MANILA, Philippines - Congress decides to pursue inquiries into alleged irregular use of AFP funds.
Duty calls- in the interest of truth. And nothing personal.
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Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, asks colleagues to be more "civil" in the questioning of wtinesses and resource persons in the wake of the self-inflicted death of former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes.
Yes, give them a day in the "legislative" court.They, too, have reputations to protect.
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Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) withholds P8.3 billion for personnel services of this year in the wake of revelations that the military organization has 20 percent "phantom" personnel.
Ghost fighters? Only in the Philippines!
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Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad and Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, say that they will look into whether the P8.3 billion could be a source of hidden funds for "top-heavy" but secret expenses as disclosed by retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, former AFP budget officer.
Check irregularities, save the institution, and give fighting soldiers their due.
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In a statement, Reyes' children question the accounts being released in media,saying "Some of these accounts have been grossly inaccurate, terribly unfair, and downright vicious. We suppose that's part of the price a public servant has to pay. But it pains us..."
Understandably, they'll miss their Papa but as their Grandma's epitaph says, "Life must go on..."
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Meantime, House OKs P20,000 burial benefit for veterans.
Just enough for cheap plywood, paint, and lamay.Whew.
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The Philippine government and the MILF resume formal peace talks for the first time since President Benigno S. Aquino III took office last year.
Peace is better than blood, brothers.
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President Benigno S. Aquino III gives the 2011 tax collection campaign of the BIR a big boost by paying P34 million in capital gains tax (CGT) and documentary stamp tax (DST) for the sale of a piece of land in Antipolo City.
That's leadership by example.Yes to use of tax table and no more under- the -table.
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Chief Justice Renato C. Corona asserts the independence of the judiciary as he points out that the Supreme Court decides not on the basis of what is popular but on the basis of what is right.
Right is always might, Your Honor.
