Senate OK’s amendments to Sandiganbayan Law for faster resolution vs. graft cases

MANILA-The Senate approved today on third and final reading a measure introducing amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law geared towards the speedy disposition of corruption cases against erring government officials and employees.

            Senate Bill No. 2138 was approved with 20 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and two abstentions from Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. However, Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. manifested that he intended to change his vote to abstention which will be reflected in the Senate Journal, according to Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2138, said that the amendments will address the limitations encountered by the Sandiganbayan, “which is supposed to be the front-runner in the fight against corruption.”  

He noted that the Sandiganbayan Law or Presidential Decree No. 1606 last underwent legislative scrutiny almost 20 years ago: “The result is that a case in the Sandiganbayan now takes about an average offive to eight years to litigate and resolve.”

“Despite the numerous advancements that have been incorporated in our judicial system through the years, justice continues to be as elusive as it has been during the infancy of our republic. As our judicial structure becomes more ingenious, so does graft and other malfeasance,” Drilon said.

“If we are to outrun graft and corruption, it is imperative that we resuscitate and recondition our existing prosecutorial and adjudicatory institutions against this opponent,” the Senate leader added.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chair of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights and sponsor of the bill, anticipates that with the passage of amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law will strengthen thecountry’s anti-graft court’s structure decongest cases.

“The capacity of this court to decide cases efficiently and promptly has been stretched beyond its limits,” Pimentel added.

Drilon then explained that with the passage of this bill, the jurisdiction of “minor” cases will be transferred to the regional trial courts (RTC) which will enable the Sandiganbayan to “concentrate its resources on resolving the most significant cases filed against public officials” and be able to “render judgment in a matter of months.”

He noted that during the last quarter of 2013, about 60 percent of the total cases in the Sandiganbayan are considered “minor” or allegations of damages or bribes not exceeding P1,000,000.

Pimentel said another concept introduced in Senate Bill No. 2138 is the “justice-designate” concept, wherein the chairperson of a division will “designate a member to hear and receive evidence and resolve all incidents arising therefrom from that day” and allow session to be held upon the attendance of two members of the division instead of the required three.

Under the bill, the concurrence of two justices is enough to “render a ruling on a formal or written motion and a judgment or final order.” Currently, Section 5 of the Sandiganbayan Law requires the unanimous vote of all three members for the rendition of final order and failure to reach unanimity will require a special division that takes about four months to establish.

            With the reforms to be enabled by the bill, Pimentel and Drilon both underscored the importance of such developments to the national justice system will be to ongoing efforts on arresting corruption and rooting out malfeasance from public service.

“The battle against corruption has never been this intense and we will be blamed by our people if their Congress does not adequately and aggressively equip our anti-graft institutions with the proper tools to defeat and arrest the abuses in the government,” Pimentel said.

“Ultimately, the most potent deterrent against the spread of corruption is the certainty of punishment and expeditiousness of the proceedings, and we can only arrive at such a scenario by boosting the structural capability of our anti-graft mechanisms,” Drilon then said.  (Apple Buenaventura)

Legarda: Determine IP Population, Protect Traditional Properties to Better Address Needs of IPs

MANILA-In a bid to further promote equality among Filipinos regardless of ethnicity and to address concerns of indigenous peoples, Senator Loren Legarda today stressed the need to determine the population of citizens who are members of indigenous communities and to protect their cultural properties.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, presided over the hearing on Senate Bill Nos. 534, Ethnic Origin Act, and 669, Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

“It would help us determine the specific concerns of our IPs in various parts of the country if we actually know the exact population of Filipinos belonging in every indigenous cultural community (ICC). While the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)has already included the ethnicity and ethno-linguistic variable in its national census, we need to come up with a definition of ethnicity that is agreeable to all sectors concerned,” she said.

In conducting the survey, PSA enumerators will be guided by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) employees, who must be knowledgeable of the different ethno-linguistic groups of the Philippines, and must know the dialect and appropriate manner of talking or asking culturally-sensitive questions to members of ICCs.

Meanwhile, SBN 669 seeks to ensure that all cultural properties are registered to the proper ethno-linguistic group for protection of their intellectual property.

