BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Merci Twists In The Wind

MANILA BULLETIN -- No Mercy For Merci

PHILIPPINE STAR -- House Finds Cause To Impeach Merci

MANILA STANDARD -- Palace, Supreme Court Trade ‘Rubber-Stamp’ Barbs

MANILA TIMES -- Gutierrez ‘Leaves It To God’

MALAYA -- Merci Is A Step Away From Trial

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Impeach Vote Set For Plenary

TABLOID

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- No Mercy For Merci

ABANTE -- Sa Senado Lulusot Si Merci

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Pinoy Sa Saudi Inalerto Na!

 

BALITA -- Tuloy Ang Impeachment

PEOPLES TONIGHT -- FM Helps Leyteños From Libya

BULGAR -- Mister Todas Sa Suntok Ni Misis

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The approval by the House Justice Committee of the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez shows momentum in the fight to make government officials accountable for their actions. Thirty-nine of the 55 members of the Justice committee found there are "reasonable grounds that an impeachable offense has been committed "by Gutierrez and that she is "probably guilty" and that she should face trial." (Malaya-p1 )

The House of Representatives finally opened floor debates last night on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill, which seeks to make family planning an official government policy. “The start of the sponsorship and eventually plenary debates on the RH bill is one small step for RH advocates but one giant step for Filipino women,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the principal authors of the measure, said. (Philstar-p12) 

On Presidency

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono assured President Aquino yesterday that his country would help stabilize the oil supply of the Philippines amidst a looming shortage caused by tensions in the Middle East and North Africa. Aquino and Yudhoyono held a joint press conference at the Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace) here as part of the Philippine president’s two-day state visit where three bilateral agreements were signed. (Philstar-p6) Indonesian trip

President Aquino and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed a memorandum of understanding here yesterday to crack down on terrorists in the two countries. “We cannot have in our region safe haven for terrorists, for corrupters, and safe haven for those who are involved in transnational crimes,” said Yudhoyono in a joint press conference at the Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace) here. (Philstar-p2) Indonesian trip

Malacañang said yesterday that former Sen. Manuel Roxas II joined President Aquino’ state visits to Indonesia and Singapore as a “private adviser.” Roxas also said in an interview before boarding the Cebu Pacific flight to Jakarta on Monday night that he was not listed in the official delegation because he would be there in a private capacity. Roxas, whom the President said would be appointed as “chief troubleshooter,” also became controversial when he joined Aquino’s trip to New York in September. (Philstar-p11) Indonesian trip

President Aquino and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday declared there is no "safe haven" for terrorists in their countries as their respective police chiefs signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on heightened mutual cooperation against terrorism and other transnational crimes. The meeting of the two Asian leaders at the Istana Merdeka (Indonesian Presidential Palace) marked the first day of Aquino’s two-day state visit here. (Malayta-p4) Indonesian trip

Presidential sister Viel Aquino-Dee said yesterday their family is wishing that her brother, President Aquino, will get married before his term ends in 2016. Dee, who was the guest at the launching of the Women’s Month celebration in Albay, said they are excited over the prospect of having a sister-in-law. (Philstar-p12) 

On The Supreme Court

Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas assured yesterday the Supreme Court (SC) justices that there is no concerted effort to destroy the court as claimed by SC spokesman Midas Marquez. “There is no such thing. If there is anyone who is destroying the Supreme Court, it is the members themselves,” he told The STAR. (Philstar-p3) 

On The Ombudsman

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was yesterday dealt with heavy blows—the expected overwhelming vote of the House of Representatives’ justice committee to forward the impeachment case against her for plenary voting, and the Supreme Court’s dismissal of her appeal to stop the impeachment proceedings. “It is a triumph of the people at this stage, an initial victory for the people in exercising their sovereign power to remove an accountable officer through impeachment,” Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chair of the justice committee, told the Inquirer after the hearing. (PDI-Banner) 

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is just a breath away from being impeached after the House committee on justice found probable cause yesterday to have her removed for culpable violation of  the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. The accusations against Gutierrez stemmed from her alleged failure or refusal to act on major graft and rights cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and some of her officials. (Philstar-Banner) 

On the brink of being impeached, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez expressed sadness yesterday at President Aquino’s appeal to his House allies for her ouster.“I am deeply saddened by the turn of events as the President himself has ordered his allies in the House of Representatives to impeach me. It has confirmed our worst fears that the proceedings in the Lower House have degenerated into a partisan political exercise,” she said in a statement read in a forum. (Philstar-p1) 

On Gov’t Spokesman

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda accused Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez of being "reckless" after the latter allegedly "tarnished" the reputation of the current justices of the High Court by hinting that they are all beholden to the persons who appointed them to office. Lacierda said he took offense at Marquez’ statement that by impeaching the current members of the Supreme Court, those that would be named to the High Court by President Aquino would all be loyal to him and simply follow his lead. (Malaya-p1) 

On Foreign Affairs

A Taiwanese was deported yesterday, this time to Taiwan, for his involvement in electronic fraud after being arrested last Dec. 22 in Quezon City. Huang Yu Ping, 30, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in handcuffs, wearing shorts and rubber sandals and escorted by two Taiwanese policemen and officials of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). (Philstar-p1) 

The United Kingdom is “very supportive” of the Philippines’ efforts to develop public-private partnerships (PPPs) and that its private sector is poised to make “significant contributions” to the country’s projects under the initiative, the British ambassador to Manila said on Tuesday. Stephen Lillie reiterated that the UK government has identified the Philippines as “a key emerging power” in East Asia and a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). (Mla Times-p6) 

On South China Seas

China breached international obligation when two of its patrol boats threatened a Philippine oil exploration vessel on disputed areas of the South China Sea last week, a former dean of Law at the University of the Philippines said. According to Merlin Magallona, an expert on the Spratly Islands dispute and a former undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the department should have summoned Chinese Ambassador to Manila Liu Jianchao to explain the incident or “explain to him how the Philippines feels.” (Mla Times-p1) 

On Reproductive Health

Women activists all over the country marked the 100th anniversary of Women’s Day yesterday with protest marches to push for the passage of a comprehensive reproductive health bills and urge the government to address the rising prices of basic commodities. Some 1,500 members of women’s rights groups held demonstrations in Mendiola at around 8 a.m. (Philstar-p1) 

On Political Correct Statements

Muslim leaders felt slighted with the continued use of the word “moro-moro” in the impeachment proceedings of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Gutierrez had used the term to describe the situation as a farce, and lawmakers out to impeach her also repeated the term. (Philstar-p3) 

On Price Increases

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday appealed to bakers and flour millers to hold off any more price increases after loaf bread prices went up by P2 on Monday. The DTI has also enlisted the help of local government units (LGUs) to help protect consumers from unscrupulous businessmen by aiding them in their price monitoring efforts. The trade department’s move was made amidst the latest report from the US wheat organization showing that futures prices went up this week as dry weather in the US plains continue. The Philippines imports its wheat from the US. (Philstar-p7) 

President Aquino is meeting his Cabinet next week to discuss ways to cushion the impact of the political tension in the Middle East on the prices of basic commodities.  Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino will meet with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Jr., Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and National Food Authority administrator Lito Banayo to discuss concerns on the country’s food supply. (Philstar-p13)    

On Food Security

President Benigno Aquino 3rd will meet with members of his economic team next week after his weeklong state visits to Indonesia and Singapore to discuss the country’s food situation and rice supply, Malacañang said on Tuesday. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also sought the help of local governments to ensure that nobody takes advantage of consumers in the light of the increase in prices of basic necessities and prime commodities. (Mla Times-p1) 

On Money Laundering

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is eager to get back its power to freeze the assets of persons suspected of engaging in illegal diversion of funds. During the Senate hearing on the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, AMLC executive director Vicente Aquino was asked about the problems they faced in the cases of former military comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot, who allegedly diverted huge amounts from government accounts.  (Philstar-p10) 

On Anti-Crime Campaign

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will now employ helicopters with night-flying capability to boost their anti-crime efforts particularly in Metro Manila. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the tactical capability of the aircraft would translate to greater operational advantage in anti-criminality, public safety and law enforcement missions. “The sky police will be a picture of the services that the PNP will give,” said Robredo. (Philstar-p13) 

On Summer Season

Despite the warmer weather over past days, the summer season has not yet set in, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday. Pagasa weather forecaster Rene Paciente said the prevalence of the easterly wind is the criterion for declaring the onset of the dry season in areas under Type I climate. The easterly wind brings warm and humid weather in the country. (Philstar-p14) 

On The Peace Process

Decades-old Muslim unrest in southern Philippines not only hinders peace but also drains the country’s development funds, scares away foreign investors and impedes the government’s efforts to ease the lives of poor Filipinos, Australia’s top  diplomat to Manila said as he called on the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to finally forge a lasting peace settlement. (Tribune-p1)