Embarrassed CJ

The Supreme Court en banc has revoked an order of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno opening a Regional Court Administration Office (RCAO) in Cebu.

Sereno had gone to Cebu to cut the ribbon on the reopening of the RCAO office thereat. Sereno appointed Judge Geraldine Faith Econg to be officer-in-charge of RCAO Cebu which appointment was voided by the Justices en banc.

This is a first in the history of the Supreme Court. CJ Sereno should    issue a formal apology to her peers. She has to issue a public apology also to the President and the public.

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THE COMPROMISE . .  The Sin tax bill was ratified by both Houses Tuesday. Projected revenue collection for 2013 is P33.96 billion, down from the original P60 billion target of the Department of Finance. The revenue will be paid 69 % by tobacco products and 31 % by liquor products, a minor victory for the liquor industry.

80 % of the collections will go to the Dept. of Health to enroll 5 million persons with PhilHealth. Tobacco farmers will receive P6 billion.

The Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee report by a slim 10-9 vote.

The passage of the bill is another victory for President Aquino. We will know by 2015 if local tobacco companies will close down.

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SLOW RECOVERY . .  The recovery of 890 missing bodies in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental is going so slowly. Why didn’t the AFP send several battalions to help? The latest casualty count is 740 dead.

The delivery of food and water is also so slow with thousands going hungry by the day. Why can ABS-CBN reach the remote isolated barangays and DSWD cannot? 

The United Nations has mounted a worldwide appeal for help to Pablo victims. Thank you.

Meanwhile, Red Cross officials noted the lack of doctors in the area as the Department of Health has not sent any additional doctors to augment the few rural physicians assigned to the towns.

TV reports show children with serious injuries in Cateel left unattended by any doctor after 5 days. It is suggested that PCSO and Pagcor immediately dispatch medical teams to the area.   

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CLEAR PROOF . .  With a hundreds of cut logs seen in Baganga, Cateel and Boston, Davao Oriental, it is once again clear proof that illegal logging was being done in the area. In fact, it had been previously reported that illegal logs were being shipped thru the port of Baganga.

DENR, Anti-illegal Logging Task Force, PNP appear to be in connivance with illegal loggers.

Beginning January 2013, the Philippine Army has been assigned to handle the anti illegal logging campaign. It’s a little late, sirs.

Yes, illegal logging is prevalent in the Davao provinces, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and the Lanao provinces. 

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SANTA CLAUS . .  President Aquino has given Pagcor Chairman Cristino “Bong” Naguiat a pat on the back saying he has swept away corruption in the state gaming agency.

In Christmas gift giving event for 2,000 street sweepers and 6,000 other indigents. President Aquino cited the “efficient Leadership” of Bong Naguiat “who has become a Santa Claus.”

“It is, as if we hit the jackpot,” the President added.

Under Naguiat, Pagcor has consistently increased its revenue and has reduced its overhead expenditures.

Merry Christmas, Santa Claus.

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CORRUPTION INDICATORS . .  The corruption in the NFA has again come to the fore as a whistleblower accused Ex-NFA Chief Lito Banayo of abetting smugglers of rice.

PDEA has charged Taguig City cops of recycling confiscated drugs.

The DOJ has filed charges of extortion and direct bribery against Professional Regulations Commissioner Richard Po for extorting P394,000 from a building owner who leased his property in Baguio to PRC.  

Horse racing bookies are openly operating in Metro Manila. There’s widespread of smuggling of plywood in several ports.

Christmas goods are openly smuggled thru the port of Manila.

The Commission on Audit has questioned the use of the P73 million Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) of the Department of Justice.

2 prison guards were relieved for allowing an Ozamis robbery gang leader to escape from the National Bilibid prison.

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AIRLINE OBLIGATED . .  The Bill of Rights for air passengers will take effect before Christmas In a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) signed by the DOTC Sec. Joseph Abaya and DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo.

The JAO shall oblige airline companies to provide passengers with compensation and amenities such as meals and refreshments, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the airport in case of cancellation or delay of flights. Compensation is also provided for delayed or lost baggage.

Also ordered were full refunds of fares in case of delayed or cancelled flights.

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TOO MANY KILLINGS . .  Randy Domingo, a contractor and his sister-in-law Sheryl Puguon were gunned down by motorcycle riding gunmen in Cabarroguis, Quirino province.

Armed men believed to be NPA rebels attacked a mining firm in Sofronio Española, Palawan and burned a buck hoe.

3 attendants of a gas station in Rizal, Nueva Ecija were shot dead by unknown assailants. 

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T I D B I T S . . .  Cuban President Fidel Castro has been retired by a heart disease. Now, Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela has been hit by cancer.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group of Companies donated P60 million for victims of typhoon Pablo in a telethon conducted by TV 5. Among those who donated were First Pacific/Antonio Salim /MVP P35 million, Philex Mining P10 million and PLDT P5 million.

Happy birthday to Barangay Chairman Mary Ann de los Santos of Lahug, Cebu City and to Cong. Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani.