September 7, 2010

The hostage taking incident still is at the center of the Inquirer Front Page today.



The main headline reports in length (‘PNP has no nego team’. No TV, radio monitors at command post–Yebra) on hostage negotiator Yebra's testimony in the De Lima commission that puts the PNP on very negative position. PNP -1.

The other news today:

Puno: I’ll take bullet for the President - a report that questions the appointment of USec Puno in the DILG by President Aquino, and the appointments of manicurist and gardeners in the Arroyo administration. Aquino -1. Arroyo -1.

Arroyo asked to testify in NBN-ZTE case - a report that puts former President Arroyo in a very difficult position. Arroyo -1.

Under fire, Palace says Robredo only ‘acting’ DILG chief - a report on the DILG chief under pressure from Congress. Robredo -1.

Fat bonuses to be frozen for 2 months - reports on GOCCs receiving perks, the news without mentioning who to blame.

27-inch man is world’s shortest - a AP report on the world's shortest person who may soon be not the shortest anymore.

Ombudsman to probe housing mess in Pampanga - former VP De Castro in the focus of attention in the Pag-ibig bogus borrowers issue recently exposed by the mass media. De Castro -1.

Gov’t asks court to outlaw Abus as terrorist group - a report on what is possibly a wrong report (and PNP claim) on the killing of Abu Sayyaf leaders. PNP -1.

The scores shows former President Arroyo and the PNP leading the negatively treated pack in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today:
Arroyo: -2
PNP: -2
Aquino: -1
Robredo: -1
De Castro: -1

September 6, 2010

Although there are still news about the hostage taking incident, the main headline today took a story about the killing of an Abu Sayyaf leader.



The main news today (Abu commander killed. Special Action Force raids bandits’ Sulu lair) is a report that gave good grades to the PNP with the successful operation against the Abu Sayyaf Group. PNP +1.

The other news today:

Senators press Aquino: Heads must roll - a report about people telling the President what he should do. Aquino -1.

Analysis. Crisis erodes confidence in P-Noy - an analysis with some more unverified information on the hostage crisis that gave negative implications for the President. Aquino -1.

8 long hours of waiting at Dengue Express Lane - a report on the sorry experiences of Dengue victims' long and arduous wait for hospital services at San Lazaro Hospital. DOH -1.

Traffic jams bad for health - a report on the effects of traffic jams on health.

DoH urges 6 habits to fight dengue - a report on dengue cases happening in many places in the country.

RP scientists note massive bleaching of coral reefs - a report of concern on the dying coral reefs.

The scores seems to show that the President is having some negative treatment today:
PNP: 1
DOH: -1
Aquino: -2

September 5, 2010

Again, the hostage crisis took centerstage in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The main headline (‘I could’ve grabbed him’. Negotiator says he had chance to subdue Mendoza) reports of an additional revelation from the De Lima committee investigation of the hostage incident, a revelation that says someone in the Ombudsman's office (Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales) earlier asked money from the hostage taker to be able to review his case. Ombudsman -1.

The other news today:

Int’l tour operators still bullish on RP sites - reports of the effects of the hostage taking incident in the tourism industry.

Crisis body abandoned crisis, Isko Moreno tells probers - more report on the De Lima Committee's interivew with those involved in the hostage negotiations giving both Mayor Lim and General Magtibay more explaining to do. Mayor Lim -1. PNP -1.

Thursday Group tends to convicts’ body, soul - a report on a group with an advocacy to tend to sick convicts.

It’s priests vs pros in charity basketball - a report on a fund-raiser event, with catholic priests playing basketball with pro-cagers.

US carrier here; crew to ‘shop, shop, shop, eat, eat, eat’ - a story on the port call of a US aircraft carrier in Manila.

The scores:
Ombudsman: -1
Mayor Lim: -1
PNP: -1

September 4, 2010

The Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today gave the hostage taking incident the most prominent space again today after a break of two days.



