JINGGOY REQUESTS COPIES OF COUNTER AFFIDAVITS OF NEW WITNESSES

MANILA-In light of the recent developments including the emergence of new testimonies of Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada shared during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado media conference that he is requesting copies of counter affidavits of the new witnesses in the so-called pork barrel scam.

 

Sen. Estrada formally requested before the Office of the Ombudsman that he be furnished with the sworn affidavits of Mrs. Tuason and Mr. Cunanan, wherein the two respondents who eventually became recruited witnesses of the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation made certain allegations against the lawmaker with regard to his purported participation in the scam.

 

Jinggoy said that there may be a need to answer and refute the allegations made by the provisional witnesses in their respective affidavits, subsequent to his filing of his own counter affidavit last January.

 

Tuason filed her affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman last February 9, shortly after her return to the country from the United States.  Cunanan, on the other hand, prepared his sworn statement on February 20 as reported by the media.

 

Sen. Estrada says that he is waiting to be officially provided copies of the said documents, including the Consolidated Reply of the complainant NBI, and that he may issue a formal response before the Ombudsman given the false claims made against him which are not stated in the original charges.

 

“I hope that we will be given the chance by the Ombudsman to examine the evidence and properly respond to the allegations made by the new witnesses,” Jinggoy said.

Drilon welcomes global parliamentarian action on international disputes

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon warmly welcomed the global community of parliamentarians’ initiative to enforce strict adherence to multilateral and international treaties, enabling decisive but peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The Senate leader expressed the country’s gratitude to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as he formally addressed the parliamentarians from all over the world assembled at the 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council Assembly held from March 16-20, 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

As head of the Philippine delegation of legislators, Drilon hailed the creation of the IPU Standing Committee on United Nations (UN) Affairs which will involve parliamentarians in honoring the commitments of their governments in multilateral treaties and international agreements. The committee is intended to be “a productive forum for dialogue in the peaceful settlement of international disputes.”

He said: “The UN has earlier declared that the IPU is an essential partner in the promotion of the rule of law.  We parliamentarians, therefore, must do our utmost best as partners to espouse a rules-based regime as a way of maintaining peace in the world.”

Drilon, who is a member of the IPU Executive Committee, stressed that the IPU can greatly help resolve tension-filled territorial disputes between smaller nations making their case against “geopolitically dominant and influential” nations – and invited attention to Southeast Asia’s maritime contests. 

“Parliamentarians can help create a productive dialogue between the Philippines along with our other Southeast Asian neighbors, and more powerful nations,” he said.

Quoting British leader Margaret Thatcher, he said that lawmakers throughout the world must “remain vigilant against those who seek to replace the rule of law with the rule of force.” He emphasized that world peace can be maintained when “parliamentarians do their utmost best to espouse rules-based systems of governance.”   

His statements came after renewed strong messages by China to the Philippine government, regarding contested locations such as the Ayungin and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoals.   

Drilon expressed confidence on the IPU’s commitment to “peace, the supremacy of law and the protection of democracy”, citing the IPU’s historic relationship with the Philippine legislative branch, which began not long after the country first came under democratic rule – among the first in Asia – in 1898.   

“Our nation has a proud tradition of being a bastion of genuine democracy in Asia – one that has seen so many challenges – but has survived thanks to the strength of our people, and the unwavering support of groups like the IPU that firmly believe in the democratic ideals we all strive for,” he said.  

Believing that the Philippine Congress best represents the nation’s state of democracy, the Senate chief then said that he and his fellow lawmakers will “strive to ensure the continued relevance of the Congress in the lives of the Filipino people.”

“If Philippine democracy remains vibrant, it is because of our parliamentary institutions’ strong adherence to democratic principles," he stressed.

He then promised that the Philippine government –especially the Senate and the House of Representatives - will continue its “dynamic involvement in the IPU’s unending efforts for representative democracy.”

Meanwhile, Drilon reiterated the Philippine Government and the Filipino people’s sincere gratitude to the global community for their timely relief and assistance and continued support in the rebuilding of the communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

He showed great appreciation to nations such as the Unites States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, Canada, Australia, South Korea and others for their ongoing efforts to “offer comfort to our distressed countrymen amid the suffering and pain, encouraging and inspiring Filipino families and entire communities to rebuild their lives.”

