Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 11/29/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: SUMMIT ENDS WITH RESOLUTIONS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
The 2-day drug Summit ended today with resolutions on how to effectively combat the drug menace. Delegates believe it will take some changes in the law to win the war against drugs.It was a meeting of minds. For 2 days, law enforcers, prosecutors, judges, and community leaders discussed strategy in the war against drugs. These are the people who will lead the campaign. They came up with resolutions on how to stop the growing drug me nace. Most called for changes in the law. For one, they want stiffer penalties.
According to Atty. Antonio Mecano of NBI, "trafficking will be considered heinous regardless of Quantity of the drug seized."
Drug Summit legislative recommendations
- amendment of RA 7659 - making drug trafficking regardless of amount a heinous crime.
- enactment of a money laundering act
- amendment of RA 1405 - allowing law enforcers to access suspected illicit bank accounts.
- a law alloting 20% of CDF to anti-drug program
They want amendments to the banking secrecy law to allow authorities to peek into bank accounts of drug suspects, a formulation of a law against money laundering and another appropriating 20-percent of the countrywide development fund for anti-drug progra ms. Men in uniform who commit drug offenses will be in for harsh punishment. With the President as their number 1 backer, conference delegates are confident most of what they put on paper will see action.
Gen. Reynaldo Wycoco of DILG said, "if we were able to accomplish for 2 billion worth of drugs, With this Summit we expect to accomplish more.
Subject: BRING A FRIEND...TO REHAB
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
As part of the government's crackdown on drug abuse, the Interior Department is launching a program meant to reform drug users and dependents and hopefully deprive drug syndicates of their market. The statistics are frightening. The Dangerous Drugs Board says about 80 percent of families in the Philippines has at least one member using illegal drugs. The focus of the recent weeks has been catching the source of the drugs. Interior Secretary Barbers says users also require government action. Barbers says f amilies ask for his help everyday. They want their children re-habilitated. Problem is rehab centers are too few and the treatment too expensive. Rehab centers sometimes charge as much as 60 thousand pesos per treatment.Just last night in Mandaluyong City, a drug addict caused a ruckus in his neighborhood and the police had to be called in. And because drug users are not getting any less, Barbers wants the public to "bring in a friend".
The PNP drug center in Bicutan has just been re-furbished and can still take in patients for now. This perhaps is the best government can do. Since they can't seem to get to the root of the problem. 16 drug dependents volunteered to avail themselves of th e Interior Department's program. They will be sent to the drug rehabilitation center in Bicutan. Secretary Barbers says they expect another batch next month.
Subject: FVR BACKS BURMA IN ASEAN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Tomorrow, Asean leaders will decide on Burma's application for membership. Burma, Cambodia and Laos currently have observer status. The West wants Asean to delay Burma's entry because of its crackdown on pro-democracy activists. When President Ramos left for Jakarta this morning for the informal Summit, he said he would make things easier for Burma.When 7 Asean heads of state meet tomorrow, foremost on the agenda will be Burma's application to Join the Asean. Observers this year, Laos and Cambodia will be admitted into the regional forum next year. But Burmese leader General Than Shwe will have to sit back and watch as Asean leaders discuss not the merits anymore but the timing of accepting his country's application and the question of common preferential tarriffs.
Some of the leaders expressed doubts for a while about US's preparedness to join the Asean. The West opposes Burmese membership in Asean over government intolerance of the pro-democracy movement. But Asean leaders have closed ranks and have made up their minds effectively ignoring US President Bill Clinton's attack on US's lack of "a rule of law."
Southeast Asian solidarity will be a theme central to still another item on the agenda. As the leaders discuss the inaugural World Trade Organisation meeting in Singapore next month, they're expected to oppose a US led initiative to broaden the WTO agenda to include items such as labor standards and investment guarantees. APEC's core is striking out on its own and looking east as it keeps up with the globalization trend.
Subject: OPLE BATS FOR INQUIRY
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Blas Ople accuses China of strengthening its military presence on Panganiban Reef in the Spratlys. Ople did not say where he got the information. His accusation comes a day after Chinese President Jiang Zemin en ded his 3-day state visit to the country. Beijing maintains the structures are shelters for Chinese fishermen.Ople says the foreign relations and defense committees will hold a closed-door inquiry into the goings-on in the Spratlys and its security implications for the Philippines and the region. Ople says diplomatic solutions are okay. But he insists China is al ready violating the Philippines' territorial integrity.
Subject: COMMUNISTS SUSPEND TALKS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Communist rebels have suspended peace talks with the government after it refused to release a detained leftist leader. The national democratic front claims the arrest of their consultant, danilo borjal, is a violation of the safety and immunity guarantee agreement. The government panel says borjal did not have proper identification and was carrying an unlicensed gun when he was arrested last november 21 in bicol.
Subject: LAST TERMERS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Ruben Torres is threatening to sanction Lakas legislators who insist on tinkering with the Constitution. Some Lakas Party members are allegedly reviving attempts to change the charter to allow the President to stay in power after 1998. The President has assured he won't use the success of the APEC Summit as an excuse to seek a second term. Lakas Congressman Exequiel Javier says last-termer legislators are busy campaigning either to amend the Constitution or for high er positions in 1998. This is the reason the House leadership has a hard time getting a quorum.
Subject: DOTC APPOINTMENT
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Amado Lagdameo's chance of being confirmed as Transportation Secretary is growing dim. Senate President Ernesto Maceda has withdrawn his nomination. Maceda heads the Commission on Appointments. Maceda is questioning a 120-million peso land deal between th e Public Estates Authority, then under Lagdameo, and Amari/Ital-Thai Coastal Bay Development Corporation. Maceda says the contract was underpriced. Lagdameo denies involvement in any anomaly and welcomes an investigation. The PEA also dismissed Maceda's expose as old hat, saying the deal was above board.
Subject: SC STOPS RECALL
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Caloocan Mayor Rey Malonzo bounces back in his legal fight against a recall election. The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order, stopping the election scheduled December 14. Malonzo petitioned the Court to nullify the recall. The High Tri bunal gave the Commission on Elections and Barangay officials in Caloocan 10 days to comment. The TRO will be in effect for the next 19 days.
Subject: WORLD AIDS DAY
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
On Sunday, the world will remember the millions struck by AIDS. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 28 million people worldwide have been infected with the AIDS virus since the epidemic Began 15 years ago. An additional 26 million may be infected by the year 2000.Here in Manila, AIDS activists will stage a rock concert and a walkathon to commerate World AIDS Day.
Subject: ELEVATOR PROBE EEI TO BLAME
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
The Makati City Engineer's Office says construction company EEI is liable for the deaths of 5 construction workers. The service elevator they were in plunged to the ground yesterday. Officials say EEI did not secure a permit for the elevator and failed to observe safety regulations. EEI denies the accusations. The elevator was on its way up the Kingswood Twin Towers when the accident occurred.An international union of construction workers based in Geneva called on the government to strictly enforce safety regulations. The International Federation of building and wood workers says many companies fail to observe safety standards.
Subject: INTEREST RATES TO DROP
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
The Central Bank's move to shave the reserve requirement will mean lower lending rates next year.Interest Rates
- 1997- 10.6 %
- 1996 - 12.4 %
Interest rates could drop to an average of 10.6 percent in 1997 from a 1996 estimate of 12.4 percent due to the planned two percentage point cut in reserve requirements next year. This is based on reuter poll of four banks which based their predictions o n benchmark 91-day Treasury Bills. Banks' economists say the fall in interest rates is expected to begin immediately in this Monday's weekly auction of T-Bills.
91-Day T-Bill Rates
- End-1996 projection - 11.5 to 11.25 %
- Present - 11.70 %
By yearend, the 91-day bill rate could drop to 11.5 to 11.25 percent from the current 11.7 percent. Far East Bank economist Emma Pante says by July next year, rates could become single digit of about 9 percent. Short-term prime lending rates are currentl y at 14 to 15 percent.
Philippine Peso - US Dollar Rate
- 1996 - P 26.22
- 1997 projection - P 26.60
Poll participants also see the peso weakening but only slightly. To 26-60 to a dollar on the average, from 26-22 this year. BSP Governor Gabriel Singson assures domestic liquidity generated from lower required reserves is kept within limits and consistent with the 6.5 percent inflation target in 1997.
