No less than President Aquino has confirmed ongoing corruption at the Bureau of Customs. At a speech during the 110th anniversary of the BOC, the President expressed dismay over the continuing smuggling of oil, firearms, illegal drugs and rice as he warned corrupt Customs personnel that he will send them to a penal institution.
Speaking with sarcasm, he said magician David Copperfield apparently has a cousin in BOC who caused the disappearance of 5,000 containers without paying Customs duties.
The President should look into reports that some of his Malacañang boys are dipping their hands into the lucrative Customs zone.
It is time to order a 100 percent lifestyle check on all BOC employees as indicated by the fact that a Clerk II can afford to buy luxury cars and Customs officials buying big houses.
The big “players” now numbering about 10 have been very active since Ruffy Biazon assumed office as Commissioner in September. They are running rings around him. He should be given a deadline to clean up the BOC.
DOF Sec. Cesar Purisima admitted at a MAP speech that P200 billion a year was lost due to smuggling.
President Aquino should turn his attention too, to corruption at the Bureau of Immigration, LTFRB, PNP, BFP and provincial prosecutors offices.
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DAY 12. . . BIR Commissioner Kim Henares admitted the BIR is investigating the Coronas for tax purposes covering the period 1992-2010. She testified that Corona’s SALNs reflected inaccurate items as well as undervaluation of properties declared.
The prosecution scored a victory as the Senate Impeachment Court by a majority vote granted the prosecution’s request for subpoenas for BPI and Philippine Savings Bank subject to certain conditions.
Prosecution spokesmen had claimed the Coronas had $700,000 in a bank account. Senate President Enrile emphasized that the approval was for the issuance of subpoenas but, did not mean the evidence was already admitted. The defense vowed to question the materiality and relevance of any evidence on the bank accounts.
On Day 13, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the decision granting the prosecution’s Motion to Issue Subpoenas to BPI and PSBank officials.
It was reported that besides Miriam, Senators Joker Arroyo and Bongbong Marcos were against the issuance of subpoenas to the banks on the dollar accounts in view of RA 6426, the Foreign Currency Deposit Act.
The prosecution opened its case on Art. 3 of the impeachment complaint by presenting Roberto Anduiza, president of FASAP.
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ONE MORE DISASTER. . . After being declared the No. 1 disaster prone country in the world with 33 incidents in 2011, the Philippines is starting the disaster trail early with a 6.9 intensity earthquake hitting Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Cebu and Iloilo on Monday.
The latest count of casualties is 48 dead with 92 missing, 13 people were feared dead in Guihulngan City due to a landslide. 40 people were missing in La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum revealed that most of their geologists have joined private mining companies.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Dagamo, Guihulngan Mayor Ernesto Reyes and Congresswoman Josie Limkaichong are doing a good job to help the victims.
As usual, Vice President Jejomar Binay was the first national government official to visit the disaster scene. President Aquino followed yesterday on his 52nd birthday.
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CRIME WAVE. . . The Deputy Chief of Police of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Inspector Reynaldo Valencia was shot dead by motorcycle riding gunmen.
A call center agent, Maria Fatima Blanco, 23, was stabbed to death by a teenage holdupper who was arrested by police.
Anna Agullo, a 48-year-old widow was stabbed to death in Caloocan by a neighbor Ivan Ian Climaco who refused to pay his debt. Three children of the widow who tried to protect their mother also suffered stab wounds.
In an Editorial yesterday, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said:
“What is the Aquino administration and the Philippine National Police doing about the rampant, brazen criminality bedeviling the country? Taken cumulatively, the outbreak of atrocities big and small points to a deteriorating, if not broken, law enforcement environment. Criminals are getting bolder and more vicious, their crimes more gruesome. A testament to how desperate times are?”
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim announced the charging of PO1 Sherwin Casuran as the head of a hijacking syndicate victimizing cargo trucks.
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TIDBITS . . . Korean Grace Lee revealed on Journo over TV5 that the President and she date 3 times a week, that they talk for 3 to 4 hours. She admitted the President is courting her like any normal person sending her chocolates and flowers.
After the Manila Bulletin anniversary Monday, the two left together and dined at Sakura Yakiniku Restaurant in Ermita.
Former Senator Freddie Webb joined Sen. Kit Tatad in observing the impeachment trial Tuesday. Also, seen were Bibeth Orteza and Lorna Kapunan.
Bloomberg News reports that 4,000 US Marines are being sent to the Philippines.
Sen. Manny Villar observed that the impeachment trial should not cause a loss of focus on the economy.
A 19-year-old White House intern Mimi Alford wrote in a book that she had an 18-month affair with President John Kennedy. She said she lost her virginity to Pres. Kennedy in a White House bedroom.
The Supreme Court en banc will take up next week the case of the Constitutionality of the Comelec-DOJ panel that recommended prosecution of President Gloria Arroyo for electoral sabotage.
Sablayan, Occ. Mindoro is the biggest town in the country with an area of 218,000 hectares. It is a major rice producing area with an annual harvest of 33,000 metric tons plus 40,000 metric tons of corn. Sablayan will receive a “Rice Achiever” award on Feb. 10 from the Department of Agriculture. The town boasts of a 1,000 seat convention center.