BROADSHEETS 

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Swift SC Mercy For Merci

PHILIPPINE STAR -- SC Suspends Impeach Hearing Vs Ombdusman

MANILA STANDARD -- Luisita Agrees To Distribute Land

MANILA TIMES -- Ombudsman Gets Reprieve

MALAYA -- Merci Wins TRO On Impeach Bid

DAILY TRIBUNE -- SC Stops Merci’s Impeachment, 8-3

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Clash Of Titans

ABANTE -- Killer Bacteria

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- OFW Inutas

 

BALITA -- Babangon Tayo

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Frat Recruit Raped

BULGAR -- Mister Naputulan Ng Kuryente, Nagbigti

REMATE -- Virgin Dinapurak Ng 2 Manyak

 

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Senators led by former press freedom champion Joker Arroyo yesterday took turns browbeating messengers of bad news for allegedly tarnishing the country’s image with their reporting on the botched hostage rescue. The Senate committee on public information and mass media grilled news executives of the three major TV networks for three hours, warning it would pass a law if the industry could not draw up uniform guidelines in reporting on life-threatening incidents. (PDI-p1) 

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the actions of Hong Kong’s chief executive were unnecessary and that he overstepped protocol during the Aug. 23 hostage incident. The hostage crisis should be settled under international law without need of provocative statements from a Hong Kong official, she said. (Philstar-p2) 

President Ferdinand Marcos had illegally withdrawn P10 million from the National Food Authority (NFA) and transferred the money to his private account in 1983, the Sandiganbayan has ruled. The anti-graft court has ordered Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez-Marcos to return the amount to the government. Mrs. Marcos was also ordered to pay P1 million in moral damages; P500,000 in exemplary damages; P250,000 in nominal damages; and P200,000 in attorney’s fees. (Philstar-p6) 

An anti-crime group yesterday filed a complaint against fugitive Sen. Panfilo Lacson before the Senate committee on ethics and privileges in connection with his departure from the country and continued absences from the upper chamber in the face of a standing warrant of arrest issued against him for the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. In a 14-page complaint, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is asking the  Senate panel to investigate the lawmaker for his failure to surrender himself to the proper authorities; fleeing the country to evade arrest; and his continued absence from the upper chamber’s sessions.  (Tribune-p3) 

On Presidency

President Aquino has again used the extensive reach of Facebook, a popular social networking site, to get in touch with his supporters and critics. On Monday, the President posted a statement on his Facebook account in reply to a supporter-turned-critic, who posted an impassioned article titled “Mr. President, something in you has to die.” The writer, Reyn Barnido, criticized Aquino’s reported mishandling of the Aug. 23 hostage crisis, as well the perceived inefficiency of his Cabinet secretaries. (Philstar-p1) 

President Aquino yesterday said he would put the country back on its feet, following the slump it suffered because of the August 23 hostage crisis which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. "Sa kasamaang-palad, ang malalaking hakbang natin tungo sa pagsulong ay tila tinisod ng nangyaring hostage tragedy. Tuluyan nadapa ang marami sa atin. Ang masama, parang ayaw na po nilang bumangon," Aquino said in his speech at the PNP turnover ceremonies in Camp Crame. (Malaya-p1) 

On The Supreme Court

Moving swiftly, the Supreme Court yesterday stopped impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas “Merci” Gutierrez, but the chair of the House justice committee said he would defy the order and warned of a constitutional crisis. The court, voting 8-3, directed the committee headed by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. to observe a status quo ante following Gutierrez’s petition for certiorari and prohibition, which claimed the impeachment cases against her were “capricious and whimsical.” Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez said that the tribunal’s directive meant that the panel should observe the situation before it decided to give due course to two separate impeachment complaints after finding them sufficient in form and substance. (PDI-Banner) 

The Supreme Court dismissed yesterday a petition of a group of farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita to end mediation to settle the long-standing dispute through an amicable settlement. Retired SC Associate Justice Alicia Austria- Martinez, mediation panel chairman, read the SC ruling to the parties. Jobert Pahilga, lawyer,of farmers belonging to Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid ng Hacienda Luisita, had filed the petition. (Philstar-p9) 

