It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government. Everything is sourced but not everything is here!
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/06/28/1828763/aguirre-sues-tulfo-libel-wants-p1-damages |
Aguirre wants Tulfo and the editorial board of Philippine Daily Inquirer and its online arm, and editorial board of tabloid Bandera charged with violations of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Articles 353, 355 and 360 of the Revised Penal Code on libel.
The former Justice chief cited 12 articles published in PDI and on its website, and 10 articles published in Bandila that he said contain the elements of libel: defamatory, malicious, given publicity and victim is identifiable.
Aguirre wants to be paid P1 by the respondents.
“Considering my social stature, previous position in government, reputation and other considerations involving my personal life, profession, and public service, the damages I seek represent a symbolic amount in principle to end the proliferation of fake news and its appurtenant lies and calumny against anyone in this country.”
He added: “The articles hereunder complained of are also utterly false and were written in reckless disregard of the truth despite an overwhelming evidence establishing facts which are contrary to the vile, malicious, defamatory and insidious accusations against me.”
A symbolic amount. What a joke. The court is not the place to be making symbolic statements.
Oh boy! Financial anomalies in Robredo's office. I can hear DDS laughing right now. I can hear their tongues clicking and their hands rubbing together as the prepare to post their opinions all over social media all the while ignoring the financial anomalies in all the other offices throughout the government.
Another newly re-elected barangay official arrested for drugs and weapons.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/01/1829455/p13-b-combat-items-remain-undelivered-pnp-coa |
The undelivered assets include 42 units of utility trucks, six units of light personnel carrier, four units of Integrator, 12 units of automatic grenade launcher, 3,300 units of poncho and 50 other related line items.
The COA also said a total of P1.893 billion in government funds appears to have been wasted with the PNP’s purchase of 2,054 units of patrol vehicles in 2015.
The police vehicles were found not suited for police operations and prone to frequent breakdowns.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/01/1829444/coa-calls-out-afp-p38-b-unused-allotment |
The COA’s breakdown showed that of the unused budget for AFP modernization, a total of P1.676 billion was intended for acquisition of civil engineering equipment including dozer, grader, tractor and trailers, among others; P876.196 million was intended for acquisition of 50,000 units of pistol; P5.559 million for acquisition of 145 units reflex sight and a medium lift fixed wing aircraft; P520,450 for basing and hangar construction; P454.046 million for acquisition of 3rd Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC); and P5.901 million for a radar basing support system project.
The COA said majority of the programmed modernization projects were not implemented due to delays in procurement activities. It noted that even the projects identified in 2016 are still undergoing procurement processes.The PNP has billions worth of equipment that has been undelivered the AFP has billions for equipment that has not even been procured yet! What is going on with these two agencies? Nothing but corruption and laziness at the top no doubt. No wonder the forces both remain under-equppied and ill-prepared. The AFP just admitted a few weeks ago they don't have reserve ammo. Maybe they should use their allowed funds to actually buy some ammo.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/06/30/1829212/duterte-vice-mayors-kidnap-hex-your-mayors |
Saying he can think and act like a gangster, President Duterte egged on vice mayors, by way of a joke, to replace their non-performing mayors in the localities by kidnapping or hexing them.
“Kung gangster kayo, mas gangster ako (If you’re a gangster, I am more of a gangster),” he said during the 29th Annual National Convention of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines last Thursday in Panglao, Bohol.
Then Duterte delivered his punch line: “The earlier you do away with your mayor, the earlier you become the mayor.”
The joke drew laughter from the local executives, and Duterte went on to recommend, albeit in jest, that they kidnap their mayors, particularly those who are members of political dynasties.
“Kidnap them, to avoid any leak, just do it yourself. And tell (your mayor), ‘mayor, I will kill you and nobody paid me. Duterte directed me if I want so that you finish yourself earlier,” he said.
At one point, Duterte gave credit to his criminal law professor, Victor dela Cerna, who taught him well.
