Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 01/03/97
Homepage: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

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NBI DRAGNET FAILS TO BAG JALOSJOS

NBI agents once again searched several units at the Pacific Place Condominium but failed to get Congresssman Romeo Jalosjos. The congressman's political rival says Jalosjos, who is wanted for statutory rape, may have already fled the country.

Unit 407 is owned by Vicente Balisado, one of the lawyers of Congressman Jalosjos. Balisado says the NBI did not present a search warrant when they searched his place last December 31. The NBI agents came back to check it again today. They also searched five other units. Still, no Jalosjos; only angry residents whose privacy they disturbed. A few minutes after NBI agents left the area, ABS-CBN News received an anonymous call saying Jalosjos went up to the penthouse as soon as the place was cleared.

But the mayor of Dapitan City, a political rival of Jalosjos, says the congressman is now out of the country. Mayor James Adasa claims Jalosjos boarded a private plane for an Asian country last December 26, the same day the arrest warrant was issued. The Interior department has also sent out arrest warrants to the Visayas and Mindanao. NBI Director Santiago Toledo promises not to give up the search.

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THE STAKEOUT THAT NEVER WAS

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stepped into the picture after Malacanang criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) for failing to arrest Jalosjos. For a while, it looked like the NBI was about to accomplish the job. But Patrick Paez tells us about the stakeout that never was.

NBI agents first arrived at the Pacific Place Condominium at 10:00 a.m., New Year's eve. They received a tip Jalosjos was at the unit of his lawyer. They tried entering the room but the person on the other side of the door prevented them and demanded a search warrant. They gave in even though the NBI later said, an arrest warrant was enough. That was their first mistake. The second mistake was waiting until the afternoon before deciding to seal off the place. They entered the room of Jalosjos's lawyer a few hours later. Of course, it was empty by then. The third mistake was wasting time arguing with the building administrator. The agents wanted to search all 500 units in the 21-story building. For that, they needed a search warrant.

A police official said the NBI team apparently doesn't know the procedures. At 2:30 this afternoon, task force leader Sammy Ong ordered his men to pullout. But when he got back to the office, he again received a tip Jalosjos was still inside the building. Depending on how reliable the tip was, that was their fourth mistake.

In any case, the NBI agents are planning to go back to the condominium. With the stakeout of the last three days, probably the most conspicuous in police history, they aim to be more discreet this time.

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6 SUSPECTS CHARGED IN BERBON'S MURDER

Police filed a complaint for murder against six suspects in the killing of ABS-CBN radio newsman Bert Berbon. Four of the suspects are still at large. Investigators believe a drug syndicate was behind the murder.

Berbon's wife, Sabina, said jailguard Sotero Paredes was one of the gunmen. Paredes, who previously was under police custody, was then placed under arrest. Police say Paredes owns the vehicle used by the suspects. It was found in Bacoor, Cavite, days after the murder. Sabina Berbon also identified another hitman, Ronaldo Aranzaso, from the photographs of 14 suspects. Aranzaso is still at large. The provincial prosecutor recommended no bail for the six accused. Jailguard Danilo Espineli was not included in the rap sheet for insufficient evidence. He was the first suspect brought in by the police.

In Imus, Cavite, another suspect was arrested today. Gerry Alindog, said to be a close associate of Aranzaso. Both are facing separate drug charges and are out on bail. Authorities seized three automatic rifles, ammunition and 100 grams of shabu from Alindog's house. The guns will be tested to see if any of them were used in the murder of Berbon. Police suspect a drug syndicate may be behind Berbon's murder. They expect to wrap up the case soon.

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GALVEZ MUM ON DOJ'S PETITION

San Ildefonso, Bulacan Mayor Honorato Galvez refuses to comment on the justice department's petition for a review of the verdict in the Vinculado murder case. His lawyer says they'd rather wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the petition. San Ildefonso seems like a normal provincial town. Despite his trial in a celebrated murder case, Honorato Galvez was re-elected mayor in 1995. He was acquitted.

