Corruption Update: Official list of Senators, Lawmakers and Aides facing Plunder , Graft cases for ₱10-billion corruption scandal in the Philippines, Enrile got Hospitalized

PORK SCAM EVIDENCE The National Bureau of Investigation shows to the media stacks of documentary evidence against Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile, and former Representatives Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and Edgar Valdez whom the NBI charged with plunder in the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion (S$ 290 million) pork barrel scam. Philippine Daily Inquirer

"In the beginning, we did not know if we could do it, but here we are now. We were guided by God."

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's remarks followed a Thanksgiving Mass before the filing of charges of plunder, malversation, bribery, graft and corrupt practices in the Office of the Ombudsman against …

Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind a ₱10-billion racket involving congressional pork barrel funds;

1. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile,
2. Ramon Revilla Jr. and
3.  Jinggoy Estrada..
4.  .. and 34 other people.

"This is something historic," she told reporters at the headquarters of the National Bureau of Investigation after the Mass attended by former employees of Napoles, who revealed the alleged schemes of the businesswoman to channel allocations from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and other state funds into ghost projects through dummy nongovernment organizations.

De Lima called the whistle-blowers and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, "our heroes today."

"We couldn't have done it without you," she said. "We hope we will remain strong."

An executive summary of the NBI complaint filed in the Office of the Ombudsman said the three senators received a total of ₱581,140,750 (S$ 16,900,000) in kickbacks for allowing Napoles to use their pork barrel allocations meant to ease poverty in the countryside and the plight of storm victims.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Senators and Two former members of the House of Representatives would be charged with plunder for receiving kickbacks:

1. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile received ₱ 172,834,500 ($3,963,267.92 USD) as his cut in the proceeds of ghost projects
2. Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla received ₱224,512,500 ($5,148,296.14 USD)
3. Senator Jinggoy Estrada received ₱183,793,750 ($4,214,574.48 USD)
4. Former House Representative Rizalina Seachon-Lanete received ₱108,405,000 ($2,485,835.06 USD)
5. Former House Representative Edgar Valdez received ₱56,087,500 ($1,286,142.46 USD).

Charges of malversation, direct bribery and other graft and corrupt practices were leveled against three former representatives:

1. Rodolfo Plaza who allegedly received ₱42,137,800 ($966,261.89 USD) from PDAF allocations of ₱79,500,000;
2. Samuel Dangwa received ₱26,770,472 ($613,873.69 USD) from PDAF allocations of ₱54 million
3. Constantino Jaraula received ₱20,843,750 ($477,968.03 USD) from PDAF allocations of ₱50.5 million.

Facing the same charges are former chiefs of staff or aides of the lawmakers-

1. Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes (Enrile)
2. Richard Cambe (Revilla)
3. Ruby Tuazon (Enrile/Estrada)
4. Pauline Labayen (Estrada)
5. Jose Sumalpong
6. Jenanette de la Cruz (Lanete)
7. Erwin Dangwa
8. Carlos Lozada (Dangwa).

 

The heads of agencies charged with plunder or malversation, bribery and graft and corruption were:

1. Allan Javellana, former president, National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor)
2. Gondolina Amata, president, National Livelihood Development Cooperation (NLDC);
3. Antonio Ortiz, former director general of the Training and Research Center (TRC)
4.  Dennis Cunanan, former deputy director general and now director general of TRC
5. Salvador Salacup, former president, ZNAC Rubber Estate Corporation and now assistant agriculture secretary.

Also facing plunder and malversation are the heads of Napoles' NGOs:

1. Jocelyn Piorato (Agricultura para sa Magbubukid Foundation)
2. Nemesio Pablo (Agri and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation)
3. Mylene Encarnacion (Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation)
4. Evelyn de Leon (Philippine Social Development Foundation)
5. Ronald John Lim (Ginintuang Alay sa Magsasaka Foundation).

Finally, the implementing agency officials and employees involved in plunder or malversation, bribery, or graft by conspiracy for 40-60 per cent in kickbacks are:

1. Victor Cacal (Nabcor)
2. Romulo Revelo (Nabcor)
3. Ma. Ninez Guanizo (Nabcor)
4. Julie Johnson (Nabcor)
5. Rhodora Mendoza (Nabcor)
6. Alexis Sevidal (NLDC)
7. Sofia Cruz (NLDC)
8. Chila Jalandoni  (NLDC)
9. Francisco Jover (TRC)
10. Marivic Jover (TRC).

The NBI executive summary said the lawmakers received 40 to 60 per cent of the cash value of the cost of the project they had endorsed.

"These kickbacks are the lawmaker's bribe for giving undue favor to a Napoles NGO, or represent his illegally contracted share from a malversation scheme designed to misuse and misappropriate public funds entrusted to him, and which he appropriates instead for private gain rather than the public benefit intended by law," the NBI said.

