CIDG submits additional evidence in reopened high profile drug case

April 30, 2018 | 8:30 pm

By Dane Angelo M. Enerio
THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), through the Office of the Solicitor-General (OSG), on Monday submitted additional evidence in the reopened drug investigation against alleged drug lord Peter Go Lim, self-confessed drug trader Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, and several other high profile drug personalities.
Mr. Lim and his co-accused were charged by the CIDG with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, but the case was dismissed by the Department of Justice in a resolution dated Dec. 20, last year over the discrepancies in co-accused and witness Marcelo L. Adorco’s statements. The case was later “vacated” and remanded by former-justice secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II in an order dated April 20 for both parties to submit additional evidence.
The OSG, led by Assistant Solicitor-General Angelita V. Miranda, submitted before the Department of Justice (DoJ) Mr. Marcelo’s third sworn judicial affidavit dated April 20 where he disclosed the existence of evidence that supposedly proves Mr. Espinosa’s illegal drug activities.
These include a photo printed on a white mug where Mr. Espinosa can be seen with his children and travel documents verifying Mr. Espinosa’s trip to Thailand on June 5, 2015, where he allegedly met with Mr. Lim.
Mr. Adorco in his affidavit also claimed the existence of Mr’s Espinosa’s so-called “Blue Book” and “Pink Book,” which allegedly contained drug activity information such as bank accounts and names of individuals being given “payola” or drug protection money.
The panel composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera, Assistant State Prosecutor Anna Noreen T. Devanadera, and Prosecution Attorney Herbert Calvin D. Abugan were given certified true copies of these books as well as the other attached affidavits to support the main third judicial affidavit, which included among others, the transcripts of the 2016 Senate hearings on the investigation of Mr. Espinosa’s father, the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
Mr. Lim’s lawyer, Magilyn T. Loja, criticized the reopened investigation saying, “the intention is baka mayroon hindi na submit (maybe there were pieces of evidence that were not submitted)… pero walang walang bago (but there is nothing new),” as all affidavits except for the third sword judicial affidavit were dated before the the start of the new investigation.
The respondents were directed by the panel to submit their counter-affidavits on May 15.

Malacañang to investigate DoT ad contract with Tulfo firm

April 30, 2018 | 8:29 pm

MALACAÑANG CONFIRMED on Monday that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has already ordered a probe into the advertising contract of the Department of Tourism (DoT) with the Tulfo brothers’ show on government station PTV 4. The DoT is headed by the Tulfo brothers’ sister, Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. “What I know is that the President is already aware of it, and I can confirm that there’s already a ‘let’s look into this’,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing. He added: “I assure you, the Palace will investigate the matter. We have to accept the findings of the Commission on Audit (CoA). The Palace will investigate on its own.” Reports came out over the weekend that CoA has flagged DoT’s placement of P60 million worth of advertisements in the show, produced by Ben T. Tulfo’s Bitag Media Unlimited, Inc. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Ex-Justice: quo warranto a threat to judicial independence

April 30, 2018 | 8:28 pm

RETIRED SUPREME Court Justice Vicente V. Mendoza on Monday warned that “a quo warranto proceeding filed against a member of the court or any impeachable officer for that matter filed more than a year after assumption of office will undermine the security of tenure granted by the Constitution to public officers.” Mr. Mendoza was referring to the petition seeking to void Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno’s appointment during an interview on ANC’s Headstart. “(It) will ultimately subvert the independence of the judiciary,” he added, citing the prohibition provided under the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure. Ms. Sereno’s camp, in a press release, also argued that “if the rules of Court is to be followed, the filing of quo warranto against her already lapsed” as “she has been Chief Justice for almost six years.” — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Gasoline up by P0.85; diesel, P0.70

April 30, 2018 | 8:27 pm

FOR THE third straight week, the prices of petroleum products are set to increase, with gasoline having the biggest hike at P0.85 per liter (/L). Diesel and kerosene will both be up by P0.70/L. For most of the oil companies that sent advisories as of Monday afternoon, the adjustment will take place at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, a holiday. The increase follows the movement of petroleum prices in the international market, the companies said. Last week, gasoline, diesel and kerosene rose by P0.40, P0.65 and P0.65, respectively. — Victor V. Saulon

2 police officers caught driving colorum vehicles

April 30, 2018 | 8:26 pm

TWO ACTIVE police officers, one a chief inspector and the other a senior police officer 4, were among those apprehended last week for operating an unlicensed public utility vehicle, locally referred to as colorum. In a statement on Monday, the Inter-agency Council for Traffic (IACT) said the two cops, who were not named, were among the 92 caught in Parañaque and Pasay on April 26 during the Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok and Kamao operations. These two IACT programs are intended to eliminate colorum and dilapidated vehicles on the road. The two policemen were using their vehicles, with one even bearing a sticker of the Office of the President, like a UV Express, picking up passengers and collecting fare. One was even in uniform and carried his service firearm. “I am disappointed that even those we expect to abide the law first will be caught red-handed,” said IACT head Thomas M. Orboz. PNP Spokesperson PCSupt. John C. Bulalacao, meanwhile, said the police “has a standing policy against personnel moonlighting with jobs that have conflicting interest with our mandate.” He said in the case of the two, they violated various laws, including the Commission on Election gun ban, which is a criminal offense. “We are warning PNP personnel not to indulge in driving unlicensed PUVs as this is prohibited by law and is violative of internal PNP policies. Those who will be found guilty may be punished by suspension to dismissal from the service,” Mr. Bulalacao said. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

3 boats apprehended for illegal fishing in Masbate

April 30, 2018 | 8:25 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard Station (CGS) in Masbate apprehended three fishing boats in San Pascual, Masbate on April 27 for illegal fishing. The PCG reported on Sunday that the CGS-Masbate’s Maritime Law Enforcement team caught the boats’ crew using fine mesh net with active gear, locally known as ‘zipper,’ which is prohibited under the Philippine Fisheries Code as amended. The boats were identified as FB Jurna, FB Mary Femen, and FB Bernie, all with expired vessel safety certificates no licenses for the captains and the marine mechanic. The three boats are registered under three different people, namely: Jorge Liquiron from San Pascual, Masbate; and Malijana Tomas and Degracia Hermino, both from Balatan, Camarines Sur. The boats, captains and crew members were brought to Masbate City for proper documentation and filing of appropriate changes.

