GMA exposed

President Aquino has in effect charged former President Gloria M. Arroyo with falsification when he revealed that contrary to GMA’s claim that the country is 99% electrified, only about 60% have electricity. The erroneous claim is due to reporting that a barangay is electrified when only 1 or 2 houses has been reached by electricity service from the town.

The same is true of the water situation. GMA’s officials including Ex LWUA Administrator Butch Pichay claimed that water has been provided to 90% of the country but many barangays still have no water service. To top it all, there is still no water service in some areas of Manila, Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

GMA even fudged the employment figures when it claimed creating over a million jobs a year when it included as employed people who just worked for a few days.

The reported Customs collections were also manufactured by increasing alleged payments from government offices when no cash was actually received.

These have led to a lack of credibility of government statistics which has led businessmen not to believe NSO, NEDA, DOLE and DOF reports.

What a mess!

*      *      *

LONGEST RUNNING FAILURE. . The Philippines has the distinction of having the longest running communist insurgency. Even Sri Lanka has dismantled the Tamil Tigers rebellion. This means the longest running failure of the AFP and the PNP to defeat the NPA rebels.

During GMA’s long nine-year term, AFP Chiefs of Staff set a deadline 5 times to neutralize the NPA, each time getting more funds for the effort. The deadlines came and went but the NPAs remained a big security problem. Today, the NPAs are showing strength, staging raids and ambushes inflicting casualties on government forces in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur in Mindanao, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Capiz, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar in the Visayas and almost all provinces of Luzon, especially the 6 Bicol provinces, Cagayan Valley, nearby Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas, Cavite and the Mindoros.

Yes, it’s time to reduce certain AFP and PNP budget items which go to the pockets of top Generals. Recall the Gen. Carlos C. Garcia P300 million stacks? But why only Gen. Garcia is charged? How about 5 higher officials who approved the payments to him?

*      *      *

WITCH-HUNT. .Former Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili complained after NBI agents raided his house looking for fugitive Senator Ping Lacson. Two other houses in Batangas were searched. Last Friday, the Star Paper compound owned by Sebastian Chua, another friend of Lacson was raided and searched by NBI agents. No search warrants were presented but the house owners gave their consent. They had no choice. Tony Halili was correct when he said “I think it’s a witch-hunt.”

What a big mess, this failure of law enforcement agents to arrest wanted criminals, especially 112 Maguindanao massacre suspects and criminals on the most wanted list. Also at large is Maguindanao Comelec Registrar Lintang Bedol who falsified the Provincial Certificate of Canvass and ordered arrested by the Comelec.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said in an interview over DZRJ-AM Sunday that Sen. Lacson should surrender because the evidence of guilt against him is not strong and therefore, he should be granted bail.

*      *      *

AIRPORT MESS. . Yes, there’s a big mess at the airport with Customs and Immigration personnel on a slowdown strike resulting in long lines of passengers waiting to be cleared.

We have been to Osaka, Japan, Macau and Hong Kong recently. At these busy airports, you clear Immigration and Customs in 5 minutes.

Yes, the big problem at the airport is the lack of sufficient number of Immigration counters, sometimes as few as 4 counters processing arriving or departing passengers. There’s a big brouhaha over arrival cards, too. The airlines have stopped giving arrival cards.

DOT Sec. Alberto Lim, do something. DOTC Sec. Ping de Jesus, too!

*      *      *

MORE BOTCHA. . Mayor Recom Echiverri of Kalookan ordered a crackdown on the rampant sale of botcha or double dead meat in the public markets of the city.

Echiverri advised meat buyers to be more careful in detecting double dead meat that emits a foul smell and has a pale color compared to fresh meat which bares the stamp of the National Meat Inspection Service.

The bigger problem is the failure of the Bureau of Customs to stop the smuggling of imported botcha, which has come in thru Subic, Cebu, Manila and other outports, with apparent Customs connivance.

*      *      *

TIDBITS. . . QC Councilor Vicente Belmonte does not have an outstanding warrant of arrest issued against him. There’s no criminal case pending against him. Councilor Belmonte is among the most useful members of the Q.C. City Council.

Congresswoman Fatima Aliah Quibranza Dimaporo (Lakas, Lanao del Norte, 2nd dist.) is among the brightest of the new crop of Representatives. She asks relevant questions in Committee hearings. She speaks beautiful English, too having attended the University of London. She is the one who crossed swords with OPAPP Sec. Teresita Deles. She’s the daughter of former Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo.

Deputy Administrator Randy Escolango of SBMA has been suspended for 90 days by SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza. Escolango is charged with retaining P1.05 million which should have been paid to 380 dismissed employees.

DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima has asked for guns for Judges admitting “weak law enforcement”. Sixteen Judges and lawyers were murdered in 2009.

Surprise! P-Noy in Tarlac advised teenagers to stop smoking. How about setting the example, Sir? P-Noy also said that he finds Cabinet meetings “unproductive”. Miriam is correct. Cabinet Members are lightweights.

Condolences to the family of the late Atty. Antonio Bernas, long time Chairman of the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA).