Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 12/24/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: BACK ON HIS FEET
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
President Ramos is back on his feet, calling his Cabinet to a meeting and a press conference at the Makati Medical Center today to dispel rumors about his failing health. But the President won't be discharged till tomorrow, so he's spending Christmas eve at the hospital.Cabinet officials were the first to meet the President this morning with an anxious media waiting for the photo opportunity. It was President Ramoses third day at the Makati Medical Center and the Cabinet had good news for him. Last night, congress passed 4 important bills. After the mini Cabinet meeting, Ramos faced the media to show he's up ang about. This morning, Cabinet members still went to work. Ramos reportedly told them to finish the assignments given during their meeting. But it appears the Cabi net depend on Ramos to get congress to pass the budget bill.
Subject: OPPOSITION JOIN FORCES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
The President's recovery, while welcomed by the opposition, has also prompted them to start mapping out plans for the future, specifically for Presidential elections in 1998.There was a special prayer at the misa de gallo all over the country this morning. The prayer is for the speedy recovery of President Ramos. At the coffee shops, everyone is brushing up on the constitutional provisions on succession. The nation's concern today shifted from the holiday season to the President's health. Media offices are being beseiged with calls from concerned citizens inquiring about the latest health bulletin. Observers agree that the political landscape has been changed by the President 's illness.
Last night the opposition npc met to assess the situation. Senate and NPC President Ernesto Maceda and Vice President Erap Estrada both agree that the President will fully recover to assume his function once more. Maceda says that the prsident's illness p ractically rules out his running again in 1998. Maceda says, the opposition led by NPC will rally behind Estrada, making him almost unbeatable for the presidency.
Subject: STOCKMART RECOVERS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
The stockmarket took heart today on news the President was back on his feet. The index rebounded by over 12 points after dropping yesterday by 40 points. Although trading was slow, analysts say investors went back to the market when the word was out the P resident is recovering well.
Subject: MING FORGETS GIFT FOR FVR
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
Concern over the President's health has affected no one else more than the first lady. The proof? Ming Ramos now can't even remember what she got Eddie for Christmas.Like everyone else, the first lady was preparing for the holidays. But when her husband went under the knife yesterday, mrs. Ramos says she got so worried she can no longer recall what gift she got him for Christmas.
After today's press briefing, the first lady rushed home to look for the gift safely nestled under their Christmas tree. When asked if she's expecting a gift from the President, mrs. Ramos said she already got it. The first family attended mass at the Mak ati Medical Center this evening to thank God for getting the President back on his feet. The best gift they got this Christmas.
Subject: SENATE BLINKS FIRST
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
The Senate is softening its stand on cuts in the countrywide development fund in an effort to break the deadlock on the 1997 budget bill. Senate President Ernesto Maceda says he is open to lowering the proposed cut in the CDF from 40 to 20 percent. But Ma ceda says he has first to consult the senators.
Subject: BERBON SUSPECTS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
In Cavite, police are preparing charges against six suspects in the murder of ABS-CBN Radio newsman Bert Berbon. The six suspects are believed to be hiding outside Cavite but police expect to make an arrest soon. Berbon's killers were reportedly hired by a drug syndicate. Berbon's wife Sabina was able to identify the gunmen thru a new police sketch.
Subject: FUNKY WORKERS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
Hundred of employees of Telefunken Electronics are still holed in at the Labor Department and will be spending Christmas there. The same employees spent the last Christmas at the picket line. They say they will be having biscuits and coconut jam for their noche buena. They took over the office of Labor Secretary Leonardo Quisumbing Friday in an effort to force the labor department into resolving their year-long dispute with management.
Subject: SCHEME NO EFFECT / SHOPPING RUSH
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
The last-minute Christmas shopping rush is spawning a traffic mess that is defying all traffic schemes cooked up by the MMDA. The MMDA has reimposed the unified traffic scheme to ease the problem. But today, it didn't work. Among Metro Manila's major thoroughfares, authorities say the situation in EDSA was the worst, particularly the stretch from Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard because of the malls in the area.Who among us brave the Christmas rush? There were the celebrities who just wanted to be left alone. And there were those who were supposed to be somewhere else like the office, but the Christmas spirit dictates we don't tell you who they are. There were t he children for whom many of us celebrate Christmas and the men, many of whom don't usually like to shop. But waiting to do your Christmas shopping at the last minute has its price. Guess who's at the end of the receiving line? It isn't just the shoppers who get caught up in the rush, so do the salesladies; even the pregnant ones. And those who wrap the gifts we buy from morning till night.
But you never quite feel the stress on you and on your pocket until the season is over. Joining in on the craziness was too tempting to resist. After all, how am I supposed to feel the Christmas rush if I don't try a little shopping myself?
Subject: MART PERK UP / AYALA-GSIS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
At the foreign exchange market, the peso slightly strengthened against the dollar following good news about the President's health. It reached a low of 26-pesos and 30-centavos and a high of 26-pesos and 29-point-2 centavos. Analysts say banks sold dollar s they amassed yesterday in reaction to the President's surgery. Dollar inflows from filpino workers overseas and portfolio investments contributed to the peso's strength. The market will be closed tomorrow for Christmas.Ayala land has entered into a joint venture agreement with the g-s-I-s. They will jointly develop a 3 hectare property in quezon city. Ayala land says the agreement will be effective once the quezon city government approves the re-zoning of the property f or commercial use. Ayala land and g-s-I-s will form a company to oversee the project. Ayala will have a 55-percent equity stake in the new company.
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Subject: PBA: TRADING PLACES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 12/24/96
Here at home, there is no Christmas break for the PBA; at least for the teams bidding to beef up their line-up. On the eve of the yuletide season, several teams have already begun their house cleaning. 3 trades have already been made. Mobiline has traded Eugene Quilban and Jack Tanuan for Sunkist Orange Juicers Alvin Teng and Eric Reyes. Teng and Reyes will provide the size the cellulars need. On the other hand the Bottlers will field Quilban against Alaska's Johnny Abbarientos. The Cellulars also traded veteran Cadel Mosqueda to Purefoods for Glen Capacio. It's still uncertain what coach Eric Altamirano plans to do with Mosqueda. More offer sheets are expected.The Corned Beef Cowboys is reportedly eyeing Santa Lucia's Gerald Esplana and Ginebra tower EJ Feihl. Feihl will back up Jerry Codinera. Esplana can help speed up their offense. Among the teams only Alaska milk has announced they will retain their present line-up.