BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Release Of Hostage Report Draw Flak

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Noy Assures Local Traders Of Level Field

MANILA STANDARD -- Aquino Keeps Powers While Away; Binay Relagated To Social Function

MANILA TIMES -- Pinoys Deserve First Crack

MALAYA -- Aquino Leaves Tonight For US Trip

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Tampered Report To Please China, HK possible - Joker

TABLOIDS

A.

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- GMA P447M Donations Probed

ABANTE -- Pangalan Inukit Ni Dok Sa Matris

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- P-Noy Palpak

 

BALITA -- Libre Sa Homework

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Daddy Rapes Me 3X A Day

BULGAR -- Binay, Tablado Kay P-Noy

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Senators Edgardo Angara and Joker Arroyo yesterday scored the apparent uneven distribution of the 2011 budget, adding that the dole-out system in the country will not address the lack of jobs and the country’s slow economic growth. Arroyo said the uneven distribution of the budget has caused massive complaints from the justice department, which suffered a budget cut, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is getting a 123-percent increase. (Philstar-p2) 

San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito has urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the immediate passage of a bill that would protect the welfare of journalists by guaranteeing better pay and improving their working conditions in recognition of the media’s vital contribution to democracy and good government. Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, filed House Bill 3160 known as the Journalist Welfare and Protection Act of 2010 to protect newsmen against exploitation usually committed by their employers. (Philstar-p9) 

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for a bill that will provide for a national program to support and care for abandoned and neglected children through a special trust fund. Cayetano has raised his concern over the recovery of several fetuses found in dumpsites in recent years due to unplanned pregnancies, mostly of poor mothers. (Philstar-p10) 

On Presidency

President Aquino will continue to run the government even while on a seven-day working visit to the United States, his first foreign trip as president. Aquino is leaving tonight. In New York, he will address the 65th United Nations General Assembly. Aquino will also meet with business leaders. He is expected to be back in Manila on September 28, bringing home with him economic development projects and job-generating investments. (Malaya-Banner) 

Even if he says he is no micromanager, President Benigno Aquino III will still be in charge of Malacañang while he is on a weeklong official trip to the United States this week. On the eve of the President’s departure for the United States, his spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced on Sunday the instructions that the President issued through a memorandum to his Cabinet. (PDI-p1) 

On Palace Infighting

Infighting is not a strange thing in Malacañang but the alleged factionalism between the “Samar” and “Balay” groups in the Aquino administration is the worst, according to two senators who said they “have seen it all” after the Edsa revolution. “There is always [discord in any administration]. You can’t take that away except that in this administration, the factionalism is deeper and [worse] than previous ones,” said Sen. Edgardo Angara, who was executive secretary during pardoned plunder convict Joseph Estrada’s short-lived tenure as president. (PDI-p2) 

On 2011 Budget

The proposed P1.645-trillion budget for 2011 could be the start of a dole-out society, Sen. Edgardo Angara warned on Sunday. “The budget proposed by Malacañang does not create new employment. Instead of increasing productivity through agriculture and research and development, the budget reduces [allocations for agriculture and research and development] in favor of dole-outs,” he said. Angara cited the 123-percent increase in the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as indicator of a tendency toward a welfare state.  He contended that the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, which constitutes the bulk of the DSWD’s P34-billion budget, runs against the basic principle that society must teach the poor how to fish rather than give them fish to eat. (Mla Times-p1) 

On The Judiciary Budget

The anticipated meeting between President Aquino and Chief Justice Renato Corona will not push through, as it will now be between Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad representing the executive department with Court Administrator and spokesman Jose Midas Marquez for the judiciary. “I already got a call for the office of the Executive Secretary arranging the meeting with me and DBM (Department of Budget andManagement) Secretary Abad. No date has been set yet,” Marquez said yesterday. (Philstar-p5) 

Judges and court employees expect a rough year ahead as the proposed 2011 budget for the judiciary is around P13 billion, less than the amount that the judicial branch is asking for. “The judiciary is already receiving a very small budget from the national government. Budget cuts will mean more hardship for employees in terms of court management,” Judge Carmelita Manahan said during a recent interview with The Manila Times. Manahan is a judge of Branch 16 of the Manila Regional Trial Court, and was recently honored as this year’s with the Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña Award as outstanding judge. (Mla Times-p1) 

On South China Sea

US President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders will call for the peaceful settlement of South China Sea territorial disputes and urge claimants not to resort to force, according to a draft communiqué. Washington upped the ante in July, when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a regional security forum in Vietnam that the peaceful resolution of the disputes over the Spratly and Paracel groups of islands was an American national interest. (PDI-p1) 

