Malacañang yesterday downplayed allegations made by Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. against the President as nothing but political statements coming from someone still sourgraping over the loss of the speakership in the House of Representatives.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez said the allegations made by De Venecia during yesterday’s hearing on the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo were “political sentiments which serve political interests.”

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The Philippine Star

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By Aries C. Rufo, abs-cbnnews.com/Newsbreak | 11/25/2008 5:29 PM

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante is facing contempt and possible detention in the Senate for his “seeming evasiveness” in answering queries on the misuse of the P728-million fertilizer fund.

Blue Ribbon chair Senator Richard Gordon, before suspending today’s hearing, said the committee “will deliberate” whether to cite Bolante in contempt “so he could be confined in Senate premises.” He noted that “a lot of senators were not happy about his seeming evasiveness” in responding to questions on his bank accounts, how he managed the fertilizer fund and his trips abroad.

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ABS-CBN News Online Beta

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By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Leila Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:18am (Mla time) 11/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—For all the charges hurled against his mother in the latest impeachment case, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo Monday argued that none would stick in court.

“What my father is denying is that he was trying to broker a deal [with Chinese firm ZTE Corp. for the national broadband network project], not the golf game [with executives of the company],” Mikey said, responding to a litany of charges ex-Speaker Jose de Venecia aired at the start of the formal inquiry into the substance the fourth impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

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INQUIRER.net

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MANILA, Philippines – A provision to postpone the 2010 presidential elections and extend the terms of office for all elective officials has been inserted into a House Resolution currently pending before the House committee on constitutional amendments.

This was revealed Tuesday by human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, as he belied earlier allegations by the pro-administration congressmen when they defended their proposals to amend the Charter.

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GMANews.TV

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is still waiting for the return of the 105,000 euros (P6.9 million) seized by Russian customs agents from retired police comptroller Director Eliseo de la Paz and his wife who failed to declare the cash they were carrying at a Moscow airport last Oct. 11.

“We are still waiting for the money. We believe that the Russian authorities have their own process (in sending the money back to the Philippines),” said a source, who requested anonymity.

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The Philippine Star

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Killing of 2 activists in 2003 cited
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:48am (Mla time) 11/25/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The United Nations Human Rights Committee has said the Philippine government violated provisions in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in the murder of activists Eden Marcellana and Eddie Gumanoy in 2003.

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INQUIRER.net

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Reiterates position in face of House Con-Ass move
CBCP reiterates stand in face of new moves in House

Lelsie Ann G. Aquino, Kris Bayos

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday rejected the plan of the House of Representatives to convert itself into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss), saying any change in the Constitution should be done by way of a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) and only after the 2010 election.

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Manila Bulletin Online

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SMC increases its stake, looks to acquire more

By Chino S. Leyco And Likha Cuevas-Miel, Reporters

State-run Social Security System (SSS) is selling its shareholdings in Meralco to the country’s largest food and beverage company, San Miguel Corp., as it eyes buying more shares owned by a government bank.

Romulo Neri, SSS presi­dent and chief executive, told The Manila Times that the fund’s board approved last week the sale of about 6 percent of its shares in the Lopez-owed Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to San Miguel.

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The Manila Times Internet Edition

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By Delmar Cariño
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 22:21:00 11/22/2008

TUBLAY, Benguet — Senator Manuel Villar on Saturday absolved former President Joseph Estrada of any blame for his ouster as Senate president.

“Wala akong comment dyan. Si Erap ay nananatiling isa kong kaibigan, hanggang ngayon (I have no comment about that. Erap remains my friend),” he said here as guest of the town’s 108th founding anniversary.

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Newly installed Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday denied that the Senate coup that ousted Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. was sealed during the birthday party of Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas in Malasiqui, Pangasinan on Nov. 15 where President Arroyo was present.

He said he could not possibly have discussed the Senate coup or even Charter change with the President because there were too many people and it was very noisy.

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The Philippine Star

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