Trillanes: Focus more on the character of the candidates

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV is urging voters to be aware and discerning of the character and mettle of the candidates for the 2013 midterm polls to ensure that only deserving elective officials who can forward the country to national development are in the government.

“The power to choose our own leaders is given only once every three years – this is the essence of democracy. Kung kaya’t ito pong darating na halalan marami pong mambobola, maraming magaling magsalita, marami may black propaganda. Kaya kailangan magsusuri tayo ng maayos,” said Trillanes, who is running under the administration ticket Team PNoy.

“Para masuri nating husto ang kanilang pagkatao, itanong natin: unang-una, sila ba ay may malasakit sa kapwa at bayan? Pangalawa, sila ba ay mapagkakatiwalaan na hindi mang-aabuso at mangungurakot? Pangatlo, sila ba ay kumakatawan sa inyong mga hinahangad para sa ating bayan? At higit sa lahat, sa panahon ng pang-aapi at pang-aabuso, maaasahan ba sila na tumayo at makipaglaban para sa inyong  karapatan? The advent of information technology and social media have given us voters the capacity to verify any claim made by any candidate. Thus, we must use this potential to our advantage and empowerment. We wield the information and we must translate this into our votes,” he said.

“Kung iyan po ang inyong mga batayan, makakasigurado po ako na wala na po kayong kandidatong pipiliin pa kung hindi ang mga kandidatong mula sa Team PNoy!” Trillanes added emphatically.

Trillanes has been one of the most productive senators with a total of 734 bills and resolutions filed during the 14th and 15th Congress, of which 30 have been passed into law. He also ranked second both in terms of the number of national bills sponsored in the plenary and number of committee hearings conducted.

Trillanes is currently the chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, the Senate Committee on Amateur Sports Competitiveness, and the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement.

Trillanes added: “I urge voters to be vigilant and make sure that they only elect leaders who have the ascendancy to promote good governance. Tapat dapat sa mga mahihirap at sa paglaban sa kurap.”

OPPOSITION BARKING UP WRONG TREE, SAYS DRILON

MANILA, February 25, 2013-Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin M. Drilon on Monday/Feb. 25 dismissed allegations by the opposition that he was eyeing the Senate presidency in the 16^th Congress.

 “I will not dignify those statements because I am not a candidate” Drilon said. “They are barking up the wrong tree,” referring to the pronouncements made by the United Nationalist Alliance campaign manager Rep. Toby Tiangco that Team PNoy’s dream of a 12-0 sweep was anchored on Drilon’s bid for the Senate presidency.

“We are more focused on presenting Team PNoy as a team which fully supports President Aquino’s platform of good governance which in turn has resulted in an improved economy and better social and health services,” he said.

The Team PNoy campaign manager said the issue in this election “is not Drilon.”

“The issue is whether we are for good governance. If they say otherwise, it’s up to them as long as they spell my name correctly,” he added.

In Iloilo Thursday Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel introduced Drilon as “the next Senate President,” triggering a conspiracy theory speculation from the opposition.

“For all intents and purposes, it is the members of the 16^th Congress who will choose the next Senate President.” Drilon said.

“These are the issues in the campaign and the senate presidency in the 16^th Congress is a question that the senators will decide upon as an independent body, since the Senate has been known for its independence by law and by tradition,” Drilon said.

“By law, the 16^th Congress will have a new set of officers, both the Senate and the House will elect its officers with the new Congress council, who believers of the House and the Senate will be is a matter for each House in chair,” he added.

“Let’s just move on and instruct what the people are looking for and what this campaign is all about. And this campaign for the Team PNOY is a campaign on good governance. It’s a platform that we should carry on, until the end of the elections,” he said. 

Legarda Denounces Killing of Ati Leader, Harassment of Environmentalist

MANILA, February 25, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today denounced the killing of a tribal community leader and the harassment of an environmental group as she urged police authorities to be more proactive and aggressive in identifying and arresting the culprits.

Legarda likewise called for visible police protection for indigenous and environmental groups, particularly their leaders, that are presently fighting for their rights and those of their communities.

“These incidents are causing apprehension to marginalized and advocacy groups and may have bearing on their struggle and aspirations for a better life,” she said.