“For all these, the Filipino people are forever grateful for your compassion and generosity,” he said.

The other members of the Philippine delegation are Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Congressman Rodolfo Fariñas, Congressman Isidro Ungab and Congressman Jorge John Banal.

Established in 1889, the IPU is an international organization of 163 members and 10 associate member parliaments, and acts as the focal point for worldwide inter-parliamentary dialogue. It works for “peace and cooperation among peoples, and for the firm establishment of representative democracy across the globe.”

If we spend P2.8 M for a PMA grad, then we should hike benefits of 'Pinoy MD' scholars

MANILA-Senator Ralph Recto today said government should hike its scholarship fund for medical students which at present is a tenth of what it spends to train professional military officers.

“If we are spending P2.8 million to produce one Philippine Military Academy graduate, then perhaps we should increase the scholarship grants we give to aspiring doctors,” Recto said.

For this year, government is allocating P57.5 million for the “Pinoy MD Program”, a scholarship fund the Department of Health administers.

In contrast, the Philippine Military Academy has a 2014 budget of P594 million, which will, however, go up to P775 million, once P175 million in Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and P5 million in retirement and life insurance premiums are added to it.

“Perhaps we can use the PMA expenditures as guide in increasing our Pinoy MD fund beginning next year,” Recto said. 

“If we’re spending this much for training soldiers to be good in surgical strikes, then we might as well spend near that amount in training people who are good in surgery,” he said.

Recto said under the Pinoy MD program, a scholar receives P147,800 a year  - or an average of P12,333 a month -  in tuition assistance, book and living allowances, and for laboratory and other school fees.

With a semester’s tuition in some Metro Manila medical schools now costing as much as P120,000, then the assistance, though much appreciated, from the Pinoy MD program is only a fraction of what a student needs, Recto said.

In the PMA, a cadet, in addition to free education and board and lodging, gets a basic monthly pay of P27,425 plus P6,300 in allowances as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant, “emoluments,” Recto stressed, “that the cadet fully deserves.”

From 2010 to 2013, the PMA got P2.438 billion in appropriations from the national government, while producing a total of 862 graduates, or at a per graduate cost of P2.8 million.

But if the expenses incurred by cadets who dropped out will be factored in, then the cost to taxpayers of producing one PMA graduate would go down to about P2.3 million, Recto  said.

“Hopefully this figure can inspire a readjustment of Pinoy MD Scholarship benefits.   The cost of training people who’ll keep us safe must not be far behind from what it costs to train the people who’ll keep us healthy,” he said.

Recto said “many bright students have the brains and the heart to become good doctors but poverty is what’s keeping them from realizing their dreams .”

“If we can only apply the same opportunities that the PMA gives to poor but deserving young men in our Pinoy MD program, then we will be creating a corps of doctors who will serve the people,” he said.

Recto said increasing the Pinoy MD budget, to accommodate more scholars who will be given bigger financial aid, will “create a PMA of a different kind, a Philippine Medical Academy, whose students are being trained, under government sponsorship, in different medical schools.”

“We need more doctors. Our population grows by two million a year; it also is aging. If that is the situation, then this nation must start a tradition of producing a ‘long white line,’” Recto said, referencing the white coats of doctors to the “long grey line” which PMA alumni and cadets are collectively referred to.

In 2010, there were only 2,682 government doctors to serve a population of 92.3 million, Recto said. 

Legarda: We Should Be Stewards, Not Destroyers of Nature

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed on the responsibility of every citizen to protect the environment, stressing that “we should be stewards, not destroyers of nature.”

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, made the statement after a forest fire, which is believed to be man-made, transpired at the top of Mt. Banahaw, affecting about 10 hectares of forest land.

“It is unfortunate that even our protected areas are not safe from such a tragic event. If the forest fire was indeed man-made, we must condemn and punish such irresponsible acts, ” she said.

“This is a gruesome crime against nature, the species that live in the area, and the resources that we are tasked to conserve. Our responsibility is to protect our forests and undertake further efforts towards reforestation and biodiversity conservation. We must not betray our purpose as stewards of our natural resources. We must be accountable for the environmental impact of our actions,” Legarda added.

