news

Divorce issue dividing the country once again

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:53:19 +0100

BY ISMAEL AMIGO
1st-APLUMA NATIONAL PRESIDENT

THE heated battle regarding the Reproductive Health (RH) has yet to die down but another fight between the Catholic Church and the legislative branch of government is brewing.

Now, prelates and lawmakers are expected to clash views regarding the Divorce Bill being tackled by the House of Representatives.

Gabriela Party List Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, the two proponents of House Bill 1799 or An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines, want to give Filipino couples an option to end their irreparable and unhappy marriages through divorce.

With Malta approving the process recently, the Philippines is the only country in the world without a divorce law.

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The Catholic Church has all the reasons to object to the bill as the Holy Bible, in the Book of Mark Chapter 10:9, clearly states that “what therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

Catholic teachings disseminated by the Archdiocese of Denver state that divorce is a grave offense against the natural law.

It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other until death.

Sacramental marriage is the sign of the covenant of salvation, to which divorce does incredible injury.

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Also, there is no need for a divorce law in the Philippines as we already have annulment as a process to declare a marriage null and void.

In Article 45 of the Family Code of the Philippines, there are six grounds for annulment of marriage.

Among these are absence of parental consent, mental illness, fraud, that the consent of either party was obtained by force, intimidation or undue influence, one or the other party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage, and such incapacity continues and appears to be incurable and if either party was at the time of marriage afflicted with a sexually-transmitted-disease (STD) found to be serious and seems to be incurable.

If this is the case, the House is just wasting its precious time and people’s money to hear a law which is already existing.

Let’s focus on strengthening the family and not ruining it.

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR JUNE 3, 2011

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:36:41 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- ‘Bangus’ industry in crisis

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Mar eyed as next DOTC chief

MANILA BULLETIN -- Divorce rejected

DAILY TRIBUNE -- DFA warns vs 'aggresive' China incursions in Spratlys

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Graft raps filed vs Devanadera

ABANTE -- Hindi kami nagde-date ni Kris! -- Chiz

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Same sex marriage naman!

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The Senate committees on energy and public services have recommended the extension of the lifeline rate privilege given to low-income users of electricity by another 10 years. Senate Bill 2846 was principally authored by energy committee chairman Sergio Osmeña III. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) provides for a lifeline or discounted rate for low-income end users or those who consume up to 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month. (Philstar)

On new DOTC chief

President Aquino is eyeing former senator Manuel Roxas II as replacement for Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose de Jesus, who is set to step down on July 1, Malacañang sources said yesterday. “It’s possible,” a Palace source said. Roxas is supposedly the incoming presidential chief of staff but the administrative order defining his official title and functions has yet to be released. (Philstar)

On Philippine territory

China yesterday rejected allegations of recent illegal military incursions into Philippine territorial waters. “The reported ‘incursion of Chinese ships’ is not true,” the Chinese embassy in Manila through spokesperson Michelle Zhao said in a statement. Zhao said Beijing is merely being consistent on the issue. (Philstar)

On Hacienda Luisita toll

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) for its collection of a P20 toll fee from motorists using the Luisita Parkway Road to get to the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz said the TRB board of directors, chaired by Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso Jr., decided to issue the CDO after a special board meeting yesterday, as it asserted its authority over HLI on the matter of the toll fee collection. (Philstar)

On RH bill

The bill legalizing divorce will not be a priority measure of the administration, which intends to focus on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill first. President Aquino, who was here on a state visit, told reporters late Wednesday that the government would first set the momentum for priority measures before venturing into other contentious issues like the legalization of divorce. (Philstar)

On lotto winner

A 60-year-old carpenter from Las Piñas City who also serves as a barangay tanod won the 6/55 Grand Lotto draw on Wednesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced. The lucky bettor claimed his P356,552,917.20 jackpot prize at the PCSO office at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City yesterday, according to PCSO general manager Jose Fernandez Rojas II. Rojas said the winner, who picked the six-digit winning combination 05-09-19-26-30-45, was accompanied by his two sons and some relatives when he claimed the prize. (Philstar)