She added that police investigators should not only look for the perpetrators of the crimes but should dig deeper and determine their motives. The authorities would be able to prevent similar incidents in the future by being proactive, she said.

Legarda added: “Halatang pananakot ito sa mga indigenous communities at sa mga lumalaban sa paglapastangan ng ating kapaligiran.”

The Senator is especially concerned over the killing of the tribal community leader, being at the forefront in promoting and preserving the culture of  indigenous communities as Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities.

Legarda is likewise a leading environmental advocate, shepherding the passage of environmental laws and policies and pushing for initiatives to protect the environment.

News reports said Dexter Condez, community organizer of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO), was on his way home when he was shot with a 9-mm pistol in Sitio Lugutan, Barangay Manoc-Manoc in Boracay.

Before the killing, at least 20 armed men stormed the tribal group’s community and harassed the villagers, apparently in connection with the award to 40 families belonging to the BATO of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Several businessmen have reportedly questioned the legality of the granting of the certificate to these families.

In another incident, several armed men barged into the home of Dr. Isidro Olan in Carmen, Surigao del Sur, tied him and other family members up and ransacked the place.

Olan, Founding President and Executive Director of the Lovers of Nature Foundation, has been vocal against mining and logging activities in the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza.

Legarda on People Power Anniversary: We Must Always Fight for Our Rights

Twenty-seven years after the historic People Power Revolution that brought back democracy in the Philippines, Senator Loren Legarda engaged Filipinos to continue to fight for human rights as they always have. 
“In 1986, millions of Filipinos joined a nonviolent revolution that awed even the world. We were able to regain our democracy through peaceful means. Today, we must continue to fight for our rights without trampling on the rights of others. We must support ways by which we can protect and uphold our democracy,” she said.
“We should promote the proliferation of a free market of ideas, thus we must protect our freedom of expression. We should encourage constructive criticism especially in public service so that leaders can effectively carry out their mandate, thus we must protect freedom of speech. We should ensure honesty, transparency and accountability of government officials, thus we must have the freedom of information,” Legarda stressed. 
Legarda, co-sponsor of the proposed People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) Act of 2012, explained that it is important for all government agencies to disclose information on public interest transactions, documents or records to erase doubts on the capability of the government to do its mandate of serving the best interests of the people.

“We must supply our people with information about the leaders they elected into office and of the businesses of government offices. This will certainly elevate the citizens’ trust and confidence in the government,” she said.
The Senator also stressed the value of freedom of speech and expression, which is why she proposed measures that would decriminalize libel and repeal the libel provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“The reasonableness of adopting a policy to prevent cyberspace pollutants from spoiling the minds of our people must not be done at the expense of our valued right to free speech. We must eliminate a chilling effect that may impose undue boundaries on our people’s exercise of freedom of expression,” said Legarda.

ANGARA CALLS FOR CHED MORATORIUM ON FIELD TRIPS

MANILA, February 24, 2013-Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to impose a moratorium on field trips in light of a bus accident in Tuba, Benguet which has since claimed the lives of several students and faculty members from Marinduque State College (MSC).

The 31 tourism students and two teachers from MSC, including two tour guides, were on the Baguio leg of a three-day Manila-Ilocos-Baguio educational tour, when their bus driver lost control and collided with two other vehicles.  

Seven fatalities have since been reported, with the remaining currently hospitalized at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for critical injuries.

“Our prayers are with the families of those who figured in this tragic accident.” said Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Educations, Arts and Culture. “But this kind of field trip, though it may help domestic tourism, does not necessarily help the study of tourism.”

The veteran lawmaker said that such educational tours are often very expensive, costing an average of P5,000 to P10,000 per student.

He added that trips to hotels, restaurants and other hospitality institutions within the province or region of the school can still provide educational value to tourism students.  

“Field trips must be conducted without endangering the lives of students and imposing high financial burden on their families. I urge CHED to issue a moratorium until there is devised a more reasonable set of criteria for allowing such trips,” emphasized the former UP President. (Rikka Sotto)

ANGARA: GOV’T SHOULD SUPPORT SMALL-SCALE RE PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS

MANILA, February 23, 2013-Senator Edgardo J. Angara underscored the need to bring Renewable Energy (RE) directly to consumers who need alternative sources of electricity: the fisherfolk, farmers and those living in distant areas still not connected to the national power grid.

