Defense corruption

President Aquino declared in Davos, Switzerland the success of his anti-corruption drive.

But a study by Transparency International UK says otherwise and said that the Philippines is among the countries where risk of corruption in the defense sector is “very high.” It said this is due to lack of transparency and weak congressional oversight.

Defense Spokesman Peter Galvez said measures have been undertaken to curb corruption and promote transparency in procurement. President Aquino has allocated P75 billion for defense procurement.

Meanwhile, the CBCP denounced the non prosecution of alleged perpetrators of corruption, strongly calling on the government to pursue allegations and signs of corruption of power holders “not only of the past but also of the present, even of friends and partymates.”

STILL INCOMPLETE. . . Nueva Ecija is the No. 1 rice producer in the country, producing 1.6 million metric tons a year. According to former Rep. Rene Diaz, Nueva Ecija can triple its harvest if 34,000 hectares can be irrigated by completing the irrigation component of the Casecnan Hydroelectric Power Plant.

The same is true of the San Roque dam. I wonder why these 2 dams are not being completed.

The Department of Agriculture should concentrate on the 3 top rice producing provinces, namely: Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Pangasinan.

THROW THEM OUT. . . Another disqualification case has been filed against President Erap Estrada by lawyer Alicia Resos Vidal before the Comelec.

The petitioner claims that Erap’s pardon did not restore to him his right to run for public office.

This is crazy. Erap ran for President in 2010, got 10 million votes and placed 2nd. The issue of his disqualification was also raised then and was thrown out.

Recently, the Sandiganbayan dismissed a similar petition to disqualify him.

Erap accused Mayor Alfredo Lim of being behind the multiple petitions. He said his opponent was guilty of forum shopping with another civil suit for disqualification filed in the Regional Trial Court of Manila.

The petitioners cite a whereas clause in the pardon that Erap committed not to run for public office but, Erap’s lawyer, Frank Chavez argued the whereas clause is not controlling but the dispositive portion which restored all his civil and political rights.

INCREASE THE PENSION. . . Senate bills No. 544, 2883 and 2964 propose to increase SSS pensions.

At a Senate hearing on the committee on government corporations and public enterprises, SSS officials said it cannot afford to increase pensions.

Sen. Ralph Recto, committee chairman believes otherwise and said that SSS can afford an increase and will not risk running out of funds by 2039.

Recto pointed out that the SSS has over P340 billion in reserve funds and collects P25 billion a year.

PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. . . We propose the following measures for senior citizens:

1. Increase senior citizen discount to 30%;

2. Increase products covered like vitamins and food supplements;

3. Payment of social pension allowances of P1,400/month to all senior citizens age 65 and above. The present program covers only seniors 77 years old and above;

4. Representation of senior citizens in the Sangguniang Bayan;

5. Design employment/livelihood programs for senior citizens;

6. Other benefits following Makati program;

7. Put up senior citizen centers in every municipality;

8. Assign a nurse to every senior citizen center.

TOO MANY. . . The number of Senate oversight committees has increased from 19 in 2010 to 34 in 2013. The budget doubled from P212 million in 2010 to P442 million in 2012.

The oversight committees are in addition to 39 regular committees which also have a separate budget. Even Minority senators are given oversight committees. They have no reason to complain. The Senate should release the list of the 34 oversight committees, their functions and corresponding budget.

Senate and House oversight committees were created in 2007 but jumped in number from 2011 to 2012.

The leadership of the 16th Congress should review the necessity of having so many oversight committees.

In the Senate, the Blue Ribbon Committee is supposed to exercise oversight over all departments.

CHEATING FEARED. . . The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed concern over the possibility of wholesale cheating in the 2013 elections. The CBCP said:

“The present automated election system may lead to wholesale cheating if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not address the issues being raised by different groups on the alleged deficiencies of the present system and technology.

“If not properly addressed the present automated election system may lead to wholesale cheating. The integrity of a pillar of our democracy — the election — is at stake,” read the statement signed by CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

The CBCP said election is not a matter of speed but of trustworthiness and honesty.

The CBCP also denounced political dynasties and vowed to support a people’s initiative that prohibits the same.

The CBCP said political dynasties breed corruption and ineptitude.

LOST INVESTMENT. . . The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines reported only $509 million in mining investment in 2012, $1.5 billion less than the $2 billion estimated.

The mining investors are still awaiting the passage of a new mining law which would increase the revenue sharing of mining income with the government.

Executive Order No. 79 imposed a moratorium on new mining agreements until a new law is passed.

Certainly, with a new Congress that will take some time.

TIDBITS. . . The 10th Liga ng mga Barangay Congress of the province of Cavite was held at the Boracay Convention Center last Jan. 28 and 29. More than 700 Barangay chairmen attended the congress. The congress was sponsored by Sen. Bong Revilla, Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Board Member Jolo Revilla.

The team of the convention was climate change and environmental concern down to barangay level.