Subpar and expensive

Secretary Ping Lacson, Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction has asked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate reports of 35% kickback on the contract to build bunkhouses. The 12-room bunkhouses have been contracted at a cost of P785,000.

Lacson revealed that substandard materials have been used and that one politician had a hand in the awarding of contracts.

Top urban planner, Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr also joined the debate, and said that the bunkhouses are substandard and are too small for a family of five.

It is sad that this early, with simple contracts for construction of bunkhouses, charges of corruption have been aired with alleged kickbacks of 35%.

It is also sad to note that the planned target for construction of bunkhouses and shelter homes cannot be achieved in two years time as admitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson.

There is a need to build 300,000 new homes for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda and Pablo, Bohol earthquake and the Zamboanga siege.

At the pace, they are doing the work, finishing only 115-222 in a year’s time. It will take ten years to finish the housing program. Secretary Singson has suspended the construction of bunkhouses.

JPE denial

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, in a counter-affidavit, has formally denied his involvement in the P10-billion Priority Dev’t Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, saying not a single piece of evidence has been presented to link him to Janet Napoles.

Enrile also disclosed that he has not met Janet Napoles, that he never designated non-governmental organizations to get his PDAF funds. He said it is the implementing agencies that designated the NGOs to implement the PDAF projects.

Enrile pointed out the whistle-blower Benhur Luy, admitted at the Senate hearing that the signatures on the PDAF documents were forged.

Too many accidents

Last week, two accidents happened at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), and now one at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), with 3 dead, in the collision of a truck and a van.

Alfonso Mallari, a Customs officer died in five-vehicle collision along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Five persons died in an accident in Imus, Cavite.

All accidents at SLEx, NLEx, and Commonwealth Avenue were due to speeding. The present speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour (km/h) should be further reduced.

In Davao, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte brought down the speed limit to 30 km/h.

Ricky Recto cleared

The Department of Justice has dismissed the murder charges against former Batangas Vice Governor Ricky Recto in the 2006 bombing of then Governor Armando Sanchez.

Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Teodore Villanueva dismissed for lack of evidence the charges of murder, frustrated murder and destruction of property filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Why did it take the Department of Justice seven years to decide the case and dismiss it?

Evardone denials

Congressman Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar) said he had nothing to do with the construction of bunkhouses in typhoon-hit areas. Evardone said he did not know any of the contractors. He also stated that he believes that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is not involved in any anomaly.

But Architect Jun Palafox Jr. and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) believe that the bunkhouses are subpar and used materials not complying with DPWH specifications.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) should finish its investigation in 30 days time. It is a simple basic construction, and an inspection can be made quickly in the quality of materials used.

In the meantime, it is appropriate that the specifications for bunkhouses should be reviewed to build 22 square meters each instead of 8.6 square meters. Use the Army Engineering Brigade, Habitat for Humanity (HFH), and the Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI).

Wrong attitude

President Aquino said he is just going to ignore critics. That is not a good policy. Every citizen has a right to criticize any public official or any policy pronouncement.

Criticisms should be studied as the President is not infallible. Critics are performing a much needed function. This is especially true, now that citizens are using the internet to express their opinion. And with citizens donating to fundraising campaigns, they are entitled to know how the money is being spent.

Repeat pledge

Just like any new Customs commissioner, John Sunny Sevilla announced that he will go hammer and tongs after rice smugglers. As in the past, he said he will go after the consignees, even if the importers are fictitious.

Sevilla said he was going 100-percent committed to stop rice smuggling, but in several cases, the consignees were able to secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the courts.

Sevilla reported that 1,936 containers of rice were inspected, out of which 411 were abandoned. He also stated that he did not know if David Tan exists. David Tan exists. Ask the Interim Customs Accreditation and Registration (ICARE) personnel who accredited 300 importers for him.

Admirable faith

Filipinos are very religious as being shown by the adoration of the Black Nazarene. Millions have come forward to touch the Black Nazarene and ask for favors.  Several people interviewed on TV testify that they had been cured after expressing their faith in Black Nazarene. 

The celebrations started early today, with a mass at the Luneta attended by millions. Mayor Joseph Estrada joined the devotees.

Congratulations to Msgr. Clemente Ignacio for excellent preparations.

Tidbits: President Erap has given up smoking.

The final listing of firecrackers-related injuries reached 1,018.

The Yolanda death toll is now at 6,183.

Inflation in December hit 4.1%, a two-year high.

A policeman was shot dead by a two men riding-in-tandem in Taguig.

A UST medical student was found dead at the University Belt area in Manila.