“Now, I have a criminal mind,” he said jokingly.
Hahahaha! Hahahaha! What a funny guy! Always joking about killing people and how he has a criminal mind. What a funny joker. What a President! Why doesn't Leni Robredo kill Duterte so she can be President? Hahaha! See how funny it is to joke about killing people? Try it yourself.
(This joke turned out to be prophetic!)
(This joke turned out to be prophetic!)
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/07/01/1829606/55-baguio-officials-fail-submit-campaign-finance-statements |
At least 55 local officials, including a barangay chairman, 11 barangay kagawads (councilors), three Sangguinang Kabataan chairpersons and 40 SK councilors face disqualification after failing to file their campaign finance reports on time.
Lawyer John Paul Martin, head of Commission on Elections office in Baguio, said these winning candidates face disqualification proceedings due to the non-submission of their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs).
About 344 candidates in the Barangay Elections and 114 for the SK have yet to submit their financial reports.Looks like 458 candidates will not be able to take their posts.
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| http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/07/01/18/overcrowded-ph-jails-dont-meet-un-standards-admits-bjmp-official |
Each jail inmate should be given at least 4.7 square meters of space, according to the UN, said BJMP Director for Operations J/Supt. Noel Pimentel Montalvo.
Under this standard, only 21,342 inmates could be accommodated in Philippine jails, which have a total floor space of 100,315 sqm, he said.
But inmate population is already at 144,871 which means that Philippine jails have breached their capacity by 582 percent, said Montalvo.
Who cares about UN standards? F them right? These jails are up to Filipino standards and that's the only thing that matters.
These people cannot agree on anything. Hence the public is left in the dark about the real economic situation in the Philippines.
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| http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/01/18/weak-peso-good-for-ph-not-so-says-recto |
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| http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/01/18/weak-peso-not-bad-for-philippines-diokno |
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/658756/prosecutor-oks-cyber-libel-rap-vs-blogger-rj-nieto-for-defaming-trillanes/story/ |
"This should serve as a warning for Mr. Nieto and other Duterte bloggers to stop peddling lies, as part of their propaganda. Their activities reflect the kind of administration that they support. Sooner or later, they will all be accountable for their actions," Trillanes said in a statement issued on Saturday.This suit is in relation the "Little Narco" comment that made the rounds last year. Philstar published it and everyone picked up on it and posted and reposted and tweeted it all over the internet. I am not sure but I think Nieto was the only who did not apologise though he did scrub the post from his Facebook page. It looks like Trillanes wants to send a warning and has little concern whether or not he was actually defamed or his reputation marred. We will have to see just how it all pans out.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/02/1829880/controversial-tanauan-mayor-halili-shot-dead-during-flag-raising-ceremony |
A Facebook live video of the flag-raising ceremony showed the mayor and city hall employees halfway done singing the national anthem "Lupang Hinirang" when one gunshot rang causing a commotion. Tanauan City Public Information Officer Gerry Laresma, who was taking the live video, said they were about to finish singing the national anthem when they heard the gunshot that hit Halili around 8:10 a.m.A Filipino politician murdered on Facebook live! Can there be anything more modernly Filipino? Social media meets political murder. Tragically poetic.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/02/1829771/bfp-modernization-still-pipe-dream-coa |
To date, the Commission on Audit (COA) said, it is still using fire trucks bought as far back as the 1950s and lacks sufficient personnel and equipment to fulfill its mission to prevent and suppress destructive fires and protect lives and properties including the lives of its own men and women.
In a 2017 report released yesterday, state auditors frowned at how the BFP continues to operate with ageing and insufficient vehicles and equipment for its undermanned plantilla who do not have ample protective gear.
The COA report said the BFP is currently short of at least 26,250 firemen. It also said that despite the mandate to establish at least one fire station in each of the country’s 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities “with adequate personnel, equipage and facilities,” at least 349 municipalities still have no fire trucks as of Dec. 31, 2017.How does this nation survive? Everything is so backwards and out of date and not up to code! Buildings made with substandard materials will be burning to the ground because the firemen are not up to date!
