Tag Archives: Corruption

[People] Corruption and Spread of Covid-19 -by Fr. Shay Cullen

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Corruption and Spread of Covid-19
Fr. Shay Cullen
24 September 2020

There are many global threats facing the world today. The most serious in everybody’s mind is the Coronavirus pandemic with 200,000 dead in the USA alone and spreading. It is a cause of shock and realization that we humans for all our economic, military and medical power is very weak and vulnerable to the invisible virus that has invaded our world, our communities, families and our bodies. Some nations have had success in controlling it; others have failed through incompetence and corruption.

Martha has a cheerful, happy-go-lucky personality, a healthy mother of four. On a recent Saturday evening, she forgot herself and went to a house party with friends to celebrate a birthday. She ignored precautions as did others and wrongly believed it wouldn’t touch her. But it did. By Friday, she was having strong coughing and fever symptoms and reactions and was rushed to the overcrowded hospital. There is painful convulsions, Martha struggled and gasped for breath, isolated from family, only the nurse, dressed in blue plastic, went to help her. It was no use, Martha quickly fell silent and died. It was her weak lungs, they said. Some underlying health condition said another. No one really knows why she died so quickly. There was no time for an autopsy, not even a proper funeral. She was brought straight to the crematorium, leaving behind a weeping crying, traumatized family.

There are hundreds of thousands of people like Martha and more of them every day. A mistake took away her precious, beautiful, happy life and that of her family. But it is also the many mistakes of the politicians that have failed to act decisively in time to lead and instruct the people that Covid-19 is a dangerous deadly virus with the power to kill and maim. They fail to insist that everyone must wear masks, avoid contact with others, disinfect, wash their hands frequently since anyone may have the deadly killer virus. It is spreading because many people ignore these precautions and corrupt, inadept and stupid failed leaders do not order and impose protective measures to save the vulnerable people and issue strong, consistent health warnings. They have failed to implement and insist on a national response to test and trace the infected people and isolate them. How else can this vicious virus that spreads like venom be contained? Those strong, respected leaders who did respond to the attack of Covid-19 in a wiser, more scientific and disciplined and educated manner saved hundreds of thousands of their citizens, which is their sworn duty.

In the nations with the highest death rates, it seems they have restricted the showing of videos of mass burials, lines of waiting coffins, full crematoriums, overcrowded hospitals, dying people and sick doctors and nurses. It is too shocking. Is it for some an effort to deny and cover up the real extent of their incompetence, criminal behaviour and lack of moral conscience all for the sake of retaining political power? Covid-19 is spreading and causing more sickness and death because of some selfish, pleasure-seeking and irresponsible people who flout precautions and care for no one other than themselves. In their ignorance, they demonstrate against the safety precautions no less.

It is our fervent hope and belief that the majority of humans are good, law-abiding people that care for others, protect them from Covid-19 and care for the public health and environment. They choose the good over evil. They act in a responsible way of saving their own lives, their families and neighbours. The people who do believe and choose to do the good and practice the values of love of the stranger, of neighbour and work for justice, have a responsibility to share those values so that equality, peace and harmony can be a reality in society. We should actively persuade and convince others to do likewise. Inactivity in the face of wrong is to allow it to grow and prosper.

It may seem like mission impossible to persuade the virus deniers and the climate sceptics of the truth of a pandemic and global warming. We have to challenge and call out the oppressors, corrupt leaders and politicians to do justice, respect the rights of all, to care and protect the public health and to serve humbly. To convince these people who live in darkness that it is a better life to be in the light and to bring happiness to people, not terror, oppression, pain, suffering, rights violations and death. It is a mission to persuade ordinary people to always choose the good over evil. It is a challenge for all to teach by a good example, taking action for justice and accepting and living the truth that justice and goodness is the path to happiness for all. It is a great shining ideal, but will it ever come to be?

This is the goal we must work for. There is so much evil in the world that allows the virus to spread uncontrolled in many countries, mostly among the poor. We see much irresponsible selfish behaviour by some national leaders, bankers, industrialists, military, police and criminals. We know that abuse and evil persist because they with the power choose the evil and reject the good as they exercise their free will corruptly. The evil comes from making the wrong choice to crush and hurt others to retain political and economic power and to plunder the nation. For them, the health and well-being of others is just a matter of lip-service, words without meaning, action without purpose, hypocrisy and skulduggery for selfish personal gain. The great hope is that a society, a nation, will evolve with the beautiful values, principles, and compassion that motivate overwhelming good that is the paramount driving force that brings happiness to all.

http://www.preda.org

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[Statement] PHILHEALTH corruption violates the right to health and life -GOMBURZA

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PHILHEALTH corruption violates the right to health and life

Corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is not only colossal thievery, robbing Filipino workers and taxpayers of their contributions to the fund. It also violates the right of Filipinos to universal health care, bleeding billions of pesos away from state resources intended for this purpose. In a pandemic that has caused thousands of deaths in our country, it violates the right to life.

PhilHealth corruption has taken many forms: diverted premium payments of up to P114 million in 2012, unnecessary or sham cataract removals worth PHP2 billion in 2014, fraudulent dialysis claims, the “upcasing” of mild respiratory infections to pneumonia, membership rosters with 500,000 people aged 100 to 121, and recently, a bid to procure overpriced and obsolete information technology equipment.

Sadly, the pandemic that is devastating our people and our economy has opened more opportunities for corruption: inordinately expensive COVID-19 test kits; an Interim Reimbursement Mechanism that expedites COVID-19 related advances to hospitals in regions with low infection rates, while hospitals in high infection areas, including government facilities, still await reimbursement.

Yet even as the Duterte administration coddles its appointee, PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales—requesting him to resign for the sake of his health—its supporters have viciously used the issue of corruption in PhilHealth against those it perceives as its enemies.

Its troll army has launched a campaign smearing former PhilHealth board member Senator Risa Hontiveros, while its legislative lackeys threaten to file cases against officials of the previous administration, even though none of these have been named by whistleblowers as parties to the corruption. The Catholic Church, which has repeatedly admonished the administration against its excesses, has not been spared the mud of obfuscation, notably slung by a congressman who represents not only the administration’s interests but also the interests of the anti-Catholic Iglesia ni Cristo.

We, the members of GOMBURZA, motivated by the Christian commitment to human dignity and good governance, support the PhilHealth employees who have demanded the investigation and prosecution of corruption, and thank them for their integrity. While we are encouraged by the suspension of the PhilHealth officials named as complicit, we call for (1) a nonpartisan investigation of the allegations against those implicated in the Senate hearings; (2) commensurate punishment for those found guilty; (3) replacement of the guilty by appointees of proven competence and integrity in the field of health insurance; (4) periodic reviews of PhilHealth’s operations by independent agencies seasoned in insurance fraud detection; (5) timely reimbursement of claims by hospitals in high infection areas; and (6) an end to the deceptive manipulation of the PhilHealth scandal to discredit the administration’s critics.

We call upon our citizens to distinguish politically motivated from evidence-backed allegations, and to demand that their legislative representatives and relevant officials defend their right to universal health care by taking swift and appropriate action.
Finally, we call on those involved in this corruption: “Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you in the day of calamity” (Sirach 5:8). Repent and make reparation, restoring to Filipinos their right to universal health care, and to life.

[Sgd.] MEMBERS OF GOMBURZA: SISTER TERESITA ALO, SFIC; FR. ROBERTO REYES; FR. FLAVIE L. VILLANUEVA, SVD; LOT LUMAWIG ALLANIGUE; TERESITA S. CASTILLO; LUCIA LUCAS CHAVEZ; PERCIVAL CHAVEZ; ELEANOR R. DIONISIO; VERONICA ESTER MENDOZA; ANGELO SILVA.

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[Press Release] Abaya is incompetent and PNoy’s PPP is committing the same sin – Partido Manggagawa

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Abaya is incompetent and PNoy’s PPP is committing the same sin – Partido Manggagawa

The Aquino administration cannot hide the incompetence of DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya by conveniently referring to the original sins of the Ramos administration, the partylist group Partido Manggagawa (PM) said in a statement.

pmLogo1The group said that while it completely agrees with the ‘original sin’ line of the Liberal Party (LP) in identifying the main problem besetting the MRT system, the administration is likewise guilty of repeating the same mistake by lining all the rehabilitation, maintenance, and expansion programs for MRT/LRT systems under PPP (Public-Private Partnership), which is but another name for the Ramos-era BOT (Build-Operate Transfer) scheme.

