Army general wants Fort Magsaysay included in BCDA master plan

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The leadership of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division housed inside this military reservation is proposing that the camp be covered by the development plans of the Bases Conversion Development Authority which is crafting a master plan for military camps in the country.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, said that the reservation, originally spanning 73,000 hectares but is now down to only 45,837 hectares, is not covered by the master plan of the BCDA.

          “I hope that this camp be included in the base development plan of the BCDA so that its development can be fast-tracked,” Castro said.

          He said if that is the case, the military reservation – located 20 kilometers apart from Cabanatuan City and the provincial capital Palayan City - can become a hub for economic activities given its vast potentials.

          Castro made the proposal even as the BCDA has earmarked P120 million for a master plan for the partial development of Camp Aguinaldo and other military camps.

          BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said they are talking with the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces in securing the survey and title for the lands as well as preparing the master plan where it needs to invest in infrastructure in the long-term and the various camps into revenue-generating projects that would provide funding for the modernization of the military.

          The BCDA is mandated to transform former military bases into alternative productive civilian use.

          Among those being considered for sale, lease or upgrading by the BCDA are the 33,220-hectare Camp Peralta in Capiz, the 1,925-hectare Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac and the 42,000-hectare Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, all owned by the AFP.

          The goal is to help modernize these camps, which have idle or unused areas that could be tapped fro either redevelopment for mixed-use purposes or to create livelihood in the countryside, particularly for camps located in the provinces.  

          Castro said the reservation, which houses the general headquarters of the 7^th ID covering 13 provinces in Luzon, was visited recently by DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo to look into possible economic opportunities inside the camp.

          “We are open to future projects here at Fort Magsaysay,” he said, adding that initially, projects on tap include the setting up of a 3,000-hectare bamboo plantation and plantation for jathropa.

          Castro  said one of the key components of the development of the camp is its conversion into a premier tourism destination. He said the provincial government of Nueva Ecija led by Gov. Aurelio Umali and its provincial tourism office has pledged to help in its promotion as a tourist spot in the province.

          During the term of then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, he proposed various activities to enhance tourism inside the camp among them wall climbing, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 offroad-driving, horseback-riding and water sports activities such scuba diving, wind surfing, jet skiing, beach volleyball and parasailing in the camp’s coastal areas in Dingalan, Aurora.              

          Among the reservation’s tourist attractions are the historic Aquino-Diokno shrine, the Heroes Memorial, the Pahingahan complex, the golf course, the Kaugnay clubhouse, the Mount Taclang Damulag and the camp airfield.

          The shrine was where President Aquino’s late father, former senator Benigno “Ninoy6” Aquino and ex-senator Jose Diokno were placed under solitary confinement from March 12 to April 11,1973 after nearly six months of detention in Fort Bonifacio. – Manny Galvez   

FM continues to shrink, is now down to half of original size

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – This military reservation, home of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division, continues to shrink in size and is now down to almost one-half of its original size owing to the issuance of various presidential proclamations and the intrusion of thousands of informal settlers.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, told a press briefing that the reservation is now down to 45,837 hectares from a high of 73,000 when it was first established pursuant to Presidential Decree 237 on December 19,1955.

          Castro said they are now looking into various ways and means to somehow recover and retain its land area amid the different proclamations, claims and other issues confronting the military reservation.

          “We are now looking into the different proclamations, directives and reviewing them. Of course there are areas we can no longer recover. And we refer other claims to the Office of the SolGen (Solicitor General),” he said.

          He said their goal at present is to be able to undertake maximum utilization of the areas spanning the reservation amid the various claims and counter-claims.

          Captain Robert Reyes, division adjutant, said some other areas have already been segregated as settlement for victims of the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions involving 3,100 hectares in a sitio in the municipality of Laur.

          “These 3,100 hectares are now the subject of a review and we need further study,” he said.

          Reyes said that the situation is worsened by the proliferation of informal settlers. He said they are proposing for two relocation sites to house the informal settlers who have grown to 15,000 individuals.

          The presence of these informal settlers have been setting back efforts to fully develop the reservation.

