A gasoline scandal at the police stations

More sensational events have bumped off the Philippine National Police gasoline scandal from the newspaper headlines, which is not at all good. For there are some fingers and other body parts, as it were, sticking out of shallow graves into which the controversy has been hastily consigned. Yes, the stench continues to foul the air.

In Eastern Samar, for instance, reports reaching me allege that chiefs of police and their property officers are being asked to sign blank gasoline requisition forms. The forms supposedly cover the gasoline consumption of the municipal police offices (MPOs) for the whole of the first quarter of 2000. The only hitch is that the MPOs have not received the supposed gasoline supply.

Police chiefs and local PNP property officers are grumbling. They are understandably anxious, suspicious and worried that their signatures on the blank gasoline requisition forms might be used for some illegal purposes. And they have every reason to be worried.

There may be a few holdouts who might not be cowed into signing the blank forms. Unfortunately, the "obey first, complain later" mentality still lives on in the uniformed services. Retribution for "recalcitrant" officers usually comes swiftly, and the mere foot soldiers cannot do anything about it.

A provincial PNP director is given an almost blanket authority in the matter of the assignment of policemen. The threat of being assigned to a hardship post, away from kith and kin, is always a compelling disincentive to the faint-hearted. Precisely, this is the reason why the PNP gasoline scandal festered over the years until a whistle-blower came along.

So what's cooking in the Eastern Samar PNP? Or, is it in Eastern Samar alone that police chiefs and property officers are being asked to sign blank gasoline requisition forms? PNP Chief Gen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson should look into the veracity of the reports as part of the continuing massive facelift of the police organization.

During the past several days, the Good Samaritan Foundation, through the helping hand of many Christian-hearted fellowmen, appropriated various amounts to the following indigent beneficiaries:

* 15-year-old Rowell Rosal, who underwent surgery at the UST Charity Hospital, P18,458, to settle his hospital bills and enable him to get out of his confinement

* Ann Marielle Paraiso, P2,000, for her school fees

* Rowell Noronia, an amputee in both legs who is pursuing a college degree at AMA Computer College, P1,500, for his transportation expenses

* Addison Falcon, P1,400, for her school expenses

* Teodoro Recio, a former scriptwriter who has a lung ailment, P1,000, for his medicines

* Rolando Abo, a Muslim-Filipino youngster from Mindanao, who is going to take the Bar exams, P10,075, for his Bar review expenses and boarding house rental

* Dolores Santiago, whose spinal column was damaged in a grenade blast in Manila, P3,500, for her physical therapy sessions

* Aprilyn Tabino, the 12-year-old girl from Zambales, who is sick with meningitis, P2,500

There will soon be another new landmark in Marikina City -- a P71-million Millennium Hall of Justice. With groundbreaking ceremonies last March 13, presided over by Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr., the Marikina Hall of Justice will house ten judicial tribunals and, in the words of Mayor Bayani F. Fernando, will be "an instrument to lessen corruption and speed up the resolution of cases." BF stressed the city government's mission is to "ensure that no justice is denied in Marikina."

During the groundbreaking rites, CJ Davide disclosed that he is interceding with the World Bank and the NEDA for a loan program that will finance the building of halls of justice nationwide. The CJ commended the Marikina City government for being the first local government unit to construct the first hall of justice for the 3rd millennium. "This act recognizes the crucial and vital role of the judiciary in the development of the country, more particularly for the judiciary, as the last bastion of democracy and the protection of the rights of the people," CJ Davide said.

Regarding the memorandum of agreement entered into between the Bureau of Immigration, on the one hand, and the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino Foundation and the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, on the other, noted musical artist John P.J. Lesaca asked me to clarify that for classical performances, no other requirement is needed, except for actual application and payment of the processing fee. Clearances for working permits are immediately issued after the filing and payment.

John Lesaca explained that the AMP and OPM do not distinguish between classical and non-classical singers/instrumentalists. All of them are included in the mantle of protection sought by the two groups from the authorities concerned. With the initiative of Lesaca and other concerned artists, the plight of the country's musicians and singers might now get the assistance and attention that they deserve, especially from the government.

Here are excerpts from letters I received during the past several days:

NILO OROCIO, Florida, USA: "You portrayed Jinggoy as a super mayor of San Juan because of a lot of accomplishments. If Jinggoy is not the son of a President without kamag-anak kuno, do you think he can do this?"

NAME WITHHELD UPON REQUEST: "I am deeply saddened by the continuing cronyism that is sweeping the country. It is unfortunate that the very people who voted for President Erap are the ones being left in the dust. During the presidential campaign, people would tell me they were voting for Erap because he is for the poor. Now, they realize their error. I am saying these things with the hope that these would open the eyes of the people to the sad fact that the current government is looting the nation dry."

LOURDES S. EMPIG, New Society Elementary School, Barangay Apopong, General Santos City: "Two months ago, I had back pains. The doctor said I have endstage renal disease and that I should have an immediate kidney transplant, costing about P250,000. Where in this wide and turbulent earth could I get such a big amount, being a mere classroom teacher, with a tricycle driver as husband, plus a one-year-old baby boy whose milk and immunization also cost so much? Please help me add some fruitful years to my life."

DENNIS JOSEPH A. CRUZ: "My uncle, Roberto Aguirre, was retired from the service following the closure of the Manila Times during martial law. He filed for his retirement benefits only on April 23, 1999, at 75 years old when he came back to the Philippines. We have been following it up at SSS Malabon, but up to now, there is no clear sign he will enjoy them. I'm afraid that next time, it will be burial benefits that we will be following up. His SSS number: 03-0044292-8. Please help him get his claims."

Arturo A. Borjal's e-mail address: [email protected]