Considering the enormous problems inherited by President Aquino from Mrs. Arroyo last year, I would be prudent enough to wait for another year to judge him as our country's leader.
In the meantime, I will remain optimistic mainly because he is one leader who is honest and full of integrity, which to me are good enough as foundation to propel the country towards the direction that we all desire.
I would rather congratulate President Aquino for his efforts to rebuild the country from the crumbs - if any - that Mrs. Arroyo and her band of thieves left when they stepped down from power.
o0o
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Senate Probe Looms Over Irregularities in Road Users' Tax;
The Senate is set to investigate alleged irregularities and misuse of the Motor Vehicle Users’ Charge (MVUC), also known as the Road Users Tax under the past administration.
Lacson joined Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III in filing Senate Resolution 520 to look into the use of P8.547 million from the MVUC to a youth “emergency employment program.”
“These releases appear to be in violation of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because ... all monies collected under RA 8794 should have been earmarked solely and used exclusively for the maintenance and improvement of road drainage, installation of adequate and efficient traffic lights and road safety and air pollution control, and NOT established to address underemployment or drug problems of the youth,” they said in their resolution.
In their resolution, Lacson and Guingona questioned the Metro Manila units of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Philippine National Police entering a Memorandum of Agreement in November 2005.
Under the MOA, the DPWH-NCR transferred to the PNP-NCRPO P8.547 million for the alleged hiring of workers and payment of their salaries under an emergency employment program, the “Out of School Youth Serving Towards Economic Recovery” (OYSTER).
Also, the two noted a Commission on Audit report that liquidated documents submitted by the Philippine National Police to the Department of Public Works and Highways may be considered “defective.”
Worse, the COA report had noted the signatures appearing the payrolls and daily time records have the same strokes, and the signatures at times “appear to have been made by one and the same person.”
Republic Act 8794 requires owners of motor vehicles to pay the MVUC to the Land Transportation Office, with the funds to be used only for road maintenance, and improvement of road drainages, installation of traffic lights and road safety devices and air pollution devices.
“From January 2001 to December 2010, P70.393 billion MVUC collections were deposited (to four special trust accounts for the purpose),” Lacson and Guingona noted.
o0o
Lacson joined Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III in filing Senate Resolution 520 to look into the use of P8.547 million from the MVUC to a youth “emergency employment program.”
“These releases appear to be in violation of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because ... all monies collected under RA 8794 should have been earmarked solely and used exclusively for the maintenance and improvement of road drainage, installation of adequate and efficient traffic lights and road safety and air pollution control, and NOT established to address underemployment or drug problems of the youth,” they said in their resolution.
In their resolution, Lacson and Guingona questioned the Metro Manila units of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Philippine National Police entering a Memorandum of Agreement in November 2005.
Under the MOA, the DPWH-NCR transferred to the PNP-NCRPO P8.547 million for the alleged hiring of workers and payment of their salaries under an emergency employment program, the “Out of School Youth Serving Towards Economic Recovery” (OYSTER).
Also, the two noted a Commission on Audit report that liquidated documents submitted by the Philippine National Police to the Department of Public Works and Highways may be considered “defective.”
Worse, the COA report had noted the signatures appearing the payrolls and daily time records have the same strokes, and the signatures at times “appear to have been made by one and the same person.”
Republic Act 8794 requires owners of motor vehicles to pay the MVUC to the Land Transportation Office, with the funds to be used only for road maintenance, and improvement of road drainages, installation of traffic lights and road safety devices and air pollution devices.
“From January 2001 to December 2010, P70.393 billion MVUC collections were deposited (to four special trust accounts for the purpose),” Lacson and Guingona noted.
o0o
Lacson Initiates Probe on P105-M PNP Chopper Purchase
The Senate is set to look into alleged misrepresentations in the P105-million purchase of light operational helicopters by the Philippine National Police in 2009 for its elite Special Action Force (SAF) unit.
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III filed Senate Resolution 518 to take a closer look at the acquisition of the Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (MAPTRA).
“By intentionally misrepresenting the helicopters they were selling as brand new and likewise, by intentionally accepting the same as such, both MAPTRA and the PNP may have entered into an anomalous contract which not only gave unwarranted benefits or advantage to a perty but also one which is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government in violation of Section 3 (E) and (G) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” they said in their resolution.
The investigation – made on Lacson’s initiative – stemmed from the planned procurement of three LPOHs for the PNP-SAF’s Air Unit.
On May 8, 2009, the PNP Negotiation Committee started talks with MAPTRA for one equipped LPOH and two standard LPOHs for P105 million – already inconsistent with the PNP-SAF’s requirement of three equipped LPOHs.
Following the failure of the negotiation, then SAF head Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago Jr. modified the requirements from three equipped LPOHs to one equipped and two standard LPOHs.
