Went to the Bastusang Pambansa to see the action but most of it took place not on the floor, where Romulo Neri was sitting in a panel defending the CHED budget as members of congressmen took turns asking pointed questions to beef up the budgets for their districts. It was a very nerve-wracking three hours for all concerned.
Had a chance to prowl the galleries and the floor and get scuttlebutt from members of the House.
One account of this morning’s meeting at the Palace was that the main bone of contention was the upcoming baranggay elections. Congressmen were very anxious that the polls not be postponed, as it was an opportunity for them to spread goodies around. Demands were supposed to be 50,000 per kagawad or a total of 5 million for each congressman to dole out. The President had given assurances but had even been pursued with calls while she was in China, to assure that the written assurances that the polls would push through, were genuine. The badgering continued this morning, with congressmen supposedly in a foul mood and threatening mischief if the President didn’t do the doling out right there and then.
Another account was simpler, which was a Palace guarantee of 45 35 million per congressman, 25 million in “soft” pork and 10 milion in “hard” pork, whatever that means in congressional terms. In exchange, the congressmen pledged cooperation with the President in terms of pursuing her agenda.
But the figures discussed are impossible to verify (and every congressman could have been lying). The main topic of interest was, what was the Speaker going to do, and what were his options? Opinions among members of the House varied. They ranged from the Speaker had the numbers, to the President had the numbers, to the problem that Friday, it turns out, is a holiday which is why the President wanted matters settled by tonight.
The problem was that the Speaker was not inclined to refer the impeachment complaint prior to the recess. The question then was whether this would precipitate a showdown in the House, and who, exactly, had the numbers; also, there was the very real problem that if the complaint wasn’t referred prior to the break, the October 25 Senate hearing would take place, and if anything ended up revealed in that hearing, the revelations could lead to the complaint being amended and possibly fortified.
The Speaker’s options, as discussed by various sources, ranged from his having pulled a fast one last night by checking himself into the hospital for whatever reason (gastritis, LBM, etc.) and told the House to go on recess early, to his suddenly fainting in his office this afternoon and being rushed from the House in an ambulance, thus causing pandemonium, to the Mace either disappearing or being grabbed by his loyalists, thereby disrupting the session, to someone questioning the quorum, suddenly ending the session. But then the entire budget would have been imperiled.
Or the Speaker could publicly state he would not refer the complaint until the maximum period allowed, November 11.
Or the Speaker could decide that he faced an ethical dilemma, and announce he was inhibiting himself from the whole matter. This was the solution, apparently, put forward by the Palace as a face-saving gesture but involved its own risks. The Speaker’s lawyer, Raul Lambino of Sigaw ng Bayan fame, gave the Speaker similar advice, couched in terms of his right not to participate in forwarding a document obviously aimed more at the Speaker and his son than the President. The Speaker, by taking himself out of the game, would then pass the ball to Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar.
Del Mar could then easily say that it being his call, he would hold the ball until after the recess. Or, del Mar could then send the complaint immediately to the Committee on Rules, which could then sit on it; or the Committee on Rules could instantly send it to the Committee on Justice…
For an hour, from around 3:30 to 4:30 talk centered on whether the Speaker would take himself out of the game or force a showdown. Then at around that time came word there would be a press conference at the Speaker’s office. Up to that time there were still members of the House proposing that the Speaker should pass the ball to del Mar but that del Mar shouldn’t do the Palace any favors.
Like war, members of the press spend a lot of time just waiting then suddenly heaving into action. By 5 pm the media was huddled outside the door of the Speaker’s office as various congressmen trickled out and basically refused to say anything. Finally the doors opened. Mad stampede as everyone rushed in.
The Speaker looked remarkably calm and relaxed. Arrayed around him were various House members and the Speaker’s people, including Atty. Lambino.
At one point, the Speaker got up and disappeared; call of nature, I asked a reporter? Probably a phone call from the Palace, someone else said.
The Speaker reemerged, the press conference formally began. It played out pretty much as everyone had expected:
De Venecia inhibits self from Arroyo impeach rap; Arroyo impeach case referred to panel; JDV inhibits himself; JDV inhibits self from impeach rap.
I asked a couple of questions, because the Speaker said he was withdrawing from participating in the process, even though he had misgivings because of bribery allegations, etc., etc., but he urged del Mar to attend to his ministerial duty. Del Mar smoothly said he would transmit the complaint to the Committee on Rules. Art Defensor chimed in and said as chairman he was going to calendar the referral before the plenary that very night, for referral, in turn, to the Committee on Justice.
The sending of the paper from Deputy Speaker to Rules Chairman to Justice Committee of course constituting the start of the one-year countdown of the ban on further impeachment complaints.
So my questions focused on asking del Mar why he was rushing to refer the complaint, his answer was, it’s ministerial, and then I asked Defensor if he, as Chairman, could act on behalf of a committee he only chaired but which had more than himself as members; Defensor was offended and said the whole procedure is normally concluded as he said it would be, that he was confident in speaking for the committee, etc.
Questions from the reporters present concentrated on this rush to start the Constitutional countdown while others focused on relations between the Speaker and the President.
But I had to keep asking myself, why is the Speaker, who, depending on whom you asked earlier that afternoon, had been browbeaten by the President, or threatened with being deposed, or otherwise facing a momentous event in his political life, so relaxed, so calm -and what did he have to gain from surrendering to the Palace?
Fine, he actually did the ethical thing, but I have to wonder if his inhibiting himself was the best legal advice. Fine, he gets to keep the Speakership, if the President did have the numbers. He may even think he did the country a favor by heading off the possibility of an impeachment, and the President maybe, owes him another favor.
But what does he have to gain, politically, from caving in like this?
He has to have something up his sleeve, I kept telling myself as I left the press conference.
But I have to figure out what that could be.
Update 7:58 pm and 9:08 pm Got a report that on radio it was pointed out that there’s a problem with what the Speaker did. The Constitution, according to some lawyers (and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is apparently already raising hell about it on the floor of the House as I write this), does not give the Speaker any discretion.
The Speaker, and only the Speaker, must do the referral. He cannot delegate it, he cannot inhibit himself, it can only be the Speaker and no one else. So goes the argument.
I asked some lawyers and they concur: when the Constitution is clear and specific, and cites no exceptions, then it must be done in the manner and by whom the Constitution says. One lawyer gave a Solomonic answer: is the Speaker the only person who can refer the complaint, and if the Speaker didn’t, is there a justiciable case?
Here are their various answers:
Yes, based on the constitution [article XI. section 3.[2] and the rules of the house on impeachment [section 3. Rule 3.]. But note section 14 [h.] of the Rules of the House. authorizing the speaker to designate a member as tempo presiding officer. after informing the deputy speakers in case he/she temporarily unable to do so.
Yes the supreme court can resolve it. Note Francisco vs. House of Rep case in 2003, supreme court ruled that the power of judicial review includes power of review over justiciable issues in impeachment proceedings.
Yes. Its really a subject of justiciable review, based on Francisco decision. In this case any person may initiate it as a taxpayer suit or have a congressman question it in SC…
I think it is a jusiticable controversy but i doubt referral can be described as defective [cuz] SC will look at the House Rules in addition to the constitution. SC will try to harmonize house rules and charter and i think if they do so, they will rule this referral valid.
Because the constitution does not envision situations where speaker is unable to perform and so SC will take a look at house rules and see if speaker did the right thing. if under house rules, speaker did the right procedure, then SC will rule referral valid.Nature abhors a vacuum, the house rules filled up that vacuum.
Better question is: Can a constitutional duty be delegated? Its like the prez asking somebody to deliver SONA.
But you know justice committee can also order amendment of complaint but that’s a stretch.
So those are the contending views. But if it’s true that a legal wrinkle exists….
It’s a possibility too delicious for words.
JDV: “But Madam President, I did what you told me…”
del Mar: “But Madam, I did what you and the Speaker told me…”
Defensor: “But Madam, I did what you and the Speaker and del Mar told me….”