"In order to accomplish all this, the lawmakers took advantage and abused their official position and authority as Senators and Congressmen of the Republic, thereby unjustly enriching themselves at the expense and to the damage and prejudice of the people and the Republic," it said.

"The acts constituting the offences were performed willfully, deliberately, and maliciously with the legislators knowing fully well that their act of receiving the large amounts of cash from Napoles for their private use resulted in the corresponding diminution of the funds actually expended for the public purposes intended by law."

NBI Assistant Director Medardo de Lemos signed the NBI complaint, along with the private complaint of the whistle-blowers prepared by Baligod. The NBI recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the case merits prosecution in the Sandiganbayan.

Hours before receiving the NBI complaint, the Ombudsman announced with "regrets" it was clamping a news blackout on its investigations in the PDAF cases "to avoid any appearance of partiality or prejudgment." This move was in stark contrast to the cases against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and in the impeachment trial of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona when the Ombudsman revealed all available information it had in its possession.

In a statement, Communications Secretary Ramon A. Carandang said: "The filing of charges continues a process prescribed by the Constitution and is proof that our democratic system and our legal processes are working. All the accused will be given their day in court under a fair and impartial trial."

The Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council (IAAGCC) continues its investigation and will file more charges as evidence warrants, Carandang said, referring to a parallel inquiry into the pork barrel scam.

"We urge the public to diligently and soberly follow this process that will be pursued to its legal conclusion," he said.

Lookout bulletin

The Bureau of Immigration said the 38 people charged would either be placed under its "lookout bulletin" or hold departure order depending on orders of the Department of Justice.

Napoles, 49, is being held at Fort Sto. Domingo, a Philippine National Police antiterrorism training school in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, for the alleged illegal detention of Benhur Luy, the principal whistle-blower. She disappeared Aug. 14 after a Makati court issued a warrant for her arrest. She surrendered to President Aquino on Aug. 28, saying she feared for her life.

The NBI said the investigation of Napoles began after its rescue of Luy. The NBI said Luy was held captive by Napoles "in order to prevent him from coming out and exposing what he knows about the PDAF scam operation being conducted by Napoles through the JLN group of companies and fake NGOs."

Enrile was taken to Makati Medical Center on Saturday after he complained of difficulty in urinating," said his son, former Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile.

"As a result, his blood pressure became elevated," the younger Enrile said in a statement last night. He said doctors found an obstruction in his urethra and immediately removed this.

"I regret that the Department of Justice has filed this case after an incomplete, hasty, and partial investigation," Enrile said in a statement Monday night. "Let me make clear that I am innocent of the charges filed against me."

Looking relaxed in a news conference; Estrada denied the charges and said he would face them squarely. "I will not leave the country. If ever I do, I will return and face the charges," he said.

Revilla earlier called the charges against him a "demolition job."

With reports from Gil C. Cabacungan, Jocelyn R. Uy and TJ A. Burgonio

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For next ₱700 Million Fund, DTI Slow.. and OVER SLEEPING with several millions unused fund for countryside’s MSME Shared Facility

Philippine' Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) big dreamer and oversleeping!  slow.. slow.. slow… !

How could the Philippines compete with other ASEAN countries in 2015 if this DTI' attitude is always in sleeping and dreaming?

The ASEAN countries including the Philippines agreed for "1 ASEAN Market in 2015" patterned alike to European countries but survey shows the Philippines is not yet ready and not yet competitive enough to join the 1 ASEAN Market 2015.

1 ASEAN Market in 2015 is Unstoppable! Neighbors are quick and fast preparing while the Philippines is still sleeping (Pilipinas! Nagmata ka lang ug MORNING..)

When the 1 ASEAN market will open in 2015, it's comparable to a huge flood with strong current of products from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei and Laos to flow and invade to the Philippine Market without tax while Philippines would only show the rotten bananas! (bang!!!!)

With ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Japan FTA agreement.. China's cheap products will dominate and flow like smelly pieces to the Philippines without Tax and invade the market then kill the local micro and small enterprises without any products and strength to resist and shield the flow of the other dominant market.

In less than 2 years, the invasion is set to happen but the Philippine' micro and small enterprises is not yet ready, no shields and nothing to produce, no processing plant, nothing at all. But yes!, the government handover ₱700 Million to the DTI.

The Department of Trade and Industry in-tasked for helping the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises  (MSMEs) in the countryside to set up the shared services facilities (SSF) for processing equipment and facilities for private sector partners but ended up to plan and proposals only without a quick action to materialize the plan.