But the Vinculado family has not given up. The case, in which Alvin Vinculado was killed and his brother, Levi, lost an eye, has forever changed the lives of the Vinculados. The incident has cost the Vinculado family P8 million: in hospital expenses, legal fees, and bank loans to cover their loss of livelihood. They say they can't even sell their lands in Bulacan because the Mayor's office is barring the transactions. After the promulgation of the case last October 3, Mayor Galvez thought it was the end of the trial. But the Vinculados have renewed their hope for the reversal of the case.

Mayor Galvez refused to talk to the media. His aides say the Mayor "does not want to be bothered." His lawyer also refused to comment on the appeal of the justice department for a review of the verdict. And until this case is finally resolved, only then will Galvez, the Vinculados, and the town of San Ildefonso, find their peace.

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PROSPECTS FOR A REVIEW

What are the prospects for a review? A legal expert tells us the petition of the justice department is facing two odds: the Constitution and the conservative tradition of the Supreme Court. When the justice department decided to push for a review of the Vinculado murder case, it must have known very little would be in its favor.

First, legal experts believe the petition is against the Constitution. Under the Bill of Rights, Mayor Galvez should not be put in jeopardy twice for the same offense. Prof. Albert Muyot of the UP College of Law, says: "If this is a constitutional question, you know that a conservative court will not really want to change an established interpretation of the Constitution."

"And all courts are conservative," Muyot adds. The last time the Supreme Court reviewed an acquital was in Galman vs. Sandiganbayan. Even if the soldiers were first acquitted, the Supreme Court ruled the trial was rigged by Marcos.

Muyot feels the case of Judge Tirso Velasco is different. "The premise is not that Judge Velasco was unfair. The premise is that he had discretion, but it wasn't a wise exercise of discretion on his part," explains Muyot. As for the Supreme Court, a decision in favor of the Vinculados would set a precedent. Anyone agrieved by an acquital would then be able to ask the High Court to review the decision of the trial court.

"It's a very long shot," says Muyot. Should the DOJ fail to get the SC to review the case, it would most likely find success in the court of public opinion: that it will be perceived as to have tried its best to give the Vinculados another chance at justice.

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BUSINESS GROUP DENIES ENDORSING DE VILLA'S CANDIDACY

The Makati Business Club denies it is formally backing Defense Secretary Renato de Villa for President in 1998. The headline story of a newspaper today came as a shock to the largely conservative business group.

The Makati Business Club says it was shocked, to say the least. The MBC is not in the business of endorsing candidates for president. MBC Chairman Ricardo Romulo says the 400 corporate members of MBC are free to chose their own candidates. The organization did not endorse Mrs. Aquino in 1986. And it is not endorsing Defense Secretary De Villa for 1998. "They (newspaper) say it's a reliable source, but what's so reliable about that?" Romulo asks.

But opposition leader Ernesto Maceda says many of the businessmen associated with MBC are known to be sympathetic to De Villa. "He's (De Villa) known to be close to the Ayala's and the Tuazon's," says Maceda. Rumors of De Villa's candidacy seem to be growing louder everyday. Senate President Pro Tempore Blas Ople says they are closely guarding the P300 billion AFP and PNP modernization fund to prevent it from being diverted into De Villa's campaign war chest.

Speaker Jose de Venecia, who is perceived to be De Villa's rival for the President's endorsement, seems confident of his grip on the Lakas party. He says De Villa will have to join Lakas first before anyone can talk about a split in the ruling party.

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GOV'T TO ADOPT 1996 BUDGET AS IMPASSE OVER PORK CONTINUES

The government has prepared an interim budget for this year in preparation for a prolonged stalemate between the Senate and the House on the 1997 budget bill.

Speaker Jose De Venecia is confident the 1997 budget will be passed by the end of the month. But the confidence is his alone. There were no compromises today. Neither did the meeting between the Budget Secretary and Congressmen push through. This prompted Secretary Salvador Enriquez to assure the public that the government is prepared to operate on the 1996 budget throughout the year. That is, if the budget squabble drags on. "I think the differences are politically inspired," Enriquez says.