“LP should not point an accusing finger to other sinners when what it can only offer to our people is the same menu placed in separate tables,” said PM spokesman Wilson Fortaleza.

Fortaleza said LP stalwart Edgar Erice was right in describing the MRT-3 contract as ‘highway robbery’ yet he avoided to explain why the ‘tuwid na daan’ failed to apprehend the robbers.

“Erice is also correct in considering the option of expropriation to finally eliminate the resistance of the MRTC consortium, yet his DOTC secretary wasted six years on cherry-picking who among his choice concessionaires would replace the Sobrepenas and the former supply and maintenance provider,” said Fortaleza.

Fortaleza added that for the last six years, the Aquino administration stood not on the track of expropriation but on privatization, first by gradually removing the subsidy through fare increase, and second, by lining all MRT/LRT maintenance and expansion projects to PPP concessions.

“This PPP scheme, which is no different from BOT, caused the delay of the much needed rehabilitation of the MRT system, the expansion of LRT 1 to Cavite and the construction of MRT 7 from North QC to Fairview and Bulacan.  Abaya even failed to connect LRT 1 and MRT 3 simply because the Ayala and Henry Sy fight over the common station,” lamented Fortaleza.

As to Abaya who faces other pressing problems in the transport and communications industry, the labor group said that with no action coming from PNoy, they can leave his fate to Heneral Luna since the problem with our current mass transport system is larger than the secretary’s head.

PM partylist is calling for quality public services in its electoral platform, and its components include the development of safe, clean and affordable mass transport system.  And to be able to do it, the program needs huge amount of public investment and subsidy, not the abdication of state responsibility.

NEWS RELEASE
Partido Manggagawa
08 January 2016
Contact: Wilson Fortaleza
09158625229

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[Event] Sep 6 Motorcycle Rights Organization Rides For The OFW’s

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MRO Rides For The OFW’s

11885104_1489215661395771_6079729622694831936_nThis will be a symbolic ride for the already implemented open box policy by the BOC which is flagrantly defended by Malacañang.

MRO SMALL

No government can bully our OFW brothers and sisters!!!

Let’s ride!!!

THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION…

Know more about the event @https://www.facebook.com/events/1607801969473260/

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[From the web] CHRP’s answer to the PAHRA’s LTE “Stop corruption, human rights violations inside CHRP” published in PDI

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Below was the letter to the Editor of Mr. Max De Mesa of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), published last March 27, 2015 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the scanned copy of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) answer. Read on…

Stop corruption, human rights violations inside CHRP.

Calling all human rights stakeholders to come together to stop corruption and human rights violations in the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP).

Let’s start by participating in the process for the selection of the next batch of five members of the CHRP, by nominating qualified persons. All the present commissioners will end their terms of office come May 4, 2015. The nominations are meant to broaden the pool of nominees the president can choose from. In no way is it meant to diminish the president’s prerogative to choose the next commissioners of this constitutional body.

Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/83643/stop-corruption-human-rights-violations-inside-chrp#ixzz3XpYMduYu

 

 

CHR replys to the LTE p1 001

Scanned copy of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) answer

page 2

page 2

 

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[In the news] ‘DND misused relief fund’ -INQUIRER.net

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‘DND misused relief fund’.

COA: Huge part spent for AFP oil, repairs, etc.
Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 3, 2015

MANILA, Philippines–A “huge portion” of the P352.5 million in emergency funding of the Department of National Defense in 2013 had been misused by the military, which spent money meant to help victims of natural disasters to pay for its fuel consumption and repairs of its offices, state auditors have discovered.

inquirer

According to the Commission on Audit (COA), P843.5 million in Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the DND had also remained unliquidated since 2012.

Answering the findings of the COA, the defense department maintained that the emergency fund was “utilized for the purpose it was released to DND.”

In its periodic audit, the COA found out that a number of projects under the DND’s emergency fund had yet to be completed by its attached units despite the release of the budget.

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[In the news] PCGG eyes full accounting of P168-B recovered Marcos ill-gotten wealth -GMAnews

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PCGG eyes full accounting of P168-B recovered Marcos ill-gotten wealth.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) wants to have a full accounting of the P168-billion ill-gotten wealth recovered from the Marcoses to determine how the money were used.

gmanewsonline

“Since the PCGG’s creation in 1986, umaabot na sa P168 billion ang naire-remit namin sa Bureau of Treasury. We want to know where the money were used and how they were used,” PCGG chairman Andres Bautista told GMA News Online in a phone interview Friday.

Included in the P168 billion is the P70 billion recovered by the PCGG from the coco levy fund.

Bautista said the agency is willing to work with the Commission on Audit (COA) in doing the accounting. He also said the COA may conduct an independent audit.

“We in the PCGG have our own records kung saan-saan nagamit yung recovered wealth, but our record is not that comprehensive. Ang gusto naming malaman ay yung specific projects talaga, anu-anong agrarian-related projects ang naumpisahan na gamit itong recovered wealth na ito,” he said.

Read full article @www.gmanetwork.com

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[Blog] Utak Pulburang Rasista ni Jose Mario De Vega

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Utak Pulburang Rasista
ni Jose Mario De Vega

Vote for this article for the 5th HR Pinduteros’ choice awards…

Ang akdang ito ay tugon hinggil sa artikulong “‘Binay: Kulay-mahirap, asal-mahirap’—Trillanes” ni Rigoberto Tiglao na lumabas sa The Manila Times noong ika-28 ng Oktubre, na may kinalaman sa balahura at magaspang na pananalitang binitawan ni Senador Trillanes laban kay Bise Presidente Binay.

Mario De Vega

Sang-ayon ako kay Ginoong Tiglao ng kanyang sinabi na:

“There’s nothing like a man’s huge ego pricked for him to reveal his true colors. Trillanes was so livid he blurted out his repressed world-view. He was mad waiting outside the gates of an agro-tourism park he was insisting was Vice President Jejomar Binay’s, and barked: “Kulay-mahirap si Binay, asal-mahirap.”

“Those terms are really a bit difficult to translate in its nuances, and the best I could do would be:

“He’s got not only a poor-man’s skin color, but a poor-man’s behavior.”

“Translated, that’s certainly shocking. If Trillanes were in some other nation and said a similar thing, he’d be booted out of office in a week’s time for a racist, bigoted remark.”

Anyare?

Ayun, binira ng ating mga kababayan ang senador na ito sa social media!

Una sa lahat, ibig kong ipahayag sa ating mga kababayan na ang manunulat na ito ay hindi tagasuporta ni Binay. Katunayan, direkta kong sinasabi na sa aking paningin ay pareho lamang na payaso at ungas sina Trillanes at Binay.

Sang-ayon ako sa ginagawang hakbang ng Senado, particular ng Blue Ribbon Committee (at ng sub-committee nito) sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga nang mga katiwaliang kinasasangkutan ng angkang Binay.

Ngunit, pinanghahawakan ko din na upang maipakita na ito ay totoo at sinsero, magalang kong iminumungkahi sa nasabing komite na dapat ay imbestigahan nila lahat ng mga nilalang at personalidad na damay at sangkot sa korapsyon at katiwalian sa buong pamahalaan — kung sino man sila, maging sino man sila, sila man ay alyado o hindi at maging sila man ay taga-administrasyon o taga-oposisyon.

Ang ultimong layunin ng munting sanaysay na ito ay upang kondenahin ang diskriminasyon at bangkaroteng salita ni Trillanes na sinabi niya sa nasabing panayam.

Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin sa pagiging asal-mahirap?

Ano ang kaibahan nito sa asal-mayaman?

Ano ang kaibahan ng mga ito sa asal-hayop?

Ibig ko ding direktang itanong, sa “butihing” senador: ano ang pakahulugan nya sa tinuran niyang kulay-mahirap?

Komentaryo:

Bilang isang pilosopo, akademiko at humanista, pinanghahawakan kong hindi lamang salaula, kundi lantarang kalapastanganan ang kahulugan ng mga magagaspang na pananalitang namutawi sa mabahong bunganga ng nasabing “mambabatas”.