• WHAT ARE YOU DOING DTI WITH THAT SEVERAL MILLIONS ON HAND?
• WHY DON'T YOU MOVE QUICKLY TO EQUIP OUR MSME SO THEY COULD PREPARE FOR THE "1 ASEAN 2015"?
• WHY DON'T YOU PRIORITIZE THESE MSMEs THAT WOULD SERVE AS MICRO ARMIES OF THE PHILIPPINES TO PRODUCE PRODUCTS TO COMPETE WITH OTHER ASEAN?
• WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT MILLIONS SLEEPING IN THE POCKET?
• YOU HAVE THE PLAN, THE PROPOSALS AND YOU HAVE APPROVED BUDGET AND HAVE FUND! WHEN ARE YOU PLANNING TO USE THEM, IT'S NOT YOURS DTI!!!
• WHY ARE YOU ASKING FOR ANOTHER ₱700 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR WHEREIN HUGE CHUNK OF THE FUND FOR THIS YEAR'S REMAINED UNTOUCHED?
• ARE YOU COLLECTING FUND FROM THE TAX PAYER FOR FUND COLLECTION HOBBY?
• WAKE UP NOW DTI!!!

How could the small and micro enterprises in the countryside leap to compete with other ASEAN if the Plan of DTI is only for a big dream without any action?

DTI holds huge untouched fund for the small and micro enterprises for the shared services facilities (SSF) for processing equipment and facilities but never materialized their plans even with approved budget.

As reported in GMA News , the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intends to spend up to ₱700 million next year to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) produce goods and make businesses competitive, , noting the amount was included in the proposed 2014 budget to cover the shared services facilities (SSF) program.

"Another proposed ₱700 million in DTI's budget for the SSFs next year," Trade Undersecretary for Regional Operations and Development Group Zenaida Maglaya told reporters at the Asian Development Bank's Second Inclusive Business Forum for the Philippines.

"We can have more than ₱700 depending on the value of the SSFs," Maglaya said, referring to the number of SSF programs.

This year, the department also allocated ₱700 million for program, but the Trade official noted a chunk of the money remains unused.

The balance, she said, will be used to fund other SSFs being proposed. "We have enough proposals," Maglaya added.

The DTI program aims to support MSMEs, particularly in the countryside, in producing goods and in competing with other businesses by setting up processing equipment in facilities of private sector partners which the MSMEs and cooperative can use.

More than 90 percent of registered businesses are MSMEs, and the department wants to help the enterprises which generate jobs and contribute to economic growth. 

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Philippines files graft cases against lawmakers with Principal witness Benhur Luy

Principal witness Benhur Luy, left, wears a bulletproof vest as he is sworn by Julieta Calderon, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II, as they submit papers at the Office of the Ombudsman, or the anti-graft prosecutor in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. The Philippine Justice Department filed the first major corruption complaints against three powerful senators, former lawmakers and a wealthy businesswoman Monday following a public outcry over the alleged plunder of millions of dollars intended for anti-poverty projects. Aaron Favila / AP Photo

The Philippine Justice Department filed the first major corruption complaints against three powerful senators, former lawmakers and a wealthy businesswoman Monday following a public outcry over the alleged plunder of millions of dollars intended for anti-poverty projects.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the complaints against the lawmakers, including veteran Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, alleged that they conspired with dummy aid organizations to steal millions of dollars in government funds that should have been used for agriculture and livelihood projects that the lawmakers had designated as recipients for the funds.

The alleged kickbacks were part of $141 million transferred from 2007 to 2009 to dozens of questionable non-government organizations, including those put up by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, according to a government audit that was part of the evidence used against the lawmakers.

Thirty-eight people were named as respondents in Monday's complaints, including staffers of the lawmakers, but de Lima said more people will be charged. The recommended charges range from plunder — a non-bailable crime — to misuse of public funds, bribery and graft.

There was so much documentary evidence that justice officials used a truck to haul the papers to the Office of the Ombudsman, or the anti-graft prosecutor, in a convoy of vehicles that was trailed by the media and beamed live on nationwide TV.

The prosecutor will evaluate the evidence before forwarding the case to an anti-graft court, which will decide whether to issue arrest warrants.

The scandal caused such an uproar in the impoverished nation that hundreds of thousands of people turned up at a huge protest in Manila last month.

At the center of it is Napoles, who is accused of acting as a conduit for the money and a mastermind of the scam. She surrendered to President Benigno Aquino III in August after she was charged with illegal detention of a whistle-blower.

"This is a cleansing process," said Senate President Franklin Drilon.

One of the respondents, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is a son of an ousted president, told his colleagues Monday that he was innocent. He said that Enrile, at 89 the oldest senator, was taken to a hospital over the weekend for high blood pressure but that he would challenge the charges in court.

The complaint has recommended the plunder charges be laid against Enrile, Estrada, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and two former members of the House of Representatives for allegedly pocketing more than 50 million pesos ($1.4 million) each.

Enrile said in a statement that the complaint was filed after an incomplete investigation.

"Let me make clear that I am innocent of the charges filed against me," he said.