The government has set aside an interim budget of nearly P450 billion. Most of it came from last year's budget outlay. At least P41.5 billion has been earmarked for salary increases of government workers; P5.6 billion for public works projects; and almost P90 billion for debt servicing. Anti-crime and anti-poverty measures will also be given top priority as well as vital government institutions and the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development. The House and Senate are under pressure to pass the 1997 budget. But who will blink first?

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GRP, MILF TALK PEACE

Government will begin peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) next week. Ambassador Fortunato Abat, chairman of the government panel, flew to Cotabato this morning to prepare for the talks.

Abat created two technical committees that will lay down the groundwork. One committee will take care of the talks' agenda. The other will explore the possibility of concluding a ceasefire agreement with the rebels. The committees will meet their rebel counterparts on Tuesday at the Da'wah Center in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has ordered an investigation into the New Year's eve fire that razed the AFP Logistics Command building. Vital documents were destroyed in the fire. Deputy Ombudsman for the Military, retired General Manuel Casaclang has created a fact-finding team to conduct the probe.

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PHASE OUT PERIOD OF OLD COINS EXTENDED

To save people the trouble of exchanging old coins for new ones, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) urges stores to accept old coins. The stores can then exchange them for new ones with the BSP or other banks. Initially, the BSP wanted the public to turn in their old coins either to them or to the banks. But many banks yesterday had difficulty accommodating the number of people who brought in their coins.

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"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" - HUTCHISON WHAMPOA LTD.

Some harsh words from the winner in the cancelled bidding for the Subic Bay Container Terminal project.

Hutchison Whampoa Limited says it has not yet decided on whether to rebid on the project. "We've exhausted all our time and resources for the project. There comes a point when you have to say enough is enough," says John Meredith, group managing director of Hutchison Port Holdings.

But Meredith says losing the deal would have no impact on the group. He says the company would have to look at whether it is interested in placing fresh bids for a project it won twice last year, but is now forced to reconsider because of President Ramos' order for a rebidding. He says rebidding would be technically difficult because everybody knows everybody else's details. Meredith adds the bidding was marred by too much politics. He says there's no other country in the world where they have had to explain their bids several times over.

"(There are) too many politicians involved. There's no country in the world where we've to explain our bids several times over. It would look as if it's a situation where the government will continue re-tendering the project until it is won by a local company." Meredith also questioned the legality of the President's order saying they view the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as an autonomous body.

ICTSI officials, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction on the rebidding and announced its intention to participate.

In Malacanang, Presidential Legal Adviser Renato Cayetano downplayed the effects of the cancelled bidding on foreign investors' sentiment. Cayetano said the decision would not scare but rather, attract them even more. Cayetano said it was better to order rebidding rather than award the project unilaterally.

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RFM CORP. GETS DAIRY QUEEN ICE CREAM FRANCHISE

RFM Corporation has the Dairy Queen Ice Cream franchise. The firm was given the local franchise last year when it purchased two bottling plants.

RFM subsidiary, Selecta Dairy Products, rose sharply yesterday on rumors it had acquired the franchise. It was passed on by the Syjuco family, former owners of RC Cola and Jaz bottling plants, which were sold to RFM unit, Cosmos.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is projecting a 22 percent growth in export earnings and a 14.5 percent increase in investments this year. Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Bautista, says export receipts may reach US$25 billion from US$20.5 billion last year. Local industries are seen to expand their exports base to include products limited only to the domestic market. Bautista sees investments reaching P550 billion.

But coconut exports did not fare too well in 1996, falling by more than 23 percent to $845 million from a record $1.099 billion in 1995. Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Virgilio David blames the decline on three typhoons which devastated coconut growing areas.

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EXPECT A NEW MOBILINE TEAM UNDER BLACK

It will be a whole new Mobiline squad the fans will see in the PBA 1997 season. With Norman Black as head coach, the Cellulars are expected to get out of the cellar. Analysts believe that Black, known as a defensive coach, will make a defensive team out of the Cellulars. And with 6'8" Filipino-American Andy Siegel in the line-up will make Mobiline even tougher to beat.

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