Philippine News Monitoring
August 7, 2007


List of newspapers (broadsheets) with websites:
1. Business World: bworld.com.ph, bworld.net
2. Business Mirror: businessmirror.com.ph
3. Philippine Daily Inquirer: www.inquirer.net ( the two newsagencies have separate editorial board, thus, stories are not allthe same)
4. Malaya: www.malaya.com.ph
5. Manila Bulletin: www.mb.com.ph
6. Manila Standard Today:www.manilastandardtoday.com
7. Philippine Star:www.philstar.com
8. The Daily Tribune:tribune.net.ph
9. TheManilaTimes:www.manilatimes.net

SECTIONS:

1. Headline (includes top news)
2. Front Page News
3. Other News (includes Metro, Nation, Second Page, and inside stories)
4. Editorial
5. Opinion (includes letters to the editors, analysis, etc.)

*********HEADLINE NEWS***********

Villar warns vs raising bus taxes Senate head urges DoF to rethink plan Commuters will bear the burden – Villar Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday warned government against the imposition of additional tax on operators of buses, jeepneys and taxis by 2,600 percent, saying the burden will eventually fall on commuters in the form of fare increases. http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2007080799652.html

FG foe gets Blue RibbonTuesday, August 7, 2007 Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, whose stint as congressman was marked by his vociferous criticism of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, was named chairman yesterday of the powerful Senate Blue Ribbon committee.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806233

Majority, minority get major posts; Alan C heads blue ribbonFearing a possible unceremonious ouster from his regained post, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday sped up the reorganization of the chamber, naming neophyte opposition Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano the new blue ribbon chairman while others identified with the opposition bloc were given major committee assignments. http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20070807hed1.html

‘Floating’ top cops get Mindanao postsAT least 300 senior police officers who are on “floating status”—some of them for several years—will be sent to Mindanao to take up new assignments, the Philippine National Police’s Chief for Directorial Staff, Police Director Jesus Versoza said on Monday.http://www.manilatimes.net/

Malacañang stands by sick Justice chief MALACAÑANG squelched rumors yesterday that it was planning to replace ailing Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, who has just been released from an undisclosed hospital after treatment for a bleeding stomach ulcer. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news1_aug6_2007

More lapses surfaceon Basilan fightingWho gave order for aircraft to return home without firing?A MILITARY official yesterday denied news reports that the pilots of the attack aircraft and the ground troops used different radio frequencies at the height of the Basilan clash last July 10.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/news1.htm

No go for broadband deal--Palace adviser Apostol: Where's copy of contract?THE CONTROVERSY over the $329-million national broadband network (NBN)contract that went to ZTE Corp. of China was reduced Monday to a paper chase.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=80962

P12/day pay hike for Metro ManilaThe Metro Manila wage board yesterday kicked off this year’s round of minimum wage adjustments by ordering a P12 increase, bringing base pay in the metropolis to a maximum P362 per day. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=001

Metro wage board OKs P12 hikeMETRO Manila’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) completed on Monday its deliberations on the P75 wage petition by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), decreeing a P12 increase in their daily take-home pay. Organized labor quickly denounced the amount as “measly,” and accused the government of colluding with employers.http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/headlines01.html


**********FRONT PAGE/TOP NEWS***********

Cayetano heads Blue Ribbon Committee Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, a neophyte in the 23-member Senate, got early last night the chairmanship of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, a development that signals the start of the Upper Chamber’s stalled legislative work. http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2007080799655.html

Alan gets Blue RibbonOPPOSITION senators yesterday got 15 of 32 committees, including the Blue Ribbon panel.Neophyte Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was finally named chairman of the committee on accountability of public officers, which is the official name of the Blue Ribbon committee.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/news2.htm

Alan Cayetano elected head of Senate blue ribbon committee MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) Opposition Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has been elected chairman of the Senate blue-ribbon committee as 22 other members of the majority bloc got the chairmanships of important committees in the upper chamber.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=80922

Angara airs concern on education policies Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday expressed concern that Malacañang’s policies on education might be "retrogressing." Angara said government’s programs for education appear to be retrogressing to the days before the Commission on Education (EDCOM) which he chaired in 1991.http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2007080799662.html

