By Nelson S. Badilla
For Variety

$909M budget deficit

MANILA — The Department of Finance says the government incurred a 40 billion pesos, or $909 million, budget deficit during the first nine months of this year.
But it said the shortfall was smaller than the projected deficit of 54 billion pesos, or $1.2 billion.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said they expect the deficit to rise to no more than 63 billion pesos, or $1.4 billion, by the end of this year.
He said this is a “better-than-expected fiscal performance” which is “due mainly to lower than program spending which is primarily accounted for by savings in interest payments.”
He added, “There is a need to further strengthen our revenue collection efforts. ... We are also pursuing privatization to ensure that we will be able to raise the needed revenues….”

Weak impeachment complaint will be withdrawn

MANILA — Attorney Roberto Rafael Pulido says he is ready to give up his “weak” impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if the opposition could file a stronger complaint.
“I don’t know why the opposition waited until the last minute to decide to file a case. Nevertheless, the important thing is that the case will push through,” he said.
Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda, now a spokesman of the United Opposition, told the press that they will file a real impeachment complaint.
Under the law, the House of Representatives can only accept one impeachment complaint a year.
Pulido denied that he intentionally filed the weak impeachment complaint that opposition Rep. Rufus Rodriguez wants the Supreme Court to nullify.

Arroyo orders bribery probe

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered an investigation into the doling out of cash “gifts” to lawmakers and local officials who attended a meeting at the presidential palace.
Malacañang earlier dismissed the bribery issue as a “non-issue.”
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye this time said the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission will conduct a “thorough investigation” that aims to identify the persons who gave out the money, and the source of the funds.
Some local officials who received the money said palace staff members handed them paper bags with cash inside.
Bunye earlier said that “there is nothing wrong with receiving a donation, provided it is put to good use.”
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines expressed concern over these bribe offers.
“Our country is not only suffering from economic bankruptcy but also moral bankruptcy, disappointingly being shown by our leaders,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the CBCP president.
Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, the Marine commandant, said soldiers have also been “affected” by the controversy.