Pinanghahawakan kong salaula ang nasabing mga kataga, sapagkat sa aking paningin, akala mo ba kung siya ay mangusap ay galing siya sa mayaman at pamosong angkan. Akala mo siya ay kabilang sa mga alta de sosyedad, gayong batid naman ng buong bayan na siya ay nagmula sa isa lamang payak na pamilya.

Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang matabil na personalidad at matapobreng karakter ni Donya De De Victorina!

Kahit sabihin pa na siya halimbawa ay galing sa nakaririwasang angkan — matuwid at makatwiran ba na bitawan niya ang gayong mga pananalita?

Isang malaking hindi! Sa aking paningin, mga bobo’t-mangmang lamang ang sasagot ng oo.

Ang nasabing senador ay isang utak-pulburang rasista!

Siya ay isang matapobreng nilalang na wala namang karapatang magmataas.

Marahil ay nalilimutan niya na siya ay isa lamang na lingkod-bayan at utang niya ang lahat ng kung anuman siya sa ngayon sa ating mga mamamayan at kababayan — na ang napakalaking bahagi o bahagdan ay nagmula sa mga mahihirap, mga naghihikahos at mga maralita!

Kung siya ay nag-iisip, naiisip kaya niya ngayon ang isipin, sintimyento at saloobin ng ating mga kababayan?

Sa usapin ng kulay-mahirap

Kung makapagsalita ang senador na ito, akala mo ba siya ay isang ilustradong burgis na mestisong bangus, gayong ang totoo ay lumamang lamang siya ng isang ligo sa taong kanyang pinatutungkulan!

Ang mga patutsada at pautot ng mokong na ito ay mga salitang nakabatay sa diskriminasyon at rasismo!

Kasumpa-sumpa at karima-rimarim!

Totoo na si Binay ay maitim, ngunit hindi ba’t si Trillanes ay “luminaw” o pumusyaw lamang ng bahagya gawa ng siya ay kayumanggi?

Kung tawaging ko kaya siyang senador kopiko (with creamer) o bansagang senator Brownie; ano kaya ang kanyang mararamdaman?

Dapat ko pa bang ipaalala sa senador na ito na ang ating mga ninuno, ang ating lahi ay nagmula sa mga Ita, Negrito at Baluga?

Tugisin natin lahat ng mga magnanakaw, dayukdok at walang-hiya sa ating lipunan at sa buong pamahalaan, ngunit tukuyin natin ang mga hayop na mga ito hindi batay sa kulay ng kanilang mga balat o kasarian o estado sa katatayuan sa buhay, kundi batay sa kanilang kawalanghiyaan o kawalang karakter!

Ang isang masamang tao ay masama, hindi batay sa mga bagay na ito, kundi dahil sa kawalan nila ng katwiran, rasyonalidad at dignidad — walang kinalaman dito ang kulay ng kanilang mga balat!

Ang magnanakaw ay magnanakaw hindi dahil sa siya ay negro o tisoy, kundi ang hayop na ito ay magnanakaw dahil sa siya ay masama, walang-hiya, walang-modo, itim ang buto at walang kaluluwa!

IBAGSAK ANG RASISMO AT LAHAT NG URI NG DISKRIMINASYON!

TUGUSIN, TUKUYIN AT PAGBAYARIN LAHAT NG MGA MASASAMA (SILA MAN AY MAITIM O MAPUTI O KAYUMANGGI) AT MAGNANAKAW (SILA MAN AY MAYAMAN O MAHIRAP/ASAL-HAYOP O NAGPAPANGGAP NA TAO) SA PAMAHALAAN!!!

Jose Mario Dolor De Vega

Propesor ng Pilosopiya at Agham-Panlipunan
Unibersidad de Manila

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[Press Release] Asian parliamentarians demand end to torture & corruption -AHRC

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ASIA: Asian parliamentarians demand end to torture & corruption

Photo by AHRC

Photo by AHRC

(Hong Kong, October 14, 2014) “The widespread torture and ill-treatment that prevails in most of the Asian countries is a direct result of the political system and the legal system. Eradication of torture cannot be done merely by education of the police, the military and other security forces who usually engage in committing acts of torture”, said a group of parliamentarians and human rights defenders who participated in a four-day meeting held in Hong Kong, from 10th – 13th October 2014.

Asian Human Rights Commission

Held under the aegis of the Asian Alliance Against Torture and Ill-Treatment (AAATI), the conference witnessed politicians comparing inter-related stories of electoral malpractices, corruption, impunity and inequality before the law, which underpin why torture flourishes in Asia, unaddressed and unpunished. Many of the discussions centered on the subject of political will in Asia.

According to the politicians and activists:

“Police and the security forces engage in torture as it is an imperative of the system of repression and they work under the direct control and orders from those who hold political power. If some police and security officers refuse to carry out torture they will be replaced by others who will be subservient to the demands of the political system. Those who operate the political system must be held responsible for the torture and ill treatment that takes place in their countries. It is by working towards the development of a political will to bring about greater democratization of the political system and the public justice system that the required changes could be achieved for policing by consent, rather than by force as it happens now. Development of a more comprehensive approach against torture and ill treatment which is based on an understanding of the link between corruption and torture and absence of the separation of powers within the legal system and prevalence of torture is likely to win the support of the masses/local people. It is only by creating a substantive change in public opinion in the country that the politician could be made to realize that they should positively respond to the wishes of the people for a change of the police and the security philosophy.”

Along with human rights defenders from the region the politicians that attended the meetings were Mr. Mahi Choudhury, a former Member of Parliament from Bangladesh; Mr. Brijesh Kumar Gupta, former Law Minister and Member of Parliament from Nepal; Mr. Riaz Khan Fatyana, a Member of the National Assembly and former Chairman of Parliamentarians’ Committee of Human Rights from Pakistan; Mr. Farooq Hamid Naek, a former Federal Minister of Law and Senator from Pakistan; Mr. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Member of the House of Representative from the Philippines; Mr. Eran Wickramaratne, Member of Parliament from Sri Lanka; and Mr. Gayantha Karunathileke, Member of Parliament and Media Spokesperson for the United National Party from Sri Lanka.

A Comparative Approach

During the deliberations in Hong Kong, the participants engaged in a discussion by way of a comparative approach, to understand the widespread torture prevalent in their countries. They compared the realities in their home countries with that of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China.
With the help of meetings with the Hong Kong Prosecution Departments and the Members of the Hong Kong Bar, the participants learned that Hong Kong had a sound public justice system, one of the marked features of which is the high regard and esteem that the people have for the judiciary and its independence. Judicial integrity and the exercise of independence in an impeccable manner have created a high degree of trust among the people about the strength of the rule of law system in the territory.

The police, the prosecutors, judges, civil administrators, politicians, and the people all share a common concern to ensure that the freedoms of all are respected within a framework of the rule of law. Giving strength to all institutions, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) ensures that there is no room for bribery and corruption within the territory of Hong Kong. Any would be offender is fully aware that it is near impossible to escape liability for transgression.

In contrast, participants noted that the situation of most of the countries in Asia is one in which the people have no trust in their judicial institutions, due to corruption as well as subservience to political authorities. The people in most Asian countries do not have trust in the policing system and the prosecutorial systems, which also have some grave structural failings. In such jurisdictions, political authorities rely on high degree of coercion in order to control the people and, in particular, the lower income groups. The use of torture and ill-treatment arises from this situation. A general state of violence in society also arises as a result of such political and public justice system failure the conference participants noted.

While there is popular anger against the prevailing situation, people are trapped within the overall situation of lawlessness and the extreme use of violence by law enforcement authorities.

Politicians at the meeting reiterated how the prevailing systemic problems in the structure of fundamental national institutions and the lack of the rule of law affect the electoral system. The possibility of free and fair elections is affected by the reality and threat of violence; the free functioning of political parties is almost an impossible objective to achieve. Those in power manipulate the systemic instability and insecurity in order to disrupt the possibilities of peaceful political discourse within their territories.

