NEWS

Mayor Contracts Husband’s

Rice Land for P80M

BULAN, SORSOGON. – This town’s former mayor Guillermo De Castro lashed back at critics of his wife’s multi-million peso project in Bulan when the latter was asked to produce documents and records of the controversial centralized bus terminal or CBT.

Critics of the proposed centralized bus terminal (CBT) project were practically bullied by the ex-mayor during the supposed “public hearing” held last week, October 1, 2007, at the terminal’s new site in Barangay Fabrica.

Atty. Oscar Deri, a former legal consultant of then Mayor De Castro and vice governor of the province, was reportedly insulted by De Castro when he questioned the propriety of the CBT project. Instead of addressing the questions raised by Deri and most of the affected parties, like the tricycle and pedicab drivers and operators, De Castro derided them saying they (the people) should even be thankful his family donated the land where the CBT is built.

De Castro is referring to the “conditional” donation made by his mother of a tenanted rice land in barangay Fabrica. The land, according to those who have read the conditions of the donation, will revert back to its owners should it cease to be used as a CBT.

CBT critics considered this condition as a “convenient ploy” for the De Castros to get back the land after millions of pesos are spent to develop it.

In the proposed scheme of the CBT project, the Municipality of Bulan will build the terminal for P40Million sourced either through bond flotation or bank loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines. The rate of interest, according to the proponent municipality will be 100 per cent or the municipality will be indebted to the LandBank for P80Million and will be payable in 5 years.

Former Vice Mayor Albino Guyala III said, the De Castros knew that a bus terminal 5 kilometers away from the poblacion is bound to flop as what happened in the terminals of Lucena and Naga cities. Bulan hosts to less than 25 air conditioned and non-air conditioned Manila bound buses and a few provincial ones. Unlike Naga and Lucena, Bulan’s proposed terminal is not within the Maharlika Highway where buses from Mindanao and the Visayas would be expected to contribute to its revenue. Only the said 20 or so buses will be the terminal’s patrons.

“Natural, pagpumalpak ito (the CBT) at di ginagamit bilang terminal, as provided for in the donation, magse-set-in ang condition nang reversion. Balik sa mga De Castro ang lupa. Papano ngayon ang milyung pisong ginastos dito. Sino ang makikinabang sa perang ito?”, the former vice mayor asked.

“Kaya nga nagtatanong kami, bakit ba kailangang sa lupa ng mga De Castro itayo ang terminal, at bakit pagkalayo-layo?, he added. “At bakit ito naitayo kaagad ng wala munang masusing pagaaral na ginawa, at higit sa lahat bakit wala ni isa man lang public hearing na ipinatawag? Sino ba ang mabebenipisyuhan ng CBT project na ito?

In an interview aired over DWBS’ “Radyo Patrol Bulan” this morning (Oct. 10), De Castro admitted the conditional nature of the land donation. He said this is just fair since the local government will not pay any rental for the use of the land and that it is only proper that it be reverted back to them after a few years.

Guyala found this reasoning flawed. A donation, according to him, is supposed to be gratuituous in nature which means the donor does not expect any payment or benefit in return. But with the terms of the donation it would seem that the local government of Bulan is allowed to use the De Castro property for a rental of P80Million in terms of the improvement that will be introduced on it.

“From such an arrangement, it is very clear that the Sanguniang Bayan of Bulan and Mayor Helen De Castro placed the local government of Bulan into a very disadvantageous position by agreeing to spend P80Million for a limited use (akin to lease or usufruct) of a mere hectare of agricultural land. The Municipality of Bulan would have been in a better position had it just bought the property than fall into this financial snare”, Guyala pointed out. “

Deri and Guyala were asking for documents showing that the local government complied with pertinent laws in building the CBT on a parcel of rice land owned by the De Castros. They are also asking for a copy, if any, of a Department of Agrarian Reform-approved conversion of the land from agricultural tenanted land to commercial land to see to it that no agricultural tenants were displaced and no laws were violated.