On The PNP

Hardly warm in his seat, the new Philippine National Police chief faced an immediate challenge from human rights advocates—curb the killings of political activists and media people, and arrest the masterminds behind the murders. Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo Tuesday assumed command of the 130,000-strong PNP with a promise from President Benigno Aquino III that he would provide them better equipment, health care and housing in exchange for the integrity and valor of the force. (PDI-p1) 

President Aquino vowed yesterday to remove any doubts the people may have over the capability of the Philippine National Police amid criticism of the bungled hostage crisis last Aug. 23, as he ordered newly installed PNP chief Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo to eliminate corruption and intensify the fight against crime. (Philstar-p1) 

Newly installed PNP chief Raul Bacalzo said yesterday his watch will be guided by three principles – learn lessons well, focus on day-to-day responsibilities, and push the PNP reform program. "As I take on this challenge, I ask of every member of the PNP only the same thing I have promised to give: hard work and honest service. That is all we need to do our job and do it well," he said. (Malaya-p6) 

Saying that the complaints against his chosen Philippine National Police (PNP) chief were “manufactured” by the junior officers in the police force, President Aquino admitted that he merely ignored these complaints, even to the point of not investigating these charges aired against PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo. Aquino claimed that the complaints were clearly manufactured stating that it has always been a tradition not only in the police but also in the military that some officials would always bring into play issues against every succeeding chief. (Tribune-p1) 

On Jueteng

Outgoing Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa did not take action despite directives from the Aquino administration for him to stop “jueteng” operations. It was learned from a Palace official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, that Verzosa had received two confidential letters in July. The letters directed him to submit reports and immediately take action on jueteng, because if not, “the first to get the blame would be the Philippine National Police, next is the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the President,” the official said. (PDI-p1) 

In public markets, carinderia (eateries), beauty parlors and barber shops, even church grounds and government offices, “jueteng” bet collectors approach people discreetly to record and accept bets. This is happening in several provinces in northern and central Luzon amid pronouncements from local officials that the illegal numbers racket had been stopped. (PDI-p1) 

Now, it’s the turn of Interior Undersecretary Rico E. Puno to refuse to name names. After saying “jueteng” operators used his relatives, friends and retired police officials as emissaries to get to him to talk about continuing the operation of the illegal numbers racket, Puno refused to name the emissaries. “’Di na. (Not anymore),” Puno said when asked if he could name the emissaries. (PDI-p10)

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago lambasted Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno yesterday for not revealing the attempt of jueteng operators to influence him prior to the exposé of retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz that some members of the Aquino administration were receiving payola. “If it is true that he has been approached by jueteng fixers, why did he not kick and scream immediately? Those fixers who allegedly contacted him are guilty of the crime of corruption of public officials,” Santiago said. (Philstar-p4) 

Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz yesterday chided the Aquino administration for relying on his expose to catch the two presidential aides who he said were accepting jueteng money when it has all the resources at its disposal. "Kung meron reklamo, tingnan mo! Nasa inyo ang multi-million intelligence fund. Nasa iyo ang NBI .. ang PNP … ang AFP. Nasa iyo lahat pagkatapos ako sasabihin mo ang magpatunay? Ano ka binubwenas? Ano ang gagawin mo? Manunuod?" the outspoken prelate said. (Malaya-p1) 

On Judicial Revolt

Even as Malacañang stood pat on the judiciary’s reduced budget for 2011, President Aquino said he might seek a meeting with Chief Justice Renato Corona to discuss the issue. The President said the judiciary would enjoy a five percent increase from its current budget, unlike other agencies that face more severe cuts for 2011. The magistrates have pointed out that the executive department ignored the law that allowed an increase in their salaries. (Philstar-p1) 

On GOCCs

More than P532 billion had been appropriated for 14 government-owned and controlled corporations for this year, or roughly 37 percent of the P1.441 trillion total for the period, Sen. Franklin Drilon said yesterday.  Drilon, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said the bulk of the appropriations were not even subject to scrutiny by Congress and by the executive department. (Philstar-p8) 

