File Charges Against Employer of Abused OFW in Saudi, Legarda Tells PHL Gov’t

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today urged the Philippine government to pursue charges against those responsible for the abuse of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Pahima Alagasi Palacasi.  

Through a Senate Resolution, Legarda urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to exercise the Doctrine of Parens Patriae in pursuing the filing of the appropriate charges against the employer, recruitment agency and other individuals responsible for the abuse against Palacasi.

The Doctrine of Parens Patriae is defined as the inherent power and authority of the state to provide protection to every citizen especially to those persons who are incapable of defending themselves due to their limited capability.

Palacasi, a domestic helper in Riyadh, sustained second-degree burns from her back down to her legs after her employer scalded her with boiling water.

Photos of the maltreated OFW went viral on social networking sites, triggering uproar among netizens who are now calling for justice.

“The inhumane treatment inflicted on Ms. Palacasi is a clear case that deserves immediate action by the government through legal action. The individuals who are responsible for such cruel conduct deserve a distinct place in jail,” Legarda said.

The Senator said that such drastic action against Palacasi’s perpetrators will serve as a stern warning against abusive employers of OFWs and a deterrent to the rampant practice of maltreatment suffered by Filipinos especially those in the vulnerable household service sector.

“The government’s action on this case will send a strong message to the more than two million OFWs abroad that the Philippine government is absolutely serious in uplifting their rights even in a foreign jurisdiction,” Legarda concluded.

PNoy appoints Bulacan Governor as RDC Chair

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado as chair of the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC).

 

RDC Vice Chair and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Severino Santos made the announcement Friday.

 

RDC 3 is the highest policy-making body in Central Luzon and serves as the counterpart of the NEDA Board at the subnational level.

 

It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region and serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.

 

Council members include all governors, city mayors, municipal mayors of capital towns, presidents of municipal mayors’ league, regional directors of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Senate backs bill extending prescriptive period for graft cases, says Drilon

MANILA-In another move to add more teeth to the Aquino administration’s campaign against corruption, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon underscored the need to double the prescriptive period for the prosecution of graft cases from 15 to 30 years.   

The Senate chief said Upper Chamber fully supports House Bill No. 4146 that would increase the prescriptive period giving judicial authorities more time to prosecute unresolved graft cases within 30 years. The bill was recently approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.

"Our justice system can only be a strong deterrent against possible malfeasance if we demonstrate that no matter the passing of years, a crime remains a crime and those who committed them must answer for them,” stressed Drilon.

The former Justice Secretary said the bill would empower and capacitate judicial authorities to commence prosecution of corrupt officials within 30 years from the commission of the crime.

Under the current system, a 15-year prescription is being observed in the filing of graft cases and after such period, the government may no longer prosecute graft cases.  

"We must not let time hinder our quest for justice. It is imperative then that we legislate the necessary reforms that will strengthen our justice and legal system,” said Drilon.

Drilon said that the bill, along with other anti-corruption measures, is “a manifestation of the determination of Congress to stamp-out corruption in the country, especially in light of the recent controversy regarding the pork barrel funds.”

Drilon also noted that the proposed measure will complement the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law recently passed by Senate in third and final reading, saying that the enactment of the two bills into law are crucial in the fight against corruption.

Drilon said the Sandiganbayan Charter is seen “to hasten the disposition of cases in the anti-graft court, which now has a backlog of 3,000 cases which would take five or more years before they are promulgated.

The Senate leader 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.”

“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.

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.”

  

“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,” he concluded.

PNoy appoints NOLCOM head as new AFP Vice Chief of Staff

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. as the new Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

 

He replaced Lieutenant General Alan Luga who retired from service last week.

 

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Dimalupig” Class of 1981.

 

Prior to NOLCOM, Catapang previously led the Army 703rd brigade, which is based in Arayat, Pampanga and Army 7^th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Guarantee safety and welfare of household service workers abroad – Jinggoy

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada stressed today the need to ensure safety and welfare of domestic workers, mostly Filipinas, abroad through stricter implementation of deployment and anti-trafficking laws and active utilization of diplomatic instruments.

