Major developments for May 4
Balita News Group
GMA visits Erap in Fort Sto. Domingo grants some of his requests
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cancelled her scheduled
engagements this morning and flew by presidential helicopter to Fort Sto.
Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna to personally look into the condition of former
President Joseph Estrada. The President later said that she decided to visit
the former president to be sure that all the comforts and amenities
befitting his position were given to Estrada. "Nandito ako para siguraduhing
komportableng komportable as much as possible si Pangulong Estrada dahil yun
naman po talaga ang sang-ayon sa kanyang puwesto sa paglilingkod sa ating
bayan (I'm here to see to it that the former president is comfortable enough
because that is what we would like to give him as having served the highest
position in our government)," the President said. Estrada, who addressed
Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo as "Madam President," said he was grateful for the
surprise visit of his successor. "Ako naman ay nagpapasalamat at ako ay
nadalaw ng ating Madam President," he said. -----
GMA says she was satisfied with her first meeting with Erap in Fort Sto.
Domingo
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today said she was satisfied with
her meeting with deposed President Joseph Estrada, her first since she
assumed power, which served as an occasion for both leaders to shake each
other,s hands. In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao
said the meeting took place Thursday noon in Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa,
Laguna inside Estrada,s heavily-guarded but cozy bungalow-type quarters.
Tiglao said the President had a "cordial meeting" with the deposed president
for 20 minutes, with each leader exchanging pleasantries. "They shook hands
as soon as they met at around 12 noon today," Tiglao said. Tiglao said that
it was Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who suggested to the President
to visit Estrada. -----
GMA eyes May 7 lifting of declaration of state of rebellion
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is eyeing May 7 as the target
date for the withdrawal of her order declaring a state of rebellion in the
National Capital Region (Metropolitan Manila). In a press briefing in
Malacanang today, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the President
strongly felt that the rebellion is on the way to being totally suppressed.
"The leaders are on the run. The demonstrators they were fooling have been
enlightened that they were being used as cannon fodder," Tiglao said. Tiglao
clarified that May 7, which is roughly a week from the Labor Day attack on
Malacanang by pro-Estrada forces, is a target and, based on current
developments, it can be met depending on the situation. "It is not a hard
and fixed deadline," Tiglao, however, added. -----
GMA asks Honasan Lacson to give up
MANILA - "Give up and face the music." This was President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo,s message to fugitives Senator Gregorio Honasan and former
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Panfilo Lacson, who
allegedly directed the tactical operations in the May 1 storming of
MalacaÑang by supporters of former President Joseph Estrada. The President
assured Honasan and Lacson, as well as the others who were on the wanted
list in connection with the failed takeover of MalacaÑang by an angry mob of
Estrada supporters, that they will get a fair trial. "You will have a fair
trial. This is a democracy," the President said. -----
Honasan Lacson et al asked to surrender
MANILA - National Security Adviser Roilo Golez today urged Sen.Gregorio
Honasan, sentorial candidate Panfilo Lacson and five others to give
themselves up or be declared as fugitives. Honasan and Lacson, together with
nine others, including Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and former Philippine
ambassador to the US Ernesto Maceda are facing rebellion charges in
connection with the violent rally by pro-Estrada supporters in Malacanang
last Tuessday. The government said there was an attempt to grab power
through a coup. But the coup attempt fizzled out when the military
steadfastly defended the Arroyo government. Golez said Honasan, Lacson and
five others will be declared fugitives if they failed to surrender in a day
or two. -----
Miriam files petition to postpone May 14 elections
MANILA - Opposition senatorial candidate Miriam Defensor-Santiago today
filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a petition to postpone
the May 14 elections citing the "state of rebellion" declared by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as incompatible with "free, orderly, and honest
elections." In an impromtu press conference, Sen. Santiago said the Comelec
has the power to postpone elections "for any serious cause such as violence,
terrorism, force majeure, and other analogous causes." The principal ground
for her petition is the "state of terrorism" which has resulted from the
orders of President Arroyo, who on May 1 declared an unconstitutional and
illegal, "state of rebellion" in Metro Manila,according to Santiago. Such
declaration, the senator said, "consequently authorized the military to make
warrantless arrests, impose curfews, establish checkpoints, isssue
hold-departure orders, and take other actions, all violative of the Bill of
Rights, without any reference to due process of law." -----
Comelec chief mum on Miriam's petition to postpone May polls
MANILA - Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Alfredo Benipayo refused
to make any comment,at least for today, on the petition filed by opposition
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago urging the poll body to postpone the May 14
polls. In an interview, Benipayo said he has not read nor actually seen the
petition filed by Sen. Defensor-Santiago. "You have to execuse me but I
don't want to make any comment on that right now," he said. Benipayo said
that although the Commission has scheduled so many urgent matters today, the
poll chief made an assurance that the Senator's petition will be discussed.
