ARMM teachers scammed!

COTABATO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 18, 2010) – State teachers in the southern Philippine province of Sulu have accused some education officials of corruption and urged government authorities to investigate allegations of grafts.

Two teachers alleged that officials were demanding between 60,000 to 100,000 pesos in exchange for appointment papers that would give an applicant a permanent teaching job in various schools in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

They claimed that many had been victimized by the scam and that a few were given jobs, but did not receive their salaries for month now. Many of those who applied for the jobs did not pass the required government licensure examinations for teachers.

“It was terrible. We are struggling to work hard, but some people are taking advantage of us,” one teacher said. “Some people are collecting money in exchange of teaching jobs – sixty thousand pesos and up to one hundred pesos are being demanded by them.”

They urged the President Benigno Aquino and the Department of Education in the Muslim autonomous region and the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the scam. “We are willing to come out in the open so we can put a stop into these nefarious activities. We are appealing to President Aquino to order an investigation into our complaints,” another teacher said.

The same problem is also happening in Lanao del Sur province which is part of the Muslim autonomous region.

Lawyer Baratucal Caudang, Education Secretary, said his office would investigate the allegations and urged those who were victimized to come out and file charges. “We will not tolerate this kind of activities and we are urging those who are complaining to present their evidence. They should have the courage to come out and identify those who are engaged in these activities,” he said.

Caudang said he will not tolerate graft and corruption. “We have to serve as model. We will not tolerate this malpractice,” he added.

It was not the first time teachers complained about graft and corruption in the Department of Education in the Muslim autonomous region.

Graft and corruption was so widespread in the past that even salaries for teachers had been stolen and insurance premiums of state workers were not remitted to the central government. But despite these problems, no one had been charged or jailed for violations of the anti-graft law and other wrongdoings in the Muslim autonomous region. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine leader to seek seat in Congress

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 30, 2009) – Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo announced Monday that she will run for Congress in the May 2010 national elections.

Arroyo, who was accused of fraud in previous elections, said she would like to continue to work in public service despite massive opposition from different civil society groups and the Catholic Church.

Arroyo's supporters from her hometown in Pampanga, where his son is also a congressman, assured her victory in next year's polls.

She said the people wanted her to continue serving in Congress, but opposition politicians claimed if Arroyo wins, she and her allies in the House of Representatives would pursue in changing the Constitution with her ending up elected as Prime Minister and avoid possible prosecution for graft and corruption.

Many Filipinos do not want Arroyo to continue because of corruption scandals in her government involving her husband and two sons and a brother-in-law in Congress. Arroyo denied all accusations against her. (Mindanao Examiner)

GMA Is Still Extending Her Term: The Clues

Anti-Arroyo rally in Manila. (http://www.reytrillana.files.wordpress.com/

1. Ouster of Speaker Jose de Venecia as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

2. GMA Allies in the lower house files for charter change.

3. Change of the leadership in the Senate, putting an ally of the administration.

5. Failure to appropriate enough budget for computerization of the next Presidential election.

6. Creating problems in the agreement between MILF and the government ( although they failed on this area when the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional).

7. Recent personal campaign of the President's son in the lower house.gathering signatures to open the issue on charter change.

8. Prayer of her Press Secretary that her term should be extended.

9. Classmates of the President are campaigning for charter change.

10. Putting of allies in the Supreme Court when most of the Justices retire this year.

11. Maintaning close ties with the Generals in the armed forces and extending their term or appointing them to new positions.

12. Change from Prsidential to Parliamentary and Federal form of government.

http://phil-election.blogspot.com/

IBON Survey: Most Filipinos Want Arroyo To Step Down Due To Corruption Charges

MANILA, Philippines - Recent corruption scandals besetting the Arroyo administration have led most Filipinos to call for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down, according to the results of the latest IBON survey.

Asked if they were aware of calls made recently by members of the Church and other sectoral groups for Pres. Arroyo to resign from office and face corruption charges levelled against her, 75% of the total 1,503 survey respondents said yes.

Of these, 77.4% said they agreed with such call to step down.

Various interfaith and sectoral groups such as Solidarity Philippines, Concerned Citizens Group, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, among others, have called for a rejection of what they called as Arroyo’s morally bankrupt government.

The IBON nationwide survey was conducted from January 7 to 14, 2008, with 1,503 respondents. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Philippine Gov't Media Join Campaign In Fighting Graft, Corruption

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The Philippine Information Agency in Region 7 has pledged to support the Department of Finance's (DOF) campaign in strengthening government's anti-corruption investigation efforts within revenue-generating agencies based in the Central Visayas.

