2003

AGRICULTURE Mable, Jing A. Changing the farmers’ lot. {On Luis P. Lorenzo Jr’s watch , the Department of Agriculture prepares farmers to become entrepreneurs.} Philippines Free Press 2003 October 25 16

AL-GHOZI AND TERRORISM Torre, Ricky S. Flat-footed response. {The National Police tries to cope with the disgrace of al-Ghozi’s strolling away from its clutches.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 2 2

ARROYO AND ELECTIONS Saspa, James Payawal. Decide now. {Lakas faces the prospect of implosion as President Arroyo delays her decision to run in next year’s election. The opposition is in no better shape.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 2

ARROYO AND ELECTIONS Torre, Ricky S. The clamor game. {Despite her repeated denials and occasional show of temper, President Arroyo’s supporters continue to promote her as the ruling party’s standard-bearer in next year’s election.}
Philippines Free Press 2003 June 28 2

ARROYO AND ELECTIONS Torre, Ricky S. What’s the word? {Despite her Rizal Day decision, President Arroyo is still widely anticipated to break her promise sooner or later.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 8

BATAAN AND LEONARDO ROMAN Saspa, James P. Model and leader. {From war memorials to awards for governance, environmental protection, and development programs, Bataan and its governor Leonardo Roman are showing the way for local government here and abroad.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 12

BT CORN Alvarez, Ramiro C. BT Corn: why the fuss? {While it is now commercially grown in many developed countries, Bt corn remains unacceptable to many Filipino farmers.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 28

BURMA AND AUNG SAN SUU KYI The general strike. {Burma’s ruling junta uses the iron fist, dashing hopes for democracy and detaining again Aung San Suu Kyi.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 30

BUSH, GEORGE W. AND FOREIGN RELATIONS Torre, Ricky S. American fiesta. {In sharp contrast to the worldwide skepticism toward the US president, George W. Bush arrives in Manila and gets an exceedingly warm reception from Filipino officialdom.} Philippines Free Press 2003 November 1 2

CAMACHO, JOSE ISIDRO Nuguid, Nati. Goodbye to all that. {President arroyo’s finance secretary quits.} Philippines Free Press 2003 December 6 6

CAMARINES, SUR AND ROLANDO ANDAYA, JR. Saspa, James Payawal. Keeper of the purse. {House appropriations committee chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. presses for reforms to save the government from bankruptcy.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 16

CAMARINES SUR AND RUBEN MEDROSO Mable, Jing A. Taking care of business. {Mayor Ruben Medroso turns Calabanga into a town of small businessmen.} Philippines Free Press 2003 November 1 14

COCONUT LEVY FUND Alvarez, Ramiro C. Tree of despair. {The coconut farmers have always known that the coconut levy fund belongs to them. But when will they get it?} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 13 30

COMELEC AND IMPEACHMENT Nuguid, Nati. It’s not over yet. {The house throws out an impeachment complaint against a Comelec official, but the case may reach the Supreme Court.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 9

CONSTITUTION Nuguid, Nati. How shall we do it? {The Constitution will be amended. That’s for sure. But Congress cannot agree on the mode} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 6

CONSTITUTION AND ARROYO Torre, Ricky S. Point of no return. {President Arroyo gives in to the clamor for constitutional amendments, as the debate on how the Constitution should be amended becomes messier.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 1 2

DAVAO AND TERRORISM Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Out of control. {The President declares Davao to be in a “state of lawless violence” and calls in the Marines and the Special Forces to help the police restore order after the spate of terrorist attacks in the city.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 8

DRUG TRAFFICKING AND NPA Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Drug-dealing guerillas? {President Arroyo accuses the NPA of drug-trafficking; the rebels say she’s just making an excuse to avoid peace talks with them.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 6

EDUCATION Mable, Jing A. Building a strong republic through education. Philippines Free Press 2003 October 25 32

ELECTIONS AND OFWS Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Vote anywhere. {Overseas Filipinos now have a good chance of being able to vote in national elections back home.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 8

ENGLISH Your English is showing. {Alarmed at Filipinos’ worsening language incompetence, President Arroyo orders a return to English in schools.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 22

ESTRADA AND TRIAL One for Ripley. {Joseph Estrada’s new lawyer wants the Sandiganbayan to rule against the Supreme Court.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 28 10

ESTRADA AND TRIAL Nuguid, Nati. More drama. {Joseph Estrada now wants to put the President and the Supreme Court justices in the witness stand.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 10

