BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- 7 mines threaten pullout

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Noy: Supreme Court singling me out

MANILA BULLETIN -- Aquino vetoes debt cap

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- P1.6T budget signed

ABANTE -- Isang taong taning!

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Ayon sa Pangulo:Walang clemency sa mga bilanggo

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- Red battlecry: Oust Aquino!
   
ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The European Union (EU) hopes the House of Representatives and the Senate will approve the Reproductive Health (RH) bill despite lawmakers’ pronouncements that the measure is not among the priority legislations in 2011. “I would very much hope both houses will take serious account of the importance of addressing poverty and the importance of preventing abortion,” EU Ambassador Alistair MacDonald told The STAR. (Philstar)

Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy has proposed heavier penalties for fixers to curb corruption in government offices. She has filed House Bill 3905, which seeks to amend Section 12 of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 by lengthening the jail term for fixers from less than six years to a maximum of 12 years, and increasing the imposable fine from P100,000 to P1 million. She said although the anti-red tape law took effect three years ago, only a handful of cases involving violations of the statute have been filed in courts. (Philstar)

On Supreme Court

President Aquino yesterday lamented that the Supreme Court (SC) was “singling out” his administration, compared with his predecessors, in putting legal obstacles in his reform program. In a chance interview at the Rizal Hall after signing the 2011 national budget, Aquino cited the case of deposed President Joseph Estrada and even former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who both created commissions for particular tasks during their respective terms of office.  The President was obviously still disappointed with the way the SC, with 14 justices appointed by Arroyo, has voided his order creating the five-member Truth Commission that was supposed to investigate unsolved anomalies in the past administration.(Philstar)

On peace talks

Despite reports of violations of ceasefire agreements, the government is sincere in its commitment to talk peace with the New People’s Army (NPA), President Aquino and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said yesterday. However, Aquino warned the communist rebels that the military and police would be ready to defend themselves and the public in case of any attack. (Philstar)

On hostage crisis

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has advised President Aquino to await clarification from the Hong Kong government as to the extent and scope of the investigation on the Aug. 23 hostage crisis to determine who among the 116 called to testify should be sent to the Chinese territory. “The President approves of the idea of sending a delegation, but I’m advising him not to send all 116 summoned,” she said. “I told him we should insist on the application of the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty). (Philstar)

On national budget

President Aquino signed into law yesterday the P1.645-trillion general appropriations act for next year, the first time in 11 years that a budget program was signed on time or before yearend. “The punctual passage of this budget allows us to hit the ground running in implementing our electoral campaign promise to uplift the lives of Filipinos through honest and competent governance,” Aquino said in a speech after signing the program which laid out in detail the government’s judicious spending for the coming year. (Philstar)

On clemency

President Aquino, breaking tradition, is hesitant to free convicted rapists and drug dealers for good behavior in the spirit of Christmas and the New Year. “Pinag-aaralan naming (mabuti) dahil first time kong daanan lahat ng ito (We’re studying this carefully because it’s my first time to go through this),” he told reporters, adding that he found it “difficult to sign” the first batch of pardon applications presented to him. Aquino wants the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to be more strict in granting commutation, pardon and parole applications. (Philstar)

On firecracker injuries

Three days before New Year’s Eve, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 145 new fireworks-related injuries, mostly caused by the banned firecracker piccolo. The firecracker, popular among children, caused 70 of the injuries. Fifteen were injured by kwitis, and 13 by “Five Star.” The ages of the victims ranged from one to 55. Thirteen suffered amputations, while 24 sustained eye injuries. Ninety-six consciously handled firecrackers, while 23 were intoxicated.(Philstar)

On P-Noy's lovelife

A member of President Aquino’s Cabinet yesterday advised his boss – albeit indirectly – that his love life will always be good copy, maybe until after he decides to settle down. “Whether he (Mr. Aquino) likes it or not, the public continues to be interested in his private life,” quipped Secretary Ricky Carandang, in an interview with former Senate president Ernesto Maceda over radio dzRJ. (Philstar)

On employment

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said that local employment opportunities are brighter for jobseekers in the coming year. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said more than a million new local jobs are expected to be generated for jobseekers in 2011. “Our target is more than a million jobs a year and again we see the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry as the main job generator next year,” Baldoz said.(Philstar)