On ‘Luneta Hostage Report’

The release of the fact-finding committee’s report on the botched hostage rescue has become hostage to Malacañang’s flip-flopping and has the makings of another bungling, lawmakers said yesterday. President Benigno Aquino III earlier said he would immediately release the findings of the committee on its five-day marathon inquiry into the Aug. 23 fiasco that killed eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker and gave the country an international black eye. He also said that heads would roll. (PDI-Banner) 

The government was criticized by a senator on Sunday for deciding to give China and Hong Kong first crack at an official report on the August 23 hostage-taking prepared by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC). “I thought that the report was meant for Filipinos. Why are we the last to know?” Sen. Joker Arroyo fumed at the public affairs program Balitang Todo-Todo aired over radio station dzBB. Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Strategic and Development Office said that Malacañang decided to give the report to China first out of courtesy because the eight hostages killed were all from Hong Kong, an administrative region of China. “Courtesy for Hong Kong? How about courtesy for Filipinos?” Senator Arroyo asked. (Mla Times-Banner) 

Maverick Sen. Joker Arroyo urged President Aquino yesterday to make public the results of the 83-page report of the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC) chaired by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima rather than allow China to have a first look at the report. “The obligation of the Philippine government is first to the Filipino people, not to everyone else,” Arroyo said as he criticized President Aquino’s advisers for “tip-toeing” to the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong administrative region. (Philstar-13) 

On Jueteng

Another Malacañang official has been accused of receiving a monthly take or payola from operators of jueteng, an illegal numbers game. Assistant Press Secretary Rey Marfil, along with 26 other media personalities, were among those listed in an alleged “blue book,” containing the names of people who reportedly receive a monthly payola from jueteng ranging from P5,000 to P20,000. Marfil was a tabloid reporter and columnist assigned to the Senate beat until his appointment as part of Malacañang’s communications group. He was quick to deny the allegation, saying that the charge had no basis. Martin, however, acknowledged that some members of the media are known to receive jueteng payola. (Mla Times-p4) 

On Local Traders

President Aquino has reiterated his commitment to level the playing field in business to attract more investors to the country. At the culmination of the economic managers briefing and dialogue held in Malacañang during the weekend, Makati Business Club president Ramon del Rosario Jr. pointed out the need to sustain the record high stock market index and the strong peso-dollar exchange rate achieved in the first days of the Aquino administration. Del Rosario also said the government should have a clear direction for the economy for the duration of the Aquino administration. (Philstar-Banner) 

On The Armed Forces

The military yesterday urged leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to police their rogue commanders to ensure the success of peace talks. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said while they believe the MILF is sincere in pursuing the talks, lack of control of renegade commanders continues to be a problem. “They (MILF) are always saying that they have control but actually, it’s a loose organization... I am sure the leadership means well. Their problem is they cannot control their rogue leaders and forces on the ground,” Mabanta told radio station dzbb. (Philstar-p10) 

On Barangay Elections

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will reactivate its Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections) in preparation for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on Oct. 25. AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr. said the task force would undertake the same mission of ensuring peace and order as it did during the May 2010 elections. Mabanta said this would include monitoring the threat board nationwide for 24 hours during the Oct. 25 elections. (Philstar-p13) 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dedicated its 135,000-strong force into a single task force as it prepares for next month’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Recently appointed PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo on Sunday issued “Letter of Instruction HOPE 2010-Bravo” which devotes the entire PNP uniformed personnel for election duties as deputies of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). “HOPE” stands for honest, orderly and peaceful elections.  “We take this challenge as another opportunity for the PNP to shine and possibly duplicate our fine performance of election duties in the May 2010 national and local polls,” Bacalzo said. (Mla Times-p3) 

On Former PGMA

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would attend the fifth conference of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and speak before a gathering of women leaders on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in two separate events in New York, her spokeswoman disclosed yesterday. Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn said Mrs. Arroyo’s attendance at the CGI was upon the invitation of its founding chairman, former US President Bill Clinton. (Philstar-p1) 

On Tourism

Until the wound inflicted by last month’s hostage fiasco healed, the Department of Tourism said it was temporarily putting on hold aggressive efforts to promote in Hong Kong the country’s tourist destinations. “The wound is still too fresh we would just be wasting our effort to try to get the Hong Kong market to come,” Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said in a phone interview yesterday. (PDI-p1) 

On Street Crimes

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said curbing street crimes will be one of his top priorities and his leadership will double its efforts to regain the trust and confidence of the people, whom they have sworn to serve and protect. “This is the direction of (police) operations, local police stations must lead the effort against street crimes. We believe that minimizing street crimes would help bring back the trust and confidence in the police,” said Bacalzo in Filipino. He said that as long as criminals roam the streets, the police will not regain the confidence of the people. (Philstar-p1) 

