No more cash settlement of rape cases in this bill

by Jarius Bondoc | Dec 9, 2020 | Gotcha

No more cash settlement of rape cases in this bill

Improved laws against rape

Too easily is justice against rape frustrated. Well reported are instances of victims fearing social stigma, of parents accepting monetary blandishments, and of authorities shirking from duty to prosecute. Victims are violated twice over.

A bill recently approved at the House of Representatives addresses the difficulties of redress. No longer may excuses be given to not report sexual assault, especially on a minor. No longer too may powerful perpetrators offer cash for withdrawal of criminal raps. There is a provision against “grooming”, that is, establishing trust or a relationship with a minor or the family to perpetrate sexual abuse or exploitation.

Certain provisions stand out in House Bill 7836. Full title: “An Act Providing for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, As Amended, or the Revised Penal Code, and Republic Act No. 7610, As Amended, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

“Grooming” thrives in this internet age, said bill co-author Rep. Rosanna Vergara (3D, Nueva Ecija). A usual ruse is for the sexual predator to spot a minor in an online chat room. Pretending to be of the same age, he pseudonymously befriends and invites the victim into frequent private messaging. In time the child is shown and induced to imitate nude photos. “The perpetrator need not be physically present; the victim is manipulated mentally, sometimes with shaming, into lewdness,” Vergara warned of the modus in Sapol-DWIZ last Saturday.

A provision obligates persons to whom a victim confides the rape to report to authorities. No excuses.

Improved laws against rape

Section 4 of the bill, on “grooming”, protects minors under 18 years of age, or any members of the family, guardian, or caregiver of the minor.

It states: “When grooming results in the consummation of any of the acts of sexual abuse or exploitation, the person responsible for the grooming shall be liable for rape.”

Victim-blaming often happens. A minor can be disbelieved. A person to whom the child admits the assault, say, a teacher, might defend the perpetrator as a good person incapable of such abomination, Vergara cited examples.

Not anymore. A provision obligates persons to whom a victim confides the rape to report to authorities. No excuses.

Section 9 states: “Persons Mandated to Report Rape. It shall be the duty of the following persons to report all incidents of rape and other sexual offenses to the DSWD, DepEd, PNP or any law enforcement agency, or the concerned LGU within 48 hours from knowledge thereof:

“1. Any healthcare provider, including the attending physician, nurse, clinician, barangay health worker, or any person who has caused the examination or treatment of the victim appearing to have suffered from rape or other sexual offenses;

“2. Teacher, guidance counselor, principal, school head, or any person whose work involves the education, training, and care of children;

“3. Any social worker who has reason to believe that rape or other sexual offenses have been committed or has been duly informed by the victim;

“4. Any national or local public officer; or

“5. Any person who has knowledge of the commission of rape or other sexual offenses.”

Those persons are also required to document the victim’s injuries, record the condition during the examination, and safeguard these records for availability to the victim.

Perpetrators can go free by vile means. Rape prosecutions abruptly are terminated as victims and families fear reprisals, or offered cash and favors. Even go-betweens are compensated.

In the bill, however, not even a marriage proposal can get the perpetrator off the hook, Vergara said. In too many instances have forced marriages led to more torment of the victim. There is no love and respect in the union.

No more withdrawal of criminal cases too. Vergara cited an instance where the perpetrator convinced the victim’s penurious parents to accept P200,000 recompense. They in turn made the child recant her court testimony, as if she was a liar; then they relocated in the hope that she would forget everything.

The bill would avert any recurrence. Section 10 states: “The submission of an affidavit of desistance at any stage of the criminal action or proceedings is not allowed.”

Section 11 complements: “Any amicable settlement at any stage of the proceedings for rape offenses is prohibited.” Vergara explained why: investigations have been completed, charges filed, and evidence submitted in court. Trial can proceed on the merits.

The bill is scheduled for bicameral consolidation with the Senate version. The latter, authored by Sen. Miguel Zubiri, raises the age of sexual consent to 16, making adult intercourse with a minor that age or below tantamount to statutory rape.

Full text of HB 7836 can be found HERE.

* * *

Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).

