Top performances

The Aquino administration finishes its 3rd full year on June 30, 2013. Here’s our list of performing officials:

1. DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario

2. Vice President and HUDCC Chairman Jejomar Binay

3. DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro

4. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino

5. DOE Secretary Jericho Petilla

6. DA Secretary Proceso Alcala

7. GSIS President and CEO Robert Vergara

8. Pagcor Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr.

9. Pag-IBIG President Darlene Berberabe

10. BIR Commissioner Kim Henares

11. DOH Sec. Enrique Ona

12. DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson

Slow pace

In an interview with Tina Monzon-Palma on ANC’s “Talk Back,” NHA General Manager Chito Cruz confirmed that there are 104,000 squatters that should be relocated from riverbanks and waterways in Metro Manila.

He also announced that only 19,400 will be relocated “within a span of one year.” The 104,000 will be relocated over a 5-year period. The implication, the initial batch of 19,400 will not solve the flooding problem this year.

President Aquino should direct Sec. Rogelio Singson and NHA General Manager Chito Cruz to speed up the program. Double the program to begin with.

Listen to Villar

Sen. Manuel Villar, one of the biggest realtors in the country who has built thousands of houses, has commented on the government’s relocation plans.

He said that identifying relocation sites for informal settlers and transferring them there are not enough. The government should have a well-planned community development, otherwise it is bound to fail as has happened in the past.

He called for a well-coordinated planning of various departments and, if need be, even those from the private sector.

President Aquino should request Villar to review the present relocation plans of DPWH, NHA, DILG, and DSWD.

Sad development

Fourteen relatives of massacre victims by the Ampatuans had agreed to sign a quitclaim in exchange for a monetary settlement.

Lawyer Harry Roque confirmed that the massacre victims’ relatives signed a waiver, a quitclaim and an affidavit blaming Gov. Toto Mangudadatu, as responsible for the murders.

It’s easy to conclude that the massacre relatives became impatient due to the almost 4-year delay in the trial of the case. The government must extend  more assistance and compensation to the relatives of  the massacre victims, most of whom are suffering hardship.

Sex abuses confirmed

DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario has confirmed the sex abuses of POLO officers in the Middle East based on the testimony of 3 women OFWs in Saudi Arabia, who said POLO Antonio Villafuerte had offered them tickets in exchange for sex.

Together with the oral findings of Rep. Walden Bello on abuses in Jordan, Syria, and Kuwait, DFA and DOLE should immediately file administrative and criminal cases against the OWWA personnel involved.

Del Rosario is also investigating reports that embassy officials were selling tickets to distressed OFWs in the shelters.

We commend DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario for fast action on this case.

The Blas Ople Policy Center reported that 2 more OFWs are set to file charges against labor personnel for sexual abuse in the Middle East.

Susan Ople said one of them had already met with their lawyers while the other one is coming this week.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said that female labor attachés will be sent to Middle East posts.

Clear case of bribery

The oil spill at the Pasig River coming from an oil products retailer has opened a can of worms. It has been found that there has been no inspection by Manila City Hall offices of the company which has been in operation for 30 years.

The Manila License and Permits Bureau, the Manila Fire Department, and the City Engineer’s Office have not issued any permits for the oil company to operate an oil depot for used oil.

It is clear that payoffs and bribes have been given in this case.

Another problem for Mayor Erap to clean up.

Another sex ring

One other long-time sex operation is the sending of girls to Malaysia to work in bars as prostitutes.

This is facilitated by the fact that no visa is required to enter Malaysia. The Philippine Embassy and POLO office in Kuala Lumpur should conduct frequent inspection of Malaysian bars and night clubs and rescue the Filipino women who have been forced into prostitution. This has been going on for the last 20 years. DOLE has failed to do its job.

Overdue sermon

President Aquino gave a sermon to officials and employees of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). President Aquino observed that NIA did not accomplish its target of building and repairing 80 irrigation systems. President Aquino pointed to the delay of the Balog-Balog Dam in Tarlac.

The lack of irrigation facilities is the major cause of our rice insufficiency. More than a million hectares of riceland is not serviced by an irrigation system.

Corruption has long been a fact of life at NIA.

Long pending are the completion of the irrigation component of the Casecnan Hydroelectric project in Nueva Ecija and the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan.

TIDBITS: A passenger bus was held up on Roxas Boulevard. Yes, holduppers are that bold.

The promised teachers’ bonus of P10,000 last year has not been paid.Condolences to the family of Mayor Betty Verzola of Luna, Apayao, who died in a road accident at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Two sisters working on a film were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul. Nadyona Abdulbasit Basil, 39 and her sister Linda, 35 were taken by 10 gunmen as they were filming coffee growers.

Judge Nora Eduardo, 63, was held up at gunpoint while conducting a garage sale at her house at Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

Korean tourist Joong Chul An died of gunshot wounds during a robbery in Ermita.

Why is the 20% senior citizens’ discount not being given for overseas tickets? It’s a Philippine law that must be obeyed.