On smuggling

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) yesterday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) smuggling cases against businessman Lynard Alan Bigcas and five buyers of the 29 “hot cars” that were allegedly illegally imported from the United States. Also named respondents in the case were the registered owners of the reported smuggled vehicles – Noeh Alcala, Gilbert Omolon, Luke Alcala, Lyann Bigcas and Joshua Bigcas, all natives of Talakag, Bukidnon, said Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez. (Philstar)

On former President Marcos

The Makati Business Club (MBC) yesterday expressed opposition to the proposed burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because of his tainted record as president. “In the end, titles and medals – especially those of dubious provenance – do not a hero make. No hero would deliberately bring suffering upon his people and ruin to his country. For these reasons, the Makati Business Club believes that, by virtue of his profoundly tainted record as the leader of our country, Mr. Marcos forfeited whatever rights he had to being buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” the MBC said in a statement. (Philstar)

On Bilibid

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will pursue further investigation into anomalies in the national penitentiary to determine who else were accorded VIP treatment apart from former Batangas governor and convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered her undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, who supervises the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), to proceed with the probe initially focused on Leviste’s unauthorized “vacation” from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) last May 18. (Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR JUNE 2, 2011

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:36:03 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Not guilty, Andal Sr. pleads amid jeering

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Palace says DOTC chief has resigned

MANILA BULLETIN -- De Jesus quits DoTC post

DAILY TRIBUNE -- DoTC chief quits Noy’s Cabinet

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- DOTC chief quits

ABANTE -- Misis ng solons. papatay sa divorce

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Not guilty - Ampatuan Sr.

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. opened yesterday the 3rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus that would focus on drawing up a blueprint for concerted and institutionalized regional disaster management and children’s welfare programs. “Two problems gain prominence at this juncture in our history: disaster management and children’s welfare,” Belmonte said in his opening message. (Philstar)

On Cabinet

A day after Jose de Jesus said rumors of his resignation were “not true,” Malacañang announced yesterday that he had quit as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) effective July 1. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said De Jesus “probably wants to do something else.” Malacañang made the announcement a day after DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco denied reports that De Jesus had quit. (Philstar)

On Philippine territory

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned last Tuesday the Chinese charge d’affaires to protest sightings of Chinese Navy vessels erecting posts at the West Philippine Sea. Citing reports from the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DFA requested clarification from Bai Tian, charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Manila, regarding the recent sightings of a China Marine Surveillance vessel and other People‘s Liberation Army Navy ships in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef-Amy Douglas Bank in the West Philippine Sea. (Philstar)

On P-Noy

The Philippines and Brunei signed here yesterday several memoranda of understanding on food security and agriculture, shipping and ports, tourism and sports development. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the MOUs for the Philippine government while Princess Masna, who is also the acting foreign affairs minister here, signed for Brunei. President Aquino, who arrived in a blue Rolls Royce limousine at the sprawling Istana Nurul Iman (Royal Palace) for an official visit, was received by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The two witnessed the signing of the MOUs. The President is scheduled to return to Manila today. (Philstar)

On divorce

One in every two Filipinos favors the legalization of divorce in the country, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released yesterday showed. The First Quarter 2011 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 4 to 7, showed that 50 percent of adult Filipinos agree that married couples who have separated and cannot reconcile should be granted divorce so they can get married again. Thirty-three percent of respondents disagree while 16 percent were undecided. The non-commissioned interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide. (Philstar)

On lotto

A lucky bettor from Luzon won the P356,552,917.20 jackpot prize after 44th draw of the 6/55 Grand Ootto online game, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced last night. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO general manager, said the lone winner got the six-digit combination 09-05-26-30-19-45 in the draw. The winner, the 50th member of the so- called Lotto Millionaires Club this year, beat the 28.9 million odds in the grand lotto game.(Philstar)