Gotcha archives: https://tinyurl.com/Gotcha-Archives

Improved laws against rape

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Lawsuit in Cebu airport affects rehab in Manila

by Jarius Bondoc | Dec 4, 2020 | Gotcha

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Lawsuit in Cebu airport affects rehab in Manila

Photo from https://www.miaa.gov.ph/miaa/

Criminal raps may doom Manila airport rehab

Criminal raps concerning the Cebu airport can doom the rehab deal for the airport in Manila. The same parties are involved in the two international gateways. A Dept. of Transport rule affects them. It disqualifies “any bidder with a pending case against the government.”

The National Bureau of Investigation has charged with dummying the contractors of Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Allegedly Filipino firm Megawide Construction Corp. fronted for GMR Infrastructures Ltd. of India in the construction and operation of the MCIA passenger terminal.

Megawide and GMR are also partners in a P109-billion offer to rehab and operate the Manila International Airport for 25 years. Megawide’s aim is to make the aging MIA world class.

Their plan has hit snags. Lawmakers claimed undue haste in the grant of original proponent status (OPS) without requisite scrutiny and consultations. Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez and Economic Planning Sec. Karl Chua nixed the proponents for lack of capital and incomplete submissions. MIA Authority board director Leoncio Nakpil withdrew consent to the OPS for being “misled” about legal compliance.

DOTr U-Sec. for Project Development Ruben Reinoso is fixing the deficiencies. But DOTr’s policy on bidders with pending cases further hinders Megawide-GMR.

‘Commonsense lang naman ‘yan. May kaso nga, may problema, bakit mo naman hahayaan na kumita pa gamit ang pera ng taumbayan?

Arthur P. Tugade

Secretary of the DOTr

Criminal raps may doom Manila airport rehab

The Memorandum of June 26, 2018 “no longer allows prospective bidders with pending cases against the government to participate in all its biddings.” A DOTr press release explained why:

“U-Sec. for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra said Sec. Arthur Tugade’s instruction is in line with the principles under R.A. 9184, the Procurement Reform Act, for streamlined bidding process.

“‘Commonsense lang naman ‘yan. May kaso nga, may problema, bakit mo naman hahayaan na kumita pa gamit ang pera ng taumbayan? Prospective bidders who want to do business with government must have a clean record and a history of good dealings with the government. It’s that simple,’ said Secretary Tugade.

“U-Sec. Yebra said the DOTr is duty-bound to ensure that all prospective bidders are properly screened towards the goal of preventing opportunities for corruption.

“Accordingly, Yebra said all prospective bidders are required to submit a Certification under oath that they have no pending case(s) against the government. This Certification shall be included in the Bid Data Sheet that DOTr requires for all its projects.

“Failure of a bidder to comply with the requirement or submission of a false Certification shall constitute grounds for automatic disqualification.”

The NBI recommended dummying raps against Megawide and GMR at the Dept. of Justice in November. The Anti-Dummy Law penalizes persons and entities that fraudulently serve as front to obtain state franchises. The Constitution forbids foreigners from public utilities, like airports, except as 40-percent minority at most.

Impleaded were five Megawide Filipino execs. As well, 11 foreigners, including the chairman, COO and directors of the consortium. The NBI filed a separate case at the Ombudsman against MCIA general manager-CEO Steve Dicdican. Graft was alleged in contracting Megawide-GMR.

The P17.5 billion Cebu airport deal began in 2013. It was among Megawide’s five of the Aquino administration’s nine major infra-works. The four others were: Integrated Transport System-Southwest Terminal, P2.5 billion; Modernization of Philippine Orthopedic Center, P5.98 billion; School Infrastructure Phase-1, P16.42 billion; and Phase-2, P3.86 billion. In 2017, the new DOTr awarded Megawide-GMR the expansion of Clark International Airport for P9.36 billion.

Still, Dominguez and Chua found Megawide undercapitalized for the 25-year Manila airport project. In returning the papers to endorser Tugade, they said Megawide’s yearend 2019 equity of P18 billion was short. Thirty percent, or P32.3 billion, is required for the P109-billion work.

Megawide insists it is fully compliant and qualified. Dominguez told them to come in after the original proponent of seven conglomerates backed out last July, its execs say.

MIA Authority director Nakpil retracted last week his vote for Megawide’s original proponent status. He said he was “misled (in previous board meetings) into believing that the proponent complied with all the requirements under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.” A specialist in aviation, airport, and aircraft security, Nakpil sits as private sector rep.

The MIA Authority has P47-billion equity and P4-billion annual revenue. With that, it can expand its facilities on its own.

