Ambush, not shootout

It was an ambush, not a shootout. This was the finding of a fact finding committee created by PNP Director General Alan Purisima to investigate the Atimonan incident where 13 people died.

The committee headed by Chief Superintendent Federico Castro recommended the filing of charges against Supt. Hansel Marantan and 15 policemen, together with the relieved Quezon Provincial Director Valeriano de Leon.

The committee found use of excessive force and violation of PNP rules on checkpoints. It also found that only 6 of those who died had guns in their hands.

Purisima said he will forward the 4-page report to the NBI.

NBI Dep. Director Virgilio Mendez also expressed the view that it is not a shootout.

How about the AFP? Why no investigation of the participation of 25 soldiers involved in the shootout?

Sen. Ping Lacson, a former PNP chief, asked the public to await the NBI report and not to prejudge the policemen.

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NO CHANGE. . . Usec. Abigail Valte said that Cha-Cha is still not a priority of the President. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and several LP Congressmen are pushing for a Cha-Cha to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution. They also want a change from a bicameral to unicameral legislative body which is expected to face stiff resistance in the Senate.

Sen. Miriam D. Santiago said that any push for Charter change will not succeed due to the lack of support by the President.

Business chambers are pushing to allow foreign investors 100% ownership of land.           

UP 10 NOTCHES. . . The Philippines gained 10 notches in terms of economic freedom, ranking 97th out of 177 countries. The survey was released by the Washington based The Heritage Foundation.

The same report, however, found that corruption was still an ongoing problem in many government offices.

NO WATER. . . Mayor Concepcion Zarate of Pura, Tarlac deplores the fact that while there is running water in the poblacion, there is none in the barangays.

With a small budget of P44 million, Mayor Zarate said they can barely provide  basic services to the townspeople.

It is time to increase the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for local government units.

At present, IRA is 40% of the national revenue collections. It should be increased to 60%. Note that in the framework agreement with the MILF, 75% is being given to the Bangsamoro government.

SUCCESSFUL SORTIE. . . Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile led 7 UNA senatorial candidates in a getting to know you swing thru the Batangas towns of Nasugbu, Tuy, Balayan, Calaca, Agoncillo, Lemery, Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Lipa City, Mataas na Kahoy and Batangas City.

Big crowds welcomed the UNA Team which included Mitos Magsaysay,Tingting Cojuangco, JV Estrada, Dick Gordon, Nancy Binay and Aubrey Zubiri who represented Migz Zubiri and your columnist.

Governor Vilma Santos and Senator Ralph Recto, Board Members Mabel Virtusio, Fred Corona, Rowena Africa and Bebs Balba welcomed the group at the Batangas Capitol. Rep. Tom Apacible welcomed the group to Nasugbu while Rep. Dong Mendoza hosted lunch at the Malarayat Golf Club in Lipa. Ex Mayor Boy Calingasan hosted lunch at Tuy while Dr. Jun Berberabe hosted dinner at Batangas City.

Vice President Jojo Binay and Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile were well applauded as they explained the new politics being pushed by UNA.

The last 3 days, the UNA group visited Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Quirino.

MASS WEDDING. . . President Erap was the ninong in a mass wedding of 172 couples in Balut, Tondo. Also present was Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Councilor Ernix Dionisio, Arlene Coa, Jess Fajardo, Dennis Alcoriza, Dra. Irma Alfonso and Ian Nieva and Congressman bet Dionix Dionisio.

Erap also gave away 10 wheelchairs to lucky recipients which were donated by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

A crowd of 1,000 persons led by 30 barangay chairmen welcomed Erap.

HEATING UP. . . The debate on a proposed divorce bill is heating up. Proponents of the divorce bill point out that the Philippines and Malta are the only 2 Catholic countries without a divorce law. They point out that Catholic countries Spain, Italy and Ireland have a divorce law.

It is also pointed out that with a liberalized annulment process in Catholic tribunals, the Catholic church de facto is allowing divorce under the guise of annulments.

Proponents also argue that if a spouse has tried to kill his spouse that certainly is a valid ground for divorce.

Also, proposed grounds are when a spouse is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment or a spouse is absent for 7 years as is the case with OFWs.

It will face rough sailing in both houses of Congress.

FIRECRACKER PERFORMANCE . . The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Law continued its giant killing ways at the ANC Square off Law Debates 2013. After defeating Lyceum in December, PLM upset the mighty Ateneo Law School last week on the issue of the proposed Firecracker Ban. As then chairman of the Senate committee on national defense, we sponsored the Firecracker Law, RA 7183 to regulate the uncontrollable proliferation of illegal firecrackers and mitigate their injurious effects on the populace. PLM is now through to the semis to meet the winner of the UP vs. DLSU quarterfinal match. Congratulations to the PLM scholars and to their hardworking Dean.

Greetings to: Barangay Chairman Abner Mendoza of Sta. Teresita; Board Member Junjun Gozos, Vice Mayor Henry Laqui of Mataas na Kahoy; Mayor Leovy Morfe of Rosario; Councilor Eric Africa; Board Member Joko Diaz, Board Member of Tarlac Dan David; Boy Cervantes; Rommel David, Henry Cruz, Ito Rasalan and Patrick Agustin; Vice Mayor Genevieve Linsao of Paniqui and Vice Mayor Roldan Sembrano of Gerona.

Birthday greetings to Atty. Albert B. Arcilla, president of Chevrolet-Philippines.