Alvarez insults P-Noy

Sacked Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez claims that smugglers were behind his ouster. Does he not have enough intelligence to realize that he just said that smugglers now influence or worse control presidential decisions?

Is he referring to a particular big time customs smuggler who is known to have friends in the palace and who claims to have contributed P500 million to the presidential campaign?

The bottom line: Alvarez missed his target monthly for 14 months with the deficit totalling P22 billion. That speaks for itself. That’s irreputable proof of incompetence to say the least.  

It was a bad appointment period.

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10,000 CONTAINERS?. . . In an effort to clear himself, outgoing Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez confirmed our earlier column that more than 5,000 containers approved for transhipment from Manila to Batangas are missing.

Alvarez revealed that from January to December 2010, 3,656 containers are unaccounted for. Add that to the 1910 missing containers from January to June 2011. That brings the total to 5,566 missing containers so far.

Alvarez should have discovered the scam between July 2010 when he assumed office and June 2011 when the 1910 missing containers exploded on the scene.

For him to report the 3,656 missing containers from January to December 2011 does not give him credit but, to contrary he has a lot of explaining to do.

With Alvarez’ admission of 3,656 missing containers transhipped to the port of Batangas alone, we shall raise our estimate of missing containers to 10,000 considering the thousands approved for transhipment from MICP to the Port of Manila, to Subic, Clark, San Fernando, La Union and other ports.

This is a conclusive picture of a Customs intelligence service and Customs police totally incompetent if not totally participating in the outright smuggling.

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PURISIMA’S FAULT. . . With President Aquino finally sacking Alvarez, the major part of the blame goes to DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima who together with former Commissioners Bert Lina and other Hyatt 10 members recommended Alvarez. Moreover, as early as January 2011, President Aquino was minded to boot out Alvarez but again, Purisima protected him as admitted by the President himself.

Six months of not achieving the BOC collection target was enough reason to replace a Commissioner.  But, Purisima insisted on keeping him, even after 12 months of missing the target. Purisima never issued an order to investigate the missing containers.

There’s something mysterious here.

In the same way that he decided to resign in July 2005, Sec. Purisima can show his delicadeza by resigning again, for his mistake in recommending and protecting Alvarez. Business organizations have estimated the loss from oil smuggling alone at P127 billion a year, something that Alvarez and Purisima have failed to stop.

Congratulations are in order to Congressmen Mitos Magsaysay, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Rey Umali and Hermilando Mandanas for paving the way for the firing of Angelito Alvarez. As Congresswoman Magsaysay said in a radio interview over DZRJ-AM, several approaches were made to her for an “areglo” but she turned them all down.

With all the revelations coming out, the House Ways and Means Committee must pursue its investigation to its logical conclusion. Just solving the oil smuggling issue alone will negate any need for new taxes.

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DISTURBING. . . It is disturbing and worrisome that US and NATO allies helped Libyan rebels win over President Moammar Gadhafi of Libya. It is now supporting protesters to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

It’s just like US coming in to help Muslim rebels win over the Philippine government.

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ELUSIVE. . . Renegade MILF Commander Umbra Kato vowed Tuesday to destroy the peace efforts between MILF and the government.

That should be enough reason for the government and MILF to join forces to track him down.

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TIDBITS . . . Seen in Hong Kong were La Union Congressmen Victor Ortega, with Mary Jane and children. He confirmed that upon Speaker Belmonte’s insistence, he accepted the Chairmanship of the Committee on Inter Parliamentary Relations and Democracy (IPRD) previously held by the late Cong. Antonio Diaz, but he remains with the Minority.

Also in Hong Kong were Congressman Florencio Noel and wife, Cong. Josephine Noel of Malabon.

Senator Serge Osmeña and Cong. Amado Bagatsing want Vice President Noli de Castro and the Pag-IBIG Board charged for approving the P6 billion loan to Globe Asiatique.

Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. said dengue is under control in his province with a lower death rate than last year. Good job, sir.

Add Aurora and Zambales to the list of provinces hit by dengue.

Congratulations to NCRPO Chief, Director Alan Purisima for arresting Albert Galang dela Cruz, 32, in Las Piñas, the robber of 23 dental clinics who raped some of his victims.

The death toll from typhoon Mina has reached 25.

Sen. Chiz Escudero is correct. Since Archibald Po of Lion Air and the Arroyo brothers deny ownership of the five Robinson R44 helicopters, the government should seize and forfeit the two left in the hangar for nonpayment of taxes like confiscated ukay ukay, Maling or sugar shipments.

The SEC and PSE have approved the Puregold IPO of Lucio Co with 72 stores and a net income of P1.6 billion this year. BIR should investigate these figures claimed in the P10.8 billion IPO offering.

Economist Dr. Bernardo Villegas correctly points out that Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have outgrown the Philippines because of their government’s success in agriculture.

Congratulations to former Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Wigberto Tañada as chairmen of the boards of corporations under the UCPB-CIIF.  Also to Alfredo Non and Gloria Yap Taruc as Board Members of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) headed by Chairman Zeny Ducut.

Greetings to Mario Soriano of Sampaloc, Manila. Special thanks to Rep. Ana York Bondoc.