PIA Dispatch - Friday, March 20, 2009

PGMA orders charges vs. DOJ, PDEA executives involved in the Alabang Boys case
 
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the filing of administrative cases against officials involved in the Alabang Boys case following the recommendations of an independent fact finding committee.
 
The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission has been directed to slap prosecutor John Resado with administrative case for alleged bribery.
 
Resado wrote the resolution dismissing the charges filed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson, the so-called Alabang Boys, who were arrested in a buy bust operation in a posh Muntinlupa village last September 20, 2008.
 
After reversing the controversial Department of Justice resolution following the discovery of probable cause, the President ordered Secretary Raul Gonzales to file criminal charges against Brodett, Joseph and Tecson for violations of the provisions under RA 9165.  
 
PAGC will also file case against Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño and senior state prosecutor Philip Kimpo for alleged negligence in reviewing Resado’s resolution.
 
The commission was also directed by the President to conduct a formal investigation into Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor for possible violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 1319 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

On the other hand, the President tasked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to file administrative charges against Major Ferdinand Marcelino.
 
Marcelino allegedly “took into himself the job of prosecutor “when he allowed the driver of the vehicle where the drug bust occurred to leave.

PDEA was also directed to justify that failure of its agents to observe the Supreme Court ruling and the rules on the marking, inventory and photography of the drugs allegedly seized from the Alabang boys.

The President has given the agency 30 days to conduct an administrative investigation against operatives who allegedly manhandled the suspects during the drug bust.

Another order for PDEA was the completion of its manual of operation in the conduct of drug related arrest in accordance with law and jurisprudence.

The fact finding committee that made the all the recommendations is composed of Retired Supreme Court Justice Carolina Aquino, Retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino and Reverend Father Ranhilio Aquino of San Beda College of Law.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the mandate of the committee was to look into the conduct of the prosecutors in the handling and resolution of the Alabang Boys case and to validate the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation on the alleged bribery.  

After 10 days of hearing 37 testimonies and reviewing relevant documents, the committee, led by Justice Aquino, submitted March 12 their findings and recommendations on the Alabang Boys case to the President.


Mga opisyal ng DOJ, PDEA na sangkot sa Alabang Boys case, pinakakasuhan ni PGMA
 
Ipinag-utos ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pagsasampa ng kasong administratibo laban sa mga opisyal na sangkot sa kaso ng Alabang Boys matapos magsumite ng mga rekumendasyon ang isang fact finding committee na kanyang binuo.
 
Naatasan ang Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) na masampahan ng kasong administratibo si prosecutor John Resado dahil sa di-umano’y bribery.
 
Si Resado ang bumalangkas ng resolution na nagsasantabi sa kasong isinampa ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) laban kina Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph at Joseph Tecson, ang mga binansagang Alabang Boys, na naaresto sa isang buy bust operation sa isang marangyang village sa Muntinlupa noong September 20, 2008.
 
Makaraang baligtarin ang kontrobersyal na resolusyon ng Department of Justice, ipinag-utos ng Pangulo kay Secretary Raul Gonzales ang pagsasampa ng kasong kriminal kina Brodett, Joseph at Tecson para sa paglabag sa mga probisyon ng RA 9165.  
 
Magsasampa rin ang PAGC ng kaso laban kina Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño at senior state prosecutor Philip Kimpo sa di-umano’y kapabayaan sa pagsusuri sa resolution na isinulat ni Resado.
 
Binigyan din ng Pangulo ng direktiba ang komisyon na siyasatin si Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor sa posibleng paglabag sa Section 3 ng Republic Act 1319 na mas kilala bilang Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Sa panig naman ng PDEA, inatasan ng Pangulo ang ahensiya na magsampa ng kasong administratibo laban kay Major Ferdinand Marcelino, ang nanguna sa drug buy-bust operation laban sa Alabang Boys.
 
Ang kaso ay Marcelino ay bunga ng di-umano’y pag-aktong bilang isang taga-usig nang payagan nitong makatakas ang driver ng sasakyan kung saan nangyari ang drug buy- bust operation. 
 
Kasama sa mga direktiba ng PDEA ang pagpapaliwanag kung bakit nabigo ang mga ahente nito na ipatupad ang mga patakaran sa pagmamarka, imbentaryo at paglilitrato ng mga drogang nasamsam sa Alabang Boys.

