Hi Jojo no problem to send remittance to bank of china, however, uou cant change RMB to pesos in a bank in Manila. You will need USD's changed to pesos. Metrobank Shanghai branch in Pudong should able to make the process easier though. You can bring your RMB, have them do the conversion, and walk out with pesos in your pocket, all before you leave Shanghai. But it's still the RMB-US$-Peso formula though, no direct conversion. Bad news is I'm not sure if they can do this if you don't have an existing account with them.
Hope that helped.
Name And Address Of The Main Branches Of Bank Of China In China
Name Address Postage Code SWIFT Code Phone Number
Head Office 1 Fuxingmen Nei Dajie, Beijing 100818, China 100818 BKCHCNBJXXX (86)010-66596688
Anhui Branch 313 Mid-Changjiang Road, Hefei 230061, Anhui Province, China 230061 BKCHCNBJ780 (86)0551-2926114
Beijing Branch 8 Yabao Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020, China 100020 BKCHCNBJ110 (86)010-65199988
Chongqing Branch 218 Zhong Shan Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing 400013, China 400013 BKCHCNBJ59A (86)023-63889471
Fujian Branch 136 Wusi Road, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China 350003 BKCHCNBJ720 (86)0591-87848741
Gansu Branch 525 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China 730000 BKCHCNBJ660 (86)0931-8410884
Guangdong Branch 197 Dongfeng Xi Lu, Guangzhou, 510130 Guangdong Province, China 510130 BKCHCNBJ400 (86)020-83338080
Guangxi Branch 39 Gucheng Road, Nanning 530022, Guangxi Zhuang, China 530022 BKCHCNBJ480 (86)0771-2879607
Guizhou Branch 30 Dusi Road, Guiyang 550002, Guizhou Province, China 550002 BKCHCNBJ240 (86)0851-5815261
Hainan Branch 33 Datong Road, Haikou 570102 Hainan Province, China 570102 BKCHCNBJ740 (86)0898-66778001
Hebei Branch 80 Xinhua Road, Shijiazhuang 050000, Hebei Province, China 050000 BKCHCNBJ220 (86)0311-87866681
Heilongjiang Branch 19 Hongjun Street, Harbin, 150001 Heilongjiang Province, China 150001 BKCHCNBJ860 (86)0451-53626785
Henan Branch 40 Hua Yuan Road, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan Province, China 450008 BKCHCNBJ530 (86)0371-65779966
Hubei Branch 65 Huangshi Road, Wuhan 430013, Hubei Province, China 430013 BKCHCNBJ600 (86)027-82813723
Hunan Branch 593 Furong Road (M), Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China 410011 BKCHCNBJ970 (86)0731-2580703
Inner Mongolia Branch 12 Xinhua Dong Jie, Huhhot 010010, Inner Mongolia, China 010010 BKCHCNBJ880 (86)0471-4690024
Jiangsu Branch 148 Zhong Shan Nan Lu, Nanjing 210005, Jiangsu Province, China 210005 BKCHCNBJ940 (86)025-84207888
Jiangxi Branch 1 Zhanqian West Road, Nanchang 330002 Jiangxi Province, China 330002 BKCHCNBJ550 (86)0791-6471503
Jilin Branch 699 Xian Da Lu, Chang Chun 130061, Jilin Province, China 130061 BKCHCNBJ840 (86)0431-8409055
Liaoning Branch 9 Zhong Shan Square, Zhong Shan District, Dalian 116001, Liaoning Province, China 116001 BKCHCNBJ810 (86)0411-82586666
Ningxia Branch 170 Jiefang Xi Street, Yinchuan 750001, Ningxia Hui, China 750001 BKCHCNBJ260 (86)0951-5044671
Qinghai Branch 218 Dongguan Street, Xining 810000 Qinghai Province, China 810000 BKCHCNBJ280 (86)0971-8180186
Shaanxi Branch 38 Juhua Yuan Dong Da Street, Xi'an 710001, Shaanxi Province, China 710001 BKCHCNBJ620 (86)029-87261726
Shandong Branch 59 Xianggang Zhong Lu, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China 266071 BKCHCNBJ500 (86)0532-81858201
Shanghai Branch 200 Mid. Yincheng Rd., Shanghai 200121, China 200121 BKCHCNBJ300 (86)021-38824588
Shanxi Branch 288 Yingze Dajie, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China 030001 BKCHCNBJ680 (86)0351-8266282
Sichuan Branch 35 Middle Renmin Road (2 Duan), Chengdu 610015 Sichuan Province, China 610015 BKCHCNBJ570 (86)028-86403267
Tianjin Branch 80 Jiefang North Road, Tianjin 300040, China 300040 BKCHCNBJ200 (86)022-27102335
Tibet Branch 28 Linkuo Xi Lu, Lhasa City 850000, Tibet, China 850000 BKCHCNBJ900 (86)0891-6835078
Xinjiang Branch 2 Dongfeng Road, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang Uigur, China 830002 BKCHCNBJ760 (86)0991-2336007
Yunnan Branch 515 Beijing Road, Kunming 650051, Yunnan Province, China 650051 BKCHCNBJ640 (86)0871-3192910
Zhejiang Branch 321 Fengqi Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China 310003 BKCHCNBJ910 (86)0571-85011888
Back to Top
Grey Line
Grey Line
Grey Line Red Arrow List of Our Principal Correspondent For Remittance Cover In Various Currencies
Currency Correspondent Bank Account No. Swift Code
AUD Bank of China, Sydney 000520-1202-000 BKCHAU2S
CAD Bank of China (Canada), Toronto 03000173 BKCHCATT
CHF UBS AG, Zurich 0230-86009.05C UBSWCHZH80A
DKK Danske Bank A/S, Copenhagen 3007526148 DABADKKK
EUR Bank of China, Frankfurt 1082434000 BKCHDEFF
GBP Bank of China, London 1164320105000 BKCHGB2L
HKD Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd. [Direct Via Express Transfer (RTGS/CHATS)] BKCHHKHH
JPY Bank of China, Tokyo 060368-3105-000 BKCHJPJT
NOK DNB Nor Bank Asa, Oslo 7001.02.36086 DNBANOKK
NZD ANZ National Bank Limited, Wellington 207704-00001 ANZBNZ22
SEK Nordea Bank Ab (Publ), Stockholm 39527701481SEK NDEASESS
SGD Bank of China, Singapore 8606922057000 BKCHSGSG
THB Bangkok Bank Public Co Ltd, Bangkok 610-975 BKKBTHBK
USD Bank of China, New York 01002285 BKCHUS33
Friday, December 31, 2010
News Update Military command assures no truce violation in Samar
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines - The highest Philippine Army (PA) brigade commander in Samar is confident that the truce forced between the military and rebels here will not be violated in his area of operation on Samar Island. Colonel Alex Albano, 801st brigade commander, of the PA's 8th Infantry Division told reporters in an interview in his quarters in Daza, Hinabangan, Samar that he is confident that the 19-day holiday ceasefire will not be violated in his area of operation covering two provinces in the western and eastern parts of Samar Island. Albano's statement was in answer to questions from the media regarding the present peace and order in his area of operation, particularly on whether or not there is possibility that said ceasefire between forces will be violated as have happened in other areas in the country. The PA officer said that at this period, the soldiers under his brigade are only doing the usual internal security operations and no tactical or combat operations are being conducted. He added that based on his decade-long experience in Samar, no ceasefire has ever been violated by either the military or the rebels. Albano also said that as of now, his area of operation is considerably peaceful and that the peace and order situation is currently stabilized after the area has been virtually cleared of elements belonging to rebel armed groups by the military. He told reporters that re-establishing stability, where peace and order is concerned, in Samar Island is "the most tangible achievement" gained by his brigade. In the past, Samar was noted for encounters between the military and rebels belonging to the New People's Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), operating in the area. Albano informed media that in comparison to frequent skirmishes between the military and the NPA in past years, no major encounters occurred all through 2010.
"The main factor in bringing back stable peace and order here is the cooperation of the people in communities who have helped us solve the peace and order problem in Samar Island," he said. He further explained that his brigade has won back the respect, trust and confidence of the people, particularly since under his command, the PA has intensified efforts in forging a good relationship with people in Samar, particularly in remote rural areas of the island. The military commander further claimed that Samareños, who used to be supportive of the rebels, now report to government security forces where the NPA presence is concerned. "I can tell you that the military has apparently now gained the trust of people in communities here," said Albano.
"The main factor in bringing back stable peace and order here is the cooperation of the people in communities who have helped us solve the peace and order problem in Samar Island," he said. He further explained that his brigade has won back the respect, trust and confidence of the people, particularly since under his command, the PA has intensified efforts in forging a good relationship with people in Samar, particularly in remote rural areas of the island. The military commander further claimed that Samareños, who used to be supportive of the rebels, now report to government security forces where the NPA presence is concerned. "I can tell you that the military has apparently now gained the trust of people in communities here," said Albano.
News Update Philippines coffee industry seeks more gov't help
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The Philippine Coffee Board Inc. (PCB) has renewed its call for continued support from the Department of Agriculture for its program to improve coffee production nationwide.
Under the "Pilipinas! Gising at Magkape" (PGAM) program launched in 2008, the PCB has conducted training and rehabilitation efforts in Benguet, Mt. Province, Cavite, Iloilo, Negros Island and many parts of Mindanao.
Earlier this year, the DA announced that it had set aside P150 million (US$3.4 million) for a sufficiency road map spearheaded by the PCB.
About P50 million was budgeted for 2010, with another P100 million is set to be released for tree planting and farm rehabilitation programs.
The PCB's vision of reviving the coffee industry was again discussed during the National Coffee Summit held last October, which was attended by Agriculture undersecretary for special concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
"I hope we will still get the P100 million allocated for the industry in the budget," said PCB co-chair Chit Juan, who is also PGAM director.
Juan said the PCB had resubmitted its plan to the Department of Agriculture's (DA) high value commercial crops program and is hopeful that the department will support new coffee plantings for 2011, as earlier promised.
"We have also submitted to a DA-attached agency, National Agribusiness Corporation or Nabcor, our plan to provide central coffee processing facilities so farmers can process their green coffee beans properly. We still have to check if Nabcor will support our proposal," said PCB chair Nicholas Matti.
The Philippines has been importing coffee from Vietnam and Indonesia for soluble coffee and also to augment needs of specialty coffee roasters.
The country has been importing no less than 40,000 metric tons per year for the last two years as consumption has gone up to 68,000 tons while production is still at a dismal low of 23,000 tons, despite renewed efforts to encourage coffee production.
Besides promoting new plantings and post-harvest facilities for coffee areas, the PCB looks into biotechnology cooperation with global coffee exporters.
In July, the PCB forged a biotechnology agreement with the DA and Brazil's Instituto Agronomico de Campinas of the State of Sao Paulo for the exchange of germplasm or planting materials.
The PCB is also seeking the help of Vietnam and Indonesia.
Vietnam is second only to top producer Brazil in terms of volume and quality. Colombia, Indonesia and India round up the top five, according to PCB.
The Philippine grows four varieties of coffee: arabica; liberica, from which the barako variety developed; excelsa; and robusta, which is the most common and the favored variety of instant coffee producers.
The Philippines' coffee industry was self-sufficient until 1998, with producers even able to export to the United States, Middle East, Japan, Korea.
In 1999, however, market price for coffee fell steeply due to overproduction in Vietnam. Coffee producers in the Philippines began abandoning the crop and the country has become a net importer since.
Under the "Pilipinas! Gising at Magkape" (PGAM) program launched in 2008, the PCB has conducted training and rehabilitation efforts in Benguet, Mt. Province, Cavite, Iloilo, Negros Island and many parts of Mindanao.
Earlier this year, the DA announced that it had set aside P150 million (US$3.4 million) for a sufficiency road map spearheaded by the PCB.
About P50 million was budgeted for 2010, with another P100 million is set to be released for tree planting and farm rehabilitation programs.
The PCB's vision of reviving the coffee industry was again discussed during the National Coffee Summit held last October, which was attended by Agriculture undersecretary for special concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
"I hope we will still get the P100 million allocated for the industry in the budget," said PCB co-chair Chit Juan, who is also PGAM director.
Juan said the PCB had resubmitted its plan to the Department of Agriculture's (DA) high value commercial crops program and is hopeful that the department will support new coffee plantings for 2011, as earlier promised.
"We have also submitted to a DA-attached agency, National Agribusiness Corporation or Nabcor, our plan to provide central coffee processing facilities so farmers can process their green coffee beans properly. We still have to check if Nabcor will support our proposal," said PCB chair Nicholas Matti.
The Philippines has been importing coffee from Vietnam and Indonesia for soluble coffee and also to augment needs of specialty coffee roasters.
The country has been importing no less than 40,000 metric tons per year for the last two years as consumption has gone up to 68,000 tons while production is still at a dismal low of 23,000 tons, despite renewed efforts to encourage coffee production.
Besides promoting new plantings and post-harvest facilities for coffee areas, the PCB looks into biotechnology cooperation with global coffee exporters.
In July, the PCB forged a biotechnology agreement with the DA and Brazil's Instituto Agronomico de Campinas of the State of Sao Paulo for the exchange of germplasm or planting materials.
The PCB is also seeking the help of Vietnam and Indonesia.
Vietnam is second only to top producer Brazil in terms of volume and quality. Colombia, Indonesia and India round up the top five, according to PCB.
The Philippine grows four varieties of coffee: arabica; liberica, from which the barako variety developed; excelsa; and robusta, which is the most common and the favored variety of instant coffee producers.
The Philippines' coffee industry was self-sufficient until 1998, with producers even able to export to the United States, Middle East, Japan, Korea.
In 1999, however, market price for coffee fell steeply due to overproduction in Vietnam. Coffee producers in the Philippines began abandoning the crop and the country has become a net importer since.
News Update 2.2-M Filipinos consume NFA rice, NSO says
MANILA, Philippines (PNA) - Middle and upper class Filipino families are consuming more National Food Authority (NFA) rice than the poor households, according to the National Statistics Office. The NSO said there were 1.07 million Filipino households under the upper 70 percent of the Philippine population consumed NFA rice in 2006. These middle and upper class Filipino families consumed an average of 273 kilogram (kg) per year. The families under the ninth and 10th decile are consuming 254kg per year and 265 kg per year, respectively. The NSO data was based on the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES). On the other hand, the average annual consumption of NFA rice for bottom 30 percent Filipino households was only 237 kg. A total of 1.11 million Filipino households consumed NFA rice in 2006. The consumption of NFA rice was noted to be higher among families in the third income decile at 285 kg a year on the average and fourth income decile, 297 kg a year on the average than among families belonging to other income groups. The NSO, on the other hand, said the average consumption by about 2.2 million families for NFA rice was 255 kilogram (kg) per family per year or 4.9 kg a week. Earlier, the National Food Authority had implemented a P2 price hike in NFA rice to P27 per kg from P25 kg. The government move to increase the price of NFA rice is to ensure the viability of the NFA and continue its mandate of supporting farmers to produce enough for self-sufficiency. The NSO added that ordinary rice was consumed by about 15 million families at an average of 463 kg per family per year or 8.9 kg a week. Classified as ordinary rice are regular commercial varieties like C-4, Intan, Macan and IR-8. For special rice, the average consumption by about 4.1 million families consuming it was 329 kg per family annually, or 6.3 kg a week. Special rice includes well-milled commercial varieties of rice like Wag-wag (1st class), Milagrosa, Sinandomeng, Dinorado, 7Tonner and other fancy varieties.
Meanwhile, a family belonging to the bottom 30 percent income group consumed 390 kg of ordinary rice in a year or a 7.5 kg weekly, on the average. This consumption is lower compared to the average consumption of a family in the upper 70 percent income group which was estimated at 494 kg a year or 9.5 kg a week. The average annual consumption of special rice and NFA rice by families in the bottom 30 percent income group was almost the same (238 kg per family and 237 per family, respectively). For families in the upper 70 percent income group, the annual average consumed was higher for special rice (343 kg per family) than NFA rice (273 kg per family). For the rice consumption by income decile, the average consumption of ordinary rice ranged from 287 kg a year or 5.5 kg a week for the first income decile to 500 kg a year or 9.6 kg a week for the seventh income decile. The consumption of ordinary rice by families in the eight to the 10th decile income groups was somewhat lower compared to families in seventh income decile, with an average annual consumption of 494 kg per family per year for the eighth income decile, 498 kg for the ninth income decile and 492 kg for the 10th income decile. The average consumption of special rice ranged from 183 kg per family a year or 3.5 kg a week for the first decile to 413 kg a year or 7.9 kg a week for the 10th decile.
