Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 12/06/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: KEEP FVR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
A signature campaign aimed at allowing President Ramos to seek reelection is now underway. A private citizens group called "PIRMA" is spearheading the drive which, they say, Malacanang knows nothing of. President Ramos has repeatedly said no to a second term. He even told members of his party not to push him into running again. But some people outside the party want Ramos to stay on after 1998.One group is now spearheading the drive. PIRMA, or People's Initiative for Reforms, Modernization and Action. They are calling for constitutional amendments by way of a people's initiative to allow Ramos a second term. Under the law, PIRMA must gather signatures at least 12 percent of all voters nationwide so their proposition can be presented in a plebiscite. There were 36.4 million registered voters in last year's general elections. PIRMA says it can present 5 million signatures by mid-January, in time for the Barangay elections in May. The group denies Malacanang is involved in their plans. Other members include a former Constitutional Commission delegate, a businessman, a trial court judge, and a former leftist leader.
Human rights groups warn, however, the signature campaign would mean the death of democracy. The framers of the Constitution imposed term limits to prevent another Marcos. But PIRMA believes that's no guarantee against abuses. For them, Ramos's economic achievements and the perceived lack of good candidates in 1998, are enough reasons to keep Ramos in power. But, as others see it, this campaign will divide the country as the issue of Constitutional amendments had in the past. In this country, charter changes bring fears of a dictatorship on the rebound. Malacanang was the first to wash its hands in public. But some Lakas Party members in the House of Representatives are all for it. The committee on constitutional amendments is deliberating on several bills and resolutions that call for charter changes. The committee will release its report before Christmas.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia has repeatedly warned congressmen to keep their hands off any people's initiative. But that's easier said than done. LDP senators believe if the palace won't stop the signature campaign, it might be, at the very least, supporting it quietly. But whether Malacanang is behind it or not is beside the point. The test is the success or the failure of the campaign. Will 12 percent of the voter population sign up even if their leaders tell them otherwise? Congressman Emigdio Tanjuatco is chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms. He believes selfish interests will dominate the debates on the issue. Senator Ernesto Herrera warns a successful campaign will destabilize succession in leadership. Others, too, are upset by the idea. An anti-charter change group will take its protest all the way to the Supreme Court. Pastoral letters will be read in Catholic churches all over the country. Businessmen expect the issue to cause instability, which is the last thing we need. The nation is about to be divided over a charter that's barely a decade old.
Subject: MACEDA's THREAT, FVR DEFENSE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Senate President Ernesto Maceda refuses to let up against the Public Estates Authority-Amari land deal, and has turned his sights on the President. Maceda wants this contract between the PEA and Amari Coastal Bay Development Corporation rescinded. If the President fails to act on it, Maceda says he will go to court. He says Amari is controlled by Ital-Thai, a real estate giant based in Thailand. Maceda says this goes against constitutional limits on foreign ownership which should not exceed 40 percent. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents show, Amari's foreign partners have a paid capital of P20 million, as against the P7.5 million of the Sy family. But Amari argues, Maceda should look instead at the number of shares held by Filipino stockholders. Malacanang is not yet about to give in to Maceda. Executive Secretary Ruben Torres says, the President will only make his move once the results of a probe on the PEA land deal are out. The Ombudsman has promised to launch a separate investigation after critics raised fears of a possible whitewash.Deputy Ombudsman Francisco Villa says, even the President could be investigated over the land deal. After all, he approved it. But Malacanang says, that does not mean the President knew about the alleged anomaly.
Subject: INQUIRY IN SPRATLYS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Sanator Blas Ople insists on an inquiry into the reported Chinese build-up in the Spratly Islands. Ople wants the Senate committees on defense and foreign relations, to conduct an ocular inspection of Mischief Reef. He criticizes President Ramos for dismissing his report about a Chinese build-up. The Senator insists, the Philippines should have sought the United Nations' help in pressuring China to dismantle the structures.
Subject: U.S. TO CLEAN UP TOXIC WASTES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon says the United States has promised to help clean up its former bases here. Manila wants the U.S. government to help find out where toxic chemicals were dumped in the bases. Former U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher assured Siazon, Washington will consider the request. Anti-bases groups accuse the Americans of not properly cleaning the bases before they left. Siazon says a report on the land use in Subic and Clark will help government determine the problem.