"We will discuss it. Beyond that no more comment. Later, when we shall have
decided and then we're going to talk about it. Subjudice here - subjudice sa
Supreme Court, so it's not right for me to give any comment," he pointed
out. -----
PNP reaffirms loyalty to President Arroyo
MANILA - The 110,000-strong officers and men of the Philippine National
Police vowed to "crush" any destabilization attempt against the
administration of President Gloria Macpagal Arroyo. In a statement issued
today by PNP Chief, Director General Leandro R. Mendoza, the National Police
said it "remains solid and united behind the Commander-in-chief, President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the government she represents." "We, the Police
Commissioned Officers, Police Non-Commisioned Officers and Non-Uniformed
Personnel, reaffirm our steadfast and unwavering support to the democratic
institutions of the republic, the duly constituted Government, and the Chain
of Command." The PNP issued the statement as it stepped-up intelligence
operations to capture senatorial candidates Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio
Honasan, and other personalities tagged as responsible for the May 1st
foiled rebellion. Lacson and Honasan, now listed in the PNP's roster of
wanted persons, are subjects of massive manhunt operations launched by the
National Police. -----
Rebellion case filed in QCRTC vs Enrile
MANILA - Five Quezon City prosecutors found probable cause in the filing of
rebellion charge against Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile at the Quezon City Regional
Trial Court. The move of the five prosecutors was supported by state
prosecutor Jovencito Zuno and third assistant city prosecutor Lorna
Chua-Cheng. The five city prosecutors who filed the case before the RTC are
Alfredo Agcaoili, Lamberto de Vera, Conrado Jamolin and Eligio Lofranco.
Enrile was represented by his lawyer Janette Pena, Regulus Cabote and Joseph
Seganday. No bail was set for his provisional liberty. The Philippine
National Police (PNP) submitted to the Quezon City prosecutor's office video
footages of Enrile's speeches during the pro-Estrada rally at EDSA, as
evidence against the reelectionist senator. -----
Palace to provide assistance to Mindanaons recruited to join pro-Estrada
rallies
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has activated an operations
center in Malacanang that would provide assistance to Mindanaoans who were
recruited to join pro-Estrada demonstrations in Manila. Presidential Adviser
on Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza, who chairs the operating center, said his
office would pay for the fares back to Mindanao of the recruits and give
them other forms of assistance. Those who would like to avail themselves of
the assistance could call the operating center hotline 735-6050, Dureza
said. "Our effort is really to assuage the sufferings of these people. After
they have been recruited, many were misled into believing that they're
coming to Manila because they were installing the former President only to
find out that they got into a situation which was not previously known to
them," Dureza said. Based on information the center has gathered, most of
the recruits came from the cities of Cotabato, Zamboanga and Gen. Santos. -----
Miriam to resist arrest
MANILA - Opposition re-electionist Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago today said
she will resist arrest if she will be placed under warrantless arrest by the
military. In an interview following the filing of her petition with the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) to postpone the May 14 elections,
Defensor-Santiago said she will defend herself as allowed by the Penal Code.