On Dengue

The Department of Health has recorded 77,012 dengue cases from January to September 4. The figure is more than double that in the same period last year. "This is 108.8 percent higher," said a Disease Surveillance Report of the DOH-National Epidemiology Center, comparing this year’s cases with the 36,877 cases last year. The DOH has also recorded 534 deaths. There were 383 fatalities from dengue last year. (Malaya-p1) 

On Barangay Elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will implement a total gun ban from Sept. 25 to Nov. 10 to keep peace and order during the synchronized baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 25. Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the gun ban had been effective in minimizing poll-related violence in the May elections. During the May elections, only members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were allowed to carry guns. (Philstar-p1) 

On Broadcast Self-Regulation

Under threat of being subjected to a new law governing broadcast media, executives of various television networks temporarily set aside competition yesterday and agreed to impose self-regulation in the coverage of crisis situations. TV bigwigs – Maria Ressa, senior vice president of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, Luchi Cruz Valdez of TV5 News operations, and GMA-7 vice president Jessica Soho – submitted themselves to intensive grilling by the Senate committee on public information and mass media and the committee on public services. (Philstar-p1) 

Sen. Joker Arroyo on Tuesday asked top honchos of television and radio networks to draft guidelines on self-regulation or else Congress will be forced to “intervene” and pass a general broadcast policy that will impose parameters on the way media cover crisis situations such as the August 23 hostage-taking drama. With the country’s reputation in tatters after the hostage crisis that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists, senators during a Senate hearing on the “role” of media during the nearly 12-hour standoff said that media should find a balance between performing their professional duties and serving national interest. (Mla Times-p1) 

On Rice Subsidy

Malacañang may have set the stage for the abolition of the National Food Authority (NFA) with its decision to take away the agency’s P8-billion rice procurement subsidy and transfer it to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  “The rice distribution program for the poor of the DSWD is a program that we (Congress) can support. The problem is now, in the process of funding that program of the DSWD, they in effect abolished the NFA by abolishing its function,” Sen. Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said during a hearing on DSWD’s proposed budget for next year.  (Philstar-p1) 

On Tourism

Despite the travel advisory, tourists from Hong Kong and China are slowly coming back three weeks after the Manila hostage-taking incident that claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong vacationers, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said yesterday. “Our information is that tourists are already coming in from Hong Kong. It appears that our fears (of a backlash) were overblown,” he told the House appropriations committee chaired by Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Philstar-p3) 

On Maguindanao Massacre

The Maguindanao massacre trial resumes today with the continuation of the testimony of prosecution witness Lakmudin "Laks" Saliao, a former household helper of the Ampatuan family, at the chamber of Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes. State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said "the presentation of the next prosecution witness will depend if we finish the direct examination early and the length of the cross examination."  (Malaya-p1) 

On ARMM

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo wants to divide the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao into two regions to address the "evident issue of geographical constraint that poses an immense challenge in governing ARMM." House Bill 173, co-authored by Mrs. Arroyo’s son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, seeks to divide the ARMM into the Autonomous Region in Southwestern Mindanao (ARSwM) and the Autonomous Region in Central Mindanao (ARCeM). (Malaya-p3) 

On Spratlys

A government team is flying to Pagasa island, part of the chain of islands and islets in the disputed Kalayaan Group of Islands, to look into the possibility of improving onsite facilities. Representatives of the Department of Tourism might also be brought along "to see if it can be turned into a tourist spot," according to Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, AFP spokesman. (Malaya-p3) 

On Child Mortality

Government is spending P8.2 billion next year to fight infant and maternal mortality, and achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline. Some P5.7 billion will be spent to put up 1,278 basic and comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care facilities countrywide, according to House deputy majority leader Roman Romulo. (Malaya-p3) 

On DILG 

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa would make a good secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in case current Secretary Jesse Robredo decides to quit the top post of the agency. But DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno on Tuesday made it clear that he does not want Robrero to resign, saying that he and the embattled Interior secretary have been working well together at the agency. In a television interview aired over ANC network Tuesday morning, Puno maintained that there is no reason for Robredo to resign because he is doing a good job as secretary of the DILG. (Mla Times-p2)