Meanwhile, a family belonging to the bottom 30 percent income group consumed 390 kg of ordinary rice in a year or a 7.5 kg weekly, on the average. This consumption is lower compared to the average consumption of a family in the upper 70 percent income group which was estimated at 494 kg a year or 9.5 kg a week. The average annual consumption of special rice and NFA rice by families in the bottom 30 percent income group was almost the same (238 kg per family and 237 per family, respectively). For families in the upper 70 percent income group, the annual average consumed was higher for special rice (343 kg per family) than NFA rice (273 kg per family). For the rice consumption by income decile, the average consumption of ordinary rice ranged from 287 kg a year or 5.5 kg a week for the first income decile to 500 kg a year or 9.6 kg a week for the seventh income decile. The consumption of ordinary rice by families in the eight to the 10th decile income groups was somewhat lower compared to families in seventh income decile, with an average annual consumption of 494 kg per family per year for the eighth income decile, 498 kg for the ninth income decile and 492 kg for the 10th income decile. The average consumption of special rice ranged from 183 kg per family a year or 3.5 kg a week for the first decile to 413 kg a year or 7.9 kg a week for the 10th decile.
News Update Aquino confident PHL economy to continue to grow in 2011
MANILA, Philippines (PNA) - President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed confidence that the country's economy will continue to grow next year as evidenced by the stringent efforts of the government to uplift the standard of living of the Filipino people. The Chief Executive, in an interview on Thursday following the commemoration of the 114th martyrdom of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, at the Rizal Park in Manila said that businesses in the country will continue to grow gradually improving the unemployment and underemployment rate for the better. The President assured that the government has been exhausting necessary steps to expedite processes in totally solving issues that hamper economic growth. For instance, the President cited the expansion of an international relationship management firm in Manila which has five major expansions throughout the country, the newest in San Lazaro near the University Belt. Convergys has provided 20,000 job opportunities for the Filipinos. "If you remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. T
hey opened a new facility in San Lazaro. The first day they had to acquire a new office in addition to the one that they had contracted. From then on, they continue to grow in a period of one month," the President said. "So that I think is a total reference of what we should be expecting," he added. When asked about his new year's resolution, the President said he wishes to maintain good health and gain more strength to pursue more projects for the benefit of the people.
hey opened a new facility in San Lazaro. The first day they had to acquire a new office in addition to the one that they had contracted. From then on, they continue to grow in a period of one month," the President said. "So that I think is a total reference of what we should be expecting," he added. When asked about his new year's resolution, the President said he wishes to maintain good health and gain more strength to pursue more projects for the benefit of the people.
News Update Soldier killed in Cotabato attack
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines – A soldier was killed while another was badly wounded Wednesday night when motorcycle-riding men opened fire and lobbed grenades on a roadside Army detachment in Kabacan, North Cotabato, the military said.
Maj. Marlowe Patria, civil-military relations chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Cpl. Rey Osoteo of the 7th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over North Cotabato’s adjoining Pikit, Kabacan and Carmen towns.
Osoteo’s wounded companion, Pfc. Dante Malik, was rushed by responding policemen and soldiers from nearby detachments to the Kabacan Medical Specialists Hospital.
Patria said the attackers pulled off in front of the 7th IB’s detachment in Barangay Osias, Kabacan town, took out rifles from jute sacks made to appear as if containing farm tools and opened fire.
The attackers also lobbed grenades at the roadside outpost before fleeing on motorcycles.
“The attack happened so fast,” Patria said.
Patria said they received reports from Army intelligence operatives and local officials that the attack was in retaliation for the Army having foiled an attempt by Moro extremists to bomb a bus terminal in Kabacan last Dec. 24.
Bystanders overheard two men talking to each other in the Maguindanaon dialect as planning to bring a bag containing a powerful improvised explosive in the bus terminal, but balked and left the bomb instead after seeing dozens of 7th IB members positioned near the parked buses and jeepneys.
The explosive, fashioned from a live 81-mm mortar projectile rigged with a blasting device attached to a mobile phone, was promptly deactivated.
Soldiers manning the Kabacan detachment have been actively helping police restrain the movements of shabu dealers in the town.
“The soldiers apparently caught the ire of criminal syndicates,” Patria said. – With Jaime Laude - By John Unson
Maj. Marlowe Patria, civil-military relations chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, identified the fatality as Cpl. Rey Osoteo of the 7th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over North Cotabato’s adjoining Pikit, Kabacan and Carmen towns.
Osoteo’s wounded companion, Pfc. Dante Malik, was rushed by responding policemen and soldiers from nearby detachments to the Kabacan Medical Specialists Hospital.
Patria said the attackers pulled off in front of the 7th IB’s detachment in Barangay Osias, Kabacan town, took out rifles from jute sacks made to appear as if containing farm tools and opened fire.
The attackers also lobbed grenades at the roadside outpost before fleeing on motorcycles.
“The attack happened so fast,” Patria said.
Patria said they received reports from Army intelligence operatives and local officials that the attack was in retaliation for the Army having foiled an attempt by Moro extremists to bomb a bus terminal in Kabacan last Dec. 24.
Bystanders overheard two men talking to each other in the Maguindanaon dialect as planning to bring a bag containing a powerful improvised explosive in the bus terminal, but balked and left the bomb instead after seeing dozens of 7th IB members positioned near the parked buses and jeepneys.
The explosive, fashioned from a live 81-mm mortar projectile rigged with a blasting device attached to a mobile phone, was promptly deactivated.
Soldiers manning the Kabacan detachment have been actively helping police restrain the movements of shabu dealers in the town.
“The soldiers apparently caught the ire of criminal syndicates,” Patria said. – With Jaime Laude - By John Unson
News Update Fight not yet over - P-Noy
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called for unity and continued support from the people as he vowed to make the government’s efforts to further improve the country felt by the greater masses in the coming year.
In his New Year’s message, the President said there was much to be done but the “light of hope had shone” on the Philippines because the Filipinos had chosen to walk the right path.
“Many more have decided to join us after the elections. And confidence from in and out of the country has also improved, that is why in the coming year, we are hoping that we will move forward faster,” Aquino said.
“The fight is not over yet. There are still a lot of things that we need to change. There are those who want to keep the irregularities and bring us back to darkness. If we give in, we will move farther away from the light that we are catching sight of, that is why we need to further strengthen our unity in doing what is right,” the President said in a recorded message released Wednesday.
Aquino said only if the people would stay united would the steps being taken to effect change become more significant and finally make the country’s dreams achievable.
He also called on the people to continue to think of others as he emphasized cooperation, especially in treading the right path.
In an ambush interview with reporters yesterday after the flag raising and wreath-laying ceremonies in commemoration of the 114th death anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal in Rizal Park in Manila, the President said he was hoping that the economy would continue to improve through increased investments.
He also said that it was the government’s active role in addressing the needs of the people that contributed to the optimism of the Filipinos in ringing in the New Year.
“In certain sectors, they really feel the light already, the warmth of the new beginning,” Aquino said.
The President cited the investments, particularly in the call center and business process outsourcing industries, that already came in as one of the signs that there were good prospects for 2011.
“Remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. They opened their new facility in San Lazaro (in Manila). That first day, they had to acquire a new floor in addition to the ones they had contracted out. And I think it was two days ago when I met somebody who said, remember that building, they have now had to occupy two other floors. They have a total of eight in a period of a month or so. That, I think, is an anecdotal reference to what we should be expecting. The unemployment rate, the underemployment rate have all been improving,” Aquino said.
“So we’re hoping that the economy really, really moves. That the disturbances in other world economies will be mitigated and will have little effect on us and we can really have the takeoff by next year, and a substantial portion of it felt by our citizens,” he added.
The President said the people must have also seen that the government was serious in its promise to use public funds judiciously.
Aquino said the Department of Budget and Management was able to reverse the budget deficit and even reported a surplus.
“And it’s not because we tightened our belts that we did not fund what should be funded just to have window dressing. Those that needed to be funded were sufficiently funded and there was even a surplus. If we are stringent in the use of funds, everything that the people need will be achieved in the soonest possible time,” he said.
And when calamities struck, the President said the people also felt the speedy response of the government to protect them and mitigate loss of lives and properties.
The President noted that even weather forecasting by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration improved and that government made sure that basic services were delivered by preventing strikes like that of bus companies.
“There are many aspects. As regards the bus strike, there was a bit of discomfort but we were able to show how serious we were that they could not do that to our countrymen,” the President said.
“So their being hopeful has basis. And if we help one another, we can make things happen faster. Sometimes it really gets me thinking that the good news are overshadowed, but this would be felt by the people no matter what,” Aquino said.
The President said with a new budget, the various departments and agencies were gearing up to implement projects for the people.
The President said new classrooms would be built, numbering more than 13,000, and additional teachers would be hired. He said the Department of Health would also be getting what they need to provide better service to the people.
He said this could be done by deploying nurses in rural health centers. The President said their salaries would come from government savings.
Aquino said infrastructure projects would come from private-public partnerships “to a large degree” as the budget would be used for social concerns.
He noted that after six months in office, there was already light, and “not just at the end of the tunnel.”
The President said his administration had already done things that some thought were not possible.
“There is still a lot lacking. We need to be more determined to achieve things, especially in the judiciary within the bounds of the Constitution,” Aquino said.
The President said he considered the judiciary as one of his biggest obstacles in effecting reforms in the country, which would include punishing those who committed anomalies in the past administration through a Truth Commission.
But the Supreme Court declared Executive Order 1 creating the Truth Commission as unconstitutional, saying it singled out the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Malacañang filed an appeal to reverse the ruling as the President vowed to use all means to ferret out the truth about the scandals and anomalies in the past decade.
Balancing act
Meantime, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said President Aquino should realize that running the country is a balancing act and he should be able to find a way to satisfy the interests of different groups.
Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, former CBCP president, gave this unsolicited advice to Aquino in an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas.
“He really has to be strong and be able to balance the different opinions that are coming from the different parties and different levels of institution. He has to have a good balancing act to listen to everybody,” Lagdameo said.
For his part, former Novaliches bishop Teodoro Bacani gave the chief executive a grade of 90 percent for his first six months in office. – With Evelyn Macairan - By Aurea Calica
In his New Year’s message, the President said there was much to be done but the “light of hope had shone” on the Philippines because the Filipinos had chosen to walk the right path.
“Many more have decided to join us after the elections. And confidence from in and out of the country has also improved, that is why in the coming year, we are hoping that we will move forward faster,” Aquino said.
“The fight is not over yet. There are still a lot of things that we need to change. There are those who want to keep the irregularities and bring us back to darkness. If we give in, we will move farther away from the light that we are catching sight of, that is why we need to further strengthen our unity in doing what is right,” the President said in a recorded message released Wednesday.
Aquino said only if the people would stay united would the steps being taken to effect change become more significant and finally make the country’s dreams achievable.
He also called on the people to continue to think of others as he emphasized cooperation, especially in treading the right path.
In an ambush interview with reporters yesterday after the flag raising and wreath-laying ceremonies in commemoration of the 114th death anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal in Rizal Park in Manila, the President said he was hoping that the economy would continue to improve through increased investments.
He also said that it was the government’s active role in addressing the needs of the people that contributed to the optimism of the Filipinos in ringing in the New Year.
“In certain sectors, they really feel the light already, the warmth of the new beginning,” Aquino said.
The President cited the investments, particularly in the call center and business process outsourcing industries, that already came in as one of the signs that there were good prospects for 2011.
“Remember we went to a company called Convergys not too long ago. They opened their new facility in San Lazaro (in Manila). That first day, they had to acquire a new floor in addition to the ones they had contracted out. And I think it was two days ago when I met somebody who said, remember that building, they have now had to occupy two other floors. They have a total of eight in a period of a month or so. That, I think, is an anecdotal reference to what we should be expecting. The unemployment rate, the underemployment rate have all been improving,” Aquino said.
“So we’re hoping that the economy really, really moves. That the disturbances in other world economies will be mitigated and will have little effect on us and we can really have the takeoff by next year, and a substantial portion of it felt by our citizens,” he added.
The President said the people must have also seen that the government was serious in its promise to use public funds judiciously.
Aquino said the Department of Budget and Management was able to reverse the budget deficit and even reported a surplus.
“And it’s not because we tightened our belts that we did not fund what should be funded just to have window dressing. Those that needed to be funded were sufficiently funded and there was even a surplus. If we are stringent in the use of funds, everything that the people need will be achieved in the soonest possible time,” he said.
And when calamities struck, the President said the people also felt the speedy response of the government to protect them and mitigate loss of lives and properties.
The President noted that even weather forecasting by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration improved and that government made sure that basic services were delivered by preventing strikes like that of bus companies.
“There are many aspects. As regards the bus strike, there was a bit of discomfort but we were able to show how serious we were that they could not do that to our countrymen,” the President said.
“So their being hopeful has basis. And if we help one another, we can make things happen faster. Sometimes it really gets me thinking that the good news are overshadowed, but this would be felt by the people no matter what,” Aquino said.
The President said with a new budget, the various departments and agencies were gearing up to implement projects for the people.
The President said new classrooms would be built, numbering more than 13,000, and additional teachers would be hired. He said the Department of Health would also be getting what they need to provide better service to the people.
He said this could be done by deploying nurses in rural health centers. The President said their salaries would come from government savings.
Aquino said infrastructure projects would come from private-public partnerships “to a large degree” as the budget would be used for social concerns.
He noted that after six months in office, there was already light, and “not just at the end of the tunnel.”
The President said his administration had already done things that some thought were not possible.
“There is still a lot lacking. We need to be more determined to achieve things, especially in the judiciary within the bounds of the Constitution,” Aquino said.
The President said he considered the judiciary as one of his biggest obstacles in effecting reforms in the country, which would include punishing those who committed anomalies in the past administration through a Truth Commission.
But the Supreme Court declared Executive Order 1 creating the Truth Commission as unconstitutional, saying it singled out the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Malacañang filed an appeal to reverse the ruling as the President vowed to use all means to ferret out the truth about the scandals and anomalies in the past decade.
Balancing act
Meantime, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said President Aquino should realize that running the country is a balancing act and he should be able to find a way to satisfy the interests of different groups.
Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, former CBCP president, gave this unsolicited advice to Aquino in an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas.
“He really has to be strong and be able to balance the different opinions that are coming from the different parties and different levels of institution. He has to have a good balancing act to listen to everybody,” Lagdameo said.
For his part, former Novaliches bishop Teodoro Bacani gave the chief executive a grade of 90 percent for his first six months in office. – With Evelyn Macairan - By Aurea Calica
News Update P40 flagdown rate for taxis next year
MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that starting Jan. 15, the flagdown rate of taxicabs would be P40 from the previous P30.
The new flagdown rate would cover taxicabs nationwide, except for taxis in Baguio City.
Lawyer Manuel Iway, LTFRB board member, explained that the taxicabs in Baguio City are not covered by the new P40 flagdown rate because of an existing petition by a group of local operators there that had asked for a new flagdown rate of P30 from the existing P25.
“We cannot grant them a new rate that is higher than what the operators are asking for,” he said.
The LTFRB approved the petition for fare increase filed by the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association way back in 2004.
LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces and board member Samuel Garcia signed the decision last Dec. 23 while Iway inhibited from the decision because of another fare hike petition filed by a taxi group in Cebu City that he had opposed when he was still not in government.
Based on the decision, the flagdown rate for taxicabs will be up to P40 from the previous P30.
Iway said there would also be a new rate of P3.50 for the succeeding 300 meters. The present rate is P2.50.
Iway said that under the LTFRB decision, only taxicabs that have metered receipts could avail of the fare hike.