"This is completely unconstitutional, illegal, immoral, and an unethical
act. I will therefore depend myself againt this lawless attack against my
person, my honor, and my integrity," the senator said. Defensor-Santiago
said she has no intention of evading arrest and has never gone into hiding,
adding, she is ready to answer any complaint if one is filed against her in
the office of the prosecutor and a preliminary investigation is held as
provided by law. "If a fair hearing is conducted by court, I am willing to
argue my case but I will not submit to an illegal arrest," she insisted. -----
US Embassy announces availability of new "V" non-immigrant visa
MANILA - The United States Embassy in Manila welcomes applications from
qualified candidates for the new "V" non-immigrant visa. The embassy said
anyone who believes they may be eligible should contact the U.S. Embassy
Immigrant Visa Call Center at 1-909-101-0011 to request an application
packet. This packet will include all required documents and instructions on
application procedures. The "V" visa will facilitate the United States
government's goal of reuniting families by allowing beneficiaries of certain
pending immigrant visa petitions to rejoin their petitioner while they wait
for the completion of the immigration process. It will allow eligible
applicants to enter the United States several years earlier than has
previously been possible. -----
NPC holds elections on May 6
MANILA - The National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines will hold its
annual elections on Sunday, May 6. NPC President Tony Antonio said the
annual convention would start at 9 a.m. and voting would start at 1 p.m.
Antonio added that the installation of Senator Claro Recto in the NPC Hall
of Fame would be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow. It was originally scheduled for
May 2 but the rioting near Malacanang on May 1 compelled the NPC to
reschedule the event. Recto was a reporter for El Renacimiento, El Mercantil
and La Demeocracia and wrote articles for a number of magazines before he
became a politician known for his nationalism. Friday, the traditional
fellowship night will be held at the Bulwagang Plaridel. Press Secretary
Noel Cabrera and former Press Secretaries Rod Reyes and Ricardo Puno have
been invited to grace the occasion. Ballroom dancing will be held after the
Celebrity Night. -----
2 Chinese nationals here to testify in kidnapping of kin in 1999
MANILA - Two Chinese nationals flew in this morning from Hongkong to testify
against two former police officers of the defunct Presidential Anti
Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) responsible for the kidnap-slaying of a
Chinese businessman in 1999. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director
Reynaldo Wycoco personally met Mrs. Lau Yuet Yuet and Chong Kam Pai upon
their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Cathay
Pacific Airways flight CX 907 from Hongkong. A member of the Hongkong police
identified as Ricky Pao accompanied the two. According to Wycoco, the two
would give their statements regarding their knowledge in the kidnapping of
Wang Kam Chong, the husband of Mrs. Lau who was abducted on March 24, 1999.
Wycoco said that Mrs. Lau implicated Supt. Michael Ray Aquino and Supt. John
Campos in the kidnapping of Wang. According to Mrs. Lau, Aquino and Campos
personally negotiated for the ransom money. -----
Administration reports 79% hike in ecozone investments
MANILA - Indicative of the growing investors, confidence in the
Philippines, investments in the special economic zones increased by 79
percent in the first four months of 2001 compared to the figures for the
same period last year. In a report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
Director General Lilia B. de Lima of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
(PEZA) said the ecozone investments from January 1 to April 26, 2001,
amounted to P16,613,425,000 as against P9,298,713,000 in 2000. This increase
in investments, de Lima said, translates to the creation of 15,352 new jobs.