FAMILY AND CATHOLIC CHURCH Nuguid, Nati. Under siege. {The Fourth World Meeting of Families comes to Manila at a time when the Filipino family is reeling from poverty and all sorts of pressures--- including dictation from the Roman Catholic Church.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 10

FERNANDEZ, DOREEN Chua, Jonathan. Dining with Doreen. {She described food vividly, and if the food was good she wrote about it. It was alaways a pleasure dining with Doreen Fernandez.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 34

FOREIGN RELATIONS AND US Torre, Ricky S. Going too far. {President Arroyo’s pro-Americanism is again put on the spot by a controversial bilateral agreement that Manila signed with Washington.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 6

GUINGONA, TEOFISTO The Nationalist. {As vice president, Teofisto Guingona is not taking it easy and keeping quiet. Instead, he keeps fighting for the national interest.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 3 12

ILIGAN AND ALIPIO CIRILO BADELLES Mable, Jing A. For the greater good. {In fighting for the industries of Iligan, NPC Rep. Alipio Cirilo Badelles is also fighting for the whole nation.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 13 12

ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. The real score. {The Philippine government will follow the Supreme Court’s ruling on the $680-million Marcos loot and ignore that of Judge Real.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 20 10

ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH Nuguid, Nati. Dispute over the loot. {Lawmakers bicker about the use of the forfeited Marcos Swiss deposits.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 2 6

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND MANGYANS Mable, Jing A. Saving the ‘vanishing’ mangyans. {The indigenous people’s rights gives the Mangyans of Mindoro the legal title to their ancestral domain, but they need help to assert that right.} Philippines Free Press 2003 December 6 12

IRAQ AND US Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Going with Bush. {President Arroyo picks the sure winner in the war against Iraq.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 2

IRAQ AND US Step down or else. {The United States has set a new standard for avoiding war: Saddam must not only disarm, he also must go into exile.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 24

IRAQ AND US Torre, Ricky S. Now comes reconstruction. {The United States begins to focus on administrative matters, even if the situation in Iraq continues to be a military concern.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 3 8

IRAQ AND US Torre, Ricky S. Taking Baghdad. {American forces liberate the Iraqi capital. But the war is far from over, and Saddam Hussein is nowhere to be found.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 2

IRAQ AND US Torre, Ricky S. The road to Baghdad. {The US-led coalition marche on the Iraqi capital, encountering fierce resistance along the way.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 5 2

IRAQ AND US PEACE One tough job. {After easily beating Iraq in war, the United States is challenged to reform it in peace.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 30

IRAQ, PHILIPPINES AND US Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. A share of the spoils. {The destruction of Iraq is good for the Philippine economy. This, in effect, is what Malacañang is saying to justify its support of the US-led war on that country.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 5 8

JIMENEZ AND PEREZ Nuguid, Nati. Mark’s echo. {Mark Jimenez’s extortion charge against Hernando Perez rings back---from Switzerland.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 20 6

KIDNAPPING AND CHINESE Living in fear. {the Chinese in Manila cower in their homes as kidnappers defy the government’s campaign against crime.} Philippines Free Press 2003 December 6 8

LACSON AND PRESIDENCY Amurao, George T. Bankrupting Lacson. {Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s enemies are trying their darnedest to stop him from running for president.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 23

LACSON AND PRESIDENCY Nuguid, Nati. So much trouble. {Panfilo Lacson’s legal problems threaten his presidential plans.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 10

MAIDS’ SALARIES Nuguid, Nati. Unkind cut. Hong Kong slashes maids’ salaries, but it will not send Filipino women rushing back home.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 14

MEAT; LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY Alvarez, Ramiro C. Agonizing over meat. {Disputes between the government and private livestock raisers over foreign trade put the economy at the losing end.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 27

MERALCO Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Just pay up. {Meralco loses its bid to reduce the P28-billion refund to its customers.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 3 6

MINDORO AND LEVISTE Mable, Jing A. The face of Development. Philippines Free Press 2003 December 6 17

MANILA AND LITO ATIENZA Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Resurrecting Manila. {Mayor Lito Atienza, believing that development is contagious, gives his city an aesthetic facelift through an ambitious urban-renewal program.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 3 28

MANILA AND LITO ATIENZA Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Working for Manila’s rebirth. {Mayor Lito Atienza strives to rescue Manila from urban decay and turn it into a livable world-class city.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 28 12

MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Another mess. {One more onerous, multibillion-peso business contract carried over from the Estrada era plagues the Arroyo administration.} Philippines Free Press 2003 November 1 10