Three other former House members are being accused of misuse of public funds, bribery and other corrupt practices for receiving less than 50 million pesos each. Napoles is named co-conspirator for both the plunder and the misuse of public funds charges.

A summary of the complaint said the scam starts with an agreement between a lawmaker and Napoles to designate her NGOs as recipients of special development funds that each member can allocate. The lawmaker allegedly then got 40 to 60 percent of the project's cash value as a kickback, while Napoles gave 10 percent to the head of the government agency implementing the project and pocketed the rest after deducting the cost of overpriced supplies.

Associated Press writer Jim Gomez contributed to this report.

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Philippine Dole’s 7 metric ton Sweetio banana arrive USA as first imported highland Cavendish from Asia

Photo from official account of Philippine Embassy in the United States. @philippinesusa.

The Philippines has officially become the first Asian country to export bananas to the United States, with the first shipment of the highland Cavendish variety from Bukidnon arriving at the Port of Long Beach last week.

"We're excited to see our very own bananas in grocery stores in California soon," Consul General Hellen Barber-de la Vega told the Inquirer after she inspected the products at the ripening warehouse on Sunday (Manila time). "We waited eight years for this to happen."

The bananas are scheduled to be delivered to large retailers—including the giant supermarket chain Albertson's and specialty stores Trader Joe's and Whole Foods—as early as this Friday (Saturday in Manila), De la Vega said. "We're just waiting for confirmation from the distributor."

Seven metric tons of the bananas arrived on Sept. 9 at Long Beach in Los Angeles County as part of the 3,000 metric tons the US plans to import from the Philippines this year, the Philippine Embassy said in a statement.

"With this shipment, we are hopeful that Philippine bananas would be able to find and satisfy a niche in the competitive US banana market," Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said.

The Philippines first sought access to the US market eight years ago, according to Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa.

"Philippine bananas are among the best in the world and there is an opportunity to bring in the unique and special banana varieties like lakatan and latundan which Filipinos in the United States have long been craving and which Americans can learn to love," said Javelosa.

The highland bananas, marketed in the United States under the Sweetio brand, were exported by Dole Philippines to Dole Food Company Inc. and were shipped from the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, on Aug. 20.

INQUIRER

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US President Obama to visit ASEAN in October 6-12 Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines

US President Barack Obama will make his first trip to the Philippines in October, the White House announced.

In a statement on Friday, September 13, the office of White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "The President will travel to Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines from October 6-12 as part of his ongoing commitment to increase U.S. political, economic and security engagement with the Asia Pacific." 

Manila will be Obama's last stop. He will first attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders in Bali, then the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Brunei, and meet with Prime Minister Najib in Malaysia. 

"The President will then travel to the Philippines, the fifth Asian treaty ally he has visited during his presidency," the statement said. 

"He will meet with President Aquino to reaffirm the strong economic, people-to-people, and security links between our two countries," it said. 

Malacañang Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Obama will be Manila October 11-12 "upon the invitation of [His Excellency] President Benigno S Aquino."

The two presidents will "discuss ways to further strengthen the enduring Philippines-US alliance including the expansion of our security, economic and people to people ties," the Palace said. 

Obama's visit comes as Washington and Manila negotiate an agreement that will allow increased rotational presence of American troops in the Philippines, and give them wider access to the country's military bases. It is forged amid tension between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. 

Yet Filipino activists criticized the deal as a ploy to circumvent the constitutional ban on permanent bases. It is envisioned to be an executive agreement between the US and the Philippine departments of defense, and does not require Senate ratification unlike a treaty. 

In August, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also visited the Philippines and discussed the agreement with President Aquino. 

Obama's trip also coincides with his administration's so-called pivot to Asia, Washington's effort to re-balance its strategic priorities to the Asia-Pacific. 

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel first announced the trip when he visited Manila last month. 

"I spoke with the President and he is very much looking forward to his trip to Southeast Asia and I know that the White House is preparing for that and his meetings. There's a lot to discuss," Hagel said in a press briefing in Malacañang. 

The trip will be the 8th visit of an American president to the Southeast Asian nation. Obama is the 7th US leader to visit the Philippines, according to data from the US State Department: 

It is also Obama's first-ever visit to the Philippines. Born in Hawaii, the American President lived in nearby Indonesia as a child.

 

Sources: The White House, US Department of State and Rappler.com

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In the Know: Who’s who on Napoles list [Circuit for ₱10 Billion Pork Barrel Stealing]

Click the photo to have a closer look of these PIGS

Download: Full COA report on PDAF use

Here is a list of people allegedly involved in the Janet Lim-Napoles scam based on affidavits submitted by whistle-blowers and findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) reports of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM):

• Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. allowed his pork barrel to be used by the Napoles NGOs in 22 instances. In its special audit report released on Aug. 16, the COA found that Napoles NGOs received ₱413.29 million from Revilla's office from 2007 to 2009. According to 2012 reports by COA and the DBM, Revilla gave ₱20 million to Napoles NGOs in two towns.

• Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile allowed his pork barrel to be used by the Napoles NGOs in 21 occasions. The COA report found that Napoles NGOs received ₱332.7 million from Enrile's office from 2007 to 2009. According to 2012 reports by COA and DBM, Enrile gave ₱10 million to a Napoles NGO in one town.

• Sen. Jinggoy Estrada allowed his pork barrel to be used by the Napoles NGOs 18 times. The COA report found that Napoles NGOs received ₱191.58 million from Estrada's office from 2007 to 2009. According to 2012 reports by COA and DBM, Estrada gave ₱63 million to Napoles NGOs in four towns.

• Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes, former chief of staff of  Enrile, was dubbed the "24th senator" as she signed checks in the millions on behalf of the then Senate President and issued memos to Senate functionaries involving the funds of the chamber. She resigned in December 2012 in the aftermath of the furor regarding the selective distribution of Christmas bonuses to senators by the then Senate President. A witness said that he and another employee delivered millions of pesos in cash to her house in La Vista, Quezon City. Whistle-blower Benhur Luy also tagged Reyes as one of Napoles' main contacts with Enrile's office along with Jose Antonio Evangelista.

• Jose Antonio Evangelista, identified as Enrile's deputy chief of staff, was tagged by whistle-blowers as one of Napoles' main contacts in Enrile's office. According to the whistle-blowers, Evangelista's role was to provide documentation to JLN.

• Ruby Tuason is the former social secretary of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. According to the witnesses, deliveries were made twice between 2009 and 2011 to her house in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City. The whistle-blowers also named Tuason as Napoles' conduit in the offices of Enrile and Senator Estrada. Luy's record also showed that Tuason received ₱60 million from JLN, but it was not clear whether she received it for Enrile or Estrada. 

• Pauline Labayen is the deputy chief of staff of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. According to Estrada's chief of staff, lawyer Raquel Mejia, Labayen is the appointments secretary of the senator. 

• Richard Cambe is Revilla's chief political adviser. He was identified as among the senior congressional staff members who served as conduits for channeling funds from the lawmaker to Napoles, according to whistle-blowers. In one of the sample transactions that the whistle-blowers' lawyer Levito Baligod furnished the media in August, it was revealed that Cambe received ₱9.5 million from JLN on April 11, 2007, drawn from a ₱20-million project of Revilla in 2008.

• Rodolfo Plaza was Agusan del Sur representative from 2001 to 2010. Plaza was among the 28 lawmakers tagged by whistle-blowers to be among those who had allowed Napoles' dummy nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to use his pork barrel for purported ghost projects. According to affidavits filed in the National Bureau of Investigation, Plaza allowed his pork to be used nine times.

• Rizalina Seachon-Lanete represented Masbate's third district from 2004 to 2010. Lanete allowed her pork to be used 13 times by the Napoles NGOs.

• Samuel Dangwa was Benguet representative from 1987 to 1995, and from 2001 to 2010. Dangwa allowed his pork to be used eight times by Napoles NGOs.

• Edgar Valdez represented the Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives from 2002 to 2010. According to whistle-blower Benhur Luy, state-owned National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC) received ₱30 million in 2009 and 2010 from Valdez's PDAF. NLDC was used as the conduit for around ₱1 billion of pork barrel funds by seven Napoles NGOs from 2008 to 2012.

• Prospero Pichay represented Surigao del Sur's first district from 1998 to 2007. Pichay has been identified as an "investment partner" in Asia Star Power Resources Corp., a coal trading firm controlled by the Napoles family.

 Source: Inquirer Archives

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PORK Protest “911,913 919” series rally to “ABOLISH” pork barrel - OFWs set to join the “Zero Remittance Day” on September 19

"Zero Remittance Day" is another protest organized to show public outrage over the alleged misuse of public funds.

Overseas Filipinos have expressed their support for demonstrations back home to protest corruption in the use of the legislative pork barrel.

Although mass actions are banned in Saudi Arabia, Filipinos have expressed their solidarity through social media by posting their protest photos.

In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) wore white clothes in their workplaces as a sign of protest.

In Hong Kong, protesters wore red and rallied for the abolition of the pork barrel. They called for the prosecution of all involved in the malversation of the billion-peso fund.

Those joining the protest said they are angered by the continuing corruption, the slow prosecution of culprits and President Benigno Aquino III's supposed special treatment of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles -- the alleged brains behind the pork barrel scam.

At least three other protests are scheduled this month including one at the EDSA Shrine called "Edsa Tayo" on September 11 and another gathering in Luneta on September 13.

Malacanang said it is not bothered by the protests, but has asked the police to prepare security measures.