May tatlumpung araw din ang ahensiya para magsagawa ng imbistigasyon laban sa mga operatibang nanakit sa mga suspect particular kay Brodett sa drug buy bust operation.

Pinakukumpleto rin ng Malakanyang sa PDEA ang kanilang manual of operation hinggil sa pagsasagawa ng mga pag-aresto alinsunod sa batas at sa naging desisyon ng hukuman.

Ang fact finding committee na nagbigay ng mga rekumendasyon sa Pangulo ay binubuo nina Retired Supreme Court Justice Carolina Aquino, Retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino at Reverend Father Ranhilio Aquino ng San Beda College of Law.

Ayon kay Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, naatasan ang committee para tingnan kung paano hinawakan ng mga taga-usig ng DOJ ang kaso ng Alabang Boys at kumpirmahin ang mga natuklasan ng National Bureau of Investigation sa di umano’y nangyaring bribery.  

Makaraan ang sampung araw ng pagdinig sa may tatlumput-pitong testimonya at pag-aaral sa mga kaugnay na dokumento, ang committee, sa pangunguna ni Justice Aquino, ay nagsumite ng mga rekumendasyon sa Pangulo noong ika-12 ng Marso.


Palace denies involvement in Mancao affidavit
 
Malacanang disputed allegations that palace is behind the Mancao affidavit that linked key opposition leaders to the Dacer – Corbito twin killing.
 
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde stressed that the administration has nothing to do with the affidavit that implicates Former President Joseph Estrada and Senator Panfilo Lacson in the case. 
 
“There is a saying that goes he who alleges must prove, let him prove his allegation first,” said Remonde as he denied any official offering former police officer Cesar Mancao the restoration of his job or benefits in exchange for the affidavit.
 
“Anyway this matter…hopefully, be brought to court, that will be the time for reckoning,” Remonde said, “ to make sure that there will be justice for Dacer and Corbito…for the accused…and for the Filipino people.”
 
A recent newspaper article reported that Mancao in his February 14 affidavit tagged Estrada and Lacson as masterminds in the abduction and murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.
 
Mancao headed the Task Group Luzon of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) under Lacson who then the chief of the Philippine National Police. 
 
Estrada, on the other hand, was the incumbent chief executive at the time of the murders.

Lacson and Estrada denied involvement in the case.
 
Mancao is one of the 22 persons that include PAOCTF officials that were charged in the killing.
 
Earlier, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo advised persons implicated in the Dacer – Corbito case to use the courts to clear their names. 
 
Fajardo urged all personalities dragged into the case to refrain from pre-empting the testimony of Mancao in court to allow the truth to come out.
 
 
Palace pinabulaanan ang alegasyong may kaugnayan sa Mancao affidavit
 
Iginiit ng Malakanyang na wala itong kinalaman sa bintang na sila ang may pakana sa pagdawit sa ilang mga lider oposisyon sa Dacer – Corbito Double Murder Case.
 
Ayon kay Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, walang kinalaman ang administration sa pagsasagawa ni dating police officer Cesar Mancao ng isang dokumento nagtuturo kina dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada at Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang mga utak sa pagpatay kay publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer at sa kanyang drayber na si Emannuel Corbito noong 2000.
 
“There is a saying that goes he who alleges must prove, let him prove his allegation first (may kasabihan, ang sinumang nagbibitang ay kailangan patunayan ang kanyang mga ibinibintang),”sabi ni Remonde kasunod ng pagtanggi na may mga opisyal na may nag-alok kay Mancao ng pagbabalik sa kanyang dating trabaho at iba pang benepisyo kapalit ng pagdawit kina Lacson at Estrada.
 
Umaasa si Remonde na makakarating sa hukuman ang usapin kung saan lahat ay makakatikim na katarungan, kabilang na rito sina Dacer, Corbito at ang mga akusado.
 
Pinanguhanan ni Mancao ang Task Group Luzon ng Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) sa ilalim ni Lacson na dating hepe ng Philippine National Police noong nakapwesto pa ang Estrada Administration. 
 
Parehong itinanggi nina Lacson and Estrada na mayroon silang kinalaman sa kaso.
 
Isa si Mancao sa 22 katao kabilang ang ilang mga opisyal ng PAOCTF officials sa mga kinasuhan sa Dacer – Corbito case.
 