During his keynote speech at the German-Philippine Policy Dialogue on Renewable Energy held last week, Angara explained that the government’s continuous support of RE is vital in helping these communities become self-sufficient.

Since the Renewable Energy Act was passed in 2008, which Angara authored and sponsored, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has received scores of project proposals for utilizing sustainable energy sources with very little carbon footprint. These proposals range from small and micro enterprises to big ventures that will produce significant amounts of electricity.

The emphasis now, said Angara, is on bringing production of these initiatives to the small scale developers by providing funding through loans and grants.

According to Angara, one way to support small farming and fishing communities is by providing them with electricity through RE projects that will help them with processing and preserving their crops. Lack of electricity in remote communities increase post-harvest loss and decrease profits, he explained.

“Rapid developments have lowered the costs of RE technology, which boosts the viability of widespread RE initiatives across the country. Continuous research and development from both the government and private institutions can lower these costs further so that small-scale projects can be undertaken by those in rural areas,” said Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

Moreover, firsthand use of this technology would make RE into a viable alternative to traditional power sources. “More people would learn to appreciate the value of RE in their day-to-day lives,” he said. (Rikka Sotto)

Team PNoy to opposition: Do not politicize Sabah issue

MANILA, February 22, 2013-Administration coalition Team PNoy said on Friday/Feb. 22 the Sabah issue should not be politicized and used to boost political stock.

Emphasizing that the Department of Foreign Affairs is now finding diplomatic solutions to the issue, Team PNoy spokesman and Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada described  pronouncements  made by opposition candidate ex-Sen. Ernesto Maceda claiming the  Philippine government has been neglecting the Sabah issue as  “pure fiction and a total fabrication.”

“We respectfully request Mr. Maceda to desist from trying to stir controversy for his personal political gains using the Sabah issue. He has alluded to the Philippine government’s neglect of the Sabah claim. This is pure fiction and a total fabrication,” Tañada said in a statement.

“Our hardworking diplomats at the Department of Foreign Affairs, together with their counterparts overseas, are exerting all efforts to arrive at a peaceful and long-lasting solution to this sensitive issue,” Tañada said.

“The President is continuing a policy begun by then-President Ramos, and continued by then-President Estrada, for whom Mr. Maceda worked as a member of the Cabinet. At the time, Mr. Maceda never questioned the policy of non-belligerence toward the Sabah issue,” Tanada said.

Earlier, in a press release issued 21 February 2013 by Vice President Binay on the Sabah issue, the Vice President said: “President Aquino is on top of the situation in Sabah. The Department Foreign Affairs is exerting all effort and using all diplomatic avenues to arrive at a peaceful resolution of the Sabah controversy. That is the President’s priority. Let us not second guess the President.”

“We urge Mr. Maceda once again to listen to VP Binay and respect the policy of the government, which is consistent with the policy of his party mate, the former President Estrada,” Tañada said. 

Legarda Campaigns in Negros Occidental

MANILA, February 22, 2013-Facilitating discussions on disaster risk reduction and management tops Sen. Loren Legarda’s itinerary as she barnstorms Negros Occidental in Western Visayas on February 22-23.

Legarda said she will take advantage of her presence in the province to educate the people and local government units on how they could be resilient from disasters and be prepared when natural calamities strike.

“I will visit the province to conduct a meaningful campaign by helping educate communities on disaster-resilient development planning and to raise awareness on the need to be prepared,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

Even before the start of the campaign, Legarda has already been conducting disaster risk reduction (DRR) workshops in various provinces in the country.

The DRR roadshow will be held at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City.

Legarda will also inaugurate a school building in Silay City, which she had funded through her Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Known heritage houses in Silay City did not escape Legarda’s interest as she is scheduled to visit the Balay Negrense, Jalandoni House, and Ramon Hofelena House.

Legarda Wants Implementation of MSME Law in Antique

MANILA, February 21, 2013-In her visit to the provinces of Panay, Senator Loren Legarda said she wants to ensure the implementation of Republic Act 9501 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Law in Panay Island, particularly in her home province, Antique.

Legarda, author of the said law, explained that a more vigorous promotion and implementation of the MSME Law will support the expansion of work and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.

“MSMEs are powerful platforms for promotion of viable rural livelihoods, cultural preservation, socio-economic empowerment of indigenous peoples, and environmental protection,” she said.