MILF AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Terror in Siocon. {A bloody attack by MILF fighters on a Zamboanga town prompts Malacañang to call off peace talks with the rebel group and threaten it with a “terrorist organization” tag.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 14

MILF AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS Mable, Jing A. Change of guards. {The MILF’s Salamat dies. The peace negotiations will continue.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 16 10

MILF AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. On with the war. {A halt in military operations against the MILF and a government invitation to resume peace talks with the rebels are met with a series of bombing attacks in various part of Central Mindanao.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 4

MILITARY CRISIS Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Rumors and intrigues. {The rumor mill is in overdrive, grinding out new anti-administration gossip every day, keeping Malacañang busy issuing denials.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 13 6

MMDA AND BAYANI FERNANDO Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. The Metro chef. {After bringing sanity to the streets of Metro Manila, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fedrnando sets his eyes on the vice-presidency.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 16 12

MONEY LAUNDERING Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Laundering the law. {Congress has until February 12 to fix the ineffective money-laundering law before the world’s banking community lowers the boom on Philippine financial transactions.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 6

MONEY LAUNDERING Nuguid, Nati. Relaundered law. {After clarifying things with a foreign mission, Congress amends the dirty-money law. Will the revised version make the mark?} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 11

NAIA AND PIATCO Torre, Ricky S. Illegal deals. {Piatco is out of the airport project, says the Supreme Court. But this controversy is far from over.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 2

NOAH’S STORY There was no deluge? {A new study challenges a finding that Noah’s epic story is based on a real flood.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 29

NPA AND INSURGENCY Torre, Ricky S. Revolutionary justice. {The past catches up with former New People’s Army leader Romulo Kintanar.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 2

OAKWOOD MUTINY Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. A failed power grab. {Investigators say the July 27 mutiny is not a “spontaneous expression of grievances” but a “planned takeover of the government.”} Philippines Free Press 2003 November 1 12

OAKWOOD MUTINY Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Unsettling the queen. {President Arroyo faces down a mutiny. Or is it the return of military adventurism?} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 9 2

OAKWOOD MUTINY AND ARROYO Nuguid, Nati. ‘I did it by myself’. {President Arroyo chastises business for its lack of support during the mutiny.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 16 6

OAKWOOD MUTINY; MILITARY MUTINY Torre, Ricky S. Conspiracy theory. {The investigation begins, with the government insisting that the July 27 mutiny was a failed power grab.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 16 2

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS AND MILF Mable, Jing A. Clearing the way for peace. {The government and the MILF inch toward the resumption of peace negotiations.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 12

PENTAGON PLAN AND US Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. What really happened. {How a pentagon plan to send US troops to Sulu to fight the bandit group Abu Sayyaf ended up an embarrassing reversal because of miscues between Washington and Manila.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 2

PIDAL, JOSE Torre, Ricky S. Private show. {The self-confessed Jose Pidal discloses everything and nothing in a frustrating appearance at the Senate.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 20 2

PIDAL, JOSE Torre, Ricky S. A quieter bomb. {The third installment of his Jose Pidal expose lacks the sensational impact that Sen. Panfilo Lacson may have desired.} Philippines Free Press 2003 October 25 2

PIDAL, JOSE AND LACSON Torre, Ricky S. Senate soap. {In the second episode of his expose on corruption in the Arroyo government, Sen Panfilo Lacson takes a harder look at Jose Miguel Arroyo’s heart and purse.} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 13 2

PNP AND TECHNOLOGY Saspa, James Payawal. The police go high-tech. {Use your cell phone or computer and get police action-fast.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 1 12

POE AND PRESIDENCY Torre, Ricky S. The Revelation. {“Da King” throws his hat in the ring, as the other players gear up for what may be the most consequential event in Philippine history if it proceeds on schedule---the 2004 presidential election.} Philippines Free Press 2003 December 6 2

POLITICAL STABILITY Nuguid, Nati. In search of stability. {With elections just nine months away, could a political summit solve the problems besetting President Arroyo’s government?} Philippines Free Press 2003 September 13 10

POPULATION AND FAMILY PLANNING Nuguid, Nati. Bad rhythm. {With the government following the church line on family planning, expect the population program to go awry.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 1 28

POVERTY Alvarez, Ramiro C. Vomit of society. {Excuses for failures and wrong approaches to problems of poverty keep many Filipinos dismally poor.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 14

PRIESTS AND SCANDAL Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Wrong bishop move. {He calls it an “inappropriate expression of affection” but the woman calls it sexual harassment. The scandal has thrown the press into a feeding frenzy.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 2

