Retards in the Government 243

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption in the Philippine government.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1543044/eastern-samar-village-chief-nabbed-for-violating-gun-ban

A village chairman from the town of Oras in Eastern Samar province was arrested for allegedly violating the gun ban on Thursday afternoon.

Leo Quimada, 46, village chairman of Nadacpan, was arrested while inside a public market located in Barangay Tingib at around 8 a.m.

Police Major Jose Tiu, the officer-in-charge of the Oras police station, said that a concerned citizen called their station to inform them that the suspect had a firearm protruding in his waist.

Tiu, accompanied by two other cops, responded to the information and approached Quimada who did not resist arrest.

“He (Quimada) was in possession of one 9 mm pistol with 15 live ammunition, and extra magazines loaded with 13 live ammunition, and one 45 caliber pistol with eight live ammunition,” Tiu said in a phone interview.

Aside from the firearm tucked in his waist, the other firearm and ammunition were placed inside in a sling bag of the suspect.

“We asked him why he was carrying firearms. He told us that he did it for security reasons. But we don’t have any record stating that his life is in danger,” Tiu said.

Tiu added that the suspect failed to show any document which would allow him to carry a firearm as the gun ban is now being imposed across the country in relation to the forthcoming May elections.

A village chief was arrested for violating the election gun ban. He says he was packing heat for security reasons and the cops said they have no record of his life being in danger. Do they not realize that in the Philippines every politician's life is in danger? As a politician at any moment you could be shot to death by unknown men on motorcycles.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166044

A police intelligence officer died when his service pistol reportedly accidentally fell and went off while preparing his uniform and paraphernalia at his residence in Mobo, Masbate province Thursday night.

The police officer was identified as Lt. Col. Steve dela Rosa, Police Intelligence Unit (PIU) chief of the Masbate police provincial office, according to Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol), in a report on Friday.

At around 10:45 p.m., the victim was said to be in his room at their house in Barangay Umabay Exterior and was cleaning his firearm of still undetermined caliber when the gun suddenly fell and exploded, hitting him in the stomach.

"The victim was rushed to Masbate Medical Mission Group Hospital Service Cooperative but died upon reaching the hospital," the report said.

Dela Rosa’s wife told the police that while her husband was in the room, she suddenly heard a burst of gunfire and as she entered, saw him sprawled on the floor, bleeding.

Police investigators have yet to submit a report on whether the incident was an accident or not.

Cop dies when his gun falls and goes off firing into his stomach.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165988

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday ordered the relief of the acting superintendent of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)'s Maximum Security Compound (MSC) where four persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) escaped on Monday morning.

In an order signed by Corrections Technical (CT) Chief Supt. John Paul Santos, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) acting director for administration, MSC acting superintendent, CT Supt. Arnold Guzman was relieved from his post but will remain as deputy chief of the bureau's Supply Division.

The superintendent of New Bilibid Prison was relieved of his duty after four inmates escaped.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1543396/cop-brother-held-over-killing-of-village-exec-indian-national-in-albay-town

A policeman and his half-brother were arrested Friday (Jan. 21) morning after allegedly killing a village councilman and an Indian national in Oas town, Albay province.

The suspects were identified as Cpl. Bryan Aguilar of Barangay Maporong, a crime investigator assigned to the Polangui town police station, and Raymond Isaac Salanga, 23, of Barangay Mendez, both in Polangui town, according to Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the Bicol police spokesperson.

Investigators identified the victims as Marlon Rebusquillo, 43, a village councilman of Barangay Maporong, and Parmindes Singh, an Indian national from Barangay Gabon, also in Polangui.

Police said Aguilar and his brother allegedly abducted the Indian national and took off on board a Toyota Wigo.

Aguilar, who was driving, lost control of the car while negotiating a road in Maporong around 9 a.m., causing the vehicle to fall into a rice field.

Rebusquillo and an unidentified companion saw the accident and approached the suspects’ car and tried to help.

But when the village councilman was about to ride his motorcycle, Aguilar drew his handgun and fired at him before shooting the Indian national.

Aguilar then fled the crime scene on board Rebusquillo’s motorcycle, investigators said.

Later that day, Aguilar returned to the crime scene while investigators were processing the area and he was positively identified by Rebusquillo’s companion as the responsible for shooting dead the two victims.

Police immediately arrested Aguilar while his half-brother was arrested at his residence in Polangui.

A policeman and his brother kidnapped an Indian national and got in a car wreck. A passerby who just happened to be a village councilor stopped to assist. The cop shot and killed both him and the Indian but not the councilor's friend who identified him when he returned to the scene of the crime.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166157

The alleged mastermind of the killing of a hospital chief in this city last month has voluntarily surrendered in a monastery, the police here said in a statement Monday.

Richard Gepte, 51, of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental was met by joint units of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) and Police Regional Office (PRO-10) in the compounds of the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay Camaman-an here.

Maj. Evan Viñas, the COCPO spokesperson, said the suspect’s surrender took place on Sunday.

Gepte, who is running for vice-mayor of his hometown, was suspected to be the brains behind the ambush-slay of Dr. Raul Winston Andutan, chief of the Maria Reyna-Xavier University Hospital, after allegedly hiring assassins to kill the latter on December 2, 2021.

A man running for vice-mayor has been accused of being the mastermind behind the murder of a hospital chief.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/421762/two-lapu-lapu-dads-cry-foul-over-death-threats-point-to-administration-as-possible-culprit

Two Lapu-Lapu City councilors have claimed to have received death threats and have suspected the administration to have allegedly something to do with them. 