 

This developed as Sen. Estrada learned of the case of a 23-year Filipina domestic worker in Saudi Arabia who was scalded with boiling water by the mother of her employer. The victim, Pahima Alagasi Palacasi, sustained severe injuries on her back and legs.

 

“The horrific case of Ms. Palacasi should never happen again. And the government must ensure that our workers don’t end up on the hands of abusive employers and suffer inhumane working conditions and maltreatment,” Sen. Estrada said.

 

According to the report to Congress by the Department of Foreign Affairs for 2013, there are at least 364,228 domestic workers in the Middle East region alone.

 

Moreover, data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) show that on 2012, 155,831 Filipinos have been deployed to be employed as household service workers. The same data set reveal that there is a steady increase in the number of workers deployed as domestic workers for the past years – 50,082 in 2008, 96,583 in 2010, and more than 155,000 in 2012.

 

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, pointed out that the government must also make use of all the available diplomatic channels and instruments in protecting thousands of Filipino household service workers scattered across the globe.

 

The lawmaker said that the country must negotiate for more bilateral labor agreements, especially between countries employing a huge number of Filipino workers. He also said that the country could mobilize support toward the ratification and implementation among member-states of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 189 concerning decent work for domestic workers.

 

ILO Convention 189 came into force last September 2013 after the Philippines became the second country after Uruguay to ratify it. The said convention establishes minimum labor standards for domestic workers and offers among others protection from all forms of abuse, harassment and violence.

ANGARA WANTS TO EXPAND GOVT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

MANILA-As government buys more seats in private schools to accommodate the enrolment overflow in public schools, Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara is batting for the expansion of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) to include new benefits like transportation and book allowances for poor students.

Angara said the GASTPE program, which is the country's biggest scholarship program in private schoolsthat aims to decongest public schools, needs to be strengthened so that it can cover more students at higher subsidy rates.

In Senate Bill 199, Angara proposed a raft of reforms to the Republic Act 6728 or the GASTPE Law which include prioritizing students in fifth- and sixth-class municipalities.

He also wanted those coming from poor families identified in the government’s poverty maps, like the one prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, be given “right of way” to GASTPE.

The Department of Education (DepEd) recently announced that for the coming school year, it would provide tuition subsidy to 352,328 students who will enroll in private schools through GASTPE’s education service contracting scheme.

Under the voucher system for the school year 2013-2014, the amount of subsidy was P6,500 for a Grade 7 student in schools outside Metro Manila.

Noting that the program only covers tuition subsidy, Angara said other schooling expenses, “the ones which are in fact higher than tuition,” become part of the assistance package.

Some of these, according to the senator, are transportation allowance and higher funds for textbooks.

“We just cannot dump the excess of the public school system to private schools without giving them the same amount of tools we give to public school students," he said.

In the case of textbooks, Angara said there should be “private school-public school parity” in which the amount of textbooks for GASTPE scholars shall not be less than the per student allocation in government-run schools.

He said a transportation subsidy should be considered in special cases when a student who was not accommodated in a school in his community has to spend for fare in commuting to a private school far from his home.

Angara’s proposed amendments to the GASTPE law also cover college students.

The neophyte senator is batting for the inclusion of qualified enrolling students in “priority courses” determined by the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

He is also proposing that tuition subsidy to scholars living below the poverty line be increased by 10 percent a year, subject to availability of funds and screening by the appropriate government agency.

“Seventy percent of any increase, however, in the tuition subsidy shall be earmarked by the recipient school for the payment of the salaries of teachers while 20 percent shall be used to improve school facilities,” Angara said.

To fund all this expansion of programs, Angara proposed that DepEd be allowed to use its previous years’ savings to be augmented by other sources such as 20 percent of travel tax and airport departure tax collections, a portion of the income of other GOCCs, and lump-sum appropriations and other departure tax collections.