“While we want to promote the unique culture of our IPs, we do not want to subject their traditional properties to abuse because there have been reported incidences wherein their indigenous knowledge, dances and designs are being used by local and foreign entities without acknowledging the origin or giving proper compensation for the use of such properties. This further marginalizes our indigenous communities and deprives them not only of their identity but also of the benefits they should gain from their ingenuity and long-standing traditions,” the Senator explained.

“Through this measure we can strengthen the protection of the traditional cultural heritage of Filipino IPs and support traditional artists and artisans in their contributions to their respective ethnic cultures and national heritage by ensuring that their rights are safeguarded,” said Legarda.

P163.4-M to mitigate floods in Ecija, Bulacan underway

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – A P163.4-million all-weather concrete bridge designed to mitigate flooding in portions of the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija is nearing completion in this southernmost town.

          Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco said the Cabiao Viaduct, a project of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways, started construction on May 28,2013.

          The 400-linear meter bridge, under construction at the municipal floodway, is a joint venture of  R2 Roncal Construction and Trading and the Advanced Foundation Construction System Corp.

Congco said the project was requested by former fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino and the municipal government owing to the perennial flooding problem hounding residents of Barangay Concepcion and San Vicente and the municipality of San Miguel in Bulacan.

          “Definitely, this will be a big relief not only to 7,000 residents of Concepcion and San Vicente in our town but also motorists from other places who negotiate our thoroughfares,” she said.

          She recalled that in previous years, there was a noticeable slowdown in business in the area because of the floods.

          Antonio Molano, DPWH regional director for Central Luzon, said his office allocated an initial P180 million for the project which was originally set to be completed in 360 calendar days or this coming May 22.

However, its design was revised by the Bureau of Designs which explains for a longer construction period. “Hopefully, we can have it completed and inaugurated before the end of this year,” he said. (Manny Galvez)

Ex-Customs exec not running for Ecija gov, says solon-wife

ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija – Neophyte first district Rep. Estrellita Suansing has  denied reports her husband is running for governor in the 2016 elections.

    

      Speaking to reporters, Suansing said former Customs deputy commissioner Horacio Suansing harbors no political ambitions and has no plan to enter the gubernatorial race in the coming polls.

          "Truth to tell, my husband has no political ambitions in Nueva Ecija. Even supposing he has ambitions, he will run somewhere else, not in Nueva Ecija. Never," Suansing said.

          Suansing, a close ally of outgoing three-term Gov. Aurelio Umali,  said she and her husband are no political threats to  Umali and his wife, outgoing third district Rep. Czarina and that his planned political foray is pure speculation.

          The first-term congresswoman, who ended the Josons' 15-year dominance of the first district with a landslide victory last year, was reacting to reports that Horacio is bent on entering politics in the province.

          Earlier, Umali declared that Czarina is running for governor in 2016.

          Also being reported to be eyeing the governorship are former three-term fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino, Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara's wife Rosanna, and outgoing second district Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago.

          Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos, who was twice Umali's running mate in the past two elections, is also being mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

Padiernos said he has not disclosed his political plans yet even as reports continue to circulate that he has been eyeing the post of either governor, congressman or even mayor of Gapan City.

          Suansing, a member of Umali's Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago, has been reported in the social media as planning to bolt the governor's camp to join the camp of Antonino, Violago and Vergara.

          Suansing denied this, saying he was never aware of any political alliance involving the three. "How can I possibly jump ship and join their camp when I don't even know of an alliance involving them?" she said, adding she is a friend to all three.      

          She said she is concerned with helping her district. "More than choosing to join them, I am focused on attending to the needs of my constituents," she said. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Stresses Need to Address Air Pollution in PHL Cities

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today expressed concern over reports citing pollution findings in Philippine cities and renewed her call for the government’s strengthened effort to address the causes of air pollution especially in urban areas.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, noted that the World Health Organization’s Ambient Air Pollution Study for 2014, which they based in the 2010 Clean Air Initiative Study, showed that the air quality in Baguio City, Manila and Cebu City are the most polluted in the country.

“Air quality is not an abstract environmental statistic but involves the welfare of the people. Increased levels of these pollutants in the air can cause respiratory ailments,” she said.

According to the WHO study, Baguio, a favorite vacation spot, had the highest presence of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) at 49 micrograms per cubic meter, while Manila and Cebu City both recorded PM 2.5 concentration of 22 micrograms per cubic meter. The WHO guideline values for particulate matter is 10 micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5.

“The report was based on the 2010 Clean Air Initiative Study and whether the air quality in these areas have improved or worsened, we must continue to promote programs that would improve the air quality in the country, especially in congested urban areas and business districts where industrial emissions and motor vehicle exhaust are high,” said Legarda.

The Senator proposed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) partner with telecommunications companies to spread information from the agency’s monitoring stations that measure the air pollution level.

“We encourage our telecommunications companies to help in our information and education campaign as part of their corporate social responsibility. In partnership with the DENR, our telcos can help text blast information on air quality per city so that not only local governments but also our citizens can keep track of the air pollution level in their communities and support programs to improve air quality,” Legarda said.

“This issue further calls for strengthened initiatives towards environment protection, including growing trees, maintaining forest parks, protecting watersheds, using of clean and alternative fuel, and using environment-friendly modes of transportation such as walking and cycling whenever possible. Most important of all, the Clean Air Act must be fully and faithfully implemented,” Legarda concluded.

PRO3 CAPTURES REGION 6’s NR 1 MOST WANTED

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- The fugitive and Number 1 most wanted person in Region 6 (Western Visayas) was arrested in Zambales yesterday as PRO3’s Regional Director, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA’s directives to conduct an obstinate, efficient campaign and advocacy by implementing a wide-ranging pro-active approach/strategy on the campaign against Wanted Persons is continuously being carried out.

 

In the afternoon of May 15, 2014, personnel of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Intelligence Branch in coordination with Zambales Police Provincial Office conducted manhunt operation at Brgy Palanginan, Iba, Zambales which resulted to the arrest of Noel AYALIN y Oro @Kalbo.

 

AYALIN was arrested by virtue of Warrants of Arrest for the Crime of Direct Assault with Murder under Sections 148 and 248 in relation to Article 48 of the Revised Penal Code with Criminal Case Numbers 8211-69, 2011-35, 8213-69, 2011-37 and 8214-59, 2011-38 issued by Hon Judge Felipe G Banzon, Regional Trial Court, 6^th Judicial Region, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

            AYALIN, who was the former barangay captain of Brgy Kapitan Ramon, Silay City was the lone suspect in the massacre of four barangay officials thereat.

It can be recalled that on March 6, 2011, AYALIN ran amuck and started a shooting spree inside the barangay session hall which claimed the lives of four barangay officials, including a chairwoman of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and caused injuries to three other officials, among them, the then incumbent barangay captain. It can also be recalled that it was no less than the late SILG Jesse Robredo who personally ordered the manhunt of the suspect and followed up by the incumbent SILG MAR ROXAS who is also from Region 6.

 

PCSUPT PETRASANTA commended the operating troops for another accomplishment and remarked that Police Regional Office 3 will carry on its mandated tasks to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars. 

Tarlac to celebrate 141st founding anniversary

TARLAC CITY-Tarlac is set to celebrate its 141^st founding anniversary next week by showcasing the very best of its people and natural and man-made wonders.

 

“The festivity will commence with the conduct of mobile passporting by Department of Foreign Affairs at My Metro Town Mall on May 24,” Governor Victor Yap said.

 

Other activities lined up include 3rd Motocross Competition  (May 25 at Binauganan Dirt Bike Track, Tarlac City); thanksgiving mass (May 26 at Bulwagan ng mga Gobernador); Tarlac Food Festival (May 26 at Rotary Lane); Urban Landscaping (May 26 at Rotary Lane); sports fest (May 26); Asenso sa Negosyo Tarlac (May 26); cycling tour of Tarlac (May 26); and Mutya ng Lalawigan- Queen of Festivals 2014 coronation night (May 26 at Maria Cristina Park).

 

There will also be a fun run (May 27); off-road mountain bike competition (May 27); Zumba fest (May 27); observance of National Flag Day (May 28); book launching of autobiography of former Governor Jose “Aping” Yap (May 28); bingo social (May 31 at SM City Tarlac); and fancy pigeon showcase and competition (May 31). (Lorie Gene C. Cruz)

10-ft high statue of Epifanio delos Santos unveiled in hometown

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – A 10-feet high statue of revered former governor Epifanio delos Santos was unveiled here yesterday morning by local officials and private citizens in honor of the great academician,  artist, poet and politician after whom Edsa was named.