According to the PEZA report, new investments came in the form of 26 export
enterprises with a total capitalization of P5.67 billion and projected
annual exports of $948.339 million. There were 36 enterprises that expanded
operations by putting in capital totaling P8.07 billion, with projected
annual export of $532.69 million. -----
DENR-EMB launches environmental management system
MANILA -- In an effort to make businesses and industries socially and
environmentally responsible, the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will launch Friday,
May 4, its environmental management system (EMS) to be held at the Hotel
Rembrandt. DENR Secretary Heherson Alvarez explained that EMS is a system
used by an organization to identify and reduce its impact on the
environment. The environmental impact may come from the processes and
activities of making products and providing services. Although the
implementation of an EMS entails a cost for the organization, he stressed
that in the long run, EMS benefits the organization more by improving
efficiency in the use of resources, thus reducing costs, and by improving
its image, thus gaining more potential customers. Alvarez said the EMS will
make the EMB ISO14001 compliant. ISO14001 is an international standard which
aims to reduce the environmental impact of companies due to ecologically
unsound practices and products. -----
Golez defends "state of rebellion"
MANILA - National Security Adviser Sec. Roilo Golez today defended the
government's declaration of "state of rebellion" in Metro Manila last May 1.
Golez bared that the declaration was based on Article 134 of the Revised
Penal Code of the Philippines which provides for a crime of rebellion. In
today's Round Table at the Holiday Inn Manila, Golez said the crime of
rebellion is defined as an armed public uprising for the purpose of
depriving the functions of the legislative and executive branches of
government. He deplored the Labor Day Malacanang siege of the pro-Erap
supporters who rammed through checkpoints set up along Ortigas Avenue and
Sta. Mesa using six dumptrucks and ten-wheeler trucks. Such violent acts, he
said, of ramming the barricades had posed direct threat to President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo judging from the intention of the rallyists to swarm
Malacanang Palace and to oust the duly-installed Chief Executive. -----
PNB reports improvement in it's operation
MANILA - The Philippine National Bank(PNB) reported a significant
improvement in its operations for the year 2000 with the reduction of its
net loss to P5.97 billion from 1999's P13.85 B reflecting a 57% improvement
on audited financial statements prepared by SGV & Co. PNB President
Feliciano L. Miranda, Jr. attributed this improvement to lower loan
provisioning which was reduced by 65%, lower operating expenses and higher
service fees and other income owing to the increase in remittance volume.
Miranda further said that cost reduction was achieved as a result of various
operational measures that trimmed operating expenses by 8.7% from P8.26B to
P7.54B. PNB's remittance volume increased in year 2000 to $ 3.4B from 1999's
$ 3.1B. The bank's eight year rehabilitation plan has been approved by the
Bangko Sentral but remains to be fully implemented as this is now being
reviewed by banking regulators. Management, nonetheless, has adopted certain
components of the plan including the capital infusion of P10.3 B in October
2000 by the stockholders and various measures. -----
DOH urges parents to patronize fortified food products
MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) reminded parents to look
forfortified food products everytime they make their trip to the grocery or
supermarket. In this way, children are given their daily dose of Vitamin A
through the usual foods they eat like bread (flour), salt,noodles,sardines,
margarine and cooking oil, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said. Vitamin A is
present in yellow fruits and vegetables. Dayrit said fortified food products
bear the Sangkap Pinoy Seal. -----
GMA thanks congratulates cops troops
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today personally thanked the
officers and men of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of
the Philippines for their professionalism and heroism in defending her and
the members of her family as well as the Malacanang Palace from power
grabbers. Shortly after attending a Eucharistic celebration at the
Malacanang Chapel, the Chief Executive went out this morning to the Palace
grounds to personally thank the policemen and soldiers guarding the seat of