“A handicrafts enterprise in Antique, piña cloth weaving center in Aklan, pottery center in Iloilo, and capiz shell handicrafts production in Capiz—these are a few of the MSMEs which prove that embracing our rich heritage and advancing sustainable development translate into jobs, incomes, and livelihoods,” she added.

“Antique, and the whole of Panay Island, is filled with cultural treasures. Weaving, eco-tourism and cultural tourism are industries fit for MSMEs promotion. There should be parallel efforts to support MSMEs through the implementation of the MSME Law and promote the cultural heritage and natural wonders of Panay,” Legarda stressed.

The MSME Law provides more assistance to entrepreneurs by requiring lending institutions to allocate at least eight percent (8%), an increase from the previous six percent (6%), of their total loan portfolio to micro and small businesses.

It also provides 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.

Madrigal’s lawyer says volunteers behind internet iPad promo

A lawyer for former Sen. Jamby Madrigal said Wednesday/Feb. 20 the senatorial candidate was prepared to apologize to the Commissions on Elections (Comelec) and to the Filipino voters if a promotional campaign run by her volunteers on the Internet was proven to have violated election laws.   

          Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Liberal Party-led Team PNoy commended the Comelec for doing its job in monitoring the conduct of the campaign of individual candidates and for promptly calling the attention of Madrigal on the matter.

          Madrigal’s lawyer, Ernesto Francisco, told a regular press briefing that the former senator “has no intentions of violating the election law” and that she “would be the last person to violate any elections law.”

          “Sen. Madrigal’s social media campaign is being run by young volunteers. When she heard about the incident, she immediately instructed her volunteers to immediately remove it,” Francisco said.

          Francisco said he was “not sure” whether the promo has violated any election law, noting that the social media landscape is “an unexplored terrain” when it comes to election campaign in the Philippines.

          “Sen. Madrigal apologizes to the Comelec for what the volunteers must have done. She wants to assure the Comelec and the public that such incident will not be repeated. From here on, she will make sure that her campaign team will follow the elections law,” Francisco said.

          “We are in the process of investigating what really happened. Maybe the ones running the social media campaign where the ones who thought of this scheme. We would like to know all details and where the iPad came from,” Francisco said. “This is like a political gimmick that comes out in any election,” he said.

          Former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, a spokesman for the Team PNoy, said there were initial reservations on whether the Comelec was “capable of monitoring” the campaign of the candidates.

          Saying that the allegations against Sen. Madrigal have “no effect” on their candidates, Tañada said the Comelec should be “commended for showing that it is trying its best” to monitor election campaigning.

“We have to encourage the Comelect to continue the monitoring of the campaigns of candidates. This is the way candidates are reminded of elections laws,” Tañada told the same press briefing.

“We, at Team PNoy, always remind our candidates that they should try their best to comply with the rules and election laws in the country. What should be done is to reach out to the ground troops that they should comply with elections laws, but there are instances that volunteers in different areas have different initiatives. We need to tell them that there are elections laws to be followed,” Tañada said.

LP confident coalition pact with NPC 'solid as ever'

MANILA, February 20, 2013-“There has been no change in the relationship between the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). It remains strong and fully supportive of Team PNoy.”

Liberal Party spokesman Rep. Erin Tañada made this clear during a media briefing Wednesday/Feb. 20, as he debunked reports that the team-up of the two parties was on the verge of collapse.

Tañada said the NPC, through its spokesman, Rep.Rex Gatchalian, has issued a statement emphasizing that it intends to continue its partnership with the ruling Liberal Party and that it duty-bound to support its candidates in all levels.

“For us, that is enough,” Tañada said.

Tañada was reacting to published reports quoting a key NPC official as saying that the party will only support three members of the LP-led administration ticket.

In his statement, Gatchalian explained that NPC leader Mark Cojuangco' statements were taken out of context when he revealed his sentiments on the progress of the partnership between the two parties.

“We would like to stress that the NPC leadership and its members are fully supporting the leadership of President Aquino and we have no intention of walking out of that commitment,” Gatchalian said in the statement.

Gatchalian added that he’s sorry to disappoint the rumor mongers “but it remains as solid as ever and is 100 percent behind the partnership.

