Government mulls PAL takeover By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/04/2010

But airline says operations back to normal Government mulls PAL takeover By Benjamin B. Pulta 08/04/2010 President Aquino’s aides appear to have their wires crossed, with one aide contradicting the other. Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters that the Aquino government is not discounting the possibility of taking over the operations of beleaguered national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) as well as sanctioning pilots embroiled in the ongoing labor controversy. But Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus and the PAL officials stated that they are willing to take the resigned pilots back without any sanctions meted. De Jesus also said that the takeover of the airline is to be a last resort, when all else fails. But even as the Aquino aides speak of the possibility of a government takeover, they are also aware of the fact that government cannot tap pilots to fly the PAL planes.  The problem of the airline stems from the resignations of a sizable number of pilots who have been pirated by Hong Kong and Middle East airlines.  While the government does have pilots, they are hardly trained to fly commercial jets..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed1.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer By Mario J. Mallari 08/04/2010

NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer

By Mario J. Mallari 08/04/2010 National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) chief Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue admitted yesterday to having been offered a huge amount in 2004 to be part of a wholesale cheating operations for the then presidential elections while at the same time decrying the supposed injustice suffered by professional officers and men of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who refused to allow themselves to be used in politics. In a radio interview, Angue admitted he was offered millions of pesos in 2004, apparently to allow manipulation of the elections in his area of responsibility. Angue was at that time Navy Task Force 62 commander based in Tawi-Tawi. Former President Arroyo claimed a new six-year term after supposedly winning the elections that year against opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr. by a lead of 1 million votes, the same number of votes that Arroyo sought from former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano as guarantee, as overheard in the infamous Hello Garci recordings. Aside from cash, Angue said the offer also goes with a “choose your assignment” proposal. He admitted that such temptations were not easy to resist. But Angue, a member of the controversial Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978, said he turned down such offer. He was subsequently relieved from his post.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed2.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision By Angie M. Rosales 08/04/2010

Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision

By Angie M. Rosales 08/04/2010 Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday quelled allegations that Palace allies, composing the Liberal Party (LP) bloc, controlled the distribution of committee assignments and secured for themselves the juicy posts. Enrile assumed responsibility in the designation of chairmen in various committees, even taking it upon himself to clear the issue concerning Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who was left with no panel assignment along with Sen. Joker Arroyo. “That’s my decision. I told my colleagues, ‘you know, I assume that when you voted for me as Senate President, I am entitled to make decisions. I’ll make a decision. I give the privilege to you to kick me out if you do not agree’,” Enrile told reporters, adding that his decision in designating each member to a particular committee was based “on the need of government and the capability of each one.” “I based these decisions on the advocacy (of each senator). I have my own notion of the capability of each of us here,” he said. A number of senators have complained over alleged bullying of the ranks of the LP in the Senate in securing their committee assignments. Santiago was vocal in expressing her disgust over the distribution of panel chairmanship which she noted even disregarded the tradition of seniority in choosing who should lead a particular panel. Enrile has a ready answer to this issue, repeatedly emphasizing that it was his decision who should sit as chairman, which was corroborated in separate interviews by Senators Loren Legarda and Franklin Drilon, adding that such was also the consensus made during their closed-door caucus.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed3.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed By Gerry Baldo and Charlie V. Manalo 08/04/2010

Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed

By Gerry Baldo and Charlie V. Manalo 08/04/2010 Members of the Lakas Kampi CMD-dominated House minority bloc are planning to file an ethics case against Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello for his “unparliamentary” remarks against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo. Lawyer Raul Lambino, Lakas Kampi CMD spokesman and Elena Bautista Horn, Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff, said Bello’s acts were “unparliamentary” and “unethical.” “This is precisely why his remarks are now being criticized by several members of Congress, together with the plan of filing a complaint with the ethics committee,” Horn said yesterday. Bello, in his speech lambasted Mrs. Arroyo, saying that corruption was the signature of the Gloria Arroyo presidency and that if her subordinates “behaved like pigs, if the clique and cronies of the previous administration acted as crocodiles, this is because they had a good example of corruption from the top,” he said. Bello said Arroyo was a model “not only in corruption and plunder but a model on how to behave with impunity and subvert democratic institutions.” He said he shares the public’s disgust with the Arroyo government’s “record of orgiastic compensation, brazen manipulation of government agencies and funds for political purposes and massive waste of the people’s money detailed by President Aquino during his State of the Nation Address..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed4.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/04/2010

Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/04/2010 President Aquino’s chief spokesman who has figured in a number of past slip ups, yesterday virtually sucked up to the Supreme Court (SC) in the hope of the high court ruling favorably in the case of Executive Order No. 1 (EO1) which formed the Truth Commission that will investigate irregularities in the past administration, saying that the justices are “expected to rule on the case based on the merits of the executive order, and not because they were appointed by former President Arroyo.” All the current 13 SC justices and Chief Justice Renato Corona were appointed by Mrs. Arroyo.  Spokesman Edwin Lacierda yesterday expressed confidence that the high court will rule on the Palace’s favor even if all their critics gang up on them regarding the constitutionality of the Truth Commission. “We have to trust the institution of the Supreme Court. They are the final arbiter and I’m sure that they will be ruling on the case based on the merits of the executive order and not because they were appointed by the former President Arroyo,” Lacierda explained. The appointment issue is a touchy subject among SC members considering the cold war between Corona and President Aquino, with Aquino openly expressing his preference that Corona gives way to a SC head that he will appoint..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed5.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/04/2010

Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/04/2010 President Aquino has no plans of recalling the appointments of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson despite the issues hounding them, with questions raised over their credibility while holding two crucial government posts.  At a press conference in Malacañang yesterday, Aquino’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, said the allegations and criticisms that have been hurled against Tolentino and Singson have had no effect on the President’s “trust and confidence” on his two appointees.  Lacierda earlier said Aquino was convinced by Tolentino’s claim that the graft charges filed against him when he was still the mayor of Tagaytay City were merely aimed at harassing him.  In Singson’s case, Lacierda reiterated that the Chief Executive has accepted his explanation on the allegations of Singson having forged a “midnight deal” with former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman Efraim Genuino when he was still at the helm of the Maynilad Water Services Inc. in connection with the Entertainment City project of Pagcor in Parañaque City.  Aquino yesterday swore Tolentino into office as MMDA chairman along with 41 others in simple mass oath-taking ceremonies held at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall.  Leading the fresh inductees were: Cayetano Paderangga Jr. (director general, National Economic Development Authority); Angelito Banayo (administrator, National Food Administration); Macra Cruz (office-in-charge, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System); and Emmanuel Joel Villanueva (director general, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority)..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100804hed6.html

HEADLINES Government mulls PAL takeover NCRCom chief admits ’04 poll cheat bribe offer Enrile: Senate committee chairmanships my decision Ethics raps vs Bello’s privilege speech on GMA pushed Palace confident SC to rule on EO1 merit Aquino bullheaded on Tolentino, Singson appointments

Seeking help, refusing to listen EDITORIAL 08/03/2010

Seeking help, refusing to listen

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 08/03/2010 Noynoy Aquino has again sought the public’s participation in his campaign against corruption, saying that citizens should not be bystanders in the fight against the twin evils of government. That’s all to the good, his calling for public support in his claimed fight. And if his yellow devotees are to be believed, they have been raring to help the Noynoy presidency, even as they have also been known to complain that they are being shunted aside by certain power blocs in the Palace. Many appear to be willing not to become bystanders in this fight against the twin evils in government. Yet it seems more like Noynoy is not willing to listen to what is being brought out even in the newspapers, with Noynoy even defending his officials who are being exposed in the media for some infraction or misdeed that goes against his so-called righteous path. Two cases in point substantiate this statement: Not too long ago, the official Noynoy appointed to head the Bureau of Customs, was reported in a big way to have cheated at a golf tournament. The facts were pretty accurate: The Golf Club itself suspended the official and fired two caddies who had altered the golf scores of this official for him to win..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/03/2010

