Pork barrel fiesta

It has been known for decades here and in the US that pork barrel funds are a major source of corruption. The going “kickback” or “tongpats” on public works projects is 30 percent. It could go up to 80 percent for ghost projects. The accepted practice is for the pork barrel sponsor to designate the contractor in a rigged bidding procedure.

When President Aquino was elected in 2010, hopes were high that he would abolish or at least start to reduce the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Road Users Tax fund and other congressional insertions.

It did not happen. In the 2011 budget to be signed on Dec. 27, pork barrel allocations of the top officials have been increased instead to wit:

For the President - P12 billion in addition to the Pagcor Social Fund, the contingent fund and PCSO fund.

For the Vice President - P200 million

For the Senators - P200 million plus P100 million on insertions plus P15 million each for Members of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

For Congressmen - P70 million plus P50 million per district from DPWH funds plus P15 million for CA members.

The pork barrel fever has reached local governments. Quezon City Councilors get P43 million each. Provincial Board Members of Class 1 provinces get P5-10 million each. In addition, Mayors, Vice Mayors and Councilors of cities with casinos get millions from Pagcor.      Congressmen, Governors, Provincial Board Members, Mayors, Vice Mayors and Councilors get millions a year from STL and jueteng operators.

Walang matuwid na daan dito.

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GOOD COP. .Our hats off to Senior Inspector Renato Apolinario of the Pasay police who chased 4 kidnappers and prevented the abduction of Indian national James Kumar, on F.B. Harrison St. Apolinario suffered 4 gunshot wounds in the shootout.

Juan Torregoza, 37, an ABS-CBN cameraman was shot dead by Benjie Bate, his neighbor, with an improvised shotgun. The problem again is the proliferation of loose firearms.

Meanwhile, in wild, wild west Zamboanga City, Barangay Kagawad Ibno Akman, 42, and his son Benhur of Lamitan, Basilan was ambushed right beside City Hall. Again, by 2 motorcycle riding assassins. Ibno survived but Benhur died. Motive was revenge. Again, no shortage of firearms in Zamboanga and Basilan.

In Quezon City, another taxi driver is killed. Cab driver Osmundo Rosario Jr., 47, was found dead with 6 gunshot wounds in Old Balara.

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TOTAL CORRUPTION AT BOC. . Corruption is still a way of life at the Bureau of Customs from the big bosses allowing big time smuggling of oil, rice, sugar and ukay ukay to lower officers filching “samples” from containers.

The Department of Finance Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) filed charges against Intelligence officers Mitchelle Verdeflor and Eric Albano, clerk Jover Jordan for stealing samples from a shipment. Did you notice that all Customs employees have expensive cellphones and many have expensive laptops? These are “samples”.

P-Noy should order a total revamp at BOC from top to bottom. After all, they failed to achieve their collection target for 6 months running.

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PLAY IT AGAIN, BUTCH. .The outstanding example that things have not changed under President Aquino is the delay in the payment of Christmas bonuses of 500,000 school teachers who will have a dry Christmas again this year. Only Metro Manila and 3 Luzon provinces have paid out the teachers’ Christmas bonus as of yesterday.

Nono Esguerra, chairman of the Teachers Dignity expressed the teachers’ dismay:

“We are a bit disappointed by the delay because teachers nationwide expected a Merry Christmas thus, anticipated its release to our respective schools before the (Christmas) break starts.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said he is hopeful that the bonuses will be paid before classes resume in January.

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TIDBITS. . . It is a correct move for President Aquino to increase soldiers’ combat pay from P240 to P500/mo. How about the teachers and rural health personnel in combat areas? They should get extra compensation, too. Pity the kidnapped teachers of Basilan and Zamboanga.

The Makati Business Club and Management Association of the Philippines have condemned the plea bargaining agreement entered into by the special prosecutor and General Carlos C. Garcia.

Our Christmas greetings to President Erap, Senator Loi, Sen. Jinggoy, Mayor JV, Mayor Guia and family, to Vice President Jojo Binay, Dra. Elenita, Mayor Junjun, Congw. Abby and their families, to Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile and to his Senate staff headed by Gigi Gonzales Reyes, to Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Vice Mayor Joy, Miguel, Isaac and their families, Senator Gringo and Jane Honasan, to Deputy Speaker Noli Fuentebella, Mayor Evelyn, Mayor Arnie, Commissioner Wimpy and their families, to Laarni Enriquez, to Baby Magsaysay, Tony and Ching Evangelista, Congressmen Toby Tiangco, Danny Suarez, Rex Gatchalian, Rufus Rodriguez, Sonny Collantes, Trisha Bonoan David, to Albertito and Emily Lopez, to Popoy and Margie Juico, to Baby Asistio, Baby Arenas, Eric Tagle, Melo Santiago, William Gatchalian, Jessie Ejercito, Ding Quintos, Bing and Tita de Villa, Ann Bilbao, Johnny Ng, Dante Go, Andrew Tan, Pancho Villaraza, Peter Roxas, Joey Roxas, Cio Lim, Mike Jacalan, Chito Hermosura, RJ Jacinto, Anthony Taberna, and Arnold Clavio. Also to Nilo Raymundo, Lito Lopez, Dr. Renato Cheng, Kenneth Ching, Sultan Bobby Catimbang and Agilang Pilipino leaders. Thank you for your gifts.