A Comprehensive Approach

Naturally all this calls for change. However, change is possible only if the people participate in efforts to bring about change. On many occasions people have come to the streets to push for changes have been frustrated; those who come to power as a result of these movements have continued to practice the same type of corrupt and coercive practices as their predecessors. Therefore, people are now cautious when they are called to take active part in movements for change. If the people’s trust is to be won back it is necessary to place before the people the changes that would need to be brought about and how such changes would be brought about by way of political interventions that they support. Vague cries about democratization, or ending corruption are insufficient to convince people. There needs to be proper strategies for change thought out through public consultations and concrete proposals placed before the people about their questions related to change. In addition, the politicians, cognizant of the population and aspirations of the youth in their respective countries, noted the importance of connecting with, consulting, inspiring, and being inspired by the energy of the youth in combating a challenge as serious as torture.

The consensus at the four-day meeting was that the elimination of torture and ill-treatment requires a more comprehensive and committed approach. The participants pledged to work towards change on the basis of such a comprehensive approach in their respective countries.

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Read this Press Release online
Visit our new website with more features at http://www.humanrights.asia.

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[Press Release] Purisima chance to be honest has passed, must be charged -BMP

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Purisima chance to be honest has passed, must be charged

A MILITANT labor group assailed national police chief Allan Purisima and called his “open house” invitation to the members of the press as an attempt to cover-up his non-declaration and dishonesty in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

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“The mere fact that his Nueva Ecija estate and poultry farm were not declared in his SALN is already in direct violation of Republic Act 6713. There is no more use for the people to view the contents of his house, Gie Relova of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) insisted.

“The admission of his non-declaration of properties and construction of the White House in Camp Crame only came after people from Aparri to Jolo knew about it watching Ted Failon’s show. His succeeding and defensive statements even before the Senate and attempts to project “simplicity” of lifestyle must be considered moot and academic,” Relova added.

The BMP leader suggested that the controversial general to “do the honorable. Lying to a single public document is tantamount to lying to the entire nation”.

The labor group reiterated its call for all public officials to “disclose all” and no longer wait for lifestyle check be implemented or charges be filed before them or even an expose by the media. The call to “disclose all” was made during the height of the impeachment case against former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“It is their sworn duty to the tax-paying public to be above-board everyday till the day they retire from public office then it is also logical for them to be forthright in their annual declarations,” he added.

The militant leader also took a swipe at the agencies like the Office of the Ombudsman. He claimed that the agency is “again sitting in its fat ass” for taking so much time before taking the appropriate administrative measures and civil charges filed.

“Why has Purisima not been charged? Why are they allowing a graft case to be “eaten alive” by a Senate Committee and members of the press before they start acting upon their mandate?. Their inaction is inexcusable, he said.”

Relova cited that even former Chief Justice Renato Corona was treated as an ordinary public servant then.

“The same heavy-handed treatment must be used against Purisima. No exception, even if President Aquino has vouched for him. Aquino is not the law, contrary to what he thinks he is, Relova asserted”.

Press Release
06 October 2014
Ref. Gie Relova 0915-2862555
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino

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[Featured site] The Philippine Public Transparency Reporting Project

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The Philippine Public Transparency Reporting Project

Pera natin to

This project and website is built on the belief that corruption in public life will only ever be reduced when ordinary people are able to understand, monitor — and ultimately have a say on where and how public money is spent.

As the subtitle of this website says, it’s our money (pera natin ‘to). Every centavo lost to corruption is a centavo stolen from education, poverty reduction, social services and job creation. Ultimately, beating corruption will result in more inward investment, serious economic development and far fewer people leaving home in search of a better life overseas.

Transparency and accountability are the greatest enemies of corruption – yet despite repeated pledges of action by successive presidents since the end of martial law, neither has played any real part in government anti-graft strategies. Precious few gains have been made with some polls showing people believing public corruption is in fact getting worse.

Corruption, graft, mismanagement and waste all thrive on secrecy. The closed system of Philippine politics and the equally closed system of managing the nation’s public finances suggests little will ever happen if we rely on those in power. Change will only come from moving the nation’s finances out of the shadows and into the light.

This Project and website aims to put under the public spotlight important issues such as control and management of the nation’s public wealth –and keep them there. We cannot wait any more for transparency and accountability to come: We must build both ourselves. Both require public monitoring, debate, advocacy and action. All in turn require information – and lots of it. Equally, we need education since the more we understand the better our monitoring and the more we can expose corruption and waste.

Everybody can and should be involved. Too many anti-corruption initiatives have focused on just one group, interest or sector and failed to realize that real power and change stems from different and disparate communities and people coming together to organize, share knowledge, forge links, build pressure and collectively force change.

The internet, social media – even texting– all provide us with new opportunities to communicate, teach, learn, reach out, link up and mobilize. Corruption will not take generations to defeat. It simply needs people coming together to see that the public interest is constantly and fully served.

So we are working with journalists and media groups across the country as we are with civil society and seeing how each can work to compliment the other: We are reaching out to link to and learn from earlier and other anti-corruption initiatives around the country – just as we are looking to see how other places like Hong Kong have successfully fought public graft.

We also aim to be a space and platform for ordinary people to report and share their stories and experiences of public corruption, secrecy, waste and mismanagement. From discussion and debate come ideas and solutions.

Some of the best ideas may come from those quietly working already in the field of public finance. There is plenty of space for all and there are countless elected officials, civil servants and auditors quietly working around the country for the good of society and not themselves. So finally, through your support, we hope to be a showcase and platform for what works well and best in public finances around the country.

Corruption kills hope, chance and all opportunity. So it is up to each and every one of us to take responsibility and start building the kind of future we all dream of.

As former US Secretary of Health and Education John Gardner famously said: “The citizen can bring our political and government institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable and keep them honest. No one else can.”

The Philippine Public Transparency Reporting Project
Partners: IWPR, CCJD, MindaNews and NUJP
http://www.transparencyreporting.net/

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[Event] MILLION PEOPLE MARCH TO LUNETA AUGUST 26: SA ARAW NG MGA BAYANI. PROTESTA ng BAYAN!!!

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MILLION PEOPLE MARCH TO LUNETA AUGUST 26: SA ARAW NG MGA BAYANI. PROTESTA ng BAYAN!!!

Aug 25 peoples Initiative Against Pork Barrel

On the first anniversary of the MILLION PEOPLE MARCH (MPM), on August 25 (Araw ng mga Bayani), 6am-1pm, let us gather at Luneta once more and continue our fight against ALL FORMS of PORK BARREL and CORRUPTION! Bring along family and friends to this FUN event of GENUINE PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT! Stand up, Sign up for our FUTURE! Stand Up, Sign UP Against ALL PORK! Pls invite and share! HASHTAG: #SignUpVsPork

“All measures our citizens take, provided these are moral, peaceful and lawful, aimed at curbing corruption and the irresponsible use of public funds have our full support,” – Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas endorsing P.I. vs Pork http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=39527

Schedule

6am – Takbo Na w/ F Robert Reyes vs ALL PORK and start of SIGNATURE GATHERING for People’s Petition proposing to enact a national legislation entitled AN ACT ABOLISHING PORK BARREL
9am to 1pm – Program proper (performers and speakers soon!)

***

Pls read the LATEST DRAFT of the petition at http://www.scribd.com/doc/236600451/The-draft-People-sGreen Releaf Initiative

Salient points of the Proposed Act:

SUMMARY: The Act Abolishing Pork Barrel abolishes the presidential and congressional pork barrel, mandates line item budgeting, prohibits and criminalizes allocation and use of lump sum discretionary funds, penalizes violators with six years and one day to ten years imprisonment and disqualification from holding public office.

Defines Pork Barrel, Lump Sum Appropriations, Impoundment, and Savings

SECTION 4.
(a) All proposed budgets submitted to the Philippines Congress shall contain only itemized or line-item appropriations, except 1)appropriations for the purpose of disaster response, 2)contingency fund of not more than 5% of the budget for a specific item, and 3)for the intelligence/confidential funds of the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

SECTION 5. Appropriation of special funds.
Within the fiscal year following the approval of this Act, a report on the financial status of every account including but not limited to the Malampaya fund, the Motor Vehicles Users Charges and other off-budget items covered by a special law authorizing the continuous disbursement of funds for a special purpose shall be submitted to Congress. Every fiscal year thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a proposed budget for the disbursemen

SECTION 6. Abolition of the Presidential Social Fund.