The number of enrollees in the Philippine public schools has been constantly increasing over the years because more and more Filipino families cannot afford the tuition in private schools.

In turn, the public school system has been unable to cope with the surge in student populations, resulting in many public schools becoming too congested and no longer conducive to student learning.

Manpower and equipment shortage in public schools is aggravated by the annual increase in the budgetary needs of public schools.

In 1998, Congress first approved the expansion of the GASTPE law to give many poor students the opportunity to avail of quality education in private schools by providing financial assistance to private schools through tuition fee supplements.

Over the years, however, the GASTPE financial assistance to students has fallen far below the government’s per capita cost in the public schools, Angara said.

Hence, there is an urgent need for an amendatory bill to increase the amount of financial assistance to poor students in order to reduce their burden of high education cost in the secondary and tertiary levels.

Angara further acknowledged that the public school system was getting the boost it finally needed from the Aquino administration's infusion of funds to answer the classroom and teacher gap.

In the meantime, however, he stressed that there is a need to ensure that the current generation of children from poor families receives all the help it can get whether in public or private schools.

Invest in Resilience, Legarda Tells WEF

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda has encouraged both government and the business sector to include resilience at the core of private and public governance as she stressed that disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) is a wise investment, during the interactive session "Designing Solutions on Climate and Resource Risks" of the World Economic Forum on East Asia.

“Globally, economic losses due to disasters are taking a toll on development. These losses will continue to escalate unless DRRM becomes integral to national development plans and business investment strategies,” said Legarda, who was named a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the WEF in the year 2000 in Davos, Switzerland.

The United Nations report, Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2013, showed that global economic losses from disasters since 2000 are in the range of $2.5 trillion.

“Poverty and inequalities worsen as natural hazards and climate change constantly affect the poor and keep them trapped in a vicious cycle of risk and poverty. We can ensure our economic resilience by reducing disaster risks, letting investors be aware of it, and requiring business investments to take into account DRRM measures,” Legarda said.


The Senator said increasing public and private investments in advancing DRRM and climate change adaptation (CCA), and transitioning to clean energy, are the greatest economic challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

She also stressed that in areas that have been devastated by disasters, governments must build back stronger and wiser.

Legislators are likewise urged to address gaps in policies through measures that will: link science and policy-making; finance mechanisms for climate and energy solutions—including energy efficiency, clean technology and green infrastructure investment; and enable the private business and financial community to support comprehensive climate and energy policies and to invest in climate and clean energy solutions.

She also urged the business community to embed DRRM in business processes to strengthen resilience, competitiveness and sustainability.

Legarda said that robust business continuity planning is part of the private sector’s corporate social responsibility.

“Private companies should mainstream resilience in their value chain. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are especially encouraged to develop their BCPs because disaster impacts such as destruction of road infrastructure, bridges and local facilities have drastic effects on them. The business sector is also encouraged to conduct and share risk assessment and best practices of their companies,” she said.

“Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation must be closely linked to development—the kind of development that does not create new risks but promotes resilient investments,” Legarda concluded.

Jinggoy pushes passage of strengthened apprenticeship program

MANILA=Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is pushing for the immediate passage of a measure that aims to strengthen apprenticeship programs, in a bid to train and employ more young workers in the technical industries.

 

The Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development led by Sen. Estrada recently tackled Senate Bill 136 or the proposed Apprenticeship Training Act.

 

The proposal is among the 12 priority legislative measures for the 16th Congress identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

Under the explanatory note of the measure Sen. Estrada said, “There is a need to institute further reforms and conduct massive advocacy on the apprenticeship program to make it more attractive to both the enterprises and the prospective apprentices, in a fervent bid to promote skills acquisition and youth employment.”

 

Sen. Estrada noted that the biggest number of unemployed members of the labor force belongs to the 15-24 age bracket, and followed by the 25-34 age bracket.

 

He said that the apprenticeship program would also ensure the availability of qualified manpower in critical and in-demand skills.