Noynoy’s lose-lose situation

FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 08/03/2010 Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been forced to cancel at least 14 flights — as of last count — due to the mass resignations of their pilots, who apparently have been offered a bigger pay plus perks by a new foreign airline: Hong Kong Air and a MidEast airline. It really must be a difficult situation for PAL, having lost a lot of its pilots — some 25 of them, according to reports. Given the situation PAL faces, the airline will be hard-pressed to be able to immediately find their replacements. It really is a brain-drain problem. Workers, whether of the blue or white collar variety, are truly not earning enough to feed their families, and compared to other countries, workers are paid much higher, which is why we have been losing even our teachers to foreign employment, even as these educators work abroad, not as teachers but as domestics, many of whom face abuses. Given the hard economic times Filipinos experience and high prices in this country and with more Filipinos seeking jobs abroad, it was expected that even the professional Filipinos — doctors, nurses, engineers, and virtually all types of professionals, would be contributing greatly to the great Filipino brain-drain. .... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam FEATURE 08/03/2010

Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam

FEATURE 08/03/2010 KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s top “Young Imam” has vowed to soften the stern image of clerics and energize young Muslims after winning a hugely popular TV talent show search for a top young Islamic leader. The show, which attracted worldwide attention, saw 10 finalists tackle tasks such as reciting verses from the Koran, washing corpses and slaughtering sheep according to Islamic rules. Following the reality TV formula of shows such as American Idol and The X Factor, one contestant was eliminated each week until the series drew to a close on Friday night. Religious scholar Muhammad Asyraf Mohammad Ridzuan, who saw off nine rivals to win the “Young Imam” title, said he wanted to reach out to youngsters to spark their interest in the religion. “I want to be an imam who is friendly to the youth, cool, relaxed, able to play with children and engage the elderly,” the 26-year-old said after the finale, as he hailed the show as a “victory of Islam.”.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Leave Kris alone MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 08/03/2010

Leave Kris alone

MR. EXPOSE Amb. Ernesto Maceda 08/03/2010 The almost unanimous reaction to Archbishop Soc Villegas’ homily about Kris Aquino is negative. Archbishop Villegas in his sermon told Kris: “Your beauty and talents are not yours. They are God’s. Remember all of these things shall pass. You will find your real happiness as your mother did not by being in the limelight but being the spotlight lighting the face of Jesus.” Why do it publicly? It should have been done privately. Let’s leave the lady alone, Archbishop Soc. Finding one’s happiness or marital woes is definitely a private matter. Even Archbishop Villegas’ asking P-Noy to “be our most available and loving bachelor President” was also considered out of line by some sectors and left people guessing about what he meant by using the word bachelor. Is he suggesting P-Noy should not get married? P-Noy’s girlfriend, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad was in attendance. Wonder how she reacted to the homily. Feng Shui prediction. In the light of the troubles of Philippine Air Lines, the Chinese community is talking about a famous Feng Shui’s prediction that 2010, 2011 and 2012 would be down years for Lucio Tan..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Low expectations AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 08/03/2010

Low expectations

AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Ken Fuller 08/03/2010 As expected and intended, President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (okay, Sona), with its revelations of profligate spending, over-purchasing of rice, over-paid (over-allowanced, at least), waterworks and sewerage authority executives and depleted government coffers, created a bit of a rumpus. Such revelations are, of course, necessary if the nation is to fully appreciate the state it’s in. But Noynoy’s honeymoon period may be the one he creates for himself, lasting as long as he can maintain a positive satisfaction rating by dwelling on the alleged transgressions and follies of the ancient regime. But that kind of thing may have a short shelf-life, particularly if those transgressions are confirmed and there’s no sign of retribution. Besides which, it won’t be too long — maybe — before it begins to dawn on people that these crime and punishment questions will, even if resolved, make very little impact on the fundamental problems of the country. It’s like playing cops and robbers in a house that’s on fire. Yes, the robbers need to be brought to justice, but the fire needs extinguishing, with reconstruction work commencing shortly thereafter. The sona was short on extinguishing and reconstruction content..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus 08/03/2010

Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall

focus 08/03/2010 WASHINGTON — The question of death and taxes has risen to the fore in Washington as the demise of prominent billionaires has underscored a fluke which allows big estates to escape taxes, but only for this year. Highlighting the conundrum has been the death of wealthy Americans including oil tycoon Dan Duncan and New York Yankees baseball owner George Steinbrenner, who can pass on their fortunes to heirs with no taxes. Duncan’s fortune was estimated at $9 billion and Steinbrenner’s at $1.1 by Forbes magazine. If they had died in 2009 or 2011, their estates would have paid huge amounts of taxes to the US Treasury. The heirs avoided the tax man because a law enacted in 2001 under then President George W. Bush phased out the estate tax entirely in 2010. But the law expires in 2011, putting the tax back into effect at 2001 levels, with rates up to 55 percent. Lawmakers and others claim it is folly for the government to allow such dramatic changes in the inheritance tax depending on the year of death, and are pressing for quick reform. Some activists say the estate tax is progressive because it distributes wealth from the richest; but critics deride it as a “death tax” and claim it hurts farms and family businesses when an owner dies..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

Soaring e-book sales speak volumes focus 08/03/2010

Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

focus 08/03/2010 HONG KONG — After years of lurking in the literary wilderness, the e-book market has exploded with online retailer Amazon.com’s digital volumes recently overtaking sales of their hardcover counterparts. The increase in sales has come as Amazon slashes the price on its Kindle device amid heavy competition from Apple’s multi-purpose iPad and e-readers from Sony and bookstore giant Barnes & Noble. Underscoring the growth, Hong Kong’s massive book fair, an annual event attended by almost one million people, wrapped up last week with visitors exposed to a brand-new section: Digital reading. Beijing-based Hanvon Technology unveiled a black-and-white tablet reader that comes with 5,000 Chinese and English book titles pre-installed for about 3,400 Hong Kong dollars (440 US). Readers can download thousands more titles for as little as 20 Hong Kong dollars each on the device, which also lets users enlarge the typeface, take notes and look up words in the dictionary..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100803com7.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Seeking help, refusing to listen FRONTLINE Noynoy’s lose-lose situation FEATURE Malaysia ‘Imam Idol’ seeks to put friendly face on Islam MR. EXPOSE Leave Kris alone AN OUTSIDERS VIEW Low expectations focus Debate on death and taxes heats up as billionaires fall focus Soaring e-book sales speak volumes

No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace By Aytch S. de la Cruz and Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2010

Senator: Noy usurping Congress powers No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace By Aytch S. de la Cruz and Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2010 Malacañang stood pat on the alleged legal basis that founded President Aquino Executive Order No.1, creating the Truth Commission, last Friday despite the slew of criticisms issued by lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate on the matter over the weekend. Two of Aquino’s Communications Group (ComGroup) officials, in separate radio interviews yesterday, underscored that the truth body remains independent, stemming from the authority of the President, saying it is inappropriate to say that his office is trying to usurp the powers of either of its co-equal branches, the legislative and the judiciary, with his decision to establish the truth commission through an EO. ComGroup information dissemination unit head, Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, nonetheless admitted that until now some of the policies with respect to the rules of procedures by the Truth Commission remain unclear pending its draft to be issued by its chairman, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. Coloma said the full construction of the Truth Commission is now under process with the ongoing reviews on the qualification of the nominees who would fill up its staffing requirements as stated under the EO’s Section 3. He, however, added that even as the nation awaits the rules of procedure to be outlined by Davide, it is deemed that the Truth Commission has already started on its mandate which would eventually lead to the conduct of public hearings on the graft cases to be filed against the officials of the previous administration.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed1.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings

Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET 08/03/2010

Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET

08/03/2010 Vice President Jejomar Binay has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the election protest filed against him by defeated vice presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP). In a 76-page comment and counter-protest filed by his counsel Sandra Coronel yesterday, Binay cited a ruling of the high tribunal, which also serves as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), that said there should first be an indication as to what precincts where the electoral fraud was allegedly committed. Binay argued that the electoral protest filed by Roxas did not mention a particular place or precincts where the alleged electoral fraud was committed during the May 10, 2010 automated elections. Binay won by 727,084 votes over Roxas. In his counter-protest, the Vice President asked the PET to order the recount of votes from 40,000 precincts in Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas) and Caraga where electoral fraud was allegedly committed against Binay.  On July 9, Roxas questioned the victory of Binay before the PET and asked the PET to order a recount of some three million votes nullified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed2.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings

Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/03/2010

Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’