national power and protecting it from the violent attack by the pro-Estrada
mob at dawn of May 1, 2001. The troops and policemen were visibly touched by
the President's gesture and beamed as they shook hands with their Commander
in Chief. -----
No spillover of revolt
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Ninth Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Simeon Dizon
expressed belief that the issue on possible spill-over of rebellion in the
cities and provinces of Western Mindanao region is very far-fetched. They
have gathered from their assessments that the staged mass movements of
pro-Erap sentiments in the cities of Iligan and Zamboanga were
insignificant. Dizon said the protest action by a handful of Erap supporters
in Iligan last Tuesday has not been sustained, while the rally and lighting
of candles in Camins and Plaza Pershing in this city over the weekend were
peaceful. There were rumors spreading in this city that some political
groups supporting deposed President Joseph Estrada are allegedly planning to
bring these violent mass actions in the local level. -----
Joson urges media reps on factual reporting on elections
CABANATUAN CITY - Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas N. Joson III asked media
representatives, particularly the ones from the televisions and radios, to
observe and make factual reporting on the conduct of elections in the
province. He expressed confidence that the elections this year will be
similar to the one held in 1998 that the police chiefs in the 28 towns and
four cities,in a statement, said that it was the "most peaceful political
exercise which led to what was probably the heaviest voter's turn-out since
recent years." In inviting media people, Joson sees it as a deterrent to
plans of political groups planning to commit fraud and violence this
election. -----
Napolcom lauds PNP in Malacanang dispersal
MANILA - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) today lauded the
professionalism and maturity shown by the Philippines National Police (PNP)
in defending the government by conducting a dispersal of unruly supporters
of deposed President Estrada who tried to attack Malacanang Tuesday. As this
developed, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose D. Lina, Jr.,
concurrent Napolcom chairman, said the Napolcom would grant a pension to the
widow of Police Officer 2 Rolando Abello, who was killed in action during
the mass action showdown. Lina said Napolcom would also give scholarship to
Abello's children in addition to a one-year gratuity, medical and funeral
expenses. -----
No crackdown on local officials - DILG
MANILA - - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina assured
Thursday that there will no crackdown on local officials aligned with the
opposition Puwersa ng Masa party headed by deposed President Joseph Ejercito
Estrada. Lina issued the statement to dispel rumors that there will be a
crackdown against local officials who are aligned with the opposition.
Speculations run high that following the arrest of opposition senatorial
candidates, the next target are local officials who are identified with the
former President. There is no such move," Lina stressed. "And if ever there
are mayors, governors or other local officials who may have participated
directly or indirectly in the aborted take over of Malacanang, then the
government will take the appropriate action in accordance with law," he
added. -----
State of rebellion may be lifted next week
Manila - The state of rebellion may probably be lifted by Monday or Tuesday
next week. This was disclosed today by National Security Adviser Roilo Golez
at the weekly Roundtable discussion at the Holiday Inn. President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo declared a state of rebellion in Metro Manila after
thousands of supporters of ousted president Joseph Estrada stormed
Malacanang to topple the government last Tuesday. The huge crowd was stopped
by security forces who stood their ground defending the presidential Palace.
Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the demonstrators that
turned into a mob. After the violent demonstration was quelled that left six
people dead and scores injured, the President declared a state of rebellion
to restore law and order in Metro Manila. -----
Airforce trooper rebel killed in clash with NPA rebels
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga - An airforce soldier and a rebel were killed and two
other persons, including an army officer, were wounded in an encounter with
communist guerillas in barangay Pio, Porac, Pampanga Wednesday afternoon.
