Unbelievably crude

PNP Director General Raul Bacalso reported that 27 PNP officers, 10 of them Generals or Colonels participated in inspecting, receiving and approving the purchase of two used helicopters passed off as brand new.

No one complained, no one objected because the seller was no other than the First Gentleman, Jose Miguel Arroyo as testified to in the Senate.

This follows previous exposes by PCSO and Pagcor officials equally as crude. PCSO GM Rosario Uriarte used P325 million of charity funds for “intelligence purposes” to fight terrorism and jueteng operations. Pagcor Chairman Ephraim Genuino released several hundred millions to Trace College and Bida Foundation headed by his children and more than a billion for overpriced coffee to close friends also involved in Bida Foundation.

They threw caution to the winds because arrogance of power made them believe GMA would stay in power forever. They assumed GMA would continue to be Prime Minister and would rule for years to come. That’s the only credible rationale why they acted so crudely and so carelessly.

An inspecting officer signing the inspection report without physically inspecting the delivered helicopters, an approving General signing the acceptance without checking the inspection and delivery papers, the PNP General who is the comptroller and the director general approving the P104 million payment without checking or questioning the procedures and price paid.

Archibald Po, Asian Spirit and Lion Air president was a willing co-principal because he carried out FG’s instructions and profited from the scam and so did Hilario de Vera of Maptra.

This is an excellent opportunity for new Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to justify her appointment. Take over the case today motu propio and file the plunder case in 30 days. Give the First Gentleman his day in court.

One wonders how many second hand or substandard guns, radios, handcuffs, vehicles and other equipments were bought by the PNP? Worst, ghost delivery of uniforms, T-shirts and boots.

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ALSO CRUDE. . Rep. Henedina Abad was given P364.8 million for her lone district of Batanes with a population of 15,974. Representatives Mark Cagas (Davao del Sur, 1st dist.), Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st dist.), Toby Tiangco (Navotas) and 15 other Congressmen have good reason to complain why their pork barrel have not been released.

The release to Rep. Abad is especially objectionable because the releasing official, DBM Secretary Butch Abad, is her husband and the PMS Chief Julia Abad is her daughter.

No straight path here.   

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WAITING LOSERS. . Gen. Danny Lim was recommended by DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima to be appointed director of the Bureau of Corrections.  P-Noy rejected it and appointed Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan.

Ex-Cong. Nerius Acosta was recommended by Senators Mar Roxas and Frank Drilon to be DENR Secretary. He lost out to Sec. Ramon Paje.

Ex-Congresswoman Rizza Hontiveros was expecting a major appointment.  Her friend Ronald Llamas landed a Cabinet job instead.

Cong. Ruffy Biazon is still floating. Looks like the losing senatorial candidates have not made good impressions with President Aquino. The problem: most of his classmates and his buddies got the plum positions. There are no good positions left for Danny Lim, Nerius Acosta, Rizza Hontiveros and Ruffy Biazon, not even Ambassadors because DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario only wants career ambassadors.

Also waiting for appointments are Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca who lost, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio who lost, Cong. Victor Agbayani who lost as Governor of Pangasinan, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon who lost his Congressional fight, Hilario Davide Jr., LP candidate for Governor of Cebu, Cesar Montano, LP candidate for Governor of Bohol and Venchito Campana, LP candidate for Governor of Cavite.

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HEALTH DOWN. . DOH reports that HIV cases have reached 2,000 and 27 percent of donated blood is HIV infected.

The province of Ilocos Sur declared a state of calamity due to the hike of dengue cases to 1,000. Dingras, Ilocos Norte also declared a state of calamity because of dengue, with the province recording 384 cases.

Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 cause of death. Only Metro Manila and Davao City have facilities for open heart surgery cases.

More than 200 municipalities have no doctor. As a rule, rural health units in most towns can visit a barangay only once a month. No new vehicles have been provided for rural health units. DBM Secretary Butch Abad said that only 2,500 additional nurses will be hired under the 2012 budget. In contrast, DSWD is getting 4,000 additional personnel and new vehicles.

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TIDBITS. . . With the proof of cheating in the 2004 elections coming out, I agree with Sen. Loren Legarda that she won as Vice President in 2004.  She was also victimized by the big votes GMA and Noli de Castro obtained in Maguindanao, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Pampanga and other Muslim provinces.

Ret. Gen. Danny Lim revealed on ANC that former Chief of Staff Generoso Senga admitted to him that he also participated in cheating for GMA.

The appointment of Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan as Bucor director despite a pending plunder case has raised eyebrows.

Leonardo Reynon, 56, an OFW was shot dead in a cockfight in Barangay Gulod in crime ridden Quezon City. Two bus holdups, one on Diosdado Macapagal Ave., the other in Los Baños, Laguna.

DA Sec. Proceso Alcala is taking steps to revive the garlic industry of Ilocos Norte. Stop the smuggling of garlic and onions to begin with.

Our radio program “Mr. Expose” over DZRJ-AM scheduled for Thursdays has been moved to Saturdays at 5 to 6 p.m. It also airs on Sundays from 8-9:30 a.m.

Condolences to the family of Cong. Antonio Diaz, 83, of Zambales who died of heart failure yesterday morning at 6:23 a.m.  He was an excellent lawmaker.