Legarda on Semirara Mining Tragedy: Accountabilities Must Be Established

MANILA, February 19, 2013-As search and rescue operations continue for the mining workers trapped in a mine of Semirara Mining Corporation in Antique, Senator Loren Legarda said that accountabilities need to be established within and outside of government.

“Safety in coal mining is always an issue. There are environmental as well as health and safety implications to the workers. Semirara Mining Corporation was given a license to operate an open pit mining facility, but did they comply with occupational and safety standards?” asked Legarda.

On February 13, a landslide occurred in the Panian pit area of Semirara Mining Corporation’s mine in Antique province. Of the 13 miners trapped, three were rescued alive, five were retrieved dead, and five are still missing.

“Search and retrieval operations need to be carried out without let-up and assistance should be extended to the families of the victims,” said Legarda.

“Meanwhile, there are three agencies that exercise regulatory control and oversight functions over coal mining companies—the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). How are these agencies enforcing safety standards on site? I hope this is not again a case whereby you see government regulations being reviewed and enforced only because lives have been lost,” Legarda concluded.

KIKO TO COMELEC: SHOW GUTS, DISQUALIFY VOTE-BUYING CANDIDATES

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has challenged the Commission on Election to go after vote-buying politicians.

"The COMELEC must create an anti-vote-buying task force whose sole mandate is to pursue disqualification cases against vote buying politicians," the Liberal Party senator said. "I am certain that even if only 10 cases of vote buying prosper and lead to disqualification before election day, it will send a clear signal for the rest of the nation and will create a major dent in the anti-vote buying effort. No candidate would want to have a case hanging over his head while campaigning."

Pangilinan also stressed that the COMELEC must work hard to disqualify vote-buying politicos before election day and not after, adding that if the Commission does not act swiftly on such cases it is in effect condoning it.

"It is a known fact that, all over the country, politicos buy votes under the guise of solicitations. The lack of action on the part of the COMELEC all these years on rampant vote-buying has made the practice ingrained. They have for the longest time turned a blind eye and deaf ear on vote-buying. No one has been disqualified for this prior to election day. Hence it goes unabated, and we end up electing and proclaiming officials who won because of impunity and who, despite breaking the law, would go on breaking the law once in office.

"This vicious and corrupting cycle must end," the lawmaker stressed.

Pangilinan added that honest candidates will need the help of the COMELEC in order for them to win in an election.

"The principled and the incorruptible candidate will never resort to vote-buying. When confronted with the shameless vote-buying machinery of the corrupt politician, the only recourse of the honest candidate is to have these politicians disqualified by a proactive and courageous COMELEC."

Legarda Seeks Albay’s Help in Creating Disaster-Resilient Barangays

MANILA, February 18, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda sought the help of the local government of Albay in creating a model for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) that all barangays in the country can use as guide in making their communities disaster-resilient.

During her recent visit to the Bicol Region, Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for DRR and CCA for Asia-Pacific, said that she will seek the help of Albay Governor Joey Salceda in “instilling the DRR-CCA model of Albay in every barangay all over the country.”

“I will ask Governor Joey Salceda through his Climate Change Academy to help me since we are both UNISDR champions. He is an economist, an environmentalist and a DRR champion. I will ask for his help in crafting plans, programs and policies in the barangay level to make sure each barangay is disaster-resilient,” the Senator said.

She explained that Albay is a model for disaster mitigation and preparedness, especially because while the Bicol Region is disaster-prone and vulnerable to several natural hazards, Albay has become disaster-resilient.

In fact, Albay, along with Makati  City and the Municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island, Cebu, is among the United Nations' 29 model communities  that are exemplars in disaster risk reduction and management.

The Province of Albay was recognized for its focus on preparing comprehensive land use plans that address climate and disaster risks, and for investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure.

“We have many best practices, like those in Albay, that other LGUs can use as guide in crafting their own programs. Communities that have yet to establish DRR and CCA practices should start now with both a short-term plan for the natural hazards expected to come within the next months, and a long-term program to ensure disaster-resilient communities in the future,” said Legarda.

Even as the campaign for the May 2013 Elections has already started, Legarda, senatorial candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition , continues her advocacy on disaster preparedness, stressing that she wants to have an “educational and environmental campaign.”