         

         The iconic statue, made of cement and painted bronze, was opened to the public following a morning Mass at San Isidro ng Magsasaka parish church during its feast in front of the Plaza delos Santos and just across the historic town hall.

          The monument was a pet project of the 1958 class of the General de Jesus Academy High School led by its president, Dr. Romeo Lorenzo.

          Lorenzo, younger brother of former fourth district Reps. Victorio Lorenzo and Julita Lorenzo-Villareal, said the statue was a fitting tribute to delos Santos, more popularly known as Don Panyong, considered one of the most illustrious Novo Ecijanos in history.

          “This is in fact long overdue and we should be proud of him, the first democratically elected governor of Nueva Ecija,” Lorenzo said.

          The event was graced by relatives and granddaughters of Delos Santos among them former press undersecretary and now Manila Bulletin vice president for public relations Carmencita “Ching” delos Santos-Suva, Angelita delos Santos, Julieta delos Santos and Yolanda delos Santos, Mayor Cesario Ileto Jr., Vice Mayor Gerry dela Cruz, Councilor Larry Jimenez and municipal administrator Napoleon  Ocampo among others.

          Funding for the project was sourced from the municipal government and a cash donation from Santos-Suva.

          “I thank this class for recognizing my lolo,” Santos-Suva said, recalling that the library put up by his grandfather was often visited by past presidents, including Emilio Aguinaldo and Manuel Luis Quezon.

She said they are planning to put up a museum in his honor.

          Considered a genius in his time, Delos Santos, whose first name Epifanio  was drawn from the word “epiphany” (divine manifestation),  has excelled in no less than 28 professions.

          He was born April 7,1871 in Malabon as the only child of Don Escolastico delos Santos and Dona Antonina Cristobal.

Delos Santos graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts at Ateneo de Manila as a summa cum laude and finished his law course at the University of Sto. Tomas, emerging as bar topnotcher in 1898.

He was an academician and scholar, bibliographer, artist, biographer, civil servant, critic, essayist, ethnographer, journalist, historian, jurist, librarian, linguist and polyglot, monographer, musician, novelist, paleographer, philanthropist, philologist, philosopher, poet, researcher and revolutionary leader all rolled into one.

          He was the first Filipino to have been elected Novo Ecijano governor  in 1902. He was reelected in 1904.

          He was also associate editor of the revolutionary newspaper La Independencia in 1898 with the pen name Solon. As publisher, he published Tagalog Literature and the “Confidential Letter of Dr. Jose Rizal” among others. 

          In 1900, he was named district attorney of this town and in 1904 was designated provincial fiscal in Bulacan and Bataan.            

          He was known to have built the largest collection of books and antiquities in the country, including 2,000 book titles, many of whom were extraordinary.

          Epifanio died of cardiac arrest on April 28,1928 in Manila at the age of 57.

In recognition of his contributions to arts, culture and the country’s history, the 23.8-kilometer Highway 54 passing through six cities and 17 towns in Metro Manila was named Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) by virtue of Republic Act 2140 on April 7, 1959.

          Edsa is now considered the most historic highway where two People’s Power revolutions were staged, first in 1986 and second in 2001 which led to the ouster from Malacanang of sitting presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada, respectively.

          Filipino and foreign experts have heaped praises on Delos Santos.   

          Claro M. Recto described him as the foremost literarian in the Philippines while American historian Austin Craig called him as the island’s best writer in literature.

          “Powerful intelligence, a formidable receptacle of culture and gifted with words,” said Jaime De Veyra, resident commissioner to the US House of Representatives, in reference to Delos Santos. (Manny Galvez)    

Legarda: Prioritize RE Development, Mitigate Climate Change Impacts

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call for more investments in renewable energy (RE) as part of a long-term solution to the growing power needs of the country, and in a bid to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation and climate change.

Legarda, the United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, made the call at the inauguration of Phase 1 of the San Carlos Solar Inc. (SACASOL) solar farm in Negros Occidental.

