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50 police officers face criminal raps over P6.7-B drug cover-up

PHIIPPINE STAR/ EDD GUMBAN

THE NATIONAL Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Philippine National Police have filed criminal complaints against 50 cops linked to the P6.7 billion worth of drugs seized in Manila last year, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

At a livestreamed press conference, Interior Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., who chairs the Napolcom, said the complaints were based on security camera footage of police officers allegedly attempting to steal 42 of the 990 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, known in the Philippines as shabu.

“The Napolcom and the (police) Special Investigation Task Group have gone through everything — the testimonies, the evidence, and many things were seen here,” Mr. Abalos Jr. said in mixed English and Filipino.

The complaints were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on June 9. It involves malversation of public property, violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act.

The officers will also face administrative cases such as grave misconduct and neglect of duty, which could lead to their dismissal and forfeiture of benefits, he added.

Mr. Abalos said filing the cases was part of his agency’s efforts to weed out erring cops and restore the police force’s image.

Last month, national police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr. said cops arrested 24,197 suspects in more than 18,000 anti-illegal drug raids this year.

Law enforcers had seized this year around $110 million or about P6.16 billion worth of illegal drugs as of May 27.

Mr. Acorda Jr. told a news briefing on May 29 that the agency would continue investigating cops to ensure they remain clean.

“We will continue vetting and investigating the backgrounds of our drug enforcement officers to make sure that none of them turn to the wrong path,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

That same month, Mr. Abalos said a five-man advisory panel had recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against four senior police officers over their alleged ties to the illegal drug trade.

He earlier called on all colonels and generals to resign after a probe found many top police officers were involved in illegal drugs. Almost a thousand senior police officers had submitted their courtesy resignations, Mr. Abalos told a news briefing on May 8. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Taguig asks SC to look into Makati mayor’s claims on land row

BW FILE PHOTO

TAGUIG City Mayor Laarni L. Cayetano has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to look into alleged false claims made by Makati Mayor Marlen Abigail Binay-Campos about the two cities’ three-decade territorial dispute over the Fort Bonifacio military reservation and adjacent villages.

In a motion filed on Tuesday, Ms. Cayetano sought a show-cause order to require the Makati mayor to explain why she supposedly claimed in a media interview that Makati City received an order from the High Court on oral arguments for the case.

Ms. Binay did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

“Respondent City of Taguig is committed to defending the integrity and honor of the honorable court and judicial processes and does not believe in these claims,” according to the motion.

Court spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka earlier said he did not have information about the supposed oral arguments on the case.

In April, the tribunal ruled with finality on the case as it upheld Taguig City’s ownership of the 729-hectare Bonifacio Global City Complex and several villages.

It previously ruled in Taguig’s favor in a December 2021 decision.

A trial court in 1994 stopped the Makati City government from exercising jurisdiction over parcels of land that made up Fort Bonifacio, including the so-called Inner Fort that comprises the villages of Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo.

The Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, Joint US Military Assistance Group area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and six villages are in these areas. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

PHL vows to uphold workers’ right to organize  

WORKERS’ groups hold a rally in Manila on May 1, 2023, calling for a wage hike on Labor Day. — PHILSTAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE PHILIPPINE government has vowed to uphold and promote workers’ right to organize and bargain through a newly formed task force on labor rights violations.  

“We have made sure that sectoral representation in the tripartite mechanisms is genuine… All newly appointed worker and employer representatives have come from the nominees of our social partner,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said in his speech at the International Labor Conference (ILO) being held in Geneva from June 5 to 16.  

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on April 30 signed an executive order creating an inter-agency body that will investigate labor rights violations targeting trade unionists. 

According to Executive Order (EO) No. 23, the task force on labor rights violations will be chaired by the executive secretary and co-headed by the labor secretary.  

Labor groups criticized the measure, saying it lacked participation from workers.  

“It also falls short of the spirit of the International Labour Organization (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission as the EO 23 was drafted without the participation of workers,” Josua T. Mata, secretary general of Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, said in a Viber message last month.  

In February, a team of ILO representatives met with trade unions and government officials to discuss human rights violations against workers and union organizers.  

That month, trade unions submitted a joint report to the ILO mission on labor rights violations, saying the government has consistently failed to comply with ILO conventions on freedom of association and the right to organize. 