Rep. Jericho Nograles

Criminal raps may doom Manila airport rehab

Rep. Jericho Nograles saw graft in the grant of the OPS privilege without ascertaining the legal, technical, and financial aspects. Rep. Jesus Suntay said there were no consultations with MIA stakeholders like the 14,000 employees who are to be laid off. Megawide belatedly offered to absorb the personnel.

MIA has no space for additional runways to take in more flights and solve delays. Rapid-exit taxiways can improve on-time aircraft movements. The Arroyo and Aquino administrations already paved taxiways to the T-shaped runways.

The MIA Authority has P47-billion equity and P4-billion annual revenue. With that, it can expand its facilities on its own, Nograles said. Subcontracting should be by public bidding: anybody can watch the proceedings.

* * *

Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 to 10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).

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Criminal raps may doom Manila airport rehab

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Ex-DENR chief Defensor’s quarry blamed for floods

by Jarius Bondoc | Dec 2, 2020 | Gotcha

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Ex-DENR chief Defensor’s quarry blamed for floods

Image by Joseph thomas from Pixabay

Ex-DENR chief Defensor’s quarry blamed for floods

Former environment secretary Mike Defensor might wish to react. Mainstream and social media are blaming his hillside quarry for last month’s destructive floods in east Metro Manila and suburbs.

Defensor’s quarry is in the Marikina Watershed, Rodriguez, Rizal. Majestic Earth Core Ventures Inc. is the largest of 16 quarries there. As conservation zones, watersheds are off-limits to woodcutters, miners and dwellers. With Marikina Watershed denuded, typhoon waters and mud cascaded down the slopes unimpeded.

Folk in the valley below want answers. Loved ones perished in the flash floods. Homes were deluged with muck and water up to second floors. Evacuating to rooftops, residents endured cold winds and hunger till storm subsided. Shops, cars, appliances, cookware, clothes were lost. Victims are contemplating multibillion-peso damages.

Congress is planning inquiries on why the great flood caused by 2009’s Storm Ondoy recurred. Defensor is a party-list congressman, representing Anakalusugan. Netizens are decrying abuse of power. Trending online are photos of the denudation and flooded communities.

Defensor is chairman and president of Majestic. The firm quarries and markets aggregates, sand and gravel in Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez. It also operates a crushing plant on-site, Majestic’s website states. The quarry output is used in construction. Defensor headed the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources in Aug. 2004 to Feb. 2006.

“It is important that we rehabilitate this watershed because it is the first line of defense of Marikina, Quezon City, Antipolo, Pasig, Cainta, San Mateo against rainwater surging from the uplands of Luzon.”

Gina Lopez

Former Secretary, DENR

Ex-DENR chief Defensor’s quarry blamed for floods

A successor at DENR a decade later, Gina Lopez continually warned against watershed deforestation. An aerial inspection of Marikina Watershed in Sep. 2017 distressed her. Showing images of bald hillsides and gaping excavations, she said: “It is important that we rehabilitate this watershed because it is the first line of defense of Marikina, Quezon City, Antipolo, Pasig, Cainta, San Mateo against rainwater surging from the uplands of Luzon.”

Miners opposed Lopez’s closure of 73 destructive extractions. Quarry men claimed that the watersheds she was seeking to rehab were not even officially declared as such, so they could not be evicted. Lopez countered that “a watershed is a watershed, and no law can make or unmake it as such.”

Congress refused to confirm Lopez’s appointment as DENR chief. Still she insisted: “As long as there is quarrying and Marikina Watershed is denuded, the Pasig River waters will be brown and will become more and more shallow. It will cause flooding in Metro Manila. It is imperative that the Marikina Watershed is reforested.”

Lopez left the cabinet. She succumbed to cancer in Aug. 2019.

She was the eldest of the second generation of the Lopezes who controlled giant broadcaster ABS-CBN. Defensor led its disenfranchisement last July.

Defensor is being contrasted to Lopez. His company profile states: “Majestic is a corporation existing under Philippine laws engaged primarily in quarrying,” the website says. “The company is committed to apply only the best practices in quarrying, always taking into consideration the environment and community. Although the company was only established in 2012, it is already the grantee of various Operating Agreements in several quarry sites in the Rizal area.”

Aside from Rodriguez, Majestic has other extractions. It “is constructing another mobile crushing plant in Barangay San Joaquin, Calbayog City, Western Samar, while conducting exploration work for aggregate resources.”

