Questions for Ruby Tuason

How long have you known Janet Lim-Napoles? Did you have any business transactions with her? How many tranches were your deliveries? What was the biggest amount?

How much did you deliver to Senator Jinggoy Estrada? Were all money delivered to the Senate office of Senator Estrada? Where exactly? Do you know where Senator Jinggoy Estrada lives? Why didn’t you deliver the money to his house where less people will see you? Why did you not deliver it at a restaurant as you did with Gigi Reyes? Did you ask Senator Estrada to send you money when you were in the United States? You claim that you introduced Senator Estrada and Senate President Enrile to Napoles in 2004, when and where exactly did Napoles meet them?

Did you deliver any money to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile directly? Did you deliver any money to Senate President Enrile or Gigi at their Senate office?

Benhur Luy testified that agents got 5%, did you get the 5%? (Why only 1.5%?) How much in total did you receive as commission?

Did Janet Lim-Napoles accompany you in any deliveries? What were her specific instructions? Where did you receive the money to be delivered from Napoles? Had she personally given you your commission? How much in total did you receive? When will you return them? Did you declare them on your income tax return (ITR)?

You have a new mansion in Dasmariñas Village? How much did it cost?

Did you deliver any money to Atty. Jess Santos? For whom was the money?

*   *   *

5 murders in Talavera

Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez expressed alarm over the spate of killings in his town of Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Five people have been killed in January.

Ester Pierra-Galaroza, State Auditor III assigned with Isabela City, Basilan and the Basilan State College, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Zamboanga City.

A grenade was lobbed into the house of Councilor Danilo de Guzman at Barangay Malimba, Gapan City, destroying two cars in his garage.

Two died, five were wounded in a clash in Sumisip in Basilan.

Two riding-in-tandem hit men shot and killed Police Officer 2 Ali Botal of the Caraga police in Pasay City.

Businessman Mejiang Sy, 48, and his wife Qing Xian Hong, were ambushed by two motorcycle-riding gunmen as they came from NAIA.

*   *   *

Increase senior citizens allowance

Representative Anthony Del Rosario of Davao Del Norte has filed House bill No. 3731 to increase the monthly stipend for senior citizens from P500 to P1,000, and lowering the age requirement from 77 to 70.

Makati and Cebu cities give higher senior citizen allowances from P2,000 to P10,000.

Manila will start a senior citizen program in 2015.

*   *   *

FG too

In a press conference, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima revealed that Ruby Tuason had said in her affidavit that she delivered P242 million to Attorney Jess Santos, who is identified with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Looks like, more people will be charged for misuse of the Malampaya fund.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has audited the fund, and discovered irregularities from 2007 to 2012. The Senate is set to investigate the misuse of the Malampaya fund.

*   *   *

Joblessness up

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported in its December 11-16, 2013 survey that joblessness has increased 6% points from 21% to 27%, equivalent to 12.1 million adult Filipinos.

More jobs were lost due to the string of calamities that hit the country.

To date, the Aquino administration has not unveiled a master plan for job creation. Job intensive projects have not been accorded a high priority.

*   *   *

Customs misses target

As expected, Customs revenue missed its 2013 target, collecting only P304 billion out of its P340 billion target.

Shell President Edgar Chua said that oil smuggling has surfaced in the third and fourth quarter of 2013. Chua reported that Shell experienced a sharp decline in sales due to the smuggling of competitors.

Oil companies estimate that P30 billion in Customs duties are lost to oil smuggling every year. It is estimated that 40 million barrels of oil are smuggled.

*   *   *

Unregistered bus

The Florida bus that figured in an accident in Bontoc is not even registered, once again showing lapses in Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) enforcement.

Mayor Franklin Odsey has come out to demand more safety road signs and concrete barriers be put up in their mountain roads. Every year there are at least three bus accidents happening in the Mountain Province–Benguet area.

Vehicular accidents rank as the 5th leading cause of death in the country.

Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya should clamp down on the activities of LTFRB and LTO.

*   *   *

BIFF blast

Colonel Dickson Hermoso reported that an improvised explosive device (IED) was set off by suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) rebels to destroy a National Grid Corporation tower in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

Three explosions have rocked central Mindanao since the government invaded BIFF camps the last three weeks. The government troops have captured four BIFF camps, but Ameril Umbra Kato, the commander of BIFF, managed to escape. Thirty-two BIFF rebels have been killed, with one soldier killed on the government side.

*   *   *

Tidbits. Belated birthday greetings to President Noynoy Aquino, who turned 54 last Saturday. He spent the day quietly at the Bahay Pangarap rest house with close family members.

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Antonio Villar Jr. opposes the legalization of Marijuana use for medical purposes. A bill to legalize Marijuana use for medicinal purposes has been filed by Isabela Congressman Rodito Albano III.

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian announced a P300 million program to improve the quality of education in their city.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. announced a record of P21.2 billion contribution to the National Treasury.

Illinois is the 17th state to legalize same sex marriages.

Condolence to the family of Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas.