Una nang pinayuhan ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo ang mga taong nadawit sa Dacer – Corbito case na dahil ang kanilang usapin sa hukuman para malinis ang kanilang mga pangalan. 
 
Hinimok din ni Fajardo ang publiko na huwag pangunahan ang gagawing pagtestigo ni Mancao sa korte para mapalabas ang katotohanan.


Malacanang never abandoned the Red Cross workers in Sulu
 
Government never abandoned the ICRC workers held hostage by Abu Sayyaf bandits.
 
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that government has already shed blood for the release of Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagri and Mary Jean Lacalsa who were taken by the armed group in January 15 while on the way to an airport in Sulu.
 
Remonde recalled that the Armed Forces of the Philippines lost three marines in the attempt to recover the hostages from the bandits.
 
“I think the nation witnessed today the President condoling the families of three soldiers that have been killed and several others who were been wounded,” said Remonde, “hindi gobyerno ang kontrabida rito kundi itong mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf.”

Before the kidnapping, Remonde said the trio declined the security that the military was offering considering the situation of the area.
 
Remonde was reacting to reported sentiments allegedly coming from hostages who were feeling left behind by government.  
  
At this point, Remonde added, efforts to retrieve the hostages should be left to the local crisis committee with full support from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
 

Red Cross na bihag ng mga Abu Sayyaf, hindi tinalikuran ng pamahalaan
 
Mariing pinabulaanan ng pamahalaan na pinabayaan nito ang mga Red Cross workers na binihag ng mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf.
 
Inihayag ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde na una nang nagsakripisyo ang pamahalaan mapalaya lamang sina Andreas Notter, Eugenio Vagri at Mary Jean Lacalsa na dinukot noong ika-15 ng Enero ng mga bandido habang papunta sa airport sa Sulu.
 
“Ang ating Armed forces na ang bumuwis ng buhay para sa kanila,”sabi ni Remonde kasunod ng pagsasabing binisita kaninang umaga ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang mga naulila ng taong nasawing sundalo at iba pang nasugatan sa bakbakan.
 
“hindi gobyerno ang kontrabida rito kundi itong mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf,”dagdag pa ni Remonde.
 
Bago naganap ang pagdukot, sinabi ni Remonde na tinanggihan ng tatlo ang alok na seguridad ng militar.
 
Ang mga pahayag ni Remonde ay reaksyon sa mga naiulat na pagtatampo ng mga bihag na pakiramdam di umano’y nila ay pinabayaan sila ng pamahalaan.
 
Idinagdag pa ni Remonde na lahat ng hakbang para mailigtas ang mga bihag ay dapat ipaubaya na sa Sulu crisis committee na may suporta mula sa Philippine National Police at sa Armed Forces of the Philippines.


RP can be 10th richest country in the world - Korean envoy

Clark Freeport, March 20 - South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Choi Joong-Kyung said the Philippines has the potential to become the 10th economic power in the world.

Choi issued the remark during a reception hosted by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) at the Mimosa Leisure Estate, recently.

He said the country’s potential should be explored and that it was the proper time to introduce large-scale government to government industrial cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines.

The South Korean ambassador cited the establishment of the Hanjin shipbuilding facility in Subic as one of the successful partnerships between the country and South Korea where at least 15,000 Filipinos were learning the art of shipbuilding technologies and skills.

Choi said with the knowledge they have acquired, he was sure the Filipinos could soon establish their own shipbuilding yards.

For his part, Benigno Ricafort, CDC president, said Choi`s statements bolstered the CDC`s earlier announcement that Clark would continue to show a strong indication in terms of economic potential despite the effects of the global financial crisis.

Ricafort said his optimism for Clark is anchored on strong investor performance as shown by reports from stakeholders who continued to hold dialogue and consultations with the state-owned firm.

``To address the effects of the world financial crisis, CDC is working hand in hand with its locators and investors through the continuous holding of dialogue,`` he said.

Ricafort cited Clark`s proximity to Subic and the presence of infrastructure and facilities like Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as economic advantages.

``One major advantage of Clark is its Freeport status plus the special economic zone at the Sacobia Valley giving investors a low 5 percent tax rate,`` the CDC president said.

He said that job opportunities would continue to remain strong inside the Clark Freeport, citing the recent signing of four new lease agreements with a committed employment of 3,000 workers. (PNA)


Lawmakers express support on government stand in peace process

Manila - Lawmakers on Friday expressed support on the government's stand in the peace process to attain and ensure sustainable peace in Mindanao.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, also emphasized the need to consider the political, historical, religious and social dimension in the peace process.