Finance Undersecretary for Revenue and Legal Operations Atty. Estela V. Sales bared they need to cleanse the image of revenue-generating agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which are under the DOF, where perception of corruption is quite high.

The Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), a unit under the DOF, has the mandate to conduct lifestyle checks, investigate allegations of graft and corrupt practices among DOF personnel and file the necessary administrative and criminal charges against those found with guilty of committing illegal acts and transactions.

Apart from the PIA-7, other agencies that gave their commitment were the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7), Office of the Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas, the Cebu City Registry of Deeds and City Assessor's Office as well as the business sector represented by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cebu Business Club.

Sales expressed optimism that with the commitment of other sister government agencies and the business sector, the fight against graft especially in revenue generating agencies where temptation is high will be given more substance as RIPS has no regional offices.

"If you feel harassed, we have the RIPS," Sales told the business sector represented by CCCI president Edward Gaisano and CBC president Dondi Joseph as she underlined the important participation of the business groups. Sales was referring to any extortion attempts committed by any personnel from the BIR or BOC to businessmen.

The DOF-RIPS likewise signed an agreement with the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-7) to help entrap corrupt personnel and help build cases against them.

Sales however cautioned against mere hearsay in relaying information as the case against alleged corrupt DOF personnel must withstand judicial scrutiny.

Revenue generating agencies are undergoing internal reforms in battling graft in line with the thrust of the Arroyo Administration to wage a war against corruption as job applicants at the BIR undergo integrity check to determine whether he or she is a potential corruptor, according to Sales.

Sales also sought the help of the media for a 'shame campaign' where they publicize the acts of extortion by personnel from the BIR or BOC in order to discourage others to make a similar attempt.

The DOF official however, said it is also unfair to brand BIR and BOC as corrupt agencies as there are a number of personnel who are honest and work hard in the name of public service.

Cebu City - The Philippine Information Agency in Region 7 has pledged to support the Department of Finance's (DOF) campaign in strengthening government's anti-corruption investigation efforts within revenue-generating agencies based in the Central Visayas.

Finance Undersecretary for Revenue and Legal Operations Atty. Estela V. Sales bared they need to cleanse the image of revenue-generating agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which are under the DOF, where perception of corruption is quite high.

The Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), a unit under the DOF, has the mandate to conduct lifestyle checks, investigate allegations of graft and corrupt practices among DOF personnel and file the necessary administrative and criminal charges against those found with guilty of committing illegal acts and transactions.

Apart from the PIA-7, other agencies that gave their commitment were the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7), Office of the Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas, the Cebu City Registry of Deeds and City Assessor's Office as well as the business sector represented by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cebu Business Club.

Sales expressed optimism that with the commitment of other sister government agencies and the business sector, the fight against graft especially in revenue generating agencies where temptation is high will be given more substance as RIPS has no regional offices.

"If you feel harassed, we have the RIPS," Sales told the business sector represented by CCCI president Edward Gaisano and CBC president Dondi Joseph as she underlined the important participation of the business groups. Sales was referring to any extortion attempts committed by any personnel from the BIR or BOC to businessmen.

The DOF-RIPS likewise signed an agreement with the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI-7) to help entrap corrupt personnel and help build cases against them.

Sales however cautioned against mere hearsay in relaying information as the case against alleged corrupt DOF personnel must withstand judicial scrutiny.

Revenue generating agencies are undergoing internal reforms in battling graft in line with the thrust of the Arroyo Administration to wage a war against corruption as job applicants at the BIR undergo integrity check to determine whether he or she is a potential corruptor, according to Sales.

Sales also sought the help of the media for a 'shame campaign' where they publicize the acts of extortion by personnel from the BIR or BOC in order to discourage others to make a similar attempt.

The DOF official however, said it is also unfair to brand BIR and BOC as corrupt agencies as there are a number of personnel who are honest and work hard in the name of public service.

Police Arrest Ex-Cop Implicated In Two Zamboanga Murders

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 07 Aug) – Police arrested an ex-cop, who was tagged as one of the suspects in the murder of a state auditor in Zamboanga City last year, officials said.

Officials said Arthur Gomez was arrested by a combined police and military forces at his hideout in Makati City over the weekend and brought to Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

Gomez was implicated in the murder of Vilma Eguias, of the Commission on Audit in August 2007. Eguias was driving her jeep to work when ambushed by motorcycle gunmen in Tetuan village.

Police later arrested one of the suspects, Eduardo Tan, who pointed Gomez and Dr Enrie Caraecle, president of the State College Marines Sciences and Technology in Zamboanga City, as the alleged masterminds.

