to put an end to the culture of impunity in the country. (Philstar-p2) 

On Extra Judicial Killings

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday called on President Aquino to act on the recommendations of a human rights lawyer who made a legal audit on extrajudicial killings in the Philippines from 2001-2010. The study commissioned by the Asia Foundation was released last October. Bayan’s call came as Mr. Aquino is set to address the Association on Southeast Asian Nations summit this week. (Philstar-p2) 

On Emission 

SINGAPORE - International financial institutions and players in the emissions trading market will gather today for the two-day Carbon Forum Asia 2010 to discuss trends in the carbon finance landscape and showcase new carbon reduction solutions.  The forum, organized by the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and Koelnmesse gathers carbon market players, regulators, policy makers, technology owners, and industry observers. The event, to be held at the Raffles City Convention, will exhibit carbon reduction technologies and solutions from around the world and provide an overview of the carbon finance landscape in key markets in Asia. (Philstar-p5) 

On Reproductive Health

Five big business groups yesterday urged the government to lead in family planning activities as an effective strategy to reduce poverty. The Makati Business Club (MBC), the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Financial Executives of the Philippines (Finex) called on the government to implement population management without necessarily involving abortion. (Philstar-p7) 

On Arroyo Appointees

One thousand five hundred appointees of the previous Arroyo administration may finally lose their jobs on Oct. 31 after the lapse of a three-month reprieve granted by President Aquino. Aquino ordered the dismissal of the officials last July 30 through Memorandum Circular 2 but later allowed them to keep their jobs for three more months. Aquino said there was no legal impediment to the removal of the Arroyo appointees because they were not Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) rank holders. (Philstar-p8) 

On Migrants Rights Convention

Only 43 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The signatories are mostly countries with a large number of workers deployed abroad. No country in the Middle East, which hosts a sizeable number of foreign workers, signed the treaty. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said some countries have not ratified the treaty because they believe it’s an additional burden to them and unnecessary because of existing legislation. (Philstar-p11) 

On NBN-ZTE Deal

Former Planning Secretary Romulo Neri will testify this morning in the graft trial of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos in connection with the scrapped $329 million NBN-ZTE broadband network deal. The hearing will be held at the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division. (Malaya-p1) 

On Bar Exams Explosion

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday said the suspect behind the September 26 grenade explosion in front of the De La Salle University has already been identified but could not be arrested because a "certain group" is protecting him. De Lima did not name the group or the suspect whom she ordered placed under the Bureau of Immigration’s watch list. A hold departure order cannot yet be issued against the suspect because no case has been filed against him, she said. (Malaya-p1) 

On The Visiting Forces Agreement

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. yesterday said amendments to the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement would include placing under state custody any American serviceman who violates Philippine laws, especially those involving non-bailable offenses. Ochoa, who chairs the Presidential Commission that is reviewing the VFA, said the 2005 Subic rape case involving a Filipina and US Marine LCpl. Daniel Smith was one such case which underlined the urgency of reviewing and amending the VFA. (Malaya-p2) 

The Aquino administration is trying to avoid history from repeating itself in justifying its intention to review the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States government, Executive Secretary and concurrent VFA Commission (VFACom) chairpman Paquito Ochoa Jr. told reporters yesterday. Ochoa specifically cited the controversial Subic rape case in 2005 where a US Marines soldier, Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, has been accused by a Filipina named Suzette Nicolas (aka “Nicole”) of raping her which challenged the good relations between the Philippines and US through the VFA. (Tribune-p3) 

On Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, illegal drugs and terrorism are high on the agenda of the three-day 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) which opened yesterday at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. The Asean SOMTC, chaired this year by Interior undersecretary Rico E. Puno, is the operating arm of the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, the highest policy-making body on Asean cooperation in combating transnational crimes.  (Malaya-p3) 

On Corruption

The country’s ranking in global corruption improved during the past three years, but the country is still tagged as “highly corrupt” among 178 countries, according to a Transparency International (TI) survey.  In its 2010 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on Tuesday, TI said that the Philippines was ranked 134th with a score of 2.4, better than its 139th ranking in 2009. In 2008, the country was ranked 141st with a score of 2.3. (Mla Times-Banner) 

The country retained its rank as among Asia’s most corrupt even as it slightly improved in its ranking this year in Transparency International (TI)’s yearly global corruption survey which placed the Philippines 134th out of 178 countries ranked. The rating of the country improved from 139th last year but among its Asian peers it remained dismally at the tail-end as most countries in the region improved remarkably in the ranking. (Tribune-Banner) 

On Piracy

HONG KONG: Piracy is expected to cost the Asian pay-TV industry more than $2 billion this year, a survey released on Tuesday said, a problem that could ultimately “kill” the region’s cable business. The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) said that the cost of piracy could rise to $2.1 billion this year, a 7.5-percent increase from last year’s $1.9 billion shortfall. “This is a very disturbing problem and frankly it has the potential to kill the industry,” John Medeiros, CASBAA’s deputy chief executive, told a press briefing at an annual industry conference in Hong Kong. (Mla Times-p1) 

On Overseas Workers

A group representing Filipino workers in Hong Kong yesterday demanded the recall of a “rude” Philippine labor attaché who allegedly insulted and neglected distressed Filipinos in the Chinese territory, while Malacañang denied President Aquino has retained current Philippine ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa. United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil) said Labor Attaché Romulo Salud should be fired for treating Filipino workers shabbily  “one time too many.” (Tribune-p1) 

On The Armed Forces

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday admitted the need to improve management and training of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) recruits following series of killings perpetrated by its members in various part of the country, resulting to multiple deaths. At a press briefing, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the Army, under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, is presently studying moves to address the issue on Cafgus. (Tribune-p3)