Subject: ALONTE WANTS TRIAL TRANSFERRED
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
The 16-year old girl who accused Binan Mayor Bayani Arthur Alonte of raping her, wants the trial transferred to Manila. Lawyer Remedios Balbin told ABS-CBN News, her client and her family have been receiving threats. The lawyer claims Alonte wields a lot influence over judges in Laguna.Aside from the transfer, Alonte's accuser will also ask the court to prevent him from leaving the country. Government prosecutors filed rape charges yesterday. A separate charge of child abuse will be filed soon against Alonte and Wella Concepcion, who allegedly sold the girl to the mayor.
Subject: BAD PUBLICITY HITS SALES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Wherever Michael Jackson goes, so do his legions of fans. And, unfortunately for him, so does controversy, particularly the child molestation allegations that have been hounding the "King of Pop" no end. Fans waited for 3 hours at the Manila Hotel just to get a glimpse of Jackson. Some students even cut classes just to be with him. A group of Japanese girls who had watched all of Jackson's concerts since 1987 are also here. By the time he stepped out of the service elevator, the crowd had fizzled. Still, there were some fans whose patience paid off. Everybody it seems, wants to see or be seen with the King of Pop. Everyone, but the country's politicians. Since Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim banned Jackson from holding his concert in Manila, politicians, including the President, have been avoiding him.In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a boy in the United States. No charges were ever filed. That is not stopping local celebrities from trooping to the concert. In fact, many of the VIP seats worth P5,000 apiece are already reserved for stars like Richard Gomez, Sharon Cuneta and Aga Muhlach. Even Gary Valenciano, a devout born-again Christian, is ignoring the child molestation controversy hounding Jackson. But the bad publicity seems to be having an impact. Jackson's aides say only 30 percent of tickets have been sold, contrary to claims the 2-day concert has been sold out. But they are still hopeful.
Subject: "HEALING THE WORLD"
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Michael Jackson visited patients at the Parañaque Community Hospital where thousands of rabid fans waited outside for hours to see the "King of Pop". They came by the thousands to give Jackson a royal welcome. Fans lined up the streets as early as 12 noon to get a good glimpse. Jackson showed up at the Parañaque Community Hospital at about 4:30. Fans went wild upon seeing their idol. He went to the pediatric ward to say hello to patients. The goodwill visit to the hospital was part of the deal between concert organizers and the Parañaque government. Local officials and some movie stars were at the hospital to give him a warm welcome. When the visit ended, Jackson was whisked away by security men into a van which immediately sped off. Although it was fleeting, for his fans, seeing the "King of Pop" was worth the wait.
Subject: INDUSTRY SLOWDOWN IN '96
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
The University of Asia and the Pacific (UAP) anticipates a slowdown in industry growth this year due to problems encountered in the manufactring sector this year. UAP economist Rolex Campos, says production cutbacks in mining and some manufacturing industries will push down industry growth by 0.6 percent compared to 1995. But Campos is optimistic industry will recover in 1997. Campos says higher disposable income and a young population would help bouy the growth, as well as the constant growth of the electronics and construction sectors. Campos says the shift by more electronics firms into higher value-added products should further boost growth, while the lower cost of doing business increased foreign direct investments that would further fuel the construction industry.
Subject: GM - CAR SALES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
Despite losing out to Thailand, the Philippines will still be the site of various projects of American car giant General Motors which will complement its car manufacturing plant in Thailand.GM Asian and Pacific Operations President Donald Sullivan, paid President Ramos a courtesy call and told him GM is still interested in making the Philippines one of their hubs in Asia. Elated by the development, the President ordered Trade Secretary Cesar Bautista to form a study working group to identify areas where the American car maker can participate. A final decision from the GM chairman is expected in a month's time.
Meanwhile, car sales in the first 11 months of the year rose 24 percent from a year earlier. Some 80,032 passenger cars were sold with Honda retaining the top spot with a lion's share of more than 18,000 or 23 percent. Toyota placed second followed by Mitsubishi.
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Subject: BOXING / PBA
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/06/96
BOXINGThe Philippines is now within reach of the gold medal at the 4th Egypt International Boxing championships. Flyweight Sonny Dollente held off a furious comeback by his Egyptian opponent in the semifinals. But another Filipino, Efren Desierto, hardly put up a defense in dealing with his rival.
In other matches, Bantaweight Eldo Cortez and Welterweight Ignacio Gerodias settled for the bronze.
PBA
At the PBA, Ginebra coach Robert Jaworski neither denied nor confirmed reports that former San Miguel Beer import Kenny Travis will replace Fred Cofield. He said that while Travis will be a plus to them, he is satisfied with the way Cofield has jelled with the team. Alaska coach Tim Cone said he will not block the move.