"Muslim problems are uniquely different and should be addressed uniquely from other problems of the country," he told members of the government panel conducting peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The panel is headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis.

During the briefing on the peace process initiative before the joint committees on Muslim Affairs, the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Seguis said the government panel is ready to resume peace talks with the MILF, and is just waiting for an invitation from the Malaysian facilitator.

He said the panel intends to renegotiate within the legal and constitutional parameters and those set by the Supreme Court.

Seguis also said that the MILF has already raised the issues of allowing an international guarantee, ancestral domain, the cessation of military offensives and preference for a Malaysian facilitator.

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Avelino Razon Jr., for his part, said that the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) would be adopted as a vital component in the peace process to prevent any future conflicts and ensure sustainable peace.

Razon stressed that the government adheres to the primacy of the peace process and is not engaged in an all-out war.

On the other hand, House Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity vice-chairman Nur Jaafar expressed hope that the GRP under the stewardship of the new OPAPP Adviser-Secretary Razon would be able to provide the correct direction in the peace process.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also expressed support of the government stand on the peace process.

She, however, reminded the GRP to conduct the peace process "with an understanding of the Muslim culture and remove any idea of foreign government influence."

Nueva Ecija Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson said the government should also have a "contingency plan" to prevent any problems during the 2010 elections in case there is no timetable yet for the peace talks by then. (PNA)


RP plays host to biggest environmental fair in Asia

Manila - The Philippines on Thursday became host to the largest gathering of environmental entrepreneurs, experts and supporters in Asia as the fifth Eco-Products International Fair (EPIF) formally opened Thursday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City that will run up to March 22.

The EPIF is aimed at promoting the need of conserving the environment and preventing global warming through the promotion of environment- friendly technologies, processes and products.

Touted as the biggest environmental fair and conference in Asia, the yearly activity is organized by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), a Tokyo-based group composed of 20 countries across the continent, and is dedicated to promoting quality management and green productivity among its member-states.

Towards this goal, the 2009 EPIF features exhibits from more than a hundred local and international companies and organizations showcasing a variety of eco-products, eco-services, environmental technology and business as well as various environmental initiatives and demonstrations of new eco-inventions.

The myriad eco-products on display, ranging from electric vehicles, electrical appliances and lighting systems, solar panel systems, household goods, windmill generators and including oil-derived products among others, boast of generating less heat and green house gases to mitigate global warming.

Eco-services, meanwhile, include eco-tourism, recycling business, eco-support systems and waste disposal and segregation while the eco-initiatives feature eco-friendly agriculture and industrial machinery, environmental communications system, photographic and printing equipment, and paper and paper products among others.

Highlighting the prestigious event are several conferences to be held until Sunday which will tackle several environmental issues that include the role of environmental finance and contributions towards sustainable development in Asia, the impact of the global financial crisis on eco-financing, the current status of sustainability reporting in the Philippines, perspectives on green production and green consumption and the successes and pitfalls of green economic policies and programs in Asia. (PNA)


RP, Indonesia free from Asian contraction amid global financial crisis - Reuters poll

Manila - The Philippines and Indonesia are the only economies in Southeast Asia that will record growth this year, results of a Reuters poll survey show.

But the growth, Reuters said, ``will be sharply slower than in previous years, particularly for Indonesia which will be hit by falling prices of commodities, the bulk of Jakarta's exports.``

Reuters forecast growth of just 2.3 per cent for the Philippines this year, but it is lower than a similar poll last December that showed a 3.3 per cent estimate. It is also below government expectations for at least 3.7 per cent, due partly to lower remittances from overseas Filipinos.

Singapore will be the hardest hit, shrinking nearly five this year, the results showed, while Thailand faces its worst recession in 11 years. According to Reuters, the trend reflects a collapse in exports across Asia.

``The Philippines and Indonesia will be the only economies in the region to record growth this year but that growth will be sharply slower than in previous years, with Indonesia hit by falling prices of commodities, the bulk of its exports.``

According to Reuters, Indonesia is not as dependent on export trade as its neighbors and is thus expected to expand by four per cent this year and 5.1 per cent in 2010 despite the glut in the export sector. Its exports contribute only about a third of Gross Domestic Product.

