Malacañang gems

Here’s a sampling of quotable quotes from Malacañang:

Edwin Lacierda — “The President is helpless to do anything about oil prices.”

 Abigal Valte — “The President wants to express solidarity with the Japanese because of what they went through is no laughing matter.”

Abigail Valte — “Instead of protesting, students should focus on their studies and attend classes.”

Butch Abad — “More money doesn’t mean better education.”

Edwin Lacierda — “There would be no politics in the filing of charges against officials of the previous Administration.

Edwin Lacierda — “If LRT/MRT fares were raised and matched them with bus fares with the corresponding advantage of having a shorter trip, that would not be an unreasonable increase.”

Edwin Lacierda — “The higher ratings were due to how the President has been consistent in doing what he says he has to do to mitigate poverty and eradicate corruption.”

President Aquino — “Keep a close eye on the global economy.” (Purisima and Tetangco have not been watching?)

Profound or not, you be the judge.  

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REPEAL VAT. . . In an open letter to President Aquino, Bataan Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia argued for a repeal of the VAT saying 1) It is laden with loopholes; 2) It is costly to collect; 3) Because of the input credits, only about 3% of the 12% collected actually goes to the government; 4) The gross tax systems has no loopholes and will result in higher collections.

Gov. Garcia pointed out that under the Supreme Court decision, the President retains the discretion to suspend the implementation and execution of tax laws.

Gov. Garcia has presented a good case for repeal, or at least suspension of 12% VAT on toll fees. The President should listen.

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POPULAR SENATOR. . . Senator Bong Revilla, president of Lakas celebrated his 45th birthday at the Diamond Hotel with 500 guests coming from all political parties, movie and TV personalities, media and the big Revilla clan. Wife, Rep. Lani Revilla was a busy co-host.

Heading the guests were President Erap, Senate President Johnny Ponce Enrile, Senators Frank Drilon (LP), Tito Sotto (NPC), Jinggoy Estrada (PMP), Robert Jaworski (Lakas), Loren Legarda (NP), Congressmen Mitos Magsayay, Rudy Albano, Henry Cojuangco, Joey Duavit, Pol Dy, Governors Jun Ynares, Tet Garcia and Faustino “Bodgie” Dy, Vice Gov. Rodito Albano, former Sec. Agnes Devanadera and former Sec. Gabby Claudio.

A trailer of Bong’s next movie, Panday 2 was shown at the affair.

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NO DEFENSE. . . Michael Lontoc, 30, member of the Philippine International Shooting Team was shot dead by 4 men using Uzis and .45 caliber pistols at Barangay Tenejeros, Malabon. Lontoc had a gun but was unable to draw it.

The 15-year-old daughter of Chief Inspector Edgar Osam of the QCPD, was beaten, pushed into a ditch and robbed of her bag and cellphone by a lone robber in front of Doña Carmen subdivision at Barangay Commonwealth, QC. Eva Agrisola, 56, Purok leader of Payatas was shot dead by a motorcycle riding gunman.  

The United People’s Rural Bank in San Pablo, Laguna was held up with P1.5 million taken by the 3 holduppers.

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ANOTHER NPA RAID. . . NPA rebels raided an eight-hectare plantation in Tago, Surigao del Sur and torched heavy equipment, three dump trucks and warehouses owned by contractors of Dole, Philippines. As a result of several attacks, Dole stopped its banana production in the province.

Two soldiers and 4 civilians were killed in a clash with Abu Sayyaf rebels in Sumisip, Basilan.

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TYPHOON PEDRING. . . All barangays of Obando, Bulacan, including the municipal building were flooded up to shoulder level as eight dikes were destroyed. Thousands are in evacuation centers, four died from drowning. Mayor Orense Gabriel is doing a yeoman’s job, but he needs a lot of help. Because of the high level of flooding, relief trucks cannot pass. The Philippine Navy must help. They need food supplies very badly.  

Twenty-two people have died due to the typhoon with 35 missing, 171,000 persons were affected, 48,000 of them in Aurora.

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BUSY BODY. . . One of the pleasant surprises of the new Congress is Iloilo Rep. Neil Tupas Jr., chairman of the committee on justice.

He now has his hands full considering the impeachment of SC Justice Mariano del Castillo, amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the Whistleblower Act, the Recognizance Bill and the QC Land Grabbing/Fake Titles scandals.

He has taken note of the drug dealing problem in Iloilo.

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TIDBITS. . . Senators Miriam Santiago and Alan Peter Cayetano have joined 11 senators in endorsing the sense of the Senate resolution objecting to the increase of LRT/MRT fares and the imposition of a 12 percent VAT on toll fees.

Former DAR Sec. Rene Villa, a member of the Hyatt 10 who ran and lost for Congress in Iloilo as an LP candidate and is a Sec. Mar Roxas protege has been appointed LWUA Chief vice Prospero Pichay.  

The CBCP thru Secretary General Msgr. Juanito Figura has refused the appeal of a 17-year-old rape victim to take up the case against Fr. Raul Cabonce, former parish priest of Tubay, Agusan del Norte. The victim aided by Gabriela was advised to bring the matter to Bishop Juan Pueblo de Dios of the Diocese of Butuan.

The trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s doctor, of involuntary manslaughter has opened in Los Angeles. This is an interesting case to watch, especially for doctors and lawyers. In the Philippines, there is still no mandatory insurance law for medical malpractice.

Puerto Galera has banned smoking in the resort town.

Greetings to our readers Cong. Henry Cojuangco (Tarlac, 1st dist.), Prof. Maricor de Villa and her students at Assumption Convent and Rico Lacsa.