Sr. Supt. Ismael Rafanan, provincial director of the Pampanga police, said
that the fatalities are Sgt. Durius dela Cruz of the 5th Fighter Wing
stationed at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca town who expired after
undergoing treatment at the Pampanga Provincial Hospital; and Romel Galura,
a New People's Army (NPA) rebel. Army Capt. Ronald Caguiao, commander of the
69th Army Infantry Battalion Company, was wounded in the encounter. Also
wounded was Ronald Navarro, another suspected member of the New People's
Army (NPA) operating in western Pampanga. Government troopers recovered one
.9 MM calibre pistol, an M-16 bullet magazine and voluminous subversive
documents. -----
PCCI preparing mechanism to help gov't reduce poverty in the country
MANILA - The Phillippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the
biggest business organization in the country, is prepaing a mechanism to
help the government to reduce poverty in the country, including various
livelihood programs. "We believe that the more principal cause of the recent
violent demonstration is poverty. The mechanism we are currently preparing
is hoped to complement the poverty programs of the government," PCCI
President Miguel Varela said. Varela said as the political stability has
been already addressed, the Macapagal-Arroyo should now concentrate on
programs that are crucial to political and economic recovery. "Foreign
investors are sensitive to these things (demonstration) so, it will really
set back the economy," he said. Varela said this necessitates the government
to work harder to regain the investors' confidence in the economy. -----
Gov't urged to stop passage of Omnibus Power Bill
MANILA - A party-list group has asked the government to postpone the passage
of the pending Omnibus Power Bill. The Association of Philippine Electric
Cooperatives (APEC) said it is unjust on the part of the consumers to call
for a special session by Congress just to approve the power bill. President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier has asked members of Congress to hold a
special session this coming May 25 to finally tackle and pass the Omnibus
Power Bill. Luis Manuel Corral, APEC's spokesman, said with the passage of
this controversial power bill, it is unjust and untimely for the consumers
for the end result of this is another financial burden. "We will continue to
oppose the passage of this controversial power bill. I asked President
Arroyo that instead of calling a special session to pass the said bill, it
is imperative to suspend the passage of this bill," Corral said. -----
Atienza signs anew pro-poor programs
MANILA - Two worker's groups separately signed an agreement with Manila
Mayor Lito Atienza for the implementation of pro-poor programs in the city.
The Partido ng Mangagawa, represented by the presidents of the labor unions
of workers of seven companies, got the support of Atienza for the
establishment of a Worker's Office under the Office of the Mayor. Atienza
saidthe planned body would be tasked to monitor the unemployment rate in the
city as well as the formulation of measures to mitigate the negative effects
of globalization and submit the same to the city council. -----
MMDA plans five-year implementation of Operation Sagip Kalinga
MANILA - The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is proposing a five
year sustained implementation of Operation of Sagip Kalinga in a bid to
solve the problems created by homeless persons roaming the metropolis. The
proposal was made by the (MMDA) Directorate for Special Operations to
support the government's efforts to rescue street dwellers and return them
to their home provinces and provide them with training for livelihood. Under
the proposal, the MMDA DSO will closely work with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the lead agency, and other concerned
government units in carrying out five year implementation of Operation Sagip
Kalinga. The MMDA aims to begin the project this year with a P73,000 per
year budget or a total of P365,000 for the five year project. The amount is
to be taken from the annual budget of the MMDA. -----
5 PAF men in hot water
MANILA - Five Philippine Air Force (PAF) troopers are in hot water for
barging into the control tower at Clark Air Base without authority when
Malacanang was undersiege by violent demostrators last Tuesday. Lt. Gen.
Benjamin Defensor, PAF commanding general, today ordered the investigation
of the five Air Force personnel, including a certain Lt. Sindak. Defensor
directed the commander of the PAF unit at Clark in Angeles City, to bring
the five Air Force troopers to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for
investigation. PAF spokesman Col. Lino Lapinid said the five PAF men will be
asked to explain why they barged to the Clark control tower fully armed
without any authorization. Their names were withheld pending their
investigation. -----
Mayor killed & 12 others wounded in two ambuscades
MANILA -- An incumbent mayor was killed and seven other persons, including
three councilors, were wounded in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in the
newly-created Sibugay Province in Western Mindanao Wednesday, a sketchy
military report said. Shot dead was Mayor Denia Tora Taponoc. The report
said Taponoc was speaking atop a stage during a fiesta celebration in
Barangay Payag, Malangas, Sibugay Province when gunmen opened fire. Wounded
were Dodong Banquiao, Elma Guevara and Sotero Remando, all councilors, and
Florante Basarte, Rolieta Basarte, Duilnert Banguiao and Reynante Basarte.