Councilor Michael Dignos said that their threats that they received through text messages were related to what they were doing as city officials. 

(We don’t have anybody to point our fingers too on these death threats, it’s possible that these came from the administration.) 

But Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan strongly denied the allegations that his administration was responsible for the death threats. 

Chan said that he had no time for it, and that this might only be propaganda from his rivals in politics.

(I have no time for politics, this is the time to help each other. But are they doing? There are always engaging in politics, they are always trying to say bad things but I don’t mind that at all. I don’t mind.) 

Councilor Dignos said that he received his threat in December, which he believed was due to his continued scrutiny of the 2022 proposed annual budget of Mayor Chan.

Two councilors claim to have received death threats and with no proof have accused the Mayor. The reason being that they have continued to scrutinize his proposed budget.

https://www-gmanetwork-com.translate.goog/news/balitambayan/balita/819607/dating-pulis-itinumba-sa-harap-ng-kaniyang-bahay-sa-maynila/story/?_x_tr_sl=tl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fil&_x_tr_pto=wapp

A former policeman in Tondo, Manila was shot and killed while standing in front of his house.

In a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News "Unang Balita" on Wednesday, the victim was identified as Richard Ramos.

According to the victim's relative, Ramos was kind so he should not be killed. He said he has four daughters who are still children who need a parent.

He added that the victim was sitting in front of the house and texting when the perpetrators arrived.

"He was texting. When he did that [looked up], he took off his face mask and shot him in the face at the same time," the relative cried.

The investigation revealed that the culprits were in the van.

Three people allegedly got out of the van with their faces covered but many more were said to be inside.

Ramos was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

According to the police, Ramos was a former police officer who went AWOL [absent without leave].

A policeman who had gone AWOL was assassinated in front of his house.

https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/01/26/209235/exec-anti-illegal-drugs-party-list-candidate-nabbed-buy-bust-ops/

A regional director of party-list candidate, People’s Volunteer Against Illegal Drugs (PVAID), was arrested in a buy-bust operation for allegedly selling methamphetamine or “shabu.” 

ABS-CBN News reported that Jerklie Abdulkarim and two other individuals were apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Tuesday.

The NBI said that the PVAID regional director was the mastermind of the group selling half a kilo of shabu for more than P1 million. 

Abdulkarim also allegedly used a minor as a drug courier.

Lawyer Jonathan Galicia, chief of the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs, said that the group has been selling drugs in Cavite and the National Capital Region for years.

A regional director of a party-list has been arrested for selling drugs.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/01/27/2156591/8-cidg-agents-nabbed-pogo-workers-robbery

Eight operatives of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were arrested for allegedly robbing Chinese workers of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm in Angeles, Pampanga yesterday.

Maj. Ferdinand Mendoza, S/Sgts. Mark Anthony Iral and Sanny Ric Alicante, Pat. Leandro Mangale and Hermogines Rosario Jr. and Cpls. Richmond Francia, John Gervic Fajardo and Kenneth Rheiner Delfin of the CIDG’s Anti-Organized Crime unit were apprehended in Barangay Balibago at around 1 a.m., according to a report from the CIDG-Angeles field office.

Two unidentified Chinese citizens and a Filipino were also arrested.

Police said it received information that a group of armed men in civilian clothes who claimed to be CIDG operatives had barged into a house being used as a workstation of the Chinese POGO workers.

Seven Chinese men and a Filipino house helper were rescued.

The CIDG operatives claimed they were conducting a drug bust and an operation against loose firearms.

Police found P300,000 in cash and an unspecified amount of US dollar bills from the vehicles of the CIDG agents.

8 cops have been charged with robbing several POGO workers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166470

A village councilman here and his companion were arrested for violating the election gun ban on Wednesday night, according to the police.

In an interview Thursday, Maj. Rustom Pastolero, city police station 1 chief, said the two were arrested at a checkpoint along Sinsuat Avenue for carrying firearms without authority from the Commission on Elections.

Apprehended were Abdulmuiz Maulana, 31, village councilor of Barangay Rosary Heights 5, and Camsa Tatak, 37, both from this city.

Police and members of the Army-led Joint Task Group Kutawato were implementing an election gun ban law at about 9 p.m. when the two passed by aboard a vehicle and were inspected.

Found in the suspects’ car were an M16 rifle, a Glock .45-caliber pistol, and ammunition.

“During verification, Maulana could not present exemptions from the Commission on Elections for carrying firearms,” Pastolero said.

A village councilman has been arrested for violating the gun ban.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166453

Three fishermen, including a village chief, were injured when they went dynamite fishing in the seawaters of Zumarraga, Samar early Wednesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported.

The incident occurred when Elino Sobrino, 58, the village chief of Maputi, was trying to throw the ignited gelatin sticks when it accidentally exploded, wounding two other fishermen who were standing on the boat, police said on Thursday.

Other blast victims were Fernan Hinundayan, 24, and a 16-year-old boy, who are both Maputi village residents in Zumarraga town.

Victims were rushed to Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.

Sobrino was referred to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City due to more severe injuries.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has repeatedly warned fishermen not to engage in dynamite fishing since its dangerous and destructive to nature.

“This is a classic case that crime against nature does pay. Let this be a warning to illegal fishers, particularly blast fishing, that primarily it is hazardous to the life and limbs but most importantly, (causing) habitat loss for fish and deprives the new generation to prosper,” BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said in a press statement.