Everyone’s ass is covered except the one who was supposed to benefit from the inoculation!
More from Uniffors and from Ellen Tordesillas.
Technorati Tags: constitution, House of Representatives, impeachment, philippines, politics, president
If you ever held any management position you will understand what I mean. Even the hint of impropriety is not acceptable. The honorable way to handle it is to face your stakeholders (in this case the people) and ask them bluntly if they still have the confidence in you, if not then its time to go.
ramrod,
“All evil comes from the old.They grow fat on ideas and young men die of them.” – Jean Anouilh
ramrod, mind you corruption does not happen alone in government but also in private corporations. i’m pretty sure you know how purchasers/buyers connive with end-users either to fasten the use of goods or to favor certain suppliers. i know this for a fact and by experience. you are faced with the dilemma of having more sales to sustain your company and be able to pay compensation to your employees or toe the line, you end up downsizing and people lose jobs and it’s a ripple effect not only to the person but to their families.
in the case of government corruption, the strengthening of bids and acquisitions procedures, monitoring and surveillance thru oversight functions, and of course law enforcement would have a big impact on minimizing since these things cannot be completely eradicated.
there are certain realities that we need to face head on. either take the heat of get out of the kitchen. these are some of the hard decisions people make. i still believe in the goodwill of gma yet i do believe that some of her line agency people are the ones pulling her down, her husband and son mikey, and some other people.
gone were the days when young people become the future. now, even young politicians have learned to play the game very early and it’s a saddening sight.
ramrod,
These are quotes befitting your idols in the opposition:
“Liars are always most disposed to swear.” –
Vittorio Alfieri
“Liars need to have good memories. ”
Algernon Sidney
tililing and engeng, the “hate gloria” club has their own version of “truth” that needs no proper evidence, genuine witnesses, or otherwise admissible under established rules. theories, speculations, surmises, innuendos, gossips, are good enough for them. see, some senators were elected on the basis of anti-gloria polemics that are long on accusations but are short, very short, in substantiation. we have an irresponsible media and a gullible and pushover electorate to thank for it.
ramrod,
Do you know why despite your claims that people no longer want GMA, and GMA remains in power?
Its because those who present themselves as alternatives are far WORSE.
Its simple, the people does not want a pot as an alternative to the kettle.
“tililing and engeng, the “hate gloria†club has their own version of “truth†that needs no proper evidence, genuine witnesses, or otherwise admissible under established rules. theories, speculations, surmises, innuendos, gossips, are good enough for them. see, some senators were elected on the basis of anti-gloria polemics that are long on accusations but are short, very short, in substantiation. we have an irresponsible media and a gullible and pushover electorate to thank for it.” bencard
i can say that they have elevated rumor-mongering into a profession in itself (the hate gloria club, as you termed it, i like the term). it’s a full blown profession.
kindergarten – intensive training on hearsay
elementary – intensive training on scuttlebutt
high school – intensive training on blabbermouth
BS (bachelor of science) in rumor-mongering
BA (bachelor of arts) in gossiping
MS (master of science) in tall tales
MA (master of arts) in allegations
PhD (philosophy doctor) in bullshit
dismaying
bencard,
I totally agree with you.
These groups (the “hate gloria club”) have a classic tunnel vision syndrome. Their actions are trigerred by mere gossips, not minding if true or not.
Trillanes, Cayetano and Escudero were beneficiaries of the club. They preyed on GMA, and sure enough people saw them as “heroes” when in reality, nothing but big mouths.
I LOVE GMA.
Members of the “hate gloria club”.. mock me please.
House Speaker Jose De Venecia should also investigate the alleged P500,000 early Christmas gift from Malacanang. Is this bribe money? They should change the welcome sign of the Batasan Pambansa into: WELCOME TO BATASAN PROSTITUTA! These GMA tongressmen deserve it. Puta na tuta pa.
“The question: CAN THOSE ACCUSATIONS BE BACKED UP BY SOLID AND IRREPUTABLE EVIDENCE?”
