Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 12/20/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: SUFFERS SETBACK WITH TRO
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
The Supreme Court stopped the signature campaign for the lifting of term limits on the President and other elected officials. But PIRMA's organizers say the temporary restraining order issued today by the supreme court is only a temporary setback.PIRMA is facing rougher roads ahead. This time, they're up against the Supreme Court. A restraining order was issued to the organizers of the group, putting on hold their campaign for five million signatures. But Jesus Delfin of PIRMA does sees the TRO as a temporary setback.
Senator Miriam Santiago this week filed the petition asking the tribunal to stop the COMELEC from helping PIRMA in the signature campaign. But the COMELEC says PIRMA can proceed even without their involvement. COMELEC Commissioner Regalado Maambong says P IRMA is only asking for manpower assistance and there's nothing wrong with it.
Subject: HITS BACK AT CRITICS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Vice President Joseph Estrada assures anxious business leaders he too is for continuity in the present economic policies of the Ramos administration.Vice President Joseph Estrada says he's so used to being bashed nothing bothers him anymore. Estrada says it's Carmen Pedrosa's right to charge him with incompetence but he's banking on his track record as a public official to back him up. Manoling Morato, his most vocal critic, wants him to join PIRMA as a loyalty check to the President. Estrada says Morato should make the President join it first.
The emergence of groups like PIRMA and BURA seems to amuse Estrada. After all, he started the trend with his JEEP, his weekly radio program which may well stand for Joseph erap Estrada for President. Wisecracks are now saying the formation of speaker De Venecia's PADER will make Estrada's JEEP hit a brick wall.
But talk of 1998 makes Estrada play safe. He's not bothered by reports big business is worried about an Estrada presidency. He says he's talked to legitimate businessmen and they have nothing to fear. If elected, he says he will follow through on Presiden t Ramos' economic program. But that's if he will run for President.
Subject: OPEN TO RUNNING IN 98
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Defense Secretary Renato De Villa reveals several big businessmen have been asking him to consider Running for President. De Villa says he's now open to the idea. In fact, his family has vowed to support him in whatever decision he makes. But he says President Ramos has nothing to do with the initiatives of friends in the business community.
Subject: BREAKING THE DEADLOCK
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
President Ramos called Congress to a special session on Monday so both chambers can break the deadlock on the 1997 budget. Under the rules, the Senate and the House will have to follow the President but it won't be that easy to resolve their differences o ver the pork barrel funds.They were huddled in one corner. But it was obvious the President was appealing they hold a special session before Christmas and approve the 1997 budget. Senator Maceda says the Senate could still convene on Monday and Tuesday but it's doubtful they'll ag ree on anything. House Speaker Jose De Venecia thinks so, too.
The House opposes the Senate's proposal to slash the countrywide development fund by 40 percent. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ernesto Herrera says they want to make sure government funds are not used for the political ambitions of some officials.
Until the 1997 budget is approved expenditures will be based on the previous budget. Congressman Arroyo suspects the deadlock was intentional since the 1996 budget does not prohibit the COMELEC from using its savings for a plebiscite on people's initiativ e. Malacanang assures government employees the deadlock over the budget does not necessarily imperil the salary increase due them starting next year.
Subject: PAY HIKE / DOLE TAKEOVER?
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Senator Ernesto Herrera says a 25 to 30 peso increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila may be announced in the next few days. But the effectivity of the wage adjustment Herrera says may be deferred until early next year.Leftist labor leader Filemon Lagman led about 300 workers in barging into the Labor Department during its Christmas party. The workers from Telefunken Micro Electronics, a strike-bound german company, are demanding their reinstatement at work. They barged into the labor Secretary's office, forcing an abrupt end to the employees' Christmas party. The workers are threatening to stay within the premises until the Labor Department enforces its order on management to allow them back to work.
The President signed Republic Act 8241 amending the expanded value added tax. The VAT is expected to raise 72 billion pesos which, the President says will be used to finance more infrastructure needs and social services. The new law exempts from the EVAT, marine and forest products, petroleum products, medical services, and educational services among other things.
Subject: TONG RACKET ANGLE / BABY DIES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Investigators are still exploring different leads in the murder of ABS-CBN radio newsman Bert Berbon. One lead points to a quarrel over collection racket among jeepney operators and drivers. Berbon, a former jeepney driver, supposedly knew about the operation of colorum jeepneys in Cavite. Police are also exploring the possibility the killing is connected with bigtime drug trafficking.Baby Alma, the baby who just underwent a critical heart surgery yesterday is dead. She died of infection at 11 this morning, 17 hours after doctors operated on her, and transferred her heart and placed it inside her chest. There has been no successful ope ration for a baby born with her condition called ectopia cordis. Still, baby Alma lived to be 27 days old, which doctors say is unusual. Doctors said baby Alma's condition began to deteriorate at 4 a-m when her heart began swelling. The staff at the Heart Center were deeply saddened by baby Alma's death.
Subject: SARAH DROPS RAPS / ONYOK WEDS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Sarah Balabagan has dropped criminal charges against the agents who illegally recruited her. Sarah told the Quezon City Regional Trial Court she is withdrawing the complaint to maintain her relationship with the recruiting agents who happen to be her relatives.Sarah filed the charges shortly after returning home last july from the united arab emirates. She was sentenced to one year in jail for killing her arab employer who tried to rape her.
The last time boxer Mansueto Velasco was in a match was in July when he represented the country at the Atlanta Olympics. Today he appeared for another match; one he could not afford to miss.
Onyok is easily the envy of every young man. He's a hero. He has money, a nice, fast car. You could say he's made it. Onyok feels it's time to settle down. Onyok and may exchanged "I do's" at the Santo Domingo Church this morning. The couple were actually married in civil rites 2 years ago. They have two kids; Zen-Zen and Jay-Jay. It was a simple ceremony for the heroic olympic medal winner. President Ramos stood as sponsor together with the first lady and Speaker De Venecia.
Onyok's next big project is a movie. But in October next year he'll be leaving for Hungary for a World boxing match; the one thing Onyok does best.
Subject: RANDY ANDY LEAVES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Prince Andrew's charm just precedes him wherever he goes. This morning, he stole the hearts of many female employees at the Defense Department when he visited Camp Aguinaldo. The ladies waited for andrew as early as 8 to make sure they get a good glimpse.After meeting defense Secretary renato De Villa andrew had a round of golf with Armed Forces Chief Arnulfo Acedera at the Manila Golf Club. The prince left for London at 7 this evening.
Subject: 1997 PROSPECTS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Economic reforms in recent years and the country's strong performance in 1996 makes government confident of sustained growth in 1997. Economic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito says GNP growth is projected to reach 7 to 8 percent, GDP to range between 7-p oint-1 to 7-point-8 percent, and inflation to slide to 6-point-5 percent. The budget surplus is expected to reach almost 15-billion pesos next year, exports to grow by 24-percent, and dollar reserves to reach almost 15-billion dollars.Habito says government's targets will be guided by three pillars: sound macroeconomic policies, policies for industrial restructuring and poverty alleviation and infrastructure development. To achieve the targets, government intends to achieve price stabi lity through lowering inflation, enhance product competitiveness through more export promotion activities, make structural adjustments such as the continued liberalization of various sectors, and increase the low savings rate to support investment requirm ents.
The economic reforms will be supported by addressing several problem areas frequently mentioned by foreign investors and local businessmen. These are improving infrastructure facilities, forging political unity, maintaining peace and order, and reforming the government bureacracy.