On Mar Roxas

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. yesterday brushed aside talks that former Sen. Manuel Roxas II’s entry in Malacañang could lead to a power struggle between the two of them. Ochoa disclosed that he was the one working on the administrative order defining Roxas’ job. “We’re still discussing the details of his official functions and probably that will be the time to really decide on his official title. Because that portion is a bit tricky,” Ochoa said. (Philstar)

On NAIA Terminal 3

President Aquino has agreed to proceed with a plan to operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 while just compensation for its builders is being decided by the courts. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said yesterday the issue could still take longer because of the legal options available to all parties. (Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR JUNE 1, 2011

Tue, 31 May 2011 20:24:25 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- NBP ‘sleep out’ canceled

PHILIPPINE STAR -- DOTC head denies quitting

MANILA BULLETIN -- JPE: PLDT, Sun deal legal

DAILY TRIBUNE -- NTC not Noy decides on 3G award — Enrile

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Deadly gluta

ABANTE -- Gluta nakamamatay

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Divorce haharangin

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking the cleansing of the voters’ list to prevent cheating in future elections. Under the bill, voters registered as of the May 10, 2010 national elections and those who registered under the continuing listing system would have to go to the offices of their elections officers to validate their registration. The city and election officers would have to use data capturing machines (DCMs) to take the biometrics of voters in the validation process. (Philstar)

On Cabinet

As rumors swirled that he had tendered his resignation, Jose “Ping” de Jesus denied yesterday that he had quit as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), but Malacañang was silent of his fate. “It’s not true,” De Jesus said in a text message to The STAR when asked if he had resigned due to health reasons. DOTC Undersecretary Dante Velasco also denied yesterday that De Jesus had resigned. (Philstar)

The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed yesterday the appointments of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes. The CA also confirmed 22 ambassadors and the promotions of 39 other foreign service officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Unlike De los Reyes whose confirmation hearing was completed without a hitch, Del Rosario had to face claims against him in one of his previous capacities. (Philstar)

On RH bill

Senators want to resolve debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill first before tackling the divorce bill. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Joker Arroyo and Panfilo Lacson said there is a need to study the proposals to allow divorce in the country and put on hold any discussions at least until the RH issue is resolved. “I still have to study it. There are many who are in favor, we have many issues at hand,” Enrile said. “I’m not saying that it’s not the right time. We should wrap up the controversial ones first, the RH bill and the bill on the protection of the unborn and the mother.” (Philstar)

On education

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has sent out cease and desist orders (CDOs) to higher education institutions (HEIs) offering courses that do not comply with quality standards and whose graduates fare miserably in licensure examinations. “We’re already in the process (of taking action against low performing schools). Some schools have already received cease and desist orders. That is ongoing,” Dr. Patricia Licuanan, CHED chair, said in a media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at their head office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City yesterday. (Philstar)

A total of 324 colleges and universities have raised their tuition for school year 2011-2012. Data from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) showed the average tuition hike was 14.37 percent, up from the 10 percent posted last April. The latest tally showed CHED had approved the tuition hike application of 39 higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon and 41 in Calabarzon. (Philstar)

On oil prices

Petron Corp. and Chevron Philippines (Caltex) raised their pump prices effective yesterday due to the increase in international oil prices, following a series of price rollbacks last week. Petron and Chevron announced an increase in the price of premium gasoline by 50 centavos per liter. Prices of regular gasoline and diesel went up by 25 centavos per liter. . At the same time, Petron announced a P2.50 per kilo price rollback on its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas products effective 6 a.m. yesterday. (Philstar)

On OFWs

A group of recruiters said yesterday that job orders for Filipino workers in Taiwan have intensified in the last two months despite the row over the deployment of 14 Taiwanese to Beijing two months ago. In a statement, Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (PILMAT) president Jackson Gan said they expect Taiwanese employers to hire more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the coming months. “The deployment of OFWs to Taiwan has intensified in the past two months and is expected to increase further,” he said. (Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR MAY 31, 2011

