Tag Archives: corruption
NAIA employee in mulcting attempt vs. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said an x-ray examiner at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport II (Naia II) apparently tried to mulct her when she arrived from Israel, but she let it pass.
Duterte was on her way to Davao on May 12 from her Israel trip when the man in-charged of the x-ray machine picked out a refrigerator magnet, which was Duterte-Carpio’s souvenir from Israel, from her luggage.
Commenting on the incident, her father Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the airport employee was lucky the mayor did not lose her temper. The Dutertes are known for their frankness and volatile tempers.
Last year , Mayor Duterte sparked a widely publicized controversy after she mauled a court sheriff, Abe Andres of the local Regional Trial Court, who refused to heed her plea to stay a court-ordered demolition of about 200 urban poor shanties in Agdao district.
The mauling captured in video by television news crews and aired on Philippine and international television networks, earned both censure and praise, and administrative raps for the fiery lady mayor in the Ombudsman and the interior department including a disbarment rap at the Supreme Court. The mayor like her father is a lawyer.ROGER M. BALANZA
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Airport employee tries to mulct mayor?
No ‘mulcting’ councilors in Duterte’s Hugpong 2013 line-up
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he would have no qualms about naming in public city councilors fleecing businessmen in exchange for approval of their business applications.
But Duterte admits his hands are tied down from going after the extortionists by lack of complainants coming forward to finger the ‘mulcting’ councilors.
He however also admits that some victims of the legislative extortion come to him to complain but would not execute affidavits or file formal charges for fear of repercussions.
Being a lawyer, I know I cannnot pursue cases without witnesses, he said.
In the Ato ni Bay cable television program on Skycable hosted by radio journalist Leo Villareal, Duterte was responding to a question that corruption persists in the city council despite a crackdown he made recently against the reported extortion by city councilors.
He was further asked by media if the reported “mulcters” would make it to the line-up of his political bloc Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod in the coming May 2013 elections.
The bloc is now headed by his daughter Mayor Sara Duterte.
To this question, Duterte did not give a categorical answer but hinted bad days for the legislative crooks when Mayor Duterte picks candidates in her slate.
There are names there that Mayor Duterte does not like, he said, without naming names but refering to members of the Davao City Council.
Last year, Duterte overhauled a committee and sacked its chairman reportedly after a property developer reported to him that he had been asked money in exchange for approval of a business proposal.
The case stopped at the mere reorganization of the committee chaired by a neophyte councilor because the victim would not file charges.
In the pprogram,Duterte said most of the corruption of the city council is rooted in the committee on housing which recommends approval of applications for housing and business project locations.
Crocodiles in BIR driving Manny Pacquiao to retirement
BY ROGER THE HECKLER
There are two other major reasons, other than the Lord, why Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiaois planning to retire from boxing.
One, he wants to pursue a poliitical career and is running for Governor in his province of Sarangani, which he currently represents in the Philippine Congress, in the 2013 elections.
Two, crooked taxmen from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are running after his billions.
Manny said he had been told by God in a dream to retire soon.
He has publicly mapped out his political plans for the future, and may throw away his boxing gloves to dedicate part of his life to serve his Sarangani constituents as their governor.
But his biggest reason for retiring from boxing could be the BIR, which is accusing him of evading tax payments.
Pacquiao, regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, said that he had decided to give up all his vices after the dream about the Lord telling him to replace his gloves with a Bible.
“I will not stay long in boxing because he said: ‘You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful,’” said a serious-looking Pacquiao, who has won eight titles in as many weight divisions.
Pacquiao, 33, said he had the dream earlier this year but declined to reveal how many more fights he would contest before stepping down.
But when asked if his new-found religious fervour would hurt his boxing, Pacquiao replied: “I will do my work inside the ring.”
The boxer, who has translated his sports fame into huge riches, a showbiz career and election to parliament, said he believed he had been chosen by God to use his fame to spread the Christian message.
“When I speak, a lot of people listen,” he said.
He said he would make a major announcement on a religious note soon.
Arroyo lawyer told: Show us your balls first!
THEDURIANBEAT
by ROGER M. BALANZA
Lawyer Ferdinant Topacio vows he would have his balls cut if the Arroyos fail to return.
But what if Topacio has no balls?
Amid speculations that former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo and her husband won’t return after seeking medical treatment abroad, sabi ng counsel nila na si atorni Ferdinand Topacio na he is willing to put his balls at stake.
Papatanggal ko yung isang itlog ko kapag hindi bumalik ang mga Arroyo. I am confident they will return, said Topacio.
Teka Atorni. First things first. As in court, tingnan muna natin ang ebidensiya mo.
What if you have no balls?
Asus. Sibat na ang mga Arroyos, panalo din si Topacio sa dare niya—-dahil baka wala talagang iklog ito.
Kaya atorni, ito ang dare ko. Patanggal ko tong tatlong itlog ko…. (Tatlo, hindi dalawa. Kung hindi ka maniwala, di huwag. Basta tatlo ang itlog ko!)….kung babalik pa ang mga li—tek na yan!