Palace denies Pangilinan claim on judicial budget slash MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang on Monday refuted Senator Francis Pangilinan’s claims it was squeezing the judiciary’s budget in retaliation for the Supreme Court’s summit on extrajudicial killings, where the possible liability of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the bloodshed was brought up.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=80923

Noynoy defends LP, hits Gordon’s broadsideSEN. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III let out a mouthful yesterday in defense of the Liberal Party following Sen. Richard Gordon’s tirade over the weekend that the Liberal and the Nacionalista Parties have nothing to offer to the Filipino people in 2010 after both failing to bring about changes during their golden years.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/metro3.htm

Nene won’t be around in hearing of son’s electoral protestSENATE minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday said he will inhibit himself from the Senate Electoral Tribunal when it hears the electoral protest filed by his son Aquilino Pimentel III against Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/metro4.htm

Pimentel inhibits self from son’s election protestSenate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. formally inhibited himself from being appointed as member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) where his son, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, has filed an election protesthttp://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806244

Senators slam vehicle tax Mar Roxas said the planned increase on Aug. 18 was unfair, and Panfilo Lacson described it as “shortsighted and unconscionable,” adding he would ask the Senate ways and means committee to look into the matter. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news6_aug6_2007

Opposition senators now getting their act togetherAfter calling each other names, opposition senators are now talking and getting together to regain control of the Senate, which they failed to achieve due to the bickering over the Senate presidency.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806243

Cheap medicine bill to reduce prices by as much as 70%The principal author of the Cheap Medicine Bill yesterday said that a price reduction of 70 to 80 percent in medicine is expected once the proposed measure is signed into law.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806256

Pinoys rate GMA highly on foreign relations, but low on fighting corruptionFilipinos rated the Arroyo administration highly on foreign relations, but poorly on fighting inflation and corruption, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported yesterday.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806245

GMA rated poorly on hunger, graft GMA rated poorly on hunger, graftA survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) has apparently validated perceptions that hunger stalks ordinary Filipinos and graft and corruption pervades the Arroyo government despite the supposed economic takeoff and all-out war against thieves in the public service.http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20070807hed3.html

Plan to upgrade rank of 44 PNP officials to cost P1 M annuallyThe plan to upgrade the ranks of 44 officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will cost the organization almost a million pesos annually because each police officer will have a monthly increase of some P1,400 in their salary.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806249

Watchdogs warn anti-terror law to breed ‘police state’Rights watchdogs yesterday warned against the rise of a fascist state if the country’s highest court will not stop the implementation of the Arroyo-sponsored anti-terrorism law.http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20070807hed4.html

US solons’ ‘letter of concern’ uncalled for — Palace execA Malacañang official yesterday branded as “unfair” the move taken by some 49 American lawmakers by writing a “letter of concern” urging President Arroyo to act on the escalating human rights situation in the Philippines.http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20070807hed5.html

Metro workers get wage hikePrivate sector minimum wage workers in Metro Manila will get P12 more daily.Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said the regional wage board in the National Capital Region (NCR) approved the salary increase as well as the inclusion of the P50 emergency cost of living allowance or COLA in the daily basic pay. This pegs the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila at P362.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806238

House ICT committee to look into ZTE dealThe House committee on information and communications technology will look into the government’s controversial $330-million (about P15 billion) deal with Chinese firm ZTE Corp. for the establishment of a national broadband network (NBN).http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806241

Housing budget to increase to P7.3 BBudget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. disclosed yesterday that the allocation for housing programs would be doubled from P3.5 billion this year to P7.3 billion in the 2008 national budget.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070806242

GMA acts to stop sexual harassment in backyard PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has created a committee to investigate what one official has called the alarming rate of sexual harassment cases in the offices attached to Malacañang. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news5_aug6_2007

Electric jeep program gets stuck in idle by red tape THE so-called electric jeepneys have yet to take to the streets of Makati despite last month’s successful test run as a result of government bureaucracy, an official said yesterday. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news4_aug6_2007