Mon, 30 May 2011 21:06:55 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Aquino lets go of Diokno

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Diokno resigns

MANILA BULLETIN -- Diokno resigns

DAILY TRIBUNE -- JAZA writes Noy to ask for prized 3G allocation

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Diokno quits

ABANTE -- Divorce bill, bagong giyera

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Divorce bill ipinapaapura

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The House committee on communications and information technology has approved an anti-cybercrime bill, which aims to protect individuals and institutions from cyber attacks. The panel, chaired by Taguig City Rep. Sigfrido Tinga, also rejected last-minute proposals from law enforcement agencies, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to remove the legal requirement of a court warrant before telecommunication firms disclose data on the mobile phone usage of subscribers. (Phistar)

On Gov. Leviste

Saying public interest should always prevail over friendship, President Aquino announced yesterday his acceptance of the resignation of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ernesto Diokno after the latter failed to give him a satisfactory explanation for irregularities in the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP). Aquino said Diokno tendered his irrevocable resignation during their meeting at Malacañang before 2 p.m., and he thanked Diokno for his “service and delicadeza.” (Philstar)

On VIP treatment

No special treatment was being extended to members of the Ampatuan clan implicated in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao in 2009, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday. DILG Undersecretary for Public Order Rico Puno, however, said that the jail warden and his staff are not yet off the hook even after Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu admitted that photos of the Ampatuans enjoying special treatment were taken before the current administration took over. (Philstar)

On Cabinet revamp

President Aquino clarified yesterday that members of his Cabinet and sub-Cabinet were all under evaluation but he had not made any decision yet on changes. He said there were “processes” being undertaken to assess the performance of his officials. The President made the clarification as the name of Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez came out as one of those who might lose his job for failing to curb smuggling. (Philstar)

On fish kill

About one-and-a-half truckloads of dead milkfish or bangus were buried in this coastal town at noon yesterday. Mayor Alfonso Celeste told The STAR he received a report yesterday morning that fish kill originating from nearby Anda town had hit Bolinao, 280 kilometers north of Manila, on Sunday. “We got a report that some dead bangus were brought by the current downstream to our town so some people thought we were severely hit again by fish kill,” he said. (Philstar)

On PH-Taiwan issue

The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the legality of the deportation of Taiwanese fugitives to China last February. In a 15-page resolution, the former special 16th division of the appellate court also junked as moot the habeas corpus petition of six of the deported Taiwanese. Through Associate Justice Francisco Acosta, the CA said the deportation of the fugitives to mainland China that angered Taiwan was aboveboard. (Philstar)

On lotto

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) expects to award the first “lotto billionaire” if nobody wins the 6/55 Grand Lotto online lottery draw in the coming months, with the prize yesterday hitting more than P330 million. “If the current trend continues and nobody hits the jackpot for the next few months we are looking at the first lotto billionaire,” PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said. He was referring to the rapid increase in ticket sales for the Grand Lotto that has soared from an average of P30 million per draw to P102 million last Saturday. (Philstar)

On ARMM

The Senate asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to allow the postponement of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to 2013. In a 16-page comment, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked the Court to dismiss the petitions of groups led by Datu Michael Kida of the Maguindanao Federation of Autonomous Irrigators Association and lawyer Alex Macalawi of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Marawi City opposing Senate Bill 2756 and House Bill 4146, which intend to synchronize the ARMM polls with the midterm national elections in 2013. (Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR MAY 30, 2011

Sun, 29 May 2011 20:58:59 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Nothing official yet on Cabinet revamp

