Zamboanga City Prosecutor Won Human Trafficking Hero Award

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

Assistant city prosecutor, Darlene Pajarito of Zamboanga City received on 29 June 2011 (Wednesday) from United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the Global Trafficking in Persons Hero Award for her outstanding performance in successfully prosecuting the highest number of human trafficking cases in the Philippines. Clinto presented the award at the 2011 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons held in Washington DC, USA.

This blog reported in an earlier entry on the extent of Pajarito's performance in her crusade against human trafficking as a prosecutor in the Mindanao city.

Sources

Marlon Ramos: "US honors Zamboanga city prosecutor," Philippine Daily Inquirer 29 June 2011.
Jill Beltran: "Palace lauds Zambo prosecutor for human trade hero award," SunStar Manila 29 June 2011.

Presidential Advisers on Ecclesiastical Affairs

MANILA

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created this less known advisory group in her administration. Known advisers in this group include:

Nina Valdez (as of January 2010)

Conrado "Dodi" Limcauco Jr. (resigned on 11 June 2010, effective June 16)

ACTIVITIES

Lobbied in behalf of the Iglesia Ni Cristo

Valdez reportedly called some members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) who deliberated to fill one Supreme Court vacancy for a retiring SC associate justice. She tossed the name of Judge Lovell R. Bautista of the Court of Tax Appeals, an INC bet, to be included in the list of nominees. Bautista became seventh in the list.

Sources

Maricar Cinco: "Activist priest Robert Reyes says bishops got more than Pajeros," Philippine Daily Inquirer 29 June 2011.

Business Circuit: "Rooting for INC," Malaya Business Insight 07 January 2010.

Marcos Burial Issue Long Settled

MANILA

In a decision that marks with great wisdom, President Benigno S. Aquino III upheld the settlement that the administration of former president Fidel Ramos entered with the Marcoses on the burial of the late strongman's remains in Ilocos Norte, with full military honors, and not in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

Source

Cynthia Balana: "President Aquino: Issue on Marcos burial long settled by Fidel Ramos," Philippine Daily Inquirer 29 June 2011.

The Pajero 7

MANILA

Margarito Juico, the new Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman, revealed that the government agency is verifying reports that former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo used its funds to get the support of a number of bishops, among which were seven prelates who received Mitsubishi Pajero vehicles, before she stepped down from office in 2010. Allies of Arroyo in the previous PCSO Board had left the agency with some P4 billion in debt.

Juico said that P6.9 million of PCSO fund was allocated for the purchase of five to six utility vehicles supposedly given to the Archdiocese of Cotabato, Zamboanga, Caritas Nueva Segovia, Basilan and Butuan from February to July 2009.

The Pajero Seven

Right now no bishop came forward to admit that they received a Mitsubishi Pajero from Arroyo through PCSO.

Prelates Who Drive a Pajero

Jesus Dosado, bishop of Ozamiz (gray Pajero)

Juan de Dios Pueblos, bishop of Butuan (blue Pajero) [also owns a silver Mitusbishi Montero Sports]--a known ally of the Arroyo administration

"Malacañang Diocese"

All Catholic bishops know the members of the so-called Malacañang Diocese, the members of which could be the same prelates referred to as the Pajero Seven. These bishops supposedly receive grants from the Arroyo administration, including vehicles and projects. Talks of this "new" diocese came up during the controversial moments of the Arroyo administration's turbulent years, such as the Hello Garci controversy and the anomalous $329-Million ZTE Deal.

During these political ordeals, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) reportedly offered cash donations to Catholic bishops ranging from P300,000 to P500,000. Three archbishops--Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, archbishop of Cebu; Angel Lagdameo, and; Paciano Aniceto, archbishop of Pampanga--returned the checks.

Teodoro Bacani, bishop Emeritus of Novaliches, confirmed that the Arroyo administration resorted to corruption to soften the stance of the Catholic bishops, and to "divide and conquer" the Church.

