SEARCH FOR TRUTH
(The Philippine Star)
The Senate resumed sessions yesterday. The Blue Ribbon Committee should now schedule the investigation of the Malampaya Fund scam initially reported to be P900 million, but believed to be more in the billions.
Janet Lim-Napoles is ready to testify on the issue. Grace Pulido-Tan has also not released any audit on the Malampaya Fund scam, which she described as “more explosive” after she released the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) 2007-2009 audit.
The total collections of the Malampaya Fund is estimated at more than P130 billion. Business circles are talking about the non-investigation of the scam as an effort to protect the involvement of a “Top 15” richest businessman who is a friend of Ruby Tuason.
Ruby Tuason already admitted that she received P242 million commission from Napoles, which she allegedly turned over to her brother who is now deceased.
Senators Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, and Serge Osmeña have asked Senator T.G. Guingona to schedule and open the Malampaya case.
Mayweather beatable
American boxer Floyd Mayweather won over Argentinian Marcos Maidana by a majority decision. The decision mean only 2 out of 3 judges declared Mayweather the winner. The third judge voted for 114-114 draw. The Mayweather performance now shows that Manny Pacquiao can beat him. I watched the fight in the house of Mayor Erap, together with Ex Cong. Luis “Baby” Asistio. All of us believe that Maidana won the fight.
Muhammad Ali said that Mayweather should now fight Manny Pacquiao.
2 former lawmakers in ACEF scam
Former Senator Edgardo Angara and former Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra, who authored a bill extending the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), endorsed more than P410 million of ACEF funds to Aurora and Palawan provinces.
Angara endorsed P100.07 million to the Aurora State University to establish a “bangus” (milkfish) park and research center, coconut processing plant and feed mill plant in 2008; and another P200 million for the improvement of the Baler-Casiguran Road.
Mitra endorsed P10.2 million for the construction of an abaca farm at the Palawan State University in 2008; and P100 million to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to eradicate mango pests in 2009.
The ACEF fund scam also granted at least P775 million to National Agri-Businesss Corp. (Nabcor), which was then headed by Alan Javellana.
Former Senator Francis Pangilinan said that in August 2012, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Butch Abad released P1.95 billion in ACEF funds; and another P700 million beginning September 2012.
It is regrettable that agriculture funds were misused from 2002 to 2012. The President should order an investigation in the 2010-2012 fund releases to the Department of Agricuture (DA).
3rd batch delayed
It’s May 6 and up to now, the National Bureau of Investigation/Department of Justice (NBI/DOJ) has not released the third batch of people involved with Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam promised by DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima more than four weeks ago.
The DOJ/NBI should now concentrate on the Malampaya Fund scam and other anomalies in the Department of Agriculture (DA). No one is investigating DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.
It is expected that 2 senators and at least 5 congressmen will be in the third batch involved in the PDAF scam.
No charges
It looks like the case of rice smuggling with David Tan Bangayan as principal suspect has been forgotten. Department of Justice (DOJ) had initiated an investigation. Two Senate committees also held hearings: The first was under then Senator Francis Pangilinan and the second under Senator Cynthia Villar. No committee report has come out recommending the filing of charges against well-known rice smugglers.
Why only P40 million?
Ruby Tuason has returned P40 million to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. Now everyone is asking, including newspaper editorials, why only 40 million?
The P40 million was volunteered by Tuason. No effort was made to increase the amount. The P40 million was volunteered by Tuason as an opening gambit.
DOJ and the Ombudsman should have demanded at least P200 million, considering her admissions that she received P242 million from Napoles. Why did DOJ/Ombudsman not ask Janet Napoles to reveal how much she paid Ruby Tuason? It is therefore possible that Tuason has been able to keep P300-400 million in commissions. It was a good deal for Tuason.
Question — Does the immunity granted to state witnesses cover income tax evasion? Based on her net worth, including a P200-300 million mansion at Dasmariñas Village, Tuason should be asked to pay income tax.
Another crime syndicate
It is regrettable to read that the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and international police agencies busted an international “sextortion” ring operating in the Philippines.
Seventy suspects were arrested in Taguig, Bulacan, Laguna, and Bicol. PNP announced they know who the masterminds are, but none have been arrested.
Tidbits. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has ordered the filing of charges against the 13 members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Honor Committee that convicted cadet First Class Alvin Jeff Cudia.
Retired Vice Admiral Alexander Pama is the new National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director.
The Department of Health (DOH) reports an increase of HIV cases to 1,742 or 16 per day.
Nine pieces of heavy equipment were burned by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Nasugbu, Batangas worth P25 million.
One person was killed while 50 others were injured in a JAM Liner bus accident along STAR Tollway near Malvar, Batangas.
Congratulations to Laguna Governor E.R. Ejercito for excellent preparations for the Palarong Pambansa.
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