“I want to have a meaningful campaign, one that is not just all about political issues but also issues that really matter most to the Filipino people. We will save lives by making each barangay disaster-resilient,” she concluded.

Legarda Wants Libel Decriminalized

MANILA, February 18, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her stance that libel should be decriminalized, stressing thatfreedom of speech is easily stifled with the mere threat of criminal libel as the commonly used form of suppression.

“Apart from threatening our Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of speech, the continued criminalization of libel will be a huge hindrance in efforts aimed at promoting good governance and exacting accountability on our public officials,” said Legarda who has filed a measure, Senate Bill 3294, to decriminalize libel.

The Senator, a former broadcast journalist, noted the September 2012 report by United States-based organization Freedom House which rated the status of press freedom in the Philippines as only “partly free” citing among other things, the criminalization of libel under the country’s penal code. It particularly noted how frequent use of such charges has often been used to “stifle criticism of officials and of public figures”.

“The continued criminalization of libel will work more to discourage members of the media to perform their duties with zeal and vigilance. Instead of looking deeply into issues that have a potential of affecting public interest and general welfare, the penalties imposed have paved the way for members of the media to approach their mandates with doubt and hesitation,” Legarda stressed.

“We cannot have that in a country where democracy is primarily hinged on freedom of speech and of expression, and where media is considered the Fourth Estate,” Legarda concluded.

UNA wrong on corruption statement, Ombudsman has not spared LP figures: Quimbo

Team PNoy spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo on Sunday/Feb. 17 deplored that the reckless accusation of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that the Aquino administration was soft on its allies in the implementation of its anti-corruption campaign “was unfair and have no factual or legal basis.”

At the same time, Quimbo appealed to UNA leaders to stop muddling the campaign with “personality-based character assassination” and stick to the relevant issues by presenting their alternative platform of government if they have any.

       “Membership in the LP does not give immunity nor protection to any member from any accountability process. On the contrary, unlike in other parties, LP membership serves as a high standard to conduct oneself beyond reproach and following the example of the President,” Quimbo said in a press statement.

He reminded UNA that among the “first major achievements of the PNoy Administration was to restore long-lost public confidence in our legal institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the courts of law.”

“We have a new Ombudsman, who has displayed a strikingly remarkable independence in the discharge of the functions of her office. Her resolve is electrifying the anti-graft and corruption drive under the PNoy administration to the point where even LP stalwarts, hailed to the Office of Ombudsman, have not received any special treatment whatsoever,” Quimbo said.

      Among the LP luminaries, Quimbo said, are former Isabela Governor now Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca and former Bukidnon Congressman now Presidential Adviser on Environment Protection Neric Acosta, both of whom are have pending cases before the Sandiganbayan.

“They have now an excellent chance to clear their names in the proper court,” Quimbo said. “This is a milestone in the dispensation of justice initiated by the PNoy administration, which enhances the drive for clean government under the “daang matuwid”. This is a hallmark in the dispensation of justice.”

       The senatorial campaign for the May 13 elections, which entered its fifth day yesterday, has been turned into a mudslinging exercise directed against personalities and even non-candidates by the opposition, he said.

      “I challenge UNA. Let us stick to platforms and programs, Lay down what your alternative programs in eradicating poverty and joblessness. Our people deserve to hear from you,” he said.

Quimbo said “all the accusations raised by Rep. Toby against me are rehashed political smear propaganda that was spread by my political opponents years ago. They have no factual nor legal basis.”

“The questionable and fraudulent loans that Cong. Toby is referring happened after I had left Pag-IBIG. If he simply checks the dates of these fraudulent loans, it will reveal that they happened after 15 March of 2009, the day I was replaced as CEO. It did not happen during my watch,” Quimbo said.

“It might also interest him to know that I was unceremoniously replaced as CEO of Pag-IBIG Fund precisely because of my refusal to expand the pilot lending window to Globe Asiatique as was being demanded by the developer from Pag-IBIG,” Quimbo added.

“I am proud of the work I did in Pag-IBIG where I was hired as a professional to manage the workers provident fund. From a small workers fund, by the time I had left, it had become a Php250B asset company and was the most profitable government corporation generating P10B in net income and was the biggest taxpayer of the government in 2008. We were financing 60 percent of all housing loans in the country and providing multipurpose loans to at least 2 million members annually,” Quimbo said.