Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 12/16/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: PIRMA MEETS ITS MATCH
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
Another opposition group against the people's initiative was formed. The group called "Bura" or "Bury the Useless Reform Agenda" is gearing up for battle. It will be launched this week.Pirma, on the other hand, seems to be basking in the success of its fund raising campaign. Pirma may have found its match in Bura. And if Pirma has its lugaw fund drive, Bura is prepared to match that with pandesalan. Like Pirma, Bura was organized by lawyers, businessmen and former government officials. Their mission - to foil any move to tamper with the Constitution. But despite the mounting opposition, Pirma is determined to push through with its campaign for five million signatures. They plan to organize chapters outside Metro Manila. And they warn Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin to stay off politics. Pirma President Alberto Pedrosa says, not even President Ramos can stop them.
Ramos said he'll try to convince Pirma to give up on the people's initiative, although he has yet to meet its organizers. Congressman Erasmo Damasing says he's concerned at the involvement of active government officials. Damasing fears Sweepstakes Chairman Manuel Morato, for example, may use the sweepstakes office to fund the campaign.
Meanwhile, Lakas Congressman Victorico Chaves of Misamis Oriental says, he will defy a party directive not to support amendments to the charter. In a privilege speech, Chaves says he is against term limits and he would move to abolish it. Chaves admits he wants to seek reelection but the Constitution prohibits him from seeking a third term.
Subject: A DOSE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
The President's doctor once more assures the public there's no need to worry about the President's health. Doctor Raul Forres says, what happened was a bad case of self-medication. The President had apparently taken an anti-cold medicine that raised his blood pressure as well as antibiotics that were not suitable to his condition."People his age shouldn't (self-medicate). We thought it was just flu because his knees were aching and he had fever. But his blood count was low. If it was a stroke, we wouldn't let him ou," says Fores. Fores says the public can learn from the President's experience - the dangers of self-medication. A physician's supervision is important even for such a seemingly simple cold, especially when you are 69. But Fores says it wasn't a mild stroke. Perhaps, it was a case of the President being too confident about handling his cold. Ramos's aides saw it coming. They had warned the President during the APEC summit to slow down. Ramos just wouldn't listen.
Fores says President Ramos should at least consider that news of the President's health may not matter to the President, but it worries the rest of the nation.
Subject: STROKE TALE WORRIES BIZMEN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
The business community in turn assures the public and the President not to worry. The economy is stable enough to withstand rumors on the President's health.But businessmen too, advise Ramos to slow down. They say his hectic schedule, and all the pressures and activities the past few months have caught up with him. It's time he relaxed. Ramos is known for keeping a 16-hour work schedule which begins at 6:00 am.
One businessman says, Ramos may have been hospitalized for something more than the flu but nothing as serious as a stroke. Otherwise, Ramos would still be confined up to now. The source speculates, it was probably transient ischemia, a condition where blood supply to the heart is disrupted by blockages in the arteries. The businessman should know. He had ischemia in the past, and one of its causes is stress. The President chided businessmen for readily believing rumors. To prove he is in tip-top shape, President Ramos faced a pressure-packed schedule today which started at 8:00 am. But businessmen say they don't need to be convinced. They are simply concerned, but not worried.
Subject: KILLED BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
An ABS-CBN desk editor, Bert Berbon, was gunned down in front of his house in Cavite last night.Police do not have a suspect. But Berbon's friends say, it may be related to Berbon's anti-crime campaign as head of an organized media group in the province. Police say it was the work of professionals. The killers on board a car pulled over, fired their armalite rifles on Bert Berbon, and then casually drove away. His wife was wounded in the leg. Bert died from bullet wounds all over the body. Berbon's friends speculate on one possible motive. He had organized mediamen in Cavite under a group called Samaka or Samahan ng mga Mamamahayag ng Kabite. His friends say, the killing may have something to do with the rift among mediamen backed by some powerful politicians in Cavite.
Berbon who was 49 years old, was a senior desk man at radio dzMM. Cavite has long had a reputation for violence. In September this year, a priest was gunned down. Police don't have a suspect yet. Residents of Cavite now fear the murder of Bert Berbon may add to the list of unsolved murders in the province.
Subject: FVR OKs PLAN, CUA INHIBITS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
In Malacañang, the President met with incorporators of the project, "Boulevard 2000", and approved in principle. The meeting included officials who were implicated in the alleged anomalous land deal between the Public Estates Authority and Amari Corporation. Transportation Secretary Amado Lagdameo who is being investigated by a special body, was among them. Lagdameo says the investigation has been stalled.At the Lower House, the chairman of the committee on good government is inhibiting himself from the investigation of the PEA land deal. Opposition congressmen had cited conflict of interest because a quarrying firm that has a pending contract with Amari is owned by Congressman Junie Cua's brother. Cua insists, he did not know his brother was doing business with Amari. He still wants the probe to go ahead but does not want the entire House of Representatives to investigate the deal.
Subject: DOJ TO FILE RAPS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
The justice department will file two counts of statutory rape against Zamboanga del Norte Congressman Romeo Jalosjos. The DOJ has recommended that no bail be granted. State prosecutors found probable cause to indict Jalosjos for at least four counts of acts of lasciviousness.Meanwhile, talent manager Lolit Solis has pleaded guilty in the filmfest scandal. Solis faces a two year sentence. She told the court she regrets cheating in the filmfest awards. Her admission to the charges also makes her eligible for a suspended sentence. It was during the Manila Film Festival on June 1994, when the movie industry's top talent manager, Lolit Solis plunged into national notoriety. It was a humbling experience and Solis, even then, admitted masterminding the envelope switching at the filmfest awards.
Today, Solis pleaded guilty to estafa. Solis is still haunted by guilt for causing the downfall of actress Ruffa Gutierrez, and for traumatizing Ruffa's kid brother, Rocky. She says no one should be punished except her and Gabby Concepcion.
By admitting to the charges, Solis received a lesser sentence of two years imprisonment. She is asking the court to extend her P20,000 bail so she can apply for probation and have her sentence suspended. The court ordered Solis to pay P15,000 to the Manila City government for taking home the trophies that belonged to the real filmfest winners. Her wish this Christmas is for Ruffa to be cleared of all charges. Her only regret was loving Gabby too much, even if it meant cheating.
Subject: RP ON I-T-A / TEXTILES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
The Philippines won't be able to comply with the ITA or information technology agreement by the year 2000. Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Bautista says, the ITA still has to undergo a legislative process to bring down the country's current tariff rates of 3 percent to zero percent.Only tariffs on around 60 IT products, and not all the proposed 142, will be brought down to zero percent. The World Trade Organization has given the Philippines only until January 1997, to come up with its product list and timetable. The Philippines is among four countries which have yet to commit to the ITA.
Also, the country's dispute with the Unites States on rules of origin on textile exports may be resolved soon. Secretary Bautista says an agreement is likely before yearend. Last July, the U.S. imposed a rule under which garment exports would be credited to the country of origin. Most of our garment exports use textiles from Hongkong and China. This means Philippine sales run the risk of being barred once the quotas of the countries of origin were completed. Estimates have put export revenue losses at US$30 million if the rule is not revised.
Meanwhile, the fate of IBC Channel 13 will be known on Friday. Malacanang will come out with a legal opinion on whether the Presidential Commission of Good Government (PCGG) is authorized to bid out assets surrendered by former Marcos crony Roberto Benedicto. IBC 13 President Tomas Gomez has been blocking the sale. Presidential legal counsel Rene Cayetano hopes Malacanang's decision will prevent Gomez from bringing the case to the courts.
On the other hand, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is now a self-regulated organization. The President granted the PSE its SRO status during the 60th anniversary celebration of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This means, the PSE can now adopt a code of conduct that would govern its activities. It may also install a surveillance system to monitor stockmarket transactions.
Likewise, the Philippine Central Depository Incorporated is now licensed to operate a central depository system which will speed up the clearing of transactions. Petron Corporation says retail chain and property developer Uniwide holdings, has offered to put up convenience stores in its service stations. Petron President Monico Jacob says the deal is still in the exploratory stage. PCIBank declined to comment on merger talks with the Philippine Bank of Commerce but admits, it is looking for a possible merger partner. PCIBank is one of the country's five biggest banks.
Subject: SCOOP / PBA
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
Luisisto Espinosa is the 1996 Scoop Athlete of the Year. He bested Atlanta Olympic silver medalist Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, and billiards king, Efren "Bata" Reyes. Espinosa successfully defended his WBC featherweight title thrice this year. He will receive the award tomorrow night in a glittering ceremony at the Manila Midtown Hotel. Velasco and four-time bowling World Cup champion Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno, will be awarded the Vic Villafranca Achievement Awards.In the PBA, Ginebra has found a savior. Its newest import, Derek Rucker, rocked the Cuneta Astrodome and saved Ginebra San Miguel from being swept by Alaska last night. Except for a passing error in the endgame, he lived up to his billing as Ginebra's saviour. Rucker, a five-year veteran of the Australian pro league, never showed any sign of the 8-hour long plane ride he took. He scored 25 points and dished out 9 assists that helped Marlou Aquino score 28 points. Coach Robert Jaworski was extremely pleased with Rucker's performance. And the rest of the team.
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Subject: SIMBANG GABI BEGINS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/16/96
The final countdown to Christmas started this morning. Hundreds of Filipinos, both young and old, woke up early to attend the first of 9 "simbang gabi". At most churches, mass was at 4:30 in the morning. "Simbang Gabi" is a tradition introduced by the Spaniards as far back as 400 years ago. And every year, Filipinos never fail to attend.Aside from the mass, the other big hits are the ricecakes, bibingka, and puto bumbong sold near the churches. Families take time to share a snack together after hearing mass.