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/07/02/1829677/better-jueteng-lords-operate-stl |
Duterte had earlier said alternative livelihood should be provided to jueteng operators as they might resort to the illegal drug trade if jueteng is stopped.
In an interview on dzBB, Batocabe, however, expressed concern that some STL operators are also involved in jueteng.
He said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office should tap jueteng operators and rescind the contracts of STL operators who have been shortchanging the government.It appears some jueteng lords are already involved in the STL. Next let's have drug lords run pharmacies.
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/205975-malacanang-disputes-church-leaders-destabilization-plot-boy-saycon |
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/206282-harry-roque-church-leaders-working-with-left-oust-duterte |
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/659080/ibp-condemns-heinous-killing-of-ex-cebu-prosecutor/story/ |
But he said he does not believe the killing was connected to Solima's work as a prosecutor 20 years ago.
Solima was dismissed from the service on June 26, 1998 over charges of gross misconduct/grave abuse of authority and gross ignorance of the rules on inquest.Solima's murder may not be related to his work as a prosecutor but he is still the latest in a string of murders of current and former prosecutors.
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1006672/pnp-vows-to-cooperate-in-probe-on-purchase-of-patrol-vehicles-pnp-coa-spokesperson-durana-mahindra |
The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) continues to be a base of operations of crime syndicates, including one involved in the kidnapping of a Chinese national on June 24 which was orchestrated from inside the cell of its mastermind, a kidnapping convict, the head of the police unit fighting kidnapping said.
De la Cruz, who has four other pending criminal complaints against him not only for kidnapping but also robbery, is currently detained in the NBP’s maximum security compound in the building for the Sputnik gang.
Yet “he was able to continue kidnapping activities because he was able to smuggle in cell phones,” said Dumlao.
The cell phones had already been confiscated from De la Cruz by the police, in coordination with the Bureau of Corrections, which is now headed by former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
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| https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/07/04/1830291/saras-hugpong-now-regional-political-party |
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/07/03/1830249/nueva-ecija-mayor-killed-day-after-halili-murder |
(They are afraid, especially our mayors who are in the list. It’s scary and I feel sorry, as they say, “Mayor, we are not really involved. Why were our names included?”)
Brondial was referring to the administration’s list of personalities, including public officials, who are allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade. The list has since been called the “narcolist.”But they need not worry. The real target of these murders is not the mayors themselves rather it is the Duterte administration that is being targeted. Targeted for shame.
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1007128/killings-of-mayors-could-be-meant-to-shame-duterte-admin-jv-ejercito |
(Whoever is doing this, I hope these are not connected. But I think it’s intended to shame probably the government. We don’t proof but the PNP has to step up.)
(I hope I’m wrong but if it is proven that these are connected and only one person is behind these, it’s probably intended to shame the government.)
The senator also expressed concern that the killings in the country would affect the economy.
“How can we invite investors if we have this kind of atmosphere…?” Ejercito further asked.After Senator Ejercito made these comments Roque issued a statement agreeing with them!
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/659193/palace-killing-of-mayors-an-attempt-to-erode-public-confidence-in-duterte/story/ |
“We continue to adhere to the rule of law and consider the recent killings of high-profile figures as an attempt to erode confidence in the President, whose main platform of governance rests on fighting crimes,” he added.All the bad things that happen in this country are only intended to shame the government. As if these kind of killings have not been happening with some regularity over the years. Political murders happen all the time in this country. That is an alarming fact. Has nothing to do with Duterte.
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/659173/villarin-pins-blame-in-killing-of-two-mayors-on-duterte/story/ |
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| http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1007008/12-mmda-personnel-tested-positive-for-shabu-use-mmda-jojo-garcia-illegal-drugs-drug-test-metro |
“Let’s not get bogged down. Look at the real numbers, the GDP,” Diokno said.As if the weak peso and stock market and inflation rates aren't real numbers. The problem here is that they are using GDP as the sole measure of economic well-being and that is not very smart of them.