A village chief was hurt while dynamite fishing illegally.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Plastic Bubble Wrap, Restrict the Unvaxxed, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.

The third year of the pandemic has just begun and lockdowns continue to increasing.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/content/819256/areas-under-granular-lockdown-nationwide-jump-to-900-from-700-pnp/story/

The number of areas under granular lockdown nationwide due to COVID-19 cases has increased to 900 from 700, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

Based on the PNP data as of Sunday, Cagayan, which previously had zero locked down areas, has placed 212 areas under restriction.

At least 330 areas also have been locked down in Cordillera, 233 in Ilocos, 106 in the National Capital Region, and 19 in Mimaropa.

A total of 2,557 people were affected by the granular lockdowns, according to the PNP.

The PNP has deployed 211 personnel and 443 force multipliers to the affected areas to ensure security and adherence to minimum health standards.

Seems kind odd that there are only 900 areas under lockdown affecting only 2,557 individuals when there are allegedly 280,000 active cases according to the COVID-19 dashboard.

The Philippine Statistic Authority says COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death nationwide last year.

https://www.rappler.com/business/philippine-statistics-authority-report-covid-19-deaths-january-october-2021/

COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, based on preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). But figures show a discrepancy between those written on death certificates and those reported by the Department of Health (DOH).

PSA figures showed a total of 75,285 deaths were due to COVID-19 from January to October 2021, representing 12.5% of the total registered deaths during the period. 

For 2020, the PSA registered 27,967 deaths due to the coronavirus or 4.9% of the total registered deaths during the entire year.

That would mean at least 103,252 pandemic-related deaths, based on PSA data.

The figure differs compared to that of the DOH, which has recorded 52,929 pandemic-related deaths as of Monday, January 17.

The PSA noted the discrepancy, explaining that its figures were obtained from descriptions written on death certificates. The DOH figures were obtained through a surveillance system.

PSA figures also refer to confirmed, probable, and clinically-epidemiologically diagnosed cases of COVID-19. 

Deaths categorized as “COVID-19 virus identified” totaled 51,514, while “COVID-19 with virus not identified” cases accounted for 23,771 deaths from January to October 2021.

The total number of COVID deaths recorded by the PSA is twice that recorded by the DOH. How are we supposed to trust any of these statistics when they differ from agency to agency? The collection method is not even the same. The PSA is including "probable" deaths in its total number of deaths which is completely dishonest. That's at least 23,771 deaths that should not be a part of this total because COVID has not been verified in the person's death.

So, how is the "no vax, no ride" policy going? Not good for some folks. According to Labor Secretary Bello one woman was refused a ride because she had only one shot.

(I saw the woman yesterday crying because she was not allowed to ride public transport since she only received one vaccine dose. Our implementers must have been so enthusiastic in protecting the public that they forgot that workers are exempted.)

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1542297/no-vax-no-ride-policy-maybe-its-time-for-govt-to-say-sorry-bello

For another rider there was also a lot of trouble.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1542656/simple-trip-turns-tearful-for-unvaxxed-commuter

Jeremy Pineda, 27 and unvaccinated against COVID-19, headed out on Tuesday morning to get her unified multipurpose identification card.

Pineda prepared for the Department of Transportation’s mandatory “no vaccinations, no rides” policy by bringing along a copy of her medical records, including a document showing that she needed to undergo medical tests, and a copy of a news report indicating that people like her are exempt from the policy.

“I brought even my previous medical records from my previous doctor, just to be sure that I have the necessary documents to present [to an enforcer],” she told the Inquirer by phone.

Pineda boarded a UV Express from Barangay Bagong Ilog in Pasig City, where she lives, to get to Robinsons Galleria on Ortigas Avenue—by her estimate, a 15-minute ride. The vehicle driver asked for her vaccination card.

When Pineda presented her medical records, which she believed would be enough to allow her to ride a public utility vehicle (PUV), the driver said it was up to her to answer for him if he got caught.

“I showed my medical certificate proving that I have an existing illness, but the driver told me that it won’t be accepted [by enforcers],” she said.

Seated in the vehicle filled with fully vaccinated passengers, Pineda decided to disembark, embarrassed by the driver’s remarks. But she said she understood the driver, who apologized to her and said he was merely complying with the policy.

Pineda said she wanted to walk to Galleria so she could get the ID needed for her medical transactions there. But she was “just too emotional” and began to cry.

Still, she decided to push through with her other plan for the day: a meeting with her doctor at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). She took the first jeepney from Pasig headed to Quiapo, Manila. On Legarda, she rode a second jeepney going to Divisoria.

She got on a third jeepney on Rizal Avenue that went straight to Taft Avenue and PGH.

Pineda rode a total of six jeepneys for her round trip, but none of the drivers asked for her vaccination card or her medical papers. She said there were no enforcers during all that time and observed that they were “more focused” on UV Express rides.

“The jeepneys were far more relaxed, from what I saw,” she said.

Seems there is confusion amongst the drivers of what kind of documentation is acceptable and who is exempt from the policy. Since he would be liable and fined its no wonder he hesitated over her papers. But it also seems that the policy is not being equally enforced since on the six jeepenies she rode no one asked to see her papers.