“The Philippines has reasserted its commitment to fair, equitable, and people-centered interventions to achieve social justice and address the changing patterns of today’s world of work,” the Department of Labor and Employment said in a statement on Tuesday.  

OFW HOUSING
In another labor sector, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development have partnered to provide more affordable housing for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).  

At a livestreamed partnership signing event, Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susan V. Ople said the provision of housing options for OFWs is part of the department’s “internal targets.” 

“I’m sure all of us want to have our own houses that we can pass down to our family members.” 

Last week, the DMW also signed a deal with the Department of Trade and Industry to enhance the government’s program for assisting returning OFWs through upskilling and financial literacy programs. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

De Lima’s former aide asks judge to inhibit from drug case 

SENATOR Leila de Lima attends the hearing at Regional Trial Court Branch 204 in Muntinlupa City on Nov. 4, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

DETAINED former Senator Leila M. De Lima’s former aide and two others tagged in the same illegal drug trafficking case have asked a Muntinlupa judge to stop handling the case, citing a conflict of interest. 

In three separate motions, the co-accused sought for Muntinlupa Presiding Judge Romeo S. Buenaventura to inhibit from the pending drug case since he is the brother of Emmanuel S. Buenaventura, who had helped Ms. De Lima’s former aide, Ronnie P. Dayan, execute his affidavit testifying against the former lawmaker. 

Mr. Dayan had since recanted his statement, saying he was coerced by the late former Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo T. Umali to testify against Ms. De Lima.  

The former aide argued that the judge’s brother used to lawyer for Mr. Umali, which created a conflict of interest.  

“Occupying as they do an exalted position in the administration of justice, judges must pay a high price for the honor bestowed upon them,” Haidee S. Soriano, Mr. Dayan’s lawyer, said in the motion to inhibit.  

“Hence, any act which would give the appearance of impropriety becomes, of itself, reprehensible.”  

BAIL
The same judge rejected last week the former senator’s motion for bail, saying it could not overlook the testimonial evidence against her.  

In a separate motion on Tuesday, Ms. De Lima asked the Muntinlupa court to reconsider her motion for bail.  

Ms. De Lima’s lawyers said the court should have used the basis of probable cause instead of relying on the evidence of guilt being strong in deciding on the bail plea.  

“The absolute and complete reliance of the Honorable Court on the testimony of the Prosecution witnesses, but only on their direct examination, is unprecedented, unfounded, and almost brazen,” according to the motion for reconsideration.  

The court has dismissed a separate illegal drug trafficking case against Ms. De Lima and Mr. Dayan on May 12, citing reasonable doubt.  

Four witnesses have retracted their testimonies against the former lawmaker. They all claimed to have been coerced by the previous administration. 

The former senator originally faced three illegal drug cases. The tribunal dismissed her first case in 2021. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

State auditors tell CEZA to maximize P598M worth of infra projects 

THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has flagged the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) for failing to fully utilize almost P598 million worth of infrastructure projects that were completed last year.  

“The infrastructure projects completed in calendar year 2022 costing P597.92 million were idle/underutilized and only generated minimal revenue,” its 2022 audit report made available on June 9, 2023 noted.   

The projects include the CEZA Commercial Center, which was completed in January 2022, and several warehouses and warehouse offices.   

The CEZA management explained to CoA that it recently awarded a contract of lease for the third floor of the commercial center, while the first and second floors will be leased by another locator within the year. CEZA added that eight of its warehouse units are undergoing repair.  

CoA also said that P199.6 million worth of master plans and feasibility studies “have not been used and taken advantage of by CEZA as of Dec. 31, 2022.”   

“The audit team also observed that other projects that are not even part of these feasibility studies were prioritized by management,” it said.   

In response, the CEZA Planning Division said it is “actively pursuing” the proposed projects through public-private partnerships.  

PORT COLLECTION
State auditors also called on CEZA to intensify and improve its port collections system after finding that P8.53 million worth of receivables from various port users and service providers remain uncollected as of Dec. 31 last year.   

The management committed to collect the said port fees and charges.  

State auditors also found that P10 million worth of investment with the Northeastern Luzon Pacific Coastal Service, Inc. (NLPCSI) has been dormant for 17 years.  

The NLPCSI was created in 2004 under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway flagship program. It was jointly organized by CEZA and the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora in Luzon.   

