March 31, 2011

The execution of three Filipino drug mules in China is the biggest news in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The headline (‘Am I going to die today?’: Nation mourns for 1st Filipinos executed in China) is a report on the executions in China, which shows the President as a praying person, the DFA as a helping hand, and the Catholic Church also prayerful. Aquino +1. DFA +1. Catholic Church +1.

The other front page news today:

Filipinos ‘Jam for Japan’ in 3 cities April 1 - a story of Filipino musicians staging a concert in support of the Japanese tomorrow.

No farewell hug but mama’s voice recording will make up for it - another report on the executions, this time from the point of view of the family of one of those executed. The report, which gave President Aquino space to pat himself on the back, also gave some leftists space for statement against him. Aquino +1 -1. Catholic church +1.

PLDT-DIGITEL DEAL: End of unlimited calls, texts feared - a business report on the current shakeup in the telecommunication industry.

Bali, Makati bomber arrested in Pakistan - a man wanted as conspirator or leader in the Bali bombing, which the paper also tagged as Makati bomber (but ridiculously so reported without any supporting information), was reported to have been arrested in Pakistan. The paper did not say which Makati bombing the arrested terrorist was involved in. The report perhaps just gave the government some chance to claim resolution of a past bombing so as not to be bound to show any future arrests.

Doc dances to new beat as liver transplant survivor - a report on a successful medical procedure.

No ‘PI’ in PH, US envoy tells media, guards - some cuss words were used between a cameraman and some security escorts of the US ambassador.

The scores today:
Aquino: 2
Catholic Church: 2
DFA: 1

March 30, 2011

A prayerful nation or one begging for mercy seems to be the main theme of the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The headline (Nation on bended knees: 3 Filipinos set to die by injection in China) turned out to be a report that simply looked like a reprint of yesterday's front page news on the same topic. Catholic Church +1. Aquino +1. Binay +1. DFA +1.

The other front page news today are as follows:

Plutonium found in soil worsens nuke crisis - seems to be like a similar update on the Japanese Nuclear Plant crisis as yesterday's.

Lacson keeps friends’ names secret - again, both Delima and Lacson although seems at odd with each other are both given good space on the paper's front page. Lacson +1. De Lima +1.

COMMENTARY - March 30: Same date 40 years ago - seems to be inaccurate commentary on the Philippines-China relations comparing two different instances as if they are related.

Revillame treatment of dancing boy in tears criminal–CHR - a TV host who campaigned against the President in the last elections was not given space to defend himself. CHR +1. Revillame -1.

Flash: Toilet paper crisis grips Tokyo - in Japan, even Toilet paper supply is affected by the crisis.

The scores:
Aquino: 1
Binay: 1
Lacson: 1
De Lima: 1
DFA: 1
CHR: 1
Catholic Church: 1
Revillame: -1

March 29, 2011

The AFP is heralded in a way military officers would have preferred not to in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The headline (Military most corrupt gov’t agency–Pulse Asia: PNP stays No. 2 on list of grafters) gave surveys supreme importance while it puts the AFP in a very uncomfortable position, all while the DSWD the DepEd are deemed least corrupt among government agencies. AFP -1. PNP -1. DSWD +1. DepEd +1.

The other scores:

Highly toxic water seeping from damaged nuke reactor - is a summary of updates from Japan.

Lacson says he was a fugitive from injustice - gave Sen. Lacson almost exclusive space in this news report. Lacson +1.

Flight was ‘blatant disrespect of rule of law’ - perhaps to balance the news, a report this time putting Sen. Lacson on the defensive, while Sec. DeLima and her department are given ample space. Lacson -1. De Lima +1.

Kin offer tsunami of prayers to stay execution of 3 Filipinos - the Catholic Church, former Presidential candidate Villanueva and a host of others are praying for the Filipinos on deathrow in China, while Vice President Binay, the administration and the DFA are given ample space for their views. Catholic church +1. Villanueva +1. Aquino +1. Binay +1. DFA +1.

Fast car slows down Aquino rating–SWS - the President given some negative treatment based on the result of a survey. Aquino -1.