LGUs around the country are issuing measures left and right to bar unvaccinated folks from participating public life. DILG Secretary Año is pressing for every municipality in the nation to implement such measures.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1543113/dilg-presses-local-govts-restrict-the-unvaxxed-folk

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) in other parts of the country to copy what the National Capital Region (NCR) did and also implement policies to restrict the movement of unvaccinated persons.

In a statement on Thursday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año supported the call of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and the regional pandemic task forces in encouraging LGUs to implement similar policies.

“Let us all move in one pace so that we can collectively surmount the threat of Omicron,” he said, referring to the coronavirus variant that is being blamed for the current surge in COVID-19 cases.

During a Laging Handa public briefing on Jan. 15, LPP national president and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. said local chief executives instructed their city and municipal councils to impose restrictions on their unvaccinated constituents.

Velasco, a former Supreme Court associate justice, explained that while Filipinos have the constitutional right to travel or freedom of movement, there were exceptions to uphold public health or public safety.

The DILG chief said his directive was “neither unconstitutional nor violative of a person’s right to privacy because the data of unvaccinated persons is being collected for a legitimate purpose and that is to address the latest wave of COVID-19 infection.”

Año assured the Commission on Human Rights that the list would not be published or made public.

He said the information “is needed by the State to properly implement quarantine protocols needed to protect the unvaccinated as well as to protect the health system from being overwhelmed.”

There is still no law making mandatory vaccination enforceable. Republic Act No. 11525, or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, states that vaccination shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational or employment purposes or conducting transactions with government.

If they want to make the vaccine mandatory they should stop messing around and write a law making it so. As it is now they are doing their best to get around the law with all these measures which make vaccines mandatory de facto.

The face mask mandate is not the only aspect of the pandemic that has led to an increase in garbage. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166140

The pandemic-driven surge in online merchandise sales is generating a huge volume of new plastic waste every day, mainly from the widespread use of “bubble wraps” to package goods ordered by consumers, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said on Sunday.

“If you make an online purchase today, chances are you will receive the item that you ordered in a packet or carton draped in throwaway plastic bubble wrap,” Campos said.

“The problem with these elastic wraps with air-filled cushions is that they cannot be reused. Once they are ripped to open a package, the wraps get trashed and add to all the plastic waste escaping into our water environment,” Campos said.

He said Laguna Lake, the Pasig River, Manila Bay, and the country’s coastal waters are bound to be swamped with tons of discarded plastic bubble wraps.

“Online shopping destinations should ask their logistics partners to reduce their use of bubble wraps, and to consider alternative packaging materials that are either reusable or easier to recycle,” Campos said.

Campos is among the authors of House Bill 9147, which calls for the phaseout of all plastic products designed to be disposed, destroyed, or recycled, after only one use.

How much waste has been generated from food delivery? All those plastic wrappers and paper cups all destined for a landfill if they don't get tossed on the ground first.

You know what else what be a waste? All the money spent on vaccines if they were not injected into people. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166223

The national vaccination drive aims to protect the public from Covid-19 and creating hindrances against the pandemic response will not help any.

On Monday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked individuals or groups not to influence Filipinos against getting vaccinated.

He cited the viral videos of those against the “no vaccination, no ride’’ policy, with most saying they cannot be forced to be inoculated because they do not believe the jabs will benefit them.

“(Let’s not come up with any hindrance for the national vaccination program not to succeed),” Duque said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Since January 17, only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to take public transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR) as per the Department of Transportation order.

Duque added that the policy has exemptions, like those purchasing essential goods and medicines, paying bills, going to work, or those with comorbidities as advised by doctors.

He emphasized that vaccination benefits everyone, especially senior citizens and those with comorbidities.

“(Since the government purchased these [Covid-19 vaccines] with the taxes it has collected, let us support [the national vaccination drive] so every person will have enough protection and our lives will go back to normal),” Duque said.

What exactly is the criteria for the national vaccination program to be considered a success? Is it when everyone is vaccinated? Or is it when there is zero COVID? Because neither one of those things will happen. Some simply don't want to be injected with an experimental serum which neither protects from transmission or infection of the virus. Zero COVID is not at all a realistic goal.

So, what is the benefit of taking a vaccine that does not prevent infection?

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166331

Majority of the patients tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in this city since January 2 are either asymptomatic or mildly ill, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said Tuesday.

Dr. Carol Cajegas, a data analyst of the EOC, said during the Covid Task Force convergence meeting through Zoom that the data showed the difference between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated residents.

Cajegas reported that 2,800 of about 7,000 individuals who contracted the virus have not felt any indications of sickness while close to 4,000 people reported mild symptoms.

She said that most of those asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients were isolated at home, rendering most of the barangay patient care centers and other temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMF) in the city vacant.

“It’s clear what a vaccine can do against Covid. But we should not be negligent,” Cajegas said.

The chief pathologist of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, supported the view that vaccinated individuals have relished the benefits of the vaccines as she also observed that most of the asymptomatic and mildly-ill Covid-19 patients are vaccinated.

The benefit of the vaccine is to suffer asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 symptoms. But it still does not stop infection or transmission which means zero COVID will never be achieved.

Modernizing the Philippines

Is the Philippines a backward nation? Yes. Everything from infrastructure to the healthcare system to even the lottery the government admits is way behind the times and in need of modernization. Modernization is a sort of mantra of the government to justify billions of pesos in spending. Some modernization projects have been ongoing for decades. Many of them have been total failures. Of course now with the COVID-19 pandemic some of these modernization programs will likely be put on hold as the government scrounges for cash.