Defensor is also CEO of Pax Libera Mining Inc. Controversies surround its operations in Bukidnon. As Cabinet member under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he was publicized as lead man of mining firms Nihao and Geograce. The two tied up with a Chinese miner in Zambales. People in that province denounced the many mines that leveled their mountains, polluted the air, choked the rivers, despoiled food sources, and ruined their health.

Defensor also signed as witness in the grant to ZTE International Corp. of gold mining rights in Mount Diwalwal and North Davao, Mindanao. Along with ZTE’s national broadband network bribery scandal, the mining grant was investigated at the Senate. The Constitution forbids foreigners from natural resource extraction, except in financial or technical assistance.

President Rody Duterte has blamed recent deadly floods on illegal logging and mining, including quarries. DENR has been tasked to investigate in Cagayan Valley, Albay in Bicol, and Marikina Valley.

Forest denudation by illegal loggers in the Cordillera Range caused the Cagayan floods, DENR U-Sec. Jonas Leones told Sapol-DWIZ Saturday. Slash-and-burn corn farming in the Sierra Madre range contributed too.

People in Albay blamed on 106 quarries the lahar slides from Mayon Volcano.

People in Albay blamed on 106 quarries the lahar slides from Mayon Volcano. Homes were destroyed in Guinobatan, Ligao City, Camalig, Daraga, Tiwi, Tabaco, Malilipot, and Legaspi City. Fifteen quarries were suspended, nine for operating outside their concessions and six for expired permits, Leones said.

Defensor’s quarry area of 200 hectares is supposedly too small to have caused the great flood. Leones said unplanned development is more to blame.

* * *

My second compilation of selected columns is now available as e-book and print-on-demand. “Gotcha: An Exposé on the Philippine Government” zeroes in on corruption scandals and China’s sea aggression.

Chapters: (1) Beijing’s Bullying and Duplicity; (2) MRT-3 Fiasco; (3) (Dis)Trusting Comelec, on the faulty poll automation; (4) Leveling Lush Mountains, via illegal mining; (5) Smuggling Unabated; (6) Police Chopper Scam; (7) Surrender of Sovereignty; and Epilogue: The Philippine Government Exposed.

Foreword by patriots Supreme Court Justice Antonio T. Carpio and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario.

Get a FREE copy of “Chapter 1, Beijing’s Bullying and Duplicity”. Simply subscribe, also FREE, to my newsletter HERE.

Remember what went wrong and why

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We must remember what went wrong, and why

by Jarius Bondoc | Nov 30, 2020 | Gotcha

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We must remember what went wrong, and why

Image by Thomas Wolter from Pixabay

Remember what went wrong and why

Filipinos readily forgive, a distinction. We also easily forget — a flaw? Forgiving buttresses our society. Forgetting opens us to repeated abuse, especially by crooked government officials. No wonder many of us feel fated to suffer their corruption.

My new book compilation of columns tries to help us remember. In selecting the entries, the aim was to exemplify some of the worst sleaze in high places. The seemingly disparate cases were linked — in motive and modus operandi.

“Gotcha: An Exposé on the Philippine Government” recalls what went wrong and why, so we can avert recurrence of dirty schemes.

The Filipinos’ forgiving nature buttresses our society. Our flaw, forgetfulness, opens us to repeated abuse, especially from corrupt officials.

Remember what went wrong and why

Foreword by patriots Supreme Court Justice Antonio T. Carpio and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario. Shared here:

“Jarius Bondoc’s columns lucidly expose all kinds of problems facing the nation, breaking down complex issues into simple understandable parts so the reader can easily see and comprehend the entire picture. In particular, Jarius’ columns on the South China Sea dispute always shine the klieg lights on the dark corners of China’s hidden motives and stealthy actions designed to grab Philippine territory and maritime zones.

Jarius is often the first to expose, and to explain, China’s actions that steadily expand China’s land and maritime boundaries at the expense of the Philippines. Jarius does not hold back, because he would relentlessly follow through and build on what he has previously written, leaving the reader thoroughly convinced of the correctness of his views. There are not many columnists who can be as persuasive as Jarius. In times when an adversary like China has unlimited resources to drown out or distort the truth, spread lies and fake news far and wide, we need columnists like Jarius who tell it the way it is.