The Senator assured that her committee is working on proposed measures, including the National Land Use Act, the Final Forest Limits Act, and the Protected Areas Declaration Act, that will put into place tougher safeguards to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development planning.

POLICE RECOVERS CARNAPPED VEHICLE, ARRESTS SUSPECTS

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of its Regional Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA has once again proven that it is stricter in implementing its security measures and tripling its efforts in trimming down crime incidents within their respective areas of responsibilities thru the conduct of intensified police focused operations. Evident to this is the arrest of three suspected persons engaged in carnapping activities during a police operation conducted by elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3  last Friday, March 14, 2014.

 

Based on reports that reached this Office, in the morning of said date, team from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3 conducted anti-carnapping operation which resulted to the arrest of three (3) unidentified suspects and recovery of one (1) silver 2013 Mitsubishi Adventure bearing plate number WKI 821.

 

The trio who were identified as Edwin Cruz y BALINGIT, driver and a resident of #0262 Purok Uno, Brgy Gatbuca, Calumpit, Bulacan and Jay-Ar WAJE y Torres aka “Joker”, a resident of Purok 5, Brgy Capalangan, Apalit, Pampanga were arrested after illegally selling said vehicle without any pertinent documents for one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100, 000.00) to a police operative who acted as poseur buyer.

While the other suspect identified as Ryan NUQUE y Navarro aka “Kulot”, jobless, and a resident of #0342 Brgy Gatbuca, Calumpit, Bulacan was arrested in a follow-up operation.

 

Coordination was made to the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3 for verification of said vehicle while appropriate charges were filed against the suspects.     

 

            PCSUPT PETRASANTA lauded the operating troops for a job well done and remarked that PNP PRO3 will continue its unwavering efforts to fight criminality within the region and will keep on reinvigorating its anti-criminality campaigns.   

Legarda Pushes for Greater Investment in Filipino Talent

MANILA-In a bid to further promote the exceptional talent of Filipino artists, Senator Loren Legarda today pushed for greater investment in various performing arts groups.

Legarda said that the government must also support other performing arts organizations, as it does with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, which was cited as the Philippine’s national folk dance company through Republic Act No. 8626.

“Performing art is important not only in its process, product, words and rhythm, but also as a way to bring catharsis, social change and democracy. As arts and culture aspire to strengthen communities, remove social barriers, and engage citizens, it is vital that the government supports not just one particular group but several qualified arts groups and organizations,” she explained.

“The country needs to invest in Filipino talent in order to build national identity,” Legarda said.

It is in this light that Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2170, the proposed Philippine National Performing Art Companies Act, which will give recognition to various performing arts groups in diverse fields such as ballet, contemporary dance, orchestral music, choral music and theatre.

The bill proposes to declare one national ballet/contemporary dance company; national choral ensemble; national orchestra; and national theater group as a Philippine National Performing Arts Company for a period of five years.

These companies will be provided with government support to showcase their works at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues. The groups will also receive government funding, have access to grants, and be allowed to use government facilities.

DOTC urged to end delay in car sticker delivery

MANILA-Sen. Ralph G. Recto today urged the Department of Transportation and Communications to speed up the “delivery and issuance” of car registration stickers, a problem which has dogged the agency for more than three years now.

Recto made the call on behalf car owners whom he lamented have to wait for months for the release of stickers which serve as proof that a motor vehicle has been registered.

He said the sticker issue is being viewed as a litmus test if government can address complex transportation problems.

“If we falter and fail on such a small thing as a car sticker, then how can we solve big and complex transport problems like mass rail transits, airport modernization and maritime safety?” Recto said.

At present, a four-wheel motor vehicle has to display three stickers:  one on the windshield, and one each on the front and back license plates.

Under local traffic laws, failure to sport any of these is subject to a fine.

“I am bewildered by the continued inability of our government to supply in adequate numbers a sticker as a big as a postage stamp,” Recto said, referring to the one inch by one inch stickers for car plates.

We are a country which produces tens of millions of stickers which are distributed for free during the election season and yet our government is taking months to deliver a sticker already paid for by the car owner,” Recto said.

