Mixed messages
Malacañang is sending mixed messages on the RH bill.
Sec. Edwin Lacierda said discussions on the RH bill were ongoing and it would be better to wait before certifying the bill.
Lacierda admitted “we have not met with the House leadership yet. We will see.”
On the other hand, PLLO Secretary Manuel Mamba said “President Aquino was adamant at seeing the measure passed but would like to build a consensus among the lawmakers.”
If the President is serious in his support for the RH bill, then he should call a caucus with the House leadership and the majority congressmen.
It has been seen how hard he pushed for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona. He pushed hard for the Sin Tax bill.
It is clear that he has not pushed as hard for the RH bill. There are now doubts as to whether he really wants it approved. He met with the senators on the Sin Tax measure. He should meet with them on the RH bill if he wants it to pass.
On the other hand, the all-out campaign of the CBCP against the RH bill is gaining ground.
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3 YEARS AND COUNTING . . Understandably, families of the 58 victims of the of the Maguindanao massacre are calling for speedier trial.
But with 194 suspects and 81 arraigned it is also understandable why it is taking so long to finish.
In an update on the trial, Cleo Guerra, Supreme Court spokesman said that Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes has held 264 trial sessions and has heard the testimony of 100 witnesses.
Guerra said that 35 prosecutors are actively handling the case against the 57 defense lawyers who have filed 307 motions.
With so many accused and so many witnesses, it is clear that Judge Solis Reyes is doing her best. There is no way to expedite the cases as due process requires that the accused be given every opportunity to defend themselves. After all, this is a capital crime.
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SIN TAX DEBATE . . Sen. Franklin Drilon predicts that there will be tough bargaining in the bicameral conference committee on the issue of increased taxes on liquor products. The Senate version calls for a 60-40 tax ratio on cigarettes and liquor respectively. This will raise P26 billion from cigarettes and P14 billion from liquor products.
The House version seeks to collect only P5 billion from liquor products. There are 4 big businessmen involved in the liquor industry. They will certainly lobby hard to reduce the proposed tax increase on liquor products.
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VALID POINTS . . Senator Allan Peter Cayetano is doing a good job of asking the Comelec to explain how it has solved the glitches that occurred in the use of PCOS machine in 2010.
He is also questioning the paper procurement contract of the private printer Holy Family, Inc. He also questioned the reduction of transmission of results from 3 to 2.
I am glad that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is taking a special interest in fiscalizing the Comelec. It will only result in improvements in the electoral process.
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AMPATUAN CANDIDATES . . 74 members of the Ampatuan family are running for local positions in 14 towns of Maguindanao. Many of them are re-electionists; 9 are running as Liberal Party candidates. Sen. Franklin Drilon said that he will revoke their nominations.
This shows that you have practical problems of anti-dynasty issue as in some provinces, clans are so big and they certainly have many qualified candidates for office.
The victims of Maguindanao massacre and their lawyers should organize themselves to campaign against the 74 Ampatuan candidates.
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BIG CATCH . . Brian Hills, an American DJ, has been charged before the Department of Justice for possessing P50 billion worth of shabu. Part of the shabu was found inside a Pajero with government plates which was loaned by Napocor to the office of Cong. Mikey Arroyo.
It was found that Hills was coming in and out of the country for the last few years. Another Immigration lapse. It is also theorized that he was the main distributor of shabu to rich patrons of luxury bars.
Anyway, it’s big catch for AIDSOTF, the PNP anti-illegal drugs unit.
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SETBACK . . The Philippine Army suffered a big blow when 2nd Lt. Jinnah Torre Palma and 6 soldiers were killed, and 9 wounded in an encounter with NPA rebels in Echague, Isabela.
But what is disturbing is the report validated by the military intelligence that 3 foreigners, Caucasians, were sighted with the NPA band.
One thing is that the foreigners were part of a medical mission serving a nearby area.
Again, there has got to be a review of how a military unit suffered such a big casualty count. Something is wrong.
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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Newly installed Leyte Governor Mimieta Bagulaya started as a Councilor of Tacloban. She holds a PhD in Educational Administration from Divine Word University. Her son Jom is running for Councilor of Tacloban.
Congressman Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st district) is running unopposed. Dominic Petilla, younger brother of Sec. Jericho Petilla is also running unopposed for Governor.
Recent surveys in Tacloban show Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel running neck to neck with Mayor Alfred Romualdez in the contest for Mayor.
Rep. Andres Salvacion (Leyte, 3rd district) will be opposed by Benjo Remandaban.
There’s an interesting contest for Congressman in Cebu’s 3rd district between Gov. Gwen Garcia and Pinamungahan Mayor, Dr. Geraldine Yapha.
In the 6th district of Cebu, Rep. Luigi Quisumbing is being opposed by ex-Congresswoman Neri Soon Ruiz.
Dr. Jonas Cortez is running unopposed as Mayor of Mandaue City.
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ART EXHIBIT . . Baile Foundation is holding an art exhibit called “O Ilaw-Parol” at the 2nd floor of Shangri-la Plaza mall on Edsa Shaw.
20 artists led by Ramon Orlina are participating.
Former Senator Helena Z. Benitez opened the exhibit assisted by Baile Foundation president Menchu de Jesus Tiglao, Johnny Hubilla, Maribel Carag Dario, and Lina I_igo Weinbrenner.
Lala Fojas, Shangri-la Plaza vice president, welcomed the guests.
The exhibit will last until Dec. 1.
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Happy birthday greetings to Sen. Freddie Webb and Sonny Maroon.
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