dossiermanila

NEWS MONITORING AND ANALYSIS
March 03, 2009
Tuesday

Headlines and top stories in today’s newspapers

(Updated) Impeachment complaint filed vs Ombudsman, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak -- An impeachment complaint was filed Monday morning at the House of Representatives against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Gutierrez was accused of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for her alleged "inaction and mishandling" of various cases pending before her office.

ANC tried to get the side of Gutierrez but her office said she will hold a news conference at 2 p.m..

The complainants were were led by former Senator Jovito Salonga and civic group Kilosbayan. It was endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel.
“Unfortunately, with Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez at the helm since 1 December 2005, the public trust has completely collapsed,” the complaint said. “Protector of the People has transformed into the coddler of the powerful and corrupt."

Impeachment raps filed vs Ombudsman, PDI banner story, In the 33-page complaint, Salonga and 30 other petitioners stated that public trust in the Office of the Ombudsman as the public protector had “completely collapsed” after it became a “coddler of the powerful and corrupt” since Gutierrez took over in December 2005.

Impeach rap filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez, PDI breaking story 030209 -- "Ombudsman has become synonymous to inaction, mishandling, or downright dismissal of clear cases of graft and corruption, some leading to the President herself or that of her closest associates," according to the 33-page complaint.

Ombudsman faces impeachment raps, Philstar banner story -- Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is facing impeachment before the House of Representatives.

In filing their complaint yesterday, former Senate president Jovito Salonga and 30 other prominent citizens said the Office of the Ombudsman has become “the coddler of the powerful and corrupt” under Gutierrez’s watch.

Gutierrez hits back at Salonga, other critics, Philstar front page -- Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez turned the tables on her detractors yesterday as she accused those behind the impeachment complaint against her of using politics to get back at her.

She said she is prepared to face the allegations being hurled against her by former Senate president Jovito Salonga, former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta, former social welfare secretary Ma. Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Professor Randy David, among others.

Bolante bares plan to run for office, PDI news page -- Former Department of Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante has announced plans to run for an elective position in the 2010 elections.

House okays automation budget, Philstar front page -- The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading last night the proposed P11.3-billion supplemental budget for the automation of the combined presidential, congressional and local elections in May next year.

Palace supports Cha-cha economic reforms, Philstar news page -- Malacañang disowned yesterday the latest move at the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution but maintained support for changes that are geared toward economic reforms and attracting investments.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo made the pronouncement as the House prepared to conduct plenary debates on Speaker Prospero Nograles’ Resolution 737 that seeks to amend the Constitution’s economic provisions to relax restrictions on foreign ownership.

Gloria allies seen making move on Cha-Cha in 2 months, Malaya front page -- THE next two months will be crucial in the fight to thwart moves by allies of President Arroyo in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution and allow her to stay in power beyond 2010, Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition (UNO), said.

Binay, also Makati mayor, called on UNO local leaders, civil society and people’s organizations to prepare to mobilize their forces in the event the House approves any of several measures calling for Charter Change.

Recto stands by P330-B plan, Mirror news page -- THE present P330-billion stimulus package would go a long way if spent with greater transparency and accountability, so that no more additional stimulus spending would be needed even if the economic crisis deepened and lasts longer than expected.

This is the thinking of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), but as Director General Ralph Recto said on Monday, “Efficiency in spending will be crucial considering that while a slight recovery is expected in 2009, this will not be enough to boost the economy. We can’t max out the Philippine credit card. There is no need for more stimulus funds, just better spending.”

Dissatisfaction with GMA at 46% - Pulse Asia, Philstar news page -- Pulse Asia’s February 2009 Ulat ng Bayan Survey found that 46 percent of Filipino adults are dissatisfied with Mrs. Arroyo’s performance, the same rating the President garnered in the last survey conducted in October 2008.

Public distrust of Arroyo still predominant: survey abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | -- Amidst allegations of bribery in drug related cases involving officials of the justice department, charges of bid rigging in road projects that prompted the World Bank to blacklist certain local contractors, a fresh attempt to change the constitution and lukewarm efforts to stem effects of the global financial crisis, a new survey conducted by poll agency Pulse Asia Inc. showed that public sentiment concerning the President Arroyo remains predominantly one of distrust and disapproval.
This sentiment is predominant not only at the national level but in all geographic areas and socio-economic classes as well.
Disapproval and distrust of the President is most marked in Metro Manila where the 62 percent say they disapprove of her performance and 67 percent say they distrust her.
The lowest disapproval and distrust figures (38% and 35%, respectively) are recorded in the Visayas. But even the Visayas, there are more people who disapprove and distrust the President compared to those who approve and trust her (27 percent and 22 percent, respectively).
President Arroyo’s highest trust rating (31%) is granted by those in Mindanao while the lowest figure (11%) is likewise posted in Metro Manila.

Malacañang downplays Pulse Asia trust survey, Manila Times news page -- “I think the survey was not based on actual performance. It was only based on perception and it is very difficult to measure perception,” deputy spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said.

“I don’t think this [survey] should distract the President. She’s working not based on popularity, but rather, on results,” Fajardo added.

Palace withdraws Mercado's nomination, Philstar news page -- Mercado’s nomination was initially blocked by opposition Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, son of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

Mercado served as defense secretary during the administration of Estrada from June 1998 until the former president was ousted from office in January 2001.

Senator Estrada said the CA notified him yesterday about the Palace’s withdrawal of Mercado’s nomination when he manifested his desire to quiz Mercado again during his scheduled confirmation hearing tomorrow.

Erap's operators are destroying Gen. Danny Lim AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo, Philstar Opinion -- The political operators of convicted former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada have been hyperactive lately in trying to promote a power triumvirate featuring Estrada, General Danilo “Danny” Lim and Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

This idea was first broached by Alejandro “Ding” Lichauco in his January 22 column in the Tribune(“Puno-Lim-Erap triumvirate: The political future”).

Then my Ateneo batch mate, Jose Luis “Linggoy” Alcuaz, went to town sending text messages that an important announcement will be posted on Gen. Danny Lim’s website. The much ballyhooed ‘important’ announcement turned out to be the posting of Ding Lichauco’s triumvirate proposal.