Recto said a car owner has to go back “many times” to the Land Transportation Office where he had his vehicle registered to follow up if the stickers had arrived.

“I think we should reverse the process.  What the LTO should do is call the vehicle owner that his stickers had arrived. LTO should treat the transacting public as customers who deserve that service,” he said.

“Ano pa ang silbi ng salitang ‘Communications’ sa DOTC kung hindi nila pwedeng i-text o tawagan ang mga nagparehistro ng sasakyan na ready na ang mga stickers nila,” he said.

Recto said  “this kind of service will spare car owners who live far from the LTO office from the hassles of making repeated trips just to inquire if the stickers are now ready.”

The senator also urged the DOTC to formally advise the “Philippine National Police, the MMDA and the galaxy of deputized traffic enforcers, which now include barangay tanods” to impose a moratorium on apprehending motor vehicles which, though registered, do not sport stickers.

“Hindi naman nila kasalanan na wala pang sticker, so bakit sila bibigyan ng traffic violation ticket,” he said.

“Kung pwede nga lang, DOTC ang bigyan ng traffic citation. Their violation: Allowing cars to drive without stickers,” Recto said.

The LTO had promised that the sticker shortage problem will be gone by next month as the contracted printer, the government-owned APO Production Unit, has ramped up production.

“Sana magkatotoo na ‘yan. Kaso 2011 pa natin naririnig ang pangakong yan,“ Recto said. 

Ex-NPA rebel shot dead by armed men in NE

CABANATUAN CITY – A former member of the communist New People’s Army was shot dead by four unidentified gunmen in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Thursday.

          Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the murdered ex-rebel as Renato Saddoy, alias Ka Leroy, 49, of Barangay Macabaclay, Bongabon.

          Saddoy sustained 18 gunshot wounds in the body which led to his death.

           Senior Inspector Manuel Catacutan, Bongabon police chief, said Saddoy was a member of the NPA in the 80s and had since become a farmer. He is also a known active member of the Alab Katipunan (AK), a farmer’s group.

          SPO1 Adrian Sioson, investigator of the Bongabon police, said that prior to the killing, a witness told them the suspects – their faces covered with shirts, positioned themselves along the road leading to Saddoy’s farm and pretended to be farmhands. 

A few minutes later, Saddoy passed by aboard his handtractor on his way to his farm  when two of the suspects fired him repeatedly. The gunmen fled towards to Barangay Santor.

Sioson said the motive for Saddoy’s killing remains unknown. He said the victim’s widow has refused to provide information to police probers until after her husband’s interment. 

Empty shells of caliber 45 revolver were recovered at the murder  scene. (Manny Galvez)

JINGGOY QUESTIONS CUNANAN’S JET SETTING LIFESTYLE

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada questioned Dennis Cunanan’s jet setting lifestyle as the lawmaker uncovered the frequent travels abroad made by Cunanan and his family over the last ten years.

 

In a privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses,” Sen. Estrada disclosed that Cunanan, his wife and children traveled overseas a total of eighty three (83) times from 2004 to 2013.

 

Citing records from the Bureau of Immigration, Cunanan left the country 12 times in 2013, 12 times in 2012, 14 times in 2011, 5 times in 2010, 10 times in 2009, 14 times in 2008, 8 times in 2007, 5 times in 2006, once in 2005, and twice in 2004.

 

“Hindi po ata sinusuportahan ni Dennis ang programang pang-turismo ng ating gobyerno. Dahil sa dalas niya sa labas ng Pilipinas, iisipin mo nga naman na para kay Dennis mukhang “It is more fun outside the Philippines!” Jinggoy observed. 

 

“Ginagawa pong Quiapo ni Cunanan, ng kanyang asawa pati ng kanilang mga anak ang Amerika, Europa, mga bansa sa Asya tulad ng Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea at iba pang lugar,” Jinggoy further said.

 

The same records also contradict his earlier statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the travels were made on weekends.

 

“At ang mas kamangha-mangha dito, ang mga biyahe niya ay kung hindi raw first class ay business class. At hindi lamang tumatagal ng tatlo, apat o limang araw ito at hindi din lang po on weekends katulad ng kanyang sinabi dahil mayroong dalawang linggo, tatlong linggo at may mga biyahe pa na tumatagal ng isang buwan!” Estrada revealed in his speech.