Authorities are looking into the angle that the attack was poltically
motivated. -----
ROTC alumni association reaffirms support for GMA
MANILA -- The National ROTC Alumni Association (NARAA) has expressed its
continued support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Constitution
in the wake of the bloody siege of Malacanang early Tuesday morning. In a
letter to the President, Capt. Panfilo Villaruel Jr., NARRA president, said
because of the recent unfortunate incident on May 1, the entire NARRA
membership would like to "express our loyalty and support to the
Constitution and the duly constituted authority under your presidency."
"Once more, we manifest our unequivocal support and loyalty to your national
leadership, and the chain of command and the Constitution," Villaruel said
in the letter to the President. Villaruel said the various NARRA chapters in
the Army, Air Force, Navy, at the general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, in
the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard are abreast of
the recent developments, including the threat to the presidency. -----
Oil firms assure no price increase in coming weeks
MANILA - Oil companies today made an assurance that prices of oil products
will not increase in the next few weeks despite higher crude price in the
world market and the weakening of the peso. "There is no urgent need to
increase our prices. We are still monitoring how the market is moving,"
Shell Pilipinas Petroleum Corp. Vice President for Corporate Affairs
Reynaldo Gamboa said in an interview. Gamboa said his firm could maintain
its prices as long as crude prices does not exceed the $25 per barrel level
while peso-dollar exchange rate stays at P49 to P50. The crude price in
April averaged $24.83 as against $23.45 in March. The forex, on the other
hand, dropped to P51.33 from P48.51. -----
SPORTS: PSC Commissioner Carrion's first move
MANILA --Newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Cynthia
L. Carrion launched recently a sports clinic for street children in the
province of Cavite at the Robinson's Place in Imus. Dubbed as the "Robinsons
Summer Badminton," the clinic is free to street children in the whole
province and has attracted some 100 participants. The clinic is divided into
three sessions, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The
project is organized by the Sectoral Sports Office (SSO) of the Philippine
Sports Commission (PSC) under the office of Commissioner Carrion. -----
SPORTS: Ginebra & Shell face in do-or-die G-5 for last Finals slot
MANILA - - Forget about the top seed, forget about the stats. It's going to
be a tough battle between Barangay Ginebra and Shell Velocity as the two
teams shoot for the second finals tomorrow in the deciding Game Five of the
2001 PBA All-Filipino Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum. The lone game
is set at 7:15 p.m. with the winner to get the right to face San Miguel Beer
in the best-of-seven championship series. The Beermen scored a 3-1 victory
over Pop Cola via 91-87 decision Wednesday night to clinch the first finals
slot. "Definitely, its going to be a tough Game Five encounter. We clinched
tough hill in reaching this back-to-back win to force this deciding match,"
said Shell mentor Perry Ronquillo after the Turbo Chargers' 73-67 win in
Game Four. Ronquillo's counterpart Allan Caidic of Ginebra admitted that his
wards have finally felt the pressure after the Gin Kings took a commanding
2-0 lead only to lose their next two games that forge tomorrow's do-or-die
match. -----
SPORTS: Battad joins Baguio winners in juniors tennis c'ship
MANILA --Third seed Ziarla Battad thundered past Jean Bibal, 6-2, 6-1, late
Tuesday to join the early winners in the Juntaphil-Baguio 2001 juniors
tennis championships here at the Baguio 2001 juniors tennis championships
here at the Baguio Tennis Club. Battad, niece of former RP No. 1 Andres
Battad, banked on her experience to oust the relatively newcomer Bibal and
join top seed Vida Alpuerto, second pick Julie Ann Cadiente and No. 4
Kristel Samala in the quarterfinals of the girls' 18- years- and- under. The
three made the Last 8 of their division by virtue of the draw which gave
them byes. Completing the quarterfinals cast were Pauline Flores, Jaychen
Wee, M. Andes and Ivy Castro. Flores outclassed Joan Khayog, 6-0, 6-1 and
Wee dropped Kate Erece, 6-2, 6-0 while Andes and De Castro got in via the
first round byes.