‘Sin tax’ take plummets as producers beat rate hike THE excise tax from cigarettes and alcoholic beverages fell a little over 9 percent in the year to June 2007, and mainly because manufacturers moved large quantities from their factories to their warehouses last year to beat this year’s higher taxes, government data showed. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news2_aug6_2007

Bulk of P7.3B housing budget to go to resettlementMALACAÑANG has more than doubled the budget for housing programs in 2008 to P7.3 billion from P3.5 billion in 2007, with most of the increase going to the establishment of resettlement sites and the construction of housing units.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/metro2.htm

Telecom chief sacked; frequency for controversial broadband deal seen as reasonNTC chief replacedPRESIDENT Arroyo has sacked National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Abraham Abesamis, a move seen as related to the controversial national broadband network project.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/news3.htm

House bill seeks ‘limited emergency powers’ for Arroyo MANILA, Philippines -- A resolution granting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “limited emergency powers” to address the “lingering drought problem” in some parts of the country is set to be filed at the House of Representatives.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=80865

Officials at odds over wharfage feesThe Trade department wants wharfage fees reduced anew to help exporters but the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is resisting the request, saying it can no longer afford to shoulder the loss. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=002

Tax refund policy changed as BIR moves to boost takeThe Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has restored its old policy governing tax refunds in a move observers said would not hurt the government’s bid to boost revenues but instead encourage tax compliance. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=004

Competitiveness requires adoption of more standardsThe Philippines is on track to achieving world-class standards for its products and services but needs to adopt more benchmarks if it wants to compete globally, an official of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) yesterday said. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=005

GMA ally files resolution for Palace emergency powers DESPITE strong opposition from several sectors, a congressman has filed a resolution seeking to grant President Arroyo limited emergency powers to address the drought facing agriculture.http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/headlines07.html

DoJ chief dares Palace to let him goJustice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday chal-lenged Malacañang to let him go despite assurances from Malacañang that he will not be replaced or sacked by President Arroyo.http://tribune.net.ph/headlines/20070807hed6.html

Dry spell:Agri might miss 2007 targetsPLARIDEL, Bulacan: Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said Monday that his office’s growth targets for the aggie sector this year might not be met owing to the prolonged dry spell.http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top2.html

Tourists can now extend stay up to two yearsA new Immigration policy now allows tourists and other temporary visitors to stay in the country up to two years—and even longer, The Times learned Monday. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top3.html

T. C. Chedeng seems to answer prayers for rainPrayers for rain and typhoons, to prevent the onset of a drought, appear to be bearing fruit. The Catholic Masses last Sunday all ended with a prayer for rain and the good of the nation. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top4.html AFP denies setting up food blockade in BasilanTHE Armed Forces (AFP) on Monday denied reports in The Times and other papers that it had set-up a food blockade in Basilan province where troops are running after the suspected killers of the 14 Marines, 10 of whom were beheaded, early last month. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top5.html

DepEd’s ‘Errata Guide’ made errors worse—GoA local school owner and administrator chided the Department of Education for its “inadequate and misleading” 21-page “Errata Guide” to correct errors in the textbooks the agency distributes, saying the list does little to remedy the problems. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top6.html

Importers’ documents for sale to smugglersACCREDITATION of importers at the Bureau of Customs is for sale, one of the reasons the bureau is having a hard time running after big-time smugglers. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/top_stories/20070807top7.html

************OTHER NEWS*************

On cheap drugs: Kill-bill lobby revived Lawmakers are bracing for an alleged black propaganda which drug manufacturers have launched using a P1-billion fund to block the passage of the cheap medicine bill in Congress. Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu and Rep. Ferjenol Biron of Iloilo exposed the smear campaign even as they called on the House and Senate to reconcile the differing versions on the cheap medicine bill. Among the targets of the black propaganda are Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Mar Roxas who have filed their own versions of the bill, Biron said. Senator Loren Legarda, considered a presidential timber, also filed a related bill, focusing on the strict enforcement of the Generic Drugs Law as a way to reduce the prices of medicine. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_aug6_2007

P1-trillion budget tops advisory group’s agenda President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and leaders of Congress will meet in Malacañang tomorrow to tackle the priority legislative measures, including the proposed P1.227-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2008. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics4_aug6_2007