The former mayor, however, dealt on personalities rather than address these valid questions.

“Ang pinagtataka ko lang, bakit ba si Guiming ang humaharap sa amin? Nasaan ba ang mayor? Hindi ba’t matagal nang natapos ang term ni Guiming sa Bulan? Baka naman may hang-over pa si Guiming”, the former vice mayor quipped.

With the way this CBT project is being handled many observers likened it to the ZTE scam. Both have phonetically sounding alphabets, and the only difference lies on Bulan’s first gentleman’s public admission of his involvement in the project.

How Desperate Can We Get?

Filipinos are once again up in indignation against racism. They were outraged by a remark made by Teri Hatcher on ABC’s tv drama series, “Desperate Housewives” when, talking about doctors’ school diploma, she blurted, “I just want to make sure that their not from some medical schools in the Philippines”.

We cannot fault the actress nor the writer and/or producers of the show. They were just trying their best to make their program as realistic as possible.

And how realistic were they?

Close enough.

Except for some colleges and universities in the Philippines that are genuinely dedicated to educating their students according to the course they take, majority of the schools here are nothing but “diploma mills”.

And that’s where the fault lies! Diplomas issued by these schools are genuine since they are licensed by the state to run a school. What is questionable is the school’s certification that the holder of such diploma truly deserves the degree conferred upon him.

For ages, the Philippine government has consented to this practice by indiscriminately giving out school licenses either through political patronage or simply through bribe taking.

In Sorsogon, for instance, two high schools located in the same street of the same barangay, operate under the same name, the St. Bonaventure Academy, Inc. and the St. Bonaventure Academy.

The former was granted government recognition in 1986 and duly organized as an educational foundation. While the latter is run by a priest, without any claim of legitimacy except for the mere tolerance of Bicol Region’s Department of Education (DepEd) officials and some political backing.

Why can not the DepEd settle this is reason enough for Teri Hatcher to suspect every graduate that hails from the Philippines!

Or Is It The Desperate Housewife's Fault?

ABC-TV’s drama series, “Desperate Housewives” can not be faulted solely for the impression its writer had on graduates of Philippine medical schools.

The Philippines has been plagued by scandals after scandals involving, not just ordinary people, but high government officials and even presidents. And to make things worse, all these scams involved the Filipinos’ dishonesty.

But this is not to say that the Filipinos have a monopoly of scandals or dishonesty in the world. Far worse than these are the scams of other nations, sometimes involving their state leaders too.

But the scams we get into are hardly resolved. Government either sweeps them under the rug or simply uncovered again by yet another scandal.

The Desperate Housewives’s slur would have been avoided had President Arroyo decisively addressed the Nursing Board Exam of 2005 without waiting for the American licensure board to refuse to honor the examination results from this batch.

She could have sent an unmistakable message, not only to the producers of Desperate Housewives, but to the whole world – that we are serious in testing our medical graduates before we give them our badge of approval.

But more importantly, that we do not condone cheating, lying and stealing in this country.

OPINION:

Why Not Abort The ZTE Project?

by Adan Silangan

The haphazard decision of Malacañang to suspend the controversial ZTE broadband deal raised more eyebrows than praises. For one, its motive easily becomes suspect with the forthcoming appearance of Arroyo’s former NEDA director, Romulo Nery on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.

As one observer said, the Supreme Court has already ordered its suspension as a matter of judicial procedure and in connection with the petition filed by Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico with the High Tribunal. So what for was the order of suspension? Sabi na nga, eh para que pa?

Mareng Winnie, on the other hand, says it’s the best thing the President has ever done about this controversy. Sabi naman namin, eh para que pa nga no! With or without her public pronouncement suspending the implementation of this project, eh suspended na!

Such a gesture may only send Mike Arroyo’s Atty. Santos to his wobbly legs and cry anew: The President is only after some “media mileage”! You know this guy is so fond of that phrase every time he defends his boss Mike.

