Malacañang admits crime surge

Malacañang finally admitted an increase in Index Crimes, and that President Aquino was alarmed over the spate of high profile killings.

Crown Regency Hotel owner Richard King was shot dead inside his office in Davao City. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) champion Enzo Ferdinand Pastor was shot dead at a traffic light in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. Earlier, Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. was shot dead in front of the Municipal building in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.

The serious crime situation has been going on the last four years. President Aquino must conduct a top to bottom revamp of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The President must press Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas to exert more effort at crime prevention and crime solution.

The situation is so bad that barangay captains are killed in their barangay halls and teachers are killed inside their classrooms. Quezon City, Cavite, Batangas, Caloocan, Laguna and Manila have recorded many killings.

Malacañang ordered more police visibility, which is difficult to implement because of the lack of policemen.

Transport groups complain

Transport groups have joined in questioning the high fines imposed by the Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Department of Transport and Communications (DOTC) on ‘colorum’ public utility vehicles or unlicensed operators of public transport services and other traffic violators.

A fine of P1 million is imposed on ‘colorum’ buses plus 3 months impounding. That’s too much.

The petitioners have reason to complain that it is tantamount to deprivation of property without due process.  

Travel bans

Two divisions of the Sandiganbayan has issued separate Hold Departure Orders (HDOs) against Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile and members of their staff, together with 35 others charged with plunder and graft due to their alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam.

The Third Division issued the HDO which prevents Enrile from leaving the country without permission from the court. Enrile is facing one count of plunder and 15 counts graft, which allegedly earned him P172 million in kickbacks.

Meanwhile, the First Division issued HDO against Revilla in one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft, which allegedly accumulated the biggest kickbacks worth more than P220 million.

The two senators have filed applications for bail as warrants of arrest are expected to be issued soon. These senators have also filed motions for determination of probable cause.

Gigi Reyes has filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to suspend the proceedings against her as she was not given a chance to challenge the charges against her during the preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman.  She is also asking for a copy of the affidavit of Ruby Tuason.

The Sandiganbayan is expected to issue warrants of arrest after finding the existence of probable cause.

The three senators have issued individual statements that they are ready to go to jail.

Revilla answers De Lima

Senator Bong Revilla issued a statement answering Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s unsolicited advice, for the Senator not to run for president in 2016 out of “delicadeza” or sense of propriety, and for him to think of the national interest.

“I have yet to be rendered guilty in the cases they have filed against me. Why is De Lima preempting the situation? Perhaps, out of delicadeza, she should also choose the issues that are within her mandate. If it is the people who ask me to run, who is she and who am I to say no?” Revilla told reporters at the Senate.

Revilla who has gone around Cavite and Metro Manila the last few days stressed that running for president in 2016 is farthest from his mind. He said that he is encumbered with defending himself with the charges filed against him.

The case against him and the two other senators are not expected to be finished by 2016. Some legal analysts predict it may take 5 years to conclude the case, with any guilty verdict to be appealed to the Supreme Court (SC).

Alcala clueless

The price of imported garlic is now retailed at more than P300/kilo and P180/kilo for locally produced variety.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala is clueless as to the cause of the garlic and even ginger price spike.

The DA is sending out rolling stores to sell local garlic but the supply is limited.

Traders are making a killing as they bought garlic from farmers at P65/kilo.

The price of commercial rice has also gone up by P2-4 a kilo.

Secretary Herminio Coloma said government was “exerting all efforts to ensure the stable supply of rice, garlic and ginger.”

DA officials say there is an artificial shortage caused by hoarding by traders.

A TV news report said that Senator Francis Pangilinan, who was appointed by P-Noy to handle concerns related to food and agriculture, is presently abroad.

Cayetano defends Joel

In a press briefing, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano defended his former colleague and friend, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva, saying “Jail the wolves, don’t sacrifice the lambs.” In essence saying jail the three senators, who are his political foes but spare Villanueva, an ally.

Cayetano stated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) must focus on the evidence and not be swayed by the criticisms from various sectors to include administration allies in the next batches of cases in the ongoing pork barrel scam investigation.

Cayetano wants more transparency so that all those guilty will be investigated and indicted, while all who are innocent shall be cleared.