Why double GOCCs subsidies, Roxas asksWith problems caused by severe shortfalls in tax collections, the administration’s doubling of subsidies for government corporations must be explained fully, Sen. Mar Roxas demanded on Monday. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/metro/20070807met4.html

House urged to expedite approval of cheap med billThe long-pending cheaper medicine bill in the House of Representatives will be passed this year and possibly implemented on the first quarter of 2008, its author said on Monday. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/metro/20070807met5.html

30 graft cases under review The Office of the President is expected to decide shortly on at least 30 graft cases against presidential appointees, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics2_aug6_2007

On Erap CDs: Court-martial of Marine officer upheld The Court of Appeals has rejected the petition for habeas corpus filed by Marine 1Lt. Artemio Raymundo Jr. and his wife, Salome, questioning the validity of his arrest and detention for distributing copies of three documentaries on ousted President Joseph Estrada. The administration banned the documentaries for threatening the stability of the state. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics6_aug6_2007

P12 hike in daily pay of NCR wage earners approved The Metro Manila wage board approved yesterday a P12 increase in the daily salary of minimum wage earners in the metropolis.http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2007080799664.html
Ombudsman backed on appointments The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the power and independence of the Office of the Ombudsman in appointing its officials and personnel. http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2007080799666.html

Human rights groups ask SC to reject HSA Several groups of human rights activists asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to declare unconstitutional Republic Act (RA) No. 9372, the "Human Security Act of 2007" (HSA), or the anti-terrorism law. http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2007080799668.html

More groups question HSA legality before SCANOTHER petition was filed yesterday before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 6732 – the Human Security Act of 2007 or the anti-terror law – saying that the law is more of an "imminent threat to basic human rights."http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/metro1.htm

Disaster management agencies brace for Basilan encounterZamboanga City — The government’s frontline disaster management agencies have prepared measures to assist civilians who could be adversely affected by hostilities in Basilan province, officials said yesterday. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=071

High court eyes powers to halt deathsTHE SUPREME Court is looking at strengthening its powers to help halt the killing of leftist activists, including forcing the military to thoroughly probe allegations against soldiers, the chief justice said. http://bworld.com.ph/content.php?id=075

GMA warns bandits vs attacking docs ‘HARM MEDICAL WORKERS AND SEE HADES’ PRESIDENT Arroyo on Monday warned terrorists that they face annihilation if they hurt any members of a medical team she had dispatched to Basilan to treat wounded soldiers and conduct free clinics for residents.http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/nation01.html

Congressman seeks probe into Reyes’s ‘midnight deal’ with Guam-based firm A MILITANT legislator wants Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes investigated over the US$1.3-million alleged “midnight deal” he signed before leaving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources last week, an act the congressman said is another case of corruption involving a high-profile government official.http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/nation04.html Ombudsman’s independence upheld by Supreme CourtTHE Supreme Court ruled that no other agency of government could encroach on the power and independence of the Office of the Ombudsman to appoint its officials and personnel. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/metro/20070807met1.html

Alternative ID needs congressional approval, says DOJTHE Department of Justice has junked the plan of Malacañang to use a customized community tax certificate, better known as “cedula,” as an alternative to the national ID system. The proposed unified multipurpose identification system will help implement of the Human Securities Act monitoring citizens. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/metro/20070807met3.html

*******************EDITORIAL********************

Shanghaied to Baghdad SCARY was the testimony of Rory Mayberry before a US congressional committee on July 26. He told the story about how, in this age, foreign workers could be tricked by a contractor for the US government to work on a project they knew nothing about, for which they were not prepared and, when they were on the project, worked under bad conditions. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/opinion/20070807opi1.html

A looming crisisThe other day health officials denied that the number of hospitals in the country had dropped drastically from 2,000 in 1987 to the current 890. The figures were reported by the Philippine Medical Association, which warned that more hospitals are expected go out of business as the exodus of health professionals continues and the government prevents hospitals from refusing to discharge patients until medical bills have been settled. http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25

Mini-dams needed IT is too early to tell if the current dry spell in the Philippines, especially in Luzon, will have a significant impact on the overall performance of the economy. The dry spell has initially affected rice, corn and tobacco production and, to a certain extent, the power supply mix of the state-owned National Power Corp. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=editorial_aug6_2007