Let's take a look at some of these modernization projects in no particular order.

The Bureau of Fire Protection

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1095912

Go said they already conducted a Senate committee hearing regarding Senate Bill 204 or the proposed Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2019. 

He added that not only the upgrading of equipment is stipulated in the bill, but also the education campaign and safety measures component. 

“President Rodrigo Duterte is in full support and he wanted to modernize the BFP in a three-year plan,” he said. 

To recall, Duterte urged Congress during his 4th State of the Nation Address in July 2019 to pass a law mandating a BFP modernization program. 

SB 204 seeks to strengthen the BFP by giving it additional functions and authorize it to establish and implement a Fire Protection Modernization Program.

Duterte wanted the Congress to pass a law in 2019 mandating a BFP modernization program but such a program has already existed since 2010. A COA report issued in January 2019, six months before Duterte's plea to Congress, laid bare this failed BFP modernization program.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/221741-bureau-fire-protection-modernization-program-audit-report

The modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is flailing, with auditors saying that the agency "failed" to upgrade its capacities despite the program already being 8 years on. 

The modernization program was launched in 2010, and it was released with a total of P13.17-billion budget from 2011 to 2017. 

The Commission on Audit (COA) was compelled to do a performance audit because despite the program, the country still registered 96,447 fire incidents from 2011 to 2017 which resulted in 1,924 deaths, 5,750 injuries, and P31.06 billion in property damage. 

"[It] thereby raise issues as to the effectiveness of the program," the COA said in its special audit released on Wednesday, January 23. 

"The BFP is not on track in accomplishing the Modernization Program's goals and objectives within its timelines," the COA said. 

For example, as of June 30, 2018, the BFP only completed 263 out of its target 945 fire stations. This equates to 308 municipalities without a fire station. 

What's worse, the COA found that some contractors have abandoned 11 out of the 44 ongoing construction of fire stations. 

The COA said the P13.7-billion budget is only 22% of the total funding requirement which is P60.29 billion. 

Because they do not have enough funding, the BFP eventually failed in utilizing the money that it has that in the end, it had to forfeit P1.91 billion to the national treasury.As for fire trucks, the BFP procured only 621 trucks out of the target 1,057. 

As of 2016, the COA found that 176 out of the 469 fire trucks delivered in 2015 already had defects. 

The COA doubts that the BFP can fulfill its deliverables under the Modernization Program by 2020. 

The COA also found that the BFP did not have a fully-functioning Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) "because no one was interested to become members of its BAC for fear of lawsuits from the losing bidders." 

Outsourcing of some of its procurements resulted in delays that only 33% of a total P526.81 million procurements were delayed, while the rest remain undelivered for 4 years now. 

The COA also found that the BFP does not track its progress. It also didn't have clear agreements with local governments. In the end, the COA found that 34% of barangays they visited have no organized fire brigades.

What a mess. In eight years time the BFP has run out of money, had contractors abandon projects, not met goals on firetrucks, delivered faulty firetrucks, does not have a Bids and Awards Committee to properly procure projects, does not track its progress, and has no clear agreements with local governments. And Bong Go thinks the BFP can be modernized under Duterte's watch in three years?

Funny enough the House has passed ANOTHER BFP modernization bill.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122021

The House of Representatives on Monday night approved on second reading a measure seeking to strengthen and modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The lower chamber passed via voice voting House Bill 7406, otherwise known as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act.

The bill mandates the establishment and implementation of a Fire Protection Modernization Program with the following components: fire protection service, force restructuring and organizational development, capability, material, and technology development, specialized services development, and human resource development.

Surely everything will go smoothly this time, right? Almost a year later in 2021 Duterte signed what I assume is this bill into law. The most important thing about this modernization act is that it allows for the arming of firemen.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1486355/duterte-signs-bfp-modernization-law-justifies-arming-firefighters

The President signed the measure and even justified the reason behind arming firefighters in a ceremony in Malacañang attended by some members of Congress.

“Bakit mo bigyan ng baril ang mga bumbero e sunog lang ang kalaban nyan? You know, the organization itself and the individual bumbero, they are exposed to so many dangers,” Duterte said in his speech.

(Why would you give a gun to a firefighter when they are only putting out fire? You know, the organization and the firefighters themselves are exposed to so many dangers.)

(There are so many challenges in the work of a firefighter, in the day of his life which needs protection. By providing them with a gun, or even giving them a few units,  it would really be just to ward off threats and destruction of government properties.)

Fourteen firefighters for every fire regional office and city station will be authorized to carry a firearm as members of the security and protection unit.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who sponsored the measure, said there are 17 fire regional offices and 146 city fire stations, which means only 2,282 firefighters or 7.9 percent of the 32,800-strong BFP will be armed.

Dela Rosa also estimated about P80 million would be needed to purchase the firearm units.

This law is actually a ten year modernization program that will transform the BFP into a world-class institution.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11589 that will strengthen and modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

During the ceremonial signing of the BFP Modernization Act on Friday, Duterte said the new law would help boost the morale, efficiency, responsiveness, and professionalism of the bureau’s personnel as they continue to fulfill their mandate to save people’s lives.

“The Bureau of Fire Protection has been instrumental in the success of our collective efforts to provide rescue and relief operations in areas hit by destructive fire and calamities,” Duterte said in a keynote speech delivered at Malacañang Palace’s Rizal Hall.