“They will stay with the old rates if they can’t comply with the metered receipt requirement,” he said. - By Reinir Padua
The new flagdown rate would cover taxicabs nationwide, except for taxis in Baguio City.
Lawyer Manuel Iway, LTFRB board member, explained that the taxicabs in Baguio City are not covered by the new P40 flagdown rate because of an existing petition by a group of local operators there that had asked for a new flagdown rate of P30 from the existing P25.
“We cannot grant them a new rate that is higher than what the operators are asking for,” he said.
The LTFRB approved the petition for fare increase filed by the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association way back in 2004.
LTFRB chairman Nelson Laluces and board member Samuel Garcia signed the decision last Dec. 23 while Iway inhibited from the decision because of another fare hike petition filed by a taxi group in Cebu City that he had opposed when he was still not in government.
Based on the decision, the flagdown rate for taxicabs will be up to P40 from the previous P30.
Iway said there would also be a new rate of P3.50 for the succeeding 300 meters. The present rate is P2.50.
Iway said that under the LTFRB decision, only taxicabs that have metered receipts could avail of the fare hike.
“They will stay with the old rates if they can’t comply with the metered receipt requirement,” he said. - By Reinir Padua
Thursday, December 30, 2010
News Update DILG urges transparency, accountability in LGUs
SAN JOSE, Antique, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2010- 122 to all local government officials as a guide for all local government officials in promoting and sustaining good governance in their areas of responsibility. In a radio program aired in the province, DILG Antique Provincial Director, Victorio Pagapulan, said that local officials in all levels are mandated to promote good and sustainable governance. The DILG circular, said Pagapulan, emphasizes that the barangay as the basic political unit in the state plays a vital role in the development of the country. "It serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community as well as an avenue wherein collective views of the people are expressed and crystallized," he said, quoting from said document. He said that "this is in line with the commitment of President Benigno S. Aquino III to make transparency, responsiveness, accountability and honesty in governance as the strong pillars of his government so that poverty and the eradication of graft and corruption are properly addressed." Pagapulan underscored that transparency and accountability allow the people in barangays not only to know information such as pertinent facts and figures, but also the mechanisms and processes involved in the decisions made by local officials. "It can be manifested through the conduct of barangay daily and the regular reporting of income and expenditures and projects of such government unit," he pointed out.
For her part, Assistant Provincial Director Ma. Salvacion Alian said that aside from accountability and transparency, the circular also enjoined local officials to be responsive, that is, "extending prompt, courteous and adequate services to the people." Good governance, according to Alian, also promotes people's participation by providing mechanism for the public to express public opinion and ideally exert influence regarding decisions and actions made at the local level. She pointed out that "participation must be evident in various barangay activities like symposium, public hearings, membership in barangay-based institutions/councils, formulation of barangay development plans, among other activities."
For her part, Assistant Provincial Director Ma. Salvacion Alian said that aside from accountability and transparency, the circular also enjoined local officials to be responsive, that is, "extending prompt, courteous and adequate services to the people." Good governance, according to Alian, also promotes people's participation by providing mechanism for the public to express public opinion and ideally exert influence regarding decisions and actions made at the local level. She pointed out that "participation must be evident in various barangay activities like symposium, public hearings, membership in barangay-based institutions/councils, formulation of barangay development plans, among other activities."
News Update Parcel bomb blast kills woman in Manila
MANILA, Philippines – Police say a gift-wrapped grenade exploded and killed a woman when she opened the package inside her house in an upscale neighborhood of Manila.
The metropolitan Manila police chief, Nicanor Bartolome, says police are trying to establish a motive for the blast in Manila's Taguig city and are interviewing other members of the 31-year-old woman's family.
Unwrapping the package apparently removed the pin from the grenade, triggering the blast. Bartolome says the woman died instantly.
The metropolitan Manila police chief, Nicanor Bartolome, says police are trying to establish a motive for the blast in Manila's Taguig city and are interviewing other members of the 31-year-old woman's family.
Unwrapping the package apparently removed the pin from the grenade, triggering the blast. Bartolome says the woman died instantly.
News Update US Navy to conduct autopsy on officer
MANILA, Philippines - A local funeral parlor official disclosed yesterday that US Navy pathologists would conduct an autopsy today on the remains of the Filipino-American naval officer who reportedly committed suicide after he was caught carrying a small amount of cocaine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Sunday.
Chief Inspector Raymund Liguden, head of the Pasay City Police Investigation Unit, told The STAR that agents of the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service would also conduct their own probe into the death of Navy Lt. Commander Scintar Mejia.
Rizal Funeral Homes director Rodel Forbes said that, “nobody could touch or see” the body of Mejia after US officials requested to preserve the body until Navy officials conduct the autopsy.
“Their (US Navy) pathologist might visit Thursday morning because from what I known the person will arrive Tuesday or Wednesday evening,” Forbes said.
Forbes added that even the man who introduced himself as the father of Mejia was barred from seeing the victim’s body.
“Walang pwedeng sumilip sa kanya (Nobody could look at the body),” Forbes said, even as he refused to comment if there was foul play involved in Mejia’s death.
Police Aviation Security Group (ASG) agents arrested Mejia who was about to depart for Los Angeles, last Sunday at the NAIA terminal.
The police officers allegedly found .03 grams of cocaine from Mejia. He was brought to the ASG’s office at the NAIA for questioning.
Reports said that early the next day, Mejia requested the ASG officers to go to the bathroom, but the restroom at the office was occupied. ASG officers brought Mejia outside of the office to go to another toilet.
Police said that while on the way to the toilet, Mejia managed to run away from his guards and he jumped from a nearby stairs and landed headfirst at the concrete pavement.
Investigators said Mejia sustained head injuries and later died at the San Juan De Dios Hospital.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), however, said that laboratory tests on substance seized from Mejia tested negative for any dangerous drugs. - By Aie Balagtas See
Chief Inspector Raymund Liguden, head of the Pasay City Police Investigation Unit, told The STAR that agents of the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service would also conduct their own probe into the death of Navy Lt. Commander Scintar Mejia.
Rizal Funeral Homes director Rodel Forbes said that, “nobody could touch or see” the body of Mejia after US officials requested to preserve the body until Navy officials conduct the autopsy.
“Their (US Navy) pathologist might visit Thursday morning because from what I known the person will arrive Tuesday or Wednesday evening,” Forbes said.
Forbes added that even the man who introduced himself as the father of Mejia was barred from seeing the victim’s body.
“Walang pwedeng sumilip sa kanya (Nobody could look at the body),” Forbes said, even as he refused to comment if there was foul play involved in Mejia’s death.
Police Aviation Security Group (ASG) agents arrested Mejia who was about to depart for Los Angeles, last Sunday at the NAIA terminal.
The police officers allegedly found .03 grams of cocaine from Mejia. He was brought to the ASG’s office at the NAIA for questioning.
Reports said that early the next day, Mejia requested the ASG officers to go to the bathroom, but the restroom at the office was occupied. ASG officers brought Mejia outside of the office to go to another toilet.
Police said that while on the way to the toilet, Mejia managed to run away from his guards and he jumped from a nearby stairs and landed headfirst at the concrete pavement.
Investigators said Mejia sustained head injuries and later died at the San Juan De Dios Hospital.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), however, said that laboratory tests on substance seized from Mejia tested negative for any dangerous drugs. - By Aie Balagtas See
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Kopi Talk P1.4-M in SSS checks stolen
ANILA, Philippines – Payments to some Social Security System (SSS) members in Metro Manila could be delayed after the agency lost 125 checks to hijackers, the SSS revealed Sunday.
The checks, worth P1.4 million, were lost after armed men hijacked a Philippine Postal Corporation delivery van at the Cainta Post Office in Cainta, Rizal last December 13, SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said in a press statement.
He added that agency has taken the necessary steps to stop payment of the stolen checks.
"We have identified the stolen checks and we have informed the banks to disregard them," De Quiros said.
"Members in Marikina, Lawton, Cubao, Diliman, Cainta, San Mateo and Antipolo who are expecting to receive checks are advised to check with SSS branches to verify the status of their claims."
The SSS checks were delivered to the Quezon City Post Office on December 6 and 7.
Police said the armed men seized the van at the Cainta Post Office while the driver and courier prepared to board the vehicle to deliver mail.
The SSS checks were payments for salary loans and claims for sickness, maternity benefits, death, disability, and retirement benefits of members.
The checks, worth P1.4 million, were lost after armed men hijacked a Philippine Postal Corporation delivery van at the Cainta Post Office in Cainta, Rizal last December 13, SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said in a press statement.
He added that agency has taken the necessary steps to stop payment of the stolen checks.
"We have identified the stolen checks and we have informed the banks to disregard them," De Quiros said.
"Members in Marikina, Lawton, Cubao, Diliman, Cainta, San Mateo and Antipolo who are expecting to receive checks are advised to check with SSS branches to verify the status of their claims."
The SSS checks were delivered to the Quezon City Post Office on December 6 and 7.
Police said the armed men seized the van at the Cainta Post Office while the driver and courier prepared to board the vehicle to deliver mail.
The SSS checks were payments for salary loans and claims for sickness, maternity benefits, death, disability, and retirement benefits of members.
Kopi Talk Protecting the credit card holder
HAVE you ever received a credit card through mail even without applying for it? While some of us may have been excited at the prospect of having our very own credit card without going through the strict application process, most of us have also been baffled or even worried at the thought of strangers having easy access to our ''plastic money.'' To address the latter concern, the Monetary Board recently approved amendments to credit card regulations. Among the measures aimed at improving consumer protection and promoting better transparency are the following: Credit card companies will no longer be allowed to issue pre-approved credit cards. The Monetary Board has noted public concerns that pre-appoved cards sent either through mail or delivered by couriers may have exposed consumers to unauthorized use of their cards. The Monetary Board also requires banks and their subsidiaries or affiliate credit card companies to exercise proper diligence before issuing credit cards by determining the applicant's credit standing and capacity to pay. Further, credit card companies are now required to notify cardholders in writing before their accounts are endorsed to a collection agency. This notification requirement is expected to give cardholders enough time to settle their obligations. Under the amended regulations, credit card companies are likewise required to ensure that collection agents reveal their real identity to cardholders. This move is expected to address complaints pertaining to unfair collection practices by some collection agents. Disclosure requirements have also been expanded under the new guidelines: Credit card issuers, for example, will now be required to print a table of their applicable fees, penalties, and interest rates on credit card transactions. Related thereto, the BSP has also mandated a ''No Fine Prints Policy.''
The BSP now specifically requires the aforementioned tables to be printed using plain language, bold black letters against a light or white background, and minimum Arial-theme, font size 12. Cardholders will likewise be constantly reminded in their billing statements that payment of only the minimum amount due or any amount less than the total amount due for a billing cycle would automatically mean the imposition of interest and other finance charges. The BSP Financial Consumer Affairs Group (FCAG) advises cardholders that it is best to pay their bills in full as much as they can, to avoid or, at least, reduce finance charges. FCAG also advises the public to report violations of the aforestated guidelines and other credit-card related concerns via telephone numbers (632) 524-7011 local 2584 or (632) 523-3631, or e-mail address: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph.
The BSP now specifically requires the aforementioned tables to be printed using plain language, bold black letters against a light or white background, and minimum Arial-theme, font size 12. Cardholders will likewise be constantly reminded in their billing statements that payment of only the minimum amount due or any amount less than the total amount due for a billing cycle would automatically mean the imposition of interest and other finance charges. The BSP Financial Consumer Affairs Group (FCAG) advises cardholders that it is best to pay their bills in full as much as they can, to avoid or, at least, reduce finance charges. FCAG also advises the public to report violations of the aforestated guidelines and other credit-card related concerns via telephone numbers (632) 524-7011 local 2584 or (632) 523-3631, or e-mail address: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph.
Kopi Talk New promise of a better life
MANILA, Philippines - The celebration of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year are human events that bring joy and hope to people. Both dramatize the earnestness of a new beginning with renewed promise of better life and national fulfillment. It is at this time of the year that we experience calm and comparative peace everywhere, disturbed only by the sporadic incidents of animosities and misunderstanding. It is on this special season, too, that we see churches and places of worship overflowing with devotees giving thanks and prayers for a hopeful life in the incoming year. With prayers, instinctive and fervent, people from all walks of life feel obliged to do their best in anticipation of a more abundant future. After witnessing some of the most serious shortcomings of the past year that caused disturbances on the national scene, it is best that the people pray, too, for the guidance of our national leaders. Surely, the people should be responsible for themselves but the health and condition of the nation should be the concern of their chosen leaders. More than themselves, they are required to nurture what is best for the country and the citizenry: That is the mandate of leadership, a specification that leaders are sworn to devote themselves without reluctance or obstruction. Just the other day a ranking official of the Catholic Church called on government officials to exercise care in the dispensation of justice.
"We should be very careful with justice because if we are not careful, we do another injustice," Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said. Clearly, it was a warning to the government to be "extra careful" in the dispensation of what is just and godly and honorable. His Eminence expressed his belief that those who enforce the law are doing their best honestly, with integrity and humility. The warning was timely in light of the reported excesses in the implementation of laws. Recent controversies demonstrate these excesses - or biases, if you may call them - and for most of them politics has been blamed as reason for their commission. As we look ahead to welcome the New Year, it may be well to be thoughtful on the new possibilities for us and the nation. As His Eminence has said, let's "go for principles," as we seek for the best that the New Year can offer... (zhern_218@yahoo.com)
"We should be very careful with justice because if we are not careful, we do another injustice," Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said. Clearly, it was a warning to the government to be "extra careful" in the dispensation of what is just and godly and honorable. His Eminence expressed his belief that those who enforce the law are doing their best honestly, with integrity and humility. The warning was timely in light of the reported excesses in the implementation of laws. Recent controversies demonstrate these excesses - or biases, if you may call them - and for most of them politics has been blamed as reason for their commission. As we look ahead to welcome the New Year, it may be well to be thoughtful on the new possibilities for us and the nation. As His Eminence has said, let's "go for principles," as we seek for the best that the New Year can offer... (zhern_218@yahoo.com)
Kopi Talk From plunder to briber
MANILA, Philippines - (Editor's note: Corruption has a model to copy and the RH bill gives us the first step to population control.) Can the court issue a so-called gag order preventing parties, their lawyers, newspaper readers, etc., from discussing theft of AFP funds of P303 M? No to Garcia deal The AFP general staff and rank and file, through the chief of staff, are all loud and clear in shouting NO to the prosecutors' unexpected gesture of true kindness by readily consenting to a "deal," giving the culprit the benefit of the doubt. Slap on the wrist In a previous article this author said that bribery is a slap on the wrist compared to plunder. It's all the way down, in comparison, like treating murder as a new form of consummated serious physical injuries. The big if If the US authorities had not intercepted an undeclared baon of $100,000 by one member of the suspect's family, the public wouldn't have known that an AFP general was involved in the reported diversion of P303 M budget for supplies and various contracts to improve the military organization's capability. Remember the New York investment banker named Maddox? He had rocked Wall Street with a magnitude 7 of financial tremor by diverting more than a billion dollars, from investors to his deep pocket. The transaction involved private funds, not tax money. Jail of 30 years The federal government consented to a deal: Keeping and jailing Maddox for 30 years in a federal prison, knowing he was 70 years old at the time of plea bargaining. In the US a sentence of 30 years in jail is not 15, 20, or 25. It's a full 30 years all the way. Maddox agreed to the plea bargaining with full knowledge he would be 100 years old after 30 years. 'Whispering hope' The "deal" between the prosecutors and General Garcia's lawyers is without parallel in PHL to my best recollection. It took years of detention, "whispering hope," two rulings by the Sandiganbayan denying bail, a deep slumber of the case, and finally a long second thought of filing the "proper charge" - from plunder to bribery - or like changing rape to act of lasciviousness after six years of detention without bail. Model ignored Mr. Benito Carandang of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, was led to see double after reading my first article and simply asked: "With such a model, how can you stop corruption?" There's corruption in any country with strict anti-corruption laws and enforcement is being watched by more and more people each day. Corrupt judges, prosecutors, and lawyers have a rare gift: "They're eagle-eyed, but not all the time." RH bill has no dangers From Pampanga, the archbishop warned his flock to protect the family against dangers "posed by the RH bill." His message was read in 92 parishes during Misa de Gallo. He cited the "external danger like the liberal and modern ways of population or birth control." Pre-empting conception Let's not concede little intelligence to the mainstream population. They know there's nothing to kill or eliminate by stopping conception from the very start with the use of condoms and other safe methods.