 

Sen. Estrada particularly cited these instances:

 

·         Cunanan departed for Tokyo via Northwest Airlines on September 9, 2007 and returned to the Philippines on October 3, 2007.

·         Cunanan departed for Dubai via Emirates on November 1, 2007 and returned to the country on November 14 , 2007

·         Cunanan departed for Nagoya via Northwest Airlines on January 9, 2008 and returned to the country on January 22, 2008

·         Cunanan left for Tokyo on June 19, 2009 and returned to the country on July 7, 2009

 

“Habang nasa gobyerno po si Cunanan, naging aktibo po siya sa Jaycees.  Binanggit ko po dahil matatandaan na noong nakaraang pagdinig natanong si Mr. Cunanan patungkol sa kanyang mga biyahe sa ibang bansa at  sinabi niyang siya ay nagbi-biyahe bilang officer ng Junior Chamber International or Jaycees at ang mga biyaheng iyon ay suportado ng Jaycees. Jaycees daw po ang sponsor at ang mga biyahe ay nangyayari on a weekend. Pati ba naman ang Jaycees ay ginagamit niya sa pagsisinungaling?” Jinggoy said.

Jinggoy: Documents belie Cunanan’s claim of spearheading reforms in TRC

MANILA-“Puro porma at hindi reporma.”

Using documentary evidence, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada belied Dennis Cunanan’s claims that he initiated reforms within the Technology Resource Center during his stint as its Director General.

In his privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses” on Wednesday, Sen. Estrada presented proof including official audit reports, showing that Cunanan instead perpetrated, if not aggravated, irregularities in the TRC.

Cunanan earlier said that the TRC under his leadership stopped implementing projects funded by the lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2010. But documents show otherwise.

Jinggoy said that all that Cunanan did was actually pure posturing without producing real, meaningful reforms.

Cunanan also claimed that he should not be charged as he spearheaded policy reforms in the agency upon his assumption as its top-most official, including blacklisting of several non-government organizations and local government units. Cunanan also denied any wrongdoing, including receipt of millions of kickbacks, in relation to the pork barrel scam, a claim which contradicts the testimony of whistleblower Benhur Luy.

“Per the 2011 COA report the amount that appeared under ‘Cash fund entrusted to NGOs/POs’ represents the financial assistance granted to Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation for the implementation of livelihood projects under the PDAF entrusted to the center.. O, akala ko ba, ay pinatigil na ni Cunanan noong 2010 ang mga proyektong pinondohan mula sa PDAF? Bakit taong 2011, meron nito?” Jinggoy posed in his speech.

“At kung susuriin natin yung sinabi ni Cunanan na listahan ng mga NGOs na buong giting niyang pina-blacklist noong 2010 kasama ang Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation sa na-black list!  Ano ngayon ang ibig sabihin ng pag-release ng pondo sa isang blacklisted NGO noong 2011?” Jinggoy went on.  

Sen. Estrada also looked into the COA annual audit report on 2012. “Under Cash funds entrusted to NGOs/POs for 2012, there was an entry for 42 million pesos!  O, akala ko ba 2010 eh wala na? Hindi ba’t noong 2010, 2 million pesos na lang?  Noong 2011 naman, 1.9 million pesos na nga lang di ba? Taong 2012, 42 million pesos?!” Jinggoy wondered aloud.

Jinggoy also cited that TRC dipped its hands on the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program. “According to the COA report, aside from the 42 million from PDAF, meron ding ‘Collection held in trust from the DAP’ ang TRC na nagkakahalaga ng 45 million pesos.”

Jinggoy also questioned the statement made by Cunanan that his involvement in the so-called scam was merely ministerial, as the then deputy director general holds the recommending approval of the disbursement vouchers.

“Dahil si Cunanan ang recommending approval, ito marahil ang dahilan kaya sa kanya lumalapit ang mga gustong mapabilis ang pag-proseso at pag-release ng mga pondong mula sa PDAF.  Hindi ba’t sa mga naunang salaysay ni Luy, sinabi niyang si Cunanan diumano ang kanilang contact sa TRC at si Cunanan diumano ang kumukuha ng komisyon mula sa NGOs,” Jinggoy stated.