On Railway System

The government has released the list of the top 10 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects with a combined worth of more than P127.78 billion. The list of PPP projects ready for investment in 2011 was presented to businessmen during a meeting in Malacañang last week. Of the 10 projects, three did not have project costs yet. The infrastructure projects focused mainly on the improvement of the rail system, roads and airports. At least two business groups – the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) – have expressed interest in investing in the projects. (Philstar-p1) 

On Pinoy Seafarers

Filipino seafarers would enjoy longer breaks under a new standard employment contract proposed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili said the proposed contract would also provide for longer leaves and additional benefits for Filipino seafarers. “We will soon be presenting to the governing board for approval a proposed new standard employment contract which provides, among others, entitlement leave of four and half months from the previous two and half months,” she said. (Philstar-p9) 

On OFWs Dream

Mediterranean-inspired, pastel-colored houses dot the coast and hills of this rural town in Batangas province, dwarfing their traditional counterparts made of unpainted concrete blocks under roofs of corrugated zinc. The larger houses, many of them empty, belong to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who plan to return here one day. (PDI-p1) 

‘On Abadilla 5’

In his elusive quest for justice, Lenido Lumanog—one of the members of the so-called “Abadilla 5”—feels he has no one to turn to now but President Benigno Aquino III.  Saying he has lost trust in the country’s justice system, Lumanog said he would forego his right to seek a reversal of the Supreme Court decision upholding the life terms meted out on him and his four fellow convicts for the 1996 murder of ex-Col. Rolando Abadilla, a dreaded intelligence officer of the Marcos regime. (PDI-p1) 

On Another Case of ‘Disappearance’

Relatives of former Naga City Councilor Emilio Aguinaldo have blamed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo for the disappearance of the former councilor.  Aguinaldo has filed 50 cases against Robredo, the former mayor of Naga, before the Ombudsman. Aguinaldo has been missing since June 8, 2008. He was last seen going to Manila to follow up the cases he had filed against Robredo. Aguinaldo’s wife Marina said her husband had to sell three pigs so he would have money to go to Manila. (Philstar-10) 

On Charity Stores

The charity arm of the Archdiocese of Manila knows just where Christmas shoppers could spend their holiday cash without burning a hole in their pockets. Pitching for its charity store, Caritas Manila is urging the public to ditch swanky malls and do their shopping for Christmas gifts instead in its three “Segunda Mana” stores that sell inexpensive items, ranging from new to hand-me-down clothes, shoes, bags, furniture and books. (PDI-p1) 

On Tribal Olympics

Aeta, Mangyan and Dumagat atletes from the Philippines dominated the first Southeast Asian Tribal Olympics in Malaysia last Thursday with three golds, a silver, and four bronzes. Wearing blue and white jackets, the tribal folk proudly held their medals high as they alighted from an Air Asia aircraft at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport last Friday afternoon.The tribal folk were the country’s representatives to the first ASEAN Tribal Olympics held from Sept. 14 to 16 in the mountains of Nanuk Ragang in Ranao, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia (Philstar-p1) .

On ‘Reforestation Projects’

Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc is wondering whether the Department of Environment 

and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to reforest the country’s denuded forests with personal computers. Bondoc raised this question during deliberations of the House comittee on appropriations last week after uncovering an allocation of P1 billion in the proposed budget of the DENR for the purchase of about 50,000 computers, software and web cameras, which is more than twice the number of the agency’s employees based on the Department of Budget and Management’s staffing summary for this year. (Philstar-p6) 

On Foreign Artists

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez wants foreign artists to pay a 15 percent equity fee each time they perform in the Philippines to protect local talents and help promote Filipino culture and arts. “It is a known fact that for every foreign performer who earns income derived from Philippine sources, a local performer is displaced,” he said. House Bill No. 28 seeks to require the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to collect the equity fee at least five working days prior to the date of the foreign artist’s first scheduled performance. (Philstar-p11) 

On Abortion Pill

Catholic bishops over the weekend criticized Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila’s perceived inability to stop the proliferation of abortion pills and herbal medicines, which are ironically located within the vicinity of the Quiapo Church. According to the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Lim has been called on to curb the cited trade prevalent in the said district of Manila. The group, however, lamented that the mayor has yet to respond to their clamor. 

Moreover, Basilica rector Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio said the response of authorities to the issue has been “lukewarm.” The parishioners of Quiapo Church have sent a letter of complaint to Lim upon the encouragement of Ignacio but they have yet to receive a response. (Mla Times-p3)