Caraecle also went into hiding after being linked to the killing. Eguias was investigating anomalies in school involving Caraecle when she was murdered.

Gomez was also accused of murdering his own wife weeks after the killing of Eguias at his hideout in Zamboanga province before escaping to Manila. (Erico Rosco)

Photo: Zamboanga City Hall Vehicle Used As School Bus

This Zamboanga City Hall vehicle picks-up students late Friday afternoon, July 25, 2008 at the back of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The same vehicle was also photographed (top image) July 17 at the same spot fetching students. Its driver and an unidentified woman, believed employees of the Zamboanga City Government, pick up students almost everyday unmindful of what the public would say despite a strict order from the Civil Service Commission that prohibits government cars to be used in personal or private affairs. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

The Mindanao Examiner Photo: Government Car!

A service vehicle of the Zamboanga City Water District (SFM-474) is parked outside the Ateneo de Zamboanga on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. Its unidentified driver, who is in office uniform, has been spotted inside the university carrying a bag of a grade schooler. Government vehicles are strictly for official use only.(Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

For Official Use Only...And Family Use Also!

A Zamboanga City Government vehicle (SDK-977) with unidentified passengers is spotted picking up students near the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Many government officials, both local and those working with national agencies, use government cars other than for official business. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service)

Philippine Elections Chief Resigns

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 01, 2007) – Embattled Elections chief Benjamin Abalos Sr., has resigned on Monday in the middle of a senate investigation into the controversial government broadband network deal with China.

Abalos announced his resignation and apparently caught government officials by surprise. He said last week that he will not resign despite accusations that he brokered the national broadband network contract with ZTE Corp. in behalf of the government.

“With the resignation of Chairman Abalos, a chapter has just been closed but not the whole book. Justice must be pursued to its logical end in the ZTE affair. I call on President Arroyo to appoint an immediate replacement who can restore the people’s faith in Philippine democracy,” Senator Mar Roxas said.

He also urged President Arroyo to create a high-level commission composed of men and women of known probity and independence that will look into every facet of the ZTE deal.

“Let the chips fall where they may. It is time that the administration spares no sacred cows, and commits to the policy of transparency and accountability,” he said.

Abalos said he resigned because the allegations affected him and his family. Abalos has denied all accusations against him.

Jose de Venecia III, of the Amsterdam Holdings Incorporated, accused Abalos of offering him $10 million to back out from the broadband deal.

De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, was ZTE’s rival for the national broadband contract. Romulo Neri, former Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, also accused Abalos of bribing him.

De Venecia said the broadband deal was probably worth only $130 million, but this suddenly ballooned to $329 million.

He said President Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, also told him to back off from the deal. Arroyo’s lawyers have denied the allegations.

Representative Liza Maza on Monday Abalos’ resignation should not close down investigations on the national broadband scandal and that all those involved in the deal should be made accountable.

”Abalos' resignation is but an initial victory as we probe deeper into the NBN-ZTE deal and other anomalies in the Arroyo administration,” Maza said.

She said Abalos' resignation could be a move to pre-empt further investigations into the anomalous contract that could implicate the President and her husband.

“This is why both Houses of Congress should not back down on the inquiries. It is possible that Abalos is just a fall-guy in this multi-billion dollar scam,” she said.

”In the course of the investigations, there are documents that have emerged indicating Mrs. Arroyo herself authorized Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza full authority to approve the NBN-ZTE contract even before the National Economic and Development Authority had a chance to assess the program and the contract,” she said.

The President has suspended indefinitely the national broadband network project because of the controversy. Government spokesmen also denied all accusations against the President and her husband.

Ignacio Bunye, Press Secretary and Arroyo’s spokesman, said: “We respect his decision and appreciate his desire to protect his family and the Commission on Elections from vicious politics. We wish him well as he carries on his fight to clear his name.”

Journalist's Killing Nears Resolution: CMFR

MANILA, Philippines - After three long years, the wheels of justice may finally catch up with the killers of a Filipino broadcast journalist, one of the 33 journalists killed in the line of duty during the Arroyo Administration.

Currently being tried in Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54, the Roger Mariano case is moving towards a resolution. Two witnesses have positively identified Senior Police Officer 4 Apolonio Medrano and Basilio Yadao as the assassins of the slain journalist.

Medrano was a member of the Philippine National Police Criminal Intelligence and Detection Group and was assigned at the Cordillera Autonomous Region at the time of Mariano's death.

Arnold Guerrero, private prosecutor of Mariano's family, believes that the case could be resolved within the year, after four or five more hearings. He believes that "the prosecution has a strong case."

In the July 18 hearing, Isidro Madamba Jr., one of the prosecution's eyewitnesses to the crime, was cross-examined by the defense, headed by Atty. Eddie Tamondong.