Subject: PLDT TARIFFS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
PLDT, the country's largest phone company, may cut international call tariffs by up to 20 percent next year as it faces increasing competition. PLDT Executive Vice President Jose De Jesus says the new rates will take effect after the company implements a metering system for domestic calls. De Jesus assures the metering system will not mean higher telephone bills for 60 percent of PLDT subscribers.
Subject: WESTIN PHILIPPINE PLAZA
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Mabuhay Holdings Corporation has bought 1 51 percent at stake in the 5-star Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel from Japan-based allied Kajima Ltd. It will pau 1-point-53 billion pesos for the 670 room hotel. Mabuhay says it sees an opportunity to develop unutilized portions of the site due to the shifting of development focus to the Manila Bay area.
Subject: TAIWAN's DAMAGE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Taiwan says it will not launch further steps to boost economic ties with China. Taiwan is accusing China of coercing South Africa into switching recognition from Taipei to Beijing. South African President Nelson Mandela says they will make the switch by y ear-end. Taiwan's foreign minister is leaving for South Africa soon to limit the political damage.
Subject: MOTHER TERESA
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
In India, Mother Teresa's condition has improved. Doctors say the 86-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner suffered no chest pains in the last 24 hours. But doctors still have made no decision when to administer an x-ray test on her. They say they need more t ime to ensure Mother Teresa could withstand the test that will determine if her arteries need surgery.
Subject: ZAIRE UPDATE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
In Central Africa, UN relief officials say their on-going operation to bring home Canadan refugees from Zaire is gaining pace. About 1,000 Canadans crossed the border South of Lake Kivu towards an area near the Zairean town of Bukavu. Aid agencies believe about 200- to 400-thousand Canadan refugees are still in eastern Zaire short of food and in danger of attack by Militias. The Canadian commander of a proposed peacekeeping force set-up to help the refugees has reached an understanding with Zairean rebels . The rebels promised not to interfere with relief efforts.
Subject: CRISTY WINS POC
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
Cristy Ramos-Jalasco of the Philippine Karatedo Federation is the new President of the Philippine Olympic Committee! As expected, it was a close contest. Jalasco edged out fencing's Celso Dayrit by the slightest of margins, 17 to 16 in a closed-door ballo ting at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel. Go Teng Kok got only 2 votes. Soft Tennis Association head Tony Tamayo was allowed to vote. His participation was earlier questioned by Buddy Andrada of tennis. But Andrada later withdrew his protest. Many believe he made the difference. Now the huge task of charting the course of Philippine sports for the next 4 years awaits Jalasco. She says she will immediately buckle down to work.
Subject: PBA GAMES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
At the PBA Governor's Cup, it's back to square 1 for Ginebra San Miguel and San Miguel Beer. The Gins beat the Beermen in Game 2 of their semi-final duel at the Araneta Coliseum. Pido Jarencio exploded with 31 points, including eight 3-pointers in a 115-1 11 overtime win.In the 2nd game, defending champion Alaska Milk made it 2 and 0 in their own best-of-5 series against Formula Shell. They blasted the Gas Kings for the 2nd straight time, 106 to 89.
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Subject: GOLF/TENNIS/OLYMPICS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/29/96
GOLF Colin Montgomerie carded 5 birdies and an eagle for an impressive first round 65 at the million dollar Golf challenge in South Africa.Million dollar challenge (First Round)
- Montgomerie 65
- Jones 67
- Els 67
- Stricker 68
- Woosnam 68
- Pavin 68
- Brooks 68
- O'meara 69
- Langer 69
- Price 71
- Faldo 73
Montgomery's 65 is the lowest opening score in the 16-year history of the tournament. World number 4 Ernie Els is in joint second with US open champion Steve Jones. Nick Price and Nick Faldo had so-so first rounds.
TENNIS
US tennis star Andre Agassi is likely to drop out of the world's top 10 after pulling out next month's Australian Open. Agassi says he is burned out and needs a break. Last week he withdrew from the year-ending world championship.
OLYMPICS
The International Olympic Committee has signed a long-term television rights deal with a pool of Japanese broadcasters worth more than half a billion dollars. The agreement gives Japanese pool exclusive television Rights for 5 Olympics starting with Sydney 2000. The record-breaking deal was struck without the broadcasters knowing where 3 of the Olympics will be held.