Abu Sayyaf abducts 2 cops, 2 civilians

April 30, 2018 | 8:24 pm

TWO POLICE officers were among the four individuals abducted in Patikul, Sulu on April 29, according to authorities. The two officers, identified as Police Officer 2 (PO2) Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad, were with Faizal Ahidji aboard a tricycle driven by Jakosalem Ahamad Blas when they were flagged down and forcibly taken by 11 armed men led by Abu Sayyaf member Mujir Yada. The military’s Joint Task Force Sulu and the Philippine National Police are currently conducting rescue operations. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Group formed for river cleanup to prevent flooding in Davao City

April 30, 2018 | 8:23 pm

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued an executive order (EO) for the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that will facilitate the desilting of rivers and streams in Davao City to mitigate flooding. “There is a need to allow desilting operations within the watershed areas to address the heavy siltation problem in rivers and streams, which could result in overflowing of water and flooding during rainy seasons,” the EO reads. The TWG is chaired by City Engineer Joseph Dominic S. Felizarta with members from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Davao City Mining Regulatory Board, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office. The group is tasked to determine the volume of materials to be extracted during the desilting process and determine the need to tap a private entity if local government equipment and manpower are not sufficient. In 2011, during the first time that Ms. Duterte was mayor, flooding in the Matina area resulted to the death of at least 25 people, left over 300 families homeless, and destroyed millions worth of property. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Surrendered

April 30, 2018 | 8:22 pm

Assorted unlicensed firearms, totalling 119, including 63 high-powered weapons, are surrendered to the military on April 29 in Midsayap, Cotabato as part of the government’s Balik Baril program to promote peace. Cotabato Gov. Emmylou J. Talino-Mendoza, in her message during the turnover ceremony, stressed the need to end violence brought about by conflicts and criminality.

DoT counters NEDA: Boracay closure won’t necessarily slow down Western Visayas growth

April 30, 2018 | 8:21 pm

THE WESTERN Visayas office of the Department of Tourism (DoT-6) disagrees with its National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) counterpart in the assessment that regional growth would be severely affected by the six-month closure of Boracay to tourists.
“The NEDA-6 statement reveals a very narrow and shallow view of the Western Visayas region as a solely Boracay tourism-dependent region, when in fact it is a multi-destination region,” lawyer Helen J. Catalbas DoT-6 regional director, said in an interview.
In a press conference on the day of the island’s closure last April 26, NEDA-6 Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal said the temporary shutdown will greatly affect the region’s economic performance.
“At the national level, the effect is insignificant because visitors, especially the local ones who could be very flexible with their travel, would just go to other places and spend there. Basically, it is a loss for Region 6,” Ms. Bacal said.
Ms. Catalbas, on the other hand, pointed out that there are other municipalities, cities, and provinces in the region that attract visitors and could make up for or mitigate the impact of Boracay’s closure
The DoT official said the NEDA-6 data indicating that Boracay contributes to 30.2% of the country’s foreign tourist arrivals in 2017 is incorrect.
DoT records show that 6.6 million foreigners visited the country in 2017, with Boracay accounting for 986,920.
The other popular destinations in the region include Iloilo and Bacolod cities, Negros Occidental, and the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, and Antique.
OTHER SECTORS
Ms. Catalbas said the statement of the NEDA-6 head is “irresponsible” as well as “insults” the other sectors in the region which have significant economic contributions such as housing and construction, energy, services, export, remittances from overseas Filipino Workers, and business process outsourcing.
“The statement of NEDA Region 6 is irresponsible. It does not have a leg to stand on that it will result in the decreasing GDP (gross domestic product),” she said.
The added that such statements undermine investor confidence.
“Let us not undermine the efforts of the national government in saving Boracay by making an irresponsible pronouncement that is giving wrong signals and betrays the real intention of providing a better life for the people of Malay, province of Aklan, and the whole of Western Visayas,” she said. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

Nation at a Glance — (05/01/18)

April 30, 2018 | 8:20 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Santiago named UAAP women’s volleyball MVP

April 30, 2018 | 8:18 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
HER University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) career may have ended sans a championship to show for but National University (NU) women’s volleyball star Jaja Santiago is not going away empty-handed as she is set to receive the league award for most valuable player.
Saw her collegiate career end after being booted out by the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers in the Final Four, Santiago, nonetheless, played solid for the Lady Bulldogs, leading the squad in scoring with a total 280 points in her final year donning the blue and white.
Along the way she also proved to be the best spiker in the league, the fourth straight year she has done so.
Despite their efforts though, NU, limped out of the tournament after a strong start to its campaign that had it going 6-1 in the first round of the eliminations before going 1-6 after.
Best scorer is Sisi Rondina of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), compiling 296 points in the about-to-end season of the UAAP.
Celine Domingo of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws is adjudged best blocker while best server is Desiree Cheng of La Salle.
Awards for best digger and receiver go to Kath Arado of the University of the East, with Deanna Wong of the Ateneo Lady Eagles as the best setter.
Rookie of the year, meanwhile, is Milena Alessandrini of UST.
On the men’s side, it is Ateneo’s Marck Espejo who is the MVP while also taking the awards for best scorer, best spiker and best server.