Stan Yumang, host and program director of the Good Evening Kabayan show in Hong Kong, said: "We in HK are for the scrapping of the pork barrel. Corrupt people in the government will always find a way to fill their pockets. We are not asking for a name change for Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF or pork barrel) or for the same system to be molded into something new. What the OFWs want is for it to end."

"Those proven guilty in participating in the pork barrel scam must receive punishment equivalent to committing treason. To gain back our trust, the government must be transparent  about how they spend taxpayer's money. We also believed that when the pork is abolished, only those with a true heart for public service would find their place in our government," he added.

Arlene Andes based in Brussels, Belgium, told the Inquirer Radio 990 AM, that the OFWs in Europe likewise turned to  social media to express their demand to scrap the pork barrel. They used Facebook to show their support for the protests.

"The OFWs are fuming mad at lawmakers who are greedy and corrupt and who are only thinking about their personal interest. These politicians do not care about the OFWs who shed blood, sweat and tears working in a foreign land just to support their families in the Philippines," Andes said.

Jelord Vergara in Tokyo, Japan send this message: "Please fight for abolishing the pork barrel in behalf of the Filipinos working in Japan. You have our all out support."

Engineers Jegs Certeza in  Seoul, South Korea sent this message: "We abhor the deliberate immoral stealing of public funds— the nation's meager hope for salvation. We support the public display of dismay."

Ria Malapitan in Hong Kong demanded: "Imprison the guilty. The ordinary Filipino has been paying for the lavish lifestyle of these shameless low-life politicians for too long."

Joyce Delovieres, financial counselor and the wife of an OFW in Singapore said: "My family has to deal with loneliness. We hope that somehow, overseas remittances will translate to better government services and projects that will eventually lead to local work opportunities. I was hoping good government would help bring back a father to my kids," said Joyce, who was left behind to take care of their three children alone.

Last month, timed with the protest march at the Luneta Park, about 100 Filipino-American activists held their own rally in front of the posh Ritz-Carlton Residences in Los Angeles, where a unit is owned by Jeane Napoles.

The 23-year-old Napoles is the daughter of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, who is now detained for her alleged role in the ₱10-billion pork barrel scam.

Netizens noted how the young Napoles had posted photos showing her jewelry, designer shoes and handbags and Porsche cars.

Migrante International also initiated simultaneous global protests  in capitals in Asia, North Africa, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe to demand accountability and the prosecution of all those involved in the  scam.

The group also called for the rechanneling of the pork barrel to provide free, more accessible and more efficient services and welfare assistance for OFWs in distress, he said.

Susan Andes, aka Susan K. is on board at Radyo Inquirer 990 dzIQ AM,Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon with audio/video live streaming: www.dziq.am Studio: 2/F Studio: 2/F MRP Bldg., Mola St., cor. Pasong Tirad St., Makati City. Helpline: 0927-6499870 / 0920-9684700 E-mail: susankbantayocw@yahoo.com / bantayocwfoundation@yahoo.com

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BFAD: Warnings over Fake Chinese made toxic and poisonous lipstick in the Philippines

Women in the Philippines are being warned against using unlicensed Chinese-made lipsticks and other big brand imitation products, over fears they may contain high levels of lead.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an advisory, after it was found many products were being sold widely on the streets without its approval.

"These products may contain high levels of heavy metals, especially lead," it said.

The advisory warned that lead has been linked to causing high blood pressure, joint pain and poor memory in adults, while children are even more at risk.

"The children are particularly at risk from neurotoxic effects of lead, which affect their brain development and cognition," it said.

The lipsticks carry the labels Baolishi, Miss Beauty, Shijing, Ling Mei and Heng Fang.

The FDB did not reveal how the products came to the Philippines but it has previously acknowledged smuggling remains a problem because of corruption within the customs bureau.

This is not the first time the FDA has banned Chinese products from being sold in the Philippines.

In 2010, it banned at least nine Chinese brands of skin creams and whiteners that were found to contain high levels of mercury.

AFP

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Taiwanese Poacher caught and detained for fishing in Batanes; Insisted no Fish in Taiwan so coming in to the Philippines

 

Taiwanese fisherman Tsai Po (in red) is questioned by Philippine officials Wednesday.  September 04, 2013 (Photo courtesy of Philippine authorities)

A Taiwanese man has been arrested for illegal fishing in the Philippines, police said Thursday as the two neighbors seek to mend fences after the shooting death of another Taiwanese fishermen in May.

Tsai Po, 54, was detained on Tuesday while diving for lobsters off the coast in the Philippines' Batanes group of islands near the maritime border with Taiwan, provincial police officer Victor de Sagon told AFP.

"They have been doing this for a long time. This is rampant poaching," said de Sagon, adding that Tsai was among a group of suspects who were illegally fishing just off Siayan Island.

