What can Pangilinan do?

The appointment of Senator Francis Pangilinan as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, with special instructions to clean up the National Food Authority (NFA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PHILCOA), and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), is a slap on the face of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. He should now resign. He should not wait for the Ombudsman to charge and suspend him.

When President Aquino instructed Pangilinan to clean up the four Department of Agriculture (DA) agencies, it signifies that Secretary Alcala has failed to do his job. It clearly means that the President has made a decision that Alcala is not competent.

Pangilinan should investigate the latest NFA importation of 800,000 metric tons (MT) from Vietnam, which was bought at $440/MT when the current Thailand market price is only $340/MT.

Former NFA administrator Romeo David questioned why NFA was in a hurry to buy the rice. He also questioned why what was ordered was 15% broken rice.

Taking off the election campaign period, from October 2015 to May 2016, Pangilinan has only 16 months to implement whatever new programs or investigations he will start.

I suggest he forms four investigating teams under an undersecretary to take care of the four graft-ridden agencies assigned to him. He should investigate why a Vietnamese firm, Vietnam Southern Food Corp. or Vinafood 2, wins most NFA bidding processes.

Water shortage

Ten years ago, Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) bidded a project to get 300,000 metric tons (MT) of water from Laguna de Bay. The winning bidder was rejected. The project was discontinued. It should be resurrected.

Manila Water and Maynilad should increase its conversion of Laguna de Bay water to potable water.

This perennial water shortage is a continuing failure of the Aquino administration.

Just do it

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima admitted that a Senate committee can compel her to submit the Napoles list to the Senate. Senate President Franklin Drilon has also confirmed that De Lima can be compelled by the Senate to submit the said list.

So what is holding Drilon from ordering Senator T.G. Guingona to issue a subpoena duces tecum for the Napoles list to be submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee? Drilon has denied he is on the list. It is, therefore, in his interest to have it subpoenaed so as to confirm his denial of having any dealings with Janet Lim-Napoles.

Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and four other senators have asked for the list to be made public. Five senators are enough to convince Senator Guingona to reopen the Napoles hearing. Invite her and Justice Secretary De Lima so she can testify on her disclosures to De Lima.

A Napoles testimony can confirm that the list has not been sanitized. Napoles can also testify how much commission she paid Ruby Tuason. Napoles can now reveal what she knows about the Malampaya Fund scam; and release another list of people who received the P900-million fund.

Another broadcaster killed

Richard Najid, 38, a radio station manager and broadcast journalist of FM station Power Mix DXNN in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, was shot dead by three unidentified gunmen.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) said that Najid is the 26th journalist killed under the Aquino administration. Najid is the second journalist killed in Bongao.

National Press Club president Joel Sy Egco has expressed dismay over the killing. He said the murder of Najid is a “humiliating sequel to President Aquino’s pathetic gaffe” during the Obama-Aquino press conference. Sy Egco accused Aquino of a lack of real concern; and plain disregard for the deadly plight of Philippine journalists.

NUJP chairperson Rowena Paraan said 80% of journalist killings involved local police and politicians.

SWS survey

The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 53% of Filipinos voted themselves as poor — that means 11.5 million families. The survey also showed that they considered President Aquino as having more concerns for the middle class than the poor.

Part of the explanation for the high poverty incidence is the failure of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hire more workers due to corruption and diversion of DPWH funds.

Another scam

The House of Representatives is set to investigate the P10.2-billion Public Works Fund released within six months before the 2010 elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should also look into this — no funds or projects can be released within 45 days before an election.

The House is set to ask Congressman Rolando Andaya to testify before the good government and public accountability committee to explain the P10.2-billion DPWH release. Andaya was the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretary at that time.

Tidbits. Manolo Roxas, 60, a public market administrator of Tanauan City, was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen.

Ramon Ang and Felipe Gozon have confirmed ongoing talks for Ang’s interest to buy into GMA-7. Manny Pangilinan has given up.

Abigail Pendulas, wife of Aman Futures pyramid scam suspect, was arrested.

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) charged an additional P0.89 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for April. A higher rate is expected for May.

The Abu Sayyaf kidnapped Yang Zai Lin, 34, a Chinese fish farm manager in Sabah; and the two Germans, Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek and Henrite Dielen in Palawan.

The New People’s Army (NPA) in Mabini, Compostela Valley is still holding some hostages. Thirty-nine civilian hostages were already released by the rebels. Authorities are still negotiating for the safe release of the remaining hostages.

A bomb explosion at Lebak, Sultan Kudarat Municipal Building wounded Mayor Dionisio Besana.