On July 9, 2009, the PNP Negotiation Committee recommended the award of the contract to MAPTRA, which it described as a “legally, technically and financially capable” supplier that had been engaged in the business “for so many years.” Then PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa approved the supply contract to pay MAPTRA P104.985 million.
Acquired by the PNP were one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters.
“(But) contrary to the findings of the Negotiation Committee that MAPTRA has been engaged in the business for so many years, the Securities and Exchange Commission records state that MAPTRA was only given its certificate of incorporation on June 10, 2009,” Lacson and Guingona said.
They also learned that of the three supposedly new choppers, the two R44 Raven I choppers were “pre-owned” as far back as March 2004, as shown by flight logs.
“There is an urgent need to look into this anomaly in order to prevent the PNP from entering into another contract of similar nature and to determine possible violations of RA 3019,” they said.
o0o
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III filed Senate Resolution 518 to take a closer look at the acquisition of the Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (MAPTRA).
“By intentionally misrepresenting the helicopters they were selling as brand new and likewise, by intentionally accepting the same as such, both MAPTRA and the PNP may have entered into an anomalous contract which not only gave unwarranted benefits or advantage to a perty but also one which is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government in violation of Section 3 (E) and (G) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” they said in their resolution.
The investigation – made on Lacson’s initiative – stemmed from the planned procurement of three LPOHs for the PNP-SAF’s Air Unit.
On May 8, 2009, the PNP Negotiation Committee started talks with MAPTRA for one equipped LPOH and two standard LPOHs for P105 million – already inconsistent with the PNP-SAF’s requirement of three equipped LPOHs.
Following the failure of the negotiation, then SAF head Chief Superintendent Leocadio Santiago Jr. modified the requirements from three equipped LPOHs to one equipped and two standard LPOHs.
On July 9, 2009, the PNP Negotiation Committee recommended the award of the contract to MAPTRA, which it described as a “legally, technically and financially capable” supplier that had been engaged in the business “for so many years.” Then PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa approved the supply contract to pay MAPTRA P104.985 million.
Acquired by the PNP were one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters.
“(But) contrary to the findings of the Negotiation Committee that MAPTRA has been engaged in the business for so many years, the Securities and Exchange Commission records state that MAPTRA was only given its certificate of incorporation on June 10, 2009,” Lacson and Guingona said.
They also learned that of the three supposedly new choppers, the two R44 Raven I choppers were “pre-owned” as far back as March 2004, as shown by flight logs.
“There is an urgent need to look into this anomaly in order to prevent the PNP from entering into another contract of similar nature and to determine possible violations of RA 3019,” they said.
o0o
Monday, June 13, 2011
Statement on Michael Ray Aquino's Extradition
It’s been a long time coming. Even ex-Senior Superintendent Aquino must be expecting his return to the country to have his day in court. Being a former superior, I just hope that he will be accorded a fair trial and treatment, giving due consideration to his physical security when his place of detention is determined by the regional trial court handling his case.
He has nothing to link me to the case. Unlike Mancao, I don’t think Aquino will succumb to pressure and promise of a comfortable life to the point of lying heavily just to satisfy the people with ill motives against me.
***
He has nothing to link me to the case. Unlike Mancao, I don’t think Aquino will succumb to pressure and promise of a comfortable life to the point of lying heavily just to satisfy the people with ill motives against me.
***
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Lacson: I'm Best Argument Against P100-M Pork Yarn for ARMM Poll Postponement
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Friday hit back at parties claiming senators who voted in favor of postponing the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were offered an added P100 million in pork barrel funds.
Lacson, who has rejected his pork barrel allocations since 2002, said he would have been the first to raise a howl had such a pork fund been dangled before senators.
"I am the best argument against insinuations of a P100-million pork dangle for senators who voted in favor of postponing the ARMM election," he said.
He also referred to those who spread such accusations as "crybabies," since they cannot accept the outcome of the proceedings in the Senate.
"The accusation being spread by the 'crybabies' who cannot accept the democratic vote in the Senate to postpone the ARMM elections is nothing but a canard," he said.
Lacson had rejected his pork barrel allocation, after seeing the temptation to use the pork barrel funds for graft.
By making sure his yearly "allocation" is stricken off the General Appropriations Act and returned to the National Treasury, Lacson has saved the government at least P1.8 billion in funds.
In the vote for the ARMM postponement bill, Lacson maintained the senators who voted for the postponement of the elections acted not on the basis of a pork offer, but on their appreciation of the points raised during debates on the issue.
On Monday night, the Senate voted 13-7 to approve a measure postponing elections in the ARMM, and synchronizing them with the elections in May 2013.
The ARMM elections were originally scheduled for August 8 this year.
