Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan confirmed that “notices of disallowance†have been sent to the four senators and several others, to return their pork barrel allotments that were illegally diverted to bogus non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
This is premature. Any accused are directed by a proper court of law, to return or repay illegally received or malversed money only after conviction.
The case is still pending in the Ombudsman. It has not even been filed with the Sandiganbayan. There has not been a single day of trial. While it can be said that the money went to bogus NGOs and to executive officials releasing the same, outside of Ben Hur Luy’s affidavits, there is as yet no clear and convincing evidence the senators, in fact, received the money. Senator Bong Revilla Jr. said there is nothing to return since he didn’t receive any money.
Maguindanao blasts
Twelve people, including two journalists, were injured in two improvised explosive device (IED) explosions in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. Six soldiers were wounded while four other civilians were also wounded.
6th Infantry Division Commander Major General Romeo Gapuz said the soldiers were on security patrol when a roadside bomb exploded, flattening the tires of their armored personnel carrier (APC).
The two journalists were following in a second APC when a second bomb exploded, wounding TV5 reporter Jeff Caparas, his camera man, Adrian Bulatao, and four civilians following in a tricycle.
Colonel Dickson Hermoso said they were investigating reports that Al-Qaeda fighters were helping the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has terminated its operations against the BIFF, admitting that Al-Ustaj Umbra Amiril Kato is still alive.
The Philippine Army (PA) claimed that there are 54 BIFF fatalities, including three child warriors. The government only admitted one soldier killed and 15 wounded.
Meanwhile, a grenade exploded inside a church in Zamboanga City wounding five senior citizens.
Mail-order bride
The mail-order bride business is still thriving as Cebu police busted a Chinese-led syndicate, using the internet to make arrangements.
Police arrested Mei Yi, owner of the Filipina Heart Internet Consultant, together with 13 other persons. The police seized 35 computers.
The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. This law reaffirms RA 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law which we authored.
Many Japanese men as well as Europeans have made use of this mail-order bride business. It is used to be centered in Metro Manila and Cagayan Valley. Now, it has expanded to Cebu and neighboring Visayas provinces. The fees charged start at $1,000.
Medicinal marijuana
Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora has come up to support the bill of Congressman Rodito Albano II legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
The medicinal use of marijuana has just been legalized in the state of Colorado and several other states.
An organization called Philippine Moms for Medical Marijuana has asked congressmen to sponsor the measure.
Albano pointed out that Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and the chief medical correspondent for CNN, has reversed his opposition, and now endorses the legalization of medical marijuana. Gupta revealed that in Spain and Israel, research is ongoing to study marijuana as a cure for cancer and epilepsy.
It is a revolutionary idea and will encounter strong opposition from church-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Chinese labor invasion
Gerard Seno, TUCP executive vice president, expressed concern that thousands of Chinese workers have entered the country. They are mostly in construction and even on retail business in Metro Manila.
There is also a similar influx of Korean citizens who have put up stores and small businesses. Korean communities have sprung up in Metro Manila, Angeles, Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete, and Davao.
The Bureau of Immigration appears incapable of controlling the entry of foreign workers.
Duterte’s warning
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte testified at the Senate committee on agriculture hearing on rice that Davidson Bangayan and David Tan are one and the same person.
Duterte reiterated his warning that any rice smuggler in Davao will be killed.
The National Food Authority (NFA) testified that Bangayan is not a registered rice trader. He admitted, however, that he used the import permits of farmers’ cooperatives to import rice. He paid for their documents and bonds.
There is now enough evidence against Davidson Bangayan a.k.a. David Tan. He should now be charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
It is also established that there is outright smuggling of rice without any NFA permits.
It was proposed that importation of rice be limited to the NFA. But Senator Ralph Recto correctly pointed out that the NFA may then become the smuggler of rice.
Tidbits: US Attorney General Eric Holder is seeking the death penalty for alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Three people were killed and another 260 people injured in the bombing.
The ‘Agaton’ death toll is now 70.
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) casualty ratio is now 54.
Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad survived but sustained injuries in a vehicle collision with a 14-wheeler trailer truck in Pulilan, Bulacan. His bodyguard, Roderick Santiago, was killed in the accident.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda announced the arrival of two planeloads of Chinese tourists who will be celebrating Chinese New Year in the country at the Misibis Beach Resort.
Malacañang is expecting US President Barack Obama to visit the Philippines in April.
David Bunevacz has come up to testify that he received the same physical beating and death threats allegedly from the group of Cedric Lee. Cedric Lee’s bodyguards are reportedly Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel?
Three men, including SPO4 Fidel Macatangay were shot dead in an ambush in Batangas City.
Greetings to avid readers Dr. Vicente Limcaoco of Cabuyao, Ruben Feliciano of Mati, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., and Judge Perpetua Atal-Pano.