PHILIPPINE STAR -- P-Noy sees no-win situation for Diokno

MANILA BULLETIN -- Alvarez defiant

DAILY TRIBUNE -- House to probe illegal Luisita toll

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- Have mercy

ABANTE -- PNoy obligado sa smoking ban

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- 175,000 obrero masisibak

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Vigan City Vice Mayor Ryan Luis Singson was proclaimed yesterday as the new representative of the first congressional district of Ilocos Sur, replacing his older brother Ronald. The Ilocos Sur Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed Singson, who got 71,955 votes, at 1 a.m. yesterday. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph said Singson’s rival Bertrand Baterina, nephew of former congressman Salacnib Baterina, got 30,445 votes. (Philstar)

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill criminalizing the use of children by protagonists in an armed conflict. Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, author of Bill 4480, said the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts would be prohibited under the measure. “The bill seeks the prosecution of those responsible for child rights violations in these conflicts. Children have to be provided relief, protection and rehabilitation in such situations,” he said. (Philstar)

On Gov. Leviste

President Aquino has indicated that Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-on-leave Ernesto Diokno is in a no-win situation, even as the report of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on convicted murderer Jose Antonio Leviste’s unauthorized vacation in Makati City is expected to reach Malacañang today. The President told reporters during his state visit in Thailand last week that he could not understand why Diokno did not know about Leviste’s caper, or if he did, why he allowed it to happen. (Philstar)

On rainy season

Rains will continue to prevail over some parts of the country this week due to the southwest monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. PAGASA said no tropical cyclone has been spotted within the Philippine area of responsibility but heavy rains would continue. “From Monday to Thursday, (we expect) good weather in the morning and wet in the afternoon,” said Graciano Yumul, supervising undersecretary of PAGASA. (Philstar)

On fishkill

About 500 metric tons of fish drowned for lack of oxygen in Taal Lake in Batangas on Saturday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje told The STAR underwater vegetation consumed the oxygen that milkfish (bangus) and tilapia needed to survive. (Philstar)

On NAIA 3

President Aquino wants to know if the $175 million awarded by a Pasay City court to a German firm is reasonable for the work done on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3). Speaking to reporters in Bangkok last week, Aquino said he has ordered his legal team to review again the work that Fraport had done. “Is everything that we are claiming there? And the parts that are unfinished, that we have to repair, should be discounted,” he said. (Philstar)

On Customs

Beleaguered Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez vowed yesterday to fight moves by his detractors to oust him, even as he said he is ready to leave his post whenever President Aquino asks him to. “I would like to assure everybody that until the President tells me my time is up, there will be no letup in my campaign to plant the seeds of reform and renewal in the Bureau of Customs (BOC),” Alvarez said in a statement following reports that he may be removed as BOC chief due to the reported rampant smuggling of luxury vehicles and motorcycles in Mindanao. (Philstar)

On RH bill

President Aquino does not understand how the debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill has gone way beyond the limits of rational and factual discourse when the government has no policy on the number of children couples must have, and has not imposed birth control methods on anyone. Speaking in Bangkok last week, Aquino said the state is against abortion and does not dictate the number of children a couple may have. The state gives couples a choice of what option to take, he added. (Philstar)

On immigration

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) urged yesterday all foreign students to secure a visa or study permit from the bureau before enrolling in any Philippine school. Grace Lara, chief of the BI student desk, said those who wish to enroll in elementary and high school or those who want to take special courses such as language tutorials must also apply for a special study permit (SSP). Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. also reminded schools not to accept foreigners unless they have the required visas or study permits from the BI student desk. (Philstar)

Criminals getting younger by the day

Sat, 28 May 2011 08:32:08 +0100

BY ISMAEL AMIGO

1ST-APLUMA NATIONAL PRESIDENT

OUR National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, must be turning in his grave right now.

He has all the reason to do so because some of the youth he called as "future of the nation" are turning into criminals, no thanks to the Juvenile Justice System Act of 2006.

Criminals are getting younger and younger by the day since the law that exempts minors 15-years old and younger from criminal liability, and allows punishment for those 15 to 18 if proven they acted “with discernment” was passed in 2006.

