FRONTPAGE: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco (January 28, 2002)

FRONTPAGE: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco (January 28, 2002): Impeachment Complaint Status against Ombudsman Aniano Desierto The House Committee on Justice deemed an impeachment complaint (reportedly related to a bribe to stop an investigation into a Bank of Southeast Asia robbery) as "insufficient in substance" but scheduled it for a plenary vote. The report noted the rule that only one impeachment complaint can be filed against an official within a year. Controversy Over PR Firm Hiring Malacañang confirmed hiring the US-based public relations firm Burson-Marsteller (B-M) to improve the image of the Philippines and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo globally, particularly during the President's 8- to 10-day working visit to the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Funding and Cost: While the contract was reported by the Palace to be for $800,000 (about Php 41 million), reports indicated the cost was as high as $1 million. The video confirmed that Chinese-Filipino businessmen admitted to privately funding the PR campaign. Press Secretary Noel Cabrera stated the goal was to "project a very good image... for investments to come in." Criticism: Senators, including Loren Legarda, strongly questioned the need for the contract, stating the President's image was already good and that government funds should be prioritized for more important matters. The militant group Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino called the media hype a "cheap gimmick." Firm's Reputation: Concerns were raised over B-M's history, which includes crisis management for controversial clients such as Union Carbide (after the Bhopal disaster), the repressive government of Chile, and the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. President Arroyo's Working Visit President Arroyo was in London, meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of her extended working visit. Blair reportedly praised the Philippines for its support of the anti-terrorism campaign. Fake US Federal Reserve Certificates Seized at NAIA A Japanese man, Hirohito Inoue, 41, was detained at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after he refused to allow the inspection of his hand luggage before boarding a flight to Tokyo. The sealed package, which reportedly bore US Federal Reserve stamps, aroused suspicion when the X-ray machine detected an "unidentified black mass." Authorities ordered the suspect luggage to be detonated as a precaution. Instead of a bomb, the package was found to contain fake US Federal Reserve Certificates, including notes in the billions of denominations. Inoue is currently being questioned by the Bureau of Customs. Abu Sayyaf Suspects Arraigned Six suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf were arraigned at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, related to the March 2000 abduction of a priest, teachers, and students in Basilan. Nida Blanca Murder Case Update The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is actively looking for a new witness in the Nida Blanca murder case, for whom they have a cartographic sketch. The NBI expressed confidence that the witness would "shed good light" on the investigation. 40th Day Commemoration for "Strawberry" A mass was held to mark the 40th day since the death of former child actress "Strawberry," who was killed in a confrontation involving her boyfriend, Mark Doromal. Strawberry's mother denied rumors that she was covering up for Doromal. Blocking Stolen Prepaid Cellphones The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced a new procedure allowing prepaid cellphone users to block stolen units by providing the serial number (obtained by dialing *#06#), a police report, and an Affidavit of Loss. Anti-Piracy Bill Support Actresses Joy Simenez and Vina Morales visited the Senate to lobby for support of the Anti-Piracy Bill scheduled for a hearing, which senators expressed full support for.