***
Lacson, who has rejected his pork barrel allocations since 2002, said he would have been the first to raise a howl had such a pork fund been dangled before senators.
"I am the best argument against insinuations of a P100-million pork dangle for senators who voted in favor of postponing the ARMM election," he said.
He also referred to those who spread such accusations as "crybabies," since they cannot accept the outcome of the proceedings in the Senate.
"The accusation being spread by the 'crybabies' who cannot accept the democratic vote in the Senate to postpone the ARMM elections is nothing but a canard," he said.
Lacson had rejected his pork barrel allocation, after seeing the temptation to use the pork barrel funds for graft.
By making sure his yearly "allocation" is stricken off the General Appropriations Act and returned to the National Treasury, Lacson has saved the government at least P1.8 billion in funds.
In the vote for the ARMM postponement bill, Lacson maintained the senators who voted for the postponement of the elections acted not on the basis of a pork offer, but on their appreciation of the points raised during debates on the issue.
On Monday night, the Senate voted 13-7 to approve a measure postponing elections in the ARMM, and synchronizing them with the elections in May 2013.
The ARMM elections were originally scheduled for August 8 this year.
***
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Sponsorship Speech on Senate Bill 2869
SB 2869: Act Prescribing Fixed Terms for the Chief of Staff and the Major Service Commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and for Other Purposes
June 8, 2011
Mr. President,
It is my honor and privilege to sponsor for Senate consideration Senate Bill No. 2869 under Committee Report No. 50 entitled “An Act Prescribing Fixed Terms for the Chief of Staff and the Major Service Commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and for Other Purposes.” This bill is filed in substitution of Senate Bill No. 20 filed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, and Senate Bill No. 2285 filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
The call for reforms in the military service has always been part of the agenda of any administration and the topic of numerous bills here in Congress. It is undeniable that every country must place a premium on national security, and peace and order. Unfortunately, the road towards effective reforms is being hampered by the frequent change in the leadership of the Armed Forces or what is commonly referred to as the revolving door policy.
Senate Bill No. 2869 aims to give due recognition to the significance of the positions of the AFP Chief of Staff and the major service commanders by guaranteeing the stability and continuity of their service at the helm of the armed forces. Essentially, the objectives of this bill are as follows:
1. To prevent the trivialization of the position of the Chief of Staff and of the major service commanders thereby preserving the integrity of their offices;
2. To provide stability to the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by fixing the duration of the term of corps leadership so as to ensure continuity and consistency in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs; and
3. To prevent the politicization of the above-mentioned positions.
Under this bill, the Chief of Staff shall be given a fixed term of three (3) years. History has taught us that due to the limitations brought by the statute on mandatory retirement, there had been instances in the past when the appointed chief of staff only served for a few months or at most a year before he is forced to retire. Indeed, such a short period of service is not enough for one official to learn the ropes, more so, to effect meaningful changes in the Armed Forces. In fact, during our committee hearing, we learned that the first year of service is usually for purposes of familiarization while the time for reforms begins only during the second or third year in the office.
Mr. President and colleagues in the Senate, the instability created by such a situation only serves to derail the modernization efforts in the military service. And this is precisely the problem sought to be resolved by this proposed measure.
Senate Bill No. 2869 provides that when the officer appointed as Chief of Staff reaches the compulsory retirement age before the end of the three-year term, the statutory compulsory retirement of the chief of staff shall be deferred until the completion of the prescribed term. This is of course, without prejudice to the power of the president as Commander-in-Chief to remove the said officer from office for loss of confidence at any time before the end of the prescribed three-year term.
In the same vein, the positions of the major service commanders also require a modicum of stability and continuity so as to afford these officials sufficient time to craft their program of action as well as oversee its implementation. It is for this reason that this proposed measure grants them a minimum term of two (2) years. However, giving due consideration to the restrictions embodied in our constitution, the bill also provides a limitation on the appointment of these officials such that officers who can be appointed as a major service commander must have at least two (2) years remaining in active service.
With stability and continuity ingrained within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, its core leadership will once again obtain the integrity that their positions duly deserve. More importantly, having an Armed Forces that is characterized not just by bravery and patriotism but also by integrity, stability, and continuity in its leadership, will enable the AFO to fulfill its mandate of protecting the people and in preserving national security.
Given the controversies plaguing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, there is no question that reforms are badly needed in order to restore the AFP to its former glory and honor. Senate Bill No. 2869 is a step towards this direction.
Your honors, this is the third time that a member of this chamber will sponsor this measure for the approval of the body. The bills prescribing a fixed term for the AFP Chief of Staff and the major service commanders had long been debated upon in our halls but for some reason, time ran out on the passage of this measure. It is this representation’s hope that with the support of my fellow senators, time and fate will be on our side so that we can finally see this bill enacted into a law.
Thank you.
*****
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)