Why? The law has been taken advantages by some criminal groups or gangs by employing minors to do their bidding, leading to the growing number of crimes committed by juveniles.

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Recently, the Senate said it is planning to suspend implementation of the Juvenile Justice Law, for lack of rehabilitation facilities for youthful offenders.

Sen. Francis Escudero said the Senate shall suspend the law until such time that the necessary rehabilitation centers for these children are established.

Escudero’s amendment of the juvenile justice law shall be discussed when the Senate plenary session starts on May 9.

Escudero said juvenile delinquents cannot be detained in municipal jails alongside hardened criminals as it would mean that authorities can be charged with both administrative and criminal charges.

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But for me, lawmakers should focus on the bill filed by Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Trenas seeking to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years of age.

Trenas is alarmed at the growing incidence of crimes committed by minors, many of them recruited by crime syndicates.

Treñas said House Bill 3815 seeks to protect Filipino youth used as “pawns” by criminals.

The bill imposes “criminal penalties upon offenders belonging to a criminal juvenile organization aged 12 and above who acted with discernment, any person involved in any criminal juvenile organization that tolerates any criminal act as part of its authorized activities or initiation (rites), and on parents or guardians of a child commanded, encouraged or allowed to participate in any criminal act.”

Treñas said his bill would also punish persons who encourage youngsters to join gangs, including their parents.

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR MAY 27, 2011

Thu, 26 May 2011 20:45:02 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Andal Sr. ‘roams’ in jail

PHILIPPINE STAR -- DOJ summons GMA over plunder case

MANILA BULLETIN -- 'Chedeng' on way to Japan

DAILY TRIBUNE -- DoJ eyes Army deployment in Bilibid Prisons

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- GSIS execs charged

ABANTE --Shabu nasa sari-sari store

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- PAGASA sablay kay Chedeng

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

If the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms would have its way, a president can no longer run for a lower office without giving up the highest elective post. In the same manner, a senator would no longer be allowed to aspire for the presidency or the vice presidency without relinquishing his or her Senate seat. The committee, chaired by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., has endorsed Bill 2877, “An Act declaring an elective official ipso facto resigned from his office upon the filing of his certificate of candidacy.” (Philstar)

On former president GMA

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and three of her former officials to appear before investigators on June 6 to answer charges of plunder involving over P550 million of the funds of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The DOJ panel conducting a preliminary investigation of the complaint filed last month by former solicitor general Frank Chavez issued subpoenas last Monday for Arroyo, former executive secretary Alberto Romulo, former health secretary Francisco Duque III and former OWWA administrator Virgilio Angelo. (Philstar)

On business

Businessmen are less buoyant as the business optimism index fell for the second straight quarter under the Aquino administration. The fall was due to higher operating costs, slow business procedures, and delayed fund disbursements for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, a survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. After hitting a new record high of 50.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, the BSP’s Business Expectation Survey showed that the business confidence index declined to 31.8 percent in the second quarter from 47.5 percent in the first quarter. (Philstar)

On Chedeng

Typhoon “Chedeng” (international name Songda) intensified yesterday but changed direction, hugging the eastern seaboard as it moved away from the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. PAGASA supervising undersecretary Graciano Yumul said Chedeng would still bring heavy rains and gusty winds over the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan Valley, Quirino and Aurora until the weekend. (Philstar)

On PH-China relations

Philippine relations with China remain “very warm” despite the delay in the state visit of President Aquino to Beijing, Malacañang said yesterday. The President left for an overnight state visit to Thailand and would go to Brunei next week, also for a state visit. Instead of this month, Aquino had announced his visit to China would take place in the third quarter of this year. The President said no schedule was ever finalized for his visit to China.(Philstar)

On House Speaker

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares denied yesterday that there are moves in the House of Representatives to oust Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He said the rumors of an alleged ouster plot against Belmonte could just be intrigue. “I do not know of any reason why the Speaker should be ousted,” he said. (Philstar)

