Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 02/11/97
Homepage: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

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Pro-charter change gaining ground in the Senate

EVENTS indicate the move to amend the Constitution is gaining momentum even in the Senate. Once strongly opposed to charter change, a senator reveals the Senate is now under pressure from Malacanang to go along with the plan.

At least nine senators are eyeing the presidency in 1998. Senator Raul Roco, for example, thinks it's time to put a Bicolano in Malacanang.

Even Senator Gregorio Honasan, the coup leader who tried to overthrow a president, is now considering becoming a president himself.

Eight senators cannot seek reelection under the Constitution. They are Ernesto Maceda, Ernesto Herrera, Heherson Alvarez, Alberto Romulo, Orlando Mercado, Neptali Gonzales, Edgardo Angara and Leticia Shahani.

Their options: higher office, a lower elective position, retirement, or they could go along, or perhaps even spearhead the move to lift term limits or postpone the 1998 election.

Laban Senator Francisco Tatad, reveals Malacanang's overtures for senators to support charter change. Lakas Senator Juan Flavier, admits Ramos has been meeting senators one on one. He can't say whether their conversations have been limited to legislative matters.

Congressman Jose Zubiri, counts at least 16 senators who now favor charter change which is more than enough to get the Senate's approval for a constituent assembly that will amend the charter.

Senator Herrera, says any headcount at this point is largely speculative. The elections are still far away. Anyone can still change his mind.

But as 1998 approaches, the temptation to amend the charter and prolong their political career may be getting harder and harder to resist.

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Pork barrel funds used to blackmail congressmen

AT THE Lower House, proponents of charter change have gained the upperhand. Even those who oppose it now say, it's forgone a conclusion.

First, there's blackmail. You don't cooperate, you don't get your pork barrel. Lakas sources say Budget Secretary Salvador Enriquez reminds those who pay a visit the last tranche of the funds for 1996 can be withheld if there's outright hostility towards charter changes.

Lakas congressmen have been conjuring scenarios of failed elections in Mindanao and the abolition of Congress. Most congressmen are convinced charter amendments are a foregone conclusion.

Even the Nationalist People's Coalition that only last Tuesday vowed to see the elections push through, admits defeat this early.

Approval of a resolution calling for a constituent assembly requires only a majority vote. The most the opposition can muster is 40 votes. An oppositionist in fact just filed a resolution for charter change.

Pro-charter change congressmen are ecstatic over an expected veto by the President of a provision in the budget prohibiting the use of Comelec funds for a plebiscite.

The Senate and House can override the presidential veto, but getting two thirds of the House to support it wont be easy.

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Philconsa wants charter changed via con-con

HAVING been sounded out by the President over the weekend, the Philippine Constitution Association is pursuing its own initiative on charter change. Philconsa would rather push for a constitutional convention.

Philconsa is suspicious of the people bankrolling Pirma's signature campaign. And it does not agree with a constituent assembly in which legislators facing term limits will decide the changes in the Constitution.

Philconsa proposes an election for a constitutional convention to coincide with tthe barangay election this May.

Malacanang is partial to a constituent assembly, an option that is gaining ground in Congress.

A constitutional convention is possible before the 1998 elections should Congress immediately pass an enabling law and if government has enough resources to fund the exercise.

But even if a Con-Con is convened after May, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, a noted constitutionalist, doubts if it can finish deliberations before the end of the year.

Funding, at least, may no longer be a problem. President Ramos is expected to veto tomorrow a provision in the 1997 budget prohibiting the realignment of Comelec funds for a plebiscite.

The last time a Con-Con was elected was in 1971, President Marcos simply junked the charter drafted by the 1971 Con-Con. In its place, a Constitution drafted by Marcos, was ratified in 1973.

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Church reiterates its opposition to charter change

THE CATHOLIC Church reiterates its opposition to charter amendments. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, says amendments should only be made after President Ramos steps down.

Catholic Church leaders and laymen, say they will begin mobilizing their members in their campaign against charter amendments.

But instead of noisy rallies, Father Roberto Reyes of Gomburza, says they will hold a protest marathon.

And speaking of re-election, the Comelec may soon clear the way for mayors of newly-declared cities in Metro Manila to seek a fourth term.

The Comelec's legal department took up the case of Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos. Abalos is on his third term.

But a legal opinion by the Comelec says Abalos can run again, this time as mayor of Mandaluyong City.

The Comelec legal department says the position of city mayor is different from that of a town mayor. The legal opinion may also allow Mayors Jejomar Binay of Makati, and Ignacio Bunye of Muntinlupa, a chance to run again in 1998.

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"I'm in good shape" - FVR

PRESIDENT Ramos paid the Malacanang Press Office a surprise visit today to dispel rumors he had another mild stroke.

Ramos says he is in such a good shape he lost yesterday's game of golf to international golfer Fred Couples, by only one stroke. Ramos says the source of the rumor was doing a disservice to the country.

The last time news of his stroke got around, the stock market took a dip.

Ramos says he might just cancel his weekly press conference and instead invite members of media to watch him do a few laps in the Palace swimming pool.

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SC Orders palace to justify oil deregulation

THE SUPREME Court has ordered Malacanang to justify the deregulation of the oil industry which took effect last Saturday. The Palace has 10 days to explain.

But the high court refused to grant the petition to temporarily stop the implementation of the law.

Four opposition congressmen and several human rights groups sought a temporary restraining order saying the deregulation is unconstitutional and will hurt consumers.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has turned over to the justice department what it claims to be strong evidence in the government's tax evasion case against tycoon Lucio Tan.

A panel member, Senior State Prosecutor Paulita Villarante, says they will start evaluating the documents tomorrow. The BIR delivered the first batch of documents today.