The Pueblos Letter

I will be celebrating my 66th birthday on March 8, 2009. I know this will be a precious day and timely occasion to thank the Lord for giving me another year … After a prayerful discernment and due considerations to the existing crisis phenomenon today, I have decided not to hold a birthday party. Instead, I prefer to make use of my birthday as a day with and for myself, and with God.
“Having (been) declared, awarded and honored from your good office as ‘Peace Champion of Caraga,’ I am grateful to God that He has made me an instrument of His peace, especially here in Mindanao. I know I can do more to promote and work for peace.

It is in this view that I am asking a favor from your Excellency. At present, I really need a brand-new car, possibly a 4 x 4, which I can use to reach the far-flung areas of Caraga. I hope you will never fail to give a brand new car which would serve as your birthday gift to me. For your information, I have with me a 7-year-old car which is not anymore in good running condition. Therefore, this needs to be replaced very soon.

I am anticipating your favorable response on this regard. Thank you very much. Be assured of my constant support and sincerest prayers to your Excellency.

Response from the Prelates

ARCHDIOCESE OF OZAMIS
Fr. Marvin Osmeña, custodian of the archdiocesan property, denied that the bishop received a Mitsubishi Pajero from the Arroyo administration.

ARCHDIOCESE OF BUTUAN
Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos admitted on July 6 (Wednesday) that he sent a letter to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asking for "a vehicle" that he could use for his community service. The Pajero SUV he received as a birthday gift through PCSO was worth P1.7 million.  

Sources

Ben Serrano: "Butuan bishop admits getting P1.7-million SUV," The Philippine Star 7 July 2011
Kimberly Jane Tan: "Enrile: Give bishops a chance to explain side in PCSO issue," GMA News 5 July 2011.
Ryan Rosauro: "Priests deny Ozamiz archdiocese got Pajero from PCSO," Philippine Daily Inquirer 29 June 2011.
Jocelyn Uy, Maricar Cinco: "Bishop Cruz tells 'Pajero 7': Confess," Philippine Daily Inquirer 29 June 2011.

LIGHTSIDE: Finding a Way Through the Flood

One glaring national trait of Filipinos are their incorrigible penchant for humor and creativity. And these talents often surface during a tragedy. This photo by Bayan Patroller Myra Gravoso Ramirez illustrates that spirit very well.

Motel-Like Accomodations at the New Bilibid Prison

MUNTINLUPA

Well, it is not just one but 150 motel-like tiled huts that house moneyed convicts at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

The members of the House committee on justice found that out on 7 June 2011 when they did an occular inspection in controversial "cells". Visiting the site were representatives Niel Tupas Jr. of Iloilo (committee chair), Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan De Oro (member), Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Cavite (member), Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa (member), and Magtanggol Gunigundo of Valenzuela (member). 

Inmates have the keys

The rooms have their own toilet and bath, with one inmate living in each room. And to top it all the inmates have their own key for their respective rooms. Not even the prison guards have a duplicate key of these rooms. Its a vacation accomodation for drug lord convicts and moneyed inmates.

A Stark Contrast

Despite the bemoaned bad conditions of prisoners in NBP, it is not difficult to understand how the posh accomodation of moneyed inmates contrasted that of the poor who had to stay with fellow prisons in a single cell.

Sources

Christine F. Herrera, Maricel Cruz: "Chinese druglords built huts for moneyed inmates," Manila Standard Today 8 June 2011

GOCC Governance Act of 2011 Becomes Law

Republic Act 10149, or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, came into law today as President Benigno Aquino III signed it, overhauling the compensation system of the entire GOCC and removing excessive salaries, allowances, and other perks of their heads and board members.

Term of Office

The new law limits the office terms of officials into one  year. In addition, the term of office of all appointed incumbent heads and board members of GOCCs will end by June 30, 2011 unless they are reappointed or a replacement is appointed sooner by the President.

Governance Commission

The law also creates the Governance Commission of the GOCCs that will oversee the coordination and implication of government policies in these state corporations.

GOCC Website

The law requires all GOCCs to maintain a website that will allow the public free access of its financial statements.

Exclusion

The Act excludes the central bank, state universities and colleges, cooperatives, local water districts, and research institutions.

VIEWS

President Benigno Aquino III: "We will end the system of patronage in our GOCCs."