President should name them

In a precedent-setting SONA statement, President Benigno S. Aquino III berated the Bureau of Customs and declared that he knew the powerful forces involved in smuggling cases in the Bureau of Customs.

While it is understandable that Deputy Commissioner Danny Lim refuses to name the powerful forces and politicians interfering in Customs importations because he is liable for libel charges, he can submit the names to President Aquino who can release them without being subject to libel.

There’s no secret in the Bureau of Customs as to who are the players and protectors especially when billions are involved in the smuggling cases of rice or oil.

President Aquino can increase his credibility if he names at least 3 powerful forces and 3 powerful importers and blacklists them from the Customs zone.

What happened to the Senate’s investigation of the case of rice smuggling through SBMA port?

DOF Sec. Cesar Purisima keeps saying P200 billion is lost to smuggling. As department head of the Bureau of Customs, why has he not taken steps to file the charges against the named importers?

And the DOJ, why have several cases of oil smuggling filed in the DOJ been dismissed? Either the cases have been fixed or the Customs’ lawyers have filed “weak” cases.  In any case, someone should be administratively held liable when a smuggling case is dropped by DOJ prosecutors.

The bottom line, the President should now fire about 30 deputy commissioners and collectors of the BOC. Create a new task force to conduct a lifestyle check on all top officials of the BOC.

Senate image

In his oath-taking speech, Senate President Franklin Drilon pledged to take steps to restore the good image of the Senate.

Well he can begin by cutting the bloated budgets of the Senate President, the Senate President Pro Tempore, the Majority leader, and Minority leader by at least one third.

Second, he can abolish all the Senate oversight committees.

Third, he can reduce travel expenses by one half. A Senator reportedly travelled abroad 28 times during his term.

Fourth, reduce discretionary and representation expenses by one half.

Fifth, prohibit “15-30” or ghost employees in the offices of Senators. The same is true for the House of Representatives.

The Senate budget has now ballooned 5 times over to almost P3 billion.

Champion rebidder

The DOTC has cancelled all those bids for a P8.2 billion information technology infrastructure project of the LTO, conducted on November 26, 2012.

With the new date for a 2nd bidding, the controversial Stradcom contract has been extended again.

The DOTC has now the most number of contracts rebidded, raising questions as to who are the powerful forces trying to win the bid for their clients and fixing the specifications to favor one bidder.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has not created a panel to investigate the alleged MRT purchase of 48 coaches, where Inekon, a Czech firm has charged that a P30 million commission has been demanded by DOTC officials.

Brion vs Velasco

A motion for the inhibition of Justice Arturo Brion was filed by Joseph Socorro Tan, representing Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, in the case of Rep. Regina Ongsiako Reyes vs. Comelec.

The issue of Brion’s inhibition had already been submitted and ruled upon by the HRET in 2010 in a case involving Rep. Velasco and then protestant, Rep. Edmund Reyes. The matter was brought to the SC on certiorari by Velasco but was later withdrawn. On the strength of the HRET ruling, this matter should be considered resolved.

The Brion “dissent” is simply a comment on the Court’s decision to hurriedly dismiss the case outright without a hearing on the merits. It did not favor one party over another. It is an interesting read as it directly questions ethics and morality at Court in the handling of cases.

Ultimately, the inhibition dispute will boil down to a battle of reputations between Brion and his colleague, Presbitero Velasco, the father of Rep. Lord Allan.

Whether you belong to Utopia or Aquila, it is not the culture of Ateneans to sacrifice principles for fraternity considerations.

Slow pace

President Aquino himself stated that the anti-corruption drive has not resulted in the conviction of one big fish.

In China, the Beijing court has sentenced former Railways Minister Liu Zhijun to death, with a two-year reprieve, for bribery and abuse of power. This week former Communist party boss Bo Xilai was also indicted for bribery and corruption.

Part of the problem is the slow pace of prosecution of cases in the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice.

How about a lifestyle check on cabinet members, GOCC, and GFI heads?

Why are the cases against former PAGCOR Chairman Efraim Genuino proceeding so slowly?

TIDBITS: Deputy Commissioner Danny Lim admits that smuggling is going on.

Per Ombudsman, Police and AFP personnel have the most number of cases before that office. No lifestyle check on police and AFP personnel, as a measure to prevent coup d’état, has been the policy in the past. Apply it now.

Farmers Felix Matulot, Jason Acob, and Rogelio Rupad were shot dead in Pudtol, Apayao.

Dr. Remus Magabilen was ambushed and seriously wounded in Cotabato City.

Congratulations to Senior Citizen Party-list Representative Godofredo Arquiza on his victory in the Supreme Court. Arquiza is pushing for the creation of a hospital for senior citizens.

Congratulations to Cong. Alfredo Benitez (Negros Occidental – 3rd district) for being elected leader of Visayas lawmakers bloc. Joining the bloc are Reps. Gerry Treñas (Iloilo City), Ted Haresco (Aklan), George Arnaiz (Negros Oriental), Mercedes Alvarez (Negros Occidental), Antonio del Rosario (Capiz), Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod), Oscar Garin (Iloilo), Mian Mercado (Southern Leyte), Rene Relampagos (Bohol), Pryde Henry Teves (Negros Oriental), Ace Durano (Cebu), Arthur Defensor, Jr. (Iloilo), Joaquin Nava (Guimaras), Anne Marie Pernes (Siquijor), Alejandro Mirasol (Negros Occidental), Reps. Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar), Leo Cueva (Negros Occidental), Arcadio Gorriceta (Iloilo), Paolo Javier (Antique), Regina Reyes (Marinduque), Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu), Sharon Garin (Aambis-Owwa party-list), Pablo Nava (APPEND party-list), Gabriel Quisumbing (Cebu), Wilfredo Caminero, (Cebu), and Cesar Sarmiento (Catanduanes).