Righteousness The difference is in definition of what is morally right or wrong. There's little help the government can extend to communities with a growth rate viewed as high. Most young couples, married or live-in, are not in full agreement with the so-called right/natural method if they cannot provide the basics for a family of six or eight or 10 children. There's no accurate projection by the church referring to the ideal number in one family other than the mother and father. Beyond religion If the average Filipino family is measured by the number of members who can enjoy the basic needs like healthcare, education, housing, food, etc. this is one problem only the state can control/regulate. Hunger/poverty is beyond the power of any religion to solve. Only the government has the capacity to give partially what the population wants. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
Righteousness The difference is in definition of what is morally right or wrong. There's little help the government can extend to communities with a growth rate viewed as high. Most young couples, married or live-in, are not in full agreement with the so-called right/natural method if they cannot provide the basics for a family of six or eight or 10 children. There's no accurate projection by the church referring to the ideal number in one family other than the mother and father. Beyond religion If the average Filipino family is measured by the number of members who can enjoy the basic needs like healthcare, education, housing, food, etc. this is one problem only the state can control/regulate. Hunger/poverty is beyond the power of any religion to solve. Only the government has the capacity to give partially what the population wants. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).
News Update Tacloban City mayor urged to support local businessmen
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - Jack Uy, President of the Tacloban City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TFCCCI), saying the business community is "the lifeblood of the city coffers," is asking Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez not to maltreat businessmen in the city. Uy said he and his confreres in the TFCCCI are being "maltreated" by the city government under Mayor Romualdez and an instance of this is the latter's orders to reroute the flow of traffic to the downtown area without the benefit of a public hearing, even as traffic enforcers ban them from parking their vehicles and delivery trucks in front of their business establishments. "I wrote him (Mayor Romualdez) a strongly-worded letter expressing our complaints to him as we are being harassed and maltreated by his traffic enforcers with so many restrictions in the downtown area," Uy said. The TFCCCI president pointed out that the city's businessmen are the ones raising revenues and income for the city coffers and that instead of being harassed, they should, instead be supported by and get assistance from the city government. Uy said he has personally snubbed the Business Forum recently initiated by the City Government of Tacloban as he believes the city government is not sincere in helping local businessmen. "Mayor Romualdez should know that we were the ones who paid the salaries of his father (referring to former Mayor Alfredo T. Romualdez), and now him and his wife, Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez out of the taxes we pay the city government. We have been doing business in this city for a long time and we should be given a fairer deal by the city government," he underlined. He said if Romualdez is "really sincere" in helping local businessmen, "he shouldn't have ordered the rerouting of traffic by provincial jeepneys and buses which are no longer allowed to enter the city proper." Uy said the city government began said traffic reroute in the city without holding consulting the public and those affected by such a move as required by law.
"They said this was only going to be a dry-run, but now it seems that this is already being fully implemented by the city government," the business leader said. Likewise many here in Tacloban are complaining about various streets in the city's downtown area suddenly made one-way by the city government without making any previous announcements to the public. Meanwhile, of late, there have been reports that Romualdez has apparently acquiesced and has responded to complaints by the business sector and has started to undo some of his recent moves. For instance, personnel from the city's Traffic Operations Management Engineering Coordinating Office (TOMECO) has started to allow parking of vehicles by business firm owners and unloading of cargo in front of business establishments.
"They said this was only going to be a dry-run, but now it seems that this is already being fully implemented by the city government," the business leader said. Likewise many here in Tacloban are complaining about various streets in the city's downtown area suddenly made one-way by the city government without making any previous announcements to the public. Meanwhile, of late, there have been reports that Romualdez has apparently acquiesced and has responded to complaints by the business sector and has started to undo some of his recent moves. For instance, personnel from the city's Traffic Operations Management Engineering Coordinating Office (TOMECO) has started to allow parking of vehicles by business firm owners and unloading of cargo in front of business establishments.
News Update Cebu taxi drivers welcome LTFRB OK on fare hike
CEBU CITY, Philippines - Taxi drivers in Cebu are delighted after learning that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved their petition to raise the flag down rate of taxis to P40 and P3.50 for every 300 meters. The new taxi fare increase will take effect starting January 15 but Richard Cabucos, President of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association (MCTOA) said he and his group might not be able to implement the increase immediately as 99 percent of taxi operators have no metering receipts. Installation of a metering receipt is one of the requirements imposed by LTFRB before a taxi's meter can be calibrated and adjusted for the new rates, according to newly-installed LTFRB 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon.
Cuizon said the LTFRB will not allow the manual issuance of receipts this time so operators, who are yet to upgrade their meters, have barely three weeks to comply. The cheapest metering receipt costs between P3,000 to P4,000. There are more than 6,000 taxi units operating in Central Visayas, with some 4,000 of them owned by members of MCTOA. Drivers must also wear uniforms at all times and must issue a receipt to a passenger whether or not the passenger asks for one. For every violation of the rule, the driver or operator will pay a fine of P2,500. Cabucos said that they are not expecting complaints from the general public because he said that in the first place, their market is only those who can afford cab service.
Cuizon said the LTFRB will not allow the manual issuance of receipts this time so operators, who are yet to upgrade their meters, have barely three weeks to comply. The cheapest metering receipt costs between P3,000 to P4,000. There are more than 6,000 taxi units operating in Central Visayas, with some 4,000 of them owned by members of MCTOA. Drivers must also wear uniforms at all times and must issue a receipt to a passenger whether or not the passenger asks for one. For every violation of the rule, the driver or operator will pay a fine of P2,500. Cabucos said that they are not expecting complaints from the general public because he said that in the first place, their market is only those who can afford cab service.
News Update P30 M eyed to energize remote towns
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines - Instead of being refunded to the over 120,000 consumers, members of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) here decided to utilize the less than P30 million over collected power purchase adjustment (PPA) to energize remote towns in this vegetable-producing province and more streetlights for nearby Baguio City. Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered Beneco to refund more or less P30 million representing supposed over recoveries in the controversial power purchase adjustment from January 1999 to April 2004. Adding insult to injury, the Court of Appeals (CA) sustained the ERC ruling in an order dated Nov. 28, 2008 after the rural electric cooperative appealed the ERC order. In July this year, Beneco started refunding the over collected PPA to the consumers and it was already able to give back to the consumers more or less P4 million until the middle part of this month.
When the report on the ongoing refund for the over recoveries was presented during the annual general membership assembly, thousands of members voted in favor of the proposal to waive the remaining P30 million balance from the refund and the same will instead be used to energize remote sitios in various parts of Benguet, including the installation of additional streetlights in Baguio City's 128 villages. The resolution which was adopted during the assembly cited the members are aware that there are still various far flung sitios in the 13 towns of Benguet which are in dire need of electricity and that there is also a need to install more streetlights in the different parts of Baguio City to help improve the worsening peace and order situation.(Dexter A. Se
When the report on the ongoing refund for the over recoveries was presented during the annual general membership assembly, thousands of members voted in favor of the proposal to waive the remaining P30 million balance from the refund and the same will instead be used to energize remote sitios in various parts of Benguet, including the installation of additional streetlights in Baguio City's 128 villages. The resolution which was adopted during the assembly cited the members are aware that there are still various far flung sitios in the 13 towns of Benguet which are in dire need of electricity and that there is also a need to install more streetlights in the different parts of Baguio City to help improve the worsening peace and order situation.(Dexter A. Se
News Update Poverty breeds new generation of Filipino rebels
MOUNT DIWATA, Philippines – Too poor to afford school beyond fourth grade in the southern Philippines, 19-year-old Johnny Buyo walked away from home six months ago to join the communist rebellion _ one of Asia's longest-running. He was handed a rusty M16 rifle, which he vowed to keep for life.
The teenager recently gathered with an older generation of battle-hardened veterans in their 60s for a celebration marking the 42nd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose insurgency withstood decades of crackdown by five Philippine presidents.
"It's scary at first but later, you gain confidence when you think that you're fighting for the people," said Buyo, the rifle slung on his tiny frame.
Amid a Christmas cease-fire and looming peace talks with President Benigno Aquino III's new government, about 80 Maoist guerrillas armed with rifles and grenade launchers marched in a remote rice-farming village in the foothills of Mount Diwata in southern Surigao del Sur province as more than 2,000 villagers, relatives and sympathizers cheered.
Persistent poverty in the Philippines' southern region fuels popular support for the movement, inspiring new generations to join even as Cold War communist insurgencies fade into memory across much of the rest of the world.
It has been 38 years since Jorge Madlos, then a student activist, quit university and went underground after then-Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972. Now 62, the prominent rebel spokesman _ distinguished by his trademark Mao-style cap and goatee _ says only one thing can make him leave his comrades.
"Our retirement comes in death," Madlos said.
At Sunday's ceremony, smiling guerrillas handed out 2011 calendars, red pins and packs of roasted pork and rice. They belted out nationalist songs on a stage in a rice field festooned with the hammer and sickle communist symbol. Relatives and friends used the occasion for reunions with rebels, including a mother who said she has not seen her son since he joined the guerrillas 10 years ago.
The chaotic scene under a broiling noontime sun both depicted the rebels' resiliency and constraints.
Army troops kept watch less than a mile (two kilometers) away, stopping vehicles and writing down the names of truckloads of people entering a narrow dirt road leading to the rebel event. Undeterred, they told soldiers they were going to a "peace forum."
Such a rare display of defiance and force by the rebels is played down by the military, which said that battle setbacks, surrenders, infighting and loss of foreign support have reduced the guerrilla force to less than 5,000 from a peak of 25,000 in the 1980s.
Not strong enough to face military tanks and aircraft, the rebels now rely on hit-and-run ambushes. They operate a shadow government in areas under their influence, dispensing justice including trials _ and sometimes executions _ of erring policemen and village officials. The rebels also collect "revolutionary taxes" _ and punish business establishments refusing to pay.
With the emergence of a popular, reformist Philippine president who has started to tackle poverty, the rebels now risk becoming irrelevant, government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said last week. He cited the example of some former rebels from the same force and other hard-line communists who took their cause to Congress as elected representatives.
Padilla said he and rebel representatives have agreed to resume talks in February in Norway, which has facilitated the peace process. The rebels walked away from peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, suspecting then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and EU terrorist lists.
Padilla credited the apparent progress to this year's landslide election victory of Aquino, the son of revered democracy icons. Aquino has begun grappling with pervasive government corruption and human rights violations blamed on state security forces that have helped fuel the insurgency, Padilla said.
But the guerrillas said that Aquino still has a lot to prove.
"Despite the peace talks, we will go on with the revolt," Madlos told journalists in this farming village about 530 miles (860 kilometers) southeast of Manila.
"Aquino is not popular in our bases," he said.
Some residents disagreed, even though there was little doubt about their loyalty in this rebel stronghold where houses are bedecked with paper streamers praising the revolution and New People's Army.
"I voted for Noynoy. He's kind," said 44-year-old housewife Lita Larowa, using Aquino's popular nickname.
But she said the rebels were her "heroes, for fighting for the legions of poor people like me." She refused to call them terrorists.
Another young rebel, who gave her name as Ka (Comrade) Irene, wished Aquino would fulfill his campaign promises to improve lives of the poor.
She said her rebellion was justified because massive poverty was still afflicting the country.
"I don't have dreams anymore," the 21-year-old, ponytailed rebel said, when asked if she planned to leave the mountains someday and rejoin her family.
Madlos said he was happy seeing a new generation take up the fight as veterans like him begin to fade.
"They ensure that this revolution will continue," he said.
___
The teenager recently gathered with an older generation of battle-hardened veterans in their 60s for a celebration marking the 42nd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose insurgency withstood decades of crackdown by five Philippine presidents.
"It's scary at first but later, you gain confidence when you think that you're fighting for the people," said Buyo, the rifle slung on his tiny frame.
Amid a Christmas cease-fire and looming peace talks with President Benigno Aquino III's new government, about 80 Maoist guerrillas armed with rifles and grenade launchers marched in a remote rice-farming village in the foothills of Mount Diwata in southern Surigao del Sur province as more than 2,000 villagers, relatives and sympathizers cheered.
Persistent poverty in the Philippines' southern region fuels popular support for the movement, inspiring new generations to join even as Cold War communist insurgencies fade into memory across much of the rest of the world.
It has been 38 years since Jorge Madlos, then a student activist, quit university and went underground after then-Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972. Now 62, the prominent rebel spokesman _ distinguished by his trademark Mao-style cap and goatee _ says only one thing can make him leave his comrades.
"Our retirement comes in death," Madlos said.
At Sunday's ceremony, smiling guerrillas handed out 2011 calendars, red pins and packs of roasted pork and rice. They belted out nationalist songs on a stage in a rice field festooned with the hammer and sickle communist symbol. Relatives and friends used the occasion for reunions with rebels, including a mother who said she has not seen her son since he joined the guerrillas 10 years ago.
The chaotic scene under a broiling noontime sun both depicted the rebels' resiliency and constraints.
Army troops kept watch less than a mile (two kilometers) away, stopping vehicles and writing down the names of truckloads of people entering a narrow dirt road leading to the rebel event. Undeterred, they told soldiers they were going to a "peace forum."
Such a rare display of defiance and force by the rebels is played down by the military, which said that battle setbacks, surrenders, infighting and loss of foreign support have reduced the guerrilla force to less than 5,000 from a peak of 25,000 in the 1980s.
Not strong enough to face military tanks and aircraft, the rebels now rely on hit-and-run ambushes. They operate a shadow government in areas under their influence, dispensing justice including trials _ and sometimes executions _ of erring policemen and village officials. The rebels also collect "revolutionary taxes" _ and punish business establishments refusing to pay.
With the emergence of a popular, reformist Philippine president who has started to tackle poverty, the rebels now risk becoming irrelevant, government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said last week. He cited the example of some former rebels from the same force and other hard-line communists who took their cause to Congress as elected representatives.
Padilla said he and rebel representatives have agreed to resume talks in February in Norway, which has facilitated the peace process. The rebels walked away from peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, suspecting then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and EU terrorist lists.
Padilla credited the apparent progress to this year's landslide election victory of Aquino, the son of revered democracy icons. Aquino has begun grappling with pervasive government corruption and human rights violations blamed on state security forces that have helped fuel the insurgency, Padilla said.
But the guerrillas said that Aquino still has a lot to prove.
"Despite the peace talks, we will go on with the revolt," Madlos told journalists in this farming village about 530 miles (860 kilometers) southeast of Manila.
"Aquino is not popular in our bases," he said.
Some residents disagreed, even though there was little doubt about their loyalty in this rebel stronghold where houses are bedecked with paper streamers praising the revolution and New People's Army.
"I voted for Noynoy. He's kind," said 44-year-old housewife Lita Larowa, using Aquino's popular nickname.
But she said the rebels were her "heroes, for fighting for the legions of poor people like me." She refused to call them terrorists.
Another young rebel, who gave her name as Ka (Comrade) Irene, wished Aquino would fulfill his campaign promises to improve lives of the poor.
She said her rebellion was justified because massive poverty was still afflicting the country.
"I don't have dreams anymore," the 21-year-old, ponytailed rebel said, when asked if she planned to leave the mountains someday and rejoin her family.
Madlos said he was happy seeing a new generation take up the fight as veterans like him begin to fade.
"They ensure that this revolution will continue," he said.
___
Monday, December 27, 2010
News Update Vatican 'belen' has 9 Filipino statues
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - With a Filipino Christmas carol as background music, the Vatican unveiled its Nativity scene on Friday at St. Peter's Square that for the first time ncluded nine Filipino statues.
A report on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website Saturday said the Filipino icons complemented the traditional figures of the Holy Family to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See.
Filipino sculptor Kublai Ponce-Millan designed the statues "to represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus," the CBCP report said.