On lotto

The jackpot prize of the 6/55 Grand Lotto draw remained elusive as no one hit the jackpot prize of P297, 916,131.60 in last Wednesday’s draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO) announced yesterday. PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said no one got the winning combination of 42-19-30-41-12-52 in last Wednesday’s draw. (Philstar)

On LPG price

Small liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dealers cut anew their prices by 50 centavos per kilo effective today. LPG Marketers Association president and Rep. Arnel Ty said “this will be our third rollback for this month. We have reduced our prices by a total of P1.50 per kilo.” LPGMA members include Omni Gas, Pinnacle Gas, Island Gas, Cat Gas and Nation Gas.(Philstar)

On Leviste

The arraignment of former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste and his driver Nilo Solis for evasion of service of sentence has been set for June 10. Makati Metropolitan Manila Court (MTC) Judge Josefino Subia will handle the case of violation of Article 157 of the Revised Penal Code or Evasion of Service of Sentence. Leviste faced an inquest before the Department of Justice (DOJ) after their arrest by National Bureau of Investigation operatives at the LPL Building in Makati City.(Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR MAY 26, 2011

Wed, 25 May 2011 20:59:44 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- More black corals seized

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Phl braces for typhoon 'Chedeng'

MANILA BULLETIN -- I'm blameless -- Diokno

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Piatco blasts RTC ruling, goes to CA

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- 'Chedeng' gains strength

ABANTE -- Chedeng lalong lumakas

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Chedeng hahagupit sa MM!

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

Two Mindanao congressmen have filed a bill that would bring down the cost of electricity here, which is the second highest in Asia next to Singapore and is even higher than Japan. House Bill 9337, authored by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Maximo, who represents the party-list group Abante Mindanao, would impose a three-percent franchise tax on electricity distributors like the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). (Philstar)

On Typhoon Chedeng

More areas were placed under storm warning signals yesterday as tropical storm “Chedeng” (international name Songda) intensified into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. Chedeng was expected to slam into northern Luzon tomorrow, but it could change course and head toward more populated areas near Metro Manila, forecasters said. (Philstar)

On Gen. Garcia

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) was given yesterday another chance to present oral arguments on the plea bargaining agreement between former military comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The Sandiganbayan has scheduled a hearing on June 3, just 17 days before presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, one of those handling the case, retires on June 20. (Philstar)

On P-Noy

President Aquino leaves for Thailand today for a two-day state visit but will monitor the country’s situation as typhoon “Chedeng” enters the Philippine area of responsibility. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing yesterday that Aquino left instructions with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). (Philstar)

On Gov. Leviste

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-on-leave Ernesto Diokno maintained yesterday that he is not liable for the unauthorized jail pass of former Batangas governor and convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste. Appearing before the fact-finding investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Diokno instead blamed New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) Superintendent Ramon Reyes and other officials who have direct supervision over the minimum security compound from where Leviste had sneaked out. (Philstar)

On Education

The Department of Education (DepEd) bared yesterday the declining achievement rates in the past years of elementary and high school students nationwide. Education Secretary Armin Luistro presented graphs showing a downward trend representing achievement levels and survival rates of elementary and high school students. The graphs were part of his report on the state of basic education at the National Education Summit held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. (Philstar)

On NAIA 3

The Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO) is set to appeal the decision of the Pasay regional trial court (RTC) that set the just compensation for the expropriation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at $175.7 million or way below its compensation claim of more than $846 million. Moises Tolentino Jr., PIATCO vice president for legal and public affairs, said they would take their appeal straight to the Court of Appeals. (Philstar)

On House Speaker

Malacañang described yesterday as “ridiculous” reports that the Liberal Party through its president and incoming presidential chief of staff Manuel Roxas II is seeking the ouster of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. “To the best of my knowledge, we have every confidence in the Speaker so whatever reports that there are alleged 30 plotters, we do not believe so. We believe and we trust, we continue to rely on the leadership of Speaker Belmonte in the House,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacañang. (Philstar)