Jinggoy also found as inconsistent Cunanan’s statement that he pores over documents before affixing his signature, as against his claim that his role simply “ministerial.”

“Kung masusi pong binubusisi ni Cunanan ang mga dokumento katulad ng kanyang sinabi, dapat napansin niya siguro na mas nauna pa ang recommendation for release of the 10 percent retention fee worth 2.5 million pesos dated 3 February 2008 kaysa request ng NGOs na ito ay ma-release (4 February 2008).  Wala pang request, may recommendation para i-release na?” Jinggoy asked.

“Kung masusi niya ring binubusisi ang mga dokumento, dapat napansin niya rin na noong September 26, 2008 napirmahan ang MOA na nagsasabing may mga dokumento munang dapat isumite ang NGO bago mag-release ng pondo. Pero mapapansin na September 25, 2008 pa lang may tseke na para sa NGO. Wala pang MOA ngunit may tseke na?” the lawmaker inquired.

Arrested ex-Ecija vice mayor in rape case ordered detained in San Jose City jail

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – A former vice mayor in Nueva Ecija who was arrested last week inside a gambling casino in Manila has been detained in this city.

Former Pantabangan vice mayor Romeo Borja Jr., 37, of Block 2, East Poblacion, Pantabangan has been transferred to the city jail here by virtue of a commitment order signed by San Jose City Regional Trial Court Branch 38 Judge Loreto Alog Jr.

 Borja Jr. Was arrested on March 5 by a joint team from the Manila Police District, the National Capital Region intelligence unit and the Pantabangan police at the Pavillion Casino along UN Avenue, Manila.

 The arresting team, led by Pantabangan station commander Senior Inspector Casilla and Senior Inspector Christian Burgos, were armed with warrants issued by Alog for 22 counts of rape after the Department of Justice found probable cause and recommended the filing of charges.

Earlier, his father and namesake Romeo Sr., who is also facing rape charges filed by a beauty contestant, was also arrested while attending a mass in Pangasinan.

Romeo Sr. and Romeo Jr. lost in their reelection bids to incumbent Mayor Romeo Uera and Vice Mayor Ruben Huerta in the May 2013 polls.

Last March 6, Casilla turned over the former vice mayor to the provincial public safety company detention cell. He was returned to thew custody of the Pantabangan police last March 10.

          The complainant in the rape cases, identified only as a certain Mina,  accused Borja Jr. of repeatedly raping her from October 2009 to April 2010.

          Another complainant claimed the mayor and vice mayor raped her from May 2011 to November 2012. Her mother filed separate complaints against the Borjas for violating Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law in relation to RA 7610, the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

          The victim’s mother also filed complaints against two of her nieces who allegedly acted as the Borjas’ accomplices.

          Romeo Sr. said the charges against them have long been dismissed by the DOJ and the supposed dates where the complainant was raped were erroneous.  “The complaint of Mina was dismissed by the DOJ because it was full of errors and inconsistencies,” he said.

          In the latest complaint filed by a 17-year-old victim who represented the town in the Miss Teen Tourism pageant of Nueva Ecija in 2011, she claimed the two Borjas raped her on several occasions in 2011 to 2012.

          The victim claimed Romeo Sr. first raped here on April 15,2011 inside a room at the Century Hotel in Angeles City where a woman brought her supposedly for a pre-pageant dress rehearsal.

          She said Romeo Sr. threatened her with harm if she reported the incident but promised to provide for her if she would keep silent. The incident was repeated on April 27, 2011 in another room of the same hotel.

          This was repeated at the mayor’s office, in a hotel in San Jose City on May 14,2011, in February 2012 and on November 13,2012 inside the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City where Romeo Sr. was playing casino.

          Romeo Jr., the complainant said, first raped her inside a motel in Cabanatuan City on May 17, 2011 and in a restaurant bar on July 27, 2011.         

          Romeo Sr. laughed off the allegations, saying these were mere fabrications intended to harass him and his son. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Calls for Greater Support to Female Entrepreneurs, Indigenous Women

MANILA-In celebration of the National Women’s Month in March, Senator Loren Legarda today placed the spotlight on indigenous women and female micro entrepreneurs.