Reuters continued on Indonesia: ``Still, the growth forecast is well down from a 4.8 per cent estimate in a poll three months ago. Weak exports and falling commodities prices weigh on growth, and analysts said the government needs to take further steps to support the economy on top of last month’s US$ 6.1-billion fiscal stimulus package.``

In Malaysia and Thailand, demand is hurt by crumbling exports. Thailand’s economy is set to shrink 1.5 per cent this year while Malaysia will see a 1.2 per cent contraction. Malaysia launched a US$ 16-billion stimulus package after January exports fell 28 per cent, the biggest drop in nearly 30 years.

The poll forecast Malaysia would pick up slightly next year, with GDP growing 2.8 per cent while Thailand is set for a 2.9 per cent expansion in 2010, according to Reuters.

Thailand is Southeast Asia's second largest economy. (PNA)


EU commends RP on significant decrease in cases of unexplained killings

Manila - The European Commission has acknowledged the Philippines’ record decrease in the number of unexplained killings in the last two years.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita quoted Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner as saying: “These assassinations of journalists, of human rights and land rights activists have certainly decreased significantly in number in the past two years.”

Waldner made this statement during the plenary debate of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg, France on March 12, 2009.

Ermita said the Philippines recorded a huge annual drop in the number of cases of killings of political activists and media personalities, from 41 cases in 2006 to 6 and 5 cases in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Ferrero-Waldner also mentioned the Philippines’ “considerable progress in its international obligations to ensure and protect human rights, ratifying 12 international human rights treaties and abolishing the death penalty.”

"The commissioner’s observation reflects the country’s religious periodic reporting of its compliance to its obligations under the core international treaties and covenants," Ermita said.

"This year alone, the Philippines will be reporting on four of these covenants – the Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families, Convention Against Torture, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child," he added.

Ermita said that "while Ferrero-Waldner noted that there are still 'long-standing' concerns on unexplained killings in light of the status of the perpetrators, she affirmed the EC’s support of the European Union Justice Assistance Mission (EU-JAM) which aims to enhance the Philippine government’s capability in the areas of investigation and prosecution." (PNA)


Camaraderie in the streets of the city
 
When Yolly Clemeña was younger, she never could have imagined that she would be sweeping the streets of Manila. She never thought that she would be a party to be beautification and cleanliness of the environment that day-to-day would have been filled with trash and leavings if not for dedicated people like Yolly. She and her group are the lessen known but visibly seen employees of government known as OYSTER (out-of-school youth program serving towards economic recovery).

A Bicolona, Yolly took up a secretarial course hoping to land a job in the confines of an air-conditioned room clad in a blazer over a uniform. But fate decreed otherwise – she did not finish the two-year course, a decision she was to rue immediately.  

Yolly was even to make another decision that was to take her further away form her dream of being an office worker – hardly out of teenhood, she married a man who lacked the necessary schooling for an office job. It seemed that the couple would fated to lead a life of want.

When the children came one after the other, Yolly felt that her dream had all but faded. The years were hard, the cost of providing for four growing sons was not to be scoff at – there were even times that Yolly became desperate, “Where will we get the money for the next meal” was the often repeated need. With her husband’s meager daily income of P250 as a tricycle driver, Yolly had to be creative and innovative in the preparation of meals and in the provision of other needs of their children.

Unbowed, she wanted to help her husband earn to support the family. When the children had grown and could be left alone, Yolly decided to apply for a job. But her six-month education for a secretarial course has been overtaken by new technology; offices hardly needed secretaries anymore, but assistants who could compute and surf.

When Yolly learned about the OYSTER project, she felt that it was below her class, after all, she had gone to school, albeit for an aborted semester. But Yolly was to swallow her pride; she applies and was accepted in the program.

Today, Yolly has no regrets in becoming a “streetsweeper” – she has realized that there is life after a defunct position like a secretarial position. The moments are never dull as Yolly and her fellow workers take to the streets and keep the environment clean and beautiful in the early hours of the morning until the sun has set in the afternoons.

There is great camaraderie among the OYSTER employees – graces received are shared with her friends; secrets are sometimes sources of naughty winks and laughter. Yolly never realized that being a part of OYSTER could be such fun even if the job is exhausting and backbreaking.

One of the apprehensions of Yolly and her fellow workers is “Natatakot nga kami na baka pag nawala si Pangulong Arroyo, hindi kami mananatili sa trabaho namin”.