“In this battle to defend our territory and sovereign rights against Chinese encroachment, we have to rely on our brave journalists who refuse to toe the administration’s obsequiously pro-China policy. We have to rely on our patriotic journalists who cannot be cowed by power or might. We have to rely on responsible and ethical journalists to tell the truth so that we may know what is right or wrong, and what is fair or unjust.”

– Antonio T. Carpio, Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice (Ret.)

“Throughout history, the protection of a nation’s territory and patrimony has been a core duty not only of its leaders, but also of its people. Currently, this duty to defend one’s country assumes great relevance because of China’s acts to take over the South China Sea, including the waters belonging to its bordering States. As Filipinos, we stand to lose about 80% of our Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea, as well as our land territories such as Scarborough Shoal and Pag-asa Island.

“Ideally, the actions of citizens should complement the actions of their leaders; however, when leaders abscond in their duties, it falls upon citizens like us to stand up for our country.

“This duty to defend one’s country becomes effective when an informed citizenry exists. Citizens are informed through a robust and vibrant media—particularly through investigative journalism which independently seeks the truth in the public interest.

“It is in this light that I welcome Jarius Bondoc’s book entitled ‘Gotcha: An Exposé on the Philippine Government’, a compilation of his work as a seasoned and courageous journalist in the Philippines. ‘Gotcha’ spotlights the problems of corruption in Philippine government involving the country’s transport system, elections, customs and mining.

Jarius is also one of the few Philippine journalists who exposed some of the backstories of Philippine policy in the South China Sea. Given the sensitivity involved in foreign policy, the work of investigative journalists is important in exposing wrongdoing and corruption in government, especially involving officials bought off by a moneyed superpower like China.

“When done responsibly, investigative journalism contributes to an informed citizenry and a well-functioning democracy.

“For our leaders and citizens, the work of journalists is vital to allow us to see the truth and take creative and responsive actions to protect our country and patrimony.”

– Albert F. Del Rosario, Former Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs

“Gotcha: An Exposé on the Philippine Government” is available as e-book and print-on-demand, starting today, Nov. 30, 2020.

Get a FREE copy of “Chapter 1, Beijing’s Bullying and Duplicity”. Simply subscribe, also FREE, to my newsletter HERE.

* * *

Remember what went wrong and why

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MIA rehab a misdeal; pursuing it only stinks

by Jarius Bondoc | Nov 27, 2020 | Gotcha

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MIA rehab a misdeal; pursuing it only stinks

Image by Stela Di from Pixabay

Manila International Airport rehab stinks of graft

The Manila International Airport rehab is turning into a misdeal. Too many wrongs were made in the contracting. It is following the path of government’s worst fiascos. No amount of legal patch-ups and PR diversions can cure the infirmities. Pursuing it will only stink – in the midst of the administration’s supposed final push against corruption.

Last week the National Economic and Development Authority’s top officials junked the P109-billion rehab proposal. Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez and Economic Planning Sec. Karl Chua found many deficiencies in the offer of Megawide Corp. They told endorser Transport Sec. Arthur Tugade that Megawide’s submissions were incomplete. Lacking too were evaluations by the Dept. of Transport and MIA Authority.

Dominguez and Chua co-chair the Investment Coordinating Committee of NEDA. The ICC approves what goes to the NEDA Board for finalizing. The President chairs the NEDA Board.

Dominguez and Chua told Tugade in a letter Nov. 19 “to ensure that all requisite documents, as specified in the attached ICC checklist of documentary requirements for the unsolicited proposal … are complied with by the private proponent in form and substance.”

The ICC co-chairs added that DOTr should evaluate any proposal in accordance with law. That is, the Amended Build-Operate-Transfer Act and its implementing rules and regulations. It was necessary “prior to the endorsement or re-submission of the unsolicited proposal for ICC-NEDA Board action,” they wrote.

Megawide’s prospective sources for financing the project are not guaranteed to materialize

Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez & Economic Planning Sec. Karl Chua

Manila International Airport rehab stinks of graft

The IRR is specific. DOTr, as sponsor agency, should have first determined if Megawide was qualified legally, technically and financially. Thence it should have turned in complete papers.

Foremost of the defects was financial. Megawide had only P18-billion equity as of December 2019. This was way short of that 30-percent equity, or P32.3 billion, required for the P109-billion rehab.