SECTION 7. Special Offenses
The penalty of imprisonment of six years and one day to ten years and perpetual disqualification from public office shall be imposed…

Other links:
http://www.journal.com.ph/editorial/desk/people-s-initiative
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/374086/news/nation/cbcp-president-supports-people-s-initiative-vs-pork-barrel
http://www.rappler.com/nation/65579-cbcp-backs-people-initiative-pork-barrel

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/406846762761075/568801773232239/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

[Statement] Isulong ang Karapatang Pantao, Bagong Pulitika, Bagong Ekonomiya, Bagong Sistema -FDC/PAHRA/KonTRAPOrk

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Pahayag sa Okasyon ng 2014 State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Presidente Benigno Aquin0 III.

Isulong ang Karapatang Pantao, Bagong Pulitika, Bagong Ekonomiya, Bagong Sistema
Bulok at Huwad ang “Tuwid na Daan”

SONA 2014. Photo by FDC

SONA 2014. Photo by FDC

Muling nagigising ang buong bayan samapanlinlang na panunungkulan ng gobyernong Aquino. Bulok at huwad ang “Tuwid na Daan.”Bigo ang masang Pilipinong makaahon mula sa gutom at kahirapan.Mula kay Cory na nangako ng tunay na demokrasya pagkabagsak ng diktadura,walang natupad sa mga pangako ng lahat ng mga administrasyong umupo sa Malacañang.Nananatiling pangarap ang pagtatamo ng kaginhawaan at katarungang panlipunan na nagtutulak sa mamamayan upang paigtingin ang pakikibaka para sa tunay na pagbabago sa pulitika, ekonomiya at sistemang panlipunan.

Ang Pangulong Noynoy (PNoy) na mismo ang sumira sa kanyang “Social Contract” sa taumbayan. Nabugok ang pangakong mabilis na pagpapatupad ng hustisya, trabaho para sa lahat at mga serbisyong panlipunan na magpapalaya sa madla mula sa kahirapan at inekwalidad. Umaalingasaw ngayon ang gobyerno sa iskandalo ng pangungulimbat at pandarambong sa pera ng bayan at pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan. Nitong huli, sa deklarasyon nitong ilegal ang Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) ni Aquino at Abad, ang Korte Suprema na ang naglantad sa tunay na anyo ng administrasyong Aquino bilang bulok, abusado, elitista at trapo.

Walang makabuluhang reporma at kaginhawaang natamo ang sambayanan sa ilalim ng gobyernong Aquino. Pinapasasaan ng iilan ang ekonomiya, bagsak ang mga sektor ng agrikultura at industriya, kakaunti ang mapagkukunan ng trabaho at kabuhayan, palpak ang reporma sa agraryo, laganap ang kagutuman at kahirapan, matindi ang inekwalidad, tumitingkad ang imperyalistang panghihimasok sa bansa, patuloy ang karahasan at paglabag sa karapatangpantao, lumalala ang pagkasira ng kalikasanat krisis sa klima. Ang epekto ng lahat ng ito ay lalong pinabigat ng malawakan at iskandalosong pandarambong sa pera ng bayan dulot ng grabeng katiwalian sa lahat ng antas ng pamahalaan.

Itinuloy ang Mapang-aping Neoliberal naKalakaran, Ekonomiya’yPinapakinabangan ng Iilan,
Karapatang Pantao ay Tinatamaan

Patuloy naibinukas ng administrasyong Aquino ang ekonomiya ng bansa sa kontrol ng mga dambuhalang korporasyon na ang pangunahing layunin ay pagkakitaan ng husto ang pagbebenta ng mga produkto at serbisyo sa mamamayan. Limampu’t pito (57) pang proyekto ang nakasalang sa programang Public-Private Partnership at kasama rito ang sektor ng serbisyo sa tubig, kuryente at transportasyon. Kaya, lumalago raw ang ekonomiyapero abot-langitang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo sa tubig, kuryente, kalusugan, edukasyon at pampublikong transportasyon. Samantala, sagad-lupa ang sweldo at laganap ang kontraktwalisasyon at kawalan ng trabaho.At dahil nakaasa sa mga malalaking pribadong korporasyon, hanggang ngayon ay hindi naglalaan si PNoy ng sapat na pondo para sa mga pinsala sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mamamayang biktima ng mga kalamidad na tulad ng superbagyong Yolanda.

Sa halip na paunlarin ang sektor ng industriya at agrikultura na pangunahing nagpapa-usbong ng bago o dagdag na yaman at trabaho, tila umaasa na lang ang administrasyong Aquino sa pagdagsa ng mga call centers, sa bilyun-bilyong dolyar na padala ng mga Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) at sa paulit-ulit na pangungutang upangtakpan ang kakapusan nito sa pera para sa taunang pambansang budget.Kaya, mula 2010 hanggang 2013, lumobo ng 20.41 porsyento at umabot sa P7.5 trilyon ang utang ng Pilipinas. Ang perang inutang, kasama ang buwis ng mamamayan, bukod sa ipinambayad sa mga dating utang na hindi napakinabangan ng bayan, ay ginamit pang pangsuhol at ninakaw ng mga tiwaling opisyaltulad ng nangyari sa pamamagitan ng DAP at ni Napoles.Kakarampot at tira-tirang pondo ang napupunta para sa mga serbisyong panlipunan at pang-ekonomiya. Nitong huli, sa halip na manindigan ang administrasyong Aquino na kanselahin ang napakabigat na utang ng Pilipinas para sana ibuhos ang pampublikong pondo para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga sinalanta ni Yolanda, nangutang itong muli ng halos US$ 2 bilyon para sa mga proyektong hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nakikita ng mga biktima ng superbagyo.

Sinasalamin ng mga opisyal na datos ang mapait na katotohanang hinaharap ng mga mamamayan:

• Lugmok ang sektor ng agrikultura dahil sa kawalan ng suporta mula sa gobyerno. Ang kalagayang ito ay lalong pinalalala ng ampaw na pagpapatupad ng repormang agraryo at kawalan ng prayoridad sa pagpapatupad ng mga proyektong pang-adaptasyon sa tumitinding epekto ng pagbabago ng klima (climate change). Nitong 2013, tinamo ng sektor ng agrikultura ang tinatayang 74 porsyento ng kabuoang pinsalang idinulot ng mga kalamidad. Mahigit 600,000 ektaryang sakahan ang nasirasapananalasa lang ng bagyong Yolanda. Hindi langkabuhayan ng mga magsasaka ang nawawasak, nanganganib din ang seguridad sa pagkain ng mamamayan.

• Tinatayang dalawa (2) sa bawat sampung mag-anak o 30 milyong katao ang mahirap batay sa sukatan ng gobyerno na kinakailangan ng P16,841 taunang sahod para matustusan ng pamilya ang mga pangangailangan nito (poverty threshold). Napakababa na ng sukatang ito. Iginigiit ng Partido ng Manggagawa na kailangan ngayon ang P1,200 arawang sweldo para mabuhay ng sapat at may dignidad ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Samantala, walang trabaho ang apat (4) sa bawat 10 Pilipinong kabilang sa lakas-paggawa at mahigit pitong (7) milyon ang underemployed. Umabot na sa 2.2 milyon noong 2012 ang nakipagsapalaran sa labas ng bansa, na nadagdagan pa ng 157,681 OFW mula Enero hanggang Marso nitong taon.

• Papatindi ang inekwalidad sa ating lipunan. Napunta ang 60 porsyentong paglago sa ekonomiya noong 2013 sa iilang pamilyang bumubuo ng 15 porsyento ng buong populasyon ng Pilipinas. Kumikita ang mayayamang pamilyang ito ng mahigit sa 10 beses ng halaga ng poverty threshold.

• Nananatiling lubhang mababa sa itinakdangpandaigdigang pamantayan ang pondong inilalaan para sa edukasyon at serbisyong pangkalusugan (6 porsyento ng GNP dapat para sa edukasyon at 5 porsyento ng GDP para sa kalusugan).Kaya,nanatiling 60 porsyento lamang ng kababayan natin ang nakakatapos sa mataas na paaralan at mahigit 50 porsyento ng gastos sa serbisyong pangkalusugan ay nanggagaling sa bulsa ng mamamayan.