The economic managers of the Philippines ought to study up on economics.
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| http://business.inquirer.net/253496/bb-pilipinas-contestant-sandra-lemonon-now-dotrs-new-face-build-build-build |
Lemonon confirmed to the Inquirer that she now works at the DOTr, after she signed a contract with the agency two weeks ago.
According to a DOTr communications officer, Lemonon’s new task was to become “the ambassador for ‘Build, Build, Build.’”
In a chance interview, Lemonon said it was actually her third time to attend a briefing on the infrastructure program.
“It’s a really good experience because you know my incident from Binibini—I was really unaware of this program. But thanks to the DOTr, they really taught me what’s going to happen in ‘Build Build, Build,’” she said.
“So I’m really excited for everything that’s happening because, of course, it’s about to change the lives of everyone,” she added.
Why does the DOTr need someone to be the face of the government's infrastructure program? And why must it be someone who does not even know a thing about it! What a complete waste of time and money. How much are they paying her? What exactly is she going to do? Why do people need to rally behind these government programs? It's bridges and roads! They are going to be built if the public thinks it's a good idea or not.
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/206405-consultative-committee-draft-presidential-powers-prevent-separation-regions |
"We provided in the draft constitution that any attempt of a region to separate from the union will invite the exercise of the step-in powers of the president," said committee chairman Reynato Puno on Tuesday, July 3.
Puno described the proposed presidential step-in powers as "awesome" and "all-encompassing."
"They allow the president to assume all the necessary powers of government – executive, legislative, and judiciary – to prevent the breakup," he said.
The section on these step-in powers is in Article XI (Federated Regions and the Federated Regions of Bangsamoro and the Cordilleras).
The idea is to make secession or separation of a region as undesirable or as difficult as possible, in order to keep the union of the federal republic "permanent and indissoluble."This is to address fears, said Puno, that a federal constitution will lead to the breaking apart of the country.
Section 2 of Article XI reads: "All Regions are permanent and indissoluble parts of the Federal Republic of the Philippines. It is prohibited for anyone to advocate, demand for, or support the secession of any Region from the Federal Republic."
Any attempt, or even any advocacy, of separation is considered an "actionable wrong" in the draft charter.
"It is a duty of every citizen, a duty of every region to maintain the permanent union and its violation constitutes an actionable wrong," said Puno.This measure included in the draft constitution is almost prophetic. Everyone against the federalist plan has rightly voiced concerns that federalism will split the nation into pieces. Now the committee has included what they think are measures to prevent that from happening. But how will giving the President dictatorial powers of all three branches of government actually stop secession? How will any region successfully secede without an army to enforce such a move? I have a suspicion though that this measure is specially directed toward the Bangsamoro region (which does not even exist yet!) because the Muslims really do not want to be a part of the Philippines.
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has millions in fabricated bid documents and questionable transactions, the Commission on Audit (COA) found.
The discrepancies were detailed in an annual audit report. They include the supposed fabrication of bid documents worth ₱21.76 million and doubtful purchases and deliveries worth ₱154 million.
The COA asked Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos to address their concerns within 60 days from receipt of its letter, dated June 21.
Fraud on a massive scale in a province governed by Marcos' daughter. Go figure!
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| https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/07/05/1830803/inflation-jumps-new-5-year-high-june-beats-forecasts |
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/05/palace-downplays-rise-to-5-2-of-inflation-rate/ |
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| https://www.rappler.com/nation/206560-makati-police-strip-search-violated-anti-torture-act |
"It is alarming that even after we have passed a law against torture, incidents such as this continue to happen in closed quarters, especially that police officers are involved," CHR Commissioner Gwen Gana said in a statement.Laws don't prevent crime.