SACASOL is a joint venture between Bronzeoak Philippines and the Swiss-German investment firm ThomasLloyd.

Legarda noted that the solar farm created 3,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, and will entail 300 workers to maintain. The facility will sequester 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and will feed the Visayas grid a total of 22 MW of clean energy to service power needs. 

 

“This can be replicated in Mindanao to solve our power woes. It is time that we heighten efforts to increase the country’s RE capacity. We need to increase our RE installation targets and make RE part of the solution to the country’s growing energy demand,” she said.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, also stressed that “for a nation that is facing the daunting impacts of climate change, we need to take action towards drastically reducing greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.”

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that “throughout the 21^st century, climate change impacts are projected to slow down economic growth, make poverty reduction more difficult, further erode food security, and prolong existing and create new poverty traps.”

“Renewable energy is recognized as a long-term solution to the global effort to avert and mitigate the effects of climate change and the impacts of our expanding energy use. It is worth noting that the Philippines has huge potential for renewable energy development. We must encourage more investments on RE because the Philippines is abundant in such. It is second in geothermal energy use and studies show that we have more than 200,000 potential renewable energy resources that remain untapped,” Legarda noted.

Legarda, co-author and co-sponsor of the Renewable Energy Law, noted that the Philippines has already established a legal framework that provides for necessary policy mechanisms for the development of the country’s renewable energy resources.

“We have one of the most comprehensive RE laws in the world that provide the framework of legal and institutional conditions necessary for the private sector to move renewable energy technologies into the market,” Legarda added.

“We have the laws in place, namely, the Philippine Biofuels Act and the Renewable Energy Act. It is only a matter of operationalizing and implementing them,” she said.

The Biofuels Act mandates the blending of biodiesel and ethanol in locally-distributed diesel and gasoline, while the Renewable Energy Law institutionalizes the use and development of renewable energy.

“It is about time that we take a consistent and deliberate effort to develop our own energy resources so that we can guarantee a legacy of clean, reliable and affordable energy for our future generation,” Legarda concluded.

Senate performance not affected by PDAF controversy says Drilon

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today said the Senate remains on track on its commitment to pass measures pending in the Upper Chamber, assuring the public that the institution would still be able to deliver the legislation of bills much needed by the nation.

“Despite the issues facing certain senators, we have remained focused on our legislative work so as not to derail the approval of important measures that we are deeply committed to pass for the benefit of our people,” Drilon said.

Drilon emphasized the Senate’s close coordination with the House of Representatives expedites and boosts overall legislative performance.

“Never had there been a closer working relationship between the two chambers which have resulted in a speedier passage of bills of national importance,” said Drilon.

Drilon said that records show that the Senate of the 16^th Congress has outpaced the legislative output of the Senate in the previous Congress.

During the first regular session of the 15^th Congress from July 26, 2010 to May 14, 2011, only two measures were enacted into law, five bills approved on second and third reading, and one treaty was ratified. While for the same period in the 16^th Congress, five measures were enacted into law, six were approved on second and third reading, and three treaties were ratified.

Among the bills signed into law by the President are the 2014 General Appropriations Act, the P14.6-billion supplemental budget as well as a joint resolution extending the validity of the 2013 calamity and quick response fund in order to capacitate government’s rehabilitation program on areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, and the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Also enacted is the law establishing the Maritime Industry Authority as the single maritime administration in order to comply with international standards.

“Because of Congress’ timely intervention, we had prevented the possible loss of jobs of around 80,000 Filipino seafarers in Europe. The European Union acknowledged our efforts and gave us more time to reform our maritime industry,” said Drilon.

The Senate likewise passed on third reading four bills, including the Freedom of Information bill which, according to Drilon, “would be a strong deterrent against corruption in the government” once enacted into law. The Senate also passed the bill promoting micro, small and medium enterprises and the measure mandating telecommunication companies to send free mobile alerts to subscribers in the event of disasters and calamities. It also granted a franchise to Cotabato Light and Power Company to prevent disruption of electricity in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao.

Moreover, the Senate concurred in the ratification of treaties with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (UK), Spain, and India to boost government’s effort to fight criminality, especially those related to child trafficking and prostitution.