Tsai Po told CNA that he had been operating his raft made of rubber pipes in the waters near the Batanes Islands at around 3 p.m. Tuesday, when he was intercepted by a Philippine ship with six or seven officers who "looked like marine law enforcement."

The 53-year-old said the officers "were quite unfriendly" when they handcuffed him, confiscated his belongings, and removed the fuel from his vessel.

He called his detention "totally unreasonable" because, he says, he was operating in waters that also claimed by Taiwan as their exclusive economic zone.

Captured Taiwanese poacher Tsai Po navigated around 13 to 14 hours to through his raft from Houpi Fishing Port in Hengchun, southern Taiwan, to the Batanes group of Islands, the area which he was captured.

Due to the nearly depleted fishing ground around the islands in the southernmost tip of Taiwan; Taipei recently claimed the waters down south most around Batanes Group of Islands as if the Philippines didn't exist.

Captured Taiwanese poacher Tsai Po is to be charged with poaching, which is punishable by a US$100,000 fine, confiscation of his catch, fishing equipment and fishing vessel, the officer added.

De Sagon rejected reports in the Taiwanese press that the detained suspect had been treated roughly.

As reported in Focus Taiwan Online website, they complained that captured Taiwanese poacher Mr. Tsai Po has only been given a small amount of food and said he feels "unwell" where he is being held, some 176.72 kilometers south of Taiwan's southernmost tip.

Taiwanese captured poacher Mr. Tai Po's complain for small amount of food given to him would be acceptable but he must have to obey and accept it as he is in the Philippines and it's the food ration standard here for detainees.  

"We are not violating his rights. He is being fed well, he underwent a medical check-up, and he is in regular contact with his wife and the (de facto) Taiwanese embassy in Manila," de Sagon said.

Philippine government is boosting the presence of Patrol boats around Batanes Group of Islands as foreign poachers keeps entering the area to fish inside the country.

Taiwanese and Chinese fishermen are complaining for poor catch around their waters so they have to go further out to sea to get good catches, because fishery resources around their waters have been nearly depleted in recent years.

Philippine government also intensifies the patrol to protect the marine resources of the country which are intended for local fishermen.

Local Philippine fishermen who are using their traditional way of fishing is of no bouts compared to the Taiwanese and Chinese fishermen who are coming usually in a fleet using modern equipment in fishing and harvesting marine resources as if no tomorrows to come.

The arrest followed a diplomatic spat triggered by the shooting death of a 65-year-old crew member of a Taiwanese fishing boat on May 9 by a Philippine coastguard patrol.

Taipei banned the hiring of new Philippine workers on the island, where some 87,000 Philippine Nationals are employed according to official figures.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou also rejected an initial official apology and demanded criminal charges against the coastguards for an act that he described as "cold-blooded murder."

The two countries began repairing the rift after Philippine authorities in August recommended homicide charges against the coastguards following pressure from Taiwan, which is not diplomatically recognized by Manila.

Taiwan has since lifted the hiring ban on Philippine workers.

The shooting occurred in Balintang Channel near the Batanes group of islands in the Northern Luzon Island of the Philippines.

Southernmost tip of Taiwan which was once named "Formosan" during the Spanish occupancy in Asia was under the Manila government and was governed by the old "Las Islas Filipinas."

Taiwan recently lays claim to the waters around Batanes Group of Islands as if the Philippines didn't exist but somewhat settled with the Philippines agreed the claim of Taiwan going eastward direction to the Pacific Ocean not to the Batanes Group of Islands .

Ibatans in Batanes Group of Islands' livelihoods are just their traditional way of fishing and farming.

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Philippines continues to 'leapfrog' in global competitiveness rank in 2013-2014 WEF

The Philippines jumped six places up a global competitiveness ranking but still lagged behind most of its neighbors, a new report Wednesday showed.

The country rose to ranking 59th out of 148 in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014 from 65th of 144 in the previous report.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Philippines posted improvements in the global list.

Philippine Competitive Index Ranking continue improving as

• 2013 – 59^th - ↑6
• 2012 – 65^th - ↑10
• 2011 – 75^th - ↑10
• 2010 – 85^th

The report said for the Philippines, "trends are positive across most dimensions of the Index," which assesses countries' business environment and competitiveness.

The country bagged an overall index score of 4.3 points from a total of 7, an improved scored the report attributed to gains in the fight against corruption.

The Philippines "leapfrogged over the past years" in the index's institution pillar, where it now ranked 79th. It also improved in ethics and corruption (87th) and government efficiency (75th).

The report lauded the administration of President Benigno Aquino III which it said "made the fight against corruption an absolute priority" since 2010.

"There are signs that these efforts are producing results," WEF said, adding that corruption had been "one of the country's biggest drags on competitiveness."

However, the Philippines still compared poorly to most of the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that are in the WEF list.