“It is only in calendar year 2021 that CEZA recognized its 25% share in the net income of NLPCSI which mainly consists of interest from bank deposits. In contrast, the P10-million investments would have been more profitable had it been invested in higher interest-earning deposits with an authorized government depository bank,” CoA said.  

The management is seeking approval for the dissolution of the NLPCSI from its board of directors and the local government units involved.  

CEZA’s balance of audit disallowances amounting to P3.23 million remains unsettled as of Dec. 31, 2022, CoA said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Chinese wanted for trafficking arrested at Manila airport 

IMMIGRATION agents have arrested a Chinese woman wanted by Beijing authorities for human trafficking, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday. 

In a statement, BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said immigration officers intercepted the fugitive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on June 11. She was bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

The BI said the agency’s board of commissioners is expected to use an order for her deportation and inclusion in the bureau’s blacklist of undesirable aliens.  

The Chinese embassy in Manila had informed the BI that the woman, who has been on the BI’s wanted list since April 9, was accused of large-scale human trafficking operations.  

She is currently being held at the BI warden facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation proceedings. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

NGCP tower bombing attempt foiled by villagers, security forces

PHILIPPINE ARMY

MILITARY and police bomb experts, acting on reports from villagers, foiled an attempt by local terrorists on Monday to topple a relay tower of the national power grid system in the southern town of Pikit.    

Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division commander Alex S. Rillera reported on Tuesday that the bomb disposal operation was prompted by warnings from vigilant members of the community, among them businessmen, about a plot to topple down the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) Tower 39 in the area.  

Three improvised explosive devices, planted at the steel footings of the tower, were immediately diffused by responding bomb disposal teams from the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion and the Pikit Municipal Police Station.  

Local officials and members of the Islamic religious community in Cotabato province have confirmed to the media that the terrorist groups Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Dawlah Islamiya connived in the supposed bombing of the tower.  

The sources said the bombing attempt was meant to create an impression that both groups have not been weakened by the surrender of over 300 members to authorities since late 2021.    

Soccsksargen Regional Police Director Jimili L. Macaraeg commended and thanked residents of Pikit for promptly reporting the bombing plot as part of their support to the government’s campaign against violent religious extremists.  

The BIFF and the Dawlah Islamiya, both operating in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, have been notorious for bombing public transportation and establishments whose owners refuse to pay “protection money” on a monthly basis. — John M. Unson

World Bank-backed fishery program to roll out in August

PHILSTAR

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Tuesday that a seven-year fisheries project will launch in August after obtaining funding approval from the World Bank.

In a statement, the BFAR said that the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) project, which will take in funding of $209 million part-financed by the World Bank, is designed to improve fisheries management and production.

The World Bank announced on May 30 that its board of executive directors approved a $176-million loan for the project.

“We thank the World Bank and all our partner National Government agencies for helping us prepare for the eventual implementation of the FishCoRe project,” BFAR National Director Demosthenes R. Escoto said.

The FishCoRe project hopes to grow aquaculture and fisheries enterprises into aqua-industrial businesses by providing support measures like climate-resilient technologies, the BFAR said.

The project is expected to benefit over 1.15 million fisherfolk, small to medium enterprises, and residents of coastal communities.

“This project takes a holistic approach, confronting from all sides the various long-standing issues being faced by the fisheries sector; from ensuring the sustainability of our fisheries and coastal resources for food security, to enabling maximized benefits of our fisherfolk towards poverty reduction through improved management on all facets to ensure a robust and resilient fisheries sector,” Mr. Escoto added.

According to the BFAR, fisheries accounted for 12.81% of agricultural gross value added in 2022 while providing livelihood to about 1.49 million individuals.

The project will enhance fisheries management policy in order to address continuing threats and challenges to sustainability, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, declining fish catches, high post-harvest losses, and the impact of calamities and climate change.

“The FishCore project hopes to address these challenges through the adoption of the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, therefore enhancing the value of fisheries production and elevating income in coastal communities through science, knowledge, and technology,” the BFAR said.

Of the 12 Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs), the project will be implemented in FMAs 6 and 9. FMA 6 covers Pagudpud Bay, Subic Bay, and Manila Bay while FMA 9 consists of the Bohol Sea, Panguil Bay, Iligan Bay, Gingoog Bay, Butuan Bay, and Sogod Bay. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Philippines seeks $450-M AIIB loan for health projects

REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES is seeking a $450-million loan from Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support its public health programs, the bank said.