Two days earlier, Nov. 17, Economic Planning U-Sec. Jonathan Uy already told DOTr U-Sec. Ruben Reinoso the same. Not only was Megawide’s net worth too small for a project that big. It was also wrong to base the 30-percent capital requirement solely on the initial expenses for the rehab. The entire 20-25-year period should be computed. That’s because the contractor still has improvements to fulfill even during the operation stage, when it will increase passenger and other airport fees.

Dominguez and Chua reiterated to Tugade: “The prospective sources of (Megawide’s) financing for the project’s succeeding phases, such as the issuance of treasury shares and preferred shares, projected increase in retained earnings and cash to be generated, are speculative and not guaranteed to materialize. Hence, the financial capability of Megawide is mostly hinged on uncertain sources.”

Next day, Nov. 20, Megawide sought to solve those matters. It elevated technical consultant GMR airport operator of India as 40-percent consortium partner. With GMR, it then declared to be jointly and solidarily liable for any project missteps.

Dominguez and Chua returned Megawide’s deficient offer to Tugade. They left the door open to “resubmission” if all requirements are completed. This encourages DOTr deal packagers to follow up the lacking papers.

But Rep. Jericho Nograles says it’s no longer feasible. The law was not followed from the start. To submit papers piecemeal, every time the NEDA screeners found deficiencies, is yet another error, he says. The prudent option for DOTr, following the Dominguez-Chua letter, is to “ministerially” return the proposal to Megawide. To do otherwise is giving unwarranted benefits to a favored party, he says: “That’s graft.”

Already Nograles is going after the MIA Authority for “according special treatment”. General manager Eddie Monreal gave original proponent status (OPS) to Megawide last July despite lacking papers and scrutiny. Dominguez and Chua discovered the deficiencies, Nograles pointed up to Monreal in a letter last Monday, Nov. 23.

Documents indicate that Monreal got the MIA board to approve the OPS on say-so of DOTr higher-ups. They were remiss in their duty to evaluate the unsolicited proposal, Nograles says.

The OPS is a crucial privilege under the BOT Law. It gives the unsolicited proponent first crack at bagging the project contract. All others must best its offer via Swiss challenge. In case of a superior offer, the original proponent can simply match it and still retain the deal.

Legislators saw more MIA violations, such as the lack of stakeholder consultation

Manila International Airport rehab stinks of graft

Granting the OPS without full study violates Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Nograles says. That section defines as graft: “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”

Megawide’s proposal is to rehab and operate the aging MIA for at least 20 years. The offer was made as far back as March 2018. A consortium of seven conglomerates had beat it to the OPS then. That super-consortium backed out last July after DOTr rejected pleas to redo the terms in light of the pandemic and economic slowdown. The first OPS was rescinded and the second granted within days. Nograles sees undue haste that left no room for thorough review.

Other legislators saw more violations. One was the lack of stakeholder consultation, according to Cong. Jesus Suntay. MIA’s 14,000 employees were slated for dismissal. When this hit the headlines in October, Megawide offered to absorb them.

Nograles has sought investigation by President Duterte’s new mega task force against corruption. Other MIA stinks are expected to surface, like cash shortages, overpriced contracts, lavish life styles and human and drug trafficking.

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Manila International Airport rehab stinks of graft

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Here’s how the emergency banca repairs will be made

by Jarius Bondoc | Nov 23, 2020 | Gotcha

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Here’s how the emergency banca repairs will be made

Image by Florian Berger from Pixabay

Repair typhoon damaged Philippine boats

Fish are still there for the catch. With bancas fixed, fishers can set out to sea anew to feed their families and communities. That exigency confronts Pacific coastal Bicol. Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses wrecked tens of thousands of artisanal fishing boats. Environmentalists Asis Perez and Norbert Chingcuanco are stockpiling repair materials. As soon as dirt roads are passable, marine plywood, epoxy and rust-resistant copper nails will be distributed to isolated villages.

Fishers’ homes will be visited to assess boat damage on the spot. The broken segments will be measured, and the exact plywood replacements sawed and handed over. Neighbors will help sand, glue and nail up the boat. No time lost, no overhead cost, repair kits are conserved. Then onto the next fisher’s hut. From restored earnings, beneficiaries can later pitch in for marine paint to top off the repairs.

Asis and Norbert will do away with the slow conventional way. That entails first tedious list-up of fishers, then written damage reports. Only then will repair kits be doled. By then fishing villages will be starving.

The aim is to get them back on their feet in no time, Asis says. Unlike farmers who lost their crops, the fishers simply need to refit to sail and fend for themselves. Food relief is coming in trickles.