Legarda said that women, especially housewives, explore opportunities for additional income for their families. “We need to provide viable income alternatives to women and we have laws to support women micro entrepreneurs.”

“If we want more women participating in livelihood and other economic activities, we have the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Barangay Kabuhayan Law. These two laws complement each other since recipients of the livelihood and skills training programs in the centers established under the Barangay Kabuhayan Law may well avail of the funding and technical support that are now available under the MSMEs Act. These laws can help us in our goal to empower women to participate in economic activities,” she said.

The Magna Carta for MSMEs (R.A. 9501), which Legarda authored, provides more assistance to MSMEs through increased loan allocation for micro and small businesses, access to new technologies, and regular entrepreneurship training programs for workers as well as a comprehensive development plan that would ensure the viability and growth of MSMEs in the country.

Meanwhile, the Barangay Kabuhayan Law (R.A. 9509), which she also authored, mandates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to provide support to all 4th, 5th and 6th class municipalities in formulating and conducting livelihood programs for their poor constituents.

Since her first term in the Senate, Legarda has been supporting women entrepreneurs. She supported the TESDA Women Center Alumni Association (TWCAA), which trains women in entrepreneurship and livelihood skills.

She also supported Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), particularly of the Ata-Talaingod, the Mandaya, the B’laan, and the Bagobo Tagabawa communities, to promote their traditional arts, crafts, music and indigenous practices.

“In supporting SLTs, we do not only support our women weavers and the livelihood of our entrepreneurs among indigenous communities, but we also boost tourism, strengthen trade and promote culture,” she said.

In 2012, Legarda launched the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines, which opened doors of opportunity to weaving communities and SLTs to showcase their indigenous products and weaving traditions. SLTs that participated were those of the Ivatans, Iraya Mangyans, Hanunuo Mangyans, Maguindanaons, Gaddangs, Panay Bukidnons, B’laans, Ata Manobos, Subanens, and T'bolis.

JINGGOY TELLS GRADUATES, STUDENTS: DON’T DO A CUNANAN

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada advised this year’s batch of new graduates as well as working students to not do a Cunanan as they go job hunting and to abstain from inventing personal academic credentials and engineering dubious educational background.

 

In his privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses” last Wednesday, Sen. Estrada slammed Dennis Cunanan, head of the Technology Resource Center, for lying brazenly about his educational background.

 

In his blog site and many online articles about him, Cunanan made it appear that he graduated from the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in University of the Philippines – Diliman.

 

“Just to set the educational record of Dennis Cunanan straight, he is not a graduate of the University of the Philippines per the letter of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of UP Diliman in response to our query regarding the academic standing of Mr. Cunanan.  He graduated in 2005 (Commerce) in Lacson College,” Jinggoy said in his speech.

 

This false educational attainment may have led to his employment in various high positions in the government. He was appointed as Executive Director of the National Youth Commission on 2000, as Head Executive Assistant in the Office of the Speaker at the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2004, and as Presidential Assistant for Youth Affairs.

 

“Palagay ko po, kung nalaman na hindi college graduate si Cunanan ay hindi siya malalagay sa mga posisyong ito,” the lawmaker remarked.

 

“Bago napunta ng TRC si Dennis, nahirang muna siyang Executive Director ng Commission on Higher Education ng isang buwan at tinanggal dahil walang college degree at hindi nga qualified. Nguni’t sadyang malakas ang backer ni Dennis dahil na-appoint naman siya kaagad bilang TLRC/TRC deputy director general noong December 2004. At taong 2010 naman siya naging TRC director general,” Jinggoy added.

 

“The career of Mr. Cunanan from his days in college to his days in public office, and reaching up to his testimony in the Blue Ribbon Committee has been founded and grounded on falsehoods and misrepresentation!” Jinggoy said in his speech.

 

Sen. Estrada thus tells the graduates and young workers to be truthful as they draft their resumes and not make false claims about their educational achievements and capacities, like what Cunanan did. He also warned against misrepresentation and mere reliance on backers and patrons in applying for work, as he underscored that continued self-enhancement, further studies, skills upgrading and integrity as potent factors to make one competitive and desirable in the job market.