Incomplete testimony

Ruby Chan-Tuason testified with confidence at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, but there were noticeable gaps in her testimony. She did not say exactly how much she delivered to Senator Jinggoy Estrada and how much she delivered to Gigi Reyes.

Pressed by Senator Sonny Trillanes, she admitted delivering P8-10 million in one delivery at Jinggoy’s Senate office. Way below what Senator Estrada has been charged by the Commission on Audit (COA) for assigning his PDAF to Jenny Napoles. Senator Trillanes said her revelations are not enough.

It is unbelievable that Tuason did not keep a record or ledger of her deliveries of kickbacks, considering the many transactions, the amounts involved, and the time it happened. Certainly, she has to keep a record to keep track of the 5% commission due her.    

Tuason cleared Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, as she confirmed that they have never talked about the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), admitting she dealt exclusively with Reyes. Again, she did not mention any specific amount she delivered to Gigi Reyes.

Besides the P8 million Tuason said she delivered at the Senate, the “only” other amount she gave to Jinggoy was P1 million, delivered at Zirkoh comedy bar in Greenhills.

Tuason admitted receiving P40 million in commissions, which she promised to return. She said the P40 million was a 5% commission, which in effect said that P800 million has been paid in kickbacks. She testified the P242 million in kickbacks were given to Atty. Jesus Santos.

Snacks, not cash

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in answer to Ruby Tuason, said he received only food, mostly trays of sandwiches but not cash from her when she visited him twice at his Senate office.

Disputing Tuason’s testimony, Senator Estrada stressed that he received no money or kickbacks delivered by Tuason in his residence or Senate office or in any other venue.

Senator Estrada noted that Tuason could not recollect past events on her own, but often consulted Ben Luy to answer the Senator’s questions. She could not even recall how much she delivered on several occasions to Estrada and Reyes.

Senator Estrada also denied he agreed to allocate P37.5 million to Janet Lim-Napoles in September 2004. Since he was a newly-elected opposition senator he had no Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations from Malacañang.

Tuason, however, conceded that the P37.5 allocation was cancelled, and Senator Estrada allegedly returned a P5.7 million commission.

Senator Enrile did not issue any comment on Tuason’s testimony.

Tuason claimed she dealt with Senator Estrada only in 2008, after which Napoles dealt directly with Jinggoy.

Committee Chairman T.G. Guingona and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago welcomed Tuason’s testimony as direct evidence, strengthening the case against Enrile and Estrada; first testified to by whistle-blowers Ben Luy and other whistle-blowers.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima confirmed that a third batch of officials will be charged by DOJ after the Ombudsman finishes its preliminary investigation on the first batch charged by DOJ/NBI.

87 Zamboanga deaths

The death toll at Zamboanga City evacuation centers has reached 87. There are still 118,819 evacuees still living in different evacuation centers.

What’s the Department of Health (DOH) doing? 87 deaths are just too much. The medical services at the evacuation centers must be reviewed and improved. It is sad that after surviving the fighting they should die in the evacuation centers.

Mayor Isabel Climaco promised to provide more medical services with a volunteer medical mission coming in to help.

Hard life in Hernani

Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN reporter, visited Hernani, Eastern Samar last Wednesday.

She found that little reconstruction is being done. People still have no homes, no livelihood, and very little outside help.

Senator Ping Lacson must do a wide ranging review of the 171 towns destroyed by Yolanda, and find ways to hasten delivery of much needed help. It most towns, relief goods have run out.

30 poorest provinces

At the Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, President Aquino finally decided to release more funds and national government support to the 30 poorest provinces. It called the program a surgical or geographical approach to defeating poverty. Mayors in Eastern Visayas have complained that up to now they have not received any funding.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Arsenio Balisacan admitted to President Aquino that the administration had a dismal performance in arresting poverty and creating jobs.

The 30 provinces have been categorized into three: Category 1 aims to create more economic opportunities; Category 2 aims to enhance mobility of labor and goods; and Category 3 aims to increase resilience since they are local government units most vulnerable to disasters.

This should have been done within 30 days after Yolanda hit on Nov. 8. The 171 towns hit by Yolanda should have received cash assistance of at least P20 million each.

Beckham in Tacloban

International football star David Beckham visited Tacloban Thursday, accompanied by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) officials.

He met 600 children at the Tacloban City Astrodome.

Beckham and his wife Victoria, organized a fundraising event in London. Beckham stayed overnight in Tacloban, and visited Tanauan and Palo yesterday.

UNICEF organized his trip as Beckham indicated he wanted to meet the children of Tacloban.

Basketball lingo

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that Ruby Chan-Tuason’s testimony was a “slam dunk” shot. Senator T.G. Guingona said it was a “three-point shot, buzzer beater, winning shot.”

Senator Jinggoy Estrada said it was a “lay up.” Trillanes said she was “dribbling.”

Senator Antonio Trillanes insisted Tuason’s testimony was incomplete, and she was withholding facts. Jinggoy correctly said that Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Guingona was prejudging the case.

Tidbits: Justice Secretary Leila De Lima ruled out Janet Lim-Napoles as a state witness because she is not the least guilty. Besides, she has already accepted Ruby Tuason as a state witness.

Ruby Tuason implicated actor Mat Ranillo as having acted as a “go- between” Janet Lim-Napoles and Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

Mystery question — To whom the P242-million Malampaya kickbacks go?

Michael Christian Martinez has advanced to the finals of the figure skating event in Sochi, Russia.