Pero may kondisyon:
Kung….ipakita mo muna Atorni Topacio yang itlog mo sa television, sa TV Patrol ng ABS/CBN o sa 24 Oras ng GMA—-para malaman ko at ng buong samabayanang Pilipino, na hindi ka sinungaling, na hindi ka mambobola lamang! Kung totoo nga na may itlog ka.
Kung di mo magawang ipakita ang itlog mo sa mga tao, ang ibig sabihin nito ay inoonse mo lang kami, dahil ang katotohan ay baka si Atorni Topacio has no balls! Kaya confident na isugal ang balls na wala pala.
Wag na tayong magbulahan, atorni. Show us first the ebidensiya.
Ex-Pres Arroyo stopped from leaving Philippines
IN AN ABORTED ORGASM IN FLIGHT TO FREEDOM . former ptresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was srooped from boarding her plane for flight abroad
The Philippine government blocked former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband from leaving the country on Tuesday and said it will appeal a Supreme Court order that allowed them to travel abroad for medical treatment despite corruption allegations.
Accompanied by her husband and son, Arroyo arrived at the Manila airport in an ambulance and was wheeled into a departure hall wearing a face mask and a neck brace.Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the former first couple, being investigated for alleged corruption and electoral cheating, would be treated with dignity but “we will be firm in our decision not to allow them to leave the country.”
“This is all high drama. They want the public to sympathize with them,” he said.The Arroyos were ushered into a VIP lounge while their lawyers, armed with the Supreme Court decision that overruled a travel ban imposed earlier by President Benigno Aquino III, tried to persuade immigration officials to allow them to board a flight to Singapore.
After about two hours, Arroyo lawyer Raul Lambino said the officials had prevented the former president from leaving.
“They weren’t able to board the airplane,” he said, accusing the government of inflicting “inhumane, cruel punishment” on his client.
Arroyo and her husband later left the airport in the ambulance and headed to a hospital where she was to be checked for stress, said an ally, Rep. Edcel Lagman.
SAYANG! LIBRE NA SANA !
“They are very mean. They are very cruel,” husband Jose MiguelArroyo said of the government. “I feel sad. I feel mad. How can they refuse to follow the Supreme Court order? That is tyranny.”
The government’s refusal to comply with the order put the Aquino administration on a collision course not only with the Arroyos and their allies but also with the highest court.
Aquino last week refused to let Arroyo travel, saying she might never return because of the corruption investigation and the formal charges he expected would be filed against her by the end of the year.
But the justices voted 8-5 on Tuesday to issue a temporary restraining order allowing Arroyo to seek treatment for a bone ailment, court spokesman Midas Marquez said.
“They are free to exercise their constitutional rights,” Marquez said, adding that the government could be cited for contempt.He said the Arroyos complied with court conditions for travel by posting a bond of 2 million pesos ($46,000) and appointing legal representatives to receive any court summonses.
They were also ordered to report to Philippine embassies or consulates in countries they visit.Aquino has promised to uproot corruption by prosecuting former officials suspected of high-level graft.Arroyo, now a member of Congress, is under investigation by the Justice Department on allegations of plunder and election sabotage during her 2001-2010 presidency. She has denied any wrongdoing.
The government cited her possible flight from justice because the countries she said she wanted to visit have no extradition treaties with the Philippines. They include Austria, Spain, Singapore and Germany.Arroyo, 64, has undergone three spinal surgeries.
She is also suffering from a parathyroid ailment, her doctors say.Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the government will appeal the Supreme Court’s decision. She said the restraining order cannot be implemented once a motion for reconsideration has been filed, but Marquez denied this.
Davao City Vice Mayor Duterte willing to join Ombudsman probe on ‘mulcting’ dad
FRONTPAGE
PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011
Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he was willing to give a statement to the Office of the Ombudsman in an investigation on alleged mulcting by some city councilors.
But he urged businessmen fleeced by the councilors to come out in public and file charges with the anti-graft body.
He said in a previous edition of the Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa television program on ABS/CBN that the probe would end nowhere if there is no victim complaining about the shakedown.
Duterte however doubts businessmen would come out saying charging mulcters in public is “bad business practice” shunned by businessmen fearing retribution from the legislative mulcters.
Duterte had stoked a scandal in the council following reports he had in a closed-door executive session demanded that councilor Nilo Abellera Jr. resign as chairman of the committee on trade, commerce and industry for his alleged involvement in corruption.
Duterte had not given details about the incident but Abellera had resigned his chairmanship and had urged the Quitain committee to conduct an investigation.
I am not pointing a finger at anybody as yet, Duterte said but confirmed he had received a complaint about the alleged mlucting.
Duterte said the Ombudsman may already be making a discreet investigation on the alleged corruption given the wide media play-up on the scandal.
The Ombudsman is mandated to conduct an investigation its own without even without any formal complaint.
The investigation could also start even based on media reports.
Meanwhile, former city councilor Nilo Abellera, Sr., the father of councilor Abellera may be dragged into the Ombudsman probe folowing his statement in a media interview that he knew of a councilor who fleeced businessmen.