ASEAN Week 2007 PURSUANT to Presidential Proclamation No. 1008 dated May 21, 1997, the country celebrates ASEAN Week annually every August 7-13. The highlight of this year’s celebration is the 40th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok with five original members, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. In 1984, Brunei Darussalam joined the association, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED2007080799670.html

Regular powers will doThe proposal to arm Gloria Arroyo with emergency powers to fight a looming drought went down like a lead balloon. Legislators crossed party lines to express their opposition. The Palace promptly reacted with a statement that extra powers are likely unnecessary after all.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edit.htm

White elephants The administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo doesn’t even know where it will get the funds for the “legacy" projects she had outlined in her State of the Nation Address, and yet it seems determined to carry out two broadband projects that would cost $789 million. Why?http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view_article.php?article_id=80963

Addressing the water-supply crisisIT’S funny that the government is thinking about having “emergency powers” to address the water-supply shortage in Metro Manila. It’s as if the government could force the rains to come by fiat or presidential signature. http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/opinion01.html

**********************OPINION***************************

Advisory Council meeting today By HERN P. ZENAROSAWHEN the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) convenes at Malacañang today, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be playing the role of the President in the enactment of laws. http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED2007080799681.html

Flash Gordon strikes By ADRIAN E. CRISTOBALONLY my generation remembers Flash Gordon, the comics hero whose arch enemy was the evil Ming. Sen. Richard Gordon is the new Flash blasting his ray gun at the political parties and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). He has weighed the Nacionalista and Liberal Parties which are being "rehabilitated" or "reconstructed" respectively by Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Mar Roxas, and found them wanting. In Gordon’s view, these parties had offered nothing not only in the past but in the present.http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED2007080799671.html

Trillanes has the mandate to be inside Congress (Reader)FR. JESUS V. DUMAUAL, MSC, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu CitySen. Antonio Trillanes IV had a point when he cited court rulings on cases seemingly similar to his (though I wonder if he could have made better choices for purposes of comparison).http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=80972

They scorch, we bleed?By: Lito BanayoScorched earth. Leave nothing for others.This seems to be the policy behind the "legacy."They are selling off everything. Transco, of course. They’ve laid out several attempts to sell the transmission of power from generating plants to the distributors. Epira mandated it, but somehow, the "right" buyer has yet to be found. Was this the reason the decent, unassuming Popo Lotilla had to be "axed"? And why the overbearing and pompous jack-of-all-trades, Angelo, had to be called in? Would he "play"? And what could be the perks of playing along?http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edbanayo.htm

Presidentiables for 2010By: Ducky ParedesSenator Dick Gordon seems to have announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2010. He did this when asked whether he was a possible candidate, the senator said: "Well, I am available. I’m a liar if I would say I don’t think of it. There were a lot who want me to run for the presidency, since the 1992 and 1998 elections. Even in 2004 I did not aspire for the position. The race was too tight then. In 2010, maybe. Maybe. Most probably." http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edducky.htm

‘Amnesty Me’By: Ellen TordesillasThe twin rejection by Makati RTC Judge Oscar Pimentel Court in a span of five days in cases where Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is involved gives credence to talks of an amnesty proclamation being worked out on Gloria Arroyo can ride and ensure protection for herself for the crimes she has committed against the Filipino people.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edtorde.htm

Legislative measures to save Philippine languages By: Prof. Fred S. Cabuang AUGUST in the Philippines can be called the “Language Month,” for in this time of the year, private and public schools set their attention on the national language and different regional languages in the Philippines. Our country is very rich in languages. Linguistic experts have estimated that Philippine languages are between 170 and 180. However, some of the languages specially those that are spoken by indigenous peoples around the country have died many years ago and presently, some are endangered. Researchers have estimated that at least two languages die each month. It is predicted that in 50 years, most of the 6,809 languages spoken in the world will die out. Something must be done soon before the world will realize that the Philippines has the most number of languages that perished in the next five decades. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/opinion/20070807opi8.html