The main headline (Bus hostage-taking deemed ‘local crisis’. Puno admits no training in hostage situations) gave space to the hearings by the DeLima committee on the hostage crisis, giving the PNP much negative publicity. The hearing seems to show that Usec Puno is ready to admit his incompetence in the situation and might very well going to be the fall guy. PNP -1. Usec Puno -1.

The other news today:

Aquino takes full responsibility for fiasco - a report that gave President Aquino almost exclusive space to admit responsibility on the hostage mess, but did not eke out from him any response as to what would he do then. Nevertheless, we count this news negative to the President. The President also basically gave DILG Sec. Robredo a free pass on the hostage situation, and it very well looks like USec Puno will be the sacrificial lamb. Robredo +1. Usec Puno -1. Aquino -1.

‘Reinstatement’ letter undelivered - another coverage of the committee hearing on the hostage crisis showing the President's concern on that day. Aquino +1.

Too late the heroes: Crack police unit struts stuff - a report that says a hostage rescue is actually within our means. PNP +1.

P8B more for poorest of poor - a report on the budget being asked congress by the administraiton for 2011, that benefits the supposed poorest at the expense of wealthier farmers, making the news both positive and negative to the administration.

US carrier arriving in Manila today - a report on a US naval vessel docking in Manila possibly for some rest and recreation of its crew.

There is another news today about Stephen Hawking's theory about the world's creation that did not require the presence of God, which link our monitor can't find in the Inquirer website.

The scores today shows USec Puno seems to be on his way our of DILG possibly as a sacrificial lamb:
Robredo: 1
Aquino: 0
PNP: 0
Usec Puno: -2

September 3, 2010

Although the main healdine today is about the cash aid to be given to poor people, the Inquirer Front Page today still gave majority space to news related to the hostage taking incident that happened last week.



The main headline (1M poor families to get gov’t cash aid. Beneficiaries to receive P1,400 each monthly) today reports of a government project started in President Arroyo's term that would give monthly stipends for the poorest of the population. The report gave conditions how a poor family can continue getting the cash support but did not report the way how a poor family is included in the first place. Although the news itself will surely gave President Aquino a boost in popularity among those who receive the stipend as surely it does the former President, the report did not single out who is to be credited with the project except that Sec. Dinky Soliman is directly involved in it. Soliman +1.

The other news in the Inquirer Front Page today:

5-member body starts 3-day probe of hostage drama - reports of the investigation going on about the hostage taking incident, and it seems there are actually two investigations, the one happening at the NBI and the one conducted by Sec. Delima. This monitor wouldn't make a call if this news benefits anyone at this time.

Aquino wants swift justice for victims of massacre–Palace - a one sided report on the Ampatuan trial that gave President Aquino quite a space saying he is for justice. Former Pres. Arroyo was not mentioned as ally of the accused this time. Aquino +1.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER BLUNDER? 3 bodies sent to wrong families - a bungling exported to China, with mention of the President bewailed as a scum. Aquino -1.

Robredo’s CA confirmation in peril - Sen. Escudero enjoying free space at the Inquirer at the expense of DILG Sec. Robredo. A smaller but similar positive space is also given to former President Estrada (why so is not explained), at the expense of PNP Chief Versoza and Manila Mayor Lim. Escudero +1, Estrada +1, Robredo -1, Lim -1, Versoza -1.

Gov’t sees 10% drop in HK tourist arrivals - reports on the effect of the hostage incident so far to the tourism industry.

Believe it or not: PCSO incurs P1-B loss - surprising losses at the PCSO most probably, although not mentioned, also because of the past administration's excesses.

Discovery Channel hostage-taker killed - a hostage taking incident that ended differently, in Maryland, USA.

The scores:
Soliman: 1
Escudero: 1
Estrada: 1
Aquino: 0
Robredo: -1
Lim: -1
Versoza: -1

September 2, 2010

For the 2nd day in a row, the hostage crisis is not the main headline but still in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The main headline (Outrage over delay of Ampatuan trial. De Lima: Defense lawyers obviously delaying trial) is a one sided take on the supposed delaying tactics employed by the defense in the Ampatuan trial. The news did not take the Ampatuan side of the issue nor did it report the reasons cited by the defense for postponement of the trial. Instead, it just reported the feelings of the victims and the prosecution panel, giving ample positive space for Sec. De Lima. The report also noted that the Ampatuans are allied with former President Arroyo. Arroyo -1.

