Suspend the VAT on oil

A transport strike happened yesterday led by PISTON. Three of their main complaints are the continued extortion by kotong cops, the refusal of the President to suspend the 12 percent VAT on oil products and non certification of a bill to revoke the oil deregulation law.

The continuing corruption in the ranks of policemen and traffic enforcers is proof that P-Noy’s daang matuwid policy is not being taken seriously by the bureaucracy. PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome and MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, shape up and collar your kotong cops.

President Aquino and Sec. Mar Roxas insist that the VAT collections are needed to build schools and fund basic services. But that argument loses validity in the light of the underspending policy of the Aquino Administration. The government is holding a lot of money, it is not spending so suspending the VAT on oil products for a year will not hurt basic services. The Senate Committee on Finance has discovered P7.5 billion of ghost farm-to-market roads. The P100 billion Malampaya fund is missing. There’s P6 billion lying idle in the coconut levy funds. DBM is impounding P2 billion in unused funds due to non filling of vacant position. The reduction of collections from VAT on oil products can be covered up by a successful anti smuggling effort by the new Bureau of Customs leadership.

PISTON president George San Mateo has valid reasons to call a transport strike. After 15 months, nothing has been done to stop the excessive increase in diesel and gasoline prices which will give the oil companies a P30 billion net profit this year.

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PRESIDENTIABLES. . . Lakas presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro spoke at a convocation at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Law.

Jamby Madrigal showed up at the Dos Por Dos program of Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja over DZMM.

President Joseph Estrada was the guest speaker at the 43rd anniversary dinner of the Manila Sampaloc Lions Club headed by President Michael Sato. Also at the Rotary Club of Baguio.

Sen. Manny Villar has been active in the Senate leading the fight against LRT/MRT fare increases.  

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MAGNIFICENT 12 HONORED. . . The 20th anniversary of the rejection of the US Bases Treaty on Sept. 21, 2001 was commemorated with a program at the Club Filipino sponsored by 3 foundations — Lorenzo Tañada Foundation, Renato Constantino Foundation and Jose W. Diokno Foundation. The 12 Magnificent Senators who voted NO to the treaty were honored, namely: Agapito Butz Aquino, Juan Ponce Enrile, Joseph Erap Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel II represented by son, Bobby, this columnist, Orly Mercado, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Rene Saguisag, Jovito R. Salonga, Wigberto Tañada and Victor S. A. Ziga.

Guest of honor was VP Jejomar Binay. Also in attendance: Senators Kit Tatad and Nikki Coseteng, Usec Alex Padilla, CHR Chairman Etta Rosales, Dodong Nemenzo, Randy David, RC Constantino Jr., Nini Quezon Avanceña, Maria Socorro Diokno and Dep. Speaker Erin Tañada.  

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CARJACKING, MORE KILLINGS. . . Lawyer Daiza Anne Ong, 26, lost her Toyota Fortuner to carjackers who blocked her car on Mayon Street, Barangay Del Pilar in Makati at 3 a.m. Advice to lady drivers: avoid driving out late at night. You are favorite targets of carjackers.

Killings everywhere — in Davao City, Cristituto Bual, superintendent of Saggitarius Mines, Inc. was shot dead by 2 motorcycle gunmen while jogging inside his subdivision in Barangay Bangkal. In Isabela, Basilan, Nicater Gonzalo, an officer of the Basilan LP chapter was gunned down by unknown assailants. Indian businesswoman, Sonia Bobjwani, 30 was shot dead by a fellow Indian in Isabela province. Businesswoman Lolita Javier, 72, was killed and his son Hector, 44, seriously wounded when 2 gunmen on a motorcycle fired at their Hyundai Starex at P. Ocampo street in Malate, Manila.

Truck driver Henry Baraquias was shot dead by hijackers who took his truck at Tondo, Manila.

Senior Jail Officer Edgardo Almarines shot dead English teacher Hardington Uy at a restaurant in Harrison, Pasay; 3 persons were killed in Biñan, Laguna.

Killings are a dime a dozen throughout the country. All these killings were done with the use of guns. When is the PNP going to conduct an honest to goodness campaign to collect more than one millon loose firearms?

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CUSTOMS PABAON. . . In the last few days of Comm. Angelito Alvarez last 2 minute deals went thru:

1. P80 million worth of seized goods were awarded to a favored buyer for only P11 million in a negotiated transaction.

2. A big shipment of sugar entered thru the port of Subic without payment of Customs duties.

3. An importer of bags from China was asked to pay P600,000 under the table to an officer who said it was a pabaon.

Meanwhile, “players” from Muntinlupa headed by a city official are rejoicing that their “boss” is now Commissioner.

TIDBITS. . . AFP Spokesperson Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., disputes Ambassador Kristie Kenney’s assessment that the military is incapable to defeat the NPAs. Of course, they will deny that. The truth is: The NPA has been around for 30 years and the last few weeks have been launching attacks.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reduced its GDP forecast for the Philippines from 5 percent to 4.7 percent this year.

Dutch financial giant ING lowered its Philippine growth forecast for the whole year from 5.2 to only 4 percent.

DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson said Korea never repairs its roads for 15 years.

Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup was received by President Aquino at the NAIA 10 p.m. Sunday before he left for New York.

Greetings to our avid readers: Cong. Winnie Castelo (LP, Quezon City, 2nd dist.), Atty. Perry and Lita Sales, Mayor Jay Vergara of Cabanatuan and Boyet Cruz.

Our Twitter address — Twitter.com/senmaceda.