 

The bill also extends the apprenticeship period from the current maximum period of six months to a reasonable duration of training depending on the training regulation and complexity of skills to be learned by the apprentice.

 

Certified apprenticeship graduates shall also be exempted from probationary employment and shall be employed as regular workers if chosen to be retained by the enterprise.

 

Further, apprenticeship graduates shall be awarded equivalent unit credits in the formal system of education that can be used in pursuing tertiary degree courses subject to the integrated policies and guidelines on equivalency and adult education acceleration program.

 

The panel also considered putting up incentives, such as tax breaks and non-cash incentives like capability building of trainors, for private businesses that will offer apprenticeship programs.

 

It was noted during the committee hearing that only 664 companies have registered apprenticeship programs. They are businesses engaged in tourism, health and other social development services, automotive and land transport, construction, electronics and garments.

 

According to the representative from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), specifically the courses offered are for electronic assembler, welding, masoning, food and beverage services, tailoring, automotive servicing, cooking, housekeeping, refrigeration and air conditioning, and electrician.

 

“Apprenticeship programs have the unique capability of immersing our younger workers in real life employment atmosphere, enabling them to learn technical skills, practical knowledge and experience needed to make them employable and competitive, while providing them the opportunity to earn a living,” Jinggoy states.

 

“The enterprise-based apprenticeship program also complements the competency-based education systems already in place enabling the economy to have a steady supply of skilled workers,” he adds.

Legarda: Growth Must Be Climate Adaptive and Resilient

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that for nations to attain sustainable and equitable economic development, communities should be resilient to disasters and adaptive to climate change.

Legarda made the statement as part of the panel for the interactive session, Designing Solutions for Climate and Resource Risks, of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia at the Makati Shangri-la today.

“In climate risks, there could sometimes be no second chances.  The UN said economic losses from disasters are ‘out of control.’  We should reverse this situation.  We need to be in control,” said Legarda, who was named by the World Economic Forum as a Global Leader for Tomorrow in year 2000 in Davos, Switzerland.

“We should pursue equitable and sustainable development that is climate adaptive, resilient and responsive to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable communities, including rural farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples,” she stressed.

The Senator said that existing laws can help translate the country’s improving growth into programs that will generate more jobs and enhance capacities especially for the agriculture sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“We have the Magna Carta for MSMEs, Barangay Kabuhayan Act, and the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, which are laws that empower our farmers, fisherfolk and entrepreneurs and provide more opportunities for livelihood in the countryside. But as we advance these programs, we must also ensure the resilience of our economy and our communities. Let us put our local climate change action plans based on the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the local DRR plans based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act to work,” she explained.

Legarda noted that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in March 2014 highlights the risks posed by climate change to the global effort to tackle priority development issues. 

“The recent IPCC report said that because of climate change, poverty alleviation and achieving food security will become increasingly difficult, new poverty traps will arise as existing obstacles remain, and economic growth will slow down. It is in this light that we encourage the business sector to take a proactive role in our aim to achieve resilient growth.”

Legarda said the private sector should craft and strengthen their business continuity planning (BCP), which reflect corporate strategy on how to swiftly spring back to operations after each disaster.

Likewise, MSMEs need BCPs that highlight resiliency as a core feature of their operations.

She added that the business sector is also encouraged to conduct and share risk assessments of their companies, establish effective and efficient early warning systems and disaster plans in their respective corporations, and engage in advocacies that will protect our ecosystems, among other actions.

“It is always in the best interest of everyone if our agenda is not only focused on profit or economic development and would go beyond traditional economic statistics. Our measure of growth should also consider the general well-being of the people as well as the safety and resilience of communities,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Growth Must Be Inclusive, Equitable and Sustainable

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed on the need to promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth, noting that this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia delves on issues that greatly affect the economy, including climate change.

Legarda said that the Philippines, as host of the 2014 WEF, has the opportunity to tell the region that the country is back in business and ready to face the challenges that come with its growing economy.