The Supreme Court last week ordered a new preliminary investigation of the tax case.

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Catholics and Protestants unite for peace

CATHOLIC and Protestant church leaders held a 15-kilometer marathon in a show of solidarity with murdered Jolo Bishop Benjamin de Jesus.

The solidarity run kicked off from U.P. Diliman and finished at the Rizal Park early this morning.

Gomburza spokesman Father Roberto Reyes, says the martyrdom of Bishop De Jesus should encourage everyone to campaign for peace. The bishop will be laid to rest on Friday, Valentine's Day, and it will be a day of mourning for Catholic schools nationwide.

The Catholic Education Association of the Philippines has ordered Catholic school heads to hold mass and light candles in memory of Bishop De Jesus.

In Manila, police have seized 57 kilos of shabu in separate buy-bust operations; one in Ermita, and another at a parking lot outside the Diamond Hotel along Roxas Boulevard. The drugs are worth over P100 million.

Two Taiwanese and a Hong Kong national were arrested. Police say the three are members of the Chinese mafia.

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Filipino engineer accused of spying in Angola

LABOR officials are now working closely with the Malaysian and Nigerian embassies to know exactly what happened to a Filipino engineer captured by Angolan rebels last Saturday.

Marcellin Alime, who works for a Malaysian timber company, is being accused of spying for the Angolan government.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, says they do not have an accurate picture of what's going on there because the Philippines has no embassy in Angola.

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BSP to launched Yankee Bond on the 2nd quarter

THE BANGKO Sentral's first international issue is set to make its debut. The BSP has chosen Salomon Brothers as its lead underwriter for its Yankee Bond issue to be launched in the second quarter of the year. The issue would be between $750 million to $1 billion.

Bangko Sentral Governor Gabriel Singson, says the target maturity for the bonds will be a minimum of 30 years. Singson says the timing is right considering prevailing market conditions and investment interest in Philippine debt papers, particularly with the prospect of a credit rating update.

The bonds will serve as a benchmark for pricing long-term issues of Philippine borrowers.

Meanhwile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines has yet to soar. PAL is expecting another P2 billion loss this year, P1 billion higher than earlier projections.

After three years of mounting losses, the airline expects to post profits by 1998 or 1999. The series of strikes last year cost PAL P550 million.

PAL President Jose Garcia, says the delivery of 36 new aircrafts will boost their bottomline in the coming years.

Stockholders unanimously approved a P20 billion increase in capital, the second in less than a year.

Still in business, a new product introduced by RCPI is proving to be a bestseller.

Alarm Net Incorporated, an RCPI subsidiary, is now offering a security alarm service which directly links banks to the Philippine National Police. Alarm Net maintains a central monitoring system in designated PNP stations which alerts the police of ongoing robberies.

Meanwhile, for two decades three oil companies dominated the retailing business. Now that the industry is deregulated several oil firms are expected to put up new gas stations.

Six oil companies are interested in putting up gas stations throughout the country. The biggest is Thailand-owned PTT Philippines. PTT will shell out $250 million in 10 years and set up 140 stations in five years.

Even Filipino companies and young entrepreneurs are joining in. With 17 years experience in oil distribution and marketing, Seaoil Petroleum Corporation is diversifying into retailing. It will invest P250 million in the next five years. Seaoil intends to put up five gas stations in Bulacan and Metro Manila by the first quarter of 1997.

Benz Oil is negotiating with a prospective foreign partner to put up 54 stations in five years. The project cost is P540 million. Their Paranaque branch will be completed by April.

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Ron Jacobs: Is he in or out?

THE 1997 PBA season is just five days away. But it's still uncertain whether Ron Jacobs will be allowed to coach San Miguel Beer. He has been practicing with the team since he arrived from the U.S. but his work permit is being questioned. Jacobs is an American citizen.

Yesterday, he went to the labor department for the required interview. The department says his papers are now being processed. The decision will be out on Friday. If approved, Jacobs can then get a license from the Games and Amusement Board, a prerequisite for him to sit on the bench.

San Miguel's management is confident everything will be in order before the team's first game next friday.

Jacobs was granted an alien working permit when he coached Northern Cement from 1982 to 1986. He has been a consultant for the Beermen for the last three years.

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It's softer, feminine and romantic in this year's fashion

IN THE world of fashion, the only thing that's constant is change. What's in and what's out in 1997?

Romance is back in 1997. Mega Magazine's fashion editor Liza Ilarde, says the look for the year is softer, feminine, and romantic.

People are advised to wear less black and switch to chocolate brown. Be ready to shed those extra pounds. The style will still be close to the body. Narrow blouses and blazers and boot leg pants. Shoulder pads and loose pants are definitely out.

In men's wear, clothes are also taking a lighter shade. Suits can be worn without ties. Collarless sport jackets can take the place of the usual blazers. And printed blazers are gaining popularity.

Citrus will bring more color to people's wardrobes. Tina Maristella Ocampo prefers mixing it with neutral colors to tame the look. But ilarde dares braver souls to try mixing bold colors together.

In footwear, Ilarde says shoes will be very Asian inspired. Platforms are still in as long as they're not too high.

In accesories, belt buckles will come in mostly silver and turqoise, but gold will be back by middle of the year. Bags will take a more flattened shape.

Make-up and scents will follow the romantic theme. Citrus and floral scents, soft and feminine make-up color.

But contradicting the romantic look is the growing popularity of smudgy eyelines. Some suggest trying out less commercialized cosmetics and perfume to give one a more distinct look and scent.

Short hair is still in; shaggy is out.

Brand conscious Filipinos are advised to lighten up. Dressing from head to toe in one designer label is now considered overkill. Flaunting the brand name is even worse, and definitely out.

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