How often we read or heard this kind of reasoning or rebuttal? The media and the oppositions (every functional democracy should need a robust media and the loyal oppositions) can only make allegations and allegations not proven in court of law is just that, allegations. But in a truly working democracy where Justice System is not perverted, allegations as serious as anomalous deals, secret commissions, and bribery should be taken seriously by the administration and investigated thoroughly by the proper authorities to establish that they are just nothing but allegations without merit. But if the administration will just dismiss them, with the same oft repeated lines as “show us the proof or file charges”, then the observer has a choice to believe either side. And I believe and a lot of others that the allegation of Corruptions by this current administration, is without doubt had been happening and it is still going on without let-up. the evidence is the country is in the tail-end among its neighbors, despite the more than 12 Billions of remittances, billions collected in taxes, and with the budget of 1 point something Trillions the infrastructure is comparable to the failed states countries, the Gap between the Elites and the Wealthy few and the majority of the masses is getting wider, so many people live on less than the equivalent of $2 a day, health care is something slightly better than nothing and its public education is a shame compared with the rest in the region. now, where did all the billions and the trillions go?? let me know if someone figure it out and you can start looking at the Bank accounts of our Elected leaders, our public servants in BIR, CUSTOMS AND just about every segment of government, locally and in foreign countries, their shares in Big Businesses, using dummies, and before you go, the businessmen who have a “good” connection with government officials and their tax filings, but then again, they can always say “show me the evidence”…the guilty favorite line of defense and it works most of the time….
“there are certain realities that we need to face head on. either take the heat of get out of the kitchen. these are some of the hard decisions people make. i still believe in the goodwill of gma yet i do believe that some of her line agency people are the ones pulling her down, her husband and son mikey, and some other people”
I have a colleague who is very close to GMA, as in confidante (women stuff). She’s saying the same thing as you are. Don’t get me wrong GMA has all the characteristics I’ve been looking for in a president since Marcos, she’s not a trapo, she’s a brilliant economist, a conscientious manager, and her confidence and eloquence makes her even a good salesman. Unfortunately, she is not able to hold the organization together, corruption has gone unchecked, and she simply cannot command the respect the position needs. Her position naturally puts her in a bad situation. The Philippines is not an easy country to handle, it needs a strong leader, and one who is not beholden to anyone or any group. So whether she is guilty or not, she’s still responsible for the failure and success of her administration.
The worst kind are the “I HATE ANY PRESIDENT” club.
Its founder is somewhere in Europe, and its spokespersons are in congress.
You often see them singing together “ibon man may layang lumipad”, and flaunting their clenched fist symbol.
tililing, would you lend me your PLASMA CONVERTER? I really need to make compost.
“I have a colleague who is very close to GMA, as in confidante (women stuff). She’s saying the same thing as you are. Don’t get me wrong GMA has all the characteristics I’ve been looking for in a president since Marcos, she’s not a trapo, she’s a brilliant economist, a conscientious manager, and her confidence and eloquence makes her even a good salesman. Unfortunately, she is not able to hold the organization together, corruption has gone unchecked, and she simply cannot command the respect the position needs. Her position naturally puts her in a bad situation. The Philippines is not an easy country to handle, it needs a strong leader, and one who is not beholden to anyone or any group. So whether she is guilty or not, she’s still responsible for the failure and success of her administration.” ramrod
2010 or earlier?
“we have an irresponsible media and a gullible and pushover electorate to thank for it.”
Bencard, I see you have disassociated yourself again from the Filipinos, did you also give up your citizenship? If you did, I will understand your bitterness…
Justice in waiting,
†The Devil’s greatest accomplishment was convincing the world he didn’t exist.†– JIM CAROLL
Its getting late, again thank you a very interesting exchange. Tililing, I’d rather you changed your name to Titillating (its more appropriate), Engeng, probably to Brenda, LOL.
Goodnight, goodnight, parting is such sweet sorrow…
justice in waiting,
The administration may be dismissing it but the fact remains that the accusers always FAIL TO COME UP WITH ANY EVIDENCE.