RA 11589, Duterte said, will enable the BFP to embark on a 10-year modernization period, transforming it into a modern and world-class institution.

The newly signed law also creates the BFP Modernization Trust Fund, which will include appropriations for BFP modernization, as well as 80 percent of the share of the BFP from all taxes, fees, and fines collected pursuant to Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Other sources for the modernization fund include proceeds from the disposal of excess and uneconomically repairable equipment and other movable assets of the BFP, supplemental assistance from Congress due to surpluses, loans, grants, or donations, and the fund’s interest income.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153215 

Surely this 10-year modernization program will do the trick, right? Right?? I would not count on it.

The Bureau of Customs

https://business.inquirer.net/292034/boc-modernization-project-okd

Economic managers on Friday green-lighted the planned P5.5-billion project to mo­dernize the Bureau of Customs (BOC) which was aimed at further boosting the government’s tax revenue. 

The project was aimed at not only improving the efficiency of the country’s second biggest revenue agency, but also redu­cing trade costs in the Philippines, the World Bank had said.

This article is from March 7th, 2020 and goes on to make this program appear to be part of the Build Build Build infrastructure projects.  However in 2016 Aquino signed a bill into law providing for the modernization of the BOC.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/568227/aquino-signs-cmta-into-law/story/

President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the Bureau of Customs said on Tuesday. 

The law - Republic Act 10863 - updates the Tariff and Customs Code, last amended in 1978, and is supposed to modernize the bureau's facilities, procedures, and overall operations. 

With the CMTA in place, several reforms will be implemented at the BOC that include full electronic processing of shipments, streamlining of export and import procedures, and simplified processes for seizure and disposition of illegal goods. 

The act will also reduce corruption and technical smuggling, as well as improve revenues, as it establishes a "cashless, faceless, and paperless environment," Lina noted. 

"Efforts are already underway to attune current BOC systems to the new provisions in the CMTA focused on business process re-engineering, computer-based systems development, organizational development, capacity building, and external communication and education," he said. 

The law likewise imposes stiffer penalties on the smuggling of goods. It slaps a minimum jail time of 31 days to six months or a fine of not less than P25,000 but not more than P75,000, or both, if the appraised value of the goods were unlawfully imported. 

With this law in place why four years later is the NEDA approving another BOC modernization program? Did this one succeed in any part?  A month and a half before Aquino signed the CMTA into law the DTI was already lauding the rollout of the BOC modernization program.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. lauded the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) technology modernization plan to improve customs services. 

“The use of technology solutions to ease documentation and customs procedures will allow our exporters to expeditiously move goods across borders and to capitalize on the growing benefits of our trade engagements,” said Cristobal. 

The BOC recently launched a series of information technology projects in preparation for the passage of the Customs Modernization Act (CMTA). The CMTA will amend the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines to comply with the World Customs Organization (WCO) – Revised Kyoto Convention that lays down international guidelines for modern and efficient customs practices in the 21st century.

http://industry.gov.ph/dti-welcomes-rollout-of-boc-modernization-plan/

Since the BOC is still modernizing it is safe to say that the CMTA has not fully succeeded yet especially since corruption in the BOC has in nowise abated.


Department of Agriculture

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/19/da-p3-billion-to-fuel-farm-fishery-modernization/

THE government has initially allotted P3 billion to fuel the modernization and industrialization of the country’s agriculture and fishery sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. 

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA has been pursuing innovative approaches across all agri-fishery programs, making use of the advances in science and technology (S&T) and inclusive market-oriented development (IMOD). 

“We are allotting an initial P3 billion to fund various innovative agri-fishery projects and agribusiness incubation enterprises for millennials, hobbyists, FCAs, and agri-preneurs,” said Dar following a technical meeting on the Global Innovation Index (GII) in the Philippines last February 17. 

Dar said the DA will implement a management internship program, where it will hire top graduates —particularly those with Latin honors‚from SUCs and private academic institutions to work at any of the DA family agencies that fit their field of interest and academic attainment. He said the DA’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is establishing a Young Farmers’ Academy that integrates under one roof all their programs and initiatives for the youth. 

P3 billion to fund millennials, hobbyists, and agri-preneurs? The modernization of the Philippines agricultural system has been going on since 1999.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2003/12/21/232419/senate-body-wants-5-year-extension-afma-funding-support

AFMA was enacted in 1997 and implemented in 1999. As mandated by law, funding for the modernization of the agriculture and fisheries sector should be provided until 2005.  

Magsaysay, who chairs both the Senate committee on agriculture and the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), said the lack of government resources and minimal private sector investments in agriculture have hampered the full implementation of the law.  

"AFMA’s implementation was hampered by serious funding constraints. When its implementation was commenced in 1999, two years after its enactment, a meager P9.95 billion was granted; P11.68 billion in 2000; P11.38 billion in 2001 and P11.057 billion in 2002," Magsaysay said.  

As of August this year, funding for AFMA totaled only P4.02 billion, he said. "AFMA, as mandated by law, was supposed to get an initial budget appropriation of P20 billion in the first year of its implementation and P17 billion yearly thereafter for six years," Magsaysay said.  

The DA has also been seeking for the extension of the funding support for AFMA.  

The DA and the farmers view AFMA as a "safety net" which could help farmers cope with trade liberalization caused by the country’s entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO).  

Among the salient provisions of the law include the improvement of credit delivery for farmers and fisherfolks, improvement of research and development and funding for the acquisition of modern farm equipment.

