Major, major smuggling

Double dead meat or botcha has turned up in Balintawak, QC; Payatas, QC; Paco, Manila; Caloocan; Bulacan; Angeles City; Baguio City; Tarlac and Cebu.

This strengthens our conclusion that the proliferation of so much botcha comes from China. In August, fifty-three 40-ft containers declared to contain chicken feet were intercepted at Subic Port and ordered to be returned to Hong Kong, the port of origin. Documents from Hong Kong Customs authorities show the ship, MV Yu Huan Quan left Hong Kong on Aug. 3 for Subic, arrived in Subic Aug. 5, inspected at Subic Customs and the Bureau of Animal Industry who banned the entry of the bird flu virus found in Hong Kong. The ship was supposed to leave for Hong Kong Aug. 12. Hong Kong Custom’s records show it arrived back in Hong Kong only on Aug. 18. Where did it go for six days to discharge the 53 containers?  

And here’s the rub: Hong Kong documents show the cargo was frozen meat, not chicken feet, meaning the Subic Customs entry documents are fake. They also declared it was for transhipment to Vietnam. This is a major public health issue. It has been brought to the attention of Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, the suspended Alabang golfer. He has done nothing to charge all the Subic Customs personnel who allowed this dangerous importation.

Commissioner Alvarez has also done nothing to address the complaint of General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio on the widespread smuggling of rice, sugar, luxury cars and other prohibited items in that port, allegedly perpetrated by a big time syndicate called the Kimberly gang composed of four big time brokers/facilitators based in Manila with strong connections to BOC officials. The same group is operating in the Davao port according to Rodolfo Reta, owner of the Aquarius Container Yard. Reta charged that Customs officials demanded P150,000 for every container released without inspection. In the Port of Manila, it’s P160-180,000 per container.

What is disturbing is the fact that the connivance of Customs personnel with smugglers means it’s open door also for entry of illegal drugs, firearms, explosives and pirated discs.

The presence of big quantities of shabu all over the country definitely is proof of the corruption of Customs personnel.

The proliferation of smuggling is also indicated by the failure of Commissioner Alvarez to achieve his collection target for November, the 5th month in a row. Alvarez only collected P18.2 billion against its target of 26.9 billion. What’s his excuse? He says he needs foreign technology to stop smuggling.

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CONCURRING. . Justice Arturo D. Brion wrote an excellent 60-page concurring opinion in the case of the Truth Commission. Justice Brion cited 5 fatal defects of Executive Order No. 1, the very first Executive Order issued by President Simeon Benigno C. Aquino III:

1. It is violative of due process requirements;

2. It is violative of the Constitutional role of separation of powers;

3. It has an unconstitutional impact on the established legal framework of the criminal justice system;

4. It violates the personal rights of the accused and their Constitutional rights to a fair trial;

5. It violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

Justice Brion discussed extensively the doctrine of separation of powers, reminding the Executive Department that only Congress has the authority to create an office.

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OVERSTAYING REGISTER OF DEEDS. .Raymund Ramos, Register of Deeds of Parañaque, was designated concurrent Acting Register of Deeds of Makati to substitute for Makati RDO Donylene Yara who went on maternity leave.  Yara has now returned to work after giving birth but Ramos refuses to leave. There must be a million reasons why. Meanwhile, Parañaque residents are complaining about the long wait for action on their cases.

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TIDBITS. . . The Supreme Court decision invalidating the creation of the Truth Commission proves VP Binay was right when he rejected the position. . . A new British study reports that taking low dose of aspirin a day reduces the risk of colon cancer. . . Jessie Ejercito is the co-chair of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. . . Squatters are staying on the sidewalks of NIA road, just a stone’s throw from Quezon City Hall. Why is Mayor Herbert Bautista not doing anything to help these poor people? . .

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has withdrawn her objection to the confirmation of Education Sec. Armin Luistro. P-Noy appointed Horacio Suansing Jr., a recommendee of Sen. Miriam, as Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement. . .   

Another poor taxi driver, Eddie Barbaroda was shot dead at Visayas Ave., QC. The suspected killer, Jomari Lata was identified by a civic minded newsman Deo Rebamba, who happened to witness the killing. . . Barangay Kagawad Cristina Rilloraza was shot dead by a masked gunman in San Fernando, La Union. A Japanese tourist, Yuichi Kato lost P100,000 to a thief who grabbed his backpack in Ermita, Manila.

Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of Butuan scored President Aquino for openly lambasting the Supreme Court. He advised P-Noy to respect the Supreme Court decision. Malacañang Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa showed his arrogance when he said he will include all past administrations, including President Aguinaldo’s.   

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile graced our inaugural radio program last Sunday over station DZRJ-AM which airs from 8 to 9 a.m. Nicole Jacinto, RJ Jacinto’s youngest daughter, was our guest co-host. Immigration agent Amando Amisola who returned an envelope of a million pesos to a departing passenger was our “Citizen of the Week”.

Thank you to contractor Antonio Evangelista, stockbroker Peter T. Roxas, DZMM’s Alex Calda and Gov. Tommy Joson for listening to our program.