But you know, on second thought, Atty. Santos could be right this time, President Gloria might just be after “some media mileage”.

The order of suspension will send certain signals in media that the President and the First Gentleman have nothing to do with the ZTE deal. That she will do everything to prosecute wrongdoers in her cabinet and/or political allies. That only those whose hands are tainted with the ZTE scam should go to jail. Chair Abalos and Mendoza, and yes, even Joey De Venecia should be prosecuted for Plunder and influence peddling, respectively.

Pwede, di ba?

But, of course, there is Romulo Nery who vowed to tell the whole truth this coming Wednesday. One who is with known probity, one who would always stand for the truth.

Nery’s testimony may seal the lid off this controversy that has preoccupied us again. He may even be the man that will remind all of us about the true meaning of – a public office being a public trust.

This could be the reason why the President suspended the ZTE national broadband project – to abort Mr. Romulo Nery’s Senate testimony.

Huwag naman sana!

NEWS

TWO-HOUR GUN FIGHT WITH NPA

IN BULAN CLAIMED ONE DEAD
by Roy G. Gersalia

BULAN, Sorsogon -- (News)— A firefight erupted early morning today between elements of the Philippine Army and the communist’s New Peoples Army (NPA) at the boundary of barangays Butag and Bonga, this town, leaving one soldier wounded and an NPA member dead, police said.

The two-hour firefight injured PFC (Private First Class) Cristituto Vellones y Divina of the Bravo Company, Philippine Army based at barangay Laboy, Matnog town.

Vellones was initially treated at the Pantaleon Gotladera Memorial Hospital but was later airlifted by a military chopper for further medical treatment at Sorsogon City.

The victim, who is believed to be a member of the NPA, had bruises on the chest but revealed no bullet wounds. His body was found near a swamp where the supposed encounter took place. It was initially brought to this town’s police station and eventually to the hospital for necropsy where the examining physician declared the cause of death as “drowning”. As of press time, the casualty remained unidentified.

Eyewitness accounts, however, claim, there were ten or more persons wounded both from the government troops and from the rebels’ side.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ARROYO:

Another Plunder Case In The Offing?

Many Filipino observers believe another Philippine President is bound to be tried for “plunder”. Allegations abound that the First Gentleman, Miguel Arroyo, is somewhat involve in the $130 million kickback from the ZTE (A Chinese multi-national corporation engage in computer and internet services) national broadband project believed to have been brokered by Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos and Aroyo’s Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

With the Senate investigation of this latest scandal, the Arroyo administration has plunged anew into another media spectacle, albeit negatively.

A few days ago in the Senate, Jose De Venecia III, son and namesake of incumbent Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Jose De Venecia, dragged the First Gentleman as the “mystery man” he referred to who bullied him into “backing off” from the government’s multi-billion peso broadband project.

The incident, according to the young De Venecia, took place in the plush Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City and during a “meeting” that Abalos hosted for Sec. Mendoza and Finance Sec. Gary Teves. It was in that meeting where the First Gentleman was brought by Chairman Abalos, ostensibly to dissuade the young De Venecia from pursuing his bid to get the national broadband deal.

The first time this bombshell went off, practically all the President’s men denied the involvement of their First Gentleman and even went on to say, the “meeting” at Wack-Wack never took place. They are all aware, perhaps, that if these allegations are proved Mrs. Arroyo will certainly be the second president in Philippine history to be tried for Plunder.

Here’s what the law on Plunder (R.A. 7080) says:

“ Sec. 2. Definition of the Crime of Plunder, Penalties. Any public officer who, by himself or in connivance with members of his family, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, xxx xxx xxx . . . subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt or criminal acts . . . xxx xxx xxx . . .in the aggregate amount or total value of at least Seventy-five million pesos (P75,000,000.00), shall be guilty of the crime of plunder . . . xxx xxx xxx ”

“Ill-gotten wealth” is also defined as asset, property or material possession of any person acquired by him directly or indirectly through his subordinates and/or business associates.