• Itinuloy at pinalawak pa ni PNoy ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps o CCT) ni Arroyo upang diumano’y makatapos sa mataas na paaralan ang mga batang kasama sa programang ito. Maliban sainutang ang pondo para rito, nagtipid na naman ang gobyerno sa halip na magtakda ng porsyento mula sa GDP na sasapat para palakasin ang kapasidad ng mamamayan na makaahon sa kahirapan. Wala rin garantiyang makakahanap ng trabaho at matatag nakabuhayan ang mga pamilyang umaasa rito.

Hindi lang karapatan sa buhay na may dignidad ang nilalabag ng administrasyong Aquino, laganap pa rin ang pagyurak sa karapatang sibil at pulitikal.

• Tatlong taong pinaghirapan ng mga organisasyong nagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao ang National Human Rights Action Plan ngunit ibinasura ito ng pamahalaanat hindi sinuportahan ng Commission on Human Rights.
• Naipasa ang batas naAnti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance noong 2012 ngunit umaabot na sa 27 ang desaparecidos sa panahon ni PNoy.
• Naipasa angAnti-Torture Law noong 2010 ngunit patuloy ang mga insidente nito. Sa kalahatian pa lamang ng taong 2014 , 40 na ang torure cases sa Region IV pa lamang kasama ang 26 na biktima ng “Wheel of Torture” sa Laguna
• Mayroong batas para sa kumpensasyon ng mga biktima ng Martial Law ni Marcos ngunit ang itinalaga sa pamunuan ng Compensation Board ay isang heneral mula sa kapulisan at wala ring suporta ang gobyerno para sa pag-aasikaso ng mga kaso at dokumentasyon ng mga biktima.
• Hindibababa sa 10 ang mga Human Rights Defenders na nagtataguyod sa yaman ng kalikasan kasama na ang lumalaban sa malawakan at mapanirang pagmimina ang pinatay, kasama dito ang mga katutubo at mga misyonaryo ng simbahan

Mga Proyekto at Planong Itinago sa Publiko

Una, palihim na pumasok sa negosasyon at pinirmahan ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) na nagbigay ng legal na permiso para sa itayo sa buong Pilipinasang base militar ng mga Amerikano. Ito ay taliwas sa nakasaad sa Saligang Batas/Konstitusyon na nagbabawal sa pananatili sa bansa ng mga banyagang tropang militar at sa pagdadala at paggamit dito ng kanilang mga armas o sandatang pangdigma at nukleyar.

Ikalawa, walang kamalay-malay ang publiko at maging ang Kongreso sa Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) na naglipat ng budgetng bayan mula sa dapat nitong alokasyon papunta sa ibang proyektong piniling pondohan ni PNoy, kasama na ang sinasabing isinuhol sa mga Kongresista para patalsikin ang dating punong mahistrado ng Korte Suprema.

Sa parehong pagkakataon, walang naganap na konsultasyon sa publiko kahit ang mga isyung ito ay may kinalaman sa pangkalahatang interes ng mamamayan. Maliwanag angpanloloko at pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan.Ano pa kaya ang mabahong bombang itinatago ng administrasyong Aquino na bigla na lamang sasambulat sa kaawa-kaawang masang Pilipino?

Tama na, Sobra na ang Apat na Taong Huwad na “Tuwid na Daan”

Gumigising na ang mamamayan mula sa mahabang panahong panloloko ng mga ilusyong ibinenta ng mahusay na propaganda ni PNoy. Bistado na ang mga kasinungalingan at buladas. Sapat na ang apat na taong pagtitimpi, paninimbang at pag-asa sa mapagkunwaring ginintuang itlog ng “pagbabago.” Penoy pala, bugok at huwad.

Tuluyan nang iwaksi ang mga ilusyon. Panahon na ng pagbangon, pagkilos at pakikipagtuos. Walang maasahang manunubos kundi ang sama-samang pagkilos ng mamamayan upang muling angkinin angkatarungan, kalayaan at kaginhawaan para sa lahat.

Isulong ang bagong pulitika, bagong ekonomiya, bagong sistema!
Itakwil ang elitista, tiwali at trapong Gobyernong Aquino!
28 Hulyo 2014

Para sa Ugnayan: Don Pangan, Media Liaison Coordinator, +63932 872 6168

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Blog] Mr. Aquino’s attack on the SC over its adverse ruling on the unconstitutionality of the DAP may lead to a Constitutional Crisis. By Jose Mario De Vega

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Mr. Aquino’s unpresidential act of unprofessionally attacking the Supreme Court over its adverse ruling on the unconstitutionality of the DAP may lead to a Constitutional Crisis
By Jose Mario De Vega

I refer to the Philippine Daily Inquirer report, “Aquino warns SC of clash”, July 15th concerning the nationally televised address of Mr. Aquino defending his DAP.

I say that Mr. Aquino’s outburst is undeniably an unpresidential act of attacking the Highest Court (also a co-equal branch of the government) of this Republic.

Mario De Vega

I am not saying that the so-called Chief executive have no right or cannot question the said Court’s ruling, yet what I am disgusted was the method used and the manner utilized by Mr. Aquino in defending his economic vision and/or national financial blue-print which primarily anchored on DAP which the Court struck down last week — overwhelmingly for its contravention of the laws and for its constitutional incongruity!

Mr. Aquino used the said televised speech as a platform to castigate the Court and lampoon its ruling by using words which in my view is not only unprofessional, but irrefutably unpresidential, bullish, unworthy of a statesman, uncouth and unmistakably immoral!

His utter disregard of the moral authority of the Court and his unmistakable disrespect of its findings and judgment are acts unworthy of the president.

His arrogance and being stubborn betrays his ignorance and silly idiocy, not only of the laws, but also of the most basic tenets of political ethics and general public morality of civil governance.

Consider the very words expressed by this creature:

“My message to the Supreme Court: We do not want two equal branches of government to go head to head, needing a third branch to step in to intervene. We find it difficult to understand your decision. You had done something similar in the past, and you tried to do it again; there are even those of the opinion that what you attempted to commit was far graver. Abiding by the principle of “presumption of regularity,” we assumed that you did the right thing; after all, you are the ones who should ostensibly have a better understanding of the law. And now, when we use the same mechanism—which, you yourselves have admitted, benefit our countrymen—why is it then that we are wrong?”

Commentaries:

Mr. Aquino, you are wrong because even if your intention is good, but if the means you are using are against the provision of the Constitution, the Supreme Court will do its duty to invalidate and/or declare your “acts and practices” unconstitutional!

On the Question of Threat and Bullying

Mr. Aquino, I cannot help but sharply observed that within your speech, why are you, in a sense, threatening the Supreme Court?

To quote from the blog post of Atty. Harry Roque, dated July 17th:

“I could not believe my ears. There he was- the President of the Republic—acting like the head of the Sputnik gang, with apologies to the gang.

“Sure, no one likes to lose. But when you want to reconsider a loss, you should argue on the basis of law and reasons- at least if its the highest court that you need to convince. But no, the President threw both reason and law and instead acted like a bully telling the members of the Court that if they do not reverse themselves on the DAP, he will ask the Legislature to remove them from office. He even taunted them to a fight, as if the Justices, because of their sheer physical age, could stand up to him.”

On the issue of the legality of DAP

Mr. Aquino you also used that Monday night address to defend the legality of your DAP by quoting a provision on the Administrative Code (Book VI, Chapter 5, Section 39 of the 1987 Administrative Code of the Philippines) and by citing an illustration (the parking zone) which in my view is not only stupid but incontestably impertinent.

Again, let me quote the legal analysis of Atty. Roque to dispute your baseless contention:

“And why did he think the Court was wrong on the DAP? He identified at least two points, both of which do not hold water. One, the administrative code purportedly empowers him to realign funds even on a cross-border basis. The problem with this submission is the elementary principle of hierarchy of laws. Even assuming that the administrative code authorizes him to resort the DAP, all laws must still conform to the Constitution, the latter being the supreme law of the land. Those that do not are declared by the courts as null and void ab initio, or without legal effect from the beginning.