On the other hand, various measures are already in the advanced stages of legislation. The bill further strengthening the Sandiganbayan and the measure extending the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways, which shall expire by June this year, are set to be passed on third reading by Monday (May 19). Meanwhile, the Picture-based Health Warning on Tobacco Act is currently in the period of interpellations.

"Before we adjourn in June, we hope to pass 16 priority bills, including the national student loan program, an open high school system for out of school youth, and the Iskolar Ng Bayan Act," emphasized Drilon.

In light of the PDAF controversy, the Senate chief acknowledged that the only way they could regain the people’s confidence and trust is through genuine hard work: This means we must not fail in our mandated task of passing meaningful legislation that would sincerely elevate the quality of the Filipino life.

Lastly, the Senate leader emphasized that the Senate has conducted 280 committee hearings of various proposed legislation, including the hearings conducted by the Blue Ribbon committee regarding the pork barrel scam controversy. With this, Drilon said he expects that a large number of committee reports will be brought to the plenary for deliberation such as the bill increasing allowances of soldiers and policemen nationwide, as well as a bill that would increase the tax exemption limit on employees’ benefits. 

Senate lauds women for helping communities

The Senate today adopted a resolution commending the recipients of the Soroptimist Unsung Women Heroes Awards for their tireless dedication and service in improving the lives of women in their respective communities.

            Senate Resolution No. 628, introduced by Senator Loren Legarda, seeks to recognize the role of women in nation-building.  The resolution was unanimously approved by 21 senators present during the session.

            Legarda said the 10 awardees were recognized by the Soroptomist International of the Philippines for their dynamic and pro-active work in the fields of education, financial literacy, good governance and gender equality, among others.

            The awardees are Elsie Cabral, Rosalia Cervantes, Sylvia de Leon, Olivia Lucas, Emily Lundang, Marilou Portacio, Adelina San Miguel, Fe Tolentino, Julieta Torres, and Crispina Zafra.

            “For actively participating in community work and inspiring others to do the same, it is only proper that these awardees be recognized for making use of existing resources at their dismissal in order to serve the marginalized members of our society,” Legarda said in her resolution.

            The Unsung Women Heroes Awards was first awarded in 2009. It aims to recognize women who take an active role in improving the lives of fellow Filipinos through their work at the grassroots level.  (Zherine Araza, PRIB)

Drilon urges public to guard 2015 budget against PDAF revival, be more discerning regarding pork barrel scam issue

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon challenged the public to closely monitor the Congress when it enacts the 2015 national budget to see to it that the pork barrel system will not be revived.

“Tinatanong po kami, ano ang gagawin ng Senado ngayon ang daming senador na nababanggit? Sa akin po, ipagpatuloy natin ang mga reporma na ginagawa natin at naumpisahan noong nakaraang taon. Ako po nanguna sa Senado na nagasabi, ‘Wala nang PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund), dahil ito ang pinagsimulan ng lahat ng mga alegasyon na ito,” Drilon said in Filipino in a radio interview earlier.

(We are now being asked as to what would happen to the Senate now that many of its members are being dragged to the controversy. To restore public trust then is to continue the reforms we have been committed to since this issue first broke out last year. Upon my leadership, our very first step had been the abolition of the Senate's PDAF, which has been the root of this controversy. ")

“Bantayan po natin, sa paguusap namin sa 2015 budget dapat po tingnan  ng taumbayan, lalo na ng kabataan, para masiguro natin na walang PDAF na maiisisingit. Doon sa mga kaso, sinusuportahan natin iyan,” he added.

("I then call on the public to not only join, but take a supervisory role over the budgetary process for the 2015 GAA. I am asking our people, especially our youth to join efforts to ensure that PDAF and its exploitable shortcomings would never find its way to our budget next year.)

“Ang taunang General Appropriations Act  ay batas, kaya humihiling po ako sa media, sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga kabataan, na maging aktibo sa gawain ng pamahalaan, na tingnan ninyo po kami, kung ano ang aming ginagawa,” Drilon said in another radio interview.