“In fact, former councilor Nilo Abellera—the current councilor’s father—revealed in the plenary that one legislator from the city’s third political district received P1.5 million in payoff. The former councilor said that somebody called his cellphone to tip him about the transaction,” the local daily Mindanao Times reported in a story authored by reporter Joel Escovilla published on October 31, 2011.
Yes, based on his statement that he knew about a councilor involved in bribery, the former councilor could also be invited to give a statement, said a graft investigator in the Mindanao office of the anti-graft body. when asked if the Ombudsman could invite the former councilor to give a formal statment on his claim.
The investigator begged anonymity saying he has no authority to speak for the Ombudsman.
Davao City Council blue ribbon committee urged to push probe versus ‘mulcting’ dad
THICS BODY chair councilor Melchor Quitain, middle, with councilors Louie Villafuerte, left, and Edgar Ibuyan
Davao City councilor Melchor Quitain has been urged to push a probe on alleged mulcting by some members of the City Council to avoid speculation of a whitewash.
Quitain chairs the council committee on ethics which is empowered to conduct investigation on acts of malfeasance by
Abellera, Jr.
city councilors and other local government personnel.
Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte made the call as a resolution calling for a graft probe by the blue ribbon committee on councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr. remains unacted without a vote from the legislative body.
Abellera himself, in a privilege speech at the council earlier, had urged the probe folllowing reports he had demanded financial consideration from a property developer seeking legislative approval of a project.
Abellera denied he was involved in corruption, but has resigned as chair of the committee on trade, commerce and industry.
Duterte himself reportedly had asked the councilor to resign after he received a complaint about the mulcting.
I urge Quitian to push with the investigation. Otherwise, the public would suspecrt a whitewash, he said in a previous edition of the Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa television program on ABS/CBN.
Duterte said the blue ribbon committee should push the investigation for the fact that Abellera himself sought the probe during a privilege speech.
It’s just one more reason for the conduct of the investigation. If the person wants it, who are we to deny him? he said.
The resolution had been tossed to the body for action after Abellera delivered his speech weeks ago but the councilors lacked qourom and action was deferred when it was put to a vote.
Quitain said he is willing to pursue the investigation but the ethics body needed the council’s vote to proceed.
I need the approval of the resolution, he said adding, the blue ribbon body would not spare anyone if guilt is proven.
“Cards will fall,” said Quitain, a lawyer.
This croc is no grafter
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
While some of his crooked two-legged cousins fleece public coffers through corrupt deals, this croc earns money— nearing half-a-million pesos at the latest count—for the government and does not give a hoot about getting his share.
And Lolong has given that much money to the Bunawan municipality in Agusan del Sur without a sweat and by simply wallowing in shallow waters in a pond.
Lolong is the now-famous 20-meter crocodile captured recently in the Agusan Marsh and now living in a cage in Bunawan municipality.
He earns money as the latest tourism object in Agusan, from donations, and parking fees and ticket sales at the 30-hectare Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center in Barangay Consuelo, where Lolong is caged for public viewing.
Lolong raised P500,000 in 40 days from October, when the crocodile was transfered to the center, to September, said Consuelo councilman Apollo Canoy, spokesperson for the facility built by Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde.
Elorde said the center has been earning an average of P8,000 a day from entrance fees and parking fees alone since Lolong became a resident of the center.
Lolong’s total haul of half-a-million pesos in a little more than a month included donations fron local governments and the private sector, he said.
Welinda Asis-Elorde, Bunawan media affairs coordinator, said Lolong’s crowd-drawing and revenue raising capability has inspired the local government unit to start planning for a P200 million development plan for the center.
OF MEDIA CORRUPTION AND MEDIA IN GOVERNANCE
At least in public, most of members of the press will not admit their bias.
But listening or reading media personalities would show that most journalists are biased. Bias in reporting, in media ethics, is journalistic corruption that can translate to financial gains or other favors.
One way or another, journalists lean to a side as they relate to the subjects or the people they cover. Whether it be in politics or other fields, the media has its favorites, made known by the drift of their radio and television commentaries and news articles.
The power by media to impose its own subjective position played out under a cloud of objectivity, however, is an accepted norm in the media industry, especially when a journalist advocates a position or opinion that he thinks strongly, is for the good of public welfare.
But if being biased in mainstream media is a form of corruption, the worse comes in members of the press or former members of the press, who use the profession to their advantage in other fields of endeavor
Here, corruption in mainstream media pales in comparison—personalities who had a brief stint in media or is allied with a media organization by association, gets more levels of respect. Even if, as in governance, they wallow in corruption.
Either they partake of the loot earned in extortion or bribery and keep mum about the anomaly, in desecration of the mission of their having been members of the press or simply keep mum and take cover on their image of incorruptibility as member or former member of the press.
This is not only corruption gaining from material things. This is media with a corrupted soul.
The sadder fact is that while mainstream media is crucified for its alleged bias, those who had their left foot in media and the right in
FROM TELEVISION NEWSCASTER TO VICE PRESIDENT, Noli de Castro holds the disrtinction of being among the country's popular media personalities who made it to the top of the political ladder