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| https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/05/bill-to-ban-plastic-straws-stirrers-filed/ |
“Through this proposed bill, we hope to start a national conversation on the need to reduce plastic pollution in our landfills and the oceans by discouraging people from using single-use plastic materials,” Hontiveros said.
“The measure seeks to effect positive behavioral change among our people. We hope straws and stirrers will become ‘gateway plastics’ to convince people to shift from using plastic to reusable products. If we can persuade the people of the positive effects of not using plastic straws and stirrers, we can also encourage them not to use other single-use plastics such as bags and bottles,” Hontiveros explained.Does Hontiveros really think this bill will pass or not? There are other ways to start a "national conversation" about reducing pollution that filing a bill that has no chance of passing. If she wants to change the behaviour of Filipinos she would do good to seek out other ways than the legislative process. How about starting an anti-pollution campaign?
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/05/Rodrigo-Duterte-quo-waranto-Supreme-Court.html |
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/05/Rodrigo-Duterte-quo-waranto-Supreme-Court.html |
The first batch will cover pending license plates from July 1 to October 31, 2016.
The agency has a backlog of about 3.8 million motor vehicle plates and 5.2 million motorcycle plates from July 2016 to March this year.It's about time. But they only have 5 months worth of plates when they are 24 months behind!
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| http://www.interaksyon.com/liza-dino-seguerra-film-development-council-face-mask/ |
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| http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/05/18/dating-pulis-palawan-timbog-sa-buy-bust |
Another PNP officer caught with drugs. Ex-officer though.
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| http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/659371/coa-wants-raps-vs-erring-ilocos-norte-execs-over-conflict-of-interest/story/ |
According to COA, the provincial government invited a certain Engr. Remy Cadiente, a member of the Laoag-Ilocos Norte Associate of Contractors, to observe the conduct of bidding processes for five infrastructure projects as a non-government organization representative.
The COA did not state the amount of the projects in its audit.
The COA, however, found that Cadiente is the owner of Remar Construction which happened to successfully secure two contracts — the improvement of Batac City Plaza and construction of a concrete pavement in the town of Bacarra — during the bidding proposals.
“It is significant to note that an observer is allowed access to confidential documents not provided to prospective bidders giving undue advantage to the above mentioned NGO representative/bidder, thus, may affect the integrity of the procurement process,” the COA said.Always a conflict of interest or fake papers or some anomaly somewhere.
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| http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/07/05/DOTr-Arthur-Tugade-PUV-modernization.html |
Tugade ordered the suspension of Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) Chairman Emmanuel Virtucio and two employees for failing to liquidate ₱2,729,744.64 in funds for the PUV Modernization Program.
The DOTr said it gave the OTC ₱3.3 million to implement the program on December 15, 2017. However, a Commission on Audit report for 2017 said the OTC released the amount in cash advances: ₱2 million OTC Executive Director Eugene Pabualan, and ₱1.3 million to Finance and Administrative Division Chief and Special Disbursing Officer Wilfredo Clave Jr.
The advances were deposited to their respective personal accounts. After that, Pabualan was able to liquidate only ₱33,000, while Clave liquidated only ₱537,255.36.
"Bakit naman dineposito ang pera sa kanilang personal account? Pera ba nila 'yon? Ipaliwanag nila kung ano ang ginawa sa three million. Kung hindi ay hindi na sila muling makakatungtong sa kanilang opisina," Tugade said in a statement Wednesday.
[Translation: Why did they deposit the money in their personal account? Was that their money? They should explain what they did to the three million, else they won't be able to set foot in their office anymore.]
The COA report also revealed Virtucio had unauthorized travel expenses amounting to ₱200,000, claiming transportation allowances even with a transportation vehicle, as well as miscellaneous expenses for clothing, among other irregularities.Instead of taking the cash advances to implement the programs the money was deposited into personal accounts! And one of them has unauthorised travel expenses and other financial irregularities.