“The Philippines’ growth has been surprising economists. Our economy has grown by more than 6% over the past 8 quarters and last year, it grew by 7.2%. But the greater challenge is translating the impressive numbers into more job opportunities, stable employment, equitable access to quality education, health services and other social services, and safe and disaster-resilient communities for Filipinos,” she said.

Legarda, a panelist for the interactive workshop, Designing Solutions for Climate and Resource Risks, warned that one of the greatest threats to the country’s growing economy is climate change, which has been causing extreme weather events.

She noted that Haiyan, the world’s strongest typhoon to hit land, caused damages and losses estimated at US$12.9 billion or about 5% of the country’s GDP.

“Natural hazards have become stronger in recent years. But there are underlying drivers that increase risks. These include poverty, badly planned and managed urban and regional development, informal settlements on unsafe lands, vulnerable rural and urban livelihoods, and ecosystem decline,” said Legarda.

“Solutions for climate and resource risks include investing in water supply, sanitation, flood control, transport, roads, social and health services, and energy infrastructure that build resilience to climate variability,” she added.

Legarda also said that since ecosystem decline is among the underlying drivers of disaster risks and poverty, in the context of climate change, “we must include green policies, especially the protection of our ecosystems, in our development strategies.”

The Senator also highlighted the private sector’s role in reducing climate risks and creating resiliency.

“Disaster resilience should be at the core of business strategies. The heightened engagement of the business sector in DRR is crucial in preventing substantial business losses and economic development setbacks resulting from disasters of unprecedented scale,” she said.

Legarda said that the Philippine hosting of WEF provides a perfect opportunity to showcase the country’s resiliency—that despite the calamities and the global financial crisis, our economic growth remains impressive. “Let me stress that while this is good, what we must aim for is not mere progress, but sustainable, economic and inclusive growth—never neglecting the most vulnerable sectors of society and never sacrificing the environment in the face of progress.”

Drilon calls for constructive debate on anti-dynasty bill

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today threw his support for the passage of anti-dynasty bill and urged his colleagues in both chambers “to allow a constructive debate over the proposed measure.”

“It’s time to end the long wait. I encourage our colleagues to give the bill a chance. Let us provide an avenue that will allow for a constructive debate on this very important issue which would bring positive changes in our political system,” stressed Drilon.    

The Senate leader made the statement following the hearing held by the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, which took place a week after the House version of the anti-political dynasty bill was sponsored before the plenary – the first time in 27 years.

Drilon said he believes that the passage of the anti-political dynasty law is a tool to reform the current political system in the country.

“Naniniwala po tayo na malaki ang magagawa ng anti-political dynasty law sa sistema ng pulitika sa bansa. Nagsimula po tayo sa Senado nang tinanggal natin ang pork barrel. Wala na po ang pork barrel dahil pinakinggan natin ang taumbayan, at muli ay atin silang papakinggan,” said Drilon, in a radio interview over DZRH.

(“I believe the anti-political dynasty law will significantly change the political system in the country. We have already done it with the pork barrel. The Senate heard and acted on the people’s clamor to abolish the pork barrel and we shall do it again.”)

“Tayo po personally ay lubos na sumusuporta sa panukalang batas na ito tungkol sa anti-political dynasty. Wala naman akong tatay o nanay o kapatid o kung anuman na nasa politika. Kahit kapitan sa barangay po wala po akong kamag-anak sa pulitika,” said Drilon.

(Personally, I am supporting the anti-political dynasty bill. I have no family members – not a mother, father or a sibling in Philippine politics, not even in the barangay level.”)

“Sa panibagong usapin sa anti-dynasty bill, atin pong dinggin at pag-aaralan nang mabuti kung ano ang kagustuhan talaga ng taumbayan. Atin pong tingnan ang pulso ng taumbayan,” he emphasized.

(In dealing with the anti-dynasty bill, the Filipino people can be assured that we shall seek out their will, their choice regarding this matter.)