ASEAN Ranking for World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014

1. Singapore - led the ASEAN countries, ranking 2nd Global Rank
2. Malaysia (24^th Global Rank)
3. Brunei (26^th Global Rank)
4. Thailand (37^th Global Rank)
5. Indonesia (38th Global Rank)
6. Philippines (59^th Global Rank)
7. Vietnam (70^th Global Rank)
8. Laos (81^st Global Rank
9. Cambodia (88^th Global Rank)

The Philippines only posted a better performance than its neighbors Vietnam, which ranked 70th, Laos, (81st) and Cambodia (88th).

The competitiveness report further said the Philippines "cannot afford to be complacent" since improvements are coming from "a very low base."

It cited as examples how rankings improved but remained in a dire state in transport infrastructure (84th), especially with respect to airport (113th) and seaport facilities (116th).

In terms of labor market, although the Philippines has become more flexible and efficient over the years, it still ranked low at 100th.

The report nonetheless stressed that recent government successes "are encouraging and proof that bold reforms and measures can yield positive results."

Malacanang welcomed the improved rankings as "an endorsement of the President, the brand of transparent and accountable leadership he espouses, and the hard-fought reforms he and his allies have tirelessly pursued."

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, for his part, said "investors in the Philippines now enjoy a playing field that is more stable, more transparent, and more level than it has ever been."

This, as he noted that the Philippines will no doubt see even greater rises in the competitiveness rankings amid "progress in further solidifying gains of good governance."

"I fully expect to see the Philippine business environment become even more vibrant, more dynamic, and most importantly, more open and welcoming of opportunity," Purisima said.

With report from Yahoo News

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Pending Acquisition of 12 FA-50 Fighter jets from Korea –Rethink after series of crashed killing pilots

A model of the FA50 jet fighter of South Korea is seen in the 2012 Air Power symposium.

Philippines still keen on South Korean fighter jets but held while waiting for the result of investigations for the cause of the 2 incidents.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is closely following developments in the crash investigation of the T-50B lead-in jet fighter that killed two pilots recently, in light of earlier plans to work out with the same manufacturer the purchase of a dozen FA50 jet fighters with the same platform.

The aircraft is billed in one article that reported the crash as "South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft jointly developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin."

The government is pushing through with its plan to acquire 12 FA-50 fighter jets pending a probe on a recent crash involving a similar aircraft, which killed two South Korean pilots, the defense department said.

"(The process of) acquisition is still continuing. Until we get the outcome of that particular investigation (on the crash), the process is continuing at the moment," Peter Galvez, spokesman for the defense department, told reporters yesterday.

When asked if the mishap could jeopardize the plan to acquire the jets from South Korea, Galvez said: "I believe all factors will be considered."

A representative from KAI met some officials of the Department of National Defense last Friday, sources said.

Meanwhile, PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the command had learned that the Air Force of the Republic of Korea (ROK) was also doing a parallel probe.

KAI is reportedly attributing the crash to "pilot error".

Okol said the latest crash "is still under investigation of the ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force)."

On PAF's plan to acquire the FA50, Okol said this is among the issues to be "taken up with the manufacturer" and that officials will make sure "that all issues [are] resolved should we proceed with the planned acquisition."

Indonesia reportedly ordered 16 T-50s in 2011; and that Seoul is also pursuing a contract from Iraq.

Meanwhile, the DND has not indicated if President Benigno Aquino III will approve the contract to acquire the FA50, for which ₱18.9 billion is being set aside for 12 units.

The money will be sourced from the ₱75 billion approved by President Aquino for the upgrade of the Armed Forces' capability for territorial defense.

Certain defense and military experts had earlier doubted if the FA50 is the best option for PAF in terms of territorial defense.

It will be recalled that in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, Mr. Aquino criticized the decision of military officials to acquire, for ₱2.8-billion, eight brand-new Sokol combat utility helicopters from Poland's PZL Swidnik. Such aircraft, said Mr. Aquino, are not really fitted as combat helicopters.

The government plans to acquire 12 FA-50 jets for ₱18.9 Billion from South Korea to boost the Air Force's territorial defense capabilities. The government is expected to start talks with supplier Korea Aerospace Industries soon.

Concerns on the viability of the FA-50 have been raised after a similar jet trainer crashed near Gwangju, South Korea on Aug. 28. It was the second crash involving a T-50 jet in less than a year. In November 2012, a T-50 crashed "into a mountain…killing a pilot,"

The FA-50, the model of the jets that the Philippines is planning to acquire, is a variant of the T-50.

The defense department's Bids and Awards Committee had approved the terms of reference for the acquisition of the jets. If everything goes as planned, at least 2 would be delivered before the end of the year and the full delivery of the remaining jets would be completed before the Aquino administration steps down in 2016.

With report from Interaksyon and ABS-CBN News 

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