“Second, he argued that at most, the DAP is akin to parking at a no parking zone in order to bring a dying patient to a hospital. Really? Since when did a culpable breach of the Constitution become akin to a breach of a minor local ordinance? Moreover, the Court identified a major breach of the Constitution as basis for invalidating the DAP; that is, that it usurped the exclusive power of Congress over the purse. The DAP involved more than a violation of an ordinance that could result in a parking ticket. The DAP was about the very essence of representative democracy: that there will be no taxation without representation and its corollary, that there can be no spending of public funds without the consent of the people acting through their representatives. That was the full impact of the ruling of the Supreme Court when it reiterated the doctrine in Demetria vs. Alba that the Executive could only realign savings to augment an existing line item and only within the executive or that branch of government that incurred the saving. To sanction what the DAP purported to do, which was to replace projects identified by Congress with other projects identified by the Executive would infringe on the power of Congress to pass the appropriations law which incidentally, is also an important part of the system of checks and balances institutionalized by the Constitution by having three co-equal branches of government.”

If I may add, it is also written on Article 7 of Republic Act 386 also known as the Civil Code of the Philippines that:

“Art. 7. Laws are repealed only by subsequent ones, and their violation or non-observance shall not be excused by disuse, or custom or practice to the contrary.

“When the courts declared a law to be inconsistent with the Constitution, the former shall be void and the latter shall govern.

“Administrative or executive acts, orders and regulations shall be valid only when they are not contrary to the laws or the Constitution.”

Hence, Mr. Aquino, the fact that your DAP is inconsistent with the Constitution it was declared by the Court unanimously as unconstitutional, for the Constitution is the Highest Law of the land and it is always Supreme!

On the Aquino Regime

I cannot understand the fact that you and your family who suffered gravely under the Marcos dictatorship, with the rest of the Filipino people why are you now acting like a dictator and a bully!?

Why?

Is it the case that ‘a good man’ like you has already turned into a Darth Vader? Does power truly corrupts?

Another issue, if one will deeply analyze the principle of DAP, its inner mechanism and how it works, one can immediately see that the same is nothing but the legacy of Marcos.

Sad but true! The question now is: So, Mr. Aquino, are you now the new Makoy?

Question:

What are you going to do, if on your Motion for Reconsideration, still the Court affirms its ruling?

What can you say to those idiots in Congress who filed bill that seeks to abolish the Judiciary Development Fund?

How about the threat of some moronic Tongresmen of the possibility of impeaching some Justices of the Supreme Court?

I do not know whether you are aware of all these nefarious moves and idiotic acts of vengeance and vindictive hints, but let me warn you and your regime, your acts of bullying the Supreme Court may lead to a Constitutional Crisis!

Is that your so-called “tuwid na daan”?

Jose Mario Dolor De Vega

The Radical

 

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[Press Release] Urban poor denounce Roxas’ for claiming that DAP benefitted informal settlers -KPML

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Urban poor denounce Roxas’ for claiming that DAP benefitted informal settlers

REACTING to claims made by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas that 10 billion pesos from the recently declared unconstitutional Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) were spent to relocate waterways communities, an urban poor federation leader says it is the exact opposite.

KPML

Roxas was reported to have said that, “The money was used for the welfare of the people. The interest of the people always prevails,” during the unveiling of the Zero-ISF Water Easement in Barangay Salapan in San Juan City.

“Roxas is trying his hardest but obviously failing to paint himself as to looking after the interests of the informal settlers when in fact, the relocation program of the government with or without DAP funds is not beneficial but also consequentially detrimental to the poor,” said Anthony Barnedo of Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML).

Barnedo branded that the socialized housing program of the government as “Rated: PG or Rated: Pure Gimmickry for all the housing officials want is to bulldoze us to far-flung areas for us to rot to death. It is not for the betterment of the poor when the government “saves” us from a danger zone, only to condemn us to a death zone,”

On Roxas’ statement, he clarified that, “It is categorically untrue that the usage of DAP funds were beneficial to the informal settlers along the waterways because the government’s housing units are not for free, poor families will still have to pay monthly mortgages out of their contractual jobs. The government will even profit out of our miseries through interests”.

“The DAP’s true beneficiaries are the real estate developers who cornered billions-worth of government low-cost housing contracts. The DAP is the milking cow of the likes of Noynoy Aquino’s former classmate, Chito Cruz of the National Housing Authority and Gerry Acuzar, owner of New San Jose Builders, Inc. and brother-in-law of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa,” the urban poor leader pointed out.

The KPML condemned Roxas for using the miseries of the poor to shield himself and Aquino from public accountability by justifying their usage of illegally juggled public funds.

“If there are available public funds and if both Aquino and Roxas truly stand for the welfare of the marginalized like they claim then provide free socialized housing and abandon their plans privatize public hospitals for indigents among others”, he asserted.

The militants believes that the government is heartless for it unjustly and forcibly uproots the informal settlers from their communities, work and school, only to be dumped to areas without even basic necessities and infrastructure such as schools, markets, day care centers, potable water, and steady supply of electricity and drainage pipes.

The most damaging, they say, “is the lack of jobs or opportunities to eke a living and pay their mortgages”.

The KPML together with ally Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino just recently announced that they are now calling for the ouster of Aquino and the establishment of a government of the masses and not the constitutional succession of the Vice President.

The groups vows to mobilize thousands of its members and affiliates on July 28, Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address.

Press Release
20 July 2014
Contact Person:
Anthony Barnedo 0949-7518792
Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod

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[Press Release] Anti-Poverty group reiterate demand of full-disclosure of DAP projects’ details, says devil is in the details -KPML

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Allege Massive Cronyism in DAP-infused Projects
Anti-Poverty group reiterate demand of full-disclosure of DAP projects’ details,
says devil is in the details

AN URBAN poor group called on Palace officials to reiterate their call for the full disclosure of the details of projects infused with Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds. They specifically wanted to know which companies were awarded with contracts stimulated by DAP.

KPML

The Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML) believes that the companies which were granted projects fueled with juggled public funds are heavily-connected with President Benigno Aquino III, they allege that they are either corporations identified with close associates and relatives.

Secretary Butch Abad of the Budget Department recently released a list containing 101 projects worth P144.4 billion that were implemented between 2011 and 2013 with the supposed economic stimulus program.

“The fiscal abuse hatched by the Palace could easily translate to anomalous and highly-dubious transactions since it did not go through budget deliberations in Congress for scrutiny. If not, then why did they not go through standard operating procedure and be a fiscal dictator,” said KPML leader, Orly Gallano.

“The fleshy features of each transaction using DAP funds are what the people want to know. As the most religious taxpayers, we have the right to know where our taxes were spent, how and to whom they were awarded. The devilish side of DAP lies in the details,” he asserted.

Despite the clamor for disclosure the Palace officials have not budged despite the obvious discrepancies with the document they submitted before the Supreme Court before it was declared unconstitutional and those recently released.

Documents submitted before the high court indicated that the Palace spent more than P177 billion.

The urban poor leader alleged that, “No amount of sanitizing could hide the fact that the DAP was used for political patronage, undermining of supposed co-equal branches of government, corruption and amassing of wealth of Aquino cronies and relatives through anomalous deals”.

“The more Aquino and Abad refuse to heed the demands of the people for full disclosure and deny the people justice, will only fuel their emotions and heighten the clamor for his ouster and establishment of a political system that will genuinely serve the interest of the nation’s poor majority,” Gallano added.

The KPML together with ally Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino just recently announced that they are now calling for the ouster of Aquino and the establishment of a government of the masses and not the constitutional takeover of the Vice President.

The groups vows to mobilize thousands of its members and affiliates on July 28, Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address.

Press Release
19 July 2014
Contact Person:
Orly Gallano 0999 9552046
Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod

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[Press Release] Labor tells Lacierda to “shut up” on DAP without audit and investigation -BMP

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Labor tells Lacierda to “shut up” on DAP without audit and investigation

A LABOR group assailed Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda for clearing Budget Secretary Butch Abad on any wrongdoing in the implementation of his brainchild, the Disbursement Acceleration Program or the DAP, this after Lacierda claimed that the Executive branch’s allotment of 91% of the entire DAP was accounted.

bmplogo

The Supreme Court en banc has decided that the DAP to be partly unconstitutional last week.

“It seems that Lacierda is on automatic deception mode. Whenever there are inquiries to the disbursement of public funds by the Executive branch, he is quick to denying any violations whatsoever without any proof or investigation, said Gie Relova of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP).

The Commission on Audit recently found disclosed that there are irregularities in the usage of the 1.1 billion peso DAP budget of the TESDA in 2011. The TESDA is headed by Liberal Party member Joel Villanueva.

