Case closed

Last week, this column affirmed its faith in the leaders and men of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid speculations that it was under some pressure in connection with its probe into the death of Trinidad “Trina” Etong, wife of broadcaster Ted Failon.

The speculations came in the wake of the delay in the scheduled release of NBI’s official report on the Trina Etong case. The scuttlebutt was that some powerful personalities who had an axe to grind against Ted were bent on making sure that the anticipated NBI probe report can be used against the broadcaster.

We said that our faith remained strong that the NBI would not succumb to the pressure. The agency knows that it was some kind of a “court of last resort” as far as the investigation of Trina’s death was concerned. The earlier investigation by the Quezon City police was shelved because of perceptions that it was being “too hard” on Ted and Trina’s relatives. Only the NBI could conduct an impartial and fair probe.

We are right. If ever there was such pressure, the NBI did not succumb to it. It did its job and, despite a delay, has finally released its final and official report.

We congratulate NBI Director Nestor Mantaring and his men for a job well done.

There are three important things that have been accomplished here.

First, the NBI has further strengthened the faith of the nation on its integrity and independence. This is very important. As we said before, the judicial process is highly dependent on the results of a credible investigation. This is possible only if the judicial system and the public believes in the agency that conducts the probe.

Second, the NBI has further assured us of its competence in doing its job. Perusing media reports on the release of its findings, one can only come to a conclusion that the NBI did an airtight investigation, and has the know-how and capability to come up with a report that can stand public scrutiny.

Third, the release of the NBI report concluding that Trina’s death was clearly a case of suicide has brought a controversy to a close and now allows the Etong family to be left alone and grieve their loss.

The glare of the media spotlight and the nasty controversy deprived Trina’s bereaved of that much needed process of grief-and-then-acceptance that would bring this sad chapter in their lives to a fitting closure.  Now, let us leave them in peace.

As Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said, with the release of the NBI’s official report, the death of Trina Etong is now considered “case closed”.

In the meantime, we hope that our colleague Ted would rediscover his own peace as he finally goes into a time of grief and reflection. Our hope and prayer is that this sad episode in his life would not take away from him the fire within, the passion for crusading journalism.

Twin power bills

Two pending bills in the Senate deserve our strong support.

Any bill for that matter that will help lower the cost of electricity in way that is fair to all parties concerned should be supported.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has sponsored the so-called ‘twin power bills,’ Senate Bills 3147 and 3148, both of which aim to reduce power costs:

One calls for the imposition of a uniform franchise tax on the gross distribution income of distribution utilities including electric cooperatives. This proposed UFT will replace all other levies and taxes being paid by these utilities.

This means that it will benefit not only the electricity consumers in the metropolis but also those in the provinces.

The other calls for the reduction of government’s share in the exploration and development of indigenous energy sources such as natural gas.

The government has been collecting billions of pesos in royalties from these projects. It is high time for consumers to directly benefit from these government fees by using these instead to bring down electricity costs. 

This objective is embodied in Senate Bill 3148 or the Electricity Rate Reduction Act which reduces the royalties paid to the government to three percent of net proceeds levied on generation companies.

Though the bills may slightly reduce government revenues, this reduction in turn should serve as a stimulus to the ailing Philippine economy in this time of crisis.

The idea is very simple. If Filipinos will pay less for their electricity bills, they will have more money to spend for other needs which will redound to better purchasing power and thus more revenues to the government.

Not so hidden agenda

The UPLaw’80 Foundation Inc., in collaboration with Trece Martirez City Mayor Jun de Sagun, recently hosted the highly successful fund raising golf fellowship at the Sherwood Golf Club in Trece Martirez City, for the benefit of the Star Scholarship Fund. Noted sportsman Butch Brodette was adjudged the low gross champion while golfing enthusiast Nitri Espiritu won the low net award.

Businessman Martin Chan dominated the Class A Division, while Leopoldo dela Cruz of ICTSI, one of the major sponsors, clinched the Class B Division, besting former Dasmariñas City Mayor Homer Saguilayan who came in First Runner-Up. Class C meanwhile, has Square Tan of SCT Contempo Designs as champion, while Eddie Mendoza of First Metro Investments was first runners-up.

The event raised funds for the education of deserving students of Trece Martirez City, particularly the children affected by an industrial accident in said city last January. It attracted scores of golf enthusiasts, including among others, Deputy Ombudsman Victor Fernandez, AUB xhairman Jacinto Ng, and other businessmen and professionals, both local and foreign.

The UPLaw’80 is led by president Raoul Angangco and executive vice president Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. Other members of the foundation’s Board of Trustees are Justice Undersecretary Linda Malenab-Hornilla, and legal eagles Katrina Legarda, Judge Rafael Lagos, Arno Sanidad, Nonoy Tan, Juju Lotilla, Yeyen Aquino, Marites Sison-Go, Jun Garcia, Julio Elamparo, among others. The chairman was the late Undersecretary Louie Liwanag.

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