Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 12/17/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: FRIENDS OF RAMOS FOR REELEX
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
The group "Friends Of Ramos" or FOR, says they can easily gather 5 million signatures for a people's initiative. But they say the President has told them to stay away from Pirma's own signature drive. Even before Ramos became president, the group "Friends of Ramos" thought he was the best man to lead the country. Now that his term is coming to an end, they still think he's the best. But as much as they would want to join Pirma in lifting term limits, they can't. "I share their (Pirma) sentiment. The only problem is that, we are instructed by the President not to do anything about this," says Oscar Inocentes, national chairman of Friends Of Ramos. Inocentes says they can readily gather 5 million signatures for a people's initiative.In 1991, they gathered 1 million signatures to persuade Ramos to run for president. Ramos only has to say the word. "Siguro pag hindi si Presidente, tutulong na lang kami sa kanyang retirement, tutulong kami sa mga ginagawa niya sa retirement niya." Other old friends of the President are just as supportive. The Partido Lakas-tao, Ramos's original political party, is considering joining Pirma. Ed Malay, a founding member of the party, says they will support Ramos whether or not he decides to stay on. But he believes, Ramos will step down in 1998. "The President is now 68 years old. By the time 1998 comes, the President will be 70 years old," says Malay. Aside from the President's age, lawyer Rene Saguisag says the issue of charter change is too divisive. The debates will rage on, he says, and will only encourage destructive politicking. "Mr. Ramos and Mr. Almonte should tell Pirma no," says Saguisag.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reiterated their opposition to groups like Pirma, but refused to forge an alliance with "Pirma's" match, "Bura" or Bury the Useless Reform Agenda. The Catholic Church has always been vocal about its opposition to charter changes. Today, Bishop Teodoro Bacani says Pirma's people's initiative campaign is a useless exercise. Aside from wasting time and energy, he says it will divide the people. Worse, it will ruin the President's economic legacy. Bacani personally supports "Bura", a group that has declared war against Pirma. But CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio sees no formal alliance with Bura. He says the Church will launch its own campaign.
In Malacanang, the President told reporters he has already sent an emissary to Pirma to tell them to drop their signature campaign. The president also asked Sweepstakes Chairman Manoling Morato to explain his role in Pirma. At Pirma's fund-raising campaign last week, Morato admitted he was one of its convenors. Critics now fear Morato might finance Pirma's campaign with PCSO funds, a charge he vehemently denies.
Subject: WHAT'S IN AN ACRONYM?
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
The Filipino imagination and humor are at it again. First, there was "Pirma", a pro-charter-change group. And now, "Bura", that's raring to give Pirma a run for its money, and the signatures it wants to gather. Congresswoman Tessie Aquino-Oreta has claimed a group is recruiting people for its Fidel Ramos re-election drive. The "Friends Of Ramos" or "FOR", felt alluded to. Now, Oreta clarifies she never said "FOR" was behind the campaign to keep Ramos in office.
Subject: FVR JOKES ABOUT HEALTH
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
Fot the second straight day since he checked out of the hospital, President Ramos gamely talked to newsmen about his health. The President called reporters to an unscheduled briefing in his office to tell them, among other things, that he's feeling better. The President is back on the grind. But this time, he's got to take it easy and follow the doctor's orders. "No more self-medication," says the President. And that also means means eating well and taking vitamins. He's also reducing his working hours. And he's cutting down on his provincial trips, at least, for the next two weeks.Next year though, it's back to the busy mode. He says he will push through with the planned foreign trips which include Canada and Indonesia. For now, he recovery continues. Constant monitoring of his blood pressure, weight, and urine tests. The President is also due for a post-medical check up in less than a week. President Ramos has lost ten pounds, but is looking and feeling better.
Subject: DOJ SEEKS DEATH 4 JALOSJOS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
The Justice Department has filed statutory rape charges before the Makati Regional Trial Court, against Zamboanga del Norte Representative Romeo Jalosjos. The justice department says it will try its best to obtain the death penalty for Congressman Jalosjos. The prosecution will present as one of the aggravating circumstances the position of Jalosjos as a public official.Of all people, Jalosjos should have known right from wrong. The prosecutors argue, that's because he is a lawmaker. They filed two counts of statutory rape and 12 counts of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor with lascivious acts. The charges were based on the testimony of the alleged rape victim. Makati RTC Judge Roberto Diokno will handle the case. Today, the defense filed a motion to defer the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Aside from a preliminary hearing to determine if there was probable cause, the congressman's lawyers also want the information quashed. For 12 counts of sexual abuse, Jalosjos's bail reached nearly half a million pesos. But the prosecutors recommended no bail for the rape cases. As for the victim's foster father, Simplicio Delantar, prosecutors found no basis to bring him to court even though his adopted daughter accused him of selling her to Jalosjos.
And how is Congressman Jalosjos taking things? If his being in Zamboanga del Norte, far away from all the flak is any indication, Jalosjos could be in deep thought about his future. Congressman Jalosjos will have at least one less thing to worry about, at least for the moment. The House ethics committee postponed its investigation until mid-January upon the request of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Lina Laigo and the girl's lawyers. Laigo and the lawyers reportedly want to lessen the chances of getting the girl traumatized by both a court trial and a congressional probe. But the girl isn't on trial. It's Jalosjos, someone who's proven to be very elusive. He went public to lambast his hidden enemies. Since then, he either invokes lawyers' advice when asked about the case or he runs away.
