Help the families

One sad reality that has surfaced from the extensive coverage of the 1st anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre is the fact that with the exception of Gov. Toto Mangudadatu, almost all of the families of 57 victims are suffering not only because of the grief and trauma of losing their bread earners, but literally suffering from lack of money to support their basic needs.

GMA promised P100,000 assistance per victim’s family but three surviving mothers/wives told ANC’s 58 program that the money never came. The only help they have received was P20,000 from Gov. Toto Mangudadatu. Families of soldiers killed in action get as much as P250,000 each from government. Typhoon victims get P10,000 each.

The 57 victims died due to government failure to protect them, due to government officials, AFP and police officers contributing to the occurrence of the crime including the release of firearms and ammunitions to the powerful Ampatuans. That’s basis enough for P-Noy to direct the payment of at least P100,000 to each of the families to help them out. The amount can come from the Pagcor’s social fund or contribution of cash rich GOCCs/GFIs.

Congress should pass a law to provide compensation for victims like these.

In the case of Bulletin stringer, Bong Reblando, he has seven kids, all of them still going to school. His widow, Myrna cried openly again to express her hurt and hardship. Once a week, she has to fly to Manila to attend the trial. Kathyrine Nuñez, mother of UNTV Reporter Victor Nuñez expressed the same sentiments. Can Lance Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific and the 3rd richest Filipino family give them free tickets?

C/Insp. Sukarno Dicay asked for forgiveness from the victims of the Ampatuan massacre. He said he was offered P10 million to withdraw his affidavit implicating the Ampatuans as the perpetrators and masterminds of the crime. Two family members of the two victims said they were offered, one for P8 million and the other “name your price” to withdraw their charges. Editha Tiamson, husband of UNTV’s David Tiamson, heard that nine victims received millions to keep silent.

It is very clear that the Ampatuans have accumulated hundreds of millions of pesos. There were reports of P400 million taken from the vaults by PNP raiders. Between Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, Davao City and Manila, they have 12 luxury mansions.

The question is: Why is there no audit and investigation of their tax liability by the BIR? And also, by the Anti Money Laundering Council? Are they afraid to do their jobs?

And the Commission on Audit? Why have they not audited the IRA and other funds released to the Ampatuans? Again, afraid to enter Maguindanao?

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TEN FEET TALL . . . Tourism Undersecretary Vicente “Enteng” Romano, convenor of the Black and White Movement has submitted his irrevocable resignation as DOT Undersecretary. P-Noy accepted his resignation “with reluctance”.

Romano accepted responsibility for the ill-fated “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan launch. While he took the fall for Secretary Albert Lim, that does not erase the fact that Lim as Department Secretary approved the controversial slogan and presided over its formal launching at the Mall of Asia and approved the budget for the event.

Secretary Lim should have had the decency to resign, too.

A tip of the hat to Enteng Romano. He did the honorable thing. I hope he set the example that DILG Usec Rico E. Puno, OPAPP Secretary Teresita Deles and Assistant Secretary Carmen Mislang did not have the delicadeza to set.

The Black and White Movement played an important part in fiscalizing GMA. To keep its credibility, leaders of the movement should have decided not to accept appointments to government posts.

Sec. Ace Durano performed excellently as DOT Secretary. Just continue his programs. No need for major changes.

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KILLING FIELDS . . . Abra has regained its tag as “killing fields” as daily shootings have gunned down Collago Barangay Chairman Freddie Balucas, Barangay Chairman Leonardo Alcartado, 32 and Irineo Martinez, 42. Earlier, Efren Aquino, 40, a bodyguard of RTC Branch 2 Corpus Cristi, was shot dead in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Bangued.

Another Barangay Chairman, Willie Tan of San Mateo, Isabela was also gunned down. Five potential witnesses against the Ampatuans have been killed.

Nineteen years after the killing, the Supreme Court deferred action again on the Vizconde murder case involving accused Hubert Webb. Justice delayed again.

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TIDBITS . . . Despite the adoption of number coding for buses, the traffic problem on Edsa persists. Why? Because from 2,400 LTFRB granted 3,000 more franchises, clearly because of tongpats. Amidst the DOT slogan controversy, Chile has an excellent ad now running on TV. Chile features its miner’s rescue. Chilean wine, Chilean sea bass, green mountains, fishing among others. The punch line, “The best in life”.  

Six thousand Filipinos have AIDS. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz and Archbishop Soc Villegas deplore the resurgence “100 percent” in Pangasinan.

Twenty thousand new daytime call center jobs have opened up to serve Australia, Asia and the Pacific. No night duty, the pay will be lower.

To set the example, FPIC who owns the leaking gasoline pipeline in Makati should be fined. Imposing a fine of P24 million is a correct move, Secretary Paje.

The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is set for April 29, 2011. By the way, Holy Week in 2011 is April 17-23. Make your reservations early to get lower fares.

Atty. Harry Roque says there’s a systems breakdown in the judicial process. Out of 195 accused, only 79 have been arrested. Only 51 have been arraigned. Witnesses are being threatened and killed.

On its 2nd day of trading, Nickel Asia closed at P16.82 after reaching a high of P17.08 for the day. San Miguel Corporation (SMC), San Miguel Brewery and Petron went against the downward trend and registered new highs.

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QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: To government officials:

“Your life is no longer private. It is public property. Everything you say or do will come under scrutiny. If you look like twits, the government will look like one big twit. If you do something wrong, the government you represent will be seen as being in the wrong. You represent the government and embody it to the people with whom you have dealings, be they personal or professional.” By the late Press Secretary Noel Cabrera.