"The attractive smiling figures dressed in colorful native attire and playing musical instruments, portray the joyful spirit of Philippine Christmas which is known as the 'longest and most festive celebration in the world.'"
This was the first time that the Vatican allowed a country outside Italy to participate in the preparations for its giant Nativity scene, which occupies more than 3,200 square feet of St. Peter's Square. The event was initiated in 1982 by the late Pope John Paul II.
The oldest statues in the reproduction of the Bethlehem scene were prepared by no less than a 19th-century saint of the Catholic Church, St. Vincent Pallotti.
"Filipinos are honored as they join the hundreds of pilgrims who come to St. Peter's Square at this time of the year, to contemplate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to call all peoples into the one family of God," the CBCP report said.
Unveiling rites
Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes A. Tuason and Filipino community leader Josephine Bantug led Filipinos in Rome during the unveiling ceremony.
Angelo Cardinal Comastri, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter, led the prayer service, while a Filipino Christmas carol sung by the Karilagan Filipino choir from Sentro Pilipino was a special highlight of the occasion.
At 6 pm, Pope Benedict XVI lighted a candle for peace as he watched the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments. In the darkness, he blessed the assembled crowd with the light of the single candle, the CBCP report said.
Tuason thanked the Governorate of the Vatican City State for giving the Philippines "a special place in the center of the Roman Catholic Church's celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ this year."
The gesture, according to Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, president of the governorate, was a recognition of the Philippines' special contribution to the Catholic Church, CBCP report said.
Lajolo noted the dynamic faith of Filipino Catholics and underlined that the Philippines is the largest Christian country in Asia, the report added.
A report on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website Saturday said the Filipino icons complemented the traditional figures of the Holy Family to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See.
Filipino sculptor Kublai Ponce-Millan designed the statues "to represent different indigenous groups of the Philippines in a festive celebration of faith, music, food and family on the occasion of the birth of Jesus," the CBCP report said.
"The attractive smiling figures dressed in colorful native attire and playing musical instruments, portray the joyful spirit of Philippine Christmas which is known as the 'longest and most festive celebration in the world.'"
This was the first time that the Vatican allowed a country outside Italy to participate in the preparations for its giant Nativity scene, which occupies more than 3,200 square feet of St. Peter's Square. The event was initiated in 1982 by the late Pope John Paul II.
The oldest statues in the reproduction of the Bethlehem scene were prepared by no less than a 19th-century saint of the Catholic Church, St. Vincent Pallotti.
"Filipinos are honored as they join the hundreds of pilgrims who come to St. Peter's Square at this time of the year, to contemplate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to call all peoples into the one family of God," the CBCP report said.
Unveiling rites
Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes A. Tuason and Filipino community leader Josephine Bantug led Filipinos in Rome during the unveiling ceremony.
Angelo Cardinal Comastri, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Peter, led the prayer service, while a Filipino Christmas carol sung by the Karilagan Filipino choir from Sentro Pilipino was a special highlight of the occasion.
At 6 pm, Pope Benedict XVI lighted a candle for peace as he watched the unveiling ceremony from the window of the papal apartments. In the darkness, he blessed the assembled crowd with the light of the single candle, the CBCP report said.
Tuason thanked the Governorate of the Vatican City State for giving the Philippines "a special place in the center of the Roman Catholic Church's celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ this year."
The gesture, according to Giovanni Cardinal Lajolo, president of the governorate, was a recognition of the Philippines' special contribution to the Catholic Church, CBCP report said.
Lajolo noted the dynamic faith of Filipino Catholics and underlined that the Philippines is the largest Christian country in Asia, the report added.
News Udpate City PNP to tape gun barrels Sunday
ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) - The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), down to its local stations, will be plastering adhesive tape on their gun barrels Sunday, according to ICPO Director, S/Supt. Marietto Valerio.
Valerio said that he will be meeting with his subordinates to also discuss other measures in line with the holiday celebrations.
The taping of ICPO personnel's gun barrels is considered by the ICPO in line with the "guidance of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Director C/Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr. that if possible there will be no illegal discharge of firearms."
Valerio added that ICPO personnel who will fire their firearms indiscriminately will be subjected to disciplinary action.
Meantime, he added that the ICPO, including all its local police stations, is now ready to handle with the influx of commuters who are rushing to go home all through this festive season, all through the New Year's, to celebrate with their families.
All station commanders have already been instructed to deploy personnel in places of convergence to ensure security.
"We have enough PNP personnel on standby," he assured.
On the other hand, Valerio announced that his office is also ready to extend security during the gift-giving activity of the Iloilo City government here which is expected to accommodate some 25,000 to 30,000 people on December 29 at the Freedom Grandstand.
He added that the ICPO will be also be assigning barangay peace keeping action teams (BPATs) and traffic enforcers for the duration of the activity.
Valerio said that he will be meeting with his subordinates to also discuss other measures in line with the holiday celebrations.
The taping of ICPO personnel's gun barrels is considered by the ICPO in line with the "guidance of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) Director C/Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr. that if possible there will be no illegal discharge of firearms."
Valerio added that ICPO personnel who will fire their firearms indiscriminately will be subjected to disciplinary action.
Meantime, he added that the ICPO, including all its local police stations, is now ready to handle with the influx of commuters who are rushing to go home all through this festive season, all through the New Year's, to celebrate with their families.
All station commanders have already been instructed to deploy personnel in places of convergence to ensure security.
"We have enough PNP personnel on standby," he assured.
On the other hand, Valerio announced that his office is also ready to extend security during the gift-giving activity of the Iloilo City government here which is expected to accommodate some 25,000 to 30,000 people on December 29 at the Freedom Grandstand.
He added that the ICPO will be also be assigning barangay peace keeping action teams (BPATs) and traffic enforcers for the duration of the activity.
News Update NEDA Board OKs agri, infra projects
DAVAO CITY (PIA) - Projects intended to increase incomes of agricultural communities, build more classrooms, and improve road networks were among those approved during the first National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting of the Aquino government. Among the approved projects include the Regional Infrastructure for Growth Project (RGIP), Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP), School Building Project for Basic Education (SBP4BE), Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (MMIP), and the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Support Program (ARCDSP). The NEDA Board also approved the financing of the air navigation facilities for the ongoing Laguindingan Airport Development Project, as well as the change in scope, cost increase and supplemental loan of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project (NSLP) Phase I. The RGIP, costing $100 million (approximately P4.7 billion) will provide local government units (LGUs) access to credits for infrastructure to improve the investment environment of LGUs. Funded by the World Bank (WB) and to be implemented by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the RGIP will finance ''off-the-shelf'' and ''shovel-ready'' projects such as roads, hospitals, and water supply and sanitation, among others. The P34.16 billion RUPP will enhance the efforts of the Philippine government to improve and preserve national roads. The project will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) across the Philippines, targeting various provinces such as Davao, Agusan del Norte, and Nueva Ecija, among others. The SBP4BE, to be implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd), will help build 680 classrooms in 170 schools in Central Luzon and Calabarzon. The P960 million project will be supported by a P800 million grant from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) as well as Philippine government funds. SBP4BE will employ the Principal-Led School Building Program approach, making the recipient schools as the implementing units of the project under the supervision of their respective School Division Superintendents. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded MMIP II aims to develop irrigation and agricultural facilities in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, targeting 20,866 households in the said areas. Additionally, the P7-billion MMIP II of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will also support seed production farms and post-harvest facilities, and potable water supply facilities, among others. The ARCDSP, a project led by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), aims to increase household incomes of 35 Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur.
The P2.5-billion program to be financed by the Italian government will have four components - agricultural and enterprise development, local capacity building and strengthening, community infrastructure development support, and project management. The NEDA Board also approved the financing of the P755.24 million air navigation facilities of the Department of Transportation and Communication's Laguindingan Airport Development Project. The Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) will finance P629 million of the cost of the navigation facility, while the government will fund P126.24 million. The change in scope of NSLP 1 includes procuring level crossing devices, clips and insulators, and increasing quantities of work items. The revised project cost stands at P4.16 billion, from P4.05 billion. The project will be sourced mainly from the Korean Government's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the KEXIM. The NSLP 1 aims to upgrade the South Manila Commuter Rail Project, with Phase 1 covering the line from Caloocan to Alabang.
The P2.5-billion program to be financed by the Italian government will have four components - agricultural and enterprise development, local capacity building and strengthening, community infrastructure development support, and project management. The NEDA Board also approved the financing of the P755.24 million air navigation facilities of the Department of Transportation and Communication's Laguindingan Airport Development Project. The Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) will finance P629 million of the cost of the navigation facility, while the government will fund P126.24 million. The change in scope of NSLP 1 includes procuring level crossing devices, clips and insulators, and increasing quantities of work items. The revised project cost stands at P4.16 billion, from P4.05 billion. The project will be sourced mainly from the Korean Government's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the KEXIM. The NSLP 1 aims to upgrade the South Manila Commuter Rail Project, with Phase 1 covering the line from Caloocan to Alabang.
News Update South Korean fugitive arrested in Taguig
MANILA, Philippines - A South Korean national accused of robbing and attempting to kill a compatriot in Palawan 2 years ago has been arrested by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers. Gwan Wook-ko, 35, was arrested last December 14 in Taguig City, BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said Sunday in a press statement. Gwan will be deported to Seoul once the bureau issues the order for his summary deportation, Ledesma said. A Seoul district court had issued an arrest warrant for Gwan, who allegedly robbed and shot his boss, also a Korean, at a golf resort in Bulacao, Palawan in 2008. The complainant, Lee Gye-gwan, claimed that the suspect took his expensive watch after shooting him 4 times in the body and hitting him with a stick in the head. Lee added that Gwan also tried but failed to take his bag containing US$50,000.
According to BI-Interpol unit chief Floro Balato Jr., Gwan was believed to have fled to Korea after the incident, prompting the victim to file his complaint with the police authorities in Seoul. Jerome Gabionza, BI Interpol operations chief, said Gwan's passport was already cancelled by the Korean government, making him an undocumented alien. Gabionza said the fugitive was about to enter the South Korean embassy presumably to secure his travel documents when he was arrested by immigration agents.
According to BI-Interpol unit chief Floro Balato Jr., Gwan was believed to have fled to Korea after the incident, prompting the victim to file his complaint with the police authorities in Seoul. Jerome Gabionza, BI Interpol operations chief, said Gwan's passport was already cancelled by the Korean government, making him an undocumented alien. Gabionza said the fugitive was about to enter the South Korean embassy presumably to secure his travel documents when he was arrested by immigration agents.
News Update No letup in Western Visayas tourist arrivals
ILOILO CITY (PIA) - Department of Tourism (DoT) 6 Director Edwin Trompeta said there has been no let-up in tourist arrivals in Western Visayas and, in fact, ''it has been steadily growing.'' According to Trompeta, the tourism industry in the region remains unfazed despite the high profile negative events that occurred in the country such as the botched hostage crisis in Manila last August and the subsequent travel advisories issued by, predictably Hong Kong, among other countries. Statistics of the DoT 6 showed that tourist arrivals in Boracay Island alone, the premier tourist destination in the region, reached 713,738 from January to November this year, registering a 20.45 percent increase from 592,557 in 2009.
Trompeta said the accessibility and ''strong appeal'' of the region's attractions are among the major contributing factors lent resiliency to its tourism industry. Western Visayas has four airports namely, the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo; Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental; and Kalibo Airport and Caticlan Airport in Aklan. Trompeta also expressed confidence that the country will meet its target of 3.3 visitor arrivals this year. He underscored the promotional activities embarked on by the DoT in 2009 involving Russian and German tour operators who visited the country for exposure trips and workshops. ''Almost 400 operators and agents are helping us push and promote the country as major destinations among clients especially in European countries,'' said Trompeta
Trompeta said the accessibility and ''strong appeal'' of the region's attractions are among the major contributing factors lent resiliency to its tourism industry. Western Visayas has four airports namely, the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo; Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental; and Kalibo Airport and Caticlan Airport in Aklan. Trompeta also expressed confidence that the country will meet its target of 3.3 visitor arrivals this year. He underscored the promotional activities embarked on by the DoT in 2009 involving Russian and German tour operators who visited the country for exposure trips and workshops. ''Almost 400 operators and agents are helping us push and promote the country as major destinations among clients especially in European countries,'' said Trompeta
News Update Bombing suspect killed after bolting jail in Zambo City
AMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (PNA) - A bombing suspect was killed after he and three others bolted the detention cell of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9) at Camp General Eduardo Batalla here at dawn Saturday. Sr. Supt. Mario Rariza, Jr., CIDG-9 director, identified the slain bombing suspect as Solaiman Muin, who along with three others escaped from the detention cell at Camp Batalla along R.T. Lim Boulevard, this city. Rariza said Muin was shot and killed when he resisted when cornered by pursuing lawmen inside Camp Batalla. One of Muin's companion was recaptured while a manhunt operation was launched aimed to recapture the other two other escapees. Rariza said Muin was suspected to be involved in the May 13, 2009 bomb attack on the convoy of Sulu Gov.
Abdusakur Tan in the town of Patikul, Sulu. Tan, together with his security escorts, close aides and some town officials, was leaving the provincial capitol grounds shortly after noon time of May 13, 2009 when a bomb placed on a parked motorcycle exploded. Rariza said that initial investigation showed that the detainees escaped through the ceiling of the comfort room. Rariza has ordered a thorough investigation why the two guards on duty failed to notice the escape until 5 a.m. of Christmas Day. One of the guards is an organic CIDG-9 personnel while the other is a policemen from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO). The escaped detainees are facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and car theft, Rariza said.
Abdusakur Tan in the town of Patikul, Sulu. Tan, together with his security escorts, close aides and some town officials, was leaving the provincial capitol grounds shortly after noon time of May 13, 2009 when a bomb placed on a parked motorcycle exploded. Rariza said that initial investigation showed that the detainees escaped through the ceiling of the comfort room. Rariza has ordered a thorough investigation why the two guards on duty failed to notice the escape until 5 a.m. of Christmas Day. One of the guards is an organic CIDG-9 personnel while the other is a policemen from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO). The escaped detainees are facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and car theft, Rariza said.
News Update Fil-Am family gets $10-M settlement for Toyota car crash
CHICAGO – Automaker Toyota acted as Santa Claus Wednesday but it looks like the car dealer was a Grinch.
Toyota offered $10 million to settle out of court a lawsuit that followed an August 2009 Toyota car crash in San Diego, California, which killed in a fireball a family of four people, including two Filipino Americans.
The tragic crash allegedly resulted from the Lexus "accelerating on its own" while on the freeway. The case against the Toyota manufacturer was dropped, but the civil case against Toyota car dealer Bob Baker Lexus will continue, according to the San Diego counsel of the families of the victims. Toyota agreed to pay $10 million to settle the lawsuit that arose from the crash of a Lexus car in a San Diego suburb, which killed California Highway Patrol officer Mark Wesley Saylor, 45; his Filipina wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45 (a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur); their daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12; and Cleofe’s younger brother, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38. Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota car models. THE VICTIMS. Mark Wesley Saylor (from left), 45, a California Highway Patrol Officer, and his daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12, his wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45, a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur in the Philippines, and his brother-in-law, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38, are seen in this composite file photo provided by the Saylor family to newsmen after they all died in a ball of fire when their Toyota Lexus “accelerated on its own" last August on a freeway in San Diego, California. Courtesy of Joseph Lariosa.
The amount was part of a settlement reached in September between Toyota and the Saylor relatives, who had wanted the settlement kept under wraps. Toyota had opposed efforts of Bob Baker Lexus and several media organizations to make the settlement amount public. “Toyota and the Saylor and Lastrella families reached a private, amicable settlement through mutual respect and cooperation without the involvement of the courts, so we are disappointed that the amount of this settlement has now been made public against the express wishes of these families and Toyota," according to a Toyota statement. The accident turned into a national debate as Fe Lastrella, the mother of Mark Saylor’s wife, Cleofe, was invited before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. to speak about the car crash. It also got the attention of the world’s largest automaker and prompted Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the Japanese company’s founder, to testify in an extraordinary appearance before a committee of the U.S. Congress.