The ill-gotten wealth may be in the form of receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, kickbacks from any government contract or project or by reason of his office or position.

Or by taking undue advantage of official position, authority, relationship, connection or influence to unjustly enrich himself at the expense and to the damage and prejudice of the Filipino people.

Unknown to the President’s men, however, Sen Jinggoy Estrada was holding an ace up his sleeves. He reportedly has a witness in the First Gentleman’s “bullying” incident in Wack-Wack who happens to be a waiter in the restaurant where the “meeting” took place.

Reason enough for the President’s men to rethink their positions.

But whoever advised Mike Arroyo to fly to Hongkong on the eve of De Venecia’s testimony in the Senate failed to foresee the negative effects of such a move. More people now are inclined to believe he is hiding something from the Senate, you know – flight means guilt! At least that’s what the law says.

At the continuation of the Senate inquiry last Wednesday (Sept. 19) many were surprised to see a battery of Arroyo officials present. They all showed up, apparently to put up a “not guilty” mask on their faces. But as the inquiry progressed on, however, the appearances showed more guilty faces than innocent ones.

For one, Finance Secretary Gary Teves (always a gentleman that he is) contradicted Mendoza and told the senators, not only that the controversial “meeting” took place, he even surprised them with his revelation that some ZTE officials were also present at the meeting together with the First Gentleman, Chairman Abalos, Sec. Mendoza and himself.

If there was one unified stand the President’s men made during that afternoon in the Senate, it was their resolve to hoodwink the Filipino people and pass the “shady deal” they entered into with ZTE as nothing but a “conditional contract” where no public funds were lost.

Sec. Mendoza and his cahoots took turns in telling us that no law was violated. Public bidding, according to them, is not required in this project since it is a government to government transaction and that the project will be financed by a loan extended by the Chinese government to the Philippines. Asked, however, to produce the loan agreement and/or the Executive Agreement entered into between the two governments all the President’s men could say is that, it will follow!

The President’s men are obviously attempting to skirt the issue of Plunder in this case:

First. They would have us believe that Mike Arroyo had nothing to do with the “ZTE-Abalos deal” contrary to Joey De Venecia’s claim that he was bullied by the First Gentleman into “backing-off” from the project.

Second. Even if Mike Arroyo did really bully De Venecia it was for good reasons, to prevent him from entering into a prohibited contract since he is the son of Speaker De Venecia, a public official. (Whew! How magnanimous!)

Third. A government project subject of an Executive Agreement is exempt from bidding requirements therefore, Mendoza et. al. did not violate the law when they awarded without public bidding the contract to ZTE.

For eight grueling hours all the President’s men did was to deny any wrongdoing. They denied Abalos brokered for the Chinese firm ZTE. They denied receiving $130 million dollars bribe. They denied the First Gentleman’s involvement. And worse, they denied placing the Philippine government in a disadvantageous position when they contracted out the national broadband project to ZTE – when even experts from the UP School of Economics decried this project as overblown to unimaginable proportions.

In law, there is what is considered as “An answer pregnant with denials is actually a confirmation.” Or, if you prefer algebra, “negative plus negative equals positive”.

O.J. SIMPSON, ARRESTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY

Football fallen star O. J. Simpson was arrested and handcuffed early Sunday morning at his hotel in Las Vegas for armed robbery.

It seems that this guy fancies himself as somebody who gets what he wants and gets away with it. So much with his football and movie fame that he thought it made him a "god" or something that can get away with the law.

He was able to skip conviction for the murder of his wife and her friend from a technicality of the law in the procedure in gathering evidence from a crime scene. Thanks to this "booboo", crime scene investigations now are much better and their operatives more careful lest they repeat getting lose of a criminal no matter how guilty.

Let's hope this latest arrest of Simpson will truly lead him to jail. After all, the arrest took place in Las Vegas. We all know that this is the scene of the original tv drama series the CSI.