The Daily Tribune <<< Without Fear or Favor >>>

»HEADLINES

»NATION

Pardon absolute

MR. EXPOSE

Amb. Ernesto Maceda

11/21/2007

Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has reassumed his post after recovering from his kidney transplant operation. He looks healthier and his two- month leave of absence appears to have fully restored his equanimity and sense of proportion.

On his first day, he contradicted acting Secretary Agnes Devanadera’s position that the pardon granted to Erap can be reviewed and recalled. Gonzalez categorically stated the pardon is “absolute and not subject to any condition” and cannot be recalled.

Gonzalez also disagreed with Devanadera’s position that the forfeiture order can be ordered by the Sandiganbayan of Erap’s other assets if the jueteng and Belle Resources money cannot be satisfied by the existing bank accounts.

Let’s hope that Gonzalez has come to realize during his two months sick leave that he must apply the law impartially and uphold the balanced scales of justice symbolizing his office.

Let’s hope that henceforth he will go slow in filling case against political opponents of the administration. Let’s pray that he will now take decisive action on the many cases of extra-judicial killings still not acted upon by his prosecutors.

Canceled. The World Bank (WB) has canceled a $232-million road construction loan because of rigged bidding and overpricing. This strongly proves that corruption is ever present in our infrastructure projects. DPWH, DoTC and DepEd consistently top the list of government offices where corruption is the prevailing rule. One of the biggest sources of corruption is the road users tax fund which amounts to about P10 billion a year.

The only credible response GMA can give to the WB slap is to sack the heads of the department involved.

He’s right. Businessman and price watcher Raul Concepcion is correct to charge that the oil companies have not been truthful and transparent with their financial records.

There has been no clear justification of their 15 oil price increases this year. The last two weeks, they increased by an average P1.50 per liter in spite of the appreciation of the same peso to P43 to $1. Their tremendous profits led by Petron’s P6 billion a year with the whole industry profiting by an estimated P20 billion after bloated expenditures is a clear indication of excessive prices and overcharging.

The US Senate investigated the excessive profits of oil companies led by Exxon last year yet. It is about time the Philippine Senate decides to investigate the matter.

It was a big mistake for FVR to have privatized Petron as pointed out by former President Estrada. Petron no longer performs the desired role as a check on overpricing of other oil companies. Worse, it has become the leader of the oil cartel.

GMA should decide to recover control of Petron by ordering Petron, GSIS and SSS to buy back at least 11 percent of 20 percent now being traded in the stock market at low prices.

Limit plates. One fall-out of the Batasan bombing is the issue of indiscriminate issuance of No. 8 plates to congressmen. They have also issued No. 8 plates no longer carrying the name of the congressman or congressional district represented by the plate user, thus making identification difficult in case of accident.

Low-numbered cars have been seen to wantonly violate traffic rules. Many times they even run counter flow in traffic lanes.

Bad choice. GSIS has chosen Citibank to handle its $1-billion foreign investment fund. Citibank belongs to the Citigroup which has been hit hard by the subprime mortgage losses in the US, writing off billions of dollars in loans. In fact, Citigroup stock has been classified as a “sell” by investment companies in the US. Citigroup stock has gone down by 30 percent.

In the light of the disarray hitting banks and investment houses in the US and UK, GSIS should reconsider its decision to invest $1 billion of its trust funds abroad. It should just buy Philippine bonds in the meantime. GSIS sold Philippine National Reinsurance Corp. shares at P3.80 per share. It is now trading below P3. It should buy back some of those shares. From a long term viewpoint, that’s a safer move.

How about previous officials? The Presidential Anti-Graft and Corruption (PAGC) has recommended the filing of graft cases against Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) executives for conspiracy in the smuggling of hot cars in violation of existing law. The Supreme Court has ruled that importation of second-hand cars is prohibited by law. The PAGC recommendation included SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, Deputy Administrator Gen. Jose Calimlim and Customs Collector Marietta Zamoramos.

Graft charges should also be filed against previous SBMA officials since the smuggling of hot cars, oil, Ma-Ling, liquor and cigarettes have been going on for the last 15 years. And of course, charge the smugglers, too. They are well-known.

Credit PAGC Undersecretary Antonio Bebot Villar for finally exposing the open smuggling going on at SBMA which has reached incredible proportions under the current administration. Bebot Villar is in the same mold of Puerto Princesa Mayor Ed Hagedorn who turned a new leaf after he was elected to office.

Tidbits. Isn’t it sad that imported fruits are cheaper than Philippine mangoes and oranges? It’s Christmas time and expect the unrestricted smuggling of fruits from abroad... Iligan City, GMA’s adopted hometown, is now in a state of calamity. Landslides have hit Surigao del Norte, too... Did you notice the long lines at all lotto outlets? That’s a sign of desperation for the poor. One lucky bettor from Bicutan did win the P105-million lotto jackpot held last Sunday... Senate President Manny Villar Jr. is pulling out all stops to a grand dinner show to celebrate 100 years of the Nacionalista Party (NP) on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at the PICC. NP leaders from Surigao del Sur told us they were invited to attend with free airline tickets provided. Villar appears to be way ahead of other contenders in preparations for the 2010 presidential derby... DoJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez also said Monday Erap’s commitment not to run is not a condition for his pardon. He is saying, therefore, Erap can change his mind and can run if he so decides. Didn’t GMA make a declaration not to seek election in 2004 in a La Trinidad, Benguet, Rizal Day speech only to change her mind two months later?... At this point, Estrada is not running in 2010 but he may be persuaded to change his stand if the six opposition wannabes do not get united and present a strong challenge to the administration candidate who, at this time, appears to be Vice President Noli de Castro who is still rating high in recent surveys... A Finance undersecretary reveals that a former president lobbied for the mysterious reduction of the tax on Pall Mall cigarettes. SSS president Corazon de la Paz should be persuaded to take on the troubled BIR commissioner post... DoLE Secretary Arturo Brion is the leading candidate for Supreme Court justice. A former Court of Appeals (CA) senior justice, he is an excellent choice for the position... Senior CA Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando, a former Comelec commissioner, would be an acceptable choice for Comelec chairman... All things considered, young Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is doing a good job as senator so far, outshining his sister Pia... Former Speaker Noli Fuentebella and former Rep. Rudy Tuazon were well-applauded by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila law students when they were guest speakers at the city university last Nov. 15.