The scores today:
Binay: 1
De Lima: 1
DFA: 1
DSWD: 1
DepEd: 1
Catholic church: 1
Villanueva: 1
Aquino: 1 -1 =0
Lacson: 1 -1 =0
PNP: -1
AFP: -1

March 28, 2011

The scary worsening of the situation in Japan is the main news in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The headline (Japan radioactivity soars. 10 million times over normal, say nuke execs) is a story on the worsening crisis in Japan that may have been already proven wrong before it saw print in the paper.

The other front page news today:

Filipinos turn off lights for environment - a report on the recent Earth Hour participation by Filipinos nationwide and people elsewhere.

Doomed Filipino woman: I was tricked - a sworn affidavit by one of the supposed Filipino drug mules to be executed in China, printed by the paper wholly, pointing to a certain person whom the drug mule alleges to have duped her into bringing the heroin to China.

Evangelist asks people to pray for 3 convicts - a report saying that the government has done everything it can while a former Presidential wannabe prays with his flock. Aquino +1. Villanueva +1.

LACSON ON THE LAM. Getaway on Orient Express - a report that gave excitement to the supposed foreign adventures of Sen. Lacson and readied the readers to his meeting with President Aquino. Lacson +1. Aquino +1.

Hubs, restos can be bad for health - a report on a supposed study on the danger of going to entertainment centers.

The scores:
Aquino: 2
Lacson: 1
Villanueva: 1

March 27, 2011

Senator Lacson is back in the limelight in the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page today.



The headline (Lacson keeps out of sight. Senator set to meet media Monday) report found online seems to be an updated version of the actual news report with a different title even. The report is a story on the Senator Lacson's homecoming where everyone is convinced the government cannot do anything about it but far from blame. Lacson +1. De Lima +1. Aquino +1.

The other front page news:

60 minutes of darkness for world to see the light - a report on Earth Hour which Philippines is said to be one of the top participants.

The real Samurai: ‘Fukushima 50’ swells to 700 - a story of the Japanese workers in the Nuclear power plant in Fukushima.

For injured workers, agency goes out on a limb - It is the DOLE good deeds given space by the paper this time. DOLE +1.

Azkals ‘live’ on Twitter: It’s the next best thing - the paper makes news out of its own tweeter account. PDI +1.

Sin statue starting to look like the cardinal’s face value - a report remembering the late Cardinal now supposedly more accurately. Catholic Church +1.

The scores:
Aquino: 1
Lacson: 1
De Lima: 1
DOLE: 1
PDI: 1
Catholic Church: 1

March 26, 2011

Looks like a Dirty Harry - like statement got the nod of the Phil. Daily Inquirer Front Page editors to become the main news today.



The headline (‘We’ll get Sumera killers’. Aquino says cops pursuing slay suspects) gave the government premium space for their statements in solving the death of a journalist. Although the report includes some negative statements on the mass media killings, the report gave the administration the benefit of answering the charges with unchallenged and preemptive statements of their own. It is amazing how the paper is able to frame a negative story into a positive spin favoring Aquino. Aquino +1. Robredo +1. De Lima +1.

The other front page news today:

40,000 join Manila rally vs RH bill - a report purely coming from the point of view of people against the Reproductive Health Bill, the first time that the paper covered the issue on the side of the Church. Catholic Church +1.

Nuke plant workers exposed to massive radiation - an update on the Japanese Nuclear radiation crisis.

IT-savvy CHR team cracks Burgos case - the CHR is doing ala James Bond but at a fraction of the cost, and while defending the DOJ as to have been improbable to have the time to look for suspects crimes that became national issues. CHR +1.

EARTH HOUR. Lights out today around the world - a few lucky souls are included in the paper's coverage of the popular Earth Hour. Aquino +1. Binay +1.

Eco-friendly jail uses biogas to cook, bake - it is the BJMP's time to be the good guys in the front page today. BJMP +1.

Senators to wear togas for Gutierrez case - the senators agreeing to wear a costume is given good front page space today highlighted by statements from some Senators. Estrada +1. Escudero +1.

The scores:
Aquino: 1
Robredo: 1
De Lima: 1
Estrada: 1
Escudero: 1
CHR: 1
BJMP: 1

March 25, 2011

Female broadcaster slain: Killer picks up spent shell, walks away calmly

PH bans Japan milk chocolates; global embargo widens

BIR sues 3 former Philcomsat executives

Binay walking tall in latest survey

COUNTDOWN: 5 DAYS ‘Don’t forget to pray, don’t lose hope

eal story behind the Hollywood legend