PRIESTS AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT Nuguid, Nati. Sins of the fathers. {Church leaders close ranks to defend a bishop accused of sexual harassment, even as another scandal involving a resigned prelate threatens to reach the courts.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 28 6

PUERTO PRINCESA AND HAGEDORN Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. The take-charge guy. {Once again, Mayor Hagedorn is making Puerto Princesa a byword in eco-tourism and a favorite destination of local and foreign visitors.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 16 26

PUERTO PRINCESA AND Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. The take-charge guy. {Once again, Mayor Hagedorn is making Puerto Princesa a byword in eco-tourism and a favorite destination of local and foreign visitors.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 2 12

PYRAMIDING SCHEME Nuguid, Nati. Curse of the pyramid. {A get-rich-quick operator’s luck runs out.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 5 30

REBELS AND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS Saspa, James Payawal. Fools. {The Arroyo administration offers the communist rebels a “final” peace agreement that requires surrender.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 10

RIZAL DAY 2000 BOMBINGS; TERRORISM Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Bombers down. {Confessions of captured MILF operatives solve one of the worst terrorist attacks in the country, the Rizal Day 2000 bombings.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 8

ROCO AND PRESIDENCY Torre, Ricky S. Early Leader. {Raul Roco may be the alternative that the Philippines needs in these crucial times.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 16

SADDAM, HUSSEIN Two aces down. {With Saddam’s heirs gone, hope rises for an end to attacks on US troops-and for the capture of the ousted dictator.} Philippines Free Press 2003 August 2 30

SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION Nuguid, Nati. Suspicions of a deal. {The Sandiganbayan voids the sequestration of Eduardo Cojuangco’s San Miguel shares. What happened?} Philippines Free Press 2003 October 25 12

SARS Killer virus. An Asian health crisis spreads, bringing global consequences.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 31

SARS Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. A nation on edge. {The country’s airports remain under tight watch, with quarantine measures for incoming travelers, to keep out the mysterious killer disease SARS.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 19 30

SARS McNeil, Donald G., Jr. and Lawrence K. Altman. Hunting the bug. {As the SARS outbreak began to take shape, the World Health Organization took action.} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 10

SARS Nuguid, Nati. Invisible threat. {The government and Congress fight back as the Phiippine SARS caseload increases. Could the country duplicate Vietnam’s feat?} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 17 6

SARS Nuguid, Nati. SARS: is it here? {The new virus may have caused two recent deaths in the Philippines} Philippines Free Press 2003 May 3 2

SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACK AND AL-QAEDA The brain. {The mastermind behind the September 11 attacks falls, dealing a severe blow to al-Qaeda.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 6

SPACE Again. {For the second time in 17 years, tragedy has cast a shadow over the US space program, and its future has been put on hold.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 15 24

TANAUAN, BATANGAS AND ALFREDO CORONA Saspa, James Payawal. Building a city, {Mayor Alfredo Corona transforms Tanauan from a rural town to a busting commercial and industrial city.} Philippines Free Press 2003 June 21 12

SARS Stopping the bug. {The world contains SARS, though troublesome mysteries remain.} Philippines Free Press 2003 July 19 30

SONA AND OAKWOOD MUTINY Nuguid, Nati. We remain at war. {President Arroyo is not yet through fighting.}
Philippines Free Press 2003 August 9 8

TERRORISM AND AL-GHOZI Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. Dead men tell no tales. {Al-Ghozi, the country’s most wanted fugitive, has fallen, but the circumstances of his death are as mysterious as his earlier escape from jail three months ago.} Philippines Free Press 2003 October 25 8

VELARDE, MIKE AND ELECTIONS Wake up, Filipino. {The launching of motley movement raises suspicions that it will pave the way for Velarde’s foray into politics or persuade the President to reconsider her decision not to run in 2004.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 14

VETERANS Manlangit, Ros. Caring for heroes. {The government looks for more imaginative ways to recognize the sacrifices of war veterans.} Philippines Free Press 2003 April 5 12

VILLAR, MANUEL AND SENATE Saspa, James Payawal. The crisis manager. {Sen. Manuel Villar, a battle-tested manager, analyzes the country’s leadership problem.} Philippines Free Press 2003 February 8 16

YUCHENGCO, ALFONSO Torre, Ricky S. Taipan. {As a diplomat, political activist and businessman, Alfonso Yuchengco has consistently regarded his own country as his foremost interest.} Philippines Free Press 2003 March 15 16