          Castro said that they are planning to turn portions of the reservation into a vast area for agriculture production, including 3,000 hectares for bamboo plantation.

A proposed land use plan also intends to set up a logistics center, an economic and industrial zone, eco-tourism area, reforestation area, a plantation area for fruit-bearing and non-fruit bearing trees, a livestock and vegetable area and 240 hectares for the proposed transfer of the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa to this camp.

Also being eyed is the construction of a hangar/warehouse for stockpiling of relief goods and other rescue support.

The proposed site for the NBP is in Barangay Nazareth, Gen. Tinio town.

On April 10,2013, then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu surveyed three possible sites for the NBP, two in Nazareth and one in Canantong, Laur.

“These are just proposals at this point but we intend to pursue them if we can,” Castro said. – Manny Galvez

Law enforcers urged to create Facebook page of wanted criminals

MANILA-Law enforcement agencies should create a Facebook account which features the country’s thousands of wanted persons to forewarn the public and seek their help in bringing these fugitives to justice.

“Uploading the pictures and profiles of these wanted criminals on FB is easy and free. It is not that complicated,” Sen. Ralph Recto, who made the proposal, said.

Recto said agencies like the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency should start tapping social media as powerful tool in informing the people of the identities of fugitives from the law.

Even the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Recto added, can create a Facebook page showing the list, faces, and last known addresses of illegal recruiters who have been issued judicial warrants of arrest.

“It’s not just Facebook, there’s also Twitter. If we can Instagram the mug shots of wanted persons, the better.  We can also post in Youtube the footage of their capers which have been caught on cam,” Recto said, in batting for the online posting of a rogues’ gallery in various social media sites.

In the case of Facebook, in which the Philippines was ranked 8^th globally in 2012 in number of users, it provides a portal where a netizen can view “what notorious criminals look like and what they do.”   

“Two years ago, there were already 27,720,300 Facebook users. On this site alone, you already have a big audience ready to receive, share the information you want disseminated,” Recto said.

“Social media can aid in the arrest of a serial child rapist, for example. If properly tapped, it can make the arm of the law longer,” Recto said.

Recto said government can only involve the citizenry in community policing if they are informed in advance of what and who to look out for.

“Nalalaman lang natin ang mga hitsura ng ‘sangkaterbang gapos gangs, carjacking syndicates, at naglipanang martilyo gangs kung sila’y nakabiktima at nahuli na,” Recto said.

“Parating after incident ang information. Kung kelan may nabiktima na ang isang sindikato na matatagal ng pinaghahanap, saka pa lang ipapakita ang kanilang mga litratro. Bakit hindi permanenteng i-paskil sa isang site ‘yan para anumang oras pwedeng silipin,” the senator said.

Instead of keeping these photo albums of wanted criminals in police precincts, they should be brought out in the open, he said.

Although some law enforcement websites do feature “wanted” notices, these are limited to the most wanted persons, Recto said.  

“Minsan nga ‘yung Top 10 lang. Sa Pilipinas, sa dami ng outstanding arrest warrants for serious crimes, ‘di hamak na libo-libo ang mga ito. What we need is a comprehensive registry,” Recto said.

He also observed that public notification of wanted persons is done through the old wanted posters which are “few and far between.”

“Mas marami pang karatula ng lipat bahay at tubero ang ating nakikita,” he said.

While he is pushing for the Internet posting of profiles of wanted criminals, Recto said utmost care must be done in their online publication.

“Data must be triple-checked, verified, peer-reviewed, carefully examined, and panel-approved before they are posted online. There must be sanctions for posting erroneous information. And a person who was wrongfully included in the wanted list should be financially compensated if only to deter carelessness,” he said.

Recto said the police need not commission an IT company to create police notification apps or some security software.

“Bago tayo gumasta ng milyun-milyon dyan, gamitin muna natin kung ano ang libre at kilala na ng tao,” he said.

“Kung meron man tayong gustong i-customize, siguro yung ‘unlike’ button na pwedeng i-click kapag nabasa natin sa Facebook ang curriculum vitae ng isang criminal,” he said. 

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.