He added that, “It is not difficult to conclude that Lacierda may have been given the blanket authority by the President himself to vouch for Abad and other cabinet members. Lacierda’s assurance is all gibberish and a clear waste of taxpayers’ money”.

Abad issued National Budget Circular No. 541 and other issuances, authorizing the use of unused public funds.

The group noted that without any impartial investigation by state agencies or any independent body, the Palace spokespersons have been covering for Abad and President Noynoy Aquino ever since the DAP was first disclosed in a privilege speech of Senator Jinggoy Estrada in September last year.

“May I remind Mr. Lacierda that he is a Presidential spokesperson and he must be prudent enough before releasing irresponsible and leading statements to the public without a formal impartial investigation,” the labor leader warned.

The group also said that with the way the Palace has been mishandling the issue, people have grown wary of the prospects in achieving justice for the wholesale and systematic abuse of power by Executive officials led by Aquino and Abad.

The BMP likewise claimed that besides the gross abuse of the authority, state agencies must also divulge the personalities and companies involved in the DAP-funded “fast-moving projects”.

“In the world of auditing, the devil is in the details. The nation wants to know who Aquino’s cronies are,” Relova said.

He insisted that the public must be informed where the funds were spent and who were awarded and those who benefitted from such projects because, “clearly no amount of Lacierda’s words will be enough to assure the back-breaking work of the tax-paying public.

Contact person:
Gie Relova- 0915-2862555
Secretary-General Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-NCRR

Press Release
10 July 2014

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[Statement] CBCP supports the People’s Initiative to abolish the pork barrel system -PIAP

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CBCP supports the People’s Initiative to abolish the pork barrel system

The people’s initiative to abolish the pork barrel system got a big boost from the recently concluded plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The Catholic Bishops agreed to support the people’s initiative, which aims to enact a law that abolishes presidential and congressional pork barrel, prohibits and criminalizes appropriation and use of lump sum discretionary funds and mandates line item budgeting.

The CBCP’s decision comes at a time when the Catholics nationwide are celebrating 2014 as “The Year of the Laity”.

During the discussion of various issues under the CBCP Committee on the Laity, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma appealed to his colleagues to give moral blessing and backing to two people’s initiatives – that of the People’s Initiative to Abolish Pork Barrel and the People’s Initiative Against Political Dynasties.

“In order to put a final lid on the pork barrel system, specifically in the legislative and executive branches of government, we support the proposal from anti-pork barrel groups in the whole country that the sovereign people use the 1987 Philippine Constitution provision on the passage of a law through the people’s initiative,” Archbishop Palma said.

The anti-pork people’s initiative is being spearheaded by the newly formed coalition, the People’s Initiative to Abolish Pork Barrel (PIAP).

PIAP includes the Abolish Pork Movement, Cebu Coalition Against Pork Barrel, Church People Against Pork Barrel, E-Pirma, Makabayan, Scrap Pork Network and Solidarity.

Many organizations also stand behind the people’s initiative in pushing to define and prohibit political dynasties. The CBCP had issued a pastoral statement in January 2013, denouncing the worsening problem of political dynasties nationwide.

After a discussion in the CBCP plenary, a consensus emerged to focus first and ensure the success of the people’s initiative to abolish the pork barrel system and next, the people’s initiative against political dynasty.

The CBCP saw the pork barrel as a burning and pressing issue that has sparked people’s outrage, providing favorable conditions for the initiative to end congressional and presidential pork barrel, a big source of corruption and patronage politics.

The Bishops agreed to back the August 23, 2014 People’s Congress being called by the coalition PIAP. The People’s Congress will finalize the people’s initiative proposed law against pork barrel and firm up plans for nationwide education and signature campaign. A kick-off rally will be held at Plaza Independencia on the same day to start the nationwide signature drive.

PRESS STATEMENT
July 8, 2014
For Reference: Sr. Mary John Mananzan (09178980637) * Marc Canton (09273493409) * Mae Paner (09178106145) * Atty. Alex Lacson (09285500712) * Manny SD Lopez (09179582735) * Fr. Ben Alforque (09178263496)

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[Press Release] Liberal Party and its Tyranny of Numbers -BMP

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Liberal Party and its Tyranny of Numbers
Aquino, Abad and Rep. Evardone Bastardizing Democracy, labor group says

AMIDST the snowballing calls for resignation and accountability from all sectors of society, the top-brass of the ruling party, the Liberal Party (LP) has not budged a bit and continued to assert their defenses for their involvement in the design and usage of unspent funds or the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

bmplogo

Workers group Bukluran ng Manggawang Pilipino (BMP) claimed that the officials’ refusal to acknowledge and abide by the unanimous Supreme Court decision and consciously organizing the suppression of any impeachment moves in the Batasan Pambansa is the death “democracy” and the constitutional processes.

“Noynoy Aquino, Butch Abad and even Representative Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar) are not only bastardizing the very concept of democracy and fundamental principles of good government but are murdering democracy in front of our very eyes,” said Gie Relova of the BMP

He added that, “The suppression of a constitutionally-warranted impeachment process obscures every single letter of the Constitution; it stifles the fervor of an abused nation to seek justice for the billions of pesos in taxes quenched from their brow of every decent Filipino”

Since the Supreme Court declared part of the DAP unconstitutional, Malacanang has been claiming that they have done nothing wrong. Meanwhile, its allies in Congress led by Evardone have been busy issuing statements that they vow to block any and all efforts to impeach Aquino.

“If they, Aquino and his technocratic bureaucrats such as Abad and Cesar Purisima pledge innocence and uprightness, what do they have to fear in an impeachment court? That is what democracy is all about,” asserted Relova.

The group is seeking accountability and prosecution of all those involved in the blatant violation of the Constitutional provision limiting executive powers whether technocrat or elected official.

The labor leader also noted that the Aquino and his LP partymates are emulating then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s tactics in controlling its “co equal” branch of government, in an effort to block impeachment processes against her in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“Its now a battle between the peoples’ resolve and thirst for justice versus the tyranny of numbers of the Liberal Party, the true enemies of democracy,” Relova surmised.

Relova warned that, “The cumulative pent up anger of the Filipino nation in its search for justice and accountability against corrupt Presidents coupled with low wages, contractualization of labor, high prices and abandonment of social services shall eventually explode like a massive social volcano reaching unprecedented political heights”.

Despite the ruling party’s insistence of committing no wrongdoing, Relova says that, “Justice will not be served in a silver platter and the axe must be wielded firmly by an aggrieved and desolate people, led by the deprived working class”.

“Let the axe fall where it should,” he concluded.

Press Release
04 July 2014
Contact person:
Mr. Gie Relova
0915-2862555

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[Press Release] Labor group seeks special audit for DAP -PM

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Labor group seeks special audit for DAP

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today added its voice to the mounting call to have the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) subjected to a special audit after the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.

pmLogo1

PM said Malacañang’s defense that there was nothing wrong in it since it was done in good faith is flatly self-serving as DAP’s worth needs to be proven beyond the realm of motives or intentions.

Likewise the claim that DAP boasted our economic growth is even more fallacious.

“We leave the legal issues to lawyers, the moral intentions to priests, and the political flavor of it, for a while, to rival politicians. Our main and immediate interest here is to know whether DAP money had gone in the same manner PDAF had been squandered,” stated PM chairperson Renato Magtubo.

Magtubo said the political context when DAP was concocted and eventually released has overly been discussed. “What we want to know now is whether a DAP released to a lawmaker’s left hand is better spent than a PDAF released to his/her right hand.”

The former partylist representative said a special audit for used and unused DAP funds may either clear many issues or uncover the same pattern of fraud committed under PDAF. Or may be worse.

“Assuming the crime was repeated, the political discussion should therefore lead to a conclusion that the whole system is terribly wrong,” said Magtubo.

The group believes that funds released under DAP and received by the same hands that made PDAF their personal piggy banks are tainted with corruption. Thus the need for a special audit, perhaps deeper and wider than the audit made on PDAF.

At the height of the pork barrel scam PM had pushed for, as part of reforms in the budget system, the concept of a universal social protection fund with a clearly defined social purpose yet completely isolated from the hands of corrupt politicians.

PRESS RELEASE
Partido ng Manggagawa
4 July 2014
Contact: Renato Magtubo @ 09178232905

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