Sleeping legislators

Senator Teofisto Guingona III filed a petition Thursday before the Supreme Court seeking to declare RA 10175, the Cybercrime Law, unconstitutional.

Senators Francis Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano announced that they would file bills to amend the harsh jail provisions of the law.

What did they do when the bill was being debated in the Senate floor? Why did they let it pass without amending it?

The same is true of the Epira Law. Several senators want it repealed.

Again, why did they pass it in the first place?

The reality is the Senate considers 3,000 bills per Congress. Unless a senator is active and participates in the committee hearings and floor debates, bills may be passed without his scrutiny.

Presidential Spokesperson Sec. Edwin Lacierda defended the new law. He said “We already have responsibilities attached to print, radio and TV. So what the Cybercrime Act does is to also attach responsibilities in cyberspace.”

*      *      *

ACHIEVEMENTS . . A media reporter asked me to list down the important milestones in my political life. They are:

1. Played a vital role in Edsa 1 to help restore democracy in the country. (Photo of Cory’s oathtaking shows me standing behind Cory at Club Filipino).

2. Acted as Ninoy Aquino’s chief aide and adviser while in the US. Accompanied Ninoy in trips to Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, Mexico and all over the United States.

3. Served as executive secretary to President Marcos in 1969, served as presidential campaign manager of Marcos and reelected him, the first and only President to be reelected.

4. The only Filipino to hold 5 cabinet positions.

5. With only 2 senators from the NPC, was elected Senate President in 1996.

6. Was in the committee handling the visit of Pope John Paul II. Selected as one of the 50 to receive communion from the Pope.

7. Secured an invitation from President Clinton to President Estrada to make an official visit to Washington.

8. As Ambassador, secured the grant of 8 helicopters, 2 C-130s, 200 trucks and firearms. Also got the USDA to allow entry of Guimaras mangoes. Increased Food for Peace grant from $20 to $40 million.

9. One of “12 Magnificent Senators” who voted to reject the US bases extension. Received the Claro M. Recto Award from UST.

10. Was cheated together with FPJ in the 2004 elections.

11. Was named by the Philippine Free Press as Mr. Expose. Exposed the PEA Amari deal.

12. Authored and co-authored or sponsored 200 laws including the Maceda Law extending protection for real estate buyers.

13. Receive TOYM for Public Service Award in 1967. Received 40 national and international awards.

14. Was campaign manager in 2010 for the Erap-Binay Team.

*      *      *

A JOKE . . 289 Party-list groups have applied with Comelec for accreditation to run in the 2013 elections.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. says the Party-list system has become a joke. We agree. Chairman Brillantes wants to pare down the list to 120.

Election Watch: Ang Kontra Daya lists 23 party-list representatives as multi millionaires led by Rep. Mikey Arroyo of Ang Galing Pinoy with P92 million and Cristopher Co of Ako Bicol with P91 million.

RA 794, the Party-list system act was enacted in 1995. It needs amendments today.

*      *      *

POLITICAL UPDATE . . Former Tarlac Gov. Tingting Cojuangco has agreed to run for the Senate under UNA.

30 National Unity Party (NUP) Congressmen and former GMA allies have decided to join the Liberal Party Coalition. NUP president is Cong. Rodolfo Antonino of Nueva Ecija.

DBM Sec. Butch Abad has released P12.5 billion for the pork barrel of Senators and Congressmen. Senators get P200 million each, Congressmen get P70 million each.

Sally Enrile, wife of Jack is running for his post as Congresswoman for the 1st District of Cagayan.

Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza is LP candidate for Governor of Pangasinan against NPC Governor Amado Espino Jr. No LP-NPC coalition in Pangasinan.

Councilor R.J. Echiverri is running for Mayor of Caloocan. He is planning to run under PDP-Laban. The other candidates for Mayor are Cong. Oca Malapitan and Vice Mayor Egay Erice. Mayor Recom Echiverri is running for Congress in the 2nd District. Former Congressman Baby Asistio is running for Congress in the 1st District.

*      *      *

WELL-ATTENDED . . The Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas held a 3-day convention, Sept 26-28, at the SMX Convention Center.

National president Ricojudge Janvier (RJ) Echiverri presided over the 2,000-person assembly.

Vice President Jejomar Binay was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Loren Legarda, former Senators Dick Gordon, Migz Zubiri, and your columnist.

Also at the convention were Tingting Cojuangco, Cynthia Villar, Teddy Casiño and Risa Hontiveros.

It was a successful assembly.

*      *      *

UNEASINESS IN THE PNP . . There is credible talk that DILG Sec. Mar Roxas will push for the appointment of Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta as the next PNP Director General. He belongs to class ’84 PMA thus causing uneasiness among higher classes from ’81-’83 led by Chief Supt. Alan Purisima.

The PNP will be a major headache for Roxas. The crime situation is bad, especially in Metro Manila. People are hoping Roxas can do something to stop the high crime rate.

*      *      *

STAR-STUDDED . . The book launching of Senate President Johnny Enrile at the Peninsula was a star-studded affair.

In attendance were President Noynoy Aquino, Vice President Jojo Binay, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Tito Guingona, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, Archbishop Jose Palma, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Gringo Honasan, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Loi Estrada, Oscar Lopez, Gabby Lopez, Piki Lopez, Carlos and Mariquita Yeung, Lorna Kapunan, Baby Arenas, Cong. Toby Tiangco, Ex Gov. Sally Saldivar, Armida Siguion Reyna and Bibeth Orteza.

Rep. Jack Enrile delivered the welcome remarks.

Oscar Lopez and President Estrada gave inspirational messages.