I don’t say irregularities and corruption are indeed happening. But making such serious allegations have a very negative IMPACT on our economy.
The accusers just sit down and relax while they wait if their tactics worked, but the full effect of their actions are felt by the majority.
“our public servants in BIR, CUSTOMS AND just about every segment of government, locally and in foreign countries, their shares in Big Businesses, using dummies, and before you go, the businessmen who have a “good†connection with government officials and their tax filings, but then again, they can always say “show me the evidenceâ€Â…the guilty favorite line of defense and it works most of the time”
This actually works all the time…
Diego K. Guerero,
Is that your real name? Sounds like a red pseudonym. hahahahahahaha
“Puta na tuta pa.” Tsk tsk tsk. Pathetic to hear such words from supposedly educated people. That’s why all you anti-GMA groups fail to win the hearts of people.
Are you missing some genes lately? I can help you get it back. We’ll get some cheap X and Y chromosomes in Divisoria. .. hahahahahahahaha
“This actually works all the time…” ramrod
Except a very few in the hit list…
“I don’t say irregularities and corruption are indeed happening. But making such serious allegations have a very negative IMPACT on our economy.”
Engeng, the media’s effect on the economy is not that much, in fact because of their dogged pursuit of transparency, investors and businessmen are more confident that these corrupt politicians will think twice. On the other hand MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS will most definitely send our economy spiralling downwards, most especially MALVERSATION. Now even in the private sector this is almost impossible to prove, but you only look at the bottomline – why are we always in the red?
“How often we read or heard this kind of reasoning or rebuttal? The media and the oppositions (every functional democracy should need a robust media and the loyal oppositions) can only make allegations and allegations not proven in court of law is just that, allegations. But in a truly working democracy where Justice System is not perverted, allegations as serious as anomalous deals, secret commissions, and bribery should be taken seriously by the administration and investigated thoroughly by the proper authorities to establish that they are just nothing but allegations without merit. But if the administration will just dismiss them, with the same oft repeated lines as “show us the proof or file chargesâ€Â, then the observer has a choice to believe either side. And I believe and a lot of others that the allegation of Corruptions by this current administration, is without doubt had been happening and it is still going on without let-up. the evidence is the country is in the tail-end among its neighbors, despite the more than 12 Billions of remittances, billions collected in taxes, and with the budget of 1 point something Trillions the infrastructure is comparable to the failed states countries, the Gap between the Elites and the Wealthy few and the majority of the masses is getting wider, so many people live on less than the equivalent of $2 a day, health care is something slightly better than nothing and its public education is a shame compared with the rest in the region. now, where did all the billions and the trillions go?? let me know if someone figure it out and you can start looking at the Bank accounts of our Elected leaders, our public servants in BIR, CUSTOMS AND just about every segment of government, locally and in foreign countries, their shares in Big Businesses, using dummies, and before you go, the businessmen who have a “good†connection with government officials and their tax filings, but then again, they can always say “show me the evidenceâ€Â…the guilty favorite line of defense and it works most of the time….” justice in waiting
the boon and the bane of a democracy. it’s strongest link can be it’s weakest link. just look at the guilty beyond reasonable doubt clause, it can mean two things: it can acquit those who are really innocent (for lack of evidence) and it can acquit those who are guilty (by the mere cloud of doubt in the proceedings and evidence).
i do think that it’s hard to do internal investigations since there would always be the possibility of a whitewash. the very reason the government has checks and balances. all these years, what happened to all the house investigations and senate investigations on all sorts of scandals/anomalies/corruption allegations?
amidst all the media hype and media mileage, where cases filed? where charges filed in court. mind you, we are talking here of the full resources of a branch of government doing investigations. how much taxpayer’s money was spent on all these? where are the committee reports? are they accessible to public?
after all, the judiciary can only move when cases are already with them. they don’t have investigative and prosecutorial powers as these functions lie in law enforcement agencies and the dept. of justice (prosecution service).