(The annual General Appropriations Act is a piece of legislation, a law. I am requesting then then our people, especially our bright youth to exercise their right to be involved in the legislative process. Take a look, probe and examine piece by piece the laws our lawmakers craft for this country." )

He said that while he could assure that the 2015 national budget would be free of pork barrel funds, as he vowed to take away immediately any item that would bear a resemblance to the PDAF, which the Senate decided to abolish even before the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional late last year.

 “Let us take advantage of this atmosphere of transparency implemented by the President to look at the budget and make sure that the pork barrel fund will not be included in the 2015 national budget,” stressed Drilon.

“We heard your clamor then to abolish the pork barrel – the root cause of all these scams. And from that time on, we have made a promise that we would never stop listening to our people. But we need your vigilance on this issue of pork barrel fund and corruption,” emphasized Drilon.

He said the public has the power and prerogative to examine the budget and that the doors of the Senate are open to the public who want to scrutinize how the Senate deliberates on the budget.

Meanwhile, the Senate leader urged the public to discern truth and false information regarding the pork barrel scam, amidst the brouhaha brought by the multiple lists linking a number of lawmakers to the controversy.

Drilon said he expects that the public’s growing interest in the issue would be used to launch misinformation and propaganda aimed at muddling up the issue.

“I advise the public to be more discerning. We need to filter the empty propaganda from the allegations that can indeed be supported by solid proof, because the pork barrel scam issue is very much exploitable,” said Drilon.

He said that the issue is wrongfully being linked to 2016 elections, which should not be the case “since the search for the truth behind the pork barrel scam should be free of politics and the quest for justice must be blind to political colors.”

"Let us all remember the main question here: Who are the public officials who collaborated with Napoles to misuse the PDAF? They are trying to hide it, but that is the most crucial thing we need to answer," stressed Drilon.

The Senate chief believes that continued public vigilance is vital in ferreting out the truth and in ensuring that justice will be served by punishing those who will be proven to have misused public funds.

  

“In times like this, the active participation by the people all throughout this process is very critical. I invite everyone especially the youth to keep an eye on the Senate, watch us public officials, listen to our words and probe our actions,” concluded Drilon. 

POLICE WOUNDED WHILE SERVING SEARCH WARRANT

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Police Regional Office 3 Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA’s directives to continuously beef up the aggressive drive to recover and seize loose firearms through continuous police operations and implementation of Search Warrants against illegal gun owners, resulted to the instantaneous death of the suspect identified as Jesus TORRES y Cabiling @ “Boy Pana” and recovery in his dwelling of assorted loose firearms.  

Based on reports that reached this Office, in the early morning of May 13, 2014, joint elements of Lubao Municipal Police Station and Regional Public Safety Battalion 3, 1^st Maneuver Company proceeded at the residence of TORRES located at Sitio Mulang Matua, Brgy. San Roque Arbol, Lubao, Pampanga to implement Search Warrant with No. 14-100 for Violation of P.D. 1866 as amended by R.A. 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunitions) issued by Hon. Jonel S. Mercado, Executive Judge of Regional Trial Court, Guagua, Pampanga dated May 12, 2014.

Upon seeing the approaching PNP personnel, suspect concealed himself on one of the bedrooms and while operating teams started to conduct the search in the presence of Brgy. Chairman Regalado F Manalansan and Brgy. Kagawad Reynaldo G. Chavez of said barangay, TORRES suddenly opened the door of the bedroom and threw a hand grenade which resulted on an injury to the right arm of PO2 Randy N Pascasio member of RPSB 3, 1^st Maneuver Company, which was hit by shrapnel.

PO2 Pascasio was immediately rushed at Escolastica Romero District Hospital Lubao, Pampanga for medical treatment. Consequently, team from Special Weapons and Tactics, Pampanga PPO, Provincial Public Safety Company immediately responded at said place for possible apprehension of TORRES but he continued to resist by throwing hand grenades and fired several times towards the operating teams until he was killed.

SOCO team from PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 3 processed the crime scene while Inquest Prosecutor, Hon. Armando I Dela Cruz from the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, City of San Fernando, Pampanga conducted ocular inquest.

The cadaver of TORRES was moved to C.S. Velasquez Funeral Homes, Guagua, Pampanga for autopsy examination.

PCSUPT PETRASANTA commended the operating troops for a job well done. He also assured the public that PRO3 will continue its campaign to eradicate all forms of criminality within the region.