Madamba narrated that he was passing by the road onboard his car when the incident took place. Madamba said that he could not identify with certainty the other two suspects since he only saw their backs when he passed by the road.

However, he was able to partially see the gunman's face when the latter glanced towards him. When asked by the judge to say if the person he saw that night was inside the courtroom, he pointed to Yadao.

Earlier, Alvin Turingan, a tricycle driver, had positively identified Medrano as one of the killers.

Turingan said he was driving on the highway behind Mariano who was on a motorcycle. He saw Medrano take a shot at Mariano. He added that Medrano, along with the other suspect, boarded a van after Mariano fell. Aside from Medrano, Turingan said that he also saw a short man, fitting Yadao's description, at the scene of the crime.

The case was transferred to the Manila RTC from the RTC Branch 15 in Laoag City after the Supreme Court, acting on a 13 July 2005 petition from Mariano's family, released a resolution dated 3 April 2006 ordering the transfer.

In the petition for change of venue, Guerero cited safety concerns for the witnesses and also the need for a more neutral court.

According to some reports, Mariano's wife, Alma, feared that witnesses to her husband's murder might be pressured, given the alleged influence of Medrano in the province.

The petition for the change of venue was also endorsed by the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Inc., which interceded with the Supreme Court for the prompt transfer of the case.

On June 19, 2006, Judge Benjamin Turgano sent Mariano's case records to the RTC executive judge in Manila.

Judge Manuel M. Barrios then directed the warden of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail on July 3, 2006 to transfer Medrano and Yadao to Manila.

The two suspects were remanded to the Manila City Jail on July 25, 2006, just two days before their arraignment.

On November 16, 2004, after examining the testimonies of Turingan, Madamba and the investigation of the police, Judge Francisco Quilala of the San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte Municipal Trial Court found probable cause to place Medrano and Yadao under custody, issuing a warrant of arrest and no bail.

Medrano was arrested on the same day which was also the day Rogelio Pambid, mayor of Marcos, Ilocos Norte, was killed. Medrano is also currently on trial for the murder of Pambid, who was gunned down in front of his daughter's business establishment while alighting from his vehicle.

Yadao surrendered to police on November 18, 2004.

On December 11, 2004, five drunken men claiming to be policemen barged into the Casa Llanes Hotel in Laoag looking for Emilio Llanes, who was then helping investigate the killing of Mariano.

When Carlos Llanes, the hotel's manager told the five unidentified men in civilian clothes that his brother was out of town, two of the men mauled him. Emilio stopped handling the case.

Lauren Polintang, Mariano's nephew, said that they had a hard time looking for a lawyer in Ilocos to handle the case.Guerrero, a Manila-based lawyer who was a friend of Mariano, took over the case from Emilio Llanes.

Roger Mariano, 44, was one of the most critical broadcasters in Ilocos Norte. Local officials feared and loathed being the subject of Mariano's hard-hitting commentaries in his popular radio program, say Mariano's colleagues.

"Roger Mariano in Action" was aired over dzJC Radyo Natin-Aksyon Radyo. Mariano – known as a fearless and critical journalist-- started in radio broadcasting in 1990. He would discuss the most controversial issues of the day in his program. More often than not, local officials were the subjects of his broadcasts.

On the night of July 31, 2004, Mariano announced over the air that he would be reporting a major story on a corruption scam he had uncovered in his next broadcast.

Mariano never got the chance to do so; he was killed that same night. He was gunned down between 7:30 to 8:00 pm (local time) by then unknown assailants while riding home on his motorcycle after his radio program. He was shot several times in the back and head.

Mariano was wearing a trademark belt bag that contained a disk with information about the alleged scams in a local electric company. His belt bag was missing when his body was recovered. Mariano's wristwatch and wallet were untouched.

From 1999 until his death, Mariano chaired the Board of Directors of the Peralta Multi-Purpose Cooperative. He also served as chairman of the Tomato Growers Association. Mariano had a degree in Economics from Laoag City's Northwestern University.

He started his career as a radio commentator for dzVR Bombo Radyo right after college. Mariano was known to be a critical commentator on government affairs. He usually tackled issues regarding the city police's handling of the anti-jueteng (illegal numbers game) drive.

He also discussed the alleged mismanagement and supposedly illegal transactions of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative. (CMFR)

REPORT: Philippines More Corrupt Than Indonesia, Poll Says

THE PHILIPPINES is perceived as Asia's most corrupt economy, according to a poll by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd., with Indonesia improving its standing after being ranked worst for five years in a row.

