Rep. Toby Tiangco testifies

The defense opened its case yesterday with Navotas Cong. Toby Tiangco leading a list of 20 witnesses for Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Congressmen Tiangco, Hermilando Mandanas, and Boying Remulla have been warned by House Majority leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales from testifying but Tiangco is set to defy Gonzales whom he accused of bullying him to prevent his testimony. We commend Rep. Tiangco for his independence and his fair sense of Justice.

Senate President Juan Enrile said that Chief Justice Renato Corona should testify on his dollar accounts, despite a Supreme Court TRO. He assured the Chief Justice he will not allow any senator judge to abuse him. He even said that if senator judges insist on disrespecting the Chief Justice, he will resign as presiding officer. Let’s see if the Liberal Senators who are anti Corona will follow Enrile’s request.

It should be an interesting week in the impeachment trial. Meanwhile, CJ Corona continues his media blitz to defend himself against the Administration media blitz being conducted by Malacañang.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima continued to criticize CJ Corona for his media hopping interviews saying he is acting like a politician. Is she implying that all politicians are behaving badly? Isn’t she doing the same with her frequent interviews?

Senate President Enrile said he saw nothing wrong with Corona’s radio and TV interviews since the prosecution has been doing the same.

“What is a sauce for the goose is a sauce for the gander,” Enrile added.

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PAGCOR RECORD . . Chairman Cristino Naguiat announced that Pagcor hit a record P 3.56B net income for the month of February 2012, P1 billion more than in February 2011.

This is due to the fact that Pagcor has been licensing more casinos while reducing its operating expenses and upgrading slot machines.

Chairman Naguiat should he commended for a job well done.

Meanwhile, Congress has approved H.B. 5682 on 3rd reading to remove Pagcor’s authority to license new casinos and other gaming operations. If approved into law, an applicant must secure a franchise from Congress.

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PAJE EXPLAINS . . DENR Secretary Ramon Paje confirmed in a radio interview on DZRJ that the President has deferred the issuance of an Executive Order on mining. In lieu thereof, a policy statement will be issued on the subject.

There is a victory for the business sector who pointed out that the proposed Executive Order will displace 430,000 workers engaged in mining and will set back the economy.

Sec. Paje pointed out that less than a billion in excise tax and royalties are collected from mining operations. He proposed a 5% increase in the royalty payments. He confirmed that there were proposals of a 50-50 profit sharing agreement for new foreign investors.

Paje admitted there is smuggling or underdeclaration of mining products exported. He suggested that the BIR put up an office in mining areas.

Paje confirmed that there are only 31 large scale mining companies. He conceded that large mining companies have improved the lives of people living in their communities. The cities the examples of Aroroy, Masbate and Rio Tuba, Palawan progressive communities helped by the mining operations in their town.

Paje finally conceded that many of the proposed provisions in the Executive Order, especially taxes, should be done by legislation in Congress.

Whatever law is in effect, the basic problem is still poor implementation accompanied by corruption in the agencies dealing with mining.

In a paid advertisement, the Chamber of Mines claimed that they pay other taxes and fees more than the 2% excise tax. They claim they pay corporate income tax, customs duties, value added tax, capital gains tax and documentary stamp taxes as well as local business taxes and fees paid to local government units. They claim that in that in 2010, they paid P14 billion total.

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PROGRESSIVE MANGALDAN . . The town of Mangaldan, Pangasinan with 90,000 residents is one of the most progressive in the nation. It has received an award as the cleanest, safest and greenest Municipality in Region 1.

Municipal Officers led by Mayor Herminio Romero, Vice Mayor Bernardo Abalos and 30 barangay chairmen led by ABC President Ritchie Abalos are working harmoniously to implement local projects.

Now a 1st class Municipality, it boasts of a Jollibee outlet, 2 Mercury drug stores, a department store, Cindys, Lhuiller and Ginerika drugstore branches.

During its recent town fiesta, 5 times Speaker Jose de Venecia received a plaque of appreciation for the many projects he had given the town. Rep. Gina de Venecia has now continued her husband’s support for the town which was also recognized by the local officials. 

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HELP THE TERRACES . . Sen. Loren Legarda visited the Ifugao rice terraces and found that 25% is degraded and needs rehabilitation. While there is some work going on, it is not enough and funds provided are not sufficient.

Sen. Legarda reported that mining exploration is a going on in some areas of the rice terraces that should be stopped. The Ifugao rice terraces are a UN Heritage site. It must be protected by the government.

Sen. Loren Legarda is a staunch advocate of pro environment issues. Her efforts have received world wide attention.

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TIDBITS . . In a Senate hearing, Sen. Manny Villar has found that drug companies have found a way to circumvent the Cheaper Medicines Law.

The UPLB killings have highlighted a problem of universities — the lack of sufficient dormitories to house its students.

The Angat dam is situated just 200 meters away from the West Valley fault and would be destroyed by a 7 magnitude earthquake.

Six Los Baños policemen are under investigation for protecting the three suspects in the UPLB killing of Rey Peñaranda.

Condolence to the family of former Malabon Vice Mayor Arnold Vicencio who died in a motorcycle accident last Sunday.