When will we ever learn? MEN & EVENTS By Alito L. Malinao Afew days ago, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced that it is investigating the operations of Performance Investment Products Corp. (PIPC) after its Singaporean owner, Michael Liew, disappeared with at least $250 million in investors’ money.http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/aug/07/yehey/opinion/20070807opi6.html


Medicines, doctors,and nursesBy: AG RomualdezThe confused situation is ripe for exploitation by the whole range of opponents of drug price legislation who continue to reap enormous profits from the status quo. These range from the hard-line members of PHAP (the pharmaceutical group which enjoys the benefits of over-extended patent rights) to the hard-core members of PHAP (the hospital group which enjoys the benefits of selling over-priced drugs to captive in-patients). The opposition would also include owners of "fly by night" firms whose only customers are government agencies that agree to "commissioned" pricing of procured items.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edromuald.htm
Wrongdoing must be penalizedROSES & THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces In last week’s reports, Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and witnesses confirmed that four Abu Sayyaf members were responsible for the decapitation of four of the 14 Marine soldiers who were slain in Basilan. A local official, whose men were implicated in the ambush and beheading, also confirmed that one primary reason why the soldiers were killed was because they entered the MILF territory without proper consultation. But there were also reports that arms were decapitated in order to get the rings on the soldiers’ fingers and that some of the soldiers were tortured first before being killed. To me, it is clear that there was no principle or rationale behind the killings. It was plain banditry and criminal behavior that have been exhibited.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25&aid=2007080683

Masinloc sale augurs well for power sectorPOSTSCRIPT By Federico D. Pascual Jr. CALACA NEXT: Buoyed by the recent sale of the 600-megawatt Masinloc plant in Zambales, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm) has announced that 17 investor groups have expressed interest in the 600-mw Calaca coal power plant.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25&aid=2007080685

The Marcos hidden assets are surfacingAS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo Ninoy Aquino, in one of his classic tirades against the Marcoses, once quipped that then First Lady Imelda Marcos was already heavily involved in the mining industry. Ninoy joked: “Imelda would point at the most lucrative and desirable things in the Philippines and she would claim — that is mine, that is mine, that is mine.”http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25&aid=2007080687

ProspectsFIRST PERSON By Alex Magno There is little indication our economic growth is about to slacken significantly despite the adverse developments of the past few weeks.http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Opinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25&aid=2007080688

Where’s Jonas Burgos?By: Dahli AspilleraCall 02/454-6468 for the site of the Jonas Burgos solidarity gathering today. Jonas was having lunch at the Hapag Kainan at Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City on April 28 when confronted by six men and one woman. The abductors told protesting restaurant employees that they were police, as they dragged the victim into a Toyota Revo vehicle with license plates TAB194.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/eddahli.htm

Deal or no dealBy: Romeo LimThe Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) may think that its P85 billion accomplishment is something to crow about. After all, P85 billion is a substantial amount of money anyway you look at it. But that is a far cry from what the Marcoses and their allies are alleged to have stolen, with the figures normally starting at US$5 billion.http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edromeo.htm

And the winner is … MyanmarBy: Rey Arcilla....Speaking of Reyes, Senator Miriam D. Santiago vowed she will block his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments for being "incompetent." ....http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug07/edrey.htm

Father Ed’s excellent adventure NEWSSTAND by: John NeryIn the last couple of weeks, speculation on the 2010 race has centered on two presumptive rivals, each one closely identified with a traditional political party. I caught a glimpse, however, of the results of a very recent nationwide survey, still under embargo, and -- how do we say this? -- the frontrunner status of the two rivals is not reflected in the results.http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=80966

Big headache for PDICMarket Files by: Lito Gagni The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC), the banks’ bank of last resort, is in for a big headache. It cannot seemingly enforce a financial pact it has drawn with the owners of Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCom) for the huge help it gave to the bank, which suffered a liquidity crunch three years ago. http://businessmirror.com.ph/08072007/opinion03.html

Marcos-government deal: Is there a connivance?Mirror on the wall by:Raul ValinoNow it’s the Makati Business Club (MBC) which is asking: Is there a secret deal between the heirs of President Ferdinand Marcos and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG)?

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