A report by Bloomberg on Tuesday said Thailand and Indonesia were seen as the second most corrupt nations, according to the Hong Kong-based company's survey of 1,476 expatriates, which was released to the media today. Singapore is seen as the least corrupt of the 13 economies studied, followed by Hong Kong and Japan.

``The Philippines has the distinction of being perceived in the worst light this year,'' PERC said in the statement. ``It is bad and has been bad all along. People are just growing tired of the inaction and insincerity of leading officials when they promise to fight corruption.''

The findings are a setback for Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, who defeated two impeachment attempts after allegations she cheated in the 2004 election. She has denied the allegations.

``The political analysis, they work on old data, they don't work on up-to-date data,'' Arroyo told reporters in Manila today in response to the survey findings.

Most of Asia is struggling to fight corruption that's been a constraint to business in the region.

The Philippines, whose corruption score posted the steepest rise, has been getting the least amount of foreign direct investments and lower foreign capital flows to its stock market compared with Indonesia and Thailand, PERC said.

The Philippines got a score of 9.40 from 7.80 last year in the poll, which has a grading system of zero as the best possible score, and 10 as the worst.

To be sure, net foreign direct investments to the country rose 27 percent last year to $2.35 billion, according to data from the Philippine central bank. ``If we are to talk about government programs on anti-corruption, we've done a lot,'' Constancia de Guzman, chairman of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, told reporters in Manila.

``There is an improvement and we have a successful drive against corruption.''

Thailand, which has a junta-backed government after last September's coup, is probably the country where corruption problems are most visible, PERC said.

Indonesia, deemed Asia's most corrupt country since 2002, improved its score to 8.03, the same as Thailand.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's campaign against corruption has yielded positive results, though it's being undermined by local- level officials, government bureaucrats and senior politicians, the report said.

Vietnam is the fourth most corrupt as the government is seen to take a selective approach to fighting corruption, the survey said. It scored 7.54 from last year's 7.91. Vietnam was ranked the most corrupt economy in 2001.

``As in China, the biggest problem in Vietnam lies with state-owned companies and with people trying to use their positions to plunder state assets,'' the survey said.

China, the world's fastest growing-major economy, is the seventh most corrupt. The country's score improved to 6.29 from last year's 7.58 as tight media censorship probably helped, the report said.

India is the fifth most corrupt, followed by South Korea, PERC said, adding the Indian government must hasten reforms. India's score improved to 6.67 from 6.76 last year.

Malaysia is in the eighth place. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has permitted a more open discussion of the problem of graft, though he has yet to deliver on his campaign promise to cut corruption, PERC said.

Singapore, the least corrupt among the 13 economies for the 10th straight year, is increasingly becoming vulnerable to corruption in other countries as state-linked companies invest overseas, the report said.

The sale of Shin Corp. by investors, including the family of deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to Singapore's state- owned company Temasek Holdings Pte., angered Thais because the family didn't pay tax on the proceeds. Shin Corp., which was sold last year, owns the biggest Thai mobile-phone company. (Katherine Espina)

Coco Funds Still Far From Reach Of Poor Pinoy Farmers

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 25 Feb) – Militant groups criticized President Gloria Arroyo for failing to support the House Bill 3728 that will render as public the Coconut Levy Fund.

President Arroyo said during the 1st National Coconut Farmers Convention held at the weekend in Davao City, that the projected sale of the 26 million shares of the San Miguel Corp. will be used to set up a foundation to "oversee" the distribution of the proceeds to farmers.

The SMC shares were 27% of the entire coco levy fund that went to the bottling company during the Estrada administration.

"If the Arroyo administration has the real intention of handing over the fund to the farmers, why set up a coco foundation and give farmers only 25% of what is rightly theirs?

“Why does she not support House Bill 3728 that seeks to render as public funds the coconut levy fund?" asked Editha Duterte, of the Anakpawis Party list group.

Duterte said the HB 3728 and is awaiting approval in the House of Representatives since 2005.

Anakpawis is the main proponent of HB 3728.She said the misleading promises Arroyo made were old news for hopefulfarmers who have been waiting for the coco levy fund for 20 years now.

Duterte said the farmers had been waiting too long and had heard too much lip service about the fund that they can see through the real agenda of Arroyo's premature declarations.

"Many of our farmers confessed to being confused after Arroyo's speech. For 20 years, they have been put off from their rightful claim to the fund. They have been hauled from all over Mindanao merely to be told that the waiting is far from over."

"It is evident that Arroyo and her desperate camp are drooling over the coco levy fund which was now reached P130 billion. It has already lost the confidence and support of the masses,” Duterte said. (Mindanao Examiner)