From experience, Asis estimates each repair to cost P2,000-P3,000. He was Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources head when Super Typhoon Yolanda battered the Visayas in 2013. At once 25,000 bancas were fixed. Another 8,000 new ones were molded from fiberglass on-site in worst hit but reachable barrios. “Project Ahon (Arise)” somehow staved off hunger.

Funds are being raised for fiberglass boats. “No more cutting of trees,” says Asis, a longtime forest conservationist

Atty. Asis Perez

Legal Adviser, Tanggol Kalikasan

Repair typhoon damaged Philippine boats

No longer in command of government resources, Asis cannot replicate those numbers today. With donations, he and fish-entrepreneur Norbert target to help at least a thousand fishers. Materials suppliers are giving substantial discounts as contribution. The fund drive is called “Mini Ahon, Part-2”.

Officials have yet to detail the number of displaced fishers. In Kalabangga district alone in San Miguel Bay, at least 5,000 bancas were damaged, Asis quotes the fisherfolk cooperative. The bay encompasses Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur provinces. Initial news from Catanduanes Island reported about 10,000 ruined boats. Fishers groups in Lagonoy Gulf, Bicol Peninsula; Polillo Island, Quezon; and Dinggalan, Aurora have also sent distress calls.

“What Typhoon Rolly partially damaged, Typhoon Ulysses finished off,” shudders Lorrybel Nachor, Executive Director of Coalition for Bicol Development. The two howlers struck on Nov. 1 and 11. First roofs were torn off homes and shops. Then floods engulfed communities. Farm crops were ruined, fishing bancas smashed. Nearly 200,000 families evacuated to schoolhouses.

Launched last Monday, “Mini Ahon, Part-2” can so far cover 500 repairs. Donations have poured in from as far as California and New Jersey. “There’s joy in giving,” Norbert says. “Even tilapia raisers in Taal Lake, Batangas, on the other side of Luzon, though hard-hit by Typhoon Quinta, readily gave P150,000.” The NGO Tanggol Kalikasan will render a full accounting on its Facebook wall. It is registered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue for tax-credit donations.

After the rush repairs, Asis and Norbert intend to raise new funds for fiberglass boats. “No more cutting of trees,” says Asis, a longtime forest conservationist. Wooden boats last only five years; fiberglass at least 25. “With nearly 300,000 registered bancas nationwide, 6,000 need to be replaced every five years,” Asis says. With built-in floaters, fiberglass versions are unsinkable. Very usable in the West Philippine Sea against trespassing Chinese coastguards that water-cannon Filipino fishers. There are makers in Navotas, Metro Manila.

Donations welcome to “Mini Ahon, Part-2”: Tanggol Kalikasan Inc., Banco de Oro, 004210079580. Please Private Message Norbert Chingcuanco’s Facebook wall for proper accounting.

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Repair typhoon damaged Philippine boats

There’s hope yet for the Bureau of Customs. It won gold for compliance in the Performance Governance System. That’s a leap from where it came — the pile of crookedest agencies around.

The BoC stinks inside and out. Various administrations attempted cleanups top-down. A few changes here and firings there. But BoC kept sliding back.

This time reforms are coming from middle managers, supervisors and staff. Goals are set and scorecards kept on section and individual output. The aim is to professionalize the politicized, factionalized organization. In four years it should be modern and credible.

How? Full automation, including no-contact transacting and customer care. Universal risk consciousness. Strong internal controls. BoC chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero proposed those strategies. Deputy Collector Lourdes V. Mangaoang heads the 11-member transformation core team. The Office for Strategic Management heads the strategy execution. PGS guidance and grading is by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia.

In passing PGS’ Stage-1 Initiation this time last year, BoC also got highest rank. The revalida panel for Stage-2 Compliance commended BoC’s top performance. Panelists were ISA trustee Alex Lacson, Usec. Emmanuel Bautista, Asec. Mary Jean Pacheco, Asec. Dakila Napao, Ryan Evangelista, and Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua.

Next hurdles: Stage-3 Proficiency, and Stage-4 Institutionalization. If rank and file stand steadfast, BoC’s stink can become luster.

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Watch out for the launch of “Gotcha: An Exposé on the Philippine Government”. The book compiles my columns on corruption in recent years. As well, the illegalities and obsequiousness that encouraged China sea aggression.

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Repair typhoon damaged Philippine boats

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