Give it to NFA

The National Food Authority (NFA) proposed to buy P1.2 billion worth of rice seized in Subic and Cebu. The Department of Justice issued an opinion that it would be legal for NFA to buy the rice. This is a good idea.

But now, Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon insists there must be a public auction and NFA must participate in the bidding process.

In the past, seized canned goods, clothes, and other items have been donated to DSWD. So it seems unreasonable for Biazon to refuse to sell the rice to NFA through negotiation.

Biazon said the BOC could get higher prices if sold at public auction, as NFA is offering a lower price of P350 per sack.

NFA should get priority to buy the rice. The price can be negotiated to a higher amount.

Past public auctions of smuggled goods have been reported to be given at low prices with a kickback to Customs officials. 

This matter should be decided the soonest before the rice deteriorates.

Good job

President Aquino presided at the turnover of 22,000 9-mm Glock pistols to the PNP. A total of 74,879 have been procured at a price of P1.2 billion.

This is a good achievement of the Administration. It’s puzzling why previous DILG/PNP chiefs have failed to procure guns for their personnel. 

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas earlier announced he was buying 2,500 cars for the PNP worth P2 billion.

But more than providing necessary equipment, there is a need to reform the PNP.

The President lauded the PNP for saving P200 million in the purchase of the guns.

The President also announced the hiring of 15,000 civilian employees to relieve police officers doing desk jobs.

Elected PMA graduates

Eighteen PMA graduates have been elected to different positions. Leading the list are Sen. Gringo Honasan (1971), Sen. Antonio Trillanes (1995), Rep. Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa (1961), Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane of Zambales (1970), Gov. Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan (1972), Rep. Romeo Acop of Antipolo (1970), Rep.  Leopoldo Bataoil of Pangasinan (1976), and Party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. (1979).

Also elected Party-list Reps. are Gary Alejano (1995) and Ashley Acedillo (1999) of Magdalo.

PNP officers retire at age 56, thus enabling many of them to run for public office.

Deadline extended

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh announced that the deadline for illegal foreigners in Saudi Arabia to fix their papers has been extended to November 3.

There are an estimated 800 Filipinos staying at the Philippine embassy compound in Riyadh, and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah awaiting issuance of travel documents and exit visas; 4,398 Filipinos have been repatriated from Syria.

The Philippine Embassy in Cairo, Egypt is monitoring the current protest demonstrations in that capital.

FOI bill refiled

The Freedom of Information bill which was not passed into law by the 15th Congress has been refiled by a group named “Right to Know, Right Now!” (R2KRN) Coalition.

The bill was filed under the “indirect initiative” provision of the Constitution.

Up to now, Malacañang has not come out with its revised version of the bill.

Not included in the bill filed is the “Right of Reply” provision which President Aquino wants to be included in the bill.

As in the past Congress, expect the bill to generate long debates.

Professional squatters

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista accused a squatting syndicate of collecting rent from “professional” squatters at Agham Road.

The squatting syndicate have advised the Agham, Bagong Pagasa squatters to resist demolition efforts and not to move out. They clashed with police on Monday and six were hurt.

Two thousand squatters still remain in the area. They are to be relocated to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

3 years to do it

President Aquino blamed 3 previous administrations for the lack of air assets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

But based on my experience as Ambassador to the US, it was the AFP generals who gave priority to securing tanks, trucks, jeeps, guns, and other soldier equipment of the Philippine Army. The Philippine Air Force was a low priority, partly because airplanes are expensive and the procurement budget was limited.

But during President Estrada’s time, he was able to get 12  helicopters and 2 C-130s.

Well, now that he is the President, P-Noy can give top priority to procuring airplanes especially fighter planes, trainers, and radars.

President Cory did buy 18 S-211 Augusta trainer jets, but most of them crashed.

Let us see if President Aquino can deliver on his promise to give the Philippine Air Force new planes in the remaining 3 years of his term.

One more confirmation

The Asian Development Bank has reported that its poverty reduction projects in the Philippines have been rated below average.

The Philippines, Pakistan, and a group of small Pacific Islands recorded success ratings of below 50%.

The ADB also observed that sustainability scores of various projects in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea were below 58%. Neighbors Vietnam and Thailand recorded 80% sustainability ratings.

Low completion of projects is usually due to corruption.

Long Delay

After 3 years, no new license plates have been made available. The bidding has been postponed and delayed for 3 years.

The latest chapter, an award is finally set to be given to Power Plates Development Concepts, Inc., with a joint venture partner JKG, a Netherland-based firm to manufacture 15 million plates over 5 years.

A consumer advocacy group, Action for Consumerism and Transparency for Nation Building (ACTNB) has now questioned the papers submitted by JKG as being false financial documents.

The objections must be resolved, as it is claimed that the winning bidder may not have the capacity to produce 5 million plates a year.

Looks like this matter will be subjected to a congressional investigation.

It is sad to point out that for simple items like license plates, the government is experiencing difficulty in finalizing the same.

TIDBITS: Greetings to our avid readers Ed Lucero, Juris Soliman, Jeffrey Campos, and Albert Yang.