‘Transparency’

The pork barrel controversy is getting more convoluted with the release of a Commission on Audit report listing the names of legislators who received excessive Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations in 2007 and 2008 – prompting the Senate to announce that a formal investigation will be conducted on the alleged misuse of the pork barrel scams.

Business groups and anti-corruption watchdogs are also waiting to see how the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will conduct the probe, and whether the oft-repeated assertions about there being no sacred cows in this administration will be observed. Filipinos expect nothing less than transparency in the conduct of the investigation, with politicians of every shape, size or political color to be scrutinized regarding their use of the pork allocations. Certainly, everyone will be interested to know how the President used his PDAF when he was still a senator.

The way things are unraveling, it seems that former Senator Ping Lacson’s resolve not to touch his allocation is paying off. Everyone knows he has been against the use of the PDAF, refusing to get his slice of the pork and arguing that one does not need it to be an effective legislator. As it is, there’s very strong perception that of all the legislators, it is only Lacson who can really afford to say he had nothing to do with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam involving Janet Lim Napoles and the bogus NGOs.

President Aquino however is adamant, refusing to scrap the pork barrel saying it is the legislators, not the system, that are really at fault. In any case, more and more legislators have indicated their willingness to give up the pork – but that has not really cooled the collective outrage that is starting to snowball, with calls for an anti-pork protest movement gaining traction. Even international Filipino organizations are banding together to demand the scrapping of the pork barrel which many are blaming as the source of great corruption among politicians. People from Davao, Cebu, Baguio and other places are calling for their own protest movement to be held simultaneously with the Luneta anti-pork rally on Monday. One thing is sure – this is an issue that will test the political will of this administration.  

Haggling with Hagel

Our Washington source tells us that United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to the Philippines next week is expected to bolster negotiations between the Philippines and the US regarding the increased rotational presence of American troops in the country. Certainly, the increasing belligerence of China is a mutual concern, with the US concentrating its attention on the Asia-Pacific region with a majority of its maritime assets being deployed in the region. Negotiations have been ongoing, with the Philippines amenable to giving more access to American troops considering the ongoing maritime dispute with China.

Obviously, part of the US rebalancing act is the increase of troops in strategic locations that include the former American bases in Clark and Subic – something that Beijing frowns on, warning against the intervention of America in an issue that it says should be between the Philippines and China alone. At any rate, Hagel – who said he will also be visiting China next year – will most likely do some haggling regarding the terms of the access agreement.

Tesla Model S crushes crash tests

Makers of top selling electric car Tesla Model S recently announced that the vehicle topped all safety and crash categories set by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with the car obtaining “five-star” ratings, exceeding all expectations and demonstrating the “lowest likelihood of injury among occupants.” Apparently, the Model S has a smaller engine than ordinary vehicles, giving it more “crumple zone” that serves as additional protection to passengers during collisions, reports said.  In fact, the car reportedly “crushed” a test equipment that was supposed to crush the roof of the battery-powered vehicle.

News of the test results have spiked the value of the company shares, with Tesla Motor Inc. registering a 3.2- percent gain at the New York Stock Exchange the other day. The success of the vehicle has pushed expansion plans for the carmaker which is optimistic of delivering a record 21,000 units to customers in North America, Europe and Asia.

Just recently, Meralco SVP for Customer Retail and Corporate Communications Al Panlilio presented Meralco chair Manny V. Pangilinan with a Tesla Model S for his birthday. Al believes the lithium-ion powered battery is the harbinger of a “green” future, which falls in step with the utility company’s plan to build electric vehicles and power charging stations. The President is being invited to take a look at the Tesla Model S and might even want to test drive the e-vehicle sometime soon.

Appeal for help

The president of Manila Rotary, Rudy Bediones, is appealing for help from fellow Rotarians, friends and relatives for rice, water, canned goods, powdered milk, hygiene kits, etc. for distribution to designated priority areas. Cash donations can be sent via the Rotary Club of Manila Metrobank account number 151-3-15151486-4. You may also call 0908-8737405 if you wish for a messenger to pick up donations from your home or office. Receipts will be issued for donations.

The MVP Group via its Tulong Kapatid Foundation is also accepting donations, which may be dropped off at the Meralco compound in Ortigas. According to US Ambassador Harry Thomas, the US government has also made an initial donation of over $800,000 (approximately P35 million) for relief to victims via the World Food Program and Catholic Relief Services.

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