“The proposed policy-based loan will provide financing for the efforts of the government of the Philippines to strengthen public health systems in the post-pandemic era and enhance the country’s preparedness and response to the unanticipated health crises,” AIIB said on its website.

The loan will fund reforms to broaden the coverage of healthcare services and boost efforts to prevent and prepare for a future pandemic.

“It will also help expand primary healthcare facilities across the country and enhance the quantity and quality of second and third-tier health institutions and the capacity of healthcare workers,” it added.

It also aims to support the “nationwide implementation of interoperability of health information systems, monitoring of universal healthcare coverage outputs and outcomes, and performance incentives for UHC-related activities of the local government units.”

The Asian Development Bank will be the lead co-financier for the policy loan. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

CAAP signs Borongan airport upgrade deal

CAAP.GOV.PH

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has signed a memorandum of agreement on Tuesday with Borongan City in Eastern Samar covering the development and maintenance of the city’s airport.

“The Borongan City government, recognizing the increasing demand for air travel in the region, partnered with CAAP and air carriers (after) the airport launched commercial flights at the airport last year,” the regulator said.

CAAP said that the local government unit proposed a comprehensive plan to undertake and finance various development and maintenance projects at the airport.

The plan includes the construction of a new passenger terminal building and other essential airport infrastructure.

Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, mayor of Borongan City said that the project will pave the way for the future economic development of Samar.

“The signing of the MoA between CAAP and the Borongan City government sets the stage for a transformative period for Borongan airport,” the CAAP said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

EV industry lobbying for incentives to support new-vehicle adoption

EREN GOLDMAN-UNSPLASH

THE electric vehicle (EV) industry plans to press the government to provide incentives that will encourage the broad adoption of EVs, the industry organization’s chairman said.

Rommel T. Juan, who chairs the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, said the industry will map out its strategy for a quick EV rollout in an October convention.

The EV Summit, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on Oct. 19-21, will seek to push policymakers and regulators for “supportive policies and incentives that promote widespread EV adoption.”

During his visit to the Periklindo EV show in May in Jakarta, Mr. Juan said international collaboration is needed to advance sustainable transportation solutions.

EV adoption was given a boost by Executive Order (EO) No. 12 issued in January, which reduced the tariffs on certain EVs to zero for five years, effectively lowering vehicle prices.

The EO covers EV segments such as cars, buses, vans, trucks, kick scooters, self-balancing cycles, bicycles, and pocket motorcycles with auxiliary motors not exceeding 250 watts and with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. However, electric motorcycles were excluded from the EO, and are still subject to a 30% tariff.    

The Philippines is also implementing Republic Act No. 11697 or the EV Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which lapsed into law in April 2022. The law requires government agencies and the private sector to observe a 5% EV quota in their vehicle fleets. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

GSIS loan portfolio for end of April declines amid ongoing restructuring of member debt

GSIS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said on Tuesday that it reduced its loans and receivables at the end of April by 7.84% compared with the end of 2022 after restructuring loans in order to provide relief to borrowers.

The pension fund for public-sector workers said in a statement that outstanding loans totaled P42.01 billion at the end of April, down from P45.58 billion at the close of 2022.

Loans have fallen 39% since 2016, when the outstanding loan portfolio was P74.25 billion, GSIS President Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said, adding that the Commission on Audit (CoA) recently issued audit findings that the pension fund had uncollected loans in excess of P45 billion.

Mr. Veloso said the GSIS has been actively forgiving or restructuring loans to provide relief to borrowers.

“One such initiative enabled inactive members to repay loans over a three-year period at a 10% annual interest rate,” GSIS said.

It also cleared up discrepancies in the accounts of the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL) program, which was launched in 2018.

GSIS said the GFAL Multi-Purpose Loan program was overhauled, with borrowers given the option to consolidate their loans.

Partnerships with third-party companies also bolstered loan collection, the GSIS said.

These partnerships include the Credit Information Corp., CIS Bayad Center, Inc., M. Lhuillier, Land Bank of the Philippines, and UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc.

CoA expressed support for the pension fund’s collection efforts and reiterated CoA Memorandum Circular No. 2017-015 issued on Aug. 8, 2017, which outlines the rules for deductions related to premium and loan payments.

GSIS said it is committed to comply with the commission’s recommendations and to improving its processes. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

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