Subject: INDEPENDENT FORECAST
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Economists agree with the rosy projections but are alerting government on a few danger signs. UAP Economist Emil Antonio says these are the growing trade deficit, the low savings rate, the forex rate, and the high interest rate.On the trade gap, antonio underscored the faster growth of imports and the decline in exports on a month-on-month basis. He's also concerned on the over-reliance on electronics for export revenues. He mentioned a lower peso rate as one way of boosting exp orts which could be done by building up dollar reserves. National savings may be pushed up through more portfolio and foreign direct investments while interest rates should decline next year with the lowering inflation rate.
On the positive side, antonio expressed confidence on a sustained budget surplus. With the passage of the CTRP, he also lauded the agriculture sector's recovery.
Subject: NBA VS CNBA / SELES LOSES CASE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Another trade war looms between the united states and china. This time, between leagues. The National Basketball Association has sued the Chinese New Basketball Association claiming its initials of CNBA are too identifiable with the NBA. The league, toute d by supporters as the chinese NBA, was started this year with 8 teams from the mainland and abroad competing. Its organizers based in hongkong hope it will grow from humble beginnings to something bigger. But first, they will have to deal with the n-b-a, which picked a different court to get the league to change its all too familiar initials.Meanwhile, Monica Seles has lost her case against the german tennis federation. Seles sued the DTB for their negligence in security arrangements after she was attacked by a spectator at the Hamburg Open in April 1993. The american star claimed 15-point 75 million dollars for damages and lost earnings from her 2-year layoff caused by the attack.
But the court said the federation could not have been expected to provide protection against such an attack since nothing similar has happened before.
Subject: FALDO's SCHEME / PAOLO VALDEZ
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
Even athletes are getting into the Christmas spirit. England's richest golfer nick Faldo launched an ambitious scheme to search for stars of the future. Faldo will invest some of his estimated 120 million dollar earnings in a nationwide competition. The "Faldo Junior Series" will give junior amateurs aged 17 or under the start he wishes he had. In his 20 years as a pro, Faldo has earned over 10 million dollars in winnings and more than 70 million in endorsements.Back here at home, two months after being ran over by a car in makati, national team mainstay paulo valdez is back in shape. He topped the 1st round of the national eliminations for the world tournament of champions. He averaged 220 to lead a 16-man field into the semifinals, where they will play 10 games. The top 3 will advance to the matchplay final. The tournament of champions will be held in reno, nevada early next year.
Subject: LANTERN PARADE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
For many years, the University of the Philippines in Diliman has celebrated Christmas with a lantern parade. It's an old tradition in the state university, which started at the old Manila campus in 1934 and carried over to Diliman in 1948. Before classes break for the holidays, everyone forgets the pressure of academic life in a night of merry-making highlighted by the lantern parade.The creativity of the students and faculty advisers are showcased in the distinctive floats and interpretations of the meaning of Christmas. This year, they are focusing on peace underscored by the theme "Tungo sa Mapayapang Sambayanan". The other focus o f interest is the Rizal centennial. There were 129 lanterns and floats. The best ones will be given awards after the parade.
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Subject: JAMES' CHRISTMAS STORY
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/20/96
There are many ways of celebrating Christmas. But for shopowners and businessmen, Christmas is best observed on the streets or inside the malls.For 49 years now, Filipino families have made it a habit to visit the Manila COD in Cubao to witness a unique way of celebrating Christmas. It's a tradition the Rosario family started in the 1950s with the second-third generation now in charge. The store has 15 themes rotated over the years. This year's motif is a native Filipino Christmas. It cost more than one million pesos. But despite the high cost of such a big production, COD is not thinking of drawing the curtain.
At Shangri-la Plaza, a whole new way of looking at Christmas. The motif is inspired by Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker". No nativity scenes or lanterns, instead life-sized ballerinas are suspended from the ceiling while moving puppets show scenes from the N utcracker. The Nutcracker album is played the rest of the day. The display artist who made up Shangri-la Plaza also did the stretch of Ayala Avenue and the tree at the Makati Stock Exchange.
The magic of lights help a lot in spreading Christmas cheer. But who says you have to look that far to find the real spirit of Christmas?