ofw dollars is a big big help the reason i am advocating for a special rate on ofw’s in foreign exchange. imagine, usd 1000 = php 50,000 and now it’s only php 44,000. php 6thousand pesos for a family is quite a hefty sum (this can be allocated for a lot of other things)
could you expound on the infrastructure issue? please give a comparison of a failed state infrastructure and the philippine infrastructure. as far as my travels from batanes to basilan, i think there are some improvements in road conditions even in the provinces.
i am for the detailed filing of salary and expenditures of all legislators, cabinet level secretaries, head of bureaus, directors for different line agencies. these should be made public all the time. all their saln.
let’s try to settle the issue one at a time.
ramrod,
The problem becomes artificially magnified when such allegation comes. We already have to contend with our image of a very corrupt country. Its a matter of perception. And perception is enough to have a drastic effect.
I thought you were sleeping already? hahahahahaha
Note: I don’t like Brenda. But just for you, i’ll be BRENDA next week. Tililing will be………
still tililing…..
engeng, time to go for bed. need to wake up early tomorrow for the mass. some spiritual renewal for the dark force in us. 😀
ramrod, saying there is an irresponsible media, and a gullible and pushover electorate, is light years away from “disassociating” myself from the filipinos unless this kind of media and electorate comprise the entire filipino nation. yes, i’m still a citizen (and i hope i’m not treated second class for being a dual citizen), and i care.
btw, i think “command responsibility” is only appropriate where the commander has absolute power over the people he/she rules. an example you would probably appreciate is that of yamashita who could order his troops to commit or not commit barbarism and atrocities on unarmed civilians and prisoners of war, and not questioned or disobeyed by subordinates. marcos had some form of absolute power as a dictator. so was hitler, stalin, pol pot, idi amin, saddam, castro, milosovich, etc., etc.
pgma is president of a democratic, constitutional society where rule of law is supreme. she may be powerful but not that powerful as to have absolute dominion over everyone that has anything to do with her government. she has no power even to summarily fire an allegedly corrupt janitor, put him in jail, let alone execute him without due process of law. she has no power to disregard the requirements of the law.
unless she is given absolute powers, she should not be put to the “command responsibility” standard, i think.
bencard & ramrod, night.
ok, that’s good tililing.
I guess i’ll be having my rest for now.
Mr. bencard and ramrod, thanks for the time well spent on exchanging thoughts and views. Looking forward to doing it again.
I thought you were Muslim? You converted yesterday?
“I thought you were Muslim? You converted yesterday?” cvj
i’ll be converted tomorrow. so, you’re not only a prostitute, you’re also tsismosa, ewwwww
cvj,
tililing sa quite flexible.
She’s a catholic on Sundays.
On Fridays, she’s a muslim.
On Saturdays, she’s a sabadista.
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
cvj,
Just between the 2 of us, tililing is also an Iglesia on Thursdays.
hahahahahahaha
cvj, i change my religion as i change my t-shirt
so what is it to you, tsismosa?
tililing,
I thought you already nailed cvj.
Kinds of cvj are sure slippery. Must be from excessive gossiping.
hahahahahahaha
engeng, upon reading that i already said night, he thought, i already logged off. the usual hit and run tactic. nailed him again. this time it’s size 5 bronze nails.
tililing,
excellent. The likes of cvj are very easy to nail.
You just have to flush them out. All you need to do is make them think you already turned your back.
hahahahahahahaha
Tililing, you know that’s the disadvantage of lying. You have to have a good memory.
BTW, Engeng you should have met Bibeth (or as Manolo calls her, ‘Bibith’) last week. You have the same laugh.
“Tililing, you know that’s the disadvantage of lying. You have to have a good memory.
BTW, Engeng you should have met Bibeth (or as Manolo calls her, ‘Bibith’) last week. You have the same laugh.” cvj
so what are the advantages of being a tsismosa?
“BTW, Engeng you should have met Bibeth (or as Manolo calls her, ‘Bibith’) last week. You have the same laugh.” cvj
you really are tsismosa, aren’t you?
cvj,
I like to laugh like somebody else.. especially when laughing at YOU
hahahahahahaha
Guys guys (includng those who thnk they’re not guys)
Why make a big fuss about GMA?
