The Fifth Division of the Sandiganbayan yesterday issued the warrant of arrest for Senator Jose “Jinggoy†Estrada, after making a finding of probable cause.
Senator Estrada surrendered to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director General Benjamin Magalong, accompanied by his parents Mayor Joseph “Erap†Estrada and Senator Loi Estrada, his wife Precy and their children, sister Jackie and brother Jude.
Earlier, Senator Jinggoy voluntarily surrendered to his father, former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada who is a person in authority. Formally, Mayor Erap turned over his son to Gen. Magalong. The legal team of Jinggoy, led by lawyer Jose Flaminiano, have filed a petition for bail.
Gigi Reyes also indicated she was going to surrender once the warrant of arrest is issued for her.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has not made any statements lately. His lawyer Estelito Mendoza has expressed confidence on his motion for lack of probable cause that would be granted by the Third Division.
Where’s the 3rd batch?
Another two weeks have passed and the Department of Justice again failed to comply with its promise to file a third batch of charges in connection with the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
People are waiting for a third batch or even more to see if allies of the President are included to dispute charges of selective justice process.
Also awaited are the Commission on Audit (COA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) findings related to the misuse of the Malampaya Fund.
One month deadline
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Carmelo Valmoria gave Metro Manila’s 38 police station commanders one month to bring down the crime rate.
Valmoria said those who fail to reduce the crime rate will be replaced by hard-working police officials.
Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr. directed the NCRPO to intensify the campaign against partisan armed groups, stolen motorcycles and loose firearms.
On the other hand, Secretary Mar Roxas announced that there will be a massive anti-crime effort through the so-called ‘Operation Lambat,’ ‘Oplan Katok,’ and round-the-clock checkpoints in Metro Manila. He also said the checkpoints will be manned by policemen in uniform, with an official PNP vehicle to prevent the possibility of a ‘bantay-salakay’ involving some rogues in blue.
Valmoria said he will establish the 76 checkpoints in different parts of the metropolis 24/7 in the next few days. Then Camp Crame will thoroughly monitor the deployment and conduct of these checkpoints.
The Aquino administration expects to see positive results in the coming weeks. Let’s wait and see.
Philippines in Tier 2
The United States (US) Department of State reported that the Philippines remained at Tier 2 level of the Human Trafficking Awareness (HTA) Index.
This means that the Aquino administration is not doing enough to catch the traffickers, especially vulnerable are the poor families in Mindanao and the Visayas.
The State Department reported that trafficking of Filipinos continue in Asia, the Middle East, and lately even in Europe.
The report also found that Philippine law enforcers’ complicity plus corruption at all levels of government, including in diplomatic missions abroad, undermined efforts to fight the problem.
The problem is serious in countries like Malaysia and Singapore where no visas are required.
Lately, a rise in recruitment of women for prostitution has been seen in the Yolanda-damaged areas.
Police authorities should exert more effort to rescue minors working in bars and videoke joints in Metro Manila.
Prices continue to rise
Prices of pork and chicken have also risen. The price of pork belly in markets ranges at P180 to P220 per kilo. Lean meat was sold at P180 to P200 while fully dressed chicken was sold at P125 to P150 a kilo as monitored by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS).
But why is the price of milk and cooking oil also up? It is clear that the traders are taking advantage of the present trends of higher prices, starting with rice, garlic, ginger and vegetables.
Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Operations Jose Reaño said “traders and retailers with opportunistic attitudes are taking advantage of the spiraling price of other commodities.†He also added that he does not see any reason why the prices of chicken and pork continue to rise since both supply and farm-gate prices for chicken and pork have been relatively stable.
All the government has done is to warn hoarders. Imported garlic which is smuggled should be confiscated from Divisoria and other markets.
The administration should seriously consider reducing the price of National Food Authority (NFA) rice by P2 to P25 and P30.
The latest catch of 40,000 metric tons of garlic at the Batangas port should be auctioned off. It makes no sense to destroy them. Distribute part of confiscated garlic to jails, hospitals, orphanages, and other charitable institutions.
Tidbits: Condolence to Philippine Gaming Corp. chairman Cristino “Bong†Naguiat Jr. and his siblings, for the passing away of their father.
Tourism arrivals for January to March have increased by a low 3.5% compared to last year. Crimes against tourists in the Ermita and Malate areas are continuing.
The President rejected the nomination of Nora Aunor to be a National Artist. Six persons were approved, namely Alice Reyes for dance, Francisco V. Coching for visual arts, Cirilo Bautista for literature, Francisco F. Feliciano and Ramon Santos for music, and Jose Maria V. Zaragoza for architecture.
Special greetings to avid readers Petrona B. Lim, German Moreno, Ricky Recto, Jay Flaminiano, and Ed Serapio.