The other front page news today:

Ex-MPD chief: ‘I did my best, I did my best’ - an apology from the MPD chief, the role of mass media and Sec. De Lima's surefire steps being taken to investigate the issues. PNP -1. Mass Media -1. De LIma +1.

Nobody’s taking the rap for hostage fiasco - a report on the factions within the administration that could have affected negatively the outcome of the hostage crisis. Aquino -1

SSS execs also got P46.2M in profit share - a recurring story about GOCC executives' receiving excessive salaries, perks, etc. This talks are spearheaded by Sen. Drilon who we start to monitor. The news did not connect the report to former President Arroyo (although there is of course the insinuation that all these are in connection to the past administration's excesses. We do not monitor it yet though as against the former President). Drilon +1.

Pacquiao giving foe shot at redemption - a report on the upcoming fight of Cong. Pacquiao. Pacquiao +1.

DoH says dengue now under control - a report on Dengue cases, with a bit misleading title and mostly positive treatment of the DOH. The report also mentioned the support the military is giving to help combat the disease. DOH +1. AFP +1.

Cavite mom fights to keep son out of jail - a case in Cavite involving a teenager.

All 3 Chinese winners accepted RM awards from Aquino - reports that it seems everything is now turning out well for both Pres. Aquino and his administration. Aquino +1.

The scores:
De Lima: 1
Pacquiao: 1
Drilon: 1
DOH: 1
AFP: 1
Aquino: 0
Arroyo: -1
PNP: -1
Mass Media: -1

September 1, 2010

For the first time since the bus hostage taking situation happened in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, the Inquirer gave more space to other news today on its front page.



In the main headline today (Only at MWSS: Even drivers get car loans. Senators learn there’s also gender incentive bonus) the Inquirer, as with Sen. Drilon, is totally shocked that a driver is entitled to a car loan. It shows how great a divide between the elite and the working class is in the country. The report is basically a one-sided media fiesta on the bonuses received by MWSS employees. Of course, the insinuation is that it is the former admnistration's policies that got us into this but the report itself did not point to that nor to a person directly allied to President Arroyo. MWSS -1.

The other news today:

Cunanan, Neri, Apostol got P46M as bank execs - more report of the former administration's allies getting fat checks from GOCCs, this time we can put squarely as treating former Pres. Arroyo negatively as the people mentioned are known to be her allies. Arroyo -1.

HOSTAGE CRISIS Gov’t vows marathon inquiry and no whitewash - a news report totally coming from the administration side, saying there will be no whitewash in the investigation wherein the President say will show there are "things he inherited", whatever that means. This report is surprisingly one-sided and gave President Aquino positive treatment while the former administration the opposite. Aquino: +1. Arroyo: -1.

Dengue has killed 429 Filipinos since January. Disease up by 75%, downed 54,659–DoH - reports on Dengue cases happening all over the country.

Maguindanao trial starts: 200 accused and 500 witnesses - a relegated report on the start of judicial process on the Maguindanao massacre.

Realty firm faces raps over projects in Pampanga - a continuation of story on a government housing fund farce this time giving space to Vice President Binay who seemingly shows political will to resolve the issue. Binay +1.

‘RM Award transcends China-RP tension’ - looks like more PR report coming from the RM Awards.

Physicist couple showing the way - more PR from RM Awards.

No justice for 2,200 judges, 108 justices - a report on non payment of justice allowances seemingly blamed on the previous administration. Arroyo -1.

The scores shows former President Arroyo taking the heat as far as the Inquirer is concerned and as if she is still at the helm.
Aquino: 1
Binay: 1
MWSS: -1
Arroyo: -3