Toyoda apologized to Congress, the millions of Toyota owners, and to the Saylor family repeatedly during his three hours of testimony. –MRT/JV
Toyota offered $10 million to settle out of court a lawsuit that followed an August 2009 Toyota car crash in San Diego, California, which killed in a fireball a family of four people, including two Filipino Americans.
The tragic crash allegedly resulted from the Lexus "accelerating on its own" while on the freeway. The case against the Toyota manufacturer was dropped, but the civil case against Toyota car dealer Bob Baker Lexus will continue, according to the San Diego counsel of the families of the victims. Toyota agreed to pay $10 million to settle the lawsuit that arose from the crash of a Lexus car in a San Diego suburb, which killed California Highway Patrol officer Mark Wesley Saylor, 45; his Filipina wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45 (a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur); their daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12; and Cleofe’s younger brother, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38. Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota car models. THE VICTIMS. Mark Wesley Saylor (from left), 45, a California Highway Patrol Officer, and his daughter, Mahala Manda Saylor, 12, his wife, Cleofe L. Saylor, 45, a native of Nabua, Camarines Sur in the Philippines, and his brother-in-law, Christopher N. Lastrella, 38, are seen in this composite file photo provided by the Saylor family to newsmen after they all died in a ball of fire when their Toyota Lexus “accelerated on its own" last August on a freeway in San Diego, California. Courtesy of Joseph Lariosa.
The amount was part of a settlement reached in September between Toyota and the Saylor relatives, who had wanted the settlement kept under wraps. Toyota had opposed efforts of Bob Baker Lexus and several media organizations to make the settlement amount public. “Toyota and the Saylor and Lastrella families reached a private, amicable settlement through mutual respect and cooperation without the involvement of the courts, so we are disappointed that the amount of this settlement has now been made public against the express wishes of these families and Toyota," according to a Toyota statement. The accident turned into a national debate as Fe Lastrella, the mother of Mark Saylor’s wife, Cleofe, was invited before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. to speak about the car crash. It also got the attention of the world’s largest automaker and prompted Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the Japanese company’s founder, to testify in an extraordinary appearance before a committee of the U.S. Congress.
Toyoda apologized to Congress, the millions of Toyota owners, and to the Saylor family repeatedly during his three hours of testimony. –MRT/JV
News Update Suicide by piccolo’ is 1st fireworks fatality amid 66 injuries
A 44-year-old woman from Bulacan province has become the first fireworks-related fatality in this year’s pre-New Year revelry. She died from ingesting explosive powder from several “piccolo" firecracker sticks.
National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag cited initial information that the death of the woman, whose identity he withheld as of Saturday afternoon, was a suicide.
“Yung isa, nakainom ng tubig may pulbura ng piccolo (That victim drank water laced with piccolo powder), Tayag said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
“Lumalabas sa toxicologist ng PGH. Baka singtapang ng lason ng watusi ang piccolo (Findings by toxicologists at the PGH [Philippine General Hospital] showed this. Powder from piccolo appears to be as toxic as watusi), he explained.
The NEC head said the woman ingested powder from the equivalent of at least 50 sticks of piccolo. This notorious firecracker, named after a harmless flute, has topped the health authorities’ list of banned fireworks because of its toxic content.
Tayag said the woman had to be brought to the PGH in Manila for treatment, although doctors there failed to save her.
When asked if they consider the death a suicide, Tayag said, “Parang ganoon ang lumabas [It appears that way]."
“Ang unang imbestigasyon, intentional, suicide [Initial investigation showed it was intentional, a suicide]," he said, but refused to elaborate.
66 revelry-related injuries at Xmas
Meanwhile, Tayag said at least 66 revelry-related injuries have been recorded from Dec. 21 to 25.
He said these include 61 injuries from fireworks, where some of the victims sustained eye injuries. Two were hit by stray bullets.
At least three more cases — including the supposed Bulacan suicide — involved ingestion of piccolo powder.
Tayag said the victims from stray bullets included a 14-year-old boy hit on the right hand near a church in Manila, and a 21-year-old woman hit on the left hand outside her house in Quezon City. — JV/DM
National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Eric Tayag cited initial information that the death of the woman, whose identity he withheld as of Saturday afternoon, was a suicide.
“Yung isa, nakainom ng tubig may pulbura ng piccolo (That victim drank water laced with piccolo powder), Tayag said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
“Lumalabas sa toxicologist ng PGH. Baka singtapang ng lason ng watusi ang piccolo (Findings by toxicologists at the PGH [Philippine General Hospital] showed this. Powder from piccolo appears to be as toxic as watusi), he explained.
The NEC head said the woman ingested powder from the equivalent of at least 50 sticks of piccolo. This notorious firecracker, named after a harmless flute, has topped the health authorities’ list of banned fireworks because of its toxic content.
Tayag said the woman had to be brought to the PGH in Manila for treatment, although doctors there failed to save her.
When asked if they consider the death a suicide, Tayag said, “Parang ganoon ang lumabas [It appears that way]."
“Ang unang imbestigasyon, intentional, suicide [Initial investigation showed it was intentional, a suicide]," he said, but refused to elaborate.
66 revelry-related injuries at Xmas
Meanwhile, Tayag said at least 66 revelry-related injuries have been recorded from Dec. 21 to 25.
He said these include 61 injuries from fireworks, where some of the victims sustained eye injuries. Two were hit by stray bullets.
At least three more cases — including the supposed Bulacan suicide — involved ingestion of piccolo powder.
Tayag said the victims from stray bullets included a 14-year-old boy hit on the right hand near a church in Manila, and a 21-year-old woman hit on the left hand outside her house in Quezon City. — JV/DM
News Update Philippine rebels threaten attacks despite talks
MOUNT DIWATA, Philippines – Communist rebels threatened more attacks Sunday despite looming peace talks with the Philippine government, as they marked the insurgency's 42nd anniversary by defiantly marching with their weapons in public view.
Aside from targeting government forces, New People's Army guerrillas _ one of Asia's most resilient Maoist forces, withstanding decades of military crackdowns _ also threatened to step up attacks against mining companies, accusing them of destroying the environment and exploiting workers.
"Despite the peace talks, we will go on with the revolt," regional rebel spokesman Jorge Madlos told journalists in a farming village at the foothills of the Diwata mountain range in Surigao del Sur province, about 530 miles (860 kilometers) southeast of Manila.
The government and the rebels have agreed to resume peace talks after six years in February, and chief government negotiator Alexander Padilla sounded optimistic early this week, citing promises by the new reformist president to address rebel concerns.
Amid a Christmas cease-fire, about 80 young guerrillas marched in public through this rice-growing village, brandishing M16 assault rifles, grenade launchers and other weapons to celebrate the Dec. 26, 1968, founding of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines.
On a makeshift wooden stage festooned with a huge red cloth emblazoned with the hammer and sickle communist symbol, rebels sang nationalist songs and guerrilla speakers revved up the more than 2,000 farmers, villagers and sympathizers. The hilly village is tucked about a mile (1.6 kilometers) away from a main road, where army troops stood guard in an outpost and listed the names of villagers streaming in to attend the ceremony.
"It's scary at first but later, you gain confidence when you think that you're fighting for the people," said Johnny Buyo, a 19-year-old who joined the guerrilla movement six months ago.
An M16 rifle slung on his tiny frame, Buyo guarded the rebel ceremony, wearing muddy boots and mingling with other young guerrillas. Nearby, parents, siblings and friends used the occasion to reunite with rebels, who came down from a mountain stronghold, embracing each other and exchanging stories and cell phone numbers. An emotion-gripped mother said she saw her son for the first time after he joined the rebellion 10 years ago.
A new generation of fighters ensures that the revolution will continue, said Madlos, a 62-year-old rebel known for his trademark Mao-style cap and goatee. "I'm happy knowing that with them, the rebellion will go on," he said.
Engendered by the Cold War in the late 1960s, the rural-based insurrection has emerged as this Southeast Asian nation's most serious security menace, stoked by decades of poverty, agrarian unrest, government corruption and misrule. Five presidents have failed to crush the Maoist rebellion, which has killed at least 120,000 combatants and civilians.
The party dates from its split from an older Communist group at a conference Dec. 26, 1968, in northern Pangasinan province. That date also was the 75th birthday of China's Mao Tse-Tung.
Washington has blacklisted the Communist Party and its armed wing, the 5,000-strong New People's Army, as terrorist organizations, blaming them for separate attacks that killed four American military personnel in the 1980s.
The rebels walked away from peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, suspecting then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and EU terrorist lists.
Since assuming office in June, President Benigno Aquino III has begun tackling pervasive government corruption and human rights violations blamed on state security forces that have helped breed the insurgency.
His promises to tackle poverty and graft could boost upcoming peace talks with rebels and make irrelevant the country's communist insurgency, Padilla told The Associated Press in an interview.
The president, he said, understands the rebels' concerns. His mother, former President Corazon Aquino, led a 1986 "people power" protest that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose martial law declaration in 1972 provided the fodder for the rebel movement as students, farmers and the middle-class swelled its ranks to some 25,000.
After restoring democracy, Corazon Aquino opened talks with the rebels, but they soon broke down. Battle setbacks, factionalism and surrenders have sapped their strength, but they still claim a presence in each of the Philippines' 81 provinces.
The NPA operates a shadow government in areas under its influence, conducting trials _ and sometimes executions _ of policemen and village officials accused of harming people. The rebels also collect "revolutionary taxes" _ and punish business establishments refusing to pay.
Aquino won rare praise from the rebels when he recently ordered the dropping of charges against 43 health workers who claimed they were abused in military custody after being arrested as suspected insurgents 10 months ago.
Padilla said the rebels _ faced with the collapse of many communist states that supported and inspired them, and with a popular new national leader seen as addressing social inequities _ may soon fade to irrelevance if they persist on waging a protracted war.
He noted that even hardline leftists have been elected into Congress after abandoning their armed struggle.
Madlos said oppressive conditions in the country that have fostered poverty, corruption and rights abuses had remained under Aquino.
Despite sporadic fighting, including the killing of 10 army soldiers in a Dec. 14 rebel ambush, both sides have agreed to resume formal talks Feb. 15-21 in Norway's capital, Oslo. They also agreed to a Christmas truce through Jan. 3.
The military, meanwhile, has softened its counterinsurgency strategy, which has been linked to extrajudicial killings of hundreds of left-wing activists and suspected rebel sympathizers.
The new six-year program unveiled last week seeks to wean away civilian communities from the rebels and includes support of advocacy groups from outside the government in addressing human rights concerns.
Political analyst Ramon Casiple said it showed that a part of the 120,000-strong military has agreed to adhere to human rights safeguards.
"It's no longer the body count approach. This is a war for hearts and mind," Casiple said. "The rebels should realize that the ground is shifting."
Aside from targeting government forces, New People's Army guerrillas _ one of Asia's most resilient Maoist forces, withstanding decades of military crackdowns _ also threatened to step up attacks against mining companies, accusing them of destroying the environment and exploiting workers.
"Despite the peace talks, we will go on with the revolt," regional rebel spokesman Jorge Madlos told journalists in a farming village at the foothills of the Diwata mountain range in Surigao del Sur province, about 530 miles (860 kilometers) southeast of Manila.
The government and the rebels have agreed to resume peace talks after six years in February, and chief government negotiator Alexander Padilla sounded optimistic early this week, citing promises by the new reformist president to address rebel concerns.
Amid a Christmas cease-fire, about 80 young guerrillas marched in public through this rice-growing village, brandishing M16 assault rifles, grenade launchers and other weapons to celebrate the Dec. 26, 1968, founding of the underground Communist Party of the Philippines.
On a makeshift wooden stage festooned with a huge red cloth emblazoned with the hammer and sickle communist symbol, rebels sang nationalist songs and guerrilla speakers revved up the more than 2,000 farmers, villagers and sympathizers. The hilly village is tucked about a mile (1.6 kilometers) away from a main road, where army troops stood guard in an outpost and listed the names of villagers streaming in to attend the ceremony.
"It's scary at first but later, you gain confidence when you think that you're fighting for the people," said Johnny Buyo, a 19-year-old who joined the guerrilla movement six months ago.
An M16 rifle slung on his tiny frame, Buyo guarded the rebel ceremony, wearing muddy boots and mingling with other young guerrillas. Nearby, parents, siblings and friends used the occasion to reunite with rebels, who came down from a mountain stronghold, embracing each other and exchanging stories and cell phone numbers. An emotion-gripped mother said she saw her son for the first time after he joined the rebellion 10 years ago.
A new generation of fighters ensures that the revolution will continue, said Madlos, a 62-year-old rebel known for his trademark Mao-style cap and goatee. "I'm happy knowing that with them, the rebellion will go on," he said.
Engendered by the Cold War in the late 1960s, the rural-based insurrection has emerged as this Southeast Asian nation's most serious security menace, stoked by decades of poverty, agrarian unrest, government corruption and misrule. Five presidents have failed to crush the Maoist rebellion, which has killed at least 120,000 combatants and civilians.
The party dates from its split from an older Communist group at a conference Dec. 26, 1968, in northern Pangasinan province. That date also was the 75th birthday of China's Mao Tse-Tung.
Washington has blacklisted the Communist Party and its armed wing, the 5,000-strong New People's Army, as terrorist organizations, blaming them for separate attacks that killed four American military personnel in the 1980s.
The rebels walked away from peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, suspecting then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and EU terrorist lists.
Since assuming office in June, President Benigno Aquino III has begun tackling pervasive government corruption and human rights violations blamed on state security forces that have helped breed the insurgency.
His promises to tackle poverty and graft could boost upcoming peace talks with rebels and make irrelevant the country's communist insurgency, Padilla told The Associated Press in an interview.
The president, he said, understands the rebels' concerns. His mother, former President Corazon Aquino, led a 1986 "people power" protest that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose martial law declaration in 1972 provided the fodder for the rebel movement as students, farmers and the middle-class swelled its ranks to some 25,000.
After restoring democracy, Corazon Aquino opened talks with the rebels, but they soon broke down. Battle setbacks, factionalism and surrenders have sapped their strength, but they still claim a presence in each of the Philippines' 81 provinces.
The NPA operates a shadow government in areas under its influence, conducting trials _ and sometimes executions _ of policemen and village officials accused of harming people. The rebels also collect "revolutionary taxes" _ and punish business establishments refusing to pay.
Aquino won rare praise from the rebels when he recently ordered the dropping of charges against 43 health workers who claimed they were abused in military custody after being arrested as suspected insurgents 10 months ago.
Padilla said the rebels _ faced with the collapse of many communist states that supported and inspired them, and with a popular new national leader seen as addressing social inequities _ may soon fade to irrelevance if they persist on waging a protracted war.
He noted that even hardline leftists have been elected into Congress after abandoning their armed struggle.
Madlos said oppressive conditions in the country that have fostered poverty, corruption and rights abuses had remained under Aquino.
Despite sporadic fighting, including the killing of 10 army soldiers in a Dec. 14 rebel ambush, both sides have agreed to resume formal talks Feb. 15-21 in Norway's capital, Oslo. They also agreed to a Christmas truce through Jan. 3.
The military, meanwhile, has softened its counterinsurgency strategy, which has been linked to extrajudicial killings of hundreds of left-wing activists and suspected rebel sympathizers.
The new six-year program unveiled last week seeks to wean away civilian communities from the rebels and includes support of advocacy groups from outside the government in addressing human rights concerns.
Political analyst Ramon Casiple said it showed that a part of the 120,000-strong military has agreed to adhere to human rights safeguards.
"It's no longer the body count approach. This is a war for hearts and mind," Casiple said. "The rebels should realize that the ground is shifting."
Sunday, December 26, 2010
News Update PNoy follows Arroyo's lead, keeps P1.2-B in intel funds
Leading an administration trumpeting transparency and austerity, President Benigno Aquino III has authorized at least P1.2 billion in confidential and intelligence expenses (CIE) in his government’s first national budget, which he is expected to sign on Monday.
CIE is the term now given for discretionary funds over which the President has full discretion in using for whatever lawful purpose but over which the Commission on Audit need not check on. This can be described somewhat as “Presidential pork" but this is not entirely accurate.