By Aytch S. de la Cruz 08/03/2010 Malacanang’s elation over the dismissal by the Singapore arbitration body of the case against the government by the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) may be shortlived, especially since the arbitration body also dismissed the counter claim of the government that sought some $900 million against Piatco. More troubling for the Aquino government is the ruling by the arbitration body that the body’s decision does not in any way affect in any manner the “just compensation” to Piatco, being the builder of the air terminal, for expropriating the property. This means that the Aquino government will have to still pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Piatco. Malacañang also yesterday denied speculations that the government this early is considering engaging in an out-of-court settlement with Piatco after defeating it recently in an arbitration case filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Singapore. President Aquino was quoted as saying that he is still awaiting a briefing on the details to move it forward so that NAIA-3 can be used to its maximum capacity in time and we’re targeting at the very least for the Christmas holidays,” Aquino said. “It is significant that in both of these arbitration cases they have lost and the government and the people have won and now they are now (going to) go back to our court system to be guided under our laws,” he added.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed3.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings

Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights 08/03/2010

Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights

08/03/2010 Government forces yesterday were still unable to bridge the gaps between the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its pilots whose exodus caused a series of canceled flights over the weekend that has affected not only the trade and tourism aspects of the country but also its reputation. In a press conference hosted by Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus at Malacañang last night, he admitted it is still a “work in progress” insofar as the dispute between PAL and over two dozens of its pilots is concerned. “We have tried to ask Philippine Airlines officials what the issues are and we tried to do the same with representatives of the pilots and what we have agreed on is that we will meet with the representatives of other pilots Tuesday after which, we will arrange a dialog with the Philippine Airlines between the two groups,” De Jesus explained. He declined to disclose what issues have been discussed between in detail pending the efforts that all the parties concerned were inclined to take to arrive at an amicable settlement. De Jesus only mentioned that, for the benefit of the riding public that is the most affected on this issue, they were promised by PAL officials to come up with a rescheduling of flights to be announced to the public as well as the plan to merge two flights in one to accommodate more passengers..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed4.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings

Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace 08/03/2010

Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace

08/03/2010 Malacañang yesterday admitted that President Aquino is fully aware of the controversies his allies are facing and that the Chief Executive had even talked to Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino about the graft charges before he was appointed. “The President is fully aware of the cases,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. Tolentino and defeated Liberal Party senatorial candidate Nereus Acosta, are facing separate graft charges. Acosta also yesterday entered a plea of not guilty on the charges of fraud invoving P10,5 million in government funds. Acosta is also reportedly being groomed to be the next secretary of the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) after the one year ban. Like Tolentino, Acosta claimed that the case against him was politically motivated..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed5.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners posting

No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2010

No panel for Santiago as LP corners postings

By Angie M. Rosales 08/03/2010 President Aquino’s Senate allies nailed down the more sought after committee leadership posts in the upper chamber in yesterday’s caucus on committee assignments with none going to members of the minority including Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago. But the cornering of the choice posts was not done without having to enter into concessions with some colleagues comprising the “broader” majority bloc whom they have been engaging in a clash for weeks now. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile assumed responsibility over the distribution of the so-called permanent committees. Enrile’s stance was made as earlier in the day as Santiago openly denounced the moves being taken by Palace allies led by the ranks of the Liberal Party (LP) in the Senate, who were accused of dictating on the leadership the distribution of committees. Santiago said the issue of committee chairmanships is not yet settled, even as there are only two that remain “unfilled”  following a closed-door caucus in the middle of their plenary proceedings and later on, the elections on the floor. Santiago said: “In case there is voting on the floor, this will be the first time in Senate history for the committee chairmanships.” Santiago, prior to the plenary session, admitted to reporters her preference to handle this time, the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations or the blue ribbon, which can handle the probe on practically all cases of anomalies in the government. Santiago, however, did not participate in the caucus, according to Enrile.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100803hed6.html

HEADLINES No stopping truth body, in law, public opinion —Palace Junk Roxas’ poll protest, VP asks PET Gov’t still has to pay Piatco for ‘just compensation’ Gov’t fails at PAL mediation job; airline to cut flights Noy alerted on graft cases against allies — Palace No panel for Santiago as LP corners postinng