The Senate chief likewise believes that the prevailing time and conditions “are ripe for the government to institute a law that has been demanded by the Constitution from the very start of the Fifth Republic.”

“Given the administration’s reformist stance, we enjoy a supportive political climate, so every opportunity that has been unavailable in previous years is now us lawmakers to act on,” said Drilon.

Legarda Renews Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation

MANILA-In time for the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), Senator Loren Legarda renewed her commitment to the protection of biodiversity, climate change adaptation and sustainable development at the Launch of the Fifth Operational Phase of the Global Economic Facility-Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP-5) in the Philippines.

The GEF-Small Grants Programme provides grants of up to US$50,000  to community-based organizations for biodiversity conservation projects. The Project Document for its Fifth Operational Phase was signed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) last December 2012.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, reiterated the Philippines’ status as one of the megadiverse countries, a group of nations hosting about 70-80% of the world’s plant and animal species. The country also has one of the highest rates of discovery of new species in the world.

“These numbers, however, should not give us a false sense of complacency. Great challenges face us in the task of protecting and preserving our rich biodiversity,” said Legarda in her keynote speech today.

Legarda noted climate change as one of the more pressing obstacles to biodiversity conservation. “Among the impacts of climate change are the loss of thousands of species and changes in natural ecosystems. The rise in average global temperatures render many species unable to quickly adapt to new conditions.” 

The Senator also mentioned the threat to food security posed by the impending El Niño in June. “Prolonged drought would drastically cut down the production of local crops like rice, corn, sugar cane, vegetables and other agricultural products, and can also cause a decrease in fisheries yield.”

Legarda therefore called on Filipinos to end the exploitation of resources, collaborate with the government in resource management, and take interest in careers contributing to environmental preservation and biodiversity protection.

She stressed, “The solution begins with us.  If we want to avoid hunger, we need to stop our practice of exploiting the world’s resources as if there is no tomorrow.  The world is not just about us. There is a future and resources need to be protected and conserved for those who will be born beyond our time.”

Legarda cited pending measures in the Senate such as the Integrated Coastal Management Act and the National Land Use Act which promote the sustainability of marine and land resources, respectively. She likewise highlighted the identification of eco-towns under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

“As I have said before, the ground level work and the parallel environmental initiatives in the Senate may not get screaming headlines. But they represent big, determined steps for the Filipinos and the rich biodiversity we thrive in,” Legarda concluded.

Senate backs bill extending prescriptive period for graft cases, says Drilon

MANILA-In another move to add more teeth to the Aquino administration’s campaign against corruption, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today underscored the need to double the prescriptive period for the prosecution of graft cases from 15 to 30 years.   

The Senate chief said Upper Chamber fully supports House Bill No. 4146 that would increase the prescriptive period giving judicial authorities more time to prosecute unresolved graft cases within 30 years. The bill was recently approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.

"Our justice system can only be a strong deterrent against possible malfeasance if we demonstrate that no matter the passing of years, a crime remains a crime and those who committed them must answer for them,” stressed Drilon.

The former Justice Secretary said the bill would empower and capacitate judicial authorities to commence prosecution of corrupt officials within 30 years from the commission of the crime.

Under the current system, a 15-year prescription is being observed in the filing of graft cases and after such period, the government may no longer prosecute graft cases.  

"We must not let time hinder our quest for justice. It is imperative then that we legislate the necessary reforms that will strengthen our justice and legal system,” said Drilon.

Drilon said that the bill, along with other anti-corruption measures, is “a manifestation of the determination of Congress to stamp-out corruption in the country, especially in light of the recent controversy regarding the pork barrel funds.”

Drilon also noted that the proposed measure will complement the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law recently passed by Senate in third and final reading, saying that the enactment of the two bills into law are crucial in the fight against corruption.

Drilon said the Sandiganbayan Charter is seen “to hasten the disposition of cases in the anti-graft court, which now has a backlog of 3,000 cases which would take five or more years before they are promulgated.

The Senate leader 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.”

“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.

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.”

“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,” he concluded.