Aquino initially asked for P1.425 billion in CIE in the 2011 national budget. Senator Franklin Drilon pointed out, however, that that amount was bigger than what his predecessor former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo got, which was P1.346 billion. Aquino then slashed P250-million in CIE from the Office of the President.
But the President seems to be putting his money where his mouth is, by ensuring significant changes in CIE allocations based on his avowed priorities. (See Chart 1a.)
One notable change is the doubling of the amount of CIE for the Bureau of Internal Revenue — pursuant to the Aquino administration’s tax collection efficiency campaign.
Aquino also took away entirely the CIE given to state universities and colleges which used to receive those under Arroyo’s administration, but gave the Public Attorneys Office almost three times that amount unlike under Arroyo’s regime when the PAO got none at all.
The CIE of the Department of Justice also got increased considerably. Up by a third of its budget in 2010, the CIE of the Witness Protection, Security and Other Benefit Program will be P150.7 million next year.
Chart 1a. (Blue bars represent items in Aquino's 2011 budget, while red bars represent items in Arroyo's 2010 budget.)
In all, 22 departments, agencies, and offices got the President’s go signal to dispense with at least P1.2 billion in confidential funds in the coming year.
The total amount is actually bigger, considering that some CIE also go to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs).
Besides national agencies, LGUs also receive CIE for “peace and order efforts" but these should not exceed 30 percent of the total annual amount allocated for such efforts or 3 percent of the total annual appropriation, whichever is lower.
GOCCs also get a yet-to-be-determined amount of CIE.
Same old, same old
Apart from the seven major items, however, Aquino’s general set of CIE priorities remains not much different from the CIE beneficiaries of Arroyo’s last national budget. (See Chart 1b.)
Interestingly, the largest CIE allocation remains that of the Office of the President. The other outstandingly big CIE funds belong to agencies with clearly basic intelligence functions, such as those that administer the armed forces, the police, drug operations, and investigative bodies.
Chart 1b.
Compared to the P1.6-trillion national budget next year, Aquino’s P1.2 billion in confidential and intelligence funds allocation — less than 1 percent of the budget — may seem paltry.
Still, the amount is bigger than the P1.1-billion budget for 2011 of the Office of the Ombudsman — an office designated under the 1987 Constitution as “protectors of the people."
The combined budget for CIE is also higher than those allotted for the Department of Education School Building Fund, for the Civil Service Commission, and for the Commission on Human Rights.
The beef on the CIE is not that it overshadows the allocations given to these government agencies, but rather that CIE are the “VIPs" of government funds; CIE do not pass the scrutiny of regular auditing by the Commission on Audit.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defines intelligence expenses as “expenses related to intelligence information-gathering activities of uniformed personnel and intelligence practitioners that have direct impact to national security."
On the other hand, DBM’s National Budget Memorandum No. 105 — which outlines policy guidelines and procedures in the preparation of 2011 budget proposals — defines confidential expenses as “expenses related to surveillance activities in civilian department/agencies that are intended to support the mandate/operations of the agency."
The secrecy attending the management and use of CIE is complemented by the fact that the President has the sole prerogative on the release of the funds.
Despite allegations of misuse, there has yet to be a proven case of CIE abuse, probably because its use and liquidation are shrouded in secrecy.
In fact, shedding light on the use of CIE was an advocacy of the President himself when he was still in Congress.
As Tarlac representative, Aquino filed resolutions at the House of Representatives seeking the creation of a congressional oversight committee on intelligence funds to check and study the use of CIE and ensure that the allocated funds are used for the purposes they are intended for. Aquino filed the resolution in 1998, 2001, and 2005 but these were never adopted.
When he got elected Senator, Aquino filed the Budget Impoundment Control bill, which sought to strengthen legislative oversight over executive spending.
Now, by a curious turn of events, Aquino is on the other side of the fence as the chief executive.
Presidential prerogative
University of the Philippines economics professor Benjamin Diokno says the President “is involved every step of the way" where confidential and intelligence funds are concerned. Diokno served as the budget secretary of then President Joseph Estrada.
“The President’s power to reject requests for the use of the CIE funds is absolute. His power to authorize the use and release of savings to augment CIE funds is specific," Diokno says.
He cites as example the special provisions in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) applicable to the AFP, which state that “use and release of savings to augment said [CIE] funds are subject to prior approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense."
“As a matter of policy, the agency head will not submit a request for the use of the CIE funds without clearing it with the Office of the President," Diokno says. “An agency head would normally clear the use of the CIE with the President before a formal request is submitted."
More than a decade had passed since the 10th Congress created in 1997 the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence Funds, Programs and Activities. This committee continues to function up to the present Congress, looking into the use, disbursement, and expenditures of CIE.
But during deliberations in the 13th Congress in 2005, then Senator Richard Gordon, who sponsored the resolution creating the committee, admitted to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile that the committee had yet to produce any report.
DBM records, however, could have provided the committee with plenty of material for discussion and scrutiny.
Former President Arroyo had allowed agencies to spend more CIE than what had been budgeted during most of her nine-year term.
This means that the actual amount spent had always exceeded the amount authorized by the General Appropriations Act. (See Chart 2.)
Chart 2.
“Actual expenses may exceed budgeted amount for CIE. This is not surprising. That the actual exceeds the program in all cases is surprising, however," Diokno says. “It suggests that agency heads are not spending within their budget. Or that agency heads find the use of CIE more convenient than the use of other items in the budget."
Actual figures found in the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) are based on the agency report given to the DBM as part of the budget preparation process. The numbers are assumed to be consistent with the financial report for the agency as prepared by the Commission on Audit.
In at least two years, 2007 and 2008, the Arroyo administration exceeded the GAA-allowed CIE by more than 90 percent — equivalent to a more than P1.2-billion increase for each year.
The biggest increase took place in 2007, an election year when CIE soared by 98 percent. From the proposed P1.2 billion in the 2007 GAA, the actual amount spent went up to P2.5 billion.
‘Liquidation by certification’
Under COA Circular 2003-02, all cash advances chargeable against the CIE of all departments, bureaus, and offices of the national government, as well as GOCCs and self-governing bodies, should be liquidated by the accountable officer concerned.
The liquidation report should not be coursed through the agency’s auditor. It should be submitted in a sealed envelope with a visible label “CONFIDENTIAL - For COA Chairman Only" directly to the COA chairman’s office.
The liquidation vouchers should be supported by a photocopy of the paid disbursement voucher of the cash advance being liquidated and a certification of the agency head concerned for the use of the CIE.
The certification, signed by the project/accountable officer and attested by the head of the agency, must state that the amount was incurred for that project, and that the project was a “highly confidential operation/mission, the details of which cannot be divulged without posing a threat to national security."
It notes that details and supporting documents are in the agencies’ custody, kept in their confidential file, and “may be audited if the circumstances so demand."
The certification also affirms that the funds were not used to pay salaries and wages of employees or any elected official and for the purchase of equipment.
Senator Drilon calls this “liquidation by certification," noting that COA can examine the documents but cannot question it. He suspects this system is often abused.
But Diokno pointed out that this is not exclusive to CIE; noting that even some committee funds in the Senate and the House get liquidated by mere certification.
Augmented CIE
BESF records show that for the year 2007 Arroyo augmented the CIE allocated for the Armed Forces General Headquarters by more than P1 billion, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency by P51 million, the National Security Council by P49 million, the Air Force by P41.6 million, and the Office of the President by almost P30 million.
CIE was also increased by P10 million each for the Department of Justice – Office of the Secretary, the Department of National Defense – Office of the Secretary, and the Army. The Office of the Ombudsman’s CIE was raised by P5 million, while those of the Office of the Vice President and the National Police got an additional P3 million each.
Also in 2007, Arroyo gave CIE to eight agencies that were not among the original recipients in the 2007 GAA. These included the Philippine Information Agency with P25.4 million, the Commission on Elections with P10 million, and the Optical Media Board with P5 million.
But four agencies authorized to get CIE were however not given the amount. The Presidential Commission on Good Government, for one, did not get its P5 million in 2007.
Five other agencies had their CIE reduced. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Office for Transportation Security suffered a P5-million cut, while the Bureau of Immigration’s CIE shrunk by P3 million.
CIE increased in 2008 due to a significant rise in those used by the PNP (more than P200 million added); the Office of the President (P167 million added) and the AFP General Headquarters (almost P111 million added).
CIE-loaded agencies
Since 2001, the CIE for the Office of the President was pegged at P650 million, with P500 million going to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
In 2001 and from 2004 to 2009, the actual amount spent by the Office of the President was more than what was appropriated for it.
The Office of the President spent P595 million in 2002. The figure for 2003 was not considered because the CIE was lumped with extraordinary and miscellaneous Expenses.
In 2004, an election year when Arroyo ran to remain President, a total of P930.2 million in CIE was spent by the Office of the President.
The P400 million given to the President’s offices was the biggest CIE allocation, bigger than that of the Armed Forces and the National Police. Of the amount, P300 million went to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.
The AFP — consisting of the General Headquarters, Army, Air Force, and Navy — got its biggest CIE in 2007 with almost P1.2 billion and its lowest in 2001 at P52.5 million.
The National Police got its highest CIE in 2005 at P827.9 million and its lowest in 2001 with P61 million.
The National Bureau of Investigation, another agency involved with intelligence-gathering has been getting P18 million since 2002.
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency got P443.544 million in 2009, nearly half a billion. But in 2007 and 2005, NICA got only P31.244 million.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency got P54 million in CIE in 2009.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Franklin Drilon have proposed that Congress allocate intelligence funds only to the military, the police, the NBI, the Bureau of Immigration, and the NICA since these are all engaged specifically in intelligence activities.
They said civilian offices such as the Office of the Vice President, the DILG, GOCCs, and government financial institutions should not get CIE.
Diokno shares this sentiment, saying agencies that do not have any security or intelligence-gathering functions should not be given CIE.
“The proliferation of confidential and intelligence funds should be discouraged. A government that is committed to transparency and fiscal accountability should have specific and well-defined use for intelligence funds," he said.
Still, Diokno said he is indifferent on CIE of the Office of the President: “Under a benevolent, well-meaning President, a limited amount of CIE may be justified. But under a tyrant and corrupt President, it is ill-advised."
SUCs with CIE
Arroyo, during her term as President, had granted confidential and intelligence funds to entities which clearly have nothing to do with intelligence-gathering or surveillance. She gave CIE to 19 state universities and colleges, many from Western Visayas. All of them were not included in the GAA.
While the amounts run mostly to tens or hundreds of thousands of pesos, in 2008 the CIE given to 11 SUCs totaled P1.6 million. Bulk of this went to Carlos C. Hilado Memorial State College, P338,000; Iloilo State College of Fisheries, P262,000; Negros State College of Agriculture, P239,000; and Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, P208,000.
Arroyo also provided multimillion-peso CIE to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA): P25.4 million in election year 2007 and P10 million in 2008. These were not allocated in the original national budgets of those years.
Also missing proper allocation was the P6-million CIE given to the Philippine Racing Commission in 2006.
On the other hand, Arroyo had rejected the Commission on Audit’s request for P5 million in CIE that would enable state auditors to properly investigate government spending. BESF records show COA received its last CIE in 2002, worth P4.658 million.
BESF data also show that the Bureau of Fire Protection got its last CIE, worth P3 million, in 2001 despite it having fire intelligence and investigation activities.
Drilon, a member of the Senate oversight committee, wants to realign the CIE to regular items in the budget instead of lump sum so these can be subject to audit.
“With this, we can properly monitor if the intelligence funds were actually used for security purposes," he said in a statement last November.
But Diokno said doing so would go against the nature of confidential and intelligence funds. What he instead favors is limiting the existence of CIE for agencies that “truly need the use of CIE funds."
Malacañang itself has announced that it will review the use of confidential and intelligence funds, as well as determine whether the Office of the President should give up its CIE. It is, after all, a practice the present administration inherited from previous ones that had run the Palace.
But as of the last budget process, CIE allocations look like a legacy that the new resident of the Palace intends to keep, for now. – With data by GMA News Research and graphics by Mark D. Merueñas, MRT/JV
CIE is the term now given for discretionary funds over which the President has full discretion in using for whatever lawful purpose but over which the Commission on Audit need not check on. This can be described somewhat as “Presidential pork" but this is not entirely accurate.
Aquino initially asked for P1.425 billion in CIE in the 2011 national budget. Senator Franklin Drilon pointed out, however, that that amount was bigger than what his predecessor former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo got, which was P1.346 billion. Aquino then slashed P250-million in CIE from the Office of the President.
But the President seems to be putting his money where his mouth is, by ensuring significant changes in CIE allocations based on his avowed priorities. (See Chart 1a.)
One notable change is the doubling of the amount of CIE for the Bureau of Internal Revenue — pursuant to the Aquino administration’s tax collection efficiency campaign.
Aquino also took away entirely the CIE given to state universities and colleges which used to receive those under Arroyo’s administration, but gave the Public Attorneys Office almost three times that amount unlike under Arroyo’s regime when the PAO got none at all.
The CIE of the Department of Justice also got increased considerably. Up by a third of its budget in 2010, the CIE of the Witness Protection, Security and Other Benefit Program will be P150.7 million next year.
Chart 1a. (Blue bars represent items in Aquino's 2011 budget, while red bars represent items in Arroyo's 2010 budget.)
In all, 22 departments, agencies, and offices got the President’s go signal to dispense with at least P1.2 billion in confidential funds in the coming year.
The total amount is actually bigger, considering that some CIE also go to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs).
Besides national agencies, LGUs also receive CIE for “peace and order efforts" but these should not exceed 30 percent of the total annual amount allocated for such efforts or 3 percent of the total annual appropriation, whichever is lower.
GOCCs also get a yet-to-be-determined amount of CIE.
Same old, same old
Apart from the seven major items, however, Aquino’s general set of CIE priorities remains not much different from the CIE beneficiaries of Arroyo’s last national budget. (See Chart 1b.)
Interestingly, the largest CIE allocation remains that of the Office of the President. The other outstandingly big CIE funds belong to agencies with clearly basic intelligence functions, such as those that administer the armed forces, the police, drug operations, and investigative bodies.
Chart 1b.
Compared to the P1.6-trillion national budget next year, Aquino’s P1.2 billion in confidential and intelligence funds allocation — less than 1 percent of the budget — may seem paltry.
Still, the amount is bigger than the P1.1-billion budget for 2011 of the Office of the Ombudsman — an office designated under the 1987 Constitution as “protectors of the people."
The combined budget for CIE is also higher than those allotted for the Department of Education School Building Fund, for the Civil Service Commission, and for the Commission on Human Rights.
The beef on the CIE is not that it overshadows the allocations given to these government agencies, but rather that CIE are the “VIPs" of government funds; CIE do not pass the scrutiny of regular auditing by the Commission on Audit.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defines intelligence expenses as “expenses related to intelligence information-gathering activities of uniformed personnel and intelligence practitioners that have direct impact to national security."
On the other hand, DBM’s National Budget Memorandum No. 105 — which outlines policy guidelines and procedures in the preparation of 2011 budget proposals — defines confidential expenses as “expenses related to surveillance activities in civilian department/agencies that are intended to support the mandate/operations of the agency."
The secrecy attending the management and use of CIE is complemented by the fact that the President has the sole prerogative on the release of the funds.
Despite allegations of misuse, there has yet to be a proven case of CIE abuse, probably because its use and liquidation are shrouded in secrecy.
In fact, shedding light on the use of CIE was an advocacy of the President himself when he was still in Congress.
As Tarlac representative, Aquino filed resolutions at the House of Representatives seeking the creation of a congressional oversight committee on intelligence funds to check and study the use of CIE and ensure that the allocated funds are used for the purposes they are intended for. Aquino filed the resolution in 1998, 2001, and 2005 but these were never adopted.
When he got elected Senator, Aquino filed the Budget Impoundment Control bill, which sought to strengthen legislative oversight over executive spending.
Now, by a curious turn of events, Aquino is on the other side of the fence as the chief executive.
Presidential prerogative
University of the Philippines economics professor Benjamin Diokno says the President “is involved every step of the way" where confidential and intelligence funds are concerned. Diokno served as the budget secretary of then President Joseph Estrada.