We already have many pressing problems to deal with.
C’mon.. just laugh it all out.
You can laugh like bibeth if you want.
hahahahahahahaha
engeng, need to rest. just lookout for cvj’s houserat hit and run tactic, he’s quite fond of it. i got tired being an iglesia on thursdays, muslim on friday, sabadista on saturdays and tomorrow, i’m a catholic.
tililing,
I will look our for cvj.
I’ll lay some sticky fly paper around. Even his slippery feet won’t be able to free him.
hahahahahaha
“it can acquit those who are really innocent (for lack of evidence) and it can acquit those who are guilty (by the mere cloud of doubt in the proceedings and evidence).”
Truly innocent are not just acquitted, they are declared innocent and compensated for the injuries caused. and that is justice as I know it.
And when i’m talking about justice system, it starts from a police investigating allegations and complaints, dispensing all necessary investigative tools, including forensic experts, accountants and lawyers to gather evidence, and with the public prosecutors may decide if there is sufficient evidence to lay charges before the proper court..
Senate and other commissions investigations and inquiries are for the purpose of finding where the systems fail and finding solutions, not a part of the justice system, and in reality evidence uncovered in these investigations can not be used in subsequent criminal cases, unless for the crime of perjury for lying before the inquiries or investigations.
Infrastructure as I noted, is in comparison to the appropriation allotted for them, but not utilized.. When you traveled from batanes to basilan you mostly transversed on already established highways and roadways, try going into the interior of municipalities and barangays and you can swim on their roads. some town folks somewhere even planted bananas in the middle of the roads to protest and that was in a major town. And these are dispites of the Billions alloted for them and checked as done…
As for the OFW the currency exchange is floating and as the u.s. dollar is weakening and the peso is getting stronger, it should have been reflected on the cost of goods, but did you see them going down? and you are wondering why..
“i am for the detailed filing of salary and expenditures of all legislators, cabinet level secretaries, head of bureaus, directors for different line agencies. these should be made public all the time. all their saln.”
Detailed filing of salary and expenditures would not mean a hoot if their sources are illegal, there is no way of finding where the other income coming from bribery, discretionary slush funds, kickbacks, and expenditures can always be padded. What we really need is an impartial auditors and investigators to trace where the dough is going, to relatives, to dummies, (the pidals, and what the other name used by erap?) and even to the concubines (mistresses and lovers).
This all is beyond doubt as you and I will agree is very hard to eliminate or minimize. But if the top leader of the land will show the way, instead of spending her time docking all the allegations and accusations thrown towards her and the people sorrounding her (and why this is so?, that in other countries least corrupt is not happening, and remember, this country of ours is perceived to be numero uno). so in the end, i still believe there is a ring of truth to some if not all of these allegations, regardless of the “rule of law”.
justice in waiting,
:“What we really need is an impartial auditors and investigators to trace where the dough is going,â€Â
What do you think of a an anti-graft budgetary measure such as An automatic Appropriations Law for the Budget of the Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission, pegging the allocation at 1% of Total budget?
These are three constitutional bodies. Among themselves they undertake tripartite anti-graft programs. They must be given the resources commensurate and proportionate to the task. As the total budget is increased so is their task.
These agencies must be given the funds to acquire the manpower and resources needed to attack the problem of corruption vigilantly, preventively, effectively, consistently and sustainably. They need the best auditors, lawyers, investigators who are given the best anti-graft know-how, trained here and abroad, and armed with the best equipment available.
An Automatic Appropriations Act for Anti-graft Constitutional Agencies provides for a budget adjustment mechanism that insulates and protects the independence and capability building capacities of these agencies from political manipulation and beurocratic red-tape.
The rationale for anti-graft budget approriated as a percentage of total budget is simple. As the total budget is increased and as losses due to graft and corrupt practices remain a percentage of total budget, the scope and volume of work of anti-graft agencies also increases.