In 1997 the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act was signed into law to modernize the farm and fishery sectors yet it was underfunded! What's the point of passing a law to modernize the agricultural and fishery sectors if it's not going to be funded? If this program had been funded and food production improved the country would be better off today.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1119433

Agriculture Secretary William Dar led Thursday the harvesting of the different varieties of hybrid rice inside the 100-hectare demonstration farm of the Department of Agriculture in Caraga (DA-13) in Barangay Lemon here on Thursday.

The highlight of the 11th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF), the ceremonial harvesting is part of DA's effort to promote farm modernization among the rice farmers in the region, whom Dar encouraged to go into hybrid rice farming.

“This activity (NRTF) aims to show you the available types of machinery for efficient farming as this is the time to modernize and adapt proper technologies and equipment to enable the agriculture sector to survive the pandemic,” Dar told the farmers.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar is wrong. Now is not the time to modernize the agricultural sector. Now should be the time the Philippines is reaping the benefits of modernization but instead they are playing catch-up.

Those are only three of the many sectors of the government that are in need of modernization. I shall explore more in a future article. If we examine these plans we will begin to see a pattern which is a law for modernization is passed and funds are not properly allocated. If they are then programs are not properly implemented such as in the case of the BFP. It seems to be less a problem of corruption and more a problem of incompetence.

Insurgency: Human Rights Defenders Bill is Dangerous

Last week the House approve on the third reading the Human Rights Defenders Bill. The NTF-ELCAC says this is a dangerous bill and will only help the cause of the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165975

The National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday expressed its opposition anew to the Human Rights Defenders bill, describing it as "dangerous" and potentially "unconstitutional".

The statement comes after the House of Representatives approved the bill on third and final reading last Monday, with 200 affirmative votes, zero negative, and no abstention.

House Bill 10576 or the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act seeks to grant human rights defenders the right to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; form groups, associations, and organizations; solicit, receive, and utilize resources; seek, receive and disseminate information; and develop and advocate for human rights ideas, among others. A counterpart measure, meanwhile, is pending in the Senate.

Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral concerns, said the bill could "serve and protect the interest of terrorist organizations such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)."

"This bill, if passed into a law, will open the floodgates of abuse and torment on our people by terrorists like the CPP-NPA-NDF and it will make the Anti-Terrorism Law that was recently declared constitutional by the Supreme Court ineffective and toothless," she said.

She said the NTF-ELCAC condemned “in no uncertain terms” the approval of the bill “that is dangerous as it is unconstitutional and labeled to mean the very opposite of what it pretends to be -- the Human Rights Defenders Bill.”

Badoy argued that the bill offers "a porous and overboard definition" of human rights defenders and that its basic premise is "the same basic premise of the CPP-NPA-NDF that the State is the No.1 violator of human rights."

"[It] is really hilarious that these pretend-legislators have arrogated unto themselves, through this ludicrous bill, the right to define who are and aren’t ’human rights defenders' -- a definition so porous in its broadness that even the ISIS, the Abu Sayyaf and of course, the CPP-NPA-NDF can be defined as human rights defenders," she said.

"And once identified as 'human rights defender, they will be exempt from sacrosanct laws of the land and cannot be touched by the Anti Money Laundering Council because looking into financial records of a 'human rights defender' will be a crime once this ridiculous bill is passed into law," she added.

Badoy said under the proposed measure, "human rights defenders cannot be identified as members of the CPP-NPA-NDF even if they are indeed members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and they will be exempt from Terrorism Financing Laws."

"How then can the government protect the Filipino people from terrorism if we cannot stop terrorism financing or take off masks of terrorists who pretend to be human rights defenders? This is a bill therefore that eradicates the notions of state, judiciary, and due process and bypasses government agencies and the laws of our land," she said.

"There is no other recourse, therefore, but for this bill to be junked," she added.

"These pretend legislators?" These are the same people who passed the anti-terrorism bill last year. However, while the passage of this bill was 200-0-0 the anti-terrorism law was passed with 173 yes 31 no and 29 abstaining. Really, Badoy should stop name calling and stick to the facts of the matter. And it could be that she is correct. Here is the definition of a Human Rights Defender from the text of the bill:

b. Human Rights Defender refers to any person who, by one’s self or in association with others, acts or seeks to act to protect, promote or strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms and welfare of the people, at the local, national, regional, and international levels; 

https://hrep-website.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/legisdocs/third_18/HBT10576.pdf

That is indeed very broad. Under that definition anyone can call themselves a Human Rights Defender.

The next section of the bill then lists several rights that "Everyone" has. Here are just two examples.

SEC. 6. Right to Form Groups, Associations and Organizations. – Everyone, whether as an individual or in association with others, has the right to form, join, or associate with and participate in local, national, regional, or international organizations, formal or informal and registered or unregistered, for the purpose of promoting and striving for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

SEC. 11. Rights Against Vilification. – Everyone, whether as an individual or in association with others, has the right to protection against and redress from any act of false labeling or name calling, malicious and fabricated accusations against any offense, or any other kind of vilification.

SEC. 14. Right to Peaceful Assembly. – (1) Everyone, whether as an individual or in association with others, has the right to meet or assemble peacefully as well as to participate in peaceful activities concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms, free from interference that is arbitrary or unlawful by public authorities and private actors, at the local, national, regional or international level.

(2) The right referred to in subsection (1) includes the right to plan, organize, participate in and disseminate information regarding peaceful activities concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms, including demonstrations, protests, seminars and meetings, whether conducted in a public or private place.

Many of the rights listed in this bill can be found in Article 3 of the 1987 constitution which is the Bill of Rights. Following this list is Chapter 3 which describes the obligations of the government towards Human Rights Defenders. Here are a few of those obligations.

SEC. 24. Obligation to Respect, Promote, Protect, and Fulfill the Rights of Human Rights Defenders. – Public authorities shall take all necessary measures to ensure: (1) that the human rights and fundamental freedoms in Chapter II of this Act are effectively guaranteed and protected; (2) that all laws, policies and programs of government are consistent with the rights in Chapter II of this Act; and (3) that human rights defenders are able to freely undertake their activities and work in a safe and enabling environment without restrictions.

SEC. 29. Obligation to Penalize Intimidation or Reprisal. – Any public authority or private actor who is found guilty of acts of revenge or intimidation against a person on the grounds of or in connection with the person’s status, work, activities as a human rights defender, shall be penalized under the appropriate provision of the Revised Penal Code, in addition to administrative or civil sanctions that may be imposed considering the gravity of the offense, upon the discretion of the court or competent authority.

SEC. 30. Obligation to Refrain from Derogatory and Unfounded Labeling. – (1) Under no circumstance shall public authorities engage in false, unfounded and derogatory labeling of human rights defenders including identifying them as “reds,” “communists,” “terrorists” or “enemies of the State”.

It seems section 30 is what is really sticking in Badoy's craw. Under this law anyone designated a Human Rights Defender should not be labeled as a red, a communist, terrorist, or enemy of the state. According to her that would effectively protect the entire Makabayan Bloc which the NTF-ELCAC has designated reds, communists, terrorist, and enemies of the state. 

Chapter 4 of this bill lays out the creation of a Human Rights Defenders Committee. Who will be on this committee?

SEC. 41. Creation and Composition of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee. – (1) There shall be an independent collegial body to be known as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee, herein referred to as the Committee, that shall be composed of a Chairperson and six (6) Members. The Chairperson shall be selected by the Commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights from among themselves in an en banc session. The six (6) members shall be jointly nominated by two (2) representatives each of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (Karapatan), Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) in a meeting called for the purpose, without prejudice to the nominations of other human rights organizations who have proven track records of probity and independence.

It is this section that the NTF-ELCAC claims seeks to institutionalize the CPP-NPA in the government because they believe those groups are fronts.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/11/10/2140404/task-force-bill-protect-human-rights-defenders-unnecessary-contrary-law

Undersecretary Severo Catura said the proposed legislation "seeks to institutionalize in the government, groups that are known fronts of the [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front]" by making members of rights group Karapatan and lawyers' group National Union of People's Lawyers "mandatory members of the so-called 'Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee' that will be created once the law is enacted."

The government has taken the position that Karapatan, NUPL and other human rights and activist groups are fronts for communist rebels. The practice of conflating support for or membership in these groups with being involved in the communist insurgency is among the concerns raised in oral arguments at the Supreme Court against the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The government has had several decades to prove the links between the CPP-NPA and the aforementioned groups but they have never been able to prove a thing. The Comelec still allows the Makabayan Bloc to participate in elections and the NUPL and Karapatan have yet to be shut down despite the government claiming they are enemies of the state. It is simply allegation after allegation. That is the problem here. Allegations are made and then shoddy warrants are executed which lead to the unlawful arrests and often deaths of human rights workers. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1540944/nbi-pnp-cidg-raid-vs-activistshad-peculiar-nature-of-ejk

In the official report of the Philippine National Police, activist Ariel Evangelista and his wife, Ana Mariz, resisted arrest and engaged law enforcers in a gunfight during a raid in Nasugbu, Batangas, at dawn on March 7, 2021.

That’s not, however, what the National Bureau of Investigation gathered from eyewitnesses, whose accounts of the couple’s “extrajudicial killing” (EJK) mainly formed the basis of the murder complaint the NBI filed on Friday against 17 policemen involved in the raid.

The officers were part of a bigger operation jointly conducted by the police and the military in the Calabarzon region that early morning. The simultaneous raids resulted in what militant groups would later condemn as the “Bloody Sunday” massacre.

What the NTF-ELCAC should consider is why was such a bill passed? The answer is because activists are constantly being harassed and killed by the PNP and AFP as enemies of the state. That is a wrong that needs to be rectified. With "Human Rights Defender" being so broadly defined this bill is probably not going to solve anything. 

It's likely this bill won't be ratified by the Senate and Duterte would never sign such a thing.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/01/18/2154739/passage-human-rights-defendersprotection-bill-might-stall-senate

"Unfortunately, there is slim to none chance for this measure to be passed this Congress," de Lima told Philstar.com through her media relations officer on Tuesday. 

"The topic of the bill necessitates extended deliberations in the Senate in both committee and plenary levels. Given the present extended office closure due to the pandemic, there might not be enough time to give this measure the scrutiny it deserves," she added. 

Even if Congress passes the bill, she said that it is "almost certain that President Rodrigo Duterte will veto it."

So, Badoy has nothing to worry about. In fact, the House unanimously passed a Human Rights Defenders bill in June 2019 but the Senate failed to act on it just as they will likely do this time. Now if she only would explain the financial anomalies in the NTF-ELCAC's projects that the COA brought to our notice last year.