“The President’s power to reject requests for the use of the CIE funds is absolute. His power to authorize the use and release of savings to augment CIE funds is specific," Diokno says.
He cites as example the special provisions in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) applicable to the AFP, which state that “use and release of savings to augment said [CIE] funds are subject to prior approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense."
“As a matter of policy, the agency head will not submit a request for the use of the CIE funds without clearing it with the Office of the President," Diokno says. “An agency head would normally clear the use of the CIE with the President before a formal request is submitted."
More than a decade had passed since the 10th Congress created in 1997 the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence Funds, Programs and Activities. This committee continues to function up to the present Congress, looking into the use, disbursement, and expenditures of CIE.
But during deliberations in the 13th Congress in 2005, then Senator Richard Gordon, who sponsored the resolution creating the committee, admitted to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile that the committee had yet to produce any report.
DBM records, however, could have provided the committee with plenty of material for discussion and scrutiny.
Former President Arroyo had allowed agencies to spend more CIE than what had been budgeted during most of her nine-year term.
This means that the actual amount spent had always exceeded the amount authorized by the General Appropriations Act. (See Chart 2.)
Chart 2.
“Actual expenses may exceed budgeted amount for CIE. This is not surprising. That the actual exceeds the program in all cases is surprising, however," Diokno says. “It suggests that agency heads are not spending within their budget. Or that agency heads find the use of CIE more convenient than the use of other items in the budget."
Actual figures found in the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) are based on the agency report given to the DBM as part of the budget preparation process. The numbers are assumed to be consistent with the financial report for the agency as prepared by the Commission on Audit.
In at least two years, 2007 and 2008, the Arroyo administration exceeded the GAA-allowed CIE by more than 90 percent — equivalent to a more than P1.2-billion increase for each year.
The biggest increase took place in 2007, an election year when CIE soared by 98 percent. From the proposed P1.2 billion in the 2007 GAA, the actual amount spent went up to P2.5 billion.
‘Liquidation by certification’
Under COA Circular 2003-02, all cash advances chargeable against the CIE of all departments, bureaus, and offices of the national government, as well as GOCCs and self-governing bodies, should be liquidated by the accountable officer concerned.
The liquidation report should not be coursed through the agency’s auditor. It should be submitted in a sealed envelope with a visible label “CONFIDENTIAL - For COA Chairman Only" directly to the COA chairman’s office.
The liquidation vouchers should be supported by a photocopy of the paid disbursement voucher of the cash advance being liquidated and a certification of the agency head concerned for the use of the CIE.
The certification, signed by the project/accountable officer and attested by the head of the agency, must state that the amount was incurred for that project, and that the project was a “highly confidential operation/mission, the details of which cannot be divulged without posing a threat to national security."
It notes that details and supporting documents are in the agencies’ custody, kept in their confidential file, and “may be audited if the circumstances so demand."
The certification also affirms that the funds were not used to pay salaries and wages of employees or any elected official and for the purchase of equipment.
Senator Drilon calls this “liquidation by certification," noting that COA can examine the documents but cannot question it. He suspects this system is often abused.
But Diokno pointed out that this is not exclusive to CIE; noting that even some committee funds in the Senate and the House get liquidated by mere certification.
Augmented CIE
BESF records show that for the year 2007 Arroyo augmented the CIE allocated for the Armed Forces General Headquarters by more than P1 billion, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency by P51 million, the National Security Council by P49 million, the Air Force by P41.6 million, and the Office of the President by almost P30 million.
CIE was also increased by P10 million each for the Department of Justice – Office of the Secretary, the Department of National Defense – Office of the Secretary, and the Army. The Office of the Ombudsman’s CIE was raised by P5 million, while those of the Office of the Vice President and the National Police got an additional P3 million each.
Also in 2007, Arroyo gave CIE to eight agencies that were not among the original recipients in the 2007 GAA. These included the Philippine Information Agency with P25.4 million, the Commission on Elections with P10 million, and the Optical Media Board with P5 million.
But four agencies authorized to get CIE were however not given the amount. The Presidential Commission on Good Government, for one, did not get its P5 million in 2007.
Five other agencies had their CIE reduced. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Office for Transportation Security suffered a P5-million cut, while the Bureau of Immigration’s CIE shrunk by P3 million.
CIE increased in 2008 due to a significant rise in those used by the PNP (more than P200 million added); the Office of the President (P167 million added) and the AFP General Headquarters (almost P111 million added).
CIE-loaded agencies
Since 2001, the CIE for the Office of the President was pegged at P650 million, with P500 million going to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
In 2001 and from 2004 to 2009, the actual amount spent by the Office of the President was more than what was appropriated for it.
The Office of the President spent P595 million in 2002. The figure for 2003 was not considered because the CIE was lumped with extraordinary and miscellaneous Expenses.
In 2004, an election year when Arroyo ran to remain President, a total of P930.2 million in CIE was spent by the Office of the President.
The P400 million given to the President’s offices was the biggest CIE allocation, bigger than that of the Armed Forces and the National Police. Of the amount, P300 million went to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.
The AFP — consisting of the General Headquarters, Army, Air Force, and Navy — got its biggest CIE in 2007 with almost P1.2 billion and its lowest in 2001 at P52.5 million.
The National Police got its highest CIE in 2005 at P827.9 million and its lowest in 2001 with P61 million.
The National Bureau of Investigation, another agency involved with intelligence-gathering has been getting P18 million since 2002.
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency got P443.544 million in 2009, nearly half a billion. But in 2007 and 2005, NICA got only P31.244 million.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency got P54 million in CIE in 2009.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Franklin Drilon have proposed that Congress allocate intelligence funds only to the military, the police, the NBI, the Bureau of Immigration, and the NICA since these are all engaged specifically in intelligence activities.
They said civilian offices such as the Office of the Vice President, the DILG, GOCCs, and government financial institutions should not get CIE.
Diokno shares this sentiment, saying agencies that do not have any security or intelligence-gathering functions should not be given CIE.
“The proliferation of confidential and intelligence funds should be discouraged. A government that is committed to transparency and fiscal accountability should have specific and well-defined use for intelligence funds," he said.
Still, Diokno said he is indifferent on CIE of the Office of the President: “Under a benevolent, well-meaning President, a limited amount of CIE may be justified. But under a tyrant and corrupt President, it is ill-advised."
SUCs with CIE
Arroyo, during her term as President, had granted confidential and intelligence funds to entities which clearly have nothing to do with intelligence-gathering or surveillance. She gave CIE to 19 state universities and colleges, many from Western Visayas. All of them were not included in the GAA.
While the amounts run mostly to tens or hundreds of thousands of pesos, in 2008 the CIE given to 11 SUCs totaled P1.6 million. Bulk of this went to Carlos C. Hilado Memorial State College, P338,000; Iloilo State College of Fisheries, P262,000; Negros State College of Agriculture, P239,000; and Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, P208,000.
Arroyo also provided multimillion-peso CIE to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA): P25.4 million in election year 2007 and P10 million in 2008. These were not allocated in the original national budgets of those years.
Also missing proper allocation was the P6-million CIE given to the Philippine Racing Commission in 2006.
On the other hand, Arroyo had rejected the Commission on Audit’s request for P5 million in CIE that would enable state auditors to properly investigate government spending. BESF records show COA received its last CIE in 2002, worth P4.658 million.
BESF data also show that the Bureau of Fire Protection got its last CIE, worth P3 million, in 2001 despite it having fire intelligence and investigation activities.
Drilon, a member of the Senate oversight committee, wants to realign the CIE to regular items in the budget instead of lump sum so these can be subject to audit.
“With this, we can properly monitor if the intelligence funds were actually used for security purposes," he said in a statement last November.
But Diokno said doing so would go against the nature of confidential and intelligence funds. What he instead favors is limiting the existence of CIE for agencies that “truly need the use of CIE funds."
Malacañang itself has announced that it will review the use of confidential and intelligence funds, as well as determine whether the Office of the President should give up its CIE. It is, after all, a practice the present administration inherited from previous ones that had run the Palace.
But as of the last budget process, CIE allocations look like a legacy that the new resident of the Palace intends to keep, for now. – With data by GMA News Research and graphics by Mark D. Merueñas, MRT/JV
News Update Activist freed from detention in Cagayan on Xmas eve
An activist detained in Cagayan last March was freed on Friday after a local court dismissed murder charges filed against her for allegedly killing a village chief from the province, a jail official said Saturday. Myrna Cruz-Abraham, consultant of peasant organizations in Cagayan, walked free on Christmas Eve at 9 a.m. after nine months of detention at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology center in Tuguegarao City, Jail Officer 2 Luz Aquino said Saturday. Cruz-Abraham’s release came after Judge Marivic Beltran of the Cagayan Regional Trial Court Branch 3 dismissed for lack of probable cause murder charges earlier filed against the activist. Cruz-Abraham was arrested and jailed nine months ago for her alleged involvement in the killing of Dadda village chief Johnny Belo in 2009. The local court likewise allowed Cruz-Abraham to post bail for illegal possession of firearms charges also filed against her in connection with Belo’s killing.
Aquino said the activist walked out of prison “joyfully," and was welcomed by friends upon her release. Cruz-Abraham, a development consultant and a member of Anakpawis party-list in Cagayan, went missing on March 22 and was later found at the BJMP facility in Tuguegarao City. Militant groups claimed that the activist was abducted by the military and was interrogated about her involvement in Belo’s killing. Cruz-Abraham also once threatened to go on hunger strike upon her detention if ever she is convicted for the two charges filed against her.—ACC/JV
Aquino said the activist walked out of prison “joyfully," and was welcomed by friends upon her release. Cruz-Abraham, a development consultant and a member of Anakpawis party-list in Cagayan, went missing on March 22 and was later found at the BJMP facility in Tuguegarao City. Militant groups claimed that the activist was abducted by the military and was interrogated about her involvement in Belo’s killing. Cruz-Abraham also once threatened to go on hunger strike upon her detention if ever she is convicted for the two charges filed against her.—ACC/JV
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Kopi Talk The good news
A majority of Filipinos expect a happy Christmas this year, according to a nationwide survey taken by Social Weather Stations Inc. That’s not just blind optimism. There has been enough good news to make this Christmas merry and Filipinos hopeful about better times in the coming year. All the worst-case scenarios about the indefinite postponement of the general elections in May did not materialize. The country’s foray into fully automated elections was a success, and the man who was elected president on an anti-corruption platform has a clear mandate.
Economic analysts and investors are bullish about the country’s prospects, believing that the new team in charge of government will herald a new way of doing business in the Philippines. More investments mean more jobs. If the pay scales are good enough, it could mean fewer Filipinos needing to find jobs overseas and staying away from loved ones on Christmas.
Love and family togetherness were the most valuable Christmas gifts cited by the respondents in the SWS survey. In a land where millions still live below the poverty line, a family gathering at the Christmas table, no matter how humble the fare, is a treasured blessing.
The family that prays together stays together; many Filipinos still believe in this, and few need to be reminded that Christmas is first of all about Jesus Christ. This should be good news for bishops who fret that modern life is alienating their flock from the Church. On this special day, Filipinos give love, give thanks and praise for their blessings.
Economic analysts and investors are bullish about the country’s prospects, believing that the new team in charge of government will herald a new way of doing business in the Philippines. More investments mean more jobs. If the pay scales are good enough, it could mean fewer Filipinos needing to find jobs overseas and staying away from loved ones on Christmas.
Love and family togetherness were the most valuable Christmas gifts cited by the respondents in the SWS survey. In a land where millions still live below the poverty line, a family gathering at the Christmas table, no matter how humble the fare, is a treasured blessing.
The family that prays together stays together; many Filipinos still believe in this, and few need to be reminded that Christmas is first of all about Jesus Christ. This should be good news for bishops who fret that modern life is alienating their flock from the Church. On this special day, Filipinos give love, give thanks and praise for their blessings.
News Update Another fire hits Makati, 3rd on Christmas Eve
Another fire hit a residential area in Makati City late Friday — the third in Metro Manila on Christmas Eve and the second in Makati for the day.
The fire at the South Cembo area was declared at "Task Force Charlie" by the Makati City fire department as of 7 p.m., Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported.
There was no initial report of casualties in the fire, which had razed at least six houses along Aguinaldo Street.
Earlier in the afternoon, fire of undetermined origin hit a four-story structure in a housing area at Building 5 of the Guadalupe Bliss housing area along J.P. Rizal Street in Makati City. (See: Fire hits housing area in Makati)
Metro Manila fire marshal Senior Superintendent Pablito Cordeta said there was no initial report of casualties even as at least two residents were "rescued" from the afternoon fire.
Cordeta said the earlier fire started at about 3:27 p.m. and reached Task Force Bravo minutes later. The fire was placed under control before 5 p.m.
Citing initial findings, he said the fire started at the unit of a certain Nicolas. There was no one inside the housing unit at the time the fire started, he said.
On the other hand, Cordeta admitted there was some "overkill" in reacting to the fire, when he called for firefighting units from neighboring cities to support Makati City firefighters in battling the blaze.
"Apat na palapag ito pero ang area nito 2,000 square meters. Medyo overkill nang kaunti to make sure hindi malaki na," he said. (This structure is four stories but occupies 2,000 square meters. We had to overkill a bit to make sure the fire did not spread.)
He appealed to the public to avoid poor housekeeping, and make sure unused appliances are unplugged.
Friday's fires were the third and fourth to hit a residential area in Metro Manila in the last 24 hours, after fires in Muntinlupa City and Baseco Compound in Manila.
On Thursday night, a fire destroyed some 500 houses in Muntinlupa City, rendering up to 2,000 families homeless. (See: Report: 500 houses destroyed in Muntinlupa fire)
Several families in Manila's Baseco compound also face a bleak Christmas after a fire razed their houses early Friday. (See: Report: 150 families lose homes to Baseco compound fire)
The Bureau of Fire Protection's Metro Manila unit had ordered firefighters to keep alert, and prohibited firemen from drinking, taking vacations and leaving their posts. (See: Fire bureau to personnel: No drinking, no vacation, no leaving posts)—JV
The fire at the South Cembo area was declared at "Task Force Charlie" by the Makati City fire department as of 7 p.m., Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported.
There was no initial report of casualties in the fire, which had razed at least six houses along Aguinaldo Street.
Earlier in the afternoon, fire of undetermined origin hit a four-story structure in a housing area at Building 5 of the Guadalupe Bliss housing area along J.P. Rizal Street in Makati City. (See: Fire hits housing area in Makati)
Metro Manila fire marshal Senior Superintendent Pablito Cordeta said there was no initial report of casualties even as at least two residents were "rescued" from the afternoon fire.
Cordeta said the earlier fire started at about 3:27 p.m. and reached Task Force Bravo minutes later. The fire was placed under control before 5 p.m.
Citing initial findings, he said the fire started at the unit of a certain Nicolas. There was no one inside the housing unit at the time the fire started, he said.
On the other hand, Cordeta admitted there was some "overkill" in reacting to the fire, when he called for firefighting units from neighboring cities to support Makati City firefighters in battling the blaze.
"Apat na palapag ito pero ang area nito 2,000 square meters. Medyo overkill nang kaunti to make sure hindi malaki na," he said. (This structure is four stories but occupies 2,000 square meters. We had to overkill a bit to make sure the fire did not spread.)
He appealed to the public to avoid poor housekeeping, and make sure unused appliances are unplugged.
Friday's fires were the third and fourth to hit a residential area in Metro Manila in the last 24 hours, after fires in Muntinlupa City and Baseco Compound in Manila.
On Thursday night, a fire destroyed some 500 houses in Muntinlupa City, rendering up to 2,000 families homeless. (See: Report: 500 houses destroyed in Muntinlupa fire)
Several families in Manila's Baseco compound also face a bleak Christmas after a fire razed their houses early Friday. (See: Report: 150 families lose homes to Baseco compound fire)
The Bureau of Fire Protection's Metro Manila unit had ordered firefighters to keep alert, and prohibited firemen from drinking, taking vacations and leaving their posts. (See: Fire bureau to personnel: No drinking, no vacation, no leaving posts)—JV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)