Assuming a total budget of P1T. Losses due to g & c at min 20% of total budget is 200B, anti-graft budget at 1% is 10B. The ratio of anti-graft investment to the amount lost to g&c is 1 is to 20. The potential rate of return on investment justifies the proportionate increase in anti-graft budget. For every peso of anti-graft budget allocated, 20 of total budget are potentially saved. For every peso of graft case that is successfully prosecuted, 20 are potentially deterred.
The current total budget of the three anti-graft agencies is less than 1B. Why should their budget be at the mercy of public officials whose interest is in conflict with their mandate?
When Ombudsman Marcelo resigned one reason is that he was frustrated with the lack of resources and manpower to takle the job. Budget then, I don’t remember details, was increased from 135M, up by 45M ,to around 170M. I do not have details on COA and CSC. I’m sure you can present this better in venues more available to you, which I’m hoping you will.
Thanks, btw, for your enlightening comments.
corrction:
An Automatic Appropriations for the Budget of Anti-graft Constitutional Agencies Act provides for a budget adjustment mechanism that is insulated from political manipulation and beurocratic red-tape, protects the independence and strengthens and capacity-bulding capabilities of the Commision on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission.
the “love gloria, adore gloria†club has their own version of “accomplishments and virtues†that need no proper evidence, genuine witnesses, or otherwise admissible under established rules. spins,framings,theories, numbers,propagandas, surmises, innuendos, gossips, are good enough for them. see, some pro-gloria senators were elected on the basis of strong peso (millions) that are spent on campaign ads but are short, very short, in substance. we have an irresponsible media (some paid hacks) and a gullible and pushover “let’s move on crowd” to thank for it.
justice in waiting & taxpayer, your proposals might just work. if feasible, i would add annual automatic appropriation for each province for local projects that have economic impact, in amounts in proportion to its population regardless of its aggregate income. the objective is to eliminate the pork barrel system and by-pass congressional pandering that favors legislators who are close to the admini9stration, while equitably distributing government funds without favoritism.
all these ideas would require a government restructuring that would necessitate a major revision to our existing constitution. it’s an uphill battle.the enemies of change, particularly those who benefit the most from the status quo could, as we have seen recently, produce bogey men to instill paranoia among the populace. these beneficiaries of a flawed system usually have unlimited resources to mislead and misinform the vulnerable masses. the most vociferous critics of government such as the media and the clergy, among other interest groups both in the business sector and bureaucracy, not to mention the political opposition, are sometimes the biggest impediment to national progress.
mlq3, do you allow blatant plagiarism in this blog? the shameless plagiarist is again on the prowl. guess he wants to play with the big boys but doesn’t have what it takes. what a pathetic creature!
Bencard, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio also admitted he was given P500,000 as he left Malacanang last Thursday.
I don’t care what they do with those who received the money. Prosecute them, if they must. But the fact is that there can be no bribe-taker if there is no bribe-giver. And GMA is the biggest bribe-giver of them all.
C’mon, Bencard, don’t act like a naive person, because I know you’re not. The main purpose of GMA’s cha-cha through what the Supreme Court called a “fraudulent” people’s initiative (how’s that for the rule of law?) was to change the form of government to do away with GMA’s term limit (changing the constitution to allow the president to stay in power was a tested Marcos-style tactic). As I’ve said, I’m not against cha-cha after GMA leaves office.
I don’t worry about a future scoundrel. I’ll deal with him/her if and when he/she comes. For now, I just want to deal with the present scoundrel.
“the “love gloria, adore gloria†club has their own version of “accomplishments and virtues†that need no proper evidence, genuine witnesses, or otherwise admissible under established rules. spins,framings,theories, numbers,propagandas, surmises, innuendos, gossips, are good enough for them. see, some pro-gloria senators were elected on the basis of strong peso (millions) that are spent on campaign ads but are short, very short, in substance. we have an irresponsible media (some paid hacks) and a gullible and pushover “let’s move on crowd†to thank for it.”
Touche dark pitt!