1st-APLUMA NEWS SUMMARY FOR MAY 25, 2011

Tue, 24 May 2011 21:48:32 +0100

BROADSHEETS

PHIL. DAILY INQUIRER -- Coral reefs twice size of Manila destroyed

PHILIPPINE STAR -- Government asks Sandigan to reject Garcia deal

MANILA BULLETIN -- Flood alert

DAILY TRIBUNE -- Court orders State to pay Piatco

TABLOIDS

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL -- 'Ondoy 2'

ABANTE -- Chedeng mala-Ondoy -- PAGASA

PILIPINO STAR NGAYON -- Chedeng kasing lakas nina Ondoy, Frank!

ISSUES MONITORING

On Congress

The cost of electricity in the country, already the second highest in Asia next to Singapore, will go up further, energy officials told the House committee on energy yesterday. The committee chaired by Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad, in the course of its hearing on the energy situation, endorsed a consolidated bill extending the power rate subsidy program for the poor by another 10 years. The program is expiring next month, 10 years after the enactment of the Electric Power Industry Restructuring Act (EPIRA) of 2001. It covers those with electricity consumption of up to 100 kilowatt-hours (kwh) a month. (Philstar)

On Gen. Garcia

The government is urging the Sandiganbayan to reverse its decision approving the plea bargaining agreement between government prosecutors and former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. Solicitor General Jose Anselmo Cadiz filed a 124-page consolidated motion for reconsideration yesterday, insisting the plea bargaining deal was void and had no legal basis. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) also insisted on its right to intervene in the case, representing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the aggrieved party. (Philstar)

On education

Funds are available in the coming school year for the hiring of 10,000 more public school teachers and the construction and repair of close to 9,000 classrooms, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). But Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, in an interview here yesterday during the launching of the P26.2-billion expansion project of Yokohama Tires Philippines Inc., said the budget is not enough to fill the backlog for teachers and classrooms. (Philstar)

On NAIA Terminal 3

A Pasay City court awarded Monday the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (PIATCO) $175.79 million in just compensation for the expropriation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) in 2005. Judge Eugenio de la Cruz of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117 ordered the government to pay PIATCO $175,787,245.10 (P7,634,440,054 based on yesterday’s exchange rate of P43.43-$1) less the proffered value of P3,002,125,000 as payment for improvements in NAIA-3. (Philstar)

On Spratlys

Authorities are verifying reports that China has set up garrisons within Philippine-claimed areas in the disputed Spratly Islands, but President Aquino said the reports might be referring to old structures. “When you say garrisons have been built, that can be taken as something new. If the structures were really new, then it’s like they’re blowing up the problem. (Philstar)

On Typhoon Chedeng

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised yesterday storm warning signals in at least six areas in Luzon and the Visayas as tropical storm “Chedeng” continued to move closer to the country. Storm warning signal no. 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon and Samar provinces as of 5 p.m. yesterday. (Philstar)

On fuel subsidy

President Aquino yesterday deferred the implementation of fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk, citing the lack of inventory on their real numbers. Aquino cited the difficulty of getting the real number of farmers and fisherfolk as beneficiaries of the proposed P2-billion farm inputs and fuel subsidy program. (Philstar)

On Bureau of Corrections

Former corrections director Oscar Calderon will be included in the investigation into the liability of officials in the unauthorized trip of convicted murderer Jose Antonio Leviste outside the national penitentiary last week. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the investigating panel to summon Calderon after it was found that the 71-year-old Leviste was granted the privilege to sleep in a private nipa hut within the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) reservation during his watch. (Philstar)

On Grand Lotto

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) reported yesterday that nobody won the 6/55 Grand Lotto online lottery draw last Monday and the jackpot for tonight’s draw is expected to breach P300 million. PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said no one picked the winning number combination 25-37-40-26-07-28 with a jackpot worth P281,053,987.20. (Philstar)