Puno resigns

DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno has resigned. President Aquino promptly accepted it. There was no hint if he was going to get another position.

But many questions remained unanswered. For one, did he recommend the overpriced purchase of 1,800 assault rifles for the PNP? Was he under investigation by then Sec. Jesse Robredo? Why did he try to enter Robredo’s condo unit?

But anyway, this is a major turnaround for President Aquino. That he is willing to let go of one of his “KKK” appointees who has not done his job well. Since the Luneta hostage crisis, there has been a clamor for Puno’s relief.

The choice of PNP General Nick Bartolome to replace Puno is an excellent decision. Gen. Bartolome has a solid reputation for his efficiency and integrity. He should be able to continue his program of reform for the PNP, as DILG Usec.

Incidentally, Gen. Bartolome told us he has no plans to enter politics in Tarlac. He is due to retire in March. He will have to take an early retirement to assume the DILG Usec position.

Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Santiago has scheduled a hearing of the Puno case tomorrow at the Senate.

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WHY . . New Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno wants a review of JBC policies. The issue is the need for psychological and psychiatric tests.

DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima has expressed the view that sanity is not required for appointment to the Supreme Court. Yes, she said that. But it is required by the rules of the JBC.

Reports have leaked that Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno did not pass her psychological test. JBC refuses to release the results.

Meanwhile, Justice Arturo Brion asked the JBC to release the results of his psychological test.

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SERMON IS NOT ENOUGH . . At the 72nd anniversary rites of the Bureau of Immigration , President Aquino expressed dismay at the corruption in the agency. He raised the issue of 400 Taiwanese and Chinese nationals who entered the country to operate a cyber fraud syndicate. He also deplored how easily the two Reyes brothers Joel and Mario were able to leave. There is also the well known escort service of domestics at NAIA.

The President also cited the case of Korean KimTae Dong who escaped from BID custody while confined at St. Luke’s Hospital.

With the President’s strong reprimand, BID Commissioner Ricardo David should resign. The BID should be revamped.

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SCRAPPED . . Malacañang Spokesman Sec. Edwin Lacierda announced that the deal to buy 1,800 assault rifles from an Israeli firm for P391 million has been scrapped. It has been recommended by Usec. Rico Puno but was questioned by the late Sec. Jesse Robredo and even President Aquino who is an expert on guns. They found the purchase overpriced and specifications were changed to favor one supplier.

It is customary that on deals like this, partial commissions are paid upon recommendation to buy from a specific supplier. Someone already received money.

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NO FOUL PLAY . . Captain John Andrews of CAAP and other investigators have ruled out foul play in the crash of Sec. Robredo’s plane saying it was an accident due to an engine failure.

But surprise, Malacañang immediately refuted Captain Andrew’s finding and said an investigation is still ongoing. Is Malacañang insisting on foul play?

How can that be when Robredo’s decision to take a private plane was a last minute decision?

Sec. Mar Roxas also said there was no official report yet on the crash probe.

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LEYTE-BILIRAN VISIT . . We visited Leyte and Biliran last Monday and Tuesday and found the 2 Eastern Visayas provinces are doing well under Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla and Biliran Gov. Gerry Boy Espina.

We attended student forums at the Naval State University and Eastern Visayas State University where students demonstrated a good knowledge of current issues including the RH bill, China-Philippine rift, poverty and education issues.

On the way to Biliran, we visited Alang-alang, Jaro, Carigoara, Capoocan and Kananga.

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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Leyte Gov. Icot Petilla is graduating. Running in his stead is his younger brother Dominic. Gov. Gerry Boy Espina is running for re-election.

Gov. Gerry Boy Espina informed us that his father, former Cong. Gerry Espina Sr. is recovering from a liver ailment.

In Tacloban City, the fight is set between Mayor Alfred Romualdez and An Waray Rep. Bem Noel. Councilor Zambo Lim is running for Vice Mayor.

In Kananga town, Mayor Elmer Codilla will be challenged by Matt Torres, brother of Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez, Richard Gomez is running for Mayor of Ormoc.

It is going to be a 3-cornered fight for the governorship of South Cotabato. Incumbent Governor Arturo Pingoy Jr. will be opposed by Rep. Daisy Fuentes and former Marbel Mayor Fernando Miguel.

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TIDBITS . . . Dengue cases have reached over 100,000.

NPC Sen. Tito Sotto said NPC may break off from the LP Coalition on the issue of equity of the incumbent.

DOH plans to hire 22,500 nurses for 2013.

UNA Provincial Chairman Engr. Nelson Morales was shot dead by 3 men in Malinao, Albay. Morales served as City Engineer of Makati under then Mayor Jejomar Binay.

 Ambassador Antonio Villamayor was conferred with a Distinguished Award by DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario on the occasion of 114th foundation anniversary of DFA.

Joel Bunag suggests we use waterless toilets to save water.

Greetings to readers: Ex Cong. Wilmar Lucero of Northern Samar, Board Member Brigido Canija of Biliran, Mayor Ebbe Apostol and Cong. Serging Apostol, Board Member Ann Lee Apostol, Florence M. Tupas of Land Bank, Tacloban, Mayor Eric Carolino of Capoocan, Mayor Loreto Yu of Alangalang, Mayor Rolando Celebre of Jaro, Mayor Eulalio Madarazo of Caibiran, Biliran.

Happy birthday to Sen. Boy Herrera.