But Jalosjos can't run very far. Article 6, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, says "a senator or member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be priveleged from arrest while the Congress is in session". But statutory rape is a heinous crime. And the 1987 Constitution says a lawmaker charged with offenses punishable by more than 6 years in prison, cannot invoke parliamentary immunity. And bail, his colleagues say, is one thing Jalosjos deserves. "He won't escape, he won't run. You can always put him in hold order," says Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzales as he justifies his position to allow Jalosjos to post bail. His lawyers also say Jalosjos is "confident that now that the cases against him have been lodged in the appropriate court, free from the trappings of power and insulated from the pressures of media, the truth will set him free." Jalosjos says an impartial court trial is the proper forum for his defense. The moment a warrant of arrest is issued, authorities can take Congressman Jalosjos into custody. He can be temporarily set free, if or when the courts grant him bail.
Subject: DRUGS AND MEDIA
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
Police are now studying two angles in the killing of ABS-CBN Radio News editor Bert Berbon. One is a rift between Berbon and his colleagues. The second, the possible involvement of drug syndicates.Today, the police released a sketch of one of the gunmen. Investigators suspect Berbon's line of work got him into trouble with drug syndicates. He exposed them through the help of his news sources in Cavite and "Samaka", a local media group set up by Berbon, to fight crime. Illegal drugs had been a problem in Cavite for long time. Recently, 200 kilos of metamphitamine hydrochloride or "shabu" were seized from a Hong Kong Chinese in Tagaytay City. Police say Berbon provided information that led to the seizure. Police are now looking for three other Chinese drug traffickers said to belong to the notorious 14-K gang. Berbon's files identified them as Ki Ngo Chan, alias Danny Chua; Calvin Lau, and Peter Lui. Police will also summon mediamen to shed light on the case. Aside from the drug angle, investigators are also checking if Berbon had trouble with colleagues, especially those outside his media watch group.
Subject: MACEDA UPGRADES PEA LOSS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
Senate President Ernesto Maceda now says the government lost P220 billion in the Public Estates Authority/Amari land deal, not P120 billion as he earlier claimed. Maceda says he arrived at that amount after a closer review of documents, and talks with property developers, appraisers and bankers.At a joint hearing of the Senate committees on blue ribbon and government corporations, Transportation Secretary Amado Lagdameo admitted they created the position of deputy general manager for special projects for Justiniano Montano IV, who resigned recently because of the scandal. Blue Ribbon committee chairman Franklin Drilon also disclosed Amari had submitted its proposal as early as August 1994, contrary to Lagdameo's claim the proposal was made in December 1994. Lagdameo once again hit back at Maceda, who in turn said the hearing only strengthened the case against Lagdameo.
Meanwhile, the Senate has approved on third and final reading the P392.3 billion budget for 1997. This is P1.4 billion lower than its initial recommendation. The bicameral conference committee is deliberating on the budget tonight. Finance committee chairman Ernesto Herrera says they will not compromise on the provisions they introduced in the budget, like prohibiting the Comelec from using its funds for any plebiscite, and prohibiting Congress from intervening in infrastructure projects.
Subject: OIL / MINING COMPANIES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
Government is paying the P2.4 billion claims of the oil companies by 1998. Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez says he has been instructed by President Ramos to assure the companies their advance to make up for the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) deficiency will be reimbursed through the 1998 budgetary allocation to be approved by Congress. The OPSF was created to reduce the impact of international oil price fluctuations on the local market. Oil companies claim money from it or pay into it, depending on the difference between international and local prices. Since international prices outstripped controlled local prices, the OPSF slipped into deficit.Meanwhile, the final administrative rules and regulations of the New Philippine Mining Act, allowing 100 percent foreign ownership of a mining project, are set to be passed by government Thursday. Foreign mining companies have proposed investing at least US$3 billion in new projects. The liberalization has attracted investors from Australia, Canada, United States, Finland and Germany.
On the otherhand, Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo, says three major challenges confront the economy despite its outstanding performance this year. Speaking before the House finance committee, De Ocampo said first, is increasing the country's savings rate by maintaining a sound fiscal position and raising private savings. De Ocampo cited the importance of passing the other components of the comprehensive tax reform package. Second is strengthening the ability to compete in the globnal marketplace. De Ocampo said improving agricultural productivity is a major concern. And thirdly, intesifying the social reform agenda efforts to ensure the equitable distribution of the fruits of the country's growth. Still in business, another feather on our cap as the United States' big three automotive companies have given the first recommendation for QS 9000 Certification in Southeast Asia to local carparts manufacturer, Yasaki-Torres manufacturing. The certification is so far the toughest quality systems standards designed for the automotive industry by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Bautista says the certification means the country is now recognized as a world-class player in the export of automotive parts to the United states.
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Subject: EVITA PREMIERE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/17/96
The long-awaited film about Argentina's legendary First Lady Eva Peron, has made its world premiere in Los Angeles. "Evita" the movie, is set to be shown on Christmas Day. But this early, it has already made history. It's the first time Hollywood is pre-selling tickets to any movie, and they're all sold out.Pop superstar Madonna plays the leading role. Dressed as Eva Peron, she was cheered on by fans during the premiere night. Madonna was with Carlos Leon, the father of her new-born baby.
The other star in the production, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas plays Che Gueverra, the story's narrator. Backhere at home, the Cordillera People have always been hounded by numerous problems such as preserving their land and culture. This Christmas, the children of Saint Martin School, the only tribal Catholic school in the country, have come to Manila to spread some yuletide cheer and share their concerns. Sister Bernadette of Saint Martin, says the tribal people have always been looked down upon by lowlanders and their culture often misunderstood and unappreciated. Sister Bernadette hopes the activity will make Filipinos appreciate their ancestral heritage.