Mega problem

One of the earliest acts of President Aquino was to cancel the P18.7 billion Laguna Lake dredging project awarded to BDC, a Belgian firm. It is not hard to surmise that the cancellation was due to a belief that the project is grossly overpriced and a hefty commission has been paid to the previous administra-tion’s powers that be.

The other reason given is that after the dredging project is completed, the lake will again be silted after 4 years due to continuing erosion of the nearby deforested mountains.

P-Noy wants a more permanent solution that would not only dredge the 94,000 hectare lake which is now just about 2 meters deep from 20 meters 10 years ago, but would also prevent continued siltation. The option - build a circumferential road which would serve as a mega dike to hold back the said erosion from the mountains. But in any case, you have to dredge the lake.

There’s a classic dilemma here. Cancelling the contract means that the present heavily silted and contaminated situation of Laguna Lake will continue for at least six years. Maybe more, considering that new plans and the bidding will take at least three years to complete. Once awarded the mega dike will at least take four years to build.

In the meantime, the dangers of another typhoon Ondoy damage happening and the recurrent floods in Metro Manila will continue. The low supply of fish and the mercury contamination will continue, too.

Note that there are only three companies in the world that are qualified to implement such a big project, the Belgian BDC being one of them, Belgian Jan de Nul and a French firm. It is easy to believe reports that the two other companies have latched on to the new powers that be.

P-Noy’s decision to cancel the Belgian contract means continuing hardship of millions of residents in Laguna, Rizal and Metro Manila.

The Solomonic solution — continue the Belgian contract for immediate relief at the same finalizing plans for the circumferential road/mega dike follow-up project which will take at least three years to finalize and bid out.

Laguna Governor E.R. Ejercito Estregan wants the Belgian contract honored. Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez is helping the Belgians. A ranking Liberal Senator is lobbying for another company. Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr. agrees with P-Noy’s mega dike option. In the meantime, the 30 or so factories emptying their waste including mercury should be closed down. Also, the illegal reclamation of land and illegal construction should also be stopped.

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GOOD DECISION … Robert Vergara, GSIS president and general manager, plans to double the GSIS stock portfolio in the next 12-18 months to obtain higher returns on its investment. GSIS needs an 8 percent return on its investments to meet its actuarial needs. Under the previous administration, the GSIS lost money on its foreign investments.

Most Philippine blue chip stocks like Ayala Corporation, San Miguel, Alliance Global, Aboitiz Powers and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, BPI, BDO and Metrobank have increased in price from 30-100 percent in 2009-2010.  Dividends have also increased. Vergara’s decision is a good one.  

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FORGET IT … Malacañang and its legal panel is preparing a Motion for Reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s 10-5 decision declaring the Truth Commission unconstitutional. Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman is correct that it’s doubtful the Supreme Court will reverse its decision. To begin with, you need at least three Justices voting in the majority to change their vote.

Besides, just adding previous administrations to be covered by the Truth Commission will not cure the infirmities of E.O. No. 1 as Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Teresita  de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Jose Perez and Lucas Bersamin pointed out there are five fatal defects as it is now worded involving separation of powers and due process considerations.

After accusing the Supreme Court of being “blind and deaf”, after calling the decision a “political payback” to GMA, as a measure to protect GMA from plunder charges, after questioning the legality of the Chief Justice’s election and snubbing him? Do you think there’s any sympathy left among the 10 Justices for the Administration’s position?

Consider the following statement of Sol. General Anselmo Cadiz: “The Supreme Court’s decision is a payment of gratitude by Justices appointed by Arroyo.”

“The court ruling was consistent with the tribunal’s past rulings which seemed to “protect Arroyo from corruption charges.”

Cadiz should be cited for contempt. Or at least throw out his MR without comment within 72 hours.

Only Justices Conchita C. Morales (June 2011); Antonio Nachura (June 2011) and Roberto Abad (May 2014) will retire during P-Noy’s term.  P-Noy should make peace with the Supreme Court.

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STILL COUNTING … The number of heinous crimes now being committed is still piling up. Students Sheila Mae Vidal, 18 and Alber Baricuatro, 19, were kidnapped by gunmen while walking towards their classes inside Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi. Four Caloocan policemen were charged by NCRPO Director Nick Bartolome with kidnapping Julie Ann Espejon, 17 and Gemma Pelegro, 42.4 policemen were also accused of killing Maria Cristina Maru, a jeweler in Las Piñas Friday. Three escaped, but one PO2 Bayani Mercado of the Tayabas, Quezon police station was captured.

How can you reduce crime when policemen themselves are the criminals?

Four persons were massacred in Barangay Panubigan, Zamboanga City. Akmadol Maharadol and three of his children were executed firing squad style by several gunmen who barged into his house.

Assassins have reached Occidental Mindoro killing Ex Mayor Efren Talactac of Rizal town and his brother Teodulo, by 2 motorcycle riding gunmen at a bridge connecting Rizal and San Jose. Michael Panaligan, an aide of Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting was shot